Thursday, May 14, 2026

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

Multimedia

COMMENTARY

Recalls shouldn't be used as threats

Some voters in Michigan are unhappy with the potential for tax increases they are faced with as a result of the state's struggling economy. Under current policy, voters can recall elected officials if they are unhappy with their policies, replacing them before the end of the term if enough signatures are collected. Although the move takes 25 percent of the voters from the previous election to overturn a legislator, it hasn't happened in Michigan since 1983, when two senators were recalled.

NEWS

Fast cash in Vegas

Jon Schultz
July 23, 2007

On the eve of Alan Keating's 21st birthday, he and his friend Ryan Rapaski were talking about what to do to celebrate while they had some downtime at work. Both avid poker players, they joked about going to the World Series of Poker, but when Rapaski said he would give Keating half the $10,000 tournament buy-in, they flew to Las Vegas that night. "I didn't pack anything," said Keating, a marketing senior.

MICHIGAN

Potter bring out fanatics

Jennifer Orlando
July 23, 2007

"Expecto Patronum!" yelled the boy with the black, horn-rimmed glasses and familiar scar. With a swoop of his wand, the dementor slowly backed away. No, it wasn't Harry Potter who cast the dementor-repelling spell.

COMMENTARY

For top-notch education, tuition raise is necessary

Tuition is one controversial issue at MSU. There are a lot of comments about this. In my opinion, increasing tuition is a great amendment because of quality teaching, quality facilities and quality service. Quality teaching is a requirement for survival in any university.

COMMENTARY

Sentencing reforms good for state

Some state offenders will spend less time behind bars if Gov. Jennifer Granholm's sentencing reforms are passed. Granholm's administration introduced a proposal to alter Michigan's sentencing laws, which would house 3,300 fewer inmates in state prisons and county jails over three years, according to the Lansing State Journal.

COMMENTARY

With state's condition, new taxes not welcome

I am writing regarding what Jon Vereecke said within the article "Luxury tax being considered" (SN 7/17). Vereecke made the statement that "the tax would not overburden students but rather place a tax where it could benefit Michigan the most." Well, Vereecke, I disagree.

COMMENTARY

As green as can be?

Last month, Gov. Jennifer Granholm stood in the middle of a field in East Lansing and spoke wonderfully of MSU's role at the forefront of biofuel research, thanks to the largest research grant ever.

NEWS

Beyond the waters

Rachael Zylstra
July 20, 2007

CORRECTION: The story should have said the Lansing Sailing Club was established 44 years ago. Haslett — When Walter and Rita DeGruyter moved to Lansing from the Netherlands in 1955, they hoped to move near the water.

MICHIGAN

Storm shakes up Lansing area

Cash Kruth
July 20, 2007

Downed trees and power lines were the result of a Thursday storm that lasted about 15 minutes in the East Lansing area. When it was over, East Lansing resident Tom Wawitzke saw branches had fallen on power lines on his front lawn. "My power is barely on because the line is just hanging three feet off the ground," Wawitzke said.

MICHIGAN

Chicken barbecue for a cause

Craig Trudell
July 20, 2007

The Kiwanis Club of East Lansing took the city under its wing Thursday. Its chicken wing, that is. The 50th annual chicken barbecue, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing, joined the city's ongoing centennial celebration to form the Chickentennial barbecue at Patriarche Park, 1100 Alton Road.

MICHIGAN

Bill proposes tougher water use standards

Brian McVicar
July 20, 2007

Michigan could see new water-use regulations under a proposal that could be introduced into the state House of Representatives as soon as Wednesday. Under the proposal, bottled water companies would need a permit to siphon 100,000 or more gallons of water per day from Michigan's lakes and streams.

MICHIGAN

Tax hike opponents lecture on recall rights

Pete Nichols
July 20, 2007

If the Michigan Legislature wants to raise taxes, Leon Drolet wants lawmakers to pay - with their jobs. Despite the fact that no major vote to raise taxes has been made in the Legislature, the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance has been holding seminars across the state to inform voters of their ability to recall a lawmaker, said Drolet, who serves as chair of the organization. "We're having recall boot camps to train citizens about the rules and techniques involved in recalling elected officials," said Drolet, a former state legislator and current Macomb County commissioner. Michigan is one of 18 states that allows its citizens to recall an elected official, or remove and replace them before the end of their term.

NEWS

Williamston welcomes wizardry

Jennifer Orlando
July 20, 2007

Fiction will magically turn into reality tonight for the city of Williamston. Inspired by the stomping grounds of a famous boy wizard and his cohorts, its downtown area will be transformed into the mystifying world of Harry Potter, called Potterpalooza. The well-known atmosphere concocted in J.K.

NEWS

Bailey Hall bomber sentenced

Cash Kruth
July 19, 2007

Lansing — An MSU student was sentenced to probation and jail time Wednesday for setting off a small explosive outside Bailey Hall in April. Psychology sophomore Kyle Robert Graff, 19, was sentenced to four days in Ingham County Jail and three years probation after pleading guilty to possessing explosives with the attempt to terrorize. Graff, a South Lyon resident, will serve three days in the jail beginning July 27 because he already has served one of those days, and will reimburse Ingham County $500. "You can think about being successful," said Judge James Giddings, of Lansing's 30th Judicial Circuit Court, after handing down the sentence. A remorseful and conscientious Graff explained in court how his actions affected and disappointed his family. "I realize how many people I've let down and how fragile life can be," Graff said.

COMMENTARY

Keeping doc quiet

We can be a pretty lazy nation, but one thing that gets us riled up is our health, right? When a baby is sick, look out.

NEWS

Magazine features MSU grad as industry 'player'

Craig Trudell
July 19, 2007

When Eric Tritch interviewed for a job before he graduated, he met with former MSU student Karl Hurston. The interview went well enough that Graco, the company Hurston was representing, offered Tritch a job. "He was focused, articulate, knowledgeable and personable," Hurston said.

COMMENTARY

Scientific terms can't be applied to God argument

I agree with only one aspect of Michael Thom's column "Flaws with science" (SN 7/17). The debate over the existence of God is silly and does not belong within the realm of science. Atheists should not flock to science to refute the existence of God.