Rewind the news week of Nov. 4
McDonald’s is expected to hoist its Golden Arches just outside of downtown Lansing at the former Jon Anthony Florist location. A story in the Lansing State Journal says that a developer passed the last zoning hurdle and the developer told the newspaper he now expects to complete a sale and it will become a McDonald’s restaurant. The former floral shop, which was part of an 80-year family legacy, will be demolished. The location is in a rapidly growing area. Nearby, The Gillespie Group recently opened Brick Row, right next to the Lansing Lugnut’s Jackson Stadium.
A federal observer from the Department of Justice was temporarily at the Gier Community Center on Tuesday during Election Day. The individual was inside the polling place for some time and then moved outside, talking to voters as they left but outside of the mandated 100-foot zone required by law. Michigan Secretary of State officials came to observe the DOJ official at one point, according to witness accounts shared with City Pulse.
Josh and Jase, a British social media duo who have been welcomed into Michigan twice in the last year, are returning for fall colors and a blood drive Thursday at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Michigan State University. The influencers have said they are using their fame to promote the good cause of getting people to donate blood, with a side benefit of fostering university competitions that help move the needle even further. Josh Clarke and Jason “Jase” Riley visited Michigan during a brutal cold snap in January and returned this July, including a stop at several Lansing spots such as Big Penny Bridge and a farmer’s market on the Capitol grounds.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has released a new interactive map showing township-level cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, that affects white-tailed deer in Michigan. The state department has reported confirmed lab tests of the disease in 15 counties, including Clinton and Jackson counties. It has also been found this year in Allegan, Branch, Clinton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Lenawee, Montcalm, Oakland, Oceana, Saginaw and Washtenaw counties. This is comparable to the number of counties with confirmed cases in 2025 (16) and 2024 (15). Firearm season starts for most people on Nov. 15, with some exceptions for earlier hunting. The map is available at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/wildlife/wildlife-disease/wdm/ehd
Four Michigan State University Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity members were suspended following the circulation of a video showing people appearing to be using cocaine, including while wearing MSU clothing. At the request of the university, the national organization ordered the local chapter to “cease and desist any and all chapter operations … until further notice,” according to a statement from MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz. MSU is opening its own investigation into the chapter. In a statement to WLNS 6 News through a law firm representing the fraternity’s national organization, SAE CEO Steve Mitchell said the footage is believed to be from over a year ago and that the chapter is fully cooperating with investigators.
Michigan State University alumnus Evan James sang a “high-energy take on Chris Stapleton’s ‘Midnight Train to Memphis’ to help save himself as a contestant in The Voice. James and television audiences will find out if he advances on the Nov. 9 episode. James is on coach Adam Levine’s team and the Maroon 5 singer did not select James to move on, meaning his fate is up to voting audiences and he will need to be saved by popular vote.
Injured police dogs can now be flown to Michigan State University for specialized emergency veterinary care, with flights possible across hundreds of miles. Spartan Shield is Michigan’s first emergency air transport program for injured working dogs to get advance care. The 24-hour option can serve law enforcement, military and other public safety dogs when other care isn’t available or additional care is necessary. Michigan State University’s Veterinary Medical Center partnered with Corewell Health Aero Med and North Flight Aero Med, a joint venture between Corewell Health and Munson Healthcare, to develop Spartan Shield. MSU is now one of a small but growing number of veterinary and air medical teams nationally with dedicated emergency transport options for working dogs. “At the push of a button, a robocall goes to our team saying, ‘Hey, you need to get to the hospital.’ There’s no question about it,” said Matthew Beal, an emergency and critical care specialist at the MSU Veterinary Medical Center. “So, if it’s 11:00 at night, two in the morning, Sunday, we hit the button. And our teams from surgery, anesthesia, emergency medicine, critical care, blood banking, imaging — everyone’s going to flood into this place and we’re going to be ready when that canine arrives.” Depending on the dog’s condition, MSU can assemble specialists from across the Veterinary Medical Center to respond to the emergency.
Lansing City Council members are looking for ideas for renaming the city’s E. Cesar E. Chávez Avenue. A survey for ideas is expected to close on Nov. 9. Part of Grand Avenue in Lansing was named for the workers’ rights champion in 1994 but that was quickly reverse and then in 2017, a section of Grand River Avenue from Oakland Avenue to Pine Street was renamed for Chávez. The city is reconsidering the honorific name after allegations earlier this year from Delores Huerta, a labor leader who shared space with Chávez. She accused him of abuse in the New York Times, prompting a widespread reckoning. The United Farm Workers, the union closely associated with both Chávez and Huerta, has called the allegations from Huerta and others serious and has cancelled any Chávez Day-related activities. Earlier this year, council member Trini Pehlivanoglu introduced a resolution to change the name. It could revert to Grand River Avenue or change to something new. Council members have also discussed a $25,000 fund for businesses to be able to change signage and printed materials.
