Prognosticators

MSU men vs. Michigan 9 p.m. Tuesday, Breslin Center TK — Michigan is about as disciplined as my IM team.

Governor reveals state budget plan

Gov. Jennifer Granholm followed through on her promise to Michiganians on Thursday when she unveiled a budget proposal focused on increasing funding for education. Granholm's proposal includes initiatives to increase investment in higher education by more than $43 million, increase per pupil funding in K-12 schools by $178 per student and invest $200 million to expand early childhood education. "This budget continues the trend of investing record amounts in education," Granholm said in a statement.

Report card highlights MSU women's inconsistent play

Overall grade: B The best word to describe the MSU women's basketball team this season is inconsistent.

Anti-abortion advocates labeled uncool, columnist feels detached

It's no secret that anti-abortion proponents are a spectacularly uncool group of people. Statistically speaking, outside of "American Idol" enthusiasts and motorists with "Love Wins" bumper stickers, pro-lifers rank among the most uncool segments of the American population. "Jay and Silent Bob" creator Kevin Smith can't write a movie script without satirizing a pro-life character.

WEB EXTRA: Icers to take on Ferris State, Michigan

The No. 6-ranked Spartans are getting ready for their rivalry matchup against Michigan at Joe Louis Arena on Saturday, the fifth game between the two teams this season. Oh, and they also are preparing for tonight's home game against Ferris State. It's not difficult for MSU (17-8-2 overall, 13-6-2 CCHA) to treat the Bulldogs (9-18-3, 6-14-2) as an afterthought to a key matchup with the No.

American Indian tribes compete on campus

Members of American Indian tribes from across the country are coming to Jenison Field House to compete against one another in traditional dancing, drumming and singing. The North American Indigenous Student Organization, or NAISO, is hosting the 24th annual MSU Pow-Wow of Love this weekend. "We love to have students of every background — it's not only fun, but it's educational," said Allie Sturk, a NAISO member and ASMSU's director of racial, ethnic and progressive student affairs. Any kind of event that advocates diversity and culture is important, she said, especially after the passing of Proposal 2, which banned affirmative action in the state. Don Lyons, another NAISO member, said many people's only knowledge of American Indian culture is connected to casinos. He said the powwow can serve as an introduction to tribes with rich histories and traditions. "Student have no idea that American Indians are still here," he said. The powwow dancing, drumming and singing ceremonies have traditional significance and purpose, said NAISO fundraising chairman Jeff Gargoshian. "We believe that the creator gave us this way of life," he said. Some ceremonies, for example, are done when "a feather drops," Gargoshian said.

Altering fight song does not celebrate tradition

Attending MSU sporting events during the past decade or so, I've had to stifle more than a few moans at the juvenile antics of the student section.

Cleaves to join NBA developmental team

On Saturday, Mateen Cleaves had his No. 12 MSU jersey retired at Breslin Center. Less than a week later, the former MSU star has found a new home.

More students should run for ASMSU

As we enter ASMSU's election season, the organization has 32 vacant seats — leaving every MSU college except James Madison and Social Science underrepresented in the Student and Academic assemblies.

Christianity equals love, cannot be debunked in scientific terms

"I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me." These could quite possibly be the most powerful and most offensive words ever spoken on Earth.

Ruling could limit access to reports

It's not over yet. Three judges from the Michigan Court of Appeals are mulling over arguments heard Wednesday between The State News and MSU stemming from a Feb.

'A complete meltdown'

West Lafayette, Ind. — For one half, it was even. And then, in an instant, the game — and maybe the season — got away from the MSU men's basketball team. Looking helpless as Purdue opened the second half on a 33-6 run, the Spartans suffered a crushing 62-38 defeat Wednesday at Mackey Arena, dropping them to 4-6 in the Big Ten and opening the floor for serious discussion about their postseason hopes. It was MSU's lowest scoring output since a 50-36 loss to Michigan on Jan.

Spartans not taking Wildcats lightly

The MSU women's basketball team always boasts about how it takes no opponent lightly and how the next game is the most important one on the schedule. That philosophy will be put to the test at 8 p.m.

WEB EXTRA: New initiative to stop hate kicks off Wednesday

John Herbst yielded much of his speaking time to the representative assembly during the presentation of his "I Stop Hate: MSU United" initiative at the Residence Halls Association meeting Wednesday night to emphasize that it's not "his" initiative, it's "our" initiative. "This campaign can serve as a platform to jump-start an interaction," Herbst said.

Simon to address university

Although she has tackled issues such as the state's affirmative action ban and increasing tuition costs, MSU President Lou Anna K.

ASMSU to discuss Prop. 2, election in meeting today

At tonight's ASMSU Student Assembly meeting, the assembly will discuss the state's affirmative action ban with MSU administrators and elect its new vice chairperson for external affairs. ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government. Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Lee June and Director of the Office for Affirmative Action, Compliance and Monitoring Paulette Granberry Russell will attend the meeting at ASMSU's request to discuss the effects of Proposal 2 on the university. "It's a great idea," said Allie Sturk, director of racial, ethnic and progressive student affairs for ASMSU.

Police briefs 02/08/07

Writer's counterpoint demeaning, hypocritical

I must say that Alex Lishinski wrote an interesting criticism about people of faith in his letter to The State News, "Belief in god wasteful, necessitates blind faith" (SN 2/1). A letter in which he completely degrades anyone who isn't as socially enlightened as he has proclaimed himself to be.

State of the State draws mixed reviews

Despite a combined $3 billion deficit looming over Michigan, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the only way to get out of the state's economic crisis is by investing more in the economy. "If we are to revitalize Michigan, we … must invest in our people and diversify our economy," Granholm said Tuesday, during her State of the State address.

Columnist writes about uderrepresented news

I must commend your paper on the recent article "Unlikely threat from China may not be improbable, far-fetched" (SN 1/22), by opinion columnist Pete Nichols.