Today’s weather forecast is predicting rain showers early with some sunshine later in the day with a high of 75 degrees and a low of 57 degrees.

MSU football coach Mel Tucker to be fired

Athletic Director Alan Haller intends to terminate head football coach Mel Tucker’s contract, according to a statement released on Monday.

“I, with the support of administration and board, have provided Mel Tucker with written notice of intent to terminate his contract for cause,” Haller said in the statement. “This notification process is required as part of his existing contract.”

If in the next seven days Tucker does not present Haller and and Interim President Teresa Woodruff with sufficient reasons why his contract shouldn’t be terminated, his termination will take effect on Sept. 26.

In the notice of intent sent to Tucker, Haller said Tucker’s admitted behavior breaches the contract he holds with Michigan State University. He said Tucker engaged in “conduct which constitutes moral turpitude,” and brought “public disrespect, contempt, or ridicule upon the University.”

Specifically, Tucker’s sexually explicit behavior over a phone call with rape survivor and advocate Brenda Tracy – including flirtatious comments and masturbation – violated Tucker’s “contractual duty to the University to conduct (himself) in a professional and ethical manner,” Haller said.

Tucker’s behavior, which Tracy claimed was not consensual, brought much attention to MSU. Haller lists this another reason Tucker is to be terminated.

The decision does not affect the ongoing investigation into Tucker’s alleged sexual misconduct, and the hearing will still take place on Oct. 5 and 6.

East Lansing Farmers Market welcomes students with “Spartan Appreciation Day”

The East Lansing Farmers Market, or ELFM, welcomed ‘Spartan Appreciation Day’ this past Sunday morning. ‘Spartan Appreciation Day’ was meant to recognize the city’s special relationship with Michigan State University and welcome students to the community.

The first 100 Spartans who attended the ELFM got a complimentary tote bag along with a coupon to spend at any ELFM vendor. Individuals who attended the event were welcomed in with light music to set the tone of a day at the market.

Spartans across the market said the farmers market creates a sense of community to students who might feel overwhelmed in such a large school, as well as allowing for weekly routines or consistency while dealing with an unfamiliar environment for new students.

The East Lansing Farmers Market prides itself on being 100% Michigan-grown and runs from June through October each year. Vendors are required to grow their own produce or make their own product, which allows customers to enjoy local Michigan goods.

“Walk a Mile in My Shoes” rally promotes mental health, wellness

On Sept. 13, around 2,000 Michigan citizens surrounded the Michigan Capitol for the “Walk a Mile in My Shoes” rally to bring more attention to mental and public health and wellness. The main organization that held this rally was the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, or CMHA, with different associated organizations representing each county in Michigan.

The rally gave voices to people sharing their personal experiences, those who have been impacted by the use of community behavioral health services, and people who wanted to come out and share their support for this cause.

CMHA associate director Alan Bolter has been working with the association since 2009 and works on advocacy, public policy, and policy lobbying. According to Bolter, CMHA represents Michigan’s public mental health system, which includes the 46 community mental health agencies plus 10 prepaid, inpatient behavioral health plans.

The first goal that CMHA hopes to achieve is to enhance public awareness and educate legislators about why mental health matters. CMHA and Bolter hope to inform voters and lawmakers of the public behavioral health system and areas that need enhancement, such as access to services, integrated healthcare and workforce recruitment and retention.

Although anxiety and depression are more common in Michiganders, there is one other mental and public health issue that affects a portion of citizens of Michigan which CMHA hopes to receive more support from legislators and future work: substance abuse.

These are all problems that, with the CMHA, will hopefully be taken care of as Michigan legislators will allow for more accessible and affordable behavioral health care for all citizens.

Based on original reporting by Theo Scheer, Abbigayle Gabli and PJ Pfeiffer.