State unemployment rate falls 0.5 percent

Michigan's March unemployment rate fell to one of the lowest in about a year at 6.9 percent. The state rate was at 7.4 percent in February and 7.1 percent in January. A year ago in April, the jobless rate was 6.7 percent. But the state rate last month is still higher than the national unemployment rate of 5.2 percent and is one of the country's worst. Economists said the rate has fluctuated in Michigan between 6.7 and 7.5 percent throughout the past two years.

Forum held for possible provost

Members of the MSU community spent an evening trying to find out if Virginia Sapiro is the best person for the position of provost. Sapiro, the associate vice chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is the first of five provost candidates who will tour campus, meet with students, faculty and administrators and host a public forum. While Sapiro answered audience questions during her forum, but students were not present in the about 100-person crowd.

Students take over Capitol

It was a seemingly normal Thursday afternoon at the Capitol - state representatives and senators argued about affirmative action and welfare. But these legislators and lobbyists were high school students. About 750 high school students from around the state spent four days acting as government officials and voting on bills in the YMCA's Michigan Youth in Government program. Eleventh grader Tyler Deerfield said he wasn't sure what a lobbyist was when he signed up for the event. But a day into the job in the mock government, he had successfully lobbied against a bill that would change the high school drop-out age from 16 to 18. "I've always had an interest in politics, and I thought I'd see how it was actually run," said Deerfield, of St.

Games, music part of Saturday's 4th annual Sparty's Spring Party

Students looking for a budget friendly way to enjoy the spring weather might find one Saturday at Sparty's Spring Party. The festivities, sponsored by the University Activities Board, Residence Halls Association, Student Alumni Foundation and ASMSU, will begin at 2 p.m.

Budget could hurt book collection

The East Lansing Public Library could operate with 5,000 fewer books in the next fiscal year if the City Council approves a budget that slashes funding by $50,000. The funds necessary to purchase books are at risk to be cut by nearly one third, said Sylvia Marabate, director of the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, adding the institution normally purchases about 15,000 books a year. "We will work hard to meet our community's expectations, but it may mean some have to wait a little longer for the bestsellers," she said.

Students, officials react to RIAA suits

One day after the Recording Industry Association of America, or RIAA, filed 405 lawsuits for illegal file sharing at 18 colleges and universities - including 20 at MSU - members of the university community are beginning to react. "It's kind of ridiculous because I know a lot of people who do it," education freshman Colleen Goergen said.

New bill would protect employee actions

When Cara Stiffler learned she would lose her job in fall 2003 for smoking, she never imagined she would wind up in the Michigan Legislature.

RHA looks for options to keep Channel 12 afloat

Almost two months after the university's surprise decision to shut down Channel 12 at the end of the semester, university officials and student-produced programs are looking for ways to salvage the channel but also prepare for life without it. The channel broadcasts free movies and student-produced programming to MSU's campus and surrounding cities. Residence Halls Association and University Housing have been looking into options to keep the channel afloat, but RHA President Kevin Newman said nothing has developed enough for him to be optimistic about the channel's short-term future. "At this point, I wouldn't expect anything next year to be different from the decisions the university has already made," Newman said. RHA pays about $15,000 a semester for the movies that air on the channel. One option being evaluated is a digital media player system that would substantially cut the channel's labor costs by enabling a month of its programming to be done in 30 minutes. But RHA Campus Center Director James Henderson said evaluations of the program are very preliminary, and he will meet next week with representatives of the company that makes the system to see if it is a feasible option. "We're looking at possibilities, but that's it," Henderson said.

Court denies patent for Smucker's Uncrustables

At the Mason Hall Totally Takeout, Uncrustables have to be restocked quickly to keep up with the demand.

Hip-hop mock rock arrives at Breslin

Destiny's Child, 50 Cent and Usher will shake their stuff at the Breslin Center in a funky battle for hip-hop fame.

E.L. officials discuss budget cuts, removing $1M deficit

Replacing a $1 million deficit in the city budget was the topic of the East Lansing City Council meeting Tuesday. The 2006 budget, which was released last week, is about $55 million, roughly 2.3 percent less than last year.

E.L. library to host sale of used books

The Friends of the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, will hold its spring used book sale from 10 a.m.

Student employees awarded for work

About 150 people attended the 2005 Student Employee of the Year recognition program on Tuesday, hosted by the Student Employment Office in the Union ballroom.

Police briefs 04/13/05

Faculty introduce possible increase in salary

Faculty want a salary increase of 4.25 percent next year, and they are willing to pay more for their health care to get it. At Tuesday's Faculty Council meeting, the University Committee on Faculty Affairs presented the proposed increase as part of a five-year plan begun three years ago by MSU President Lou Anna K.

E.L. extends ban on fires

With unseasonably dry weather this spring, the East Lansing Fire Department is extending a ban on all fires in East Lansing indefinitely.

New E.L. cafe offers crepes

Donning red berets and black aprons, servers prepare European delicacies in a small French-style cafe. Complete with international music, murals and an outdoor patio - students and residents can now find a little taste of France nestled between a pizzeria, ice cream parlor and dozens of other fast-food chains on Grand River Avenue. Ooh la la Crepes, 1133 E.

Duct tape, bruises part of protest

Some students will go through the day with duct tape on their mouths. They will stand in front of buildings on campus today with fake bruises on their faces.

MSU resurrects 'Water Carnival' for fall event

Four MSU officials stood atop a wooden raft Tuesday, wearing orange life jackets as it floated down the Red Cedar River. As it drifted along, someone walking along the banks called out, "Which one's Tom Sawyer and which one's Huck Finn?" The tiny wooden raft was launched in the river to see if it could float.

Word on the street: What do you think still needs to be addressed about the April 2-3 disturbances?

"What the plan was before the police took action. Were they going to teargas and pepper spray everybody?" Ashley Jenkins journalism and sociology freshman "I feel the biggest thing that needs to be looked into is the film that students may have taken.