Good morning, Lansing.

Lansing Township police and Robinson Memorial Church of God in Christ—along with local groups—distributed nearly 50 Thanksgiving dinner boxes with donated turkeys to families on Nov.

25 at the church on 509 Charles St.

Lansing's oldest charity has been giving shoes and boots to children for over 100 years—founded when George E.

Palmer used his paycheck to help kids, the association now helps thousands of students head to school with new shoes. Members pay $5 in annual dues to support the program and keep the caring mission alive.

In November, the Lansing area welcomed five new businesses including a second La Cocina Cubana near MSU, a new Barnes & Noble at Frandor Shopping Center, a Dairy Queen near MSU, Dusty's Wine Bar, and Wing Snob—while Yeti Kitchen closed on November 2 and Wayfaring Booksellers is set to close on November 29. These openings and closings mark key changes in the local dining and retail scene.

Gjoni’s Bar and Restaurant opened Oct.

8 at 662 W. Grand River Ave.—a site that hosted Spagnuolo’s and the Polo Bar—and now serves Italian dishes, cocktails, and gelato from Bella Vita to loyal locals and new diners, with owner Gjidoda drawing on decades of experience in the food business.

Greater Lansing is gearing up for a busy holiday season as a long calendar of events unfolds from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve — the lineup includes parades in Mason and downtown, holiday markets, concerts, and family-friendly shows designed to bring the community together.

Organizers plan to offer a variety of festive gatherings that give locals a chance to celebrate and enjoy seasonal traditions.

Yesterday, thousands seen Silver Bells in the City’s Electric Light Parade in downtown Lansing—nine high school bands lit up the night under bright holiday lights.

A 68-foot spruce donated by Linda Ried in honor of her grandparents marked a tradition that began in 1985.

MSU Museum will reopen on Jan.

14th, 2026 after a $28 million renovation modernized key areas such as restrooms, climate control, teaching spaces, and immersive labs. University leaders will attend the reopening ceremony — a move that marks a new phase for the historic museum and its evolving exhibits.

Waverly freshman Juniper Tyler, who is legally blind and has autism, runs on the cross country team — she also plays cymbals in the marching band.

As Michigan braces for a major snow storm, the U.S. Department of Energy advises homeowners to set their thermostats at 68 degrees while awake to cut heating costs—experts add that sealing air leaks and using smart thermostats can further reduce energy bills.

Local energy agencies note that adjusting settings at night and adding insulation are key steps to keep homes warmer this winter.

Michigan hunters in counties around Lansing reported 106,403 deer taken by November 26—Ingham County tallied 1,673 deer—while a winter storm forecast for the Thanksgiving weekend may disrupt plans for more hunts during the final stretch of the 15-day season.

Statewide, 205,000 deer have been reported as hunters continue to work the season, with numbers in local areas reflecting similar trends.

UM-Sparrow opened a new pharmacy on Oct.

8 at its renovated building near the hospital after a Rite Aid closed last fall, and a second pharmacy began serving patients on Nov. 12 at the Allen Neighborhood Center next to a clinic. The new centers aim to fill prescription gaps in underserved areas — helping patients get their medications on time.

A new 2025 City Pulse gift guide offers a curated selection of Lansing shops that feature unique locally made gifts—including art, chocolates, custom baskets and more—to help shoppers stray from online algorithms.

The guide lists options from local boutiques and long-time institutions so residents can find one-of-a-kind gifts this holiday season.

No. 9 MSU women’s soccer will travel to Stanford on Nov.

28 at 5 p.m. ET for an Elite Eight match that gives them a chance to secure a berth in the College Cup. Coach Jeff Hosler said the team will play free and play hard — a bold approach as they take on Stanford’s high-scoring offense.

The Michigan State women’s basketball team will begin a six-game road swing with a trip to the Bahamas when they play Temple at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov.

28—coach Robyn Fralick said the team will rely on its strong depth and teamwork as they face tougher opponents in upcoming games.

A winter storm is set to bring heavy snow to northern Michigan this Thanksgiving weekend as Ski Brule in Iron River is open today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.—and Snowriver Mountain will open tomorrow with forecasters predicting up to 3 feet of snow in parts of the Upper Peninsula.

Additional resorts in northern Michigan are planning to open soon based on weather conditions while southern areas expect only light snowfall.

Friday Karaoke

9-11 p.m. — The Avenue — Free entry — Engage in a vibrant evening of music and fun at a beloved local karaoke night with great food and drinks.

TUNE IN: December Music Showcase

7:30 PM - 1:30 AM — The Robin Theatre — Donations encouraged — An inclusive showcase for local performers and songwriters of all styles.

Friday Karaoke at The Avenue

9-11 p.m. — The Avenue — Free entry — Experience a lively karaoke night while enjoying delicious food and drinks in a vibrant atmosphere.

Breakfast with Santa 2025

9 a.m. — Dave & Buster's Lansing — $10+ — Experience a magical morning filled with breakfast, games, and a visit with Santa Claus.

60th Anniversary Reunion Celebration

2-5 p.m. — Lansing Center — $60.00 + fees — Celebrate six decades of memories with dinner, entertainment, and historical reflections.

The Wiz Musical Revival

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Wharton Center for Performing Arts — Tickets required — Experience the Tony Award-winning musical with a fresh twist on a classic tale.

World Ballet Company - The Nutcracker

7-9 p.m. — Wharton Center for Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magical ballet adaptation of The Nutcracker with enchanting performances and a classic holiday tale.

Friday Karaoke Night

9-11 p.m. — The Avenue Cafe — Free entry — Enjoy a lively night of karaoke with friends and great food from Ruckus Ramen.

Board Game Social at Summit Comics & Games

2-9 p.m. — Summit Comics & Games — Free entry — Enjoy casual gaming sessions and meet fellow gamers in a friendly environment.

Board Game Day at Evolution Games

2-11 p.m. — Evolution Games — Free gaming — Enjoy a day of board gaming and connect with fellow gamers in a welcoming environment.