Dining halls incorporate safety measures to accommodate for more students on campus– Melanie Soverinsky: 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 – Janelle James: 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 – Janelle James: 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.