Grand Ledge Closures, Police Transparency Concerns, and State Legal Battles Lead Mid-Michigan Headlines

Some students in the Grand Ledge Public School District received an unexpected day off Wednesday after district officials announced several school buildings would be closed due to what they described as “unforeseen circumstances.”

The closures affect all elementary schools, Little Comets, GSRP, Head Start, and ECSE programs. Adventure Club programs at Delta Center, Holbrook, Wacousta, and Willow Ridge were also canceled.

Classes are still being held for Grand Ledge High School, Beagle Middle School, and Hayes Middle School. District officials emphasized there is no safety concern and said additional information is expected later.

East Lansing Oversight Commission Calls for More Police Transparency

Tensions surfaced during an East Lansing Police Oversight Commission meeting Tuesday night as commissioners pressed for greater transparency from the East Lansing Police Department regarding recent high-profile incidents.

Among the cases discussed were last month’s stabbing and the fatal officer-involved shooting near Lake Lansing and Abbott roads.

Commissioner Simon Peraza criticized what he described as limited public access to information involving investigations and police use-of-force data.

“There is so much happening behind closed doors when it comes to ongoing investigations, when it comes to lawsuits, when it just comes to getting access to use-of-force data,” Peraza told WILX-TV.

Police Chief Jennifer Brown attended the meeting but declined to comment publicly.

Attorney General Investigation Targets Global Link International

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel says an investigation is continuing into Global Link International after more than a dozen felony charges were announced against nonprofit president Fay Beydoun.

Prosecutors allege Beydoun improperly used money from a $20 million state grant for personal expenses and misled the Michigan Economic Development Corporation about spending tied to the program.

Speaking at a Wednesday news conference, Nessel criticized oversight practices at the MEDC.

“It’s very clear to us that they don’t have the types of policies and procedures in place that they need to if they’re going to be administering these enormous grants,” Nessel said.

Beydoun’s attorney has called the allegations illogical. The MEDC says it is cooperating with the attorney general’s investigation but declined further comment.

Michigan Supreme Court Weighs Legislative Dispute

The Michigan Supreme Court is preparing to deliberate on a lawsuit filed by the Michigan Senate against the Michigan House over nine bills approved during the Democratic-led Legislature’s 2024 session.

The dispute centers on legislation that was passed but never forwarded to the governor by the current Republican-led House.

During oral arguments Wednesday, House attorney Kyle Asher urged the court to overturn lower court rulings that found the House was required to send the bills to the governor.

Asher argued that allowing courts to intervene in internal legislative disputes could undermine the Legislature’s status as a co-equal branch of government.

Coast Guard Recovers Bodies of Missing Fishermen in Saginaw Bay

The United States Coast Guard Detroit sector says crews recovered the bodies of three fishermen after an overdue vessel search in Saginaw Bay.

The boat reportedly left Gambill’s Landing Tuesday afternoon for a fishing trip in the area known as the “Black Hole” but failed to return.

The victims were identified as Chris Whitmer, Ron Whitmer, and Chris Stanley Whitmer Sr.

MSU Federal Credit Union Named Sponsor of Backpack Giveaway

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union has been named the title sponsor for this year’s 17th annual backpack giveaway hosted by Mike 101.7 sister station Power 96.5 FM.

More than 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to local students and families during the drive-thru event on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the Don Johnson Fieldhouse parking lot.

Distribution begins at 2 p.m., with vehicles allowed to begin lining up at noon.