Web-based nutrition tool to hit MSU in fall

Carb counters, calorie watchers and health-conscious dorm dwellers will have a new online tool at their disposal in the fall, which will help them plan a cafeteria meal that suits their dietary desires. Net Nutrition will allow MSU students to get the nutritional facts of a single item offered on the menu that day, or they can combine items and get the facts of each daily meal. It will be featured on www.eatatstate.com. Its creators are aiming to have the site running by the beginning of the fall semester. "It's a guide just like any nutrition label on any package," said Cindy Baswell, menu development coordinator for the Residence Halls Food Services. "But it's never going to give step-by-step instructions on how to lose weight or anything like that." The introduction of the tool is receiving mixed reactions from some MSU health experts.

Second minimum wage increase takes effect

The nearly 5,000 MSU students who will work in the dorms and cafeteria this year won't be greatly impacted after the state minimum wage jumped Sunday to $7.15 per hour. The new minimum wage, which was previously $6.95 per hour, is the second installment of a three-part increase that eventually caps at $7.40 in July 2008. Most MSU students are paid at or above minimum wage, and the same number of employees will be hired this year compared to previous years, said Angela Brown, director of housing. But some people wonder if the new minimum wage can make a difference in boosting Michigan's struggling economy, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. "Economists report rising wages can stimulate economic activity throughout the state," said Megan Brown, a spokeswoman for Gov.

University should encourage bike usage

As environmental awareness grows rapidly, MSU has announced its intention to transition to a walk-in campus in the coming years.

America's birthday

Lansing - A dog decked out like Uncle Sam trotted forward. Habibi dancers twirled their colorful Middle Eastern dresses. Members of Lansing Morley S.

Friends don't let friends serve time

I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby Jr. will not spend a day in jail, despite a conviction for perjury and obstruction of justice, thanks to President Bush.

Mich. Pride festival rallies for LGBT rights

Ten feet in the air, a man dressed in a glittery, purple mermaid suit danced on top of a truck parked in the street at the Michigan Pride festival, march and rally. Several thousand supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community raised awareness for the community in Lansing during the weekend. "It's important to come out and be part of a community that is often isolated," said David Jaques, a communications junior.

Strict laws needed for drunken drivers

The choice to drive drunk is not one that begins and ends with a single person. Making that decision can put the safety of many others in jeopardy. In 2005, 16,885 out of 43,443 traffic fatalities in the U.S., or about 39 percent, were alcohol-related, according to www.alcoholalert.com.

Families experience campus

Nine-year-old Mike Todd played with his name tag as his grandfather, Ron Lott, a 1963 MSU graduate, talked about the classes they're scheduled to take.

McGraw awaits pretrial conference

Patricia Ann McGraw, 49, waived her right for a preliminary examination Wednesday morning at East Lansing's 54-B District Court. McGraw, a former MSU employee who turned herself into police June 20 on an embezzlement charge, will now await a pretrial meeting to be scheduled at Lansing's 30th Judicial Circuit Court. McGraw has been charged with embezzling more than $20,000 from the MSU Department of Theatre, where she worked as a business office supervisor.

LGBT community marches for local support and civil rights

When Patrick Lombardi was outed in 1971, he was immediately thrown out of the U.S. Coast Guard. He said he had nowhere to turn.

Generosity of Broad's donation under suspicion

I was raised to never look a gift horse in the mouth. Nick Lanphear's insightful commentary in the letter "Broad's donation should be used for more art" (SN 6/26) changed my mind, however.

Police briefs 06/28/07

Leaving the foster system

Lansing — Three years ago, William Daniel's younger brother escaped a cracking belt and beating at the hands of his mother long enough to call 911. At 11 years old, Daniel watched as police handcuffed his mother and drove her away in the back of a police car. "They saw from the bruises, scars and marks on my brother's face and back that the situation we were living in was unhealthy," Daniel said. Daniel and his brother became two of more than half a million children in the country living in foster care.

Pistons need guard help in NBA draft

With the month of June winding down, it is time for one of my favorite sporting events of the summer, the NBA draft.

Both views important in anti-smoking bill debate

In Amy Ann Moore's recent letter to the editor, "Smoking ban would increase health of public" (SN 6/20), she makes the statement, "I appreciate the fact that we all have opinions.

Legislators ponder hike in state taxes

As Michigan looks down the barrel of a $1.5 billion deficit for the 2008 fiscal year, a debate has been brewing in the Capitol on the subject that could potentially affect not only the state's finances but the outcome of upcoming elections: Taxes. The questions being raised by legislators about tax policy runs the gamut from raising the current 3.9 percent income tax rate to extending the reach of the sales tax. Although cuts have been made to the state government, from jobs to funding, they will not be enough to help Michigan out of its current financial situation, said Bryan Ritchie, an MSU associate professor of international relations and expert on Michigan's economic future. "There's no way to get around the current circumstances without raising taxes," he said.

Local art museum to offer training classes

Kresge Art Museum will offer a training class in September for people interested in giving tours of the new Eli and Edythe Broad Museum of Art.

Mexican restaurant to open downtown

The Spartan Sports Den, 1227 E. Grand River Ave., has closed after years of serving beer, food and sports to East Lansing residents. The property was sold to Vlahakis Companies, a local property management company. The space is to be filled by Los Tres Amigos, a Mexican restaurant.

Nonsmokers not entitled to smoke-free settings

The argument against the smoke-free legislation is quite simple, as Amy Boersma noted in "Smoke-free legislation would infringe on rights" (SN 6/25). Forget all the research, cancerous effects, or whatever other extensive scientific arguments that exist.

Two sides of Iraq

The "surge" is a success. The "surge" is a failure. Come September, it is likely that you'll be hearing both verdicts from politicians, analysts and your neighbors.