News

A few thousand supporters of early childhood education are gathering at the State Capitol today.  

Participants in the annual "Star Power" rally will encourage state lawmakers to approve a proposed $130 million increase to the state budget for families-in-need who want to participate in Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program. Currently, the program can afford assistance for only about half of those eligible statewide.

The Great Lakes formed thousands of years ago  when a glacier moved across the region and melted. The film "Project:Ice" depicts the important role ice continues to play in the Great Lakes Basin. 

Bill Kleinert, the documentary’s executive producer and director, discusses the importance of ice to the Great Lakes region. 

In 2010, the Third Battalion, Fifth Marine regiment deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan.  Nicknamed the “Darkhorse Battalion,” the Three-Five was sent to patrol a region of the country known as a Taliban refuge and a center for the opium trade.  During the deployment, the battalion achieved a somber record.  That single unit suffered the highest casualty rate of any in the Marine Corps.  

Two planned projects In Lansing’s Genesee neighborhood have triggered a forward-looking discussion among residents and business people there.   Earlier this year, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the non-profit Zero Day announced plans for new offices and facilities on Butler Street, which runs less than a half mile near the Capitol.

Today marks day number two of Current Sports. We kick off today's show with MSU Alumn and Senior Vice President and General Manager of four Atlanta based sports networks, Jeff Genthner. Al also discusses the Tigers, Brady Hoke, and the NBA playoffs. Lastly, Al has a conversation with Matt and Alex about what it takes to have Sports Journalism as a career. 

The Buena Vista school district in Saginaw County will not resume classes. That’s one of the decisions made Monday at a meeting of state and local education officials.

Lawmakers in the state Senate say they hope to pass an overhaul of Michigan’s public defense system in the coming weeks.

Today marks the launch of Current Sports with Al Martin. Al Martin is taking over for longtime host Earle Robinson. To honor Earle, Al invited Earle to be his very first guest and discuss his life as a broadcaster and his life as a retiree. Other conversations include the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Tiger Woods and the NBA Playoffs. We hear from listeners as well and even Al's dad. 

Today on Current State: One Capitol Region coalition pushes for more LGBT protections and Current Sports host Al Martin recaps the weekend in sports.

Last week, officials from East Lansing and Meridian, Delhi and Delta Townships launched the One Capitol Region Coalition.  The group seeks to expand local protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people living in the greater Lansing area.  

Current Sports host Al Martin gives a rundown of this weekend's sporting events, including the NHL playoffs, NBA playoffs, The Players Championship and Tigers baseball.

What should America’s energy future be, and how do we hammer out an environmentally conscious national energy security plan for the future?   

It’s spring commencement time, when tens of thousands of new graduates head out into the “real world.”  Here in Michigan, there have been a lot of public conversations about how we train our students for jobs in this state, how we keep talent from leaving and attract new talent, and what our universities can be doing to facilitate all of this. From the proposed Michigan 2020 plan by state Democrats to re-thinking the university corridor, there are a lot of ideas floating out there.

We venture outside of Mid-Michigan for much of this edition.  First, NYC-based pianist Steven Masi plays Beethoven's 15th Sonata - Steven is recording the complete piano sonatas.  We'll also have Beethoven's early Quartet op18.#6 from the Quartet of Cremona.  These fellas are also recording a Beethoven complete cycle.  From home, the MSU Symphony and Kevin Noe play Debussy's La Mer, and we fill out What's New with Corelli and Krommer....

Beethoven/Piano Son #15/Masi/Concezio Prod.

Corelli/Sonata #3 in C/Trio Corelli/Bridge

sports nutrition and fitness, and our affordable energy future

The state schools chief says he’ll lift the attendance requirement for 25 graduating seniors in the Buena Vista school district.

Governor Rick Snyder’s administration is applauding state House Republicans for offering a plan to overhaul Medicaid in Michigan.

Al Martin and the Current Sports crew has been preparing for the debut week of Mid-Michigan's newest daily sports talk show...starting Monday, May 13 at 1pm on 870AM.  Al will also be a special guest and regular sports contributor for the daily news/arts radio magazine, Current State.  Be sure to tune in to 870AM next week for special guests including a few Spartan legends, Fox Sports Southwest executive and MSU grad Jeff Genthner...and a special familiar friend to kick of Al's premiere!

It’s Matt Ludtke’s last show, and he starts with the Detroit Red Wings last chance in game six.  He then moves onto issues with referees and the art of the human eye, and potential shot clock changes in college basketball.  Matt closes the show with a discussion on the rookie signings of the Detroit Lions.