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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Video highlights off-campus living issues

Kristen Daum
April 3, 2007

Rachelle Woodbury let out a deep sigh of relief after one of her premier projects debuted to East Lansing and MSU officials Monday afternoon. Since December, Woodbury, MSU's community-student liaison, has spearheaded a new program — www.offcampusliving.msu.edu — to help ease the transition for MSU students moving off campus for the first time. Information already is available on the Web site, but the official announced launch is Thursday.

MICHIGAN

Court rules stricter regulations needed

Brendan Bouffard
April 3, 2007

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday in a 5-4 decision that the Environmental Protection Agency not only has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, but also that it has neglected to do so. Some critics say the EPA has skated around the global warming issue since the Bush administration came to power. "There is no denying the fact that President Bush has the worst environmental record ever," said Abby Rubley, field director for Environment Michigan.

MICHIGAN

Council probes renaming Abbott Road

Kristen Daum
April 3, 2007

A single "T" is enough for city officials to recommend the formation of a committee. The East Lansing City Council will decide on the creation of a committee to discuss the renaming of Abbott Road during the council's meeting at 7:30 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Small fire reported in Hubbard Hall

Colleen Maxwell
April 3, 2007

A minor fire started Monday in a South Hubbard Hall trash compactor. The cause is under investigation, East Lansing Deputy Fire Chief Scot Wyman said. "That is something that MSU will have to investigate," he said. Preveterinary medicine freshman Megan Mulder said the South Hubbard Hall alarms went off around 5:30 p.m., and she smelled smoke from the 11th floor.

MICHIGAN

Fake IDs divulged

About 60 smiling faces hang behind the counter of André Mansour's Spartan Spirits. The "wall of shame" exhibits the manufactured fake IDs collected during the years. "Fake ID?

MICHIGAN

Warmth brings ice cream

Cash Kruth
March 30, 2007

With the coming of warm weather and sunny days, the taste of an ice-cold, creamy substance titillating the tongues of East Lansing residents nostalgically returns. And the owners of Melting Moments, 313 E.

MICHIGAN

MSU student wins seat on Mich. group

Alex Altman
March 30, 2007

A pair of MSU students ran for positions in a statewide group of collegiate Republicans on Saturday, but only one came out victorious. Jeff Wiggins and Steve Japinga, chairman and secretary of the MSU College Republicans, respectively, ran for yearlong positions with the Michigan Federation of College Republicans, or MFCR. The MFCR is an umbrella organization designed to interconnect groups of college Republicans across the state. Wiggins defeated Western Michigan's Megan Buwalda to win his race for co-chairman, while Japinga lost his race for chairman to University of Michigan's Justin Zatkoff. "He ran a great race, and I ran a great race," Japinga said of Zatkoff.

MICHIGAN

Research help fight brain disease

Brendan Bouffard
March 30, 2007

Tremors, rigidity, loss of balance. More than one million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease. There are drugs to treat some of the symptoms during the disease's early stages of development, but once it progresses, little can be done. John Goudreau, an associate professor in the departments of neurology and pharmacology and toxicology, is conducting a study that might help slow the progression of the disease. "If you can find patients early, and keep them in the early stages of development, that's as close to a cure as we can get," he said. The study will look at the effect creatine has on the disease. "I don't want people to go out and start taking creatine for their Parkinson's disease," Goudreau said.

MICHIGAN

Lansing officials cancel parade

Cash Kruth
March 30, 2007

There will be plenty of music and confetti this summer in downtown Lansing, but for the first time in 16 years, it won't be because of the Michigan Parade. "The skinny on the parade this year is that we decided to cancel it," said Calvin L.

MICHIGAN

Weather changes, prompt precautions

Kristen Daum
March 29, 2007

The sunshine and warmer than 60-degree weather that has blanketed Mid-Michigan during the past several days doesn't just mean spring is here. It also means the possibility of severe weather. This week marks Michigan's Severe Weather Awareness Week, which has been recognized since 1991 as a way to help the public prepare for natural emergency situations. "We can't stop the weather, but we can mitigate the impact it has on our lives," said Sgt.

MICHIGAN

Meeting will cover new, unfinished plans

Kristen Daum
March 27, 2007

An ordinance that would make it illegal for homeless people to reside in public parking structures once again is up for discussion by the East Lansing City Council. Council members also will discuss possible changes to Hagadorn Road and the progress of an ongoing and over-budget development on Virginia Avenue.

MICHIGAN

Tax replacement proposed

Cash Kruth
March 27, 2007

Local business owners are hoping they won't have pay up when the Single Business Tax expires in December. Halfway through the fiscal year, the state will lose $1.2 billion in revenue. State officials have been developing proposals and restructuring the tax system to make up for the loss.

MICHIGAN

WEB EXTRA: Students auction dates to support Make-A-Wish

Colleen Maxwell
March 27, 2007

The summer before her senior year of high school, Melissa Cousino was told by doctors she had brain cancer. Three hours and an MRI later, a relieving discovery was made —the diagnosis was premature — and she actually had a less threatening disorder called neurocardiogenic syncope. Cousino said her scare shed some light on the traumatic effects cancer can have on patients and families. "For a few short hours I realized the devastation that people go through," she said. Her false diagnosis prompted her to get involved to help those who are experiencing the effects of cancer, she said. Now Cousino, a psychology junior at MSU, is the president of MSU Stars for Make-A-Wish Foundation.

MICHIGAN

MSU honored for improving traffic safety

MSU received an award this month for its construction developments that cut down on traffic accidents by 62 percent in the last 11 years. The Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission honored the university with the Richard H.

MICHIGAN

City recognizes greek fundraising

Kristen Daum
March 26, 2007

The East Lansing City Council acknowledged Tuesday the accomplishments of the MSU greek community during Greek Week 2007. The annual event, during which 2,900 members of MSU fraternities and sororities raise funds for various charities, drew in $220,000 — about $60,000 more than last year. More than $190,000 of the total will go specifically toward the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

MICHIGAN

Tax plan denied, state's deficit remains issue

Colleen Maxwell
March 26, 2007

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's service tax plan was rejected Thursday by the state's Republican-controlled Senate. According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, the plan would have generated about $1.5 billion in revenue, while taxing about 132 services. They included transportation, businesses and personal services — such as barber shops, health clubs and dry cleaners. People don't want to pay more for services — it's that simple, economics freshman Joe Opiela said. "People would be more apt not to use those services," he said.

MICHIGAN

Uniting communities

Kristen Daum
March 23, 2007

Lansing — Local government leaders are aiming to improve the economy and landscape of Michigan Avenue throughout the next decade with a partnership announced Thursday. The Corridor Improvement Authority unites East Lansing, Lansing Township and Lansing in an effort to strengthen the avenue's stretch from the Capitol to MSU. The authority's goals include beautifying the streetscape, strengthening the roadway and utility systems and drawing more innovative business to the region, East Lansing Mayor Sam Singh said. "The days of looking at our communities as separate are over," Singh said.

MICHIGAN

Under-25 health care costs grow

Cash Kruth
March 22, 2007

People under the age of 25 spent 50 percent more money on health care in 2005 than they did a decade earlier, according to a U.S Department of Labor report released last month. The 2005 Consumer Expenditures survey reported that the average household headed by someone 25 or younger spent about $704 in 2005, the most recent year for which data was gathered. In 1995, that number was $466. The survey defines health care spending as prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, health insurance and medical supplies. The national sample is taken from about 8.5 million consumers under 25 from the U.S.