Experts pan earbud listening

Turn down the music. As iPod and MP3 player users nestle earbuds into their ears, each listen could increase the possibility of permanent hearing damage, audiologists say. The popular earbuds used with iPods and MP3 players could be even more damaging than headphones, they said. "Digital music players like the iPod and MP3 players are causing more damage than old players," said Eileen Bridges, an audiologist with Mid-Michigan Ear, Nose & Throat Professional Hearing Consultants.

Plan focuses on urbanizing E.L.

The hotly contested East Village Master Plan is a small-scale project compared to another master plan placed on the East Lansing Planning Commission's plate this week.

6 vying for Bernero's former seat

Six candidates are now in the race to fill an empty Michigan Senate seat representing most of Ingham County, including MSU. Three Democrats and three Republicans turned in the required paperwork by Tuesday's deadline to run in a special election for the 23rd Senate District opened by the departure of former Sen.

Bittersweet finish

Shifting and tilting a wine glass, Kirk Reedy evaluated the color of the small amount of liquid at the bottom. "Color is very important, especially in red wines," Reedy said. The 37-year-old student said he considers himself lucky to be one of the last people to participate in the MSU viticulture and enology program, which will no longer be offered after this semester due to low enrollment. "I'm disappointed the program is ending," Reedy said.

Police briefs 01/12/06

Lawmakers to focus on economy, environment

With state legislators returning to Lansing this week, both parties are laying out their top issues for 2006. Top Republican legislators said they want to cut the alternate small business tax and control state regulations that would hinder economic growth. Democrats said they want to focus on ending Canadian and out-of-state trash dumping, increasing minimum wage, preventing outsourcing and expanding preschools. Focusing on recovery To catch up with the recovery of other states, the state must cut costs and be more business-friendly for job providers, said House Speaker Craig DeRoche, R-Novi, who joined Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming, in announcing the Republicans' goals Tuesday. "This is the year to address small businesses and the vital role they play in Michigan's economy," Sikkema said. The party is trying to shift focus away from the state budget to examine the state's economic recovery, said Ari Adler, Sikkema's spokesperson.

Post office to process passport applications

East Lansing residents looking to travel abroad will have an opportunity to get their passports in order next week. A lobby in the East Lansing Post Office, 1140 Abbott Road, will be dedicated to processing passport applications Jan.

Katrina survivor reunited with photo album

Kaysi Higgins came to Lansing in October with clothes for three days, a toothbrush and not much else. Photo albums and other belongings back home had been ruined when Hurricane Katrina hit and split the ceiling of her New Orleans home, but she still had an album that held pictures from as far back as her baby years. Higgins, 16, lost the album in MSU's Main Library but got it back Tuesday after an MSU police staff member tracked her down using clues from the photos. Higgins got tears in her eyes as she looked at the album. "I didn't realize I have all these good pictures in here," Higgins said.

WEB EXTRA: Executive committee holds first meeting of semester

The Executive Committee of Academic Council met Tuesday for the first time this semester. The executive committee moved to change the name of the Department of Audiology and Speech Sciences in the College of Communication Arts & Sciences to the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders.

Simon backs bioeconomy

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon spoke before a group of agricultural business leaders Tuesday as part of a conference hosted by the Michigan Agri-Business Association. Simon was there to stress the importance of the emerging bioeconomy to Michigan's future. "It's an opportunity to push a biomass initiative," Simon said.

MSU contributes to consumer research

Melanie Lauer sifted through a pile of T-shirts at Urban Outfitters on Tuesday. The 21-year-old secondary education and English junior likes shopping at the store because it's close to campus.

Grant helps prof study HIV, AIDS

An MSU professor is in Africa to research and treat people with HIV and AIDS. Gretchen Birbeck, an associate professor in the departments of epidemiology, neurology and ophthalmology, is using a recent grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation to begin her research. Birbeck said she wants to look at stigmas that surround HIV and AIDS in Africa, as well as reasons why people might not or do not take their medications. "I was ecstatic about receiving the grant," Birbeck said, adding that the funding made the research possible. According to AVERT, a United Kingdom-based HIV and AIDS charity, an estimated 25.8 million people were infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2005. Birbeck's work will benefit MSU, but is aimed specifically for HIV and AIDS patients in Africa. "The virus develops resistance to the medications if it is not taken correctly," Birbeck said.

Police briefs 01/11/06

Historic commission seeking applicants

The East Lansing Historic District Commission is seeking applicants to fill a term of appointment ending Dec.

Rogers to run for majority whip

Despite reports of other early favorites for the No. 3 Republican spot in the U.S. House, Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton could compete for the position. Rogers, whose district includes MSU and Ingham County, would be charged with gathering votes and support in the House if he was picked for the majority whip position. Four candidates have announced their intention to run for the position, which would be open if Rep.

Simon, Granholm to talk about economy

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will attend the annual Michigan Agri-Business Association's meeting with Gov.

Group to examine petition's wording

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission will conduct a hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Detroit to investigate allegations that voters who signed the petition to place the proposal on the ballot were misled. Proposed language for the controversial Michigan Civil Rights Initiative ballot proposal, which would end affirmative action, was released on Friday. According to the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration, & Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary, or BAMN, voters who actually support affirmative action signed the petition because they were misled, said Donna Stern, the group's national director. Stern said the Michigan Board of Canvassers provided a sample of 500 people who signed the petition. "We did not find a single black signer that had knowingly signed an anti-affirmative action petition," Stern said. However, state Rep.

Police stress caution after local kidnapping

The man charged with abducting a 21-year-old student on Thursday reportedly tried making the student think the incident was a prank and he wasn't actually kidnapping her, police said. "He was playing upon the security provided to students in East Lansing," said East Lansing police Lt.

Muslim prayer begins multiple-day holiday

The three-day Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha, begins today. Eid acknowledges the Quran's account of Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son to Allah. The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing will be recognizing the holiday today at the center, located at 920 S.

Speed limits could increase

Speed limits on two of East Lansing's main thoroughfares will be going up unless the state's highest court intervenes. Portions of Grand River Avenue and Saginaw Highway could be 10 mph faster, increasing to 35 mph and 45 mph, respectively. The change is the latest development in a nearly yearlong court battle between the city of East Lansing and the Michigan State Police and the Department of Transportation, or MDOT. Last March, East Lansing won a decision that blocked the state's initial attempt to raise the speed limits. The Michigan Court of Appeals overturned the order in a Dec.