Karel Vega

East Lansing

Community Editor at The 'Gander Newsroom

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Articles

Overdose deaths in MI are declining faster than the national average

Nov 13, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

The decline in Michigan from 2021 to 2023 is almost five times greater than the national decline seen in that same time frame. In a sign of progress in the fight against the opioid crisis, the state of Michigan has announced that overdose deaths decreased by 5.7% in 2023. Provisional records from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) show that last year, there were 2,826 deaths. That’s compared to 2,998 deaths in 2022.
Do Michiganders speed? Here's what they said

Oct 23, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

Does it feel like everyone in Michigan drives like they’re in a huge hurry? We asked locals how much over the speed limit they go—and the answers might surprise you. I’ve lived in Michigan long enough to consider this state my permanent home. I love so much about this beautiful state. But when I first moved here from California, I experienced my fair share of culture shock.
When to see peak colors in your area

Sep 19, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

Early October will be the best time to see peak colors in most of Michigan. Many Michiganders’ favorite aspect of the fall is the change in scenery throughout the season. But sometimes, it feels like those striking red leaves are gone before we even get the chance to fully appreciate them. We’ve used smokymountains.com’s Fall Foliage Prediction Map in past years and have found it to be a reliable tool for figuring out when colors will be at their peak.
That one time in Michigan: When prisoners of war helped to fill a labor shortage

Sep 18, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

How thousands of POWs assisted in Michigan’s agricultural sector during World War II. During World War II, 16 million US troops were sent overseas to fight against the Nazi regime—including more than 600,000 Michiganders. As these soldiers fought overseas, the nation was faced with a severe labor shortage. So, a solution was devised: Use prisoners of war. Here’s a short history of how POWs in Michigan helped fill the state’s labor shortage.
Michigan man charged in bottle return fraud case

Aug 27, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

Davison liquor store owner accused of $50K bottle return scheme. A Davison man is in hot water after allegedly committing bottle return fraud. Namir Shango, 34, was arraigned in the 67th District Court in Saginaw on one count of False Pretenses, $50,000 to $100,000, earlier this month—a felony that could land him up to 15 years behind bars.
Michigan parents can ease school bus worries by scanning a QR code

Aug 21, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

In Michigan, finding out the safety history of a school bus is as easy as scanning a QR code. MICHIGAN—As the school year kicks off again, many parents are likely grappling with the familiar mix of excitement and anxiety of sending their kids off on that big yellow school bus. According to the Michigan State Police, Michigan has approximately 17,000 vehicles that transport more than 800,000 children over 10 million miles annually.
That one time in Michigan: When one of the first radio stations launched

Aug 21, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

How WWJ changed the media landscape in Detroit. More than a hundred years ago, in the early 20th century, the primary way that people got their news was via newspaper. That is until a revolutionary technology was introduced that allowed people nearly instant access to information. Today, we’re bringing you a brief history of WWJ Newsradio—Michigan’s first radio station. The story of WWJ begins with the Scripps family, founders of the Detroit News. Primarily, William E.
When a 'Black Eden' was built

Aug 7, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

Portrait of a group of unidentified people (friends and/or family members of future newspaper publisher John H. Sengstacke) as they pose on the beach outside the Idlewild Club House, Idlewild, Michigan, September 1938. Idlewild, known as 'the Black Eden,' was a resort community that catered to African Americans, who were excluded from other resorts prior to the passage of the Civil RIghts Act of 1964.
The 'Gander's Guide to Mackinac Island

Aug 1, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

MICHIGAN—With so many wonderful locales to explore across Michigan, we recently asked ‘Gander readers where they would choose to go if they could spend an all-expense-paid summer weekend in any Michigan city. Without a doubt, the top choice among readers was Mackinac Island. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the island has been voted the best summer travel destination in the US more than once. There’s a good chance many of us are planning a trip out to the island sometime soon.
That one time in Michigan: When a plane disappeared over Lake MI

Jul 26, 2024 | gandernewsroom.com | Karel Vega

A DC-4 aircraft. (Photo via San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive) The story of Northwest Airlines Flight 2501. I recently took a trip out of state to visit family. As my plane flew over Lake Michigan, I was inspired to write this week’s topic.