A Lot Happened in East Lansing this Week
The city received a presentation on a troubling financial forecast, an EL-based doctor shared his story from working in a warzone and more.
It’s the weekend!
It was a busy week of reporting for the ELi team, so start your Saturday by catching up with what went on in the city.
Financial forecast shows the city will be out of money within five years if it doesn’t make adjustments.
The city heard a troubling presentation at Tuesday’s council meeting, as a financial forecast showed East Lansing is projected to cut into its fund balance for the next several years, and could burn through its reserves even before the income tax renewal goes up for a vote. Read Managing Editor Luke Day’s story on the city's financial challenges here.
East Lansing native travels to the Gaza Strip to care for war victims.
Dr. Omar Malas decided to pursue a career in medicine because he wanted to help people sick and in need of help. After seeing the devastation in Gaza during the war between Israel and Hamas, Malas decided to travel to Gaza to help perhaps the most vulnerable population on the planet. Read Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty’s story on Malas’ experience here.
City settles lawsuit that stems from denied insurance claim.
After a judge ruled against the city in its legal battle against Country Mill Farms in 2023, the city reached a settlement of $825,000 with the farm. However, this week we learned the city was denied its insurance claim to pay out the settlement, leading to more litigation. At Tuesday's City Council meeting, the city announced a settlement, though for far less than the $825,000 it sought. Read Luke’s story on the settlement here.
Committee recommends how city should allocate more than $400,000 in funds from federal block grant program.
Each year, the city receives money from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program–usually between $400,000 and $500.000. The money is used to help low-to-moderate income communities, local nonprofits and with public infrastructure. Read Reporter Ayah Imran’s story about how a city committee recommended this year’s CDBG funds be spent.
MSU Museum honors techno music with exhibit.
The MSUFCU building downtown is acting as a temporary home for the MSU Museum and hosting an exhibit honoring the rise of Techno music in Detroit. The exhibit includes audio and visual components, and will even feature special programs throughout March. Read Arts and Culture Reporter Sarah Spohn’s story about the exhibit here.
Gallery: Scenes from campus on two-year anniversary of MSU shooting.
Last Thursday, Feb. 13 marked two years since a gunman took the lives of three Michigan State University students and left five others critically injured. On the anniversary of the tragedy, community members gathered on campus to create spaces of healing. View Photojournalist Brian Wells’ gallery, which captured the scenes on campus.
There are five city meetings next week.
February wraps up with a few city meetings scattered throughout the week. Monday (Feb. 24), the Folk Festival Committee meets. Wednesday (Feb. 26), the Planning Commission gathers. Then on Thursday (Feb. 27), the Downtown Development Authority, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Building Board of Appeals each convene. When meeting agendas are posted, they can be viewed here.
Outside of city government, the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education will meet Monday (Feb. 24). School board meetings are held downstairs at the high school starting at 7 p.m. The agenda for that meeting can be found here.
East Lansing name origins: Wharton.
This week, for his newsletter-exclusive column, Dustin brings us the history behind Wharton Street.
Wharton Street is just a small stretch of road in north East Lansing, connecting to other roads with names familiar to the MSU community, Kresge Lane and Beaumont Park Drive.
Dr. Clifton Wharton was Michigan State University’s President from 1970 to 1978. He was the first (and so far, only) Black president the university has had and the first Black man to be selected president of a major U.S. university.
With his wife Dolores, he faced plenty of challenges at his new post, including frequent student protests against the Vietnam War and other unrest. He would go on to be chancellor of the State University of New York public college system, and eventually became the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State in 1993.
The Wharton Center for Performing Arts at MSU opened in 1982 and is named for the former president and his wife.
Clifton Wharton died in 2024 and was survived by Dolores.
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