EAST LANSING, Mich. — The East Lansing City Council has approved a separation agreement with City Manager Robert Belleman, formalizing his resignation less than a month after he was placed on paid administrative leave amid publicly disclosed sexual harassment allegations.

The council voted Tuesday night to accept Belleman's voluntary resignation and moved quickly to appoint retired Deputy City Manager Annette Irwin as interim city manager, effective next Monday.

Irwin told council members she had not anticipated returning to city leadership but felt compelled to step forward when asked.

“This was not on my radar. This was not something I was setting out and planning to do,” Irwin said. “When asked, I did take this very, very seriously and gave it a lot of thought.”

The council also unanimously approved amendments to the city's Human Rights Ordinance, limiting the authority of the Human Rights Commission by preventing the body from investigating discrimination complaints.

Members of the commission had urged the council to delay the vote. However, Council Member Kerrie Ebersol-Singh argued the commission's investigative powers exceeded what should have been granted.

“What are we authorized to give to commissions? I think is the one that will be driving my vote on this,” Ebersol-Singh said before the vote.

Severe Weather Threat Returns to Mid-Michigan

Much of mid-Michigan is under a slight risk for severe weather Wednesday, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Forecasters say strong thunderstorms could produce heavy rainfall, with one to three inches of rain possible, especially along and south of Interstate 96. A flood watch remains in effect through late Wednesday night.

MSU Alumni Call for Trustee Resignations

Some Michigan State University alumni are calling for several members of the Board of Trustees to resign following the departures of President Kevin Guskiewicz and Athletic Director Jay Batt.

A petition circulating among alumni specifically calls for trustees Rema Vassar, Dennis Denno, and Mike Balow to step down after they voted against proposed changes to the board's Code of Ethics.

Meanwhile, Michigan State University's Research Foundation announced plans for a new innovation hub on campus.

The proposed Rosenburg Center would serve as the foundation's headquarters and bring together entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, corporate partners, and university-affiliated organizations. The planned $20 million, 68,000-square-foot facility is intended to support future research and business development initiatives.

Stephanie Chatfield Pleads Guilty

Stephanie Chatfield, wife of former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, has pleaded guilty to embezzlement charges in Ingham County.

The plea agreement comes ahead of a scheduled trial involving allegations that political funds were improperly handled during Lee Chatfield's tenure as speaker. Under the agreement, Stephanie Chatfield is expected to avoid jail time and instead serve a term of probation.

RFK Jr. Promotes Healthy Eating in Charlotte

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited mid-Michigan on Tuesday, appearing alongside 7th District Congressman Tom Barrett at Country Mill Farms in Charlotte.

During the event, Kennedy discussed obesity and nutrition, citing an analysis that found approximately 35% of Americans are currently obese, with that figure projected to increase to 50% by 2030.

Kennedy argued that government messaging has contributed to public confusion about nutrition and health, emphasizing what he described as a renewed focus on transparency regarding dietary and wellness issues.