WEB EXTRA: RHA president insists tax increase needed to continue services

The Residence Halls Association needs an increase in its annual student tax to absorb the mounting costs of operation, RHA officials said Wednesday. RHA President Kevin Newman said during his State of the Organization address that all of the students' tax dollars have been well spent, but more money might be needed. "The costs of doing business are constantly rising, and RHA's desire to provide the best possible services to our residents will not ever decrease," Newman said during his address.

Feedback wanted for new county controller

Ingham County is beginning a search for a new County Controller. The Ingham County Board of Commissioners has invited public feedback in its search, and will hold a public meeting today from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Mexico doles out $25K to students

About 20 students who just arrived on campus this week posed for a photo with MSU President Lou Anna K.

Police briefs 01/19/06

New Orleans service project seeks teachers

An information session for a New Orleans relief project will be held at 5 p.m. today in the Erickson Hall Kiva. The project is scheduled to take place for three to four weeks this summer.

MCRI proposal sent to Mich. Supreme Court

A proposal to halt the ballot measures made by the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative was submitted to the Michigan Supreme Court this week by Operation King's Dream. The submission was driven by the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration, & Immigrant Rights And Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary, or BAMN, a civil rights campaign that supports affirmative action. The motion aims to disallow the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or MCRI, from appearing on the November ballot.

Study finds canines can sniff out human cancer

Man's best friend has learned a new trick — detecting cancer. Researchers at the Pine Street Foundation in California found a dog's scenting ability detects lung and breast cancer, said Nicholas Broffman, executive director of the foundation.

Former E.L. city council member to be honored

A reception will be held to honor former East Lansing Councilmember Bill Sharp this Sunday at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road. The reception runs from 3-5 p.m.

Pasted memories

Scrapbooking supplies are everywhere, cutting and pasting themselves into the aisles of large retail chains.

WEB EXTRA: House rep. candidate criticizes government at MSU Democrats meeting

Jim Marcinkowski, a candidate for the 8th district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, criticized the policies of the government at an MSU College Democrats meeting Tuesday night. About 40 students had the opportunity to ask Marcinkowski questions about his stances on issues that mattered to them — the goal of the event, according to MSU College Democrat President Stephen Purchase. "One of the things our organization focuses on is bringing politics to campus," Purchase, an international relations and political theory and constitutional democracy senior said. Marcinkowski, a former CIA agent, criticized the handling of the war in Iraq, but acknowledged it will be difficult to leave. He was also critical of the effect the controversies surrounding secret prisons, prisoner abuse and torture are having on the intelligence community. "When you go to recruit an agent overseas, you have to stand for something," he said. He hopes to see a change in the way lobbying and campaign finance are handled. "This is legal money laundering," he said.

Housing sign-ups to begin Friday

Christina Commiskey skipped a class last year so she could wait in line for several hours to sign up for the residence hall she wanted. Commiskey, a psychology sophomore, lives in Shaw Hall this year and said it was worth the wait for signing up. "It's really the best place to live on campus," she said. The on-campus housing sign-up process for the 2006-07 school year begins Jan.

Innovations: Tectonic testing

Names: Assistant Professor Kevin Mackey and Professor Kazuya Fujita Department: Geological sciences Title of research project: Northeast Russia Seismic Project Date of research: Fujita began the project in 1989, and it has continued as an ongoing project.

WEB EXTRA: Public poker tournament to be held Saturday

A "No Limit Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament" will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Dietz Pool & Spa, 954 E.

Police briefs 01/18/06

WEB EXTRA: Former packaging instructor dies at 85

James W. Goff expanded the packaging program at Michigan State College upon joining the faculty in 1952. Goff grew the program to include aesthetics and economics in packaging.

WEB EXTRA: Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing names new chairperson

Richard Cole will be the new chairperson for the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing, effective March 1. Cole, who is the executive vice president and chief administrative officer of the Detroit Medical Center, served as a faculty member in the department from 1985 to 2001. Current chairperson Bonnie Reece will retire this year.

WEB EXTRA: CVS obtains beer, wine permit

CVS/pharmacy, 240 M.A.C. Ave., is now permitted to sell beer and wine. The East Lansing City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to grant CVS a beer and wine permit. But CVS must follow conditions — they cannot sell kegs, advertise liquor in the windows, or sell alcohol through the pick-up window.

Improvements made to accelerate Amber Alert

Michigan's Amber Alert system, intended to find abducted children faster, will be updated following a grant from AT&T Michigan. The $77,000 grant will be used to update technology so the emergency broadcast alert will be automatically sent over radio or television during an Amber Alert, and eliminate manpower needed in newsrooms to physically put out the alert, said Karole White, president of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. "It can go directly to the television set," White said. In the previous system, local law-enforcement agencies contacted the Michigan State Police after an abduction.

18 sexual predator bills go into effect

Registered sex offenders can't live, work or loiter within 1,000 feet of Michigan schools, with few exceptions, after new legislation went into effect this year. Gov.

MSU home page updated, gains 'modern look'

By Dan Smallwood Special for The State News MSU launched a test version of its redesigned home page on Monday with improved navigation to the university's major resources. The new home page is accessible through a link on the current university home page, located at www.msu.edu, or directly at home2006.msu.edu. Officials plan to gather feedback through surveys before permanently replacing the old site on Feb.