First class graduates from new program
After finishing a grueling 765-hours of course work in one year, the first class graduated from MSU's accelerated nursing program. In its trial year, the College of Nursing's accelerated second degree program had 44 nurses finish and held the graduation ceremony Friday. The program is offered to students who already have one degree in nursing.
Bikes for sale
Abandoned bicycles cluttering campus during the year have been moved out and will go on sale today.
Local airport calm despite terrorist threat
There were no delays and the atmosphere remained calm at Capital City Airport on Thursday despite heightened security due to an attempted terrorist plot. British authorities arrested 24 people after they were tipped off about a plan to blow up at least 10 planes leaving for the U.S.
Traffic stop yields terror arrest of 2 Mich. men
Two 20-year-old college students from Dearborn were arrested and charged Wednesday with money laundering and procuring items with the intent to use them in terrorist acts. Local authorities stopped Osama Sabhi Abulhassan and Ali Houssaiky for a traffic violation in Marietta, Ohio, when the deputies found flight information, $11,000 in cash and 12 phones in their car, according to an Associated Press report. A map showing Wal-Mart locations in Kentucky, Tennessee and North and South Carolina were also found.
Vaccine in low supply as school year approaches
Meningitis vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, have led to a low supply of Menactra, the most efficient vaccine for the disease. "There is technically a shortage of the vaccine," said Donna Cary, spokeswoman for Sanofi Pasteur, the company that makes the drug.
CATA invests in energy-efficient buses
After 10 years of working toward improving the environment, the Capitol Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, furthered its goal by purchasing three diesel, hybrid electric buses. The buses, which are the first of their kind to be used in the state of Michigan, will create less emissions than other CATA buses and provide a smoother ride for customers, said Sandy Draggoo, executive director and CEO of CATA. CATA plans to begin building the buses into their regular routes as soon as Aug.
County considers 911 centers' consolidation
For Ingham County, the question is whether or not less is more for emergency dispatch centers. County commissioners are considering merging Ingham County's two 911 centers after a recent independent study showed the potential cost effectiveness of having one emergency dispatch center for the entire county. If the two centers merge, concerns from local police include quality of service diminishing, lack of a contingency during a power failure and what will happen to employees within the two centers. The county is concerned about funding without raising taxes.
DaimlerChrysler, MSU team up for research
There could be new uses for contaminated land, as MSU researchers try to develop ways to grow biofuel-producing plants on polluted sites. The researchers teamed up with DaimlerChrysler AG in hopes of finding ways to increase the yield of plants — such as soybeans, switchgrass and sunflowers — that are used in the production of biofuels.
Financial woes
There are several obstacles facing businesses located near the Chandler Crossings apartment complexes, East Lansing Economic Development Administrator Tim Dempsey said. Although the area is divided between the city of East Lansing and Bath Township, businesses seem to filter in and out of the area after having their doors open for only a few years. "There's a number of challenges faced by that shopping center," Dempsey said. "One of them is its design and placement.
MSU group hosts AIDS awareness workshop
Paul Brown's summer made it apparent that his passion for stopping the effects of HIV/AIDS will be lifelong. Brown, a 2006 MSU graduate, helped conduct a case study dealing with HIV/AIDS orphans in South Africa this summer.
Students take on government issues
An increase in state funding for higher education was partially caused by students voicing their opinions to Michigan legislators, students and legislators said. ASMSU sought to expand funding for MSU by 2 percent, and the state surpassed the request, giving the university a 3 percent increase in July. ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government. Julielyn Gibbons, vice chairperson for external affairs for the Student Assembly, said the funding increase is proof of the organization's work during its Advocacy Week in March.
Research: Physical activity may promote better grades
Middle school students might perform better in classes if they engage in physical activity during the day, according to MSU research. The researchers found that grades were 10 percent higher for students who were taking physical education classes, said Jim Pivarnik, a professor of kinesiology, epidemiology and physical medicine and rehabilitation, who helped conduct the study. The researchers used a western Michigan middle school where some students took physical education during the first semester and the rest of the students took it during second semester, said Dawn Coe, an assistant professor of movement science at Grand Valley State University, who was also involved in the study. "We did physical fitness tests, such as an aerobic test, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility, and we also looked at their grades for both semesters and a standardized test," she said. Some said middle school physical education programs are important, but the reason to have them shouldn't be because it supports academics alone. "There are many benefits to be derived from a well-orchestrated middle school physical education program that extend far beyond boosting academic performance in other content areas," said Robert Benham, an assistant professor of kinesiology.
New director of bands both 'artistic, academic'
The MSU School of Music will have a fresh face overseeing MSU bands and conducting the school's top ensemble.
Union under construction
The Union will look a bit different than it has in the past with new businesses and facility updates, Union Director Jim Sheppard said.
Fliers may prompt more votes in coming elections
In an effort to raise voter turnout, Michigan residents are being notified of whether or not their neighbors voted. Ingham County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Mark Grebner, sent 20,000 fliers out to registered voters across the state listing whether or not their neighbors voted to see if it increases numbers at the polls. The effort is part of a statewide voter turnout study being conducted by Grebner. "We're hoping that fliers like these will get more voter participation," Grebner said.
Burned play structure to be replaced
Efforts to rebuild an East Lansing playground structure that burned down in early July are already underway as police continue to investigate the arson. A replacement for the structure in Harrison Meadows Park, located on Roxburgh Avenue, could be completed by either fall or spring, depending on how smoothly everything goes, said Tim McCaffrey, director of East Lansing parks and recreation. "The city has every intention of replacing the playground structure," he said.