WKAR - Public Media from Michigan State University

08/09/2025

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall confirms a bill banning cell phones in school won't come up for a vote again this year. Will student outcomes continue to suffer as a result - and who's to blame?

08/08/2025

The Michigan Bridge Card provides a $400 allowance for school clothes, but who qualifies? Get the answer to this question and more details about the program below.

The payment is part of the Family Independence Program (FIP) — Michigan’s temporary cash assistance program for low-income families with children. It’s an annual benefit distributed ahead of the school year to help cover essential clothing expenses.

07/24/2025

Congress has cut federal funding for public media, but thanks to support from our community, WKAR will continue serving mid-Michigan with news, information, inspirational programming and educational content.

For over a century, WKAR has stood strong through change. With your continued support, we’ll stay strong for many years to come.

07/22/2025

Ozzy Osbourne, legendary heavy metal rocker and lead singer of Black Sabbath, has died at 76. His legacy lives on in Michigan with a special tie to Kalamazoo.

Ozzy Osbourne, legendary heavy metal rocker and lead singer of Black Sabbath, has died at 76.

07/17/2025

"Thank you to everyone who stood with public media through the recent months. WKAR will emerge from these challenging times strong and prosperous." - Shawn Turner, WKAR general manager.

Thank you to everyone who stood with public media through the recent months. With your continued support, WKAR will emerge from these challenging times strong and prosperous

07/16/2025

Favorable weather—specifically a wet spring and warm early summer—has led to a surge in fireflies across Michigan this year. Despite a global decline in firefly populations due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution, local experts note this year’s abundance, encouraging practices like reducing outdoor lights and preserving natural yards

Researchers say fireflies thrive in climates that are warm and wet, and conditions in Michigan over the past year match that description.

07/16/2025

MDOT proposes limiting rest‑area stays to 48 hours, threatening refuge spots used by unhoused individuals, including a mom of five living in her SUV. With no shelter space for large families, she and others rely on rest areas. Advocates argue this punishes homelessness visibility rather than addressing affordable‑housing needs.

The rule would prohibit extended stays at MDOT rest areas and carpool lots—spaces where some unhoused Michigan residents have sought refuge.

07/12/2025

Malik from Work It Out Wombats and the WKAR team are looking forward to meeting fans and making new friends at MSUFCU Kids’ Day Safari! We’re here until 2p today (Saturday). 3777 West Road, East Lansing, MI MSU Federal Credit Union

06/27/2025

The Michigan State University Surplus Store is a local favorite for deals on just about anything you can think of from bikes to furniture to even maple syrup produced by school researchers.

On Saturday, vintage clothes and shoes, 46- and 48-star American flags and even a cast of Michigan actor Bruce Campbell’s face are just some of the hundreds of items from all different parts of the university available during a special antique sale.

The Michigan State University Surplus Store is holding a special antique sale Saturday.

06/27/2025

A ribbon-cutting was held Tuesday morning outside the storefronts on Washington Square. Mayor Andy Schor helped welcome the new business owners with a pair of oversized scissors and some words of encouragement.

06/27/2025

With the Lansing Pride Festival expected to draw thousands to Old Town on Saturday, local businesses are preparing for an influx of customers.

Business owners in Old Town Lansing say they are preparing to make the neighborhood as welcoming as possible for the thousands attending the Lansing Pride Festival.

06/26/2025

The four friends grew up performing together in Petoskey. Young says they went their separate ways after high school, and he moved to Los Angeles. When they decided to get back together, he and Reed came up with the name Michigan Rattlers while on a long drive to LA.

The Michigan Rattlers started in Petoskey and recently wrapped up a cross-country tour.