Current State

Michigan Remembers D-Day: Today's Generation Honors the Greatest Generation Jun 06, 2019

Editor’s Note: This story originally aired on the 70th anniversary of D-Day in 2014. On June 6, 1944, more than 160, 000 Allied forces traversed the English Channel to land on the beaches of Normandy in France. Operation Overlord, commonly known as "D-Day," was the largest seaborne invasion in history. The offensive marked the beginning of the end of World War II in Europe. WKAR is proud to honor the sacrifice of all veterans, living and dead, who gave of themselves to restore freedom and hope to a war-torn world.

Elite Eight Analysis, MSU Over Duke Apr 01, 2019

The Michigan State men’s basketball team is headed to the Final Four at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota next weekend, thanks to a one-point victory over Duke on Sunday in Washington, D.C. in the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight. WKAR's Scott Pohl talks with Current Sports host Al Martin about advancing to the Final Four.

'Hamilton' Tickets In East Lansing? Here's How To Get Them Mar 22, 2019

When the Wharton announced that Hamilton was coming to East Lansing about a year and a half ago, the anticipation started to build. The biggest hit musical in a generation will be in town for three weeks, starting May 14 th , and on Saturday, individual ticket sales begin. They’re sure to go fast, so WKAR’s Scott Pohl brought Bob Hoffman in from the Wharton Center to get the lowdown on how you can get tickets to see Hamilton.

Lansing Schoolkids Get Lunch Despite Power Outage Mar 12, 2019

The south side of Lansing experienced a power failure for a while on Monday, and the outage left about 40 schoolkids facing a day without lunch. The owner of the restaurant where those meals were coming from wasn’t about to let that happen. WKAR's Scott Pohl has the story.

Lennon Songwriting Contest Honors Local Duo Mar 06, 2019

A Lansing-area musical duo has been named the grand prize winner for folk music in the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest. Westrin and Mowry now move on, along with winners in 23 other catagories, in vying for the competition’s Song of the Year honors.

WKAR's Backstage Pass Concerts Begin Friday; Schedule Includes The Outer Vibe Feb 28, 2019

The 2019 season of WKAR-TV’s Backstage Pass program begins taping on Friday night with the five-piece Illinois band The Way Down Wanderers. On March 19 th , you can see the Nashville-based band with Michigan roots, The Outer Vibe. WKAR’s Scott Pohl talked with the members of The Outer Vibe via Facetime to find out what they’ve been up to, and what they’re planning for Backstage Pass .

MI History Magazine Recounts WKAR-TV's Earliest Days Feb 27, 2019

It’s been 65 years since WKAR-TV went on the air as Michigan’s first non-commercial, or as it was known at the time, educational, television station. The January-February issue of Michigan History magazine includes a story about WKAR-TV’s earliest days.

1979 MSU Cheerleader Remembers National Championship Feb 08, 2019

In 1979, the MSU basketball team led by Earvin “Magic” Johnson won the national championship. On Saturday, that team will be reunited to celebrate the 40 years that have passed since winning that title. While you probably remember that team, you might not remember another MSU national championship squad from that year. The Spartan cheerleaders also were the best in the country. They, too, will get back together on Saturday.

Current State for Jan. 26-27, 2019 Jan 25, 2019

A chat with the new Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice; A look back at lame duck sessions; Why pregnancies are problematic for many black women; Michigan leading the way in new DNA software; East Lansing mayor Mark Meadows and new music from MSU graduate & 'The Voice' finalist Joshua Davis.

MI Authorities Employ New DNA Analysis Software Jan 21, 2019

We're getting better at detecting trace amounts of DNA. How to analyze that DNA? That's where things get more complicated. Michigan is among the leaders in using new DNA analysis software in the courts. Taylor Dunivin reports that this software is increasingly being used by police and prosecutors around the state.

Freep Editorial Addresses Engler Resignation Jan 18, 2019

In the wake of this week’s resignation of interim MSU President John Engler, there’s an editorial in today’s Detroit Free Press called “In Engler, panicked MSU Trustees got what they paid for.” WKAR’s Scott Pohl talks with Brian Dickerson, Editorial Page Editor of the Free Press, about the editorial. He says the MSU-Engler saga is “more complicated than it’s been made out to be.”

Offroad Vehicles Built In MI At Detroit Auto Show Jan 18, 2019

Alongside the cars and trucks on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year, you’ll find offroad vehicles from a company based in India called Mahindra. They’re built in Michigan, and you can see them at the show when it opens on Saturday. WKAR’s Scott Pohl talks with Dan Proffer, Marketing Manager with Roxor Offroad.

MSU Trustees Vote For Immediate Engler Exit Jan 17, 2019

Yesterday, board chairperson Dianne Byrum informed MSU Interim President Engler that the board would vote to fire him at a special meeting this morning if he did not resign. He did so last night in an 11-page letter, in which he said his last day would be next Wednesday, January 23 rd .

Hybrid Helicopter At Detroit Auto Show Jan 17, 2019

When you go to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, you expect to see cars and trucks. This year’s show will also include a hybrid electric helicopter.

Previewing Last Detroit Auto Show Held In Winter Jan 15, 2019

On Monday, auto industry journalists from around the world got their first look at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Paul Eisenstein of TheDetroitBureau.com has attended auto shows in Detroit for 40 years. WKAR’s Scott Pohl talks with Eisenstein about what’s in store.

Genesis G70 Named Car Of The Year At Detroit Auto Show Jan 14, 2019

The North American International Auto Show in Detroit kicked off today with the announcement of Car, Truck and Utility Vehicles of the Year.

Current State for Jan. 12-13, 2019 Jan 12, 2019

This week on Current State: MSU Trustees changes; Simon effect on MSU; Flint Registry Goes Online; Comparing the lame duck to years past; Romanian Symphony at Wharton; Previewing PBS Kids Day; Brad Salem Gets New Role at MSU and Michiganders react to R. Kelly Docuseries.

Current State for Jan. 5-6, 2019 Jan 05, 2019

A new era for Lansing & Washington; learn how the federal government shutdown is affecting Michiganders; new revelations in the Larry Nassar investigation; police step up efforts to catch drug-impaired drivers; should MSU coach Dave Warner get all the blame for the Spartans' bowl loss? And the 90.5 Classical New Release of the month.

From Auto Designer To MI Senator: Mallory McMorrow Dec 24, 2018

One of the newcomers heading to Lansing in January is Senator-elect Mallory McMorrow. A Democrat, McMorrow won her first-ever bid for office, unseating Republican Marty Knollenberg in Oakland County’s 13 th district.

Current State for Dec. 22-23, 2018 Dec 22, 2018

Some late breaking MSU & Statehouse news. Plus a look back at some of our more memorable stories from 2018.

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