Byrom misunderstands urban schools, race organizations

While reading "Affirmative action discriminates, not Proposal 2; move on already" (SN 11/21), I was shocked.

Obama would make great candidate in '08

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama is finally starting to make a move toward running in the upcoming 2008 presidential race — and it's about time. For some time now, Obama has been evasive when asked if he would run in '08, laughing at the question or dodging it altogether.

Alan Anderson waived by Charlotte Bobcats

The Charlotte Bobcats waived former MSU guard Alan Anderson on Monday. The move leaves the Bobcats one shy of the league maximum of 15 players.

WEB UPDATE: Dantonio names his staff

After Mark Dantonio left Cincinnati to become the head football coach at MSU, seven members of his coaching staff resigned. On Thursday, Dantonio announced that four of those coaches would join him at MSU, and today, he announced the other three would also be part of the Spartans coaching staff.

Development good for city, more rentals wanted

More East Lansing residents soon could be calling downtown home. On Tuesday, East Lansing City Council members approved plans for new apartments and condominiums to be built on Grand River and Albert avenues. While these condos, and probably the apartments too, aren't cost effective for most students, they could bring more permanent residents into East Lansing. The new building on Grand River Avenue will have nine two-bedroom apartments for rent, and the building on Albert Avenue will have three one-bedroom apartments and 33 two-bedroom apartments, all of which will be inhabited by owner occupants. Plans like this could help to keep MSU graduates in East Lansing after their four years are done.

MSU World AIDS Day

Olin Health Center has teamed up with the Residence Halls Association to create awareness and eliminate the stigmas people might have about getting tested for AIDS. Free and anonymous walk-in HIV testing is available from 10 a.m.

WEB EXTRA: Goebel returns to East Lansing as Buckeye

It will be somewhat of a homecoming for Ohio State junior forward Tommy Goebel when the Buckeyes invade Munn Ice Arena on Friday and Saturday for a two-game series. Goebel donned the green and white at MSU for two seasons, from 2003 to 2005, before transferring to Ohio State following his sophomore year. In his freshman season at MSU, Goebel earned a spot on the CCHA All-Rookie Team after scoring 15 goals and tallying 32 points.

DeHaan's career night lifts Spartans

With MSU struggling to score early against Rhode Island on Wednesday, it wasn't an upperclassman who came to save the day.

MSU professor offers identity theft safety tips

Even with the threat of online identity theft, an MSU professor says it is still safe to shop online. Although online shopping increases the threat of identity theft, telecommunication, information studies and media Professor Bob LaRose said these issues do occur at all times — not just during the holiday season. "A lot of times it works by someone impersonating a type of security agency," LaRose said.

Organic food rising in popularity

A $50,000 grant was awarded to the Michigan Apple Committee in October to fund organic research, which will be used to determine whether growing organic apples is economically feasible. The grant highlights a trend in the increasingly popular organic market, which has grown 28 percent since 2003 and pulled in $14 billion in 2005.

Affirmative action policy doesn't level playing field

This letter is in response to Kristin Lucille Robinson's letter, "Byrom might not be racist but is certainly ignorant" (SN 11/22), which calls Jessica Byrom ignorant.

City's development slated for December

The demolition of two homes along Virginia Avenue could begin at the end of December, making way for a sweeping redevelopment project along the avenue's 600 block. The project is expected to cost East Lansing $3.3 million and calls for the demolition of all 24 homes along the avenue's 600 block.

Plan B pill available over the counter

The morning-after pill is on pharmacy shelves in East Lansing, and for the first time, it can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. Nearly three months after the Food and Drug Administration's decision to approve the pill for over-the-counter sales, students have begun buying it at Olin Health Center. Plan B, a form of emergency contraception, reduces the risk of pregnancy by up to 89 percent if it's taken within three days after unprotected sex, health officials say. The pill has no effect if a woman is already pregnant. Olin Health Center pharmacist Tom Ball said he has already sold a few of the $30 pills since their debut Nov.

Expectations high for new coach

After a wildly embarrassing season, which lead to the further embarrassing public humiliation and firing of former head coach John L.

Congressman to discuss immigration issues

Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) will speak on campus at 8:30 p.m. today in Room 471 of the MSU College of Law building.

Police briefs 11/30/06

Various soybean types included in report

The 2006 Michigan Soybean Performance Report is available to give farmers performance evaluations on 205 different kinds of soybeans. The report can be found at www.css.msu.edu/varietytrials and was developed by private companies and the MSU soybean breeding program. The information on the report includes topics such as yields, maturity dates, plant height and lodging scores. For more information, visit the Soybean 2010 Web site at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/soybean2010/.

Gas prices could fall more; awaiting OPEC's decision

Curious to know the winter forecast for gas prices? The official season is less than a month away, and local gas prices have dipped to an average price of $2.27 per gallon this week. "Typically, from about the first of August until the end of December, the price of gas is going down," said Michigan Petroleum Association President Mark Griffin.

Holiday season for giving, but also putting up with family

'Tis the season for bickering. Every year, without fail, the holidays dutifully come back.

Records for student's death not yet released

Muskegon Township police said second-year medical student Michael Lundholm, who died last Thursday in Muskegon, lost control of his vehicle driving home from a bachelor party, went off the road and hit a tree at 2:36 a.m.