News

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.

Today on Current State: film documentary on military sexual assault; alternative energy; the future for Michigan talent; and MSU Alumni Association tour of Cuba.

The U.S. military is facing a crisis of conscience. This week, the Pentagon released an annual report indicating the rate of rape and sexual assault by and against service members has risen significantly in the past year.  Adding to the scandal is the arrest of the Air Force officer who previously led that branch’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response unit -- who himself was charged with sexual assault.  

Matt Ludtke starts today show off with the breakdown of the Big Ten and ACC challenge.   He then delves into the issues for Michigan State’s basketball team next season with the departing of Derrick Nix.  He touches on bench players stepping up, and who will have a breakout year.  He closes the show with the Detroit Red Wings loss in Anaheim.

Today on Current State: privatizing Michigan prisons; the Lansing Symphony Orchestra concludes its season; the L3 Academy faces possible closure; and Mighty Uke Day in Old Town Lansing.

Michigan spends $2 billion annually on its prison system. That’s slightly more than one-fifth of the state’s general fund, according to a 2012 House Fiscal Agency report.  In order to whittle down the size of the prison system’s financial burden, Michigan lawmakers have been looking at private companies to provide services.

Tonight, the Lansing Symphony Orchestra wraps up its season with a program featuring music from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto Number One. Current State's Melissa Benmark caught up with conductor Timothy Muffitt for a preview.

Administrators, staff and students of one of Lansing’s newest charter schools got some bad news yesterday.  The Learn, Live, Lead Academy, launched by local banking executive and former Lansing Community College President Paula Cunningham, was told its contract was being revoked.  “L3,” as it’s called,  is nearing the end of its first year of operations.

It’s the third annual Mighty Uke Day this weekend, with many of the festivities taking place in Lansing’s Old Town. In the studio to play for us today is The Mighty Uke Day Trio, as they’re calling themselves. They are Chris Hamilton on the ukulele; Andy Wilson on the harmonica and pocket trumpet; and the Mighty Uke Day organizer, Ben Hassenger, is also on the ukulele. They spoke with Current State host Mark Bashore.

Governor Rick Snyder has signed a bill to give state wildlife officials more control over which species can be hunted in Michigan – and to permit wolf hunts in the Upper Peninsula.

New teachers in Michigan would be paid based primarily on student growth under a bill in Lansing.

A group of Lansing-area local elected officials are calling for a common anti-discrimination policy for the entire region surrounding the state Capitol.

Today on Current State: taxing internet sales; Michigan's historical markers; law enforcement budget cuts; and First Book of Greater Lansing.

There’s movement in both Lansing and Washington D.C. toward what many call a “leveling of the playing field” regarding sales taxes.  A pair of measures dubbed “The Main Street Fairness” bill is currently being debated in the Michigan House.  The proposal would collect a 6% Michigan sales tax on purchases from out of state internet retailers at the point of sale. And on Monday, the U.S. Senate widely approved a measure that would empower states to do just that.

A little known state agency is celebrating an important milestone today.  The Michigan Historical Commission is holding its 100th anniversary meeting in Lansing.  The commission is the group responsible for the more than 1,700 green and gold historic markers scattered across the state.  It’s also heavily involved in the ongoing sesquicentennial of Michigan’s role in the Civil War.  The chair of the Michigan Historical Commision, Jack Dempsey, spoke with Current State host Mark Bashore about the importance of preserving Michigan’s history.

In a speech Monday night at a law enforcement memorial held at the state Capitol, longtime Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth decried the political influence and budget cuts on law enforcement. Sheriff Wriggelsworth spoke with Current State host Mark Bashore about the effects of downsizing police departments.

Our weekly Neighbors in Action segment features people and organizations working to make our community a better place. This week, we feature a new organization: the Greater Lansing chapter of First Book. It’s a non-profit that offers new books to children in need. Board chairperson Jeremiah Rivera and chair-elect Paul Harmon spoke with Current State host Mark Bashore.