The Lansing City Council has approved placing a proposal on the November ballot that would create a citizen advisory board focused on healthcare costs.

The proposal comes as residents continue to express concerns about the rising cost of healthcare. During public comment at City Hall, one Lansing resident urged the council to give residents a greater voice in addressing healthcare expenses.

“I believe that it's high time we actually get to hear citizen input on the cost of healthcare,” the resident said, describing healthcare costs as “through the roof.”

The Lansing council's action comes just weeks after a similar proposal was approved for the fall ballot in East Lansing.

East Lansing City Manager Search

Meanwhile, the East Lansing City Council is expected to discuss the process for finding a new permanent city manager.

Former City Manager Robert Belleman left the position earlier this year. Annette Irwin subsequently took over as interim city manager in June.

The council is expected to address the search for a permanent replacement during its meeting Tuesday night.

East Lansing, Ingham County Focus on Flood Preparedness

East Lansing is also hosting an open house this week focused on its wet weather resiliency plan.

The event will address flood risks in the city and discuss ways residents can prepare for and reduce the potential for flooding.

The open house is scheduled for Wednesday at the Hannah Community Center from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Ingham County residents will also have an opportunity to participate in a virtual open house focused on flooding and flood prevention. The Zoom event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and will be hosted by Ingham County officials and FEMA experts.

Mid-Michigan Drug-Related Deaths Decline

U-M Health Sparrow is reporting that 48 people died from drug-related issues in mid-Michigan during the first quarter of this year.

The number represents a decline in overall drug-related deaths, according to the report. However, the medical examiner says there has been an increase in amphetamine and cocaine use.

Nessel Wins Federal Housing Funding Lawsuit

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and 20 other state attorneys general have won a federal lawsuit challenging what Nessel described as an illegal attempt by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to cap funding for permanent housing projects.

The projects provide housing assistance to families experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness.

Nessel said tens of thousands of people could have lost their homes had the multi-state coalition been unsuccessful in challenging the funding restrictions.

Potter Park Zoo Mourns Death of Kota

Potter Park Zoo is mourning the death of Kota, its last remaining African lion.

Zoo officials announced that the 19-year-old lion, who had recently been diagnosed with severe spinal disease, was euthanized after failing to respond to treatment.

Kota's death leaves Potter Park Zoo without an African lion.