MSU Hit by $10.5 Million SNAP-Ed Cut; Major Changes Unfold Across Lansing

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University will lose $10.5 million in federal funding tied to its SNAP-Ed program, a move expected to result in more than 100 layoffs. The cuts are part of broader changes to federal funding initiatives under a bill championed by former President Donald Trump. The SNAP-Ed program provides nutrition education to low-income families, serving over 100,000 people across the state.

In other Lansing news, the Lansing Center has announced a new management agreement with AMS Global, which officially began earlier this month. AMS will also manage Grosbeck Golf Course and oversee facility maintenance at Jackson Field, marking a major operational shift for several city-owned venues.

The City Pulse newspaper, a fixture in Lansing's media landscape, has been sold to the Michigan Independent Media Group—the second publication acquisition for the company.

Looking ahead to local politics, the NAACP Lansing Branch will host a mayoral candidate forum on Tuesday, July 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church—exactly one week before the August primary election.

Meanwhile, Lansing’s Board of Water and Light is launching a series of public open houses to gather input on its future Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The first event is scheduled for this afternoon and evening at the Alfreda Schmidt Community Center from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Fires and Investigations
In Westphalia Township, fire crews responded to a barn fire on Talman Road just before 2 a.m. Thursday. No word yet on injuries or the cause of the blaze.

In Jackson, a 15-year-old boy is in police custody after allegedly setting fire to the abandoned Michener Plating facility, an active EPA cleanup site. Officials say there were no injuries, and air quality remains normal.

Criminal Case in Lenawee County
A former youth soccer coach, 38-year-old Andrew Olmhausen, has been found guilty on 13 felony counts of criminal sexual conduct. Prosecutors say he had a sexually abusive relationship with a player beginning when she was 12 years old. The abuse allegedly continued until she turned 16. Olmhausen, a former coach with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is scheduled for sentencing on September 5.

Scholarship Civil Rights Investigations
Finally, the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University are among five schools under federal investigation for offering scholarships exclusively to undocumented students. Both universities have not commented publicly on the investigation.