Businesses to provide smoking despite ban

Correction: Should have identified State Rep. Steve Bieda, D-Macomb. A pair of bills introduced to the state House of Representatives would let certain Michigan bars and restaurants to allow their customers to smoke, even if a state law banning smoking in public places is passed. Introduced June 21, the bills would work in tandem with the proposed statewide smoking ban, requiring bars and restaurants that want to allow smoking to apply for a permit.

Lansing research park receives $4M land grant

After being awarded a $2 million federal grant, the Lansing Economic Development Corporation plans to improve the infrastructure of the University Corporate Research Park with hopes of attracting technical companies to the area. In addition to the grant, the MSU Foundation - a nonprofit organization that works to advance the growth of MSU as a landgrant university - will match the funding awarded, bringing the total to $4 million. "Essentially, what we are doing is linking the north end of the park to the south end of the park to open it up for future development," said Kara Wood, director of Downtown Core and SmartZone liaison. Changes to the infrastructure will include road, water and sewer system improvements, as well as adding street landscaping and additional parking, Wood said. The Lansing Regional SmartZone encompasses the whole of the research park, she said, and is owned and operated by the MSU Foundation.

Mich. Pride festival rallies for LGBT rights

Ten feet in the air, a man dressed in a glittery, purple mermaid suit danced on top of a truck parked in the street at the Michigan Pride festival, march and rally. Several thousand supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community raised awareness for the community in Lansing during the weekend. "It's important to come out and be part of a community that is often isolated," said David Jaques, a communications junior.

Second minimum wage increase takes effect

The nearly 5,000 MSU students who will work in the dorms and cafeteria this year won't be greatly impacted after the state minimum wage jumped Sunday to $7.15 per hour. The new minimum wage, which was previously $6.95 per hour, is the second installment of a three-part increase that eventually caps at $7.40 in July 2008. Most MSU students are paid at or above minimum wage, and the same number of employees will be hired this year compared to previous years, said Angela Brown, director of housing. But some people wonder if the new minimum wage can make a difference in boosting Michigan's struggling economy, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. "Economists report rising wages can stimulate economic activity throughout the state," said Megan Brown, a spokeswoman for Gov.

MSU e-mail system to be revamped after spring 2008

Kelly O'Brien isn't familiar with MSU's e-mail system. Compared to Google's Gmail, the May graduate said MSU's system just didn't have much to offer her - so she stopped using it. She forwarded all of her MSU e-mail to the Gmail account, which also allows users to store documents and calendar events. There's also a Gmail feature her and her family members can't live without. "You can chat on it," she said. About 9 million e-mails are sent and received each day through MSU e-mail system, www.mail.msu.edu. The system hasn't received a complete overhaul since spring of 2003, when it was launched, but students shouldn't have to wait much longer, said Dave Gift, vice provost for Libraries Computing and Technology.

MSU team studies child social skills

Holly Brophy-Herb knows the research her team conducted regarding young children's social and emotional development will make a difference in the lives of families. "There is lots of evidence that shows early development does foster (social and emotional skills)," Brophy-Herb said.

Mexican restaurant to open downtown

The Spartan Sports Den, 1227 E. Grand River Ave., has closed after years of serving beer, food and sports to East Lansing residents. The property was sold to Vlahakis Companies, a local property management company. The space is to be filled by Los Tres Amigos, a Mexican restaurant.

Local art museum to offer training classes

Kresge Art Museum will offer a training class in September for people interested in giving tours of the new Eli and Edythe Broad Museum of Art.

Legislators ponder hike in state taxes

As Michigan looks down the barrel of a $1.5 billion deficit for the 2008 fiscal year, a debate has been brewing in the Capitol on the subject that could potentially affect not only the state's finances but the outcome of upcoming elections: Taxes. The questions being raised by legislators about tax policy runs the gamut from raising the current 3.9 percent income tax rate to extending the reach of the sales tax. Although cuts have been made to the state government, from jobs to funding, they will not be enough to help Michigan out of its current financial situation, said Bryan Ritchie, an MSU associate professor of international relations and expert on Michigan's economic future. "There's no way to get around the current circumstances without raising taxes," he said.

Leaving the foster system

Lansing — Three years ago, William Daniel's younger brother escaped a cracking belt and beating at the hands of his mother long enough to call 911. At 11 years old, Daniel watched as police handcuffed his mother and drove her away in the back of a police car. "They saw from the bruises, scars and marks on my brother's face and back that the situation we were living in was unhealthy," Daniel said. Daniel and his brother became two of more than half a million children in the country living in foster care.

Police briefs 06/28/07

McGraw awaits pretrial conference

Patricia Ann McGraw, 49, waived her right for a preliminary examination Wednesday morning at East Lansing's 54-B District Court. McGraw, a former MSU employee who turned herself into police June 20 on an embezzlement charge, will now await a pretrial meeting to be scheduled at Lansing's 30th Judicial Circuit Court. McGraw has been charged with embezzling more than $20,000 from the MSU Department of Theatre, where she worked as a business office supervisor.

Families experience campus

Nine-year-old Mike Todd played with his name tag as his grandfather, Ron Lott, a 1963 MSU graduate, talked about the classes they're scheduled to take.

Bill could add environmental ombudsman

A bill to add an environmental ombudsman office within the state's legislative council was referred June 19 to the Michigan House of Representatives Great Lakes and Environmental Committee. House Bill 4952 would create a regulatory office to oversee the actions of the state's Department of Environmental Quality, or DEQ. An ombudsman, the primary executive officer of the office, would be appointed to manage complaints citizens have with the DEQ. "It sets up a process and an individual for the citizens in Michigan to go to if they believe the DEQ has overstepped its bounds or have found that state laws or policies have unfairly impacted individuals," said Phil Browne, chief of staff for Rep.

Apply for citizen leadership program

MSU Michigan Political Leadership Program is accepting applications from those interested in politics and citizen leadership. The scholarship-funded program, valued at $12,000, is awarded annually to individuals across Michigan.

Get tested on National HIV Testing Day

The Michigan Department of Community Health recognizes today as National HIV Testing Day. Local health departments and community-based organizations are providing testing opportunities to at-risk populations.

Term limits reconsidered

An initiative proposed in the Michigan House of Representatives could change the way legislators do business at the Capitol by extending term limits on both representatives and senators to 12 years. The primary sponsor of the initiative, Rep.

E.L. hosts themed summer camps

The East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts are hosting two theme camps to liven the humdrum of summer break for area children. A Rockit Robot theme camp will run 9 a.m.

Child Development enrollment open

MSU Child Development Laboratory is now accepting applications for fall enrollment for children ages 3 months to 5 years. The Child Development Laboratories provide services to children and families while training MSU students in child development. The play-based preschool program offers various, age-specific programs for children and parents at the East Lansing and Haslett campuses, located at 325 W.

LCC Faculty Jazz Combo to perform

The Lansing Community College Faculty Jazz Combo will perform music at 6:30 p.m., July 5 at LCC's Outdoor Amphitheatre, Washington Mall between Dart Auditorium and the Gannon Building in Lansing. The jazz group will perform its own music as well as charts from the Great American Songbook.