Michigan
Michigan university targets $25M for packaging expansion
Michigan State University’s School of Packaging is entering the next phase of its evolution as it seeks funding for a $25m expansion.
This effort comes just over a year after the completion of a $10m renovation of its existing facilities, a project that modernised laboratories, classrooms, and collaboration spaces.
The proposed expansion would double the size of the school’s current building, allowing for more research capabilities, advanced technology, and increased capacity for students and faculty.
According to university representatives, the expanded facility will be designed to support the school’s focus on sustainable and innovative packaging solutions.
Founded in 1952, the School of Packaging is recognised as a pioneer in the field, educating 40% of packaging professionals in the US The school’s network of over 10,000 alumni remains deeply involved in global packaging industries.
Focus on sustainability and innovation
The School of Packaging has maintained a strong emphasis on addressing environmental challenges in packaging. Its research spans a variety of areas, including biodegradable materials, food preservation technologies, and solutions for hard-to-recycle plastics.
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Dr. Rafael Auras, a leading voice in packaging sustainability, continues to explore alternatives to traditional plastics through his work on bio-based and biodegradable materials.
Auras’s research team has collaborated on notable projects, including the development of packaging solutions for space missions with NASA.
Another ongoing project involves the use of cellulose nanomaterials to create recyclable single-layer films, led by associate director Dr. Laurent Matuana. This research could significantly impact the recyclability of flexible packaging, which currently poses major challenges for the industry.
Growth in research funding and collaboration
The school has seen a surge in funding from industry, government agencies, and commodity groups over the past year. Projects led by researchers such as Dr. Eva Almenar, who focuses on extending the shelf life of fresh produce through sustainable packaging, exemplify the school’s collaborative approach.
Almenar has partnered with international institutions to tackle food waste issues, a key concern for both industry and consumers.
New faculty members are also driving innovation. Dr. Qiang Yang, a recent addition to the team, has made significant strides in improving the energy efficiency of pulp processing and developing cellulose-based packaging materials.
The road ahead
While MSU’s School of Packaging is in the early stages of its $25m fundraising effort, its ambitions reflect a broader trend in academia: addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary research and education.
If realised, the expanded facility will position the school to further contribute to sustainable packaging solutions and meet growing industry demand.
For now, the school remains at the forefront of tackling issues like plastic waste, food security, and the circular economy. As packaging continues to evolve, the institution’s role in shaping the future of the field is likely to grow.
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Michigan lost out on a top wide receiver target in the 2027 class, as four-star Damani Warren announced his commitment to Texas A&M over the Wolverines on Friday.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder hails from Las Vegas, Nevada has been a top target for new Michigan wide receivers coach Micah Simon dating back to his time at Utah. He was originally offered by the previous coaching staff, but Simon picked up where they left off and built a genuine relationship with him throughout the recruitment.
Warren visited Ann Arbor for Victor’s Weekend, the biggest recruiting weekend of the summer for Michigan. The trip was viewed as a critical moment for the Wolverines to make their case, and Michigan clearly made a strong impression. But in the end, Texas A&M ultimately won out after also putting in a ton of work in his recruitment and making a big move the weekend prior during his official visit to College Station.
Michigan still has just one wide receiver committed in this recruiting cycle, four-star Quentin Burrell. Simon and the Wolverines will go back to the drawing board with so many wide receiver targets coming off the board this summer, including four-star Dakota Guerrant (Oregon), four-star Tre Moore (Washington) and others.
In-state three-star Tre Britton remains on the board, though he skipped his official visit to Ann Arbor last weekend and is currently predicted to commit to Missouri. If that prediction holds, Michigan could find itself with just one wide receiver in the 2027 class heading into the fall, a concern for a staff that has otherwise built one of the top recruiting classes in the country.
Simon has shown throughout this cycle he can identify and pursue talent at a high level. The wide receiver board will need to be restocked quickly, and how Michigan responds to this will be worth watching closely in the weeks and months ahead.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 26, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Daily 3 numbers from June 26 drawing
Midday: 0-6-1
Evening: 1-0-2
Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily 4 numbers from June 26 drawing
Midday: 9-1-7-7
Evening: 3-2-3-0
Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Poker Lotto numbers from June 26 drawing
6C-6D-5H-3S-4S
Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from June 26 drawing
01-09-11-14-33
03-25-28-32-34
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Daily Keno numbers from June 26 drawing
01-03-07-16-20-24-25-26-35-37-40-55-56-58-59-63-66-68-75-76-77-80
Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lottery’s Regional Offices.
To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:
Michigan Lottery
Attn: Claim Center
101 E. Hillsdale
P.O. Box 30023
Lansing, MI 48909
For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a driver’s license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.
If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:
- Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325
- Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325
For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s prize claim page.
When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?
- Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.
- Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily
- Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily
- Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily
- Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.
An independent investigation initiated by the University of Michigan into “lewd” messages allegedly made by Regent Jordan Acker in a Slack channel has confirmed the authenticity of the comments.
In April, The Guardian reported that Acker made “obscene sexual comments about a Democratic strategist” in 2020 and 2021. Acker is also accused of making “lewd” comments about a female University of Michigan student and a picture of the student with her friends.
The Guardian said it received the messages just before the Michigan Democratic Party Convention in April, where the party voted on nominees for several key statewide races, including the University of Michigan Board of Regents, for the November 2026 general election. Acker lost to Amir Makled for one of the party’s two nominations.
Shortly after The Guardian’s report, the university hired New York-based firm Patterson Belknap to conduct an investigation.
During a June 25 Board of Regents meeting, Acker issued an apology, but did not directly mention the inappropriate messages.
“I’m sorry to my colleagues on this board, I’m sorry to our students, our faculty, our staff, alumni and everyone who cares deeply about this university. I’m sorry for the distraction, disappointment and the pain that this situation has caused,” Acker said while addressing the board.
“Regardless of legal outcomes, regardless of investigations, regardless of what anyone else concludes, I know that I failed my own standards.”
The Senate Committee on University Affairs previously called for Acker to resign if the allegations were proven true, but Acker said he would finish out his term, which ends on Jan. 1, 2027.
“I was elected to serve a term by the voters who are relying on me. I intend to fulfill the obligation by redoubling my efforts to support our community,” he said.
Acker, a partner at the Goodman Acker law firm, has not responded to CBS News Detroit’s request for further comment.
In response to the conclusion of the university’s investigation, the school issued the following statement, saying in part, “Upon due consideration of relevant factors and circumstances, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the University to close this matter without further action.”
During Thursday’s meeting, fellow regents Paul Brown and Denise Ilitch spoke after Acker’s remarks, with Ilitch saying she accepted his apology and calling the situation a “teachable moment.”
“It’s really a teachable moment for our students to be able to see that when you make a mistake, you own it, you’re accountable, you apologize, and you carry on with the work,” Ilitch said.
Acker, who is Jewish, was in the spotlight in May 2024 when he reported that pro-Palestinian protesters came to his house amid ongoing protests for campus investments in Israel.
Acker’s law office in Southfield was also vandalized that summer.
In December 2024, Acker claimed that his home was vandalized and his car was spray-painted with pro-Palestinian graffiti. Acker shared photos of his car and home, appearing to show the words “Divest” and “Free Palestine” spray-painted on the car.
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