An emotional East Lansing City Council meeting Tuesday night featured allegations of workplace harassment against the city manager and renewed outrage over last month’s fatal police shooting of an Michigan State University student.

During public comment, East Lansing Grants Coordinator Erica Dziedzic-Hernandez accused City Manager Robert Belleman of sexual harassment and verbal abuse dating back to 2025.

“In 2025, Robert sexually harassed me and was verbally abusive towards me,” Dziedzic-Hernandez told council members. “I ask this council to do what previous councils could not. I ask you to break the cycle of abuse and hold the city manager accountable.”

She added that she was “done being silent,” arguing that silence perpetuates abuse. No public response was made by Belleman or council members during the meeting. Complaints of that nature are reportedly handled through an outside investigative process.

The meeting also drew emotional criticism tied to the recent release of body camera footage from the fatal police shooting of Michigan State University student Isaiah Kirby.

Resident Rebecca Cason addressed the council, comparing Kirby’s mental health struggles to those of one of her own family members. She said officers responding to her relative handled the situation with compassion and restraint.

“Nobody fired 17 bullets. Nobody treated this person like a monster,” Cason said. “Why was compassion available for my family member but not Isaiah?”

Protesters gathered before the meeting, marching from East Lansing City Hall to the Hannah Community Center in response to the shooting. East Lansing police have said Kirby stabbed another individual before charging officers while refusing commands to drop a knife.

Delhi Township Crash Victims Identified

Authorities have identified the two men killed in a single-vehicle crash in Delhi Township over the weekend as DeMarcus Ware and DeAndre Ware, both 39 years old.

The crash happened early Sunday morning on northbound U.S. 127 near Interstate 96. Investigators say both men were passengers in the vehicle. The driver suffered critical injuries.

Granholm Backs Haley Stevens in Senate Race

Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has endorsed Congresswoman Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary race.

Recent polling has shown a tight contest between Stevens, State Senator Mallory McMorrow, and State Senator Abdul El-Sayed as Democrats compete to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters.

Granholm said Stevens is best positioned to focus on jobs, manufacturing, lowering costs, and defending Michigan interests in Washington.

Michigan Democrats Reviewing Convention Voting Process

The Michigan Democratic Party is creating an advisory committee to examine voting procedures used during its endorsement convention last month.

Attorney General Dana Nessel and other Democrats had previously called for an independent audit, alleging widespread irregularities during the endorsement process.

International Flights Returning to Lansing Airport

International vacation flights will return to Capital Region International Airport in 2027.

Apple Vacations announced nonstop seasonal service to Cancun, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and Los Cabos. Flights are expected to operate from late January through early April 2027.