With 1,250 COVID-19 cases connected to Michigan State University since Aug. 24, Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail said further action may be needed to slow the spread, such as further limiting outdoor gatherings, prohibiting indoor gatherings, and evaluating large apartment complexes for new quarantine orders.

Vail said she has noticed a drop in the number of tests being done and has heard many students express anecdotally a disincentive to test, given the consequences of quarantine measures.

Others, she said, simply don’t want to “rat out their friends” and make it much more difficult for the contract tracing process to occur as needed. Some refuse to give out information while others merely hang up the phone.

In order to avoid further restrictions and loosen the restrictions currently in place, it is imperative that MSU’s body of students and staff get tested regularly and are honest about the details of their exposure.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, requests for absentee ballots have skyrocketed.

According to the Michigan Department of State’s office, 43 days out from the election in 2016 only just under 600,000 Michigan voters requested absentee ballots.

Forty-three days out from this election, Michigan voters have requested 2.37 million ballots — just over 30% of Michigan voters.

One of the main concerns of this massive number of ballots has been the United States Postal Service’s ability to handle such an extreme load.

Although, The Michigan Department of State spoke out saying that the concern isn’t necessarily with the post office, but rather when they can begin to access those ballots.

As it stands, Michigan clerk’s offices are not allowed to open and count ballots until election day, causing the MDS to recommend sending your ballot via mail by Oct. 19 or drop it off at your clerk’s office before the election.

The East Lansing City Manager announced Tuesday evening that former East Lansing Police Department officer and captain Kim Johnson has been made the new ELPD Chief.

Johnson, who received a bachelor’s in criminal justice and a master’s degree from Michigan State University, was initially hired as an officer, then later moved up through the ranks to become captain of the department in 2006 until his retirement over a 30-year career.

In his role as captain, he also served as the public information officer and emergency management coordinator for the department.

Johnson spoke out saying that “It is an honor and a privilege to return to ELPD” and that he looks forward to “serving our great community and enhancing community collaboration efforts with all”