Retired Lansing Firefighters Protest Health Care Cost Increases at City Council Meeting

LANSING, Mich. – June 10, 2025 — Tensions ran high at Monday night’s Lansing City Council meeting as retired firefighters spoke out against looming increases in their health care costs, set to take effect July 1.

Former Lansing Fire Chief Tom Cochran was among those who addressed the council during the public comment period, criticizing city leaders for allowing what he described as a “travesty.”

“I find it disingenuous that as politicians you want to stand with and be endorsed by our union, and yet you are willing to allow this travesty to take place,” Cochran said.

The dispute stems from a long-overlooked error in a 2013 collective bargaining agreement under former Mayor Virg Bernero, according to current city officials. The correction has led to a spike in monthly health care costs for retirees—hundreds of dollars in some cases.

Retiree Bill Oberst directly addressed Mayor Andy Schor, questioning the motivations behind the change.

“You’re viewing it and having it looked at for a way to save money. What are we trying to pay for? Why do you want to take it out of the retirees? It’s a disappointment,” Oberst said.

Power Outages Hit Mid-Michigan

Severe thunderstorms swept through Mid-Michigan Monday afternoon, knocking out power to over 1,000 Consumers Energy customers. The hardest-hit area was Delhi Township, with additional outages reported in Okemos and Eaton Rapids. All power has since been restored. Statewide, more than 5,000 customers were affected.

Lansing Homicide Victim Identified

Lansing Police have identified the victim in a fatal Sunday night shooting. Fifty-eight-year-old Marvin Hyde Jr. was found shot to death on the 3300 block of Bartowville Street. Investigators say no arrests have been made, but the incident does not appear to be random.

State Police Leadership Faces No Confidence Vote

The Michigan State Police Troopers Association announced an overwhelming vote of no confidence in department leadership. More than 98% of union members responded “no” in a one-question survey about confidence in Colonel James Grady and Lieutenant Colonel Amy Brimacombe.

The Michigan State Police issued a statement defending the two leaders, stating that they “provide unwavering support to members.”

Two Charged in Foiled Pontiac Graduation Shooting

Two men have been charged in connection with a potential mass shooting at a graduation ceremony in Pontiac. Jamirion Hardiman, 20, and Debron Wally, 19, face multiple firearm-related felonies.

According to prosecutors, the incident began with an altercation inside the venue and continued into the parking lot. Surveillance footage showed Hardiman being struck by a vehicle—though not seriously injured—before both men allegedly retrieved firearms from beneath parked cars. If convicted, each could face up to seven years in prison.

U-M Lab Worker Charged in Biological Smuggling Case

A Chinese national affiliated with the University of Michigan has been arrested for allegedly smuggling biological materials—specifically related to roundworms—into the United States. The incident follows the recent unsealing of a similar case involving two other Chinese nationals, one of whom was also a U-M scholar.

Senator Peters Pushes for Weather Service Staffing Exemptions

Michigan U.S. Senator Gary Peters has introduced bipartisan legislation to exempt certain National Weather Service positions from the federal hiring freeze. Peters emphasized that adequate staffing is critical to providing timely alerts during extreme weather events.