Downtown Lansing is set to shine tonight as Silver Bells in the City kicks off its annual holiday celebration. The event, which draws tens of thousands to the capital area each year, will feature its signature Electric Light Parade and a new round of festive attractions.

The parade steps off at 6 p.m., followed by the State Capitol Christmas tree lighting, a community sing, a drone light show, and fireworks. The Silver Bells Village holiday market will be open from 5 to 9 p.m.

Road Closures for the Event

To prepare for the festivities, several Lansing streets are temporarily closed. Allegan Street, from Capitol to Grand Avenue, shut down earlier to accommodate the Silver Bells Village. Additional closures along Walnut, Washington, Hillsdale, and southbound Grand Avenue are expected later today for parade staging. More roads will be blocked off in the late afternoon just before the celebration officially begins.

Homeless “Mod Pod” Sites Proposed

In other city news, Lansing officials have identified five possible locations for temporary homeless shelters using “mod pods.” Among the sites under consideration are:

• Debbie Stabenow Park on Washington
• Comstock Park near the northwest side
• The former El Shabazz Academy building on Barnes, currently for sale

Charlotte Shelter-in-Place Resolved Peacefully

Police in Charlotte confirmed that a shelter-in-place order issued Thursday morning was due to an individual in a mental health crisis who was believed to be armed. Residents near West 3rd Street were told to stay inside around 9:45 a.m., but the situation ended peacefully less than an hour later. The individual is now receiving treatment, and officials say no details will be released.

New $28 Million Sparrow Clinic Planned in Ionia

The U of M Board of Regents has approved the construction of a new $28 million ambulatory clinic for U of M Health Sparrow in Ionia. Construction is expected to begin in January and take approximately nine months.

Five Below May Face Lawsuit Over Pricing

State officials say shoppers at Five Below stores across Michigan may have been overcharged. Attorney General Dana Nessel notified the retailer that it could face legal action for alleged violations of pricing laws. Five Below has until December 15 to reach a resolution with the AG's office.

2020 Plot Acquittal Figure Running for Governor

The Michigan Democratic Party says William Null, one of the three men acquitted of providing support for a terrorist act in the 2020 Governor Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot, has filed paperwork to run for governor as a Republican candidate.

Trump Calls for Arrests of Military-Linked Democrats

Former President Donald Trump is calling for the arrests of Michigan U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin and five other Democratic lawmakers with military and intelligence backgrounds, following a video they released urging service members to resist “illegal orders.” Slotkin responded by stating that the military is under “enormous stress and pressure” and must uphold the law.