Wednesday, July 8, 2026

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

Multimedia

NEWS

Graduate assistants negotiate benefits

Improved stipends, health benefits and working conditions will top the list of priorities for members of the Graduate Employees Union as they meet today to prepare for bargaining negotiations with university officials.

MSU

Study shows high volumes of students texting during class

Texting during class is an everyday experience for no-preference freshman Kathlyn McQuillan and many other students, according to a recent survey released by Wilkes University administrators in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. About 91 percent of 269 students surveyed at Wilkes University said they have texted during class, and almost half said it was easy to do without their instructor noticing.

ICE HOCKEY

Hollis, players recall Cold War at Spartan Stadium

MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis remembers pulling into Jenison Field House during the ticket sales of the Cold War game between MSU and Michigan in 2001 and being surprised to see the line stretch around the parking lot. But, as Hollis said this week, that is the appeal of bringing a game outdoors and restoring hockey to its natural roots.

BASKETBALL

Watching 3-D sports brings game to life

What they say is true: Everything is better in 3-D. Except maybe the scoreboard of MSU’s matchup with Syracuse. In conjunction with Comcast Corp., ESPN and MSU gave participants the opportunity to watch the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic, matching MSU and Syracuse, in 3-D.

COMMENTARY

Be wary of more privatization

Our incoming governor Rick Snyder has spoken in glowing terms of “public-private partnerships.” It’s a euphemism that more than deserves scare quotes. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, it’s not unlike a partnership between a wolf and a sheep. In exchange for the sheep’s tax dollars, the wolf provides the badly needed service of devouring the sheep.

COMMENTARY

Lansing's marijuana moratorium comes a little late

There will be no medical marijuana dispensaries opened in Lansing until Lansing’s City Council can figure out proper licensing and regulation. That’s the responsible action for a governing body to take. Unless, of course, there already are almost 70 dispensaries currently operating that would not be subject to some of the new potential regulations.