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FEATURES

E.L. summer concerts set to begin

June 10 marks the start of the Summer Concert Series — free music events on Friday and Saturday nights in downtown East Lansing. The concerts will be held at Fountain Square, on the corner of M.A.C. Avenue and Albert Avenue in front of the Marriott at University Place and will run until August 6.

COMMENTARY

A ‘close and loud’ discussion

When I heard the city of East Lansing and MSU had selected Jonathan Safran Foer’s “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” for the 2011 One Book, One Community program, I was simply glad I recognized the title.

COMMENTARY

Budget done early, but contains flaws

It’s admirable that for the first time in years, Michigan’s budget was ready in May. Gov. Rick Snyder should be commended for following up on his campaign promise to prioritize a state budget that attacks the state’s $1.5 billion deficit. It’s not often we see follow-through on a campaign promise.

NEWS

City looks to shift pump house liability

City officials are in the midst of drafting a solution that likely will change the structure of East Lansing neighborhood governing bodies. City staff and the city council are attempting to absolve the city of existing legal risks associated with the Orchard Street Pump House by transferring those risks to a different body, such as the Bailey Community Association, or BCA, or the Orchard Street Pump House Board. Although neither neighborhood body has formally discussed the possibility — with many members unaware of the potential changes — city officials are bracing for a wave of negative responses.

NEWS

Stabenow discusses bill Tuesday at Kellogg Center

Seeds were planted in the minds of U.S. senators Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., at the 2012 Farm Bill’s first field hearing held Tuesday at MSU as agricultural stakeholders shared their ideas about how the bill could assist young farmers and fund universities’ research. Witnesses involved with agriculture-related businesses and organizations throughout Michigan had the chance to provide testimony at the U.S.

MSU

Artistic activities lead to success in business

A new study led by MSU researchers has found that sustained involvement in artistic activities could be linked to success in starting a new business or producing an innovative product. MSU’s Center for Community and Economic Development surveyed 86 MSU Honors College graduates from 1990-95 and found that exposure to the arts among the graduates was closely related to producing patentable products or leading creative business ventures in the future. The findings are critical for retaining creative people in the state and generating additional funding for arts programs, said Rex LaMore, the director of the center. “I hope it will help us reconsider how we treat the arts — not as an add-on or frill but as an essential component,” he said.

COMMENTARY

What happened to music?

U2 has topped the charts with affected guitar riffs and spectacular, hair-raising crescendos for as long as the current student body at MSU has been able to appreciate music. In a month they will give a performance at Spartan Stadium, which raises the question, “What musicians will stand the test of time?”

COMMENTARY

Provisions don’t belong in budget bill

What do stem cells, domestic partnerships and the state budget all have in common? Nothing, according to Gov. Rick Snyder’s legal team. Two provisions in the state budget, one that would create additional state-level oversight for stem cell research conducted by universities and another that would ask universities to eliminate health care coverage for domestic partnerships were deemed unconstitutional by the governor’s legal counsel.

Compiled by Beau Hayhoe, Production by Lindsey LaParl ·
MSU

Union’s purpose has changed little in 85 years

Although it’s been more than 85 years since the Union first opened, Kat Cooper said the original mission of the building isn’t any different. “We like to think of the Union as kind of being the living room of campus — that really hasn’t changed,” said Cooper, the communication manager for Auxiliary Resources, the department that operates the building.

BASEBALL

Illinois tops Spartans

The curtain has closed on a historic season for the MSU baseball team. As Illinois mobbed the pitcher’s mound in an act of triumph and exuberance Saturday at Huntington Park in Columbus, Ohio, the Spartans (36-21 overall, 17-11 Big Ten) were forced to stand aside quietly to watch their co-Big Ten champion celebrate.

NEWS

Stabenow to discuss bill at MSU

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., will return to a state and university rooted in agriculture Tuesday to hold the first Farm Bill field hearing at MSU. During this hearing, which will begin at 9 a.m.

NEWS

Police Brief 05/31/11

A 20-year-old male student reported his bike stolen from the southwest side of Demonstration Hall between May 16 at noon and May 19 at noon, MSU police Sgt.

NEWS

Volunteers needed for park planting

Volunteers from East Lansing’s Environmental Stewardship Program have one focus: preserving and improving the city’s public parks. Saturday the group will be planting seedlings at Hawk Nest Park, 3750 Kiskadee Dr., a newly established park.