Severe Storms Knock Out Power Across Mid-Michigan; Road Closures, Damage Reported

LANSING, Mich. (1320 WILS) — Thousands of residents across Mid-Michigan are waking up without power this morning following severe thunderstorms that swept through the region overnight.

As of early Friday, approximately 200,000 Consumers Energy customers statewide and over 20,000 Lansing Board of Water and Light customers were affected by widespread outages. 1320 WILS’s Mike Austin will be speaking later this morning with Consumers Energy spokesperson Brian Wheeler for the latest on restoration efforts.

The storm has also forced school closures across the area. Parents and students are encouraged to check directly with their school districts for updates.

Storm Aftermath: Road Closures and Structural Damage

The aftermath of the powerful storm is being felt on local roads and infrastructure. Several road closures have been reported due to downed power lines, including:

• I-496 in both directions between US-127 and Pennsylvania Avenue

• Grand River Avenue at Fairview, just west of US-127

In addition to travel disruptions, the storm caused significant structural damage:

• A building collapsed on Lansing’s southwest side along Waverly Road between Lansing Road and I-496, sending debris onto nearby parked cars.

• A tree fell onto a home in Lansing’s east side neighborhood near Fairview and Jerome streets. There have been no reports of injuries at this time.

Jennifer Brown Named Permanent East Lansing Police Chief

In other news, Jennifer Brown has been officially named Chief of the East Lansing Police Department, having served as interim chief since December. Brown becomes the city’s first permanent police chief in over a year.

New Developments in Legislative Embezzlement Case

New details are emerging in the felony case against David Coker Jr., a former state legislative aide accused of misappropriating public funds. Coker faces seven felony charges, including:

• Embezzlement by an agent

• Larceny by false pretenses

• Misappropriation of public money

Authorities allege that Coker used funds intended for public projects to finance a new health and fitness center in Clare, purchase precious metals, vehicles, and firearm accessories. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 30 at 8:30 a.m.

Controversial Bill Advances in Michigan House

A Michigan House committee has approved a two-bill package that would ban biological males from participating in women's sports. Proponents argue the legislation is necessary to protect the safety and integrity of women’s athletics. Critics say the move discriminates against transgender students and could violate civil rights protections.

State to Pay $55M in UIA Settlement

A Michigan Court of Claims judge has approved a $55 million settlement against the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA), resolving claims from approximately 23,000 residents who were wrongfully told they owed money during the pandemic. In addition to monetary compensation, the agency has agreed to reform how it processes claims to prevent similar issues in the future.