Ingham County Clerk Announces Bid for Michigan Secretary of State Amid Busy News Day in Mid-Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (WILS) — Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum has officially thrown her hat into the ring for Michigan Secretary of State. Byrum, who has served as County Clerk since her election in 2012, announced her candidacy Tuesday morning.

The move comes as current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson prepares for a run for Governor in 2026, opening the door for a competitive race for the statewide office.

Police Activity in Lansing

A heavy police presence was reported Monday night in Lansing as part of a narcotics investigation. Lansing Police say the operation led to the execution of a search warrant at a residence near Pennsylvania and Baker Streets. Multiple individuals were taken into custody, though no additional information has yet been released.

East Lansing Residents Win Parking Lawsuit

Four East Lansing residents have won a legal battle against the city over parking violations. A judge ruled that the plaintiffs were wrongly ticketed despite properly registering for overnight street parking within city limits. The court clarified that the city’s ordinance defines a "year" as the calendar year — from January 1 through December 31 — and that the residents did not exceed the 20-night annual limit.

Lansing Region Sees Strong Economic Growth

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce released its annual State of the Region report Tuesday, revealing strong economic momentum in the area. Key findings include:

• GDP growth of more than 10%

• 16% increase in business establishments

• Venture capital investments soaring by more than 254%

Despite a population dip since 2019, the region has seen steady growth since 2021.

Overnight Lane Closures on I-496

Drivers in Lansing experienced intermittent lane closures on I-496 overnight into early Tuesday morning. The closures, which occurred between midnight and 3 a.m., were due to emergency infrastructure repairs conducted by the Lansing Board of Water and Light following last week’s severe weather.

Jackson Shooting Suspect in Custody

Police in Jackson have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection to a fatal shooting on May 16. The shooting occurred at a residence near 79 War Court. The victim, 22-year-old Amarian Flowers, later died at the hospital from gunshot wounds. The suspect, who was arrested Monday night, is being held in Jackson County Jail and faces charges of open murder. Prosecutors say additional weapons charges are also being considered.

Memorial Day Tribute in East Lansing

Ahead of Memorial Day, a wreath-laying ceremony is being held Tuesday at the Hanna Community Center in East Lansing. The event takes place at the Medal of Honor Memorial and Veterans Monument. Lois Fogarcy, Guest Services Coordinator at Hanna, told 1320 WILS the early timing is intended to avoid conflicts with other commemorative events scheduled for Memorial Day itself.

Traffic Update

As of Tuesday morning, no major traffic disruptions have been reported.

 

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