Thursday, December 25, 2025

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Multimedia

MICHIGAN

High tax leads smokers to smuggle cigarettes

Isabella Shaya
January 15, 2013

In 2011, almost 30 percent of the cigarettes smoked in Michigan were smuggled from other states, according to research from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, which factored information from 47 of 48 states. Michael LaFaive, director of Morey Fiscal Policy for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said the high smuggling rate is partly because Michigan currently has the 10th highest tax rate at $2 per pack, according to statistics from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

MICHIGAN

Updated: Former City Center II property’s future remains undecided

Michael Koury
January 15, 2013

Well into Tuesday night, the East Lansing City Council discussed before a crowd of residents the future of the formerly proposed City Center II property, an ordinance that would allow those looking to sell their homes to rent them for a short period of time and approved the contract of East Lansing and Lansing Fire Department Chief Randy Talifarro. The council decided to send the proposition back to the planning commission for review and recomendations for the future of the site as well as attempt to solve the parking issue.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Flying in the Face of Fear

Josh Mansour
January 15, 2013

The scream echoed throughout a Breslin Center stunned into silence. As he writhed on the floor in pain Sunday night, one phrase kept repeating itself in Branden Dawson’s mind. “Please, please don’t let this happen to me again.” For a moment, the sophomore guard thought his worst fear had become a terrifying reality. Dawson defied the odds at the beginning of the season in returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, in his left knee three months ahead of schedule and with nearly identical, jaw-dropping athleticism and leaping ability. But as he laid underneath Nebraska’s basket, clutching his knee after being fouled on a fast break layup, many wondered if the seven months spent in rehab went for naught. Tom Izzo was “crushed,” Adreian Payne was “nervous,” and Derrick Nix was “just praying that he was alright.”

MSU

Project in works to assess Mich. biorefineries

Samantha Radecki
January 15, 2013

On Tuesday morning, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., visited Lansing to speak about the future of agriculture, statewide and nationally, at a breakfast hosted by the Michigan Agri-Businesses Association. Stabenow said part of this comes from the support for Michigan’s universities and research institutions, such as MSU.

MSU

MSU in top 20 of 'sugar baby' schools of 2012

RuAnne Walworth
January 15, 2013

Most college students take out loans, earn scholarships or borrow money from family members to cover the cost of tuition. But according to recent studies, numerous MSU students also have turned to websites in search of “sugar daddies” to help pay for college. In 2012, MSU was ranked as the 16th fastest growing university for students to find sugar daddies — older men who pay to date younger women — on www.seekingarrangement.com. In 2011, MSU was ranked No. 9.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Spartans set to take on Penn State on the road

Dillon Davis
January 15, 2013

After Wednesday’s game against Penn State (8-8 overall, 0-4 Big Ten), eight of the Spartans’ (14-3, 3-1) next 14 games come against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. Of the final 15 games, eight come on the road, including historically tough venues at Wisconsin and Purdue.

ICE HOCKEY

Column: Large crowds inspire hockey team at home

Record be what it might, this season’s MSU hockey fans are a group that just won’t quit. The crowd has supported MSU (6-13-3 overall, 5-10-1-0 CCHA) through its four wins at home as excitedly as it did for its four home losses.

COMMENTARY

Independence of college offers chance to find new faith

Lauren Evasic
January 15, 2013

Religion is something we are exposed to, something that is brought upon us at a young age. Many babies are baptized during the first few months after they are born. Some children are sent to religious private schools, and others simply attend religious services with their family during the weekend.

MICHIGAN

Working Together: One Year Later

Michael Koury
January 14, 2013

East Lansing and Lansing Fire Department Fire Chief Randy Talifarro works between 40 and 50 hours a week, receives 100 or more emails a day and treks between East Lansing and Lansing daily. Adding time spent outside of work at city council meetings and other community events, his work week sometimes can stretch to nearly 70 hours.

MSU

Engagement Center opens in McDonel

Alex McClung
January 14, 2013

When professional writing senior Brooke Hawkins first saw the new River Trail Neighborhood Engagement Center, she was amazed. Although Hawkins no longer lives in the residence halls, she works at the River Trail Neighborhood’s Writing Center. “If this had happened when I was living in the dorms, I probably would have been happier,” Hawkins said.

MICHIGAN

Michigan universities differ on Taser use in police depts.

Darcie Moran
January 14, 2013

After Eastern Michigan University police began using Tasers this month, MSU police and students are joining the debate of when and how they should be used on campus. MSU police have about 55 to 60 Tasers for all officers assigned to the road who complete a four-hour training, with renewed training every two years, said MSU police Sgt.