Thursday, July 16, 2026

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NEWS

An ear for music

It was music that saved him. At 2 and a half years old, Evan Fiorella was in a car accident that left him in a coma.

MSU

‘Talking computer’ leads to friendship

John Eulenberg, Don Sherman and J. J. Jackson can recall every detail of the day they met 39 years ago . “It was love at first sight — even though I couldn’t see them,” said Jackson, a blind former Artificial Language Lab scientist, as he reached over to touch Sherman’s arm jokingly. Dec. 4, 1974, just two weeks after their meeting, Eulenberg and Jackson decided to help Sherman perform a simple task — ordering a pizza via telephone. Because Sherman has Moebius syndrome, which leaves his face mostly paralyzed, this mundane task was something he had never done before. Little did they know, the team of now-best friends opened the floodgates for MSU’s speech pathology program that night. “I think we all feel it was our destiny to work in this area and to remain committed to it,” Jackson said. “We still honor, love and treasure the link we established in 1974.” The video recording of the event recently went viral, giving the roughly 50,000 viewers a glimpse into the MSU Artificial Language Laboratory’s work to provide voices to those with limited speech. More than three decades later, the men still get together each year on the anniversary of Sherman’s computer-aided phone call. Although MSU’s laboratory has since been downsized, MSU still is involved with communicative disorder research.

MICHIGAN

Changes come to Stateside Deli: Owner faces challenges revamping the restaurant

Stateside Deli, 313 E. Grand River Ave., might be unrecognizable to students today. Construction projects are scheduled, and now the business will be known as Spencer’s Kitchen and Bar. The restaurant was closed this week for painting and aesthetic touch ups, and it tentatively is scheduled to open today pending the interior renovations are completed on time. If not, students most likely can chow on the famous corned beef sandwiches Monday after continued weekend construction.

MICHIGAN

E.L. bars ‘unlikely’ to face tragedy similar to brazil bar

Long lines at Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub or Rick’s American Cafe might be daunting for students looking for a fun weekend, but East Lansing officials said they should be thankful because it prevents overcrowding that could lead to dangerous incidents such as the club fire in Brazil. A recent fire at a Brazillian night club left 235 dead, after pyrotechnics lit the building on fire and thousands raced toward a single exit, according to media reports. East Lansing Planning and Community Development Director Tim Dempsey said before any 5establishment opens, owners must go through a thorough review process. He said the design and plans have to be approved, and construction is closely inspected.

MICHIGAN

The golden touch

After working with jewelry since high school, gold smither and Bath Township resident Tom Awrey knows how to repair or craft just about anything a customer brings to him. “I guess I look at it in terms of Christmases. I have 43 consecutive Christmases on the bench,” said Awrey, who works his own jewelry repair business fixing pieces for stores in the Lansing area.

MICHIGAN

Local businesses unscathed by fall quarter, lower-than-average GDP

The road to national economic recovery hit a slight barrier during the end of 2012, according to a bleak gross domestic product report released this week. The economy contracted at an annual rate of 0.1 percent during the last three months of 2012, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. This fourth-quarter report is the worst quarter the U.S. economy has seen in three and a half years. Economic experts expect growth this year to rebound at a rate of 1.5 percent, which still is lower than the pace it has kept during the past three years.

MICHIGAN

Puppies, abortion among proposed bills

The Michigan Legislature has had a busy few months between right-to-work legislation and gun bills, but few students might know dozens of other bills are introduced everyday. Here are a few of many bills the Michigan legislators are working on at the moment.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU, U-M to meet at Joe Louis Arena

Most MSU student-athletes get the opportunity to face rival Michigan once, maybe twice, a season. After this weekend draws to a close, MSU hockey (7-17-3 overall, 5-12-1-0 CCHA) will have gotten its fifth.

SPORTS

Wrestling has big weekend ahead

The MSU wrestling team faces their toughest weekend yet as they go on the road to take on No. 12 Nebraska on Friday and No. 4 Minnesota on Sunday. MSU is winless in the Big Ten and has lost six straight, including a disappointing loss to Ohio last Sunday.

FOOTBALL

Ex-Spartans gear up for Super Bowl XLVII

As Sunday evening draws near and millions of people are expected to tune in to the sporting event that has set records as the most viewed TV program in U.S. history each of the past three years, a couple of former Spartans will get their chance to shine on one of the nation’s biggest stages.