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Hey Lansing, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: UM’s $143M behavioral health hospital, a $1,000 songwriting contest, and a purple lighthouse paint-and-sip + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Lansing protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

What the projects include: UM Board of Regents has approved $143 million for a behavioral health hospital and ambulatory surgery center in Lansing, with groundbreakings set this summer and openings planned for 2028 — see locations, services and timeline.

Hometown sound takes shape: The East Lansing Arts Commission has launched a songwriting contest celebrating East Lansing. A $1,000 prize awaits the winner. Entries are due April 15, with finalists announced in May — get all the details.

Energy provider launching outreach: Consumers Energy will call eligible Lansing-area seniors on March 10 and 12 to enroll them in winter heating payment help. Assistance is available for customers who need it — see who’s eligible and when.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Enjoy music, storytimes, and free books
• Sip and paint a purple lighthouse
• Embrace new beginnings with cacao and breathwork

🫶 We got your back

Breakfast sammie upgrade: GoodFellas Bagel Deli nails the crispy, chewy, salty, saucy sweet spot with bagel builds ranging from classic egg-and-cheese to loaded namesakes that never skimp. Consider it an easy morning win when you deserve better than sad desk toast.

Nature break, anyone? With a paved loop around the lake, playgrounds, and bring-a-picnic vibes, Hawk Island County Park delivers an easy, close-to-home reset, whether you’re strolling solo, wrangling kids, or sneaking in a pre-dinner walk. It’s low effort, high smiles, and refreshingly simple.

Kid-joy, hold the chaos: Mother & Earth Kids makes fun fast with dress-up, games, puzzles, books, and plush…yes, those Jellycat snuggles. Littles can test-drive at hands-on demos, so you shop smarter. A low-stress stop for birthdays, rainy days, and just-because surprises that keep the smiles coming.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

👶 Stroller Walk @ Meridian Mall (Okemos) | Tuesday (3/10) at 10:00 AM – Trade the sidewalk slush for mall-walker glory with a stroller lap at Meridian Mall, plus coffee, pretzels, and prime people-watching. All ages welcome, parents stay with littles, meet by the cafe in Schuler’s, and register so Brittany knows who to expect.

🧸 Playdate @ ELPL – East Lansing Public Library | Wednesday (3/11) at 10:00 AM – Bring the crew to the East Lansing Public Library for a low-key playdate, meet local families, and let the kiddos run on library-approved energy. It’s free, all ages, and led by Laura. You just show up, check in, and enjoy adult conversation.

🧠 Live Trivia Night @ HopCat East Lansing | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to prove your useless knowledge isn’t useless, HopCat East Lansing’s Wednesday Sporcle trivia is it. Two rounds, free to play, prizes for the sharp, and beer, burgers, and Cosmik Fries keep neurons spry. Grab crew, claim a table.

🎨 Crafty Vibes @ Weavers of the Web, ATC | Thursday (3/12) at 5:00 PM – Need an excuse to tame that yarn stash? This laid-back, come-as-you-are crafting night, in person or on Zoom, welcomes knitters, crocheters, and anyone with a portable project for conversation, community, and magick, all free, all evening. Low pressure, high vibes, actual progress optional.

📚 Family Literacy Celebration @ Hannah Community Center (East Lansing) | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – Give kids a screen break at a free family bash with music, stories, and nostalgia. Sing with Beverly Meyer, The Music Lady, catch author storytimes, and high-five Clifford, Paddington, Jasper Rabbit, and Ryan the Lion. Bonus, WKAR sends each kid home with a book-stuffed backpack.

🥁 Weekly Drum Circle @ Altus Ethiopian Cuisine & Bar (East Lansing) | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Give the mower a rest and join the Sunday afternoon drum circle at Altus with the Greater Lansing Area Drummers. It’s free, family friendly, and perfect for first-timers, so bring hand drums, percussion toys, and friends. Extra instruments await, and yes, rhythm counts as cardio.

🎤 Women of the Watch, Keepers of the Light and Open Mic @ University United Methodist Church – MSU (East Lansing) | Sunday (3/15) at 4:00 PM – Whether you know a Fresnel lens from a porch light, come for 45 minutes of music, laughs, and Great Lakes lighthouse lore, plus a Q&A. It’s free at University United Methodist across from MSU, with free parking and an open mic after the break.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Lansing report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 64°F – Low: 41°F – Precip: 25%

A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy. High near 64, with temperatures falling to around 59 in the afternoon. Northeast wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 41, with temperatures rising to around 45 overnight. East northeast wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 49°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 99%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 49. North northeast wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before 8pm, then a slight chance of snow showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Northwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Michigan but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

Custom built in 2020 by LT Schafer in Grand Ledge School District, this home features 9 to 10 foot ceilings, solar tubes, and a gas fireplace beside a chef’s kitchen. A spa-like primary suite and provenance-backed antique details add character. The finished lower level adds 1,000 square feet, with another 1,000 roughed for a kitchenette. A covered porch overlooks evergreens.

Take a peek inside →