Michigan News Roundup: Lansing Manslaughter Case, MSU Survey Results, ICE Debate, and Rivalry Basketball

A Lansing man has pleaded guilty in connection with a deadly shooting at a local strip club, while new survey data reveals widespread sexual harassment among Michigan State University undergraduates. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are debating legislation that would limit federal immigration enforcement activities, and Michigan sports fans are gearing up for a highly anticipated basketball rivalry matchup.

Lansing Strip Club Shooting Case Moves Forward

Thirty-seven-year-old Adrian Wilkerson of Lansing has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fatal shooting of 45-year-old Christopher Bonilla. The shooting occurred last February at the Centerfolds Strip Club on Pennsylvania Avenue. Wilkerson is also charged as an habitual offender and faces additional firearm possession charges. He could receive a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for March.

SU Survey Shows High Rates of Sexual Harassment

New findings from the MSU 2025 No More Campus Survey show that nearly two-thirds of undergraduate women and LGBTQ students at Michigan State University experienced sexual harassment during the 2024–25 school year. The survey also reports that sexual assault was disclosed by 6% of undergraduate women and 7.9% of transgender and non-binary undergraduates. The survey examines experiences related to sexual misconduct and relationship violence among students, faculty, and staff.

Leadership Change in Lansing School District

Lansing School District Superintendent Ben Shuldiner officially departs the district Friday as he prepares to begin a new superintendent role in Seattle on Monday. Jessica Benavides will take over as interim superintendent starting Sunday. District officials have not yet announced how the search for a permanent superintendent will be conducted.

Contentious Senate Hearing on ICE Restrictions

A packed Michigan Senate committee hearing Thursday featured intense debate over proposed legislation that would limit Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in sensitive locations such as schools and churches. Democratic State Representative Mai Xiong of Warren testified in support of the bills, saying such enforcement actions conflict with Michigan values. The hearing also included heated exchanges between Republican Senator Jim Runestad and Democratic Chair Senator Stephanie Chang. No timeline has been set for a committee vote.

Michigan Senators Call for ICE Oversight Hearing

U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are calling on Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to testify before Congress following the fatal shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis. A hearing with ICE and other federal agency leaders is scheduled for February 12.

Whitmer Budget Proposal and Big Ten Showdown

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal will be unveiled February 11. State Budget Director Jen Flood will present the plan to a joint session of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees at Heritage Hall in the State Capitol.

On the sports front, the Michigan State Spartans and University of Michigan Wolverines are set to face off in a top-10 men’s basketball matchup at 8 p.m. tonight at the Breslin Center. Spartan Nation’s Hondo Carpenter says the rivalry game is expected to be physical and closely contested, with the outcome likely hinging on which team makes the fewest mistakes.