Rewind the news, week of September 23, 2026
Fraternity events at MSU were paused last week following the death of a member of the university’s Phi Gamma Delta chapter. A fundraiser, with $122,000 raised as of Tuesday afternoon toward a $284,000 goal, has been launched by the family of Zach Waltman. On the GoFundMe page, his family says they want to make “sure college students have someone and somewhere to turn to when they are struggling with mental health challenges” and are pledging support for a 24/7 option for students.
Former MSU medical resident Arpit Saxena, 39, was caught trying to flee the U.S. after being charged with criminal sexual conduct for allegations made by a patient, according to multiple news reports. The Detroit News cited a legal notice alleging that Saxena was allowed to work with patients after a sexual assault allegation had been made, with a second patient reporting an assault the day after the first report. The incidents are alleged to have happened in April 2025. The Detroit Free Press reported that Saxena was caught in Georgia in September 2026 by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents as he was attempting to flee to the Netherlands. The allegations against Saxena come a decade after Larry Nassar, then a sports doctor for MSU, was accused in a series of sexual assaults. He was later convicted. The university has set up a hotline related to Saxena at 844-99-MSUPD or at tips@police.msu.edu.
Eyde Development is planning to develop nearly 500 apartments in Delta Township. The company owns around 54 acres, around South Marketplace Boulevard and West St. Joseph Highway, and has submitted an application to rezone the land, which is currently zoned for a mix of agricultural and office uses. The number of units was intentionally limited by Eyde, according to the city. The Lansing State Journal quoted a city official saying that the maximum number on the lots could be around 593. The Edye application asks for a cap of 480 units, housed in 16 buildings, each having 24 units of one- or two-bedroom apartments. A vote Monday night was expected on the rezoning, and an additional vote would be required for the site approval.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer approved nearly $7 million in disaster and emergency assistance last week for communities that were affected by severe storms, flooding tornadoes and more. The city of Lansing is included, along with Allegan and Baraga counties, in a $1.9 million portion for a May 2025 storm system that included 11 tornadoes. Houghton and Ontonagon counties were awarded $1.6 million after a strong system of severe storms in July 2025, Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties will receive $547,944 to help cover costs associated with the severe storms and tornadoes that struck southwest Michigan in March 2026. Whitmer has also approved Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund assistance for jurisdictions that were not eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program following severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that impacted 49 Michigan counties from April 10–21, 2026. “These funds help communities respond, restore critical services, and rebuild after recent disasters,” Whitmer said, in a statement. The funding is part of the annual budget appropriation.
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) announced Tuesday that it has chosen a 60-foot spruce tree from Iron Mountain to be the official 2026 state Christmas tree. The tree will be delivered to the Capitol lawn in Lansing on Sat., Nov. 7. The tree, donated by the Larry Riccio family, is the 40th (and 26th from the U.P.) since an official tree began being placed at the Capitol for each holiday season in 1987. Officials will harvest the tree two days earlier, then transport it to the Capitol with assistance from the Michigan Association of Timbermen, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, and DTMB’s Christmas tree crew. Upon arrival, Lansing-area Boy Scout troops will untie the tree, following tradition, then The HI-Ball Company of Lansing will hoist and place it. The annual tree-lighting ceremony is set for Fri., Nov. 20, at the 42nd Annual Silver Bells in the City event.
The walking paths of the Tollgate Drain Fairview Wetland on the east side of Lansing have been temporarily closed for ongoing paving maintenance and repair. Work was scheduled to begin Monday and will continue for 3-4 weeks, according to officials representing the Ingham County Drain Commissioners’ Office. The notice added that working hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and possibly Saturday as well. The wetland paths are located on the east side of Wood Street, just north of Grand River Ave., also bordering Fairview and Hopkins, and across from the Groesbeck Golf Course. Questions can be directed to Jeremy Hatherly at the IDCC office at 517-282-4332.
Outgoing U.S. Sen. Gary Peters will be headed to the University of Southern California as director of its Center for the Political Future, alongside Republican strategist and co-director Mike Murphy. Peters taught courses at Central Michigan University prior to being elected to the U.S. House and his political career, and was working toward a doctorate in political philosophy at MSU with the goal of becoming a professor. The move was announced last week and marks a return to higher education. Peters visited MSU in late August on a motorcycle tour and reiterated his support of Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for his seat, in the race against former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
The Detroit Tigers and Fifth Third Bancorp announced Monday that Comerica Park in downtown Detroit, home to the major league baseball team and numerous other events since 2000, will become Fifth Third Park starting with the 2027 Major League Baseball season. Fifth Third Bank and Comerica Bank merged in 2025, making the eventual name change inevitable. The signage at the ballpark will be updated during the offseason, expected to be ready for the Tigers first 2027 home game next March. Two of the Tigers’ minor league affiliates’ parks, in Grand Rapids and Toledo, have also used the Fifth Third name in the past 25 years.
