Lansing Tenants Protest Evictions, Budget Shortfalls Challenge East Lansing, and Authorities Warn of Road Dangers and Scams

By 1320 WILS News Staff

LANSING, MI — Tensions ran high at Lansing’s City Council meeting Monday night as a group of tenants voiced concerns over a wave of evictions at Sycamore Town Homes. Residents there have been given just 30 days to vacate their homes due to a $15 million court-approved rehabilitation project.

During the public comment period, tenant advocate William Lawrence urged city leaders to push for extended relocation timelines and increased financial assistance. “What we’re asking for is more time and more help. It’s not easy to move and find housing in this economy,” said Lawrence. The property was cited for multiple code violations in 2023, leading to pink and red tags being placed on several units.

Meanwhile, East Lansing is grappling with its own set of challenges. The City Council will hold a public hearing tonight on the 2026 fiscal year budget, facing a $3 million shortfall. A significant factor in the deficit is a court ruling that invalidated the city's Board of Water and Light (BWL) franchise fee, declaring it an illegal tax. The council has two weeks to finalize its spending plan.

Community Events and Crime Investigations

Elsewhere in Ingham County, residents gathered in Lesley to honor law enforcement officers during National Police Week, which runs through Saturday. The event was one of several across Mid-Michigan recognizing the service and sacrifice of police personnel.

In Lansing, police are investigating the death of a nine-month-old baby. Officers responded Monday to a call reporting the infant was not breathing at a home in the 200 block of Dunlap Street. The child was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead shortly after 11 a.m. Authorities have issued a search warrant, but no arrests have been made as of Tuesday morning.

Traffic Dangers and Scam Alerts

Ingham County Sheriff Scott Rigglesworth took to social media to decry what he described as “off-the-charts” levels of aggressive and distracted driving. According to Rigglesworth, the sheriff’s office handled 120 traffic crashes last month, including 28 on highways. Two of those incidents were fatal, and several involved semi-trucks.

“It floors me that some people blame the police for not doing enough or act like this problem is ours alone to solve,” Rigglesworth said in his post.

State officials are also warning residents about a surge in celebrity impersonation scams. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a public advisory on schemes where scammers pose as celebrities such as Snoop Dogg or Garth Brooks—and even military officers—to defraud victims. Many of these scams come in the form of online romance or fake investment schemes.

Nessel urged residents to avoid sharing personal information, never send money to someone met online, and never allow access to their bank accounts.

Keywords: Lansing evictions, Sycamore Town Homes, East Lansing budget shortfall, Ingham County traffic accidents, Lansing City Council meeting