The State - A Podcast from The State News + Impact 89FM

Dining halls incorporate safety measures to accommodate for more students on campus : As the spring semester starts, residence and dining halls are to filling up with 3,800 students on campus. As the COVID-19 positivity rate increases MSU encourages students to not gather with others on or off campus. To keep students safe, dining halls have returned to take-out only dining until the two week "enh...

Valentine's Day Spending: Couples, friends and families across America were exchanging heart-shaped chocolates, flowers and love notes this past weekend while credit cards were being swiped and dollar bills flying out of their pockets. The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimated  that $21.8 billion would be spent on Valentine's Day in 2021. A decrease from 2020's $27.4 billion, which happened t...

In the news today: Survivors confront Board of Trustees over healing fund and MSU Police Capt. arrested.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun named to Biden's COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force : Chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khladun of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will now be serving on newly elected President Biden's health team. Khladun will be joining 11 other health professionals conquering the White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. These select individuals will serve by taki...

In the news today: ASMSU allocates $5,000 to MSU Safe Place and Whitmer calls on legislature to release COVID-19 funds.

MEIJER WILL ALLOW COVID 19 VACCINATIONS : This week, Meijer will partner up with the state of Michigan to provide 25,000 COVID-19 vaccines. Ages 65 and up will be given first priority, and have to sign up through Meijer's website. Despite high risk individuals being the main priority as well, Meijer believes that everyone who would like to be vaccinated should sign up. Through online registration...

B.1.1.7 MAY BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK : Mask up, Spartans. The first B.1.1.7 strain of covid was found in the Greater Lansing vicinity. Eaton County which is nearby Ingham County on Feb. 8 announced they have their first case of the more contagious strain. The Barry- Eaton District Health Department said in a press release that details involving the individual have not been released because the inv...

In the news today: Rep. Slotkin: domestic terrorism “not just a Washington problem”, and decision to end swim and dive programs remains following $32 million commitment to athletics.

In the news today: EL remains a high risk COVID-19 area, international students share why they chose to stay on campus despite virtual academic year and MSU professors reflect on remote learning.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of MDHHS testifies on Michigan vaccinations : The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun testified to Congress on Feb. 2, as COVID-19 vaccine distribution continues to slowly unfold. Khaldun testified to the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee about Michigan's vaccination efforts, fede...

Michigan ranked in the lowest category of the State Equality Index: The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC) and the Equality Federation Institute released their annual State Equality Index (SEI) on Jan. 25, which measures how the laws in each state affect the LGBTQ+ community. The 155-page index includes a scoreboard that ranks each state's LGBTQ+ equality based on the laws enforced. There are...

In the news today: East Lansing City Council issues emergency public health order and Ventilation inspections recommended as part of MI Safe Dining Program.

Man charged in Whitmer kidnapping conspiracy case : One of the men involved in the Gov. Whitmer kidnapping plot has plead guilty but also agrees to fully cooperate. Ty Garbin on Jan. 27 was the first to be convicted, in his hearing with U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker. He will not be sentenced until July 8, but according to a Detroit News Report he may be sentenced to life in prison. East Lansin...

In the news today: Michigan Republicans issue ultimatum on COVID authority, RA's will have the option to live off campus next fall and finalists are chosen for MSUPD Chief of Police.

The State is produced by The State News and Impact 89FM. New COVID Strain: A new strain of the coronavirus has hit the midwest, on Jan.16, the B.1.1.7 strain was identified in Washtenaw County through a woman. Days later on Jan. 21 three other cases had been identified. This strain of the virus is more contagious, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also suggest that...

The State is produced by The State News and Impact 89FM. Restaurants Open https://statenews.com/article/2021/01/whitmer-covid-update-jan-22 Larry King Death https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/23/us/larry-king-dies-trnd/index.html East Lansing Mask Mandate https://statenews.com/article/2021/01/east-lansing-city-council-extends-downtown-mask-mandate-through-end-of-february Hank Aaron Death https://www.espn...

In the news today: MSU will require on-campus students to receive flu shot for spring semester, Gov. Whitmer signs executive order creating the Protect Michigan Commission, and EL receives perfect LGBTQ+ equality index score.

In the news today: Strategic Communication professor analyzes rocky presidential transition, EL City Council discuss innovative programs in support of local businesses, and Sparrow launches Patient Cost Estimator portal.

In the news today: MSU signs contract with NextEra Energy for 20 MW solar array, ELPRA's virtual theater programming wins 2021 innovative programming award, and AG Dana Nessel responds to Texas lawsuit.

In the news today: Gov. Whitmer announces COVID-19 pause to last 12 more days and Rudy Giuliani hospitalized with COVID-19.

In the news today: Low COVID-19 cases in Ingham County Jail despite previous community spike ,and ELBRA refunds bonds to reduce limited obligation debt service by $2.3 million.

In the news today: Draymond Green to be part of trio of fall 2020 commencement speakers.

In the news today: Ingham County cases beginning to trend downward, and Rudy Giuliani testified before Senate.

In the news today: Students required to live on campus for two years beginning fall 2021, and Whitmer shows support for local businesses.

In the news today: SSN and dreaMSU collaborate to create fund for furloughed international students.