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MSU

Racist Halloween costumes gain community attention

April Jones
October 30, 2013

A viral social media posting showing two college-aged Florida men dressed as Trayvon Martin and his killer, George Zimmerman, has sparked a conversation about how race is portrayed in Halloween costumes. Costumes representing offensive stereotypes of ethnic groups such as American Indians or Mexicans might be found on the streets of East Lansing Thursday night, creating the question among students and faculty of when costumes are no longer fun and simply offensive.

FEATURES

Halloween deals and contests at local stores

Christine LaRouere
October 30, 2013

Halloween is not only a reason for students to dress up, but for East Lansing businesses to show and get in the holiday spirit. Businesses are decorating their stores or providing specials, parties and other festivities, to get potential customers excited about the holiday. Here are some specials around town to take advantage of on Halloween and through the weekend.?

NEWS

Staying in touch with loved ones worth effort

Sierra Lay
October 30, 2013

These days, it’s easy to keep in touch using a number of mediums. With social media, Skype, cell phones, texting, email, postcards or even hand-written letters, it’s definitely possible to reach out. It’s the effort that gets people.

FEATURES

How are you celebrating Halloween?

Brian Palmer
October 30, 2013

For Halloween at MSU, many students are piecing together a costume — some scary, some funny and others outrageous — and arranging plans for the night. While some students are spending Halloween night partying and socializing, others are working, studying or still undecided on what to do. The State News caught up with several students and asked what their Halloween costume is and what their holiday plans are.

NEWS

Alleged I-96 shooter pleads no contest but mentally ill in Oakland County case

Katie Abdilla
October 30, 2013

The alleged I-96 shooter, an MSU alumnus, pleaded no contest but mentally ill Wednesday afternoon for felony assault and weapons charges in Oakland County. Raulie Casteel, 44, will be sentenced in Oakland County on Jan. 30, according to the Detroit Free Press. He was arrested on Nov. 5 and charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, along with several felony firearms charges. Casteel allegedly went on a random shooting spree involving 24 people between Oct. 16-27 of last year on the I-96 corridor. Only one person was injured.

MSU

ASMSU bill calls for new higher-ed fund

Nolly Dakroury
October 30, 2013

ASMSU’s policy committee recently passed a bill calling for the state Legislature to pass a resolution related to an increase on the Michigan Sales Tax, with the goal of creating a post-secondary education fund.

BASKETBALL

Schilling makes his mark on men's basketball season exhibition, starting competition

Zach Smith
October 30, 2013

Tuesday was a night of firsts for Gavin Schilling. In the MSU men’s basketball team’s season opening 101-52 exhibition win against Grand Valley on Tuesday night, the highly touted freshman forward made his first appearance in green and white. “I had the mindset coming in that I can’t be too nervous, and I expected good things,” Schilling said. “Nothing new, nothing surprising. I played good and brought a lot of good things to the team tonight.”

NEWS

Watching the throne

Robert Bondy
October 30, 2013

As the temperature continued to fall toward freezing Monday night, members of the Spartan Marching Band who guarded the bronze Sparty statue found themselves outnumbered. Twenty Michigan fans dressed in maize and blue hockey jerseys warily approached the intersection of Kalamazoo Street and Chestnut Avenue, and were met by half as many green and white varsity jackets. Two of the Michigan fans asked permission for a group photo with Sparty. Skeptically, the band members said yes. What followed was a haze of fists beating on bronze, and what one band member perceived to be a U-M fan wielding a dildo. Johnny Spirit came to the rescue, shoving the assailants away. The pack of Wolverines scampered off into the night.

NEWS

Pretrial of East Lansing man in alleged assault moved

Katie Abdilla
October 30, 2013

The pretrial of the man accused of assaulting an MSU student has been postponed until December. East Lansing resident Samuel Roberts, 22, was arrested in the early morning of Oct. 19 on charges of assault against his ex-girlfriend, holding her in his apartment against her will and preventing her from alerting authorities.

MSU

U-M pres. to speak at MSU fall graduation

Justine McGuire
October 30, 2013

With a football showdown looming between MSU and the University of Michigan, it was announced on Tuesday that U-M President Mary Sue Coleman will become a Spartan — sort of — when she receives an honorary doctorate of laws degree at a December commencement.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Lady Spartans tip off against Ferris State tonight

Derek Blalock
October 29, 2013

It’s the start of a new season, and the No. 18 women’s basketball team will kick off the preseason Wednesday as the Spartans look to improve on last year’s 25-9 record. MSU will face Ferris State at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Breslin Center for the first preseason game. The Spartans finished last season with their third-best record in school history and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, before being knocked out in the second round by Maryland, 74-49.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball looks to get back to basics

Omari Sankofa II
October 29, 2013

The second half of the volleyball season is approaching, and the No. 14 Spartans will hope to begin the second half how they began the first one — with wins over Penn State and Ohio State. The first half upsets over then-No. 1 Penn State and then-No. 13 Ohio State were the first of a strong Big Ten start for volleyball. However, MSU (17-5 overall, 6-4 Big Ten) finished the first half with a four-game losing streak after winning the first 10.