EAST LANSING, Mich. — The City of East Lansing has approved a separation agreement worth nearly $246,000 for former City Manager Robert Belleman, who resigned last week following public allegations of sexual harassment.

Belleman had been placed on administrative leave last month after a city staff member accused him of sexual harassment during a public city council meeting. The employee had previously filed a complaint in 2025, prompting an investigation by an outside law firm. While investigators identified concerns about workplace culture, the report concluded there had been no policy violations.

The separation agreement approved by the city totals approximately $246,000.

In other Mid-Michigan news, a Lansing Township woman has been sentenced to more than four years in prison in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenager.

Prosecutors said 37-year-old Lydia Nance was on the phone with 911 when she shot 17-year-old Brooke Lawson of Lansing and another woman who survived the incident. Nance pleaded no contest to manslaughter as part of a plea agreement after originally facing charges of open murder and assault with intent to murder.

Meanwhile, the City of Lansing is preparing for the upcoming August 4 primary election. City officials say approximately 22,500 absentee ballots will be mailed Friday.

Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope said most voters should receive their ballots by Saturday. Public transit agencies including CATA, EATRAN, and Clinton Transit are also offering free rides for early voting. Riders must schedule transportation at least one day in advance.

Michigan State University has received more than $13,000 from AARP to assist older adults with digital devices and technology support. The funding is part of a broader $8.3 million national initiative aimed at improving quality of life and neighborhood accessibility for senior citizens.

A federal appeals court has also blocked the U.S. Department of Justice from obtaining Michigan voter rolls. The 2-1 ruling upheld a previous court decision and was viewed as a victory for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who argued federal law does not permit the government’s broad request for voter information. It remains unclear whether the Justice Department will appeal.

In sports news, Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold was arrested in Tampa, Florida, on kidnapping and armed robbery charges tied to an alleged February incident involving three teenagers who were reportedly attacked at gunpoint and robbed. Authorities said Arnold turned himself in Wednesday night. Six other individuals had already been arrested earlier this year in connection with the case.

The Detroit Lions have not publicly commented on the arrest.

And in hockey business news, the Hoffman family, owners of Mackinac Island Ferries, are purchasing the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins from Fenway Sports Group. League approval is still pending, but the deal is expected to close soon. The franchise is reportedly valued between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion.