Transgender student featured in new Sundance Channel series

On Tuesday, MSU's campus was the backdrop for a Sundance Channel series featuring the life of an MSU student. T.J.

Gas leak forces road closure

Construction workers drilling on Dormitory Road near Snyder and Phillips halls hit a gas line at about noon on Tuesday, causing a gas leak that kept running for roughly five hours. "It just shoots out because it's forced gas," said Lt.

Jokesters prepare for UAB comedy weekend

Aspiring MSU comedians gathered in the Union's Ohio State Room on Tuesday night, hoping to extract a chorus of belly laughs from a University Activities Board judging panel. The comedians were auditioning for a slot in the upcoming "Last Spartan Standing" competition, the MSU version of the "Last Comic Standing" NBC television series.

Professor to lead ID theft workshop today

An identity theft workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today in the third-floor conference room at the Nisbet Building, 1407 S.

MSU conservatives urged to 'come out' at campus event

On Wednesday, several MSU conservative political groups will have a chance to make an announcement - they are proud of their political affiliation. The opportunity is part of the first-ever National Conservative Coming Out Day, an event aimed at raising awareness about the conservative presence on college campuses. At MSU, informational tables and a mock closet for participants to come out of will be set up at the Brody Complex and Bessey Hall, as well as a possible location on East campus, political science and pre-law senior Luke Pelican said. "The purpose of this day isn't to go after anyone or have an aggressive agenda," Pelican said.

ASMSU: Sale of alcohol in suites biased

Members of ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, feel that selling alcohol in the suite area of Spartan Stadium is unfair to students and gives more privilege to those who pay extra for season tickets. "It's ridiculous.

Traffic system aims to accelerate rescues

With the push of a button, Lansing-area emergency vehicles can clear traffic by switching a stoplight from red to green. The Lansing Regional Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption System Project, which will be finished next year, works by sending a signal from a strobe light mounted on an emergency vehicle to a sensor placed on a traffic light.

Possibility of new cell phone towers spurs debate in E.L.

Cingular Wireless and T-Mobile customers could notice an increase in their wireless signal if the East Lansing City Council votes Tuesday evening to construct cell phone towers on East Grand River Avenue and Trowbridge Road.

Local speaks about gender on 'Oprah'

A Lansing woman who has run for several political offices was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" last week because of her gender experiences. Melissa Sue Robinson, who is transgender and was born male, said she was asked to take part in a special segment on identical twins who have sex changes by a producer of the show. "Somehow they found out about me," she said.

Police briefs 09/20/05

Club targets women in computer sciences

It is not uncommon for Niharika Joglekar to be the only female in her classes. It's this observation - among others - that has led the computer science and engineering senior to start a new group on campus called MSU Women in Computing. "Women don't feel as comfortable as they should in this male-dominated major," Joglekar said.

Academy demos sword fighting on campus

By Erica Richards Special to The State News The peaceful lawn of the Administration Building turned into a medieval battlefield Saturday afternoon - but fighters wore T-shirts and used weapons made of wood, leather and duct tape. A small group of students and instructors from the Aegis Sword Academy in Pinckney took turns fighting within a ring of green rope as part of a swordsmanship demonstration.

Update: E.L. firefighters help with relief

As East Lansing Fire Marshal Bob Pratt drove on Sunday down a residential street in Bogalusa, La., a city that Hurricane Katrina devastated with high winds, he tallied the damaged houses. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight; eight out of 10 houses on a random block have tarps on roofs," Pratt said on his cell phone, as he sat by his partner, East Lansing Firefighter-Paramedic Dawn Carson.

Group holds welcome for student parents

Student Parents on a Mission will have a welcome meeting from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Spartan Child Development Center, located at 1730 Crescent Road. Free dinner and child care will be provided, and a children's craft activity will start at 7 p.m. The organization was founded in 1995 with the Family Resource Center to provide an environment for student parents to come together and learn about resources MSU provides for them, such as assistance in finding employment and financial aid.

Owners asked to bring dogs on moonlit walk

Dog owners are invited to attend a moonlit walk through the woods at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 at the Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road.

Board OKs sale of horse farm

In a unanimous decision during Friday's MSU Board of Trustees meeting, board members approved the sale of MSU's Merillat Equine Center, an 80-acre farm in Adrian that specializes in breeding. The farm was given as a gift to the university in 1996 by the Merillat family.

Motorcycle memorial

Muskegon resident Dave Johnson looks on during a memorial speech for veterans of all wars classified as missing in action or prisoners of war at the seventh annual Michigan Remembers Run on Saturday. Johnson, a veteran of the U.S.

Crisis intervention training starts today

The Listening Ear Crisis Intervention Center, 313 W. Grand River Ave., will have orientation sessions for new volunteer training starting at 7 p.m.

Police briefs 09/19/05

Peace center concert to feature troubadour

A celebration will take place at 8 p.m. on Oct. 8 to honor the 35th anniversary of the Lansing Area Peace Education Center, 855 Grove St.