Episodes
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Calculating MSU by the numbers and a mummy on campus
Senior reporter Theo Scheer joins the show to share fun facts and the stats behind MSU. Later, he tells the strange story of a mummified creature found in a campus building.
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An overview of the latest MSU Board of Trustees meeting
Host Alex Walters is joined by administration reporters Emilio Perez Ibarguen and Owen McCarthy, who give a summary of the events at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting last Friday.
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Professors in an AI arms race
Emilio Perez Ibarguen joins the show to discuss the ways teaching is changing due to students' use of generative AI.
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MSU professors on research hit-list
Academics reporter Hannah Locke joins the show to discuss federal threats to MSU research from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who spearheaded a database in October 2024, which flagged more than 3,400 grants funded by the NSF that "promoted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) or advanced neo-Marxist class...
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MSU VP out after record snooping scheme
Administration reporter Owen McCarthy joins the 1909 and host Alex Walters to talk about a top MSU administrator being investigated for covertly compiling “derogatory information” in the personnel files of high-ranking employees.
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A college party revolution
Host Alex Walters along with guest Jack Williams dissect the differences between fraternity and co-op parties, shining a light on the welcoming community of co-ops that many students may be unaware of.
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MSU grad students create straw preventing drink spiking
Host Alex Walters speaks with reporter Anna Barnes about her story on the pair of MSU graduate students who created a straw that works to prevent drink spiking at college bars.
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MSU professor heads to Washington
Host Alex Walters and senior reporter Theo Scheer discuss MSU law professor Adam Candeub, who wrote a chapter of The Project 2025 guidelines and will soon join the Trump administration.
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Doubling down on DEI and protections for undocumented students
The State News’ administration reporters and host Alex Walters discuss MSU’s busy week, the board doubling down on DEI and protections for undocumented students amid federal threats, and making deals to temper fights closer to home.
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MSU athletics faces financial strain
Sports editor Satvik Shubham and host Alex Walters discuss issues facing the MSU Athletic Department. Despite success on the field, athletics faces a persistent budget shortfall.
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Executive orders and governor input at MSU
Host Alex Walters and guest Owen McCarthy discuss the federal executive orders affecting the climate on MSU's campus as well as where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stands on the removal of two university trustees.
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The Multicultural Center opens and other news you missed
Host Alex Walters and guest Demonte Thomas catch us up on the news we missed over break as well as a rundown on what students need to know about the new Multicultural Center on campus.
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MSU's new capital campaign
In this episode, host Alex Walters and guest Owen McCarthy discuss the new capital campaign that MSU is planning. This is the first since 2014 following many years of turbulence at the university.
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Feds investigate Olin assault allegations
Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of sexual violence. The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 800-656-HOPE. For today's episode, host Alex Walters has prepared an audio version of his story covering sexual assault allegations at MSU's Olin Clinic.
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The origins of the baseball radar gun at MSU
Today, host Alex Walters gets an overview of Hannah Holycross' story on the how the baseball radar gun got its start in the big leagues at MSU.
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Post-election classroom concerns
Host Alex Walters, along with reporters Theo Scheer and Emilio Perez Ibarguen, discuss how professors are navigating how to talk about the election with their classes amid scrutiny from the university to stay politically neutral.
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Institutional neutrality and MSU's communications plan
Host Alex and guest Owen delve into MSU's absent formal policies, that while unofficial, are leaning toward the national trend of "institutional neutrality" that other colleges are adopting.
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The mental health crisis on campus
Special guest Anish sheds light on the environment surrounding mental health here on campus, providing evidence and possible solutions concerning the data available.
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An overview of the MSU Board of Trustees candidates
Today, host Alex, along with guests Theo and Owen, takes us through the prospective candidates for the MSU Board of Trustees.
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Should there be no classes on election day?
On this episode, host Alex Walters and guest Emilio Perez Ibarguen discuss election day challenges and student's perspectives on voting at MSU.
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Election season energy on campus
Host Alex Walters and politics reporter Emilio Perez Ibarguen discuss the energy on campus on both sides leading up to the election.
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An overview of the Nassar documents
Today, the host gives us a breakdown of the biggest takeaways from the Nassar documents and the actions and reactions from the web of faculty who were attempting to handle the Nassar scandal.
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Temporary tenures & torch wielding contestants
This episode sheds light on the interim positions in MSU's administration, as well as the inside scoop on the Survivor club, determined to recreate their favorite reality TV show, here at MSU.
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DEI stats and OCD misconceptions
State News reporter Jack Williams joins the show to talk about new stats on diversity at MSU and misconceptions he sees in living with OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
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Campus Surveillance Sparks Concerns
Administration reporter Theo Scheer joins the show to discuss a multi-million dollar campus surveillance system that has experts and activists worried.
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Professor sues, grads protest, Berkey and The Union restorations
Reporter Emilio Perez Ibarguen joins the show to discuss a professor suing over retaliation and discrimination, grad employees fighting for expanded healthcare and newly announced plans for restoration of the campus buildings where a shooting occurred last year.
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Parking schemes and the governor's board decision
Sometimes the apps we use could really keep us out of trouble. This week, we learn more about an app coded by a MSU sophomore that tracks parking enforcers and notifies students to avoid parking tickets. We also cover the request to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to remove two of MSU's board members.
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The REDress Project
This week on the 1909, we have the opportunity to shed light on a striking campus art project that is being showcased to draw attention to missing and murdered Indigenous women called the "REDress Project."
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Breaking down the recent MSU Board of Trustees bombshells
The MSU Board of Trustees saga continues, as our host Alex Walters welcomes back administration reporters Theo Scheer and Owen McCarthy to discuss an outside investigation on the board that included a recommendation to refer certain members from the board to the Governor, accusations of…
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Hazing death and divestment complications
This week, host Alex Walters brought on Owen McCarthy to discuss new charges in a frat hazing death and MSU's complicated finances as students demand divestment for some funding even university officials were unaware of.
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Student government shake-up and tunnels beneath MSU
We have a pretty interesting episode of the 1909 this week! Our Administration Reporter Theo Scheer talks about his months long passion project observing and exploring the history of tunnels beneath MSU's campus and then our Student Affairs reporter Demonte Thomas makes his podcast debut to talk...
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Title IX misconceptions, shooting review questions
1909 host Alex Walters welcomes back frequent guest Theo Scheer to discuss common misconceptions about what can and can't be reported to MSU's Title IX office, as well as reporting on the after action review of MSU's response to the February campus shooting.
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Faculty union get serious and shooting remembrance planned
The 1909 is back!! Join us this week as our host Alex Walters brings on reporters Owen McCarthy and Emilio Perez Ibarguen to discuss things about Michigan State's faculty and Michigan State's upcoming plans for the one-year anniversary of the MSU school shooting on this week's episode of the 1909.
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Buttigieg protests, Credit-No Credit grading and reporter reflection
We couldn't end the semester without a bang. We have a packed episode full of news this week, including information on the Credit-No Credit grading policy for MSU students and an insightful reflection from Administration Reporter Theo Scheer to wrap up all of our coverage from this semester and...
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The 1909: Gupta saga, simply explained
This week host Alex Walters is running solo as he breaks down the recent news with former business dean Sanjay Gupta.
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Campus security upgrades: slow changes?
Trigger warning for our viewers: this week, we will be talking about the MSU campus shooting that took place on Feb. 13 with updates in regards to campus security.
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Breaking down MSU's Board battle
With the all the backlash and controversy surrounding MSU and the Board of Trustees, we're here to discuss what's been going on during this "week of friction."
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'Pass the Harasser'
Host Alex Walters is running solo this week as he talks about a few stories from awhile ago and put them all into one full package in this episode. Below you will find links to these stories if you'd want more detail to them: 1....
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Indigenous holidays, power of student government and no hope for swim and dive
This week we have some more first time guests on The 1909! Join us this week with reporters Jack Williams and Willow Symonds to learn about Indigenous holidays, the real power of ASMSU and a conclusion to the swim and dive saga.
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Sensory processing: The Breslin's new sensory rooms and the continued MSU presidential search
We're back with a familiar guest and a new guest for The 1909! Join host Alex Walkers as we welcome back Theo Scheer, administration and academics reporter, and first time guest Owen McCarthy, campus reporter, to discuss the Breslin Center's new sensory rooms and the backlash towards the search…
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BSA concerns, MSU's swim club fundraiser marathon and pastor protests
Well, this week really is one for the books. Join our host Alex Walters with a few guests this week to discuss a multitude of topics including student groups using pride flags and humor in response to demonstrators on campus. That story and more this week on The 1909.
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A MSU Dairy Store scoop and problems at the press
Today we have the inside scoop! Join Host Alex Walters for an interview with Kayla Nelsen, The State News business reporter, about the MSU Dairy Store and more.
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Mel Tucker and the MSU Presidential search
Our host Alex Walters sits down with Kenny Jacoby, USA Today reporter who broke the news about Mel Tucker, to discuss everything known about the situation so far. Walters also speaks with Theo Scheer, administration and academics reporter, discussing new details about the MSU Presidential search.
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1909: Presidential Shakeup and "The Red Zone"
We have a fresh face for The 1909! Alex Walters is here as the new host, and with the new format we're trying out, this week he's joined by guests Jaden Beard and Theo Scheer with a couple stories to help report the news.
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The 1909: Your last bit of campus news for the semester
It's been a long semester at Michigan State University full of tragedy, surprises and uplifting developments. Join host Lily Guiney to recap last week's news one last time.
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The 1909: Changes to the academic calendar, on-campus alcohol sales and weed taxes
Even with the semester coming to a close, there's tons of news to get through at MSU. Host Lily Guiney breaks down what you need to know this week, including details on a bill permitting alcohol sales on campus and where taxes on marijuana sales go in East Lansing.
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The 1909: New coffee shop in MSU Union, a gun violence protest and presidential search info
Host Lily Guiney breaks down a flurry of news from last week, including a new Strange Matter location at the MSU Union, a walk-out in protest of gun violence and fresh details surrounding the search for Michigan State University's new president.
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The 1909: Firearm divestment, disabled students speak up and more Gupta dismissal details
Spring storms have come to East Lansing and with them a lot of news to talk about. Host Lily Guiney recaps last week's news, including a student movement for MSU to divest from weapons manufacturers, a fatal crash and questions surrounding disabled students amid evacuations. She also sits down…
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The 1909: The return of the MSU Union and a Caesars Sportsbook hiccup
After the tragedy on Feb. 13, the MSU Union is set to reopen today and some students are ready to welcome it back. Host Lily Guiney is here to discuss the reopening, as well as a new rule that may conflict with MSU Athletics' nearly nine million dollar deal with Caesars Sportsbook.
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The 1909: "An effort for change," March Madness disparities and more
On this week's episode of The 1909, host Lily Guiney talks with spotlight reporter Dina Kaur about an effort for change for transgender and non-binary people, a new MSU museum exhibit and other news from last week.
About this show
Welcome to The 1909, the podcast that takes an in-depth look at The State News’ biggest stories of the week, while bringing in new perspectives from the reporters who wrote them.
Hosted by
The State News
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