COMMENTARY
The pitfalls of principles
A recently passed law in Georgia designed to deter illegal immigrants is having the desired effect — much to the displeasure of Georgia farmers.
COMMENTARY
Time for Strathmore era to come to an end
Should the city try to find a way out of or around any agreement with Strathmore Development Co. when it comes to City Center II? It’s starting to look more like the answer to that question is, “Yes.”
MICHIGAN
City council approves downtown apartments, denies alcohol license
After a brief statement from departing City Manager Ted Staton regarding his resignation, it was business as usual for the East Lansing City Council at Tuesday night’s meeting. The council voted 3-2 to deny an application from Dino Cascardo to allow sale of packaged beer, wine and spirits at the East Lansing BP gas station, 504 Michigan Ave.
NEWS
MSU could lose state funding because of tuition hikes
MSU could lose as much as $18.3 million in state funding after a nonpartisan government agency found the university exceeded the state’s 7.1 percent cap on tuition rate increases for this coming school year. The House Fiscal Agency stated in a report released Wednesday that actually MSU raised tuition by 9.4 percent, not the 6.9 percent increase the university originally reported for this fall. The discrepancy comes from an error related to the Higher Education Institutional Data Inventory, or HEIDI, a database that compiles information about tuition and university finance operations.
MSU
Alumni create Michigan river news site
Despite being an admittedly poor fly-fisher, Andrew McGlashen still needed a fishing buddy, so he asked Jeff Brooks Gillies if he’d be interested in joining him. After driving home from a weekend fishing trip, the two came up with the idea for a website devoted exclusively to Michigan’s rivers. McGlashen and Gillies originally met as students in MSU’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, and they used the tools they learned there to launch michiganrivernews.com. The uniqueness of the concept is what McGlashen thinks makes Michigan River News stand out. “We’re the only ones writing just about Michigan rivers, which is a narrow focus, but we think it’s the right focus,” he said.
MICHIGAN
East Lansing businesses selected for grants
Residents of East Lansing showed how much they love their local businesses last month when they voted in Intuit’s Love a Local Business competition — enough times to earn the city $26,000 in cash grants. Intuit, a software company that aims to solve financial management problems of small- and mid-sized businesses, created the Love a Local Business competition to help support small businesses throughout the country. “Any way we can help the small businesses grow a little bit or get back on their feet is a win for us,” Monica Appelbe, Intuit’s public relations manager, said East Lansing was one of two cities in the country selected as competition winners in June. ”It’s great news,” Lori Mullins, East Lansing community and economic development administrator, said.
FOOTBALL
New turf arriving at Spartan Stadium
The first of the fleet of trucks carrying the sod from Graff’s Turf Farms in Colorado arrived at Spartan Stadium on Tuesday morning and crews of turf experts were hard at work to make sure it is in game shape before MSU opens its season Sept. 2 against Youngstown State.
SPORTS
Neff, Powers named NGCA All-American Scholars
Former MSU golfer Aimee Neff and junior Caroline Powers were named to the 2011 National Golf Coaches Association, or NGCA, All-American Scholar Division I Team, the athletics department announced Tuesday. Neff is the first Spartan in program history to earn NGCA scholar honors four times during her career.
NEWS
Police Brief 07/13/11
A men’s bathroom on the second floor of IM Sports-West allegedly was damaged between 6 a.m. Sunday and 5:30 a.m.
NEWS
E.L. City Manager Staton announces plans to step down
East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton announced today his decision to step down from his position of 16 years.
NEWS
Finding common ground
As Grammy-nominated hip-hop star Trey Songz took to the stage of the Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing on Monday, the young crowd shrieked in anticipation of the Atlantic Records artist. During his set, Songz hyped his fans with his mainstream songs and made sure more than the neighbors knew his name. “He’s like on superstar status, that’s it,” said Lansing resident Markus Brown.
NEWS
MSU tools help students secure jobs
When Andrew Way graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s degree in advertising in December 2009, he entered the workforce during a difficult economic climate. But because of the work he did as a student, he was able to land a full-time job he otherwise might not have. Finding a job after graduation often can be viewed as an uphill battle, but by maximizing the opportunities available at MSU and becoming established within the workforce before joining it, students can improve their chances dramatically, executive director of Career Services Kelley Bishop said. The university offers career consultants in every college along with workshops on writing résumés, preparing for interviews and career fairs to meet potential employers, Bishop said. “The real factor seems to be did you get yourself ready,” he said.
NEWS
Police Brief 07/12/11
Applied engineering science senior Sabrina Morris woke up at about 11 a.m. Monday to public safety officers pounding on her door. A power line had fallen on the roof of her house at 121 River St.
MICHIGAN
Local flash mob prepares to perform at music festival
Flash mobbing is an online sensation that has hit center stage in locations across the world over the past couple of years, and a local organization is preparing to make Lansing the next location to follow the trend. A flash mob organized by Meridian Entertainment Group will perform spontaneously at the annual Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing this week.
MSU
School of rock
Rock Camp, a week-long summer program for students ages 12-19, began Monday and will conclude with a performance at the Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Dena Elian
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MICHIGAN
Celebrating with a Slurpee
In honor of the company’s 84th anniversary Monday, some customers who entered 7-Eleven, 918 E. Grand River Ave., greeted employees with, “Happy Birthday 7-Eleven.” Every year, 7-Eleven stores give out free Slurpees on July 11, and the public response did not come up short at the East Lansing location with a line that extended into the parking lot.
MICHIGAN
Deficit reduction might call for sacrifices
Whether the federal government is forced to default or a deficit-reducing plan allows for the raising of the nation’s debt ceiling, citizens — from students to the retired — could be forced to make sacrifices because of the federal government’s financial woes.
MSU
Study abroad continues to operate
University officials said today MSU’s study abroad program in Japan continues to operate smoothly despite a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit off the country’s northeast shore last week.
BASEBALL
Recruit, draft selection could face decision
Jimmy Pickens verbally committed to play for MSU before his senior year of high school, and this summer, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 41st round of the MLB draft, leaving him with a choice between the Spartans or the Tigers.
FEATURES
Alumnus up for ESPY as Best Male Athlete with a Disability
At 29 years old, Aaron Scheidies, the reigning world paratriathlete champion and MSU alumnus, has competed in more than 150 triathlons and often travels the country telling people about how he overcame adversity. His success in the world of triathlons has positioned him for a 2011 ESPY Award nomination — which will air on ESPN at 9 p.m. Wednesday — in the Best Male Athlete with a Disability category.