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Federal funding cutoff is breeding concerns for local governments, U of M survey finds

LANSING — Many Michigan localities expect to see harm from the loss of public funding, though few are preparing for cuts according to a recent survey from the University of Michigan Center for Local, State and Urban Policy. Released earlier this month, the survey examines city and county governments’ plans as funding from several major streams enacted during the administration of former President Joe Biden, including the American Rescue Plan Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, come to an end, with federal cuts to housing and ...

Coalition of Michigan legislative, local leaders pitch $160M project to build new, rehab old homes

LANSING — A new approach to solving Michigan’s housing crisis was pitched on Tuesday, with a $160 million legislative funding request that supporters said would be a bold new strategy for new and rehabilitated attainable dwellings. Dubbed the MI Home Program, the plan would leverage partnerships with local governments, developers and the Michigan Legislature with fewer barriers to boost housing construction and rehabilitation, supporters said at a news conference hosted Tuesday by the Michigan Municipal League. The goal was to also revamp local zoning rules to help accelerate new ...

Michigan State University Board of Trustees approve memorial to commemorate 2023 shooting tragedy

EAST LANSING — In an unexpected “special” Zoom meeting on Friday, the MSU Board of Trustees unanimously approved a plan to build a permanent memorial to honor the victims of the shooting that gripped the MSU community on February 13, 2023, in which three students were killed and five others were injured by a gunman. “This memorial will honor those affected and will stand as a lasting tribute to the loss and resilience of the Spartan community,” the agenda materials said. Even as the university navigates financial “uncertainty” and a 9% budget reduction announced by MSU ...

State’s camp crackdowns leave homeless in precarious position

LANSING — The radio is silent in Greg Pratt's van, but that doesn't mean it's quiet as dozens of styrofoam containers filled with food squeal loudly from the trunk with each bump and turn. A former Marine, stay-at-home dad and Lansing resident, Pratt spends at least one night a week ...

Detroit lawmaker Tate drops out of US Senate race

LANSING — A Detroit lawmaker is dropping out of the race to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate, he announced Friday, leaving three Democratic front-runners to compete in the primary. State Rep. Joe Tate, who was the first Black speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, told The ...