Tuesday, December 23, 2025

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Commentary

COMMENTARY

Rep should fight for cleaner air

Money talks in politics, and while U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., rakes in the cash, constituents such as me suffer. Upton has used his time in Congress to repeatedly block clean air standards which would safeguard public health from pollution spewed out of power plant smokestacks.

COMMENTARY

Greet new ideas with open mind

I am honored to be the new opinion writer for The State News this summer. As an employee of The State News and a freshman double majoring in journalism and international relations through James Madison College, it feels as though I’m almost starting to write as many words as I speak on a daily basis. This realization caught me by surprise.

COMMENTARY

Bill package might slash youth vote

In every election, importance is placed on the youth vote. Because they’re viewed as the future of this country, young people usually are encouraged to participate in elections early and often.

COMMENTARY

Lab will increase assault awareness

Sexual assault and rape are severe crimes that can often go unsolved. But with the implementation of a specialized rape kit testing laboratory, these crimes against people, including MSU students, could be analyzed quicker and more effectively. The specialized laboratory that will be used to analyze the DNA of sexual assault victims on MSU’s campus will be implemented in Michigan State Police’s existing Northville, Mich., laboratory beginning this summer.

COMMENTARY

Recognize fossil fuel difficulties

I cannot help but feel the letter titled “Fossil fuel alternatives feasible” (SN 4/19) overlooks significant challenges in transitioning to alternative energy and even presents some false information.

COMMENTARY

Young passion inspires enthusiasm

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association, or MIPA, spring conference in Lansing, which hosts high school and middle school journalists from across Michigan who receive awards in newspaper, yearbook and video journalism. MIPA is something that is near and dear to my heart because I was, as they call attendees, a “MIPA kid,” and I remember the excitement I felt when I won awards during my time at Traverse City Central High School’s student newspaper, The Black & Gold.

COMMENTARY

Give final exam week adequate preparation

Finals week is daunting to most MSU students, and with a high grade-point average being the intended goal for many, it’s important to remember to maintain health — both mentally and physically. Finals week is known to cause students to stretch their mental and physical capabilities beyond what they’re used to.

COMMENTARY

Flexible housing efforts fulfilled

March 28 stands among my proudest days as a member of the Spartan family. It had nothing to do with our nationally recognized academic programs or our top-notch sports teams, though I certainly am proud of them as well.

COMMENTARY

Medical amnesty bill gains more support

Some students have faced the daunting situation of choosing to get themselves in trouble with law enforcement in order to save a friend’s life. With a new medical amnesty bill, which just passed the Michigan Senate last Wednesday, this scenario now might be avoided.

COMMENTARY

Divert animal research elsewhere

This week is ‘World Week for Animals in Laboratories,’ an internationally recognized week of activism and outreach aimed at raising awareness about the plight of animals in labs and the abuses of animal experimentation.

COMMENTARY

City manager search used funds carelessly

When East Lansing officials began the search for a new city manager last year, they took their pursuit to a national level — and spent $26,000 along the way — only to hire internal candidate George Lahanas.

COMMENTARY

Tolerance doesn’t mean agreement

In response to the guest column, “Nurturing sidewalk tolerance,” (SN 4/19) author Nathaniel Fedorchak seems to miss the point of both tolerance and free speech in this country.

COMMENTARY

Fossil fuel alternatives feasible

Thank you for the recent editorial titled “Transition plan slow, steady steps for MSU.” (SN 4/17) However, as an ardent participant in the MSU energy conversation, since it found its place at the forefront of MSU buzz two and a half years ago, I’m very disappointed.

COMMENTARY

Nurturing sidewalk tolerance

I don’t know how it is on most college campuses, because I have only ever spent a significant amount of time on this one, but around here, using sidewalk chalk as a way to get out a message is a very common thing.