Below zero

Tony Clausen was late to class Monday morning when his car wouldn't start because of arctic temperatures, which dipped to 6 degrees below zero by 10 a.m. After the criminal justice junior jump-started his car, he rushed to class, missing only a portion of it. Because of the weather, Clausen said he now drives to his classes three to five times a week, as opposed to walking. The extreme cold throughout Mid-Michigan is causing trouble for students, police and some local officials. Last weekend, East Lansing and Lansing residents braved winds up to 37 mph and temperatures that reached 7 degrees below zero Sunday, according to the National Weather Service station in Grand Rapids. Although the weather remains severe with a chilling outlook, David Beachler, a meteorologist at the Grand Rapids station, said Lansing's climate hasn't been as bad as other areas of the state. "We're not setting records by any means," Beachler said.

Association to present views on war

The Muslim Students' Association will hold a discussion today about the situation in Iraq. At the meeting, speakers will present the perspectives of the Muslim world, President Bush and the anti-troop increase.

Elections aim to fill 32 open ASMSU seats

This spring's ASMSU elections give students a chance to represent their colleges and fill more than 30 vacant seats. Any undergraduate can vie for a seat on ASMSU's assembly to represent his or her college for the one-year term.

Officials warn of possible fire, safety hazards when heating residences

Now that the cold weather has finally set in, Rachel Burke and her six roommates are working to minimize their hefty heating bill. "Right when we moved into this house in August, our heating bill would be around $10 per person.

Academic minors may be available by fall 2007

Years of pushing to get academic minors instated at MSU will finally pay off. They were approved by Academic Council in spring 2006, and the first minors are currently moving through the governance process.

Witness to '73 murder testifies in court trial

The leader of a 1970s civil rights group told a jury Monday that murder suspect Gary Mason bragged about stabbing a 20-year-old MSU student in 1973. Christopher Hood, 57, who was an assistant director of the Topographical Research Center in Detroit during the 1970s, was the only witness questioned Monday during Mason's murder trial under Judge James Giddings in the 30th Judicial Circuit Court in Lansing.

Dr. D explores challenges of being assault witness

Dr. D, I've been reading your column for a while now, and I really respect your opinions.

Award-winning equestrienne faces obstacles

Brianne Doolittle can't fully explain her passion for horses. As she puts it, "It's just one of those things I love to do.

Council plans city's future

The final East Lansing Comprehensive Plan will be presented to City Council tonight — the culmination of five years of work. The plan establishes guidelines for how the city could develop more homes, businesses and apartments in the future.

Spartans prepare for final stretch in Big Ten season

At this point of the season, the MSU women's basketball team has to be asking itself one thing: Where have all the home games gone? Thursday's game at Northwestern marks the beginning of a stretch where MSU will play four of its final six regular-season games away from Breslin Center, including trips to No.

Skatelife

Underneath her wispy, bright blue skating skirt and camouflaged by her heavy, tan tights, Audrey Culver has scars up and down her legs. But she doesn't really mind them.

Izzo weighs in on Oden, Durant

Tom Izzo is in the unique position of having coached against the two college basketball prospects who have pro scouts salivating the most. In addition to playing against Ohio State center Greg Oden the last two Saturdays, the Spartans also faced Kevin Durant — Texas' 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward — on Nov.

Governor to address state

Supporters say Gov. Jennifer Granholm will smother a heap of scorching questions relating to Michigan's struggling economy when she delivers her fifth State of the State address in Lansing at 7 p.m. "The governor will lay out her vision for moving Michigan forward," said Liz Boyd, Granholm's spokeswoman.

Discarded embryos can assist medical advances

During the past few years, there has been unceasing banter back and forth about whether or not embryonic stem cell research should be conducted.

Police briefs 02/06/07

Attend student commission meetings

The University Student Commission, or USC, of East Lansing serves as a venue for students to gather together and express their viewpoints on the policies and legislation in the city.

SN Style: Trendy meets Target

Last year, punk-meets-girlie British designer Luella Bartley was the first to design a collection for Target's GO International campaign, in which high-end designers create lower-priced clothing that sells in stores and online for 90 days. Since Luella's hit collection, designers Tara Jarmon, Paul & Joe and Behnaz Sarafpour have all taken turns creating equally successful lines. Next on the list is Proenza Schouler, a male duo of 20-something New York designers.

Lerg scores CCHA honors

Junior forward Bryan Lerg was named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for his four-point performance in last weekend's series against Nebraska-Omaha.

2008 presidential election could break through 'marble ceiling'

If you followed the 2006 elections, you witnessed a few "ceilings" fall. If you watch the 2008 presidential election, you'll hopefully see what's left of the "marble ceiling" crash to the ground. As Nancy Pelosi, the first female speaker of the House in United States history, so proudly proclaimed after the Democratic majority took over, "for our daughters and our granddaughters, today we have broken the marble ceiling." The United States is unmatched in political inequality in terms of racial and gender under-representation.

SN opinion of Israel's use of cluster bombs correct

Thanks for your editorial, "Israeli use of cluster bombs unjust" (SN 1/29). Indeed, Israel always has been renowned for using excessive force and extreme measures of brutality.