Wednesday August 20

New late-night option, expanded zones and prebooking feature 

LANSING, Mich. CATA Rydz has been operating as a pilot program since last fall when the distinctive minivans took to the road. The app-based service provides alternatives to reaching destinations and connecting to the region’s public transit systems across three zoned areas. 

Grant funds secured last year have allowed CATA Rydz to address a gap in late-night transit service, particularly among Lansing’s marginalized transit-dependent population. CATA Rydz Late-Night connects Lansing residents to the Delta Township zone, providing needed access to third-shift job opportunities and late-evening venues across the two zones. The new service launched today, Aug. 18.

Late-night riders are required to schedule trips at least two hours in advance via the CATA Rydz app. The service is available 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. 7 days a week. Early morning trips can also be arranged every Saturday and Sunday, 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Travel must take place between the Lansing late-night and Delta Township zones. Rides within a zone are not available during late-night hours. The fare is the same across all CATA Rydz zones; $1.25 per one-way trip.

Refinements to the original CATA Rydz zones have also been implemented: 

• Delta Township’s zone has expanded to increase on-demand travel and broaden access to regional transit services. The boundaries now extend north to Willow Highway and east to portions of Creyts and Waverly roads.

• Downtown Lansing’s zone has also expanded, providing more solutions for on-demand travel and access to CATA’s fixed-route system. The new zone extends north to Old Town, east to Pennsylvania Avenue, south to Mt. Hope Avenue and southwest to a portion of Waverly Road.

• The Airport/MSU service has extended service until 1 a.m. as all ride requests move to a prebooking reservation. Travelers must schedule their rides at least two hours in advance.

CATA Rydz promotes ridesharing to reduce single-occupancy trips in support of cleaner air.

Riders can also plan trips and view routes for CATA Rydz directly in Transit app. For more information, visit cata.org/CATArydz. 

-courtesy story

LANSING, MICH. The Michigan State Police (MSP) will host a one-stop Employment Day hiring event on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Mumford High School in Detroit from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This first-of-its-kind event offers a final and convenient opportunity to apply for two upcoming recruit schools that begin in January 2026.

“We have focused on streamlining our application and hiring processes to make it as easy as possible for applicants to begin a rewarding and fulfilling career with the State Police,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “At this event we will be hiring troopers and motor carrier officers. This is an excellent opportunity to secure a spot in one of our next recruit schools.”  

Attendees will have the opportunity to complete several steps of the hiring process in a single day, including:

• Application assistance for desired recruit school
• Baseline fitness testing
• National Testing Network Entry Level Law Enforcement      Exam
• Preliminary criminal history check
• Hiring interview

Interested individuals must RSVP to secure a spot. Registration is limited to 300 attendees.

To learn more about a career with the MSP, visit www.michigan.gov/mspjobs. 

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – Cameron Leary went 3-for-3 with a bunt single and his first High-A home run, but the Lansing Lugnuts (22-27, 58-57) could manage nothing further in a 6-1 series opening loss at the West Michigan Whitecaps (35-14, 79-35) on Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark.

Lansing has lost eight straight games against its archrival, falling to 3-13 in the season series with West Michigan. West Michigan starter Lucas Elissalt retired the first eight Lugnuts he faced before left fielder Leary broke the spell with a first-pitch laser of a single to right, recovering to pitch five scoreless innings.

Triple-A rehabber Woo-Suk Go fared even worse, taken by Leary on a ride into the right field Lugnuts bullpen in the sixth inning. And the Boston College Eagle finished his stellar evening with a beauty of a bunt single off reliever Carlos Lequerica in the eighth.

But the Whitecaps’ offense was already sitting comfortable, having plated two runs in the second and third innings off Lugnuts starter Grant Judkins, adding a Jackson Strong home run in the fourth, and putting the game out of reach on an Austin Murr RBI double in the seventh off Jake Christianson.

Judkins, the league’s leader in innings pitched, struck out four batters in six innings while allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks. Second baseman Casey Yamauchi went 1-for-4 with a single to extend his on-base streak to 20 games. Center fielder Ryan Lasko finished 0-for-4 to halt his own streak at 18 games.

Right-hander Kenya Huggins starts the second game of the six-game series at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, taking on Triple-A rehabber Lael Lockhart.

The Nuts play the Whitecaps through Sunday, returning to Lansing for the final homestand of the regular season from August 26-31 vs. Lake County. For tickets, visit the stadium box office at 505 E. Michigan Ave. in downtown Lansing, call (517) 485-4500 during office hours, or visit lansinglugnuts.com.

-courtesy story