The State - A Podcast from The State News + Impact 89FM

Dining halls incorporate safety measures to accommodate for more students on campus: As the spring semester starts, residence and dining halls are to filling up with 3,800 students on campus. As the COVID-19 positivity rate increases MSU encourages students to not gather with others on or off campus. To keep students safe, dining halls have returned to take-out only dining until the two week "enhanced physical distancing" period ended Feb. 13.

Ingham County offices closed due to storm advisory: The Ingham County Health Department has closed its offices and canceled COVID-19 vaccinations for Tuesday due to weather conditions that occurred Monday evening.
Individuals who were unable to receive their COVID-19 vaccination appointment should  reschedule using their confirmation email. Another email with additional instructions will be sent for those who cannot reschedule.  According to a tweet from the department, they will call people who do not have an email address.

MSU Professor Steve Chermak weighs in on domestic terrorism, militias and division: An increase in domestic terrorism, militias and armed protests have become more prevalent at the national and the state level. Steve Chermak, an MSU professor in the school of criminal justice, defined domestic terrorism as politically motivated criminal activities "designed to promote fear and create publicity." During the stay-at-home order last April, Protesters armed with rifles gathered at the Michigan Capitol numerous times. The FBI caught over a dozen men who plotted to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in October 2020. Insurrections stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. This resulted in five deaths, including a Capitol police officer.

Script Writer: Kelly Winters 

The State is produced by The State News and Impact 89FM.

Valentine's Day Spending: Couples, friends and families across America were exchanging heart-shaped chocolates, flowers and love notes this past weekend while credit cards were being swiped and dollar bills flying out of their pockets. The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimated  that $21.8 billion would be spent on Valentine's Day in 2021. A decrease from 2020's $27.4 billion, which happened to fall weeks before the pandemic greatly affected most of the country.

MSU will lift enhance physical distancing directive in phases: According to an email sent out this past Friday, Michigan State University will lift its enhanced physical distancing directive in phases. Following a rapid increase in the COVID-19 positivity rate, the directive came on Jan. 30 and was set to last through 11:59 p.m. on  Feb. 13. Between the weeks of Jan. 18 and Jan. 25, cases increased from 115 per week to 205 cases per week associated with the university. Cases have decreased to 99 during the week of Feb. 1. Despite the decrease in cases, the email states that cases have not yet reached a level that is safe to completely lift the enhanced directive.

Winter storm blasts across country, Ingham County under winter weather advisory: Areas throughout the country are left without power after a huge winter storm on Monday. The National Weather Service says. "Millions of Americans are currently under Winter Storm Warnings, Ice Storm Warnings, Winter Storm Watches, or Winter Weather Advisories as impactful winter weather continues from coast-to-coast."

Script Writer: Kelly Winters 

The State is produced by The State News and Impact 89FM.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun named to Biden's COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force: Chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khladun of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will now be serving on newly elected President Biden's health team. Khladun will be joining 11 other health professionals conquering the White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. These select individuals will serve by taking action and looking at the differences with testing, cases, and fulfilling information during the pandemic. In the end they will create a report that will cover all of the missing health inequities of COVID-19 and how to avoid them for future purposes.

enior wins prestigious Gates Cambridge scholarship for graduate school: Yay to this Spartan! MSU senior Jasmine Jordan won the highly anticipated Gates Cambridge scholarship. Which will assist her as she goes to grad school at the University of Cambridge. Currently Jordan is studying political science at MSU, but she soon will be furthering her education and getting a masters of philosophy in criminological research. Jordan is one of 24 out of 95 who applied, that won the scholarship that was created in 2000 by Bill and Melinda Gates.

Restaurants adjust to a Valentine's Day with capacity restrictions: Thinking of dining out for Valentine's Day? Keep in mind of the restaurant's restrictions due to COVID-19, restaurants are allowed to have a 25% capacity. One restaurant in East Lansing is doing a first come, first serve system. At the Black Cat Bistro, you will not be able to call ahead or sit in for their happy hour specials. There is a take out option that features multiple menu items such as filet-mignon, mashed potatoes and mini red velvet cake among other menu options. Don't wait too long Spartan love birds or singles, you definitely want to plan your day soon.

Script Writer: Chandra Fleming

The State is produced by The State News and Impact 89FM.

MEIJER WILL ALLOW COVID 19 VACCINATIONS: This week, Meijer will partner up with the state of Michigan to provide 25,000 COVID-19 vaccines. Ages 65 and up will be given first priority, and have to sign up through Meijer's website. Despite high risk individuals being the main priority as well, Meijer believes that everyone who would like to be vaccinated should sign up. Through online registration there is a short survey that asks if you are an essential worker, health care worker and to provide current health information. You are also able to register at a local Meijer by calling and through text by texting, "COVID"  to 75049.

FORMER LARRY NASSAR ASSOCIATED GYM GETS NEW NAME AND OWNERS: Former Larry Nassar associated gym Twistars USA Gymnastics Club has been rebranded, with new owners. The new gym will be called Capital City Flips and will open on Feb. 15 with new training. Not only is there a name change but a new location is rumored due to the previous owners selling the building because of COVID. The new club will be practicing inside the Lansing City Arena for a long term lease and plans to start there in June, according to a Facebook post.

VALENTINE'S DAY PLANS FOR SINGLES: Spending Valentine's Day alone? Well if you're going to, don't worry these State News writers have you covered. Emily Bevard and Kaishi Chhabra created a guide that gives single people ideas on how to spend their day. Some of the activities included cooking yourself a romantic meal, having a dance off, planning a Zoom singles party or even making your friends some Valentines. To read more about these activities, you can find more on the Restricted Romance print issue.

Script Writer: Chandra Fleming

The State is produced by The State News and Impact 89FM.

B.1.1.7 MAY BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK: Mask up, Spartans. The first B.1.1.7 strain of covid was found in the Greater Lansing vicinity. Eaton County which is nearby Ingham County on Feb. 8 announced they have their first case of the more contagious strain. The Barry- Eaton District Health Department said in a press release that details involving the individual have not been released because the investigation is still in progress and unknown at the moment. This variant possibly stands a chance being more contagious and deadly than any other known strains.

810,000 MICHIGAN KIDS ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD SECURITY: Michigan families will now be able to continue receiving food aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Feb. 5 announced that the approval for another round of Pandemic EBT has been granted permission through the federal level. This will serve a favor for the 810,000 Michigan kids who are a part of the National School Lunch Program. To be qualified your school must not have in person classes available, but if a hybrid format is in place, then you're still eligible.

SECOND BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING WILL BE ON FEB. 12: On Friday, Feb. 12, The Michigan State Board of Trustees will host their second virtual meeting of the semester. The meeting will take place on Zoom, at 8 a.m. A report from President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. says that one of the topics that will be discussed will include Interim Vice President Douglas Gage explaining the Gift, Grant and Contract Report so the board can approve. "Black Girl Genius" a presentation created by the chairperson of African American and African Studies, Ruth Brown will also be given, among other reports by the board.

Script Writer: Chandra Fleming

The State is produced by The State News and Impact 89FM.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun of MDHHS testifies on Michigan vaccinations: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun testified to Congress on Feb. 2, as COVID-19 vaccine distribution continues to slowly unfold.
Khaldun testified to the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee about Michigan's vaccination efforts, federal needs and the state's work to speed up vaccine distribution without compromising equity.

Marlon C. Lynch announced as MSU police chief and vice president of public safety: On Feb. 2, MSU President Samuel Stanley announced he selected Marlon C. Lynch as the sixth chief of the MSU Police Department. Lynch will also serve as vice president for public safety.
He will start on April 1 after the Board of Trustees approves his position at its February 12 meeting.

8,900 Moderna vaccine doses originally deemed compromised remain useable: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notified the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) that the 8,900 doses of the Moderna vaccine they originally deemed unusable mid-January after a drop in temperature are still useable, according to a Monday press release from the Michigan State Police.
McKesson, a company that distributes medical supplies, shipped the doses in mid-January. The 8,900 doses were reported to have gone out of the temperature range and became too cold. After an internal investigation, McKesson concluded that the lowered temperature was due to the cold weather.

Script Writer: Kelly Winters

The State is produced by The State News and Impact 89FM.