Storm Outages, Lansing Shooting Investigation, and Local Oscar Win Highlight Mid-Michigan News

Thousands of customers of Consumers Energy are without power following weekend storms that brought ice and snow to parts of Michigan. While many outages are concentrated in northern areas of the state, the impact is also being felt in Mid-Michigan.

Outages this morning forced DeWitt Public Schools to cancel classes for the day due to a lack of electricity affecting school operations.

Lansing Police Investigate Shooting Outside Mac’s Bar

Meanwhile, police in Lansing, Michigan are asking for the public’s help as they investigate a shooting that occurred early Saturday morning outside Mac's Bar.

Officers say more than 30 rounds were fired during the incident. Multiple firearms were recovered from the scene, but authorities are still working to determine what led to the gunfire and who may have been involved. Investigators are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Lansing Police Department.

Michigan Lawmakers Debate Hospital Price Transparency

At the state Capitol, lawmakers in the Michigan House of Representatives are continuing to consider legislation designed to protect patients facing medical debt.

The proposal includes a price transparency requirement for hospitals. However, it is no longer tied to a separate measure related to a federal drug discount program that allows hospitals to purchase medications at reduced prices to offset other healthcare costs.

According to reporting from 1320 WILS Capitol correspondent Samantha Schreiber, some legislators remain skeptical of hospital systems and want more accountability before expanding protections related to the discount program.

International Connection to Metro Detroit Synagogue Attack

In international developments connected to a local incident, Israel’s military says the brother of the man responsible for last week’s attack on a synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan was a commander with Hezbollah.

Israeli officials say Ibrahim Ghazali was killed earlier this month in Lebanon during an airstrike. His brother, Ayman Ghazali, drove a vehicle into the synagogue before taking his own life after security personnel opened fire.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Economists Watching Federal Reserve Meeting

Economic concerns are also in focus this week as the Federal Reserve holds a two-day policy meeting.

Timothy Nash, an economist with Northwood University, told 1320 WILS he believes the central bank should consider lowering interest rates.

Nash pointed to slowing economic growth, including a nearly negative fourth-quarter GDP reading, suggesting a possible quarter-point rate cut could help stimulate the economy.

National Agriculture Week Highlights Farmer Concerns

The developments come as the country marks National Agriculture Week.

Chuck Lippstreu, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, says farmers are entering planting season with significant concerns about the availability of key supplies.

Fertilizer and other crop inputs remain expensive and harder to secure, while commodity prices have dropped—creating financial pressure for many farmers across Michigan.

Potterville Native Celebrates Oscar Win

In entertainment news, a Mid-Michigan filmmaker is celebrating a major milestone.

Potterville native Sam Davis won a live-action short award at the Academy Awards for directing the film The Singers. The honor came in a rare tie with another short film titled Two People Exchanging Saliva.

The win marks a significant achievement for the local director and brings a touch of Hollywood recognition to the Mid-Michigan community of Potterville.