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NEWS

Lansing rocks out

Trey Scroggin
July 10, 2007

Lansing — When the gates at Common Ground Music Festival opened Monday evening, people scrambled to the front of the venue, where staff members were ready and waiting. "When they first came in, there was a mad dash for the front," said Robert Riley, a 1951 MSU graduate who was seating people in the lawn. Despite soaring temperatures, thousands of fans flocked to Adado Riverfront Park for the second night of music featuring Los Lonely Boys, Dutch Henry and Joshua and Jeremy Sprague at the West Sandbar. Common Ground, a festival grounded on national, contemporary live music is the Lansing area's premier summer cultural event.

NEWS

Primary voting age may be lowered

Pete Nichols
July 10, 2007

More teenagers could get involved in the legislative process if a bill being considered in the Michigan House of Representatives is passed. House Joint Resolution S, sponsored by Rep.

MICHIGAN

ELPD may update squad cars with on-board software

Ryan Beene
July 10, 2007

The blue police cruisers that roam the streets of East Lansing soon could become more like the talking car David Hasselhoff fought crime in during the 1980s - Knight Rider. While the East Lansing Police Department's patrol cars will not shoot back sarcastic one-liners, officers will be able to talk to their cars, if the East Lansing City Council approves a contract at tonight's meeting to install upgrades to the fleet's on-board computer systems. If the contract is approved, each cruiser's computer will be updated with voice recognition software and other upgrades, which would create a hands-free link between the driver and the information he or she needs. "The biggest thing is officer safety," said Juli Liebler, East Lansing's deputy police chief.

COMMENTARY

A second cold war

A long time ago, in a political arena far, far away, George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin came together as close allies to discuss the dangers of the global war on terror.

COMMENTARY

Environmental standards in mind for East Village

I saw Ken Cavagnolo's letter "East Village should set standard for innovation" (SN 7/6), and was disappointed that he shared misinformation about the East Village project and The Pierce Company with State News readers. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards/certification and sustainability in conjunction with the East Village project have been discussed since last fall.

MICHIGAN

Event raises money for SIDS awareness

Craig Trudell
July 10, 2007

The last time Carol Facca saw her first child alive was 20 years ago. Her then 3-month old son, Kyle, died at day care of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, on the first day Facca returned to work from maternity leave. "After Kyle was born, I felt like I knew what life was all about.

COMMENTARY

Higher tuition drives students away

It comes every year - a tuition hike making students cringe. For many, what follows is a frantic scrambling to come up with funds to pay the bill. Students should be prepared for this to happen again this year. The university is facing at least a 6 percent increase in tuition this fall.

MSU

Mich. task force created to cope with hepatitis C

Colleen Maxwell
July 10, 2007

The list of celebrity victims includes Pamela Anderson, Naomi Judd, Mickey Mantle, James Earl Ray and Steven Tyler. But hepatitis C, a deadly virus which affects more than 4 million Americans, now will be tackled by a new Michigan task force. The Hepatitis C Advisory Task Force will advise the governor and Legislature on policies for reducing the risk of hepatitis C, said T.J.

NEWS

E.L. project design to be submitted by fall

Ryan Beene
July 10, 2007

A plan to redevelop the corner of Abbott Road and Grand River Avenue could be submitted to the East Lansing Planning Commission by the end of the summer. The block at 303 Abbott Road used to be home to Citizens Bank offices and (SCENE) Metrospace.

NEWS

17% is how much more new MSU students may pay in tuition

Colleen Maxwell
July 9, 2007

Tuition is increasing whether students like it or not. If all goes well for MSU, a 6-7 percent increase is planned, which is similar to last year's increase of 5.9 percent. And if not, the university is faced with a 17 percent increase, but Trustee Melanie Foster said double-digit increases likely will not be necessary. Abandoning higher education Tuition is at the feet of the Legislature, Trustee Faylene Owen said. But she said the state has completely abandoned the universities. "We should be a priority - students should be a priority," she said.

NEWS

Dorms set for $280M in repairs, upgrades

Craig Trudell
July 9, 2007

When Jon Benaderet was deciding which dorm to live in last year, West Circle's gothic-style buildings surrounded by towery pines seemed ideal. "I liked the old style and the traditional look," said Benaderet, a human biology sophomore.

MICHIGAN

Soulful music entertains residents

Brian McVicar
July 9, 2007

For Freddie Cunningham, kids are crucial to a successful concert. "They have that natural energy and enthusiasm, and adults sometimes have gotten too sophisticated and cool to do that," said Cunningham, lead singer of the Root Doctor band, which performed for East Lansing's Live!

MSU

Can do: Collecting to cure cancer

Lauren Talley
July 9, 2007

Fundraisers come in cans. The 10 cents refund received on bottles and cans will go to a greater cause with the MSU Women's Resource Center "Cans for the Cure" bottle drive. Collection bins are set up and the bottle campaign will run until Oct.

COMMENTARY

Beauty revolution

The objectification of women is alive and strong in the U.S. but it's not by men. No, we're doing it to ourselves. Artists throughout history leave a pretty accurate visual account of a culture's ideals of beauty.

BASKETBALL

Morgan performs well in Global Games

Sean Merriman
July 9, 2007

MSU sophomore forward Raymar Morgan has helped the USA Basketball Under-19 World Championship Team jump out to a perfect 3-0 record in the Global Games. Morgan poured in 13 points and grabbed five rebounds as Team USA defeated Africa 102-51 in their opening contest.

MICHIGAN

Phone tax bill meets resistance

Pete Nichols
July 9, 2007

A new bill is being considered in the Michigan House of Representatives that would levy a tax on phones is coming under fire from Michigan's telephone companies. The bill would place a monthly charge of $1.35 on every phone in the state including landlines, cell phones, and Voice over Internet Protocol. The Telecommunications Association of Michigan launched a print and radio ad campaign Thursday intended to raise awareness about the bill and how it could affect Michigan residents if passed. Called "Hang Up the Phone Tax," the campaign is aimed at informing voters about what the bill does so they can call their legislators, said Scott Stevenson, president of the Telecommunications Association of Michigan. "The state is trying to shift $200 million on the bills of telephone users," Stevenson said.