Rewind week of Nov. 11, 2026

Michigan State University alumni John and Becky Duffey (both Class of 1982 grads) have made a $10 million commitment to FOR SPARTA, contributing to the facility-focused initiative that is about a quarter of the overall $4 billion goal for MSU’s Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign. “It’s especially meaningful that their latest commitment has helped carry our campaign beyond the $2 billion mark,” said Kim Tobin, vice president for University Advancement, in a statement. The Duffeys added that it shows “our belief that we have the right leaders in President Guskiewicz, our new AD, Dan, and Coach Fitz. Spartan Stadium isn’t just a place we spend Saturdays; it has provided the backdrop for so many of our family memories. To know we can play a role in its renovation and, at the same time, strengthen MSU Athletics is important to us both.”

Five people were injured in a single-vehicle rollover crash on westbound I-96 near Danby Township, according to a statement from the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office. Several of the people inside were ejected, all of whom denied being the driver, the statement said. Deputies used a Snapchat video, showing where everyone was seated, to determine who was the driver. A 2020 black BMW X1 was speeding in Clinton County prior to the crash, when the vehicle lost control and ran off the road into a ditch. The BMW rolled and landed upright. Deputies said only one person was wearing a seatbelt and excessive speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in the crash, which shut down a portion of the freeway for several hours.

The development group that pitched a data center for Delhi Township withdrew its interest in the 400-acre site on Monday, according to a post on the website of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP). Lighthouse Sustainability, a pre-development group, proposed a $10 billion data center on 423 acres, including the Holt Economic Opportunity Park on Oct. 27. Within 24 hours, the township had withdrawn its membership in LEAP, a regional economic development group. Within days, the township’s board met and unanimously approved a resolution opposing the data center in a public meeting that had – at one point – more people unable to fit into the 177-person capacity room than were in the room. Almost all of the voices and emails were skeptical or in opposition to the proposal. Township officials said they received hundreds of negative comments and less than 10 supportive ones.
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The township had approved a one-year moratorium on data centers in April and developers said they planned to use the remaining six months to pitch their plans, including at least $20 million for a community fund and an estimated $50 million in additional taxes. Lighthouse CEO Gary Dorris acknowledged, in a call with City Pulse on Halloween, the difficulty of getting the project approved given the initial reaction and he predicted that Delhi Township would regret their opposition, blaming township officials as well as knee-jerk reactions. “It was preordained by the town (manager) that this is what she wanted and I believe that honestly the governing body largely follows her lead, but it’s not serving the constituents well nor the greater Lansing area.” Dorris said the township’s board members neglected their fiduciary duty and didn’t consider all the extra perks and taxes that the data center proposal had brought to the table. “It’s the community’s loss, not mine.”
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In the Tuesday statement announcing the withdrawal, LEAP CEO and president Bob Trezise said it was the end of LEAP’s partnership with Lighthouse. “While we are disappointed that a public dialogue was not truly allowed to begin, we thank the Delhi Township community and Lighthouse Sustainability for their participation and feedback, though brief,” he said. “We look forward to seeing what other non-data center opportunities might align for the community’s master plan into the future. Holt is a great community filled with great people and Delhi Township has outstanding leadership.”

Lansing opened its newest fire station on Monday in a ceremony as city officials and fire fighters pushed a fire truck into the bay, a tradition that dates back to the horse-drawn carriage days. Station 9, 2320 S. Washington Ave., will let firefighters get better rest and improve efficiency and safety. The station is one of several improvements that were funded as part of a $175 million bond in 2022. The new Lansing Police Department and District Court are part of the bond and are expected to open early next year, officials said Monday.

The University of Michigan won the big competition against Michigan State University on Saturday, not the football game (they lost), but an unusual contest officially called the “Piss Off.” In the contest, the two universities tried to out-pee each other during the game at Michigan Stadium for reasons of science and to gamify bragging rights. The Wolverines out-peed the Spartans, ending up with about 135 gallons of urine to MSU’s roughly 100 gallons (a residential curbside trash bin is typically about 96 gallons). About 3,000 people stood and did their business while participating in the first formal contest of its kind between the rival universities. Scientists from the two schools will turn the urine into fertilizer for the Kellogg Biological Station here and the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor.

University of Michigan alumnus and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor wore Michigan State green and white to Monday’s City Council meeting, following a wager with City Council Chair Peter Spadafore. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 15-6 in their Saturday night showdown, snapping a four-game losing streak to U-M. The Spartan defense forced four turnovers and recorded five sacks, while MSU kicker Liam Boyd defined the game with five field goals on the offensive side.

The public is invited to pay their respects to the late former Lansing Mayor David Hollister during a memorial service Lansing Community College will host for the family on Wed., Nov. 23. Hollister, who died at 84 on Sept. 22, had a career of 53 years in public service including three terms as Lansing Mayor and serving the Michigan House of Representatives and the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. The Gannon Building Commons on Grand Ave. will open at 2 p.m. that day for the “Celebration of Life” ceremony that will begin at 2:30 p.m. and parking will be available on the Gannon Ramp. 

Social media content creator duo Josh & Jase (Joshua Cauldwell-Clarke and Jason “Jase” Riley) returned to Michigan last week, encouraging their fanbase to give back by donating blood. The two partnered with the Big Ten Conference and global healthcare organization Abbott for the third annual “We Give Blood” drive, a national competition to increase turnout to blood drives. This is the duo’s third trip to Michigan this year and included attending the MSU-University of Michigan football game.