Statewide News

Did You Guys Eat?/¿Ya comieron? Stories of Michigan Agriculture is a journey into the heart of Mid-Michigan’s agricultural landscape—one of the most diverse in the nation. Second only to California in crop variety, Michigan’s farms are as varied as the people who work them. This documentary follows the rhythm of the growing season, focusing on the individuals whose labor brings food to our tables: small family farmers, organic growers, and the often-overlooked seasonal migrant workers.

Did You Guys Eat?/¿Ya comieron? goes beyond the fields and greenhouses to also highlight the support network caring for the well-being of those who help us eat. This is not just a film about farming—it is about the people, the challenges, and the unseen systems that make each meal possible.

Directed by Dr. Stephany Slaughter, Director of the Andison Center for Teaching Excellence and professor at Alma College, whose interdisciplinary scholarship in gender studies, Latin American culture, borders, immigration, and social justice shapes this deeply researched, community-focused project.

Watch the trailer: https://vimeo.com/1080190728?fl=pl&fe=vl

The film will be shown February 21, 2026, at 5:30pm to 6:30pm as part of the Central Michigan International Film Festival which is being held from February 18-22. It will shown at the Opperman Auditorium in Park Library at CMU250 East Preston right on the Central Michigan University Campus.

CMU International Film Festival Website: CMIFF

CMU Movie Page: https://cmfilmfest.com/saturday-february-21/2026/2/21/did-you-guys-eat

For more information please email: cmiff@cmich.edu

History will be made in the City of Lansing on Monday, January 5, 2026 as four of the eight seats on the council, will be held by Latinos. It was only 8 years ago that there were no Latinos on the Council. Lansing becomes the first city in the State of Michigan (dare we say the Midwest?) to have a city council comprising of 50% Latinos.

Once upon a time when Tony Benavides was the Executive Director of the Cristo Rey Community Center, he probably never dreamed that one day, he would be a Lansing City Councilman (1982- 2003). And then the Mayor of Lansing (2003-2005). And on May 6, 2019, the Chamber, where the City Council meetings take place, would be officially named the “Tony Benavides Lansing City Council Chambers”. Tony would pass away in April of 2022. You can read about Benavides here: https://cafecitocaliente.com/former-mayor-tony-benavides-passes-away-at-84/

Fast forward to the November 2025 election. Jeremy Garza, the elder statesman of the four at 49, had served two terms to represent the 2nd Ward but gave up that seat to win one of two At-Large seats up for grabs. He is on an upward path within the Greater Lansing and perhaps State of Michigan political arenas all before the age of 50. Clara Martinez, a political newcomer wone the other At-Large seat and was the top vote getter. Deyanira Nevarez Martinez who recently gave up her seat as a first timer on the Lansing School Board of Directors, ran successfully for the open 2nd seat Garza gave up. Let’s not forget about Trini Lopez Pelivanoglu who was elected in November 2024 and who is charting her own future path which looks extremely bright.

Pelivanoglu will hold her seat until January 2028 while the other three Latinos will serve until January 2030. Also, voted on in that November 2025 election was the passing of a change suggested by the Lansing City Commission. Beginning in 2030, a ninth seat will be added to the Council. Lansing officially has about 112,000 people with Latinos being 13. 7% of that population so the 50% is quite amazing.

A special ceremony will be held inside the Tony Benavides Lansing City Council Chambers at 5:30pm, Monday, January 5, 2026, prior to the first Council meeting of 2026. Both Martinez’s (no relation), will be sworn in and Council Officers will be voted on. At 7:00pm, the City Council and it’s two newest members will take their seats. Tony Benavides probably could never have imagined all of this, but I am certain though, he is smiling from the Heavens.

Super Grupo Desastre will bring in the New Year at the C.A.C. Hall Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at the C.A.C. Hall located at 2824 Perkins St. in Saginaw. D.J. El Boogie will also be spinning tunes with Maria’s Restaurant serving up some great dishes!

Free party favors beginning and it all begins with the doors opening at 7:00pm and the celebration will start at 8:00pm until 1:00pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25.00 at Vargas Bakery, Maria’s Restaurant and El Rancho Grande Restaurant. Tickets at the door will be $30.00 so buy them early and save!

For more info: Tony at 989-332-9467.

La Dra. Hema Datwani, es una ginecóloga-obstetra en Michigan Medicine y dirijo Around the Kitchen Table, un programa comunitario de educación para la salud de la mujer diseñado para llevar conversaciones de salud accesibles y culturalmente apropiadas directamente a la comunidad a través de sesiones interactivas, tanto virtuales como presenciales.

Me comunico con ustedes porque el miércoles 4 de diciembre, de 5:00 a 6:30 p. m., dirigiré una sesión de Kitchen Table Talks en español sobre la concientización del cáncer de mama. Esta sesión se llevará a cabo por Zoom, lo que facilita el acceso a las comunidades latinas de todo Michigan.

Nuestro objetivo es crear conciencia, fomentar la confianza en las pruebas de detección y entablar conversaciones esenciales sobre la salud mamaria y la prevención en un entorno de apoyo y culturalmente respetuoso.