MICHIGAN
GOP supports balanced federal budget Amendment
LANSING — MSU experts weighed in Thursday on Republican state lawmakers’ plan to add a balanced budget to the U.S.
MSU
Water levels in Great Lakes could rise
Trudging through snow and frigid winds might make for grueling travel between classes, but that same freeze might benefit the Great Lakes. Scientists predict the recent Arctic blasts will increase water levels and decrease temperatures in the Great Lakes, temporarily reversing a 15-year slump. Anne Clites, a physical scientist at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, predicts the water levels of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron will increase by 10–12 inches this upcoming summer from this past summer. When cold, dry air sweeps across the lakes, it increases the evaporation rate, which results in more ice cover and lake-effect snow, said John Lenters, the senior scientist at the environmental consulting firm LimnoTech. Although this temporarily decreases water levels, ice lingers into late winter and early spring, capping further evaporation. Lenters predicts water-level gains this year because of lingering ice will result in cooler summer waters, leading to a later evaporation period next fall.
MICHIGAN
From wheel to ring
In the center of a dimly-lit hotel ballroom in West Lansing, a chain-link octagon loomed over rows of seated onlookers.
MICHIGAN
I-96 shooter found guilty of nearly all charges
HOWELL, Mich. — Raulie Casteel began his Wednesday in the same blue blazer that he’d worn throughout the entire trial.
NEWS
Weather advisory issued for Thursday
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for snow and blowing snow, effective from 4 a.m.
MSU
ASMSU amending student rights report
ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, is in the process of suggesting amendments to the document outlining the rights and responsibilities of MSU students.
MSU
MSU bra drive benefits victims of sex traffiking
Amnesty International MSU, an on-campus organization advocating for international human rights, has organized a bra drive sponsored by the Free The Girls organization that started on Jan.
MSU
Trustees slated to vote on projects
Trustees to vote on projects ?The MSU Board of Trustees is slated to vote this Friday on a contract regarding the artificial grass installment at Munn field for use by the Spartan Marching Band.
MICHIGAN
I-96 shooter Raulie Casteel found guilty of nearly all charges in Livingston County
After about a day of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict Wednesday afternoon and found I-96 shooter Raulie Casteel guilty of nearly all charges. The alumnus was found guilty of one count of terrorism, once count of assault with a dangerous weapon and five weapons-related charges. He could face life in prison.
NEWS
Jury finds Raulie Casteel guilty of terrorism
I-96 shooter Raulie Casteel was convicted of terrorism and other gun charges Wednesday afternoon in Livingston County Circuit Court. Casteel shot at 24 cars during October 2012 along the I-96 corridor.
NEWS
Obama gives State of the Union address
President Barack Obama has had an eventful year. The extent of the government’s online surveillance programs was leaked to the public.
NEWS
Council considers changing snow rules
Recent severe bouts of weather prompted talks of amending the city’s snow removal ordinance at Tuesday’s East Lansing City Council work session. Council members considered a proposal that would change requirements for cleaning snowfall off sidewalks.
NEWS
Casteel trial concludes with closing statements
If she hadn’t been driving between 80 and 85 miles an hour to pass the vehicle in front of her on that day in October of 2012, Jennifer Kupiec might not have missed the bullet that came flying toward the front of her car. Had she passed just a bit slower, she might have been dead. In his closing statement for the trial of the alleged I-96 shooter in Livingston County Circuit Court, Assistant Attorney General Gregory Townsend focused on the fear that 44-year-old Raulie Casteel left in the minds of witnesses that October, when he allegedly shot at 24 cars along the I-96 corridor. He said some of Casteel’s victims — spread across Ingham, Oakland, Livingston and Shiawassee counties — likely will live with the story of the incident for the rest of their lives. “These communities … were living in that state of fear, because they didn’t know what was going to happen until (Casteel) was apprehended,” Townsend said. In their closing statements, both Townsend and Casteel’s attorney spent Tuesday morning questioning Casteel’s actions, challenging the jury to decide whether he intended to hurt his victims. On Monday, the MSU alumnus testified that he never meant to hurt anyone.
NEWS
BRRRing on the cold
Despite sub-zero temperatures, risk of frostbite and the fact that the University of Michigan canceled classes for the first time on Tuesday since 1978, the university operated as usual. And many students were not happy about it. When supply chain management junior Ryan Pun heard the news, he started a petition on the official website of the White House to see how many students would stand up to the administration with him. Before the petition was taken down Tuesday morning “for violating terms of participation,” it had more than 300 signatures. “I just think it is unethical for MSU not canceling class in such weather,” Pun said.
MSU
Three candidates running for ASMSU presidency to speak
ASMSU, the university’s undergraduate student government, will host a town hall presidential debate at 6:30 p.m.
MSU
Health department pushes HPV vaccine for students
In light of Cervical Health Awareness Month, the Michigan Department for Community Health is stressing the importance of HPV vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer.
MICHIGAN
Larkin selected as next 54-B chief judge
54-B District Court Judge Andrea Larkin was appointed to serve as chief judge by the Michigan Supreme Court.
MICHIGAN
Suspect arraigned for Jet's Pizza robbery
A suspect in a November 2013 armed robbery against two MSU students working at Jet’s Pizza in Lansing Township was arraigned on eight felony charges this week.
MICHIGAN
ROTC cadets prepare attire for 107th annual ball
The cadets came in groups, lining up one by one, ready for the ultimate critique.
NEWS
Attorneys give closing statements, jury deliberates in Casteel trial
HOWELL, Mich. – The jury will begin to deliberate on the charges against the alleged I-96 shooter on Tuesday afternoon in Livingston County Circuit Court. Both attorneys gave their closing statements in the trial of 44-year-old Raulie Casteel, who is accused of shooting at 24 cars in October of 2012 along the I-96 corridor, in locations that spanned across four different counties. In Livingston County alone, Casteel is charged with terrorism, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, felonious assault and five charges dealing with the possession and discharging of a firearm.