Company to offer advice about crops

A comprehensive nutrient management plans, or CNMP, training program will be available for farm consultants and engineers Nov.

Newcomers hope to revitalize MSU's stagnant pass rush

The Spartans defensive line is going to get some pressure on opposing quarterbacks this year. Ervin Baldwin guarantees it. "We're going to attack this year," Baldwin, a junior defensive end, said.

New coach, new attitude for Spartans

Despite starting the season with two losses, first-year MSU field hockey coach Rolf van de Kerkhof hasn't lost sight of the big picture. His team got contributions from players both young and old in close losses to Delaware and Louisville at last weekend's Champion's Invitational.

Getting by Galas is a tall order

During games, Nicole Galas patrols the Spartans goalbox, shouting words of encouragement and guidance to her teammates.

Prof predicts cashless vending on campus

Need a snack or drink but have no cash on hand? No worries. An MSU professor predicts vending machines that accept credit and debit cards will become more popular in coming years. Michael Kasavana, National Automatic Merchandising Association-endowed professor in hospitality business, does research with self-service technologies, including cashless vending machines. "By 2009, half of the six million vending machines will be capable of having cashless technology," Kasavana said.

Mich. obesity ratio still among highest in U.S.

Scales are still strained across America as obesity continues on its growing trend, according to a new report issued Tuesday. Almost one of every four Michigan residents is obese.

Anti-war is not pro-fascist

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld acknowledged the troops fighting in Iraq in his speech Tuesday at the American Legion's annual convention.

Resident alleges unethical campaign

An ethical complaint about a letter distributed on behalf of state House of Representatives candidate Mark Meadows to East Lansing residents is to be investigated, according to East Lansing city officials. But Meadows' Republican opponent John Knowles and East Lansing city officials both question the allegations brought against him by a city resident. "At first glance, we don't see a violation of the city ethics law," said East Lansing City Manager Ted Staton.

Mediator hired for E.L.-MSU tensions

A possible solution to 2 a.m. drunken brawls and noisy parties has a new face. East Lansing and MSU officials picked a community liaison to help solve strains between permanent residents and students.

Dollars now, debt later

Backpacks crammed to the brim with textbooks aren't the only burden students are carrying on their shoulders.

MSU hopes defense can help it overcome monstrous schedule

If the old saying of "defense wins championships" holds true, the MSU men's soccer team could have a good season ahead. Continuing a tradition of defense-first teams under head coach Joe Baum, MSU has given up just one goal in its first two games this season, a pair of overtime wins in last weekend's Oregon State/Diadora Classic. "When we give up one goal, we're surprised," Baum said.

Gov. Granholm leads slightly over DeVos

A recent poll of likely Michigan voters gave Gov. Jennifer Granholm a slight lead over the challenger Republican candidate Dick DeVos in the race for Michigan governor. In a poll of 1,200 likely voters conducted Friday to Sunday by Georgia-based Strategic Vision LLC, 48 percent said they would re-elect Granholm.

Katrina response wasn't about race, but poverty

I am writing in response to Darrell Hughes' "Government's Katrina reaction shows America's underlying racism," (SN 8/29). The Hurricane Katrina situation is a direct result of structural violence, which is a form of violence that is unintended but still occurs because of the nature of the "system" or the environment. It isn't directly the government's fault that these Americans are poor, though it does play a part.

Zoo unveils exotic rodents

After a voyage of more than 300 miles, five new Patagonian cavies are on display at the Potter Park Zoo in Lansing. The cavies, which were quarantined for the past month in the zoo, were first shown to the public last week. The long-legged rodents, a relative of the guinea pig, look similar to a cross between a miniature deer and jackrabbit.

Mich. bicycle-awareness expedition starts in E.L.

Raul Romero took time to stretch his legs and carefully examine his gear after a nearly 12-hour drive from Virginia.

ASMSU adds student tailgating pass

Correction: The quote "ASMSU adds student tailgating pass" should have explained the "special line" was not for parking lot spaces but parking permit pickup at IM Sports-West. A new permit system is designed to make it easier for students to acquire parking spots for tailgating. This new seasonal pass, which won't be available for this weekend's game, will allow some students to be able to tailgate during the football season without having to enter a lottery or pay a fee every week. "The hardest part about the last year and a half has been the students getting used to the implementation of change," said Julielyn Gibbons, vice chairwoman of External Affairs for ASMSU's Student Assembly.

Police briefs 08/31/06

MIDDAY UPDATE: Old friends Smith, Erickson to reconnect on opposite sidelines

The State News When MSU head coach John L. Smith looks across the field to the opposing sideline tomorrow, he'll see more than the Idaho team and its coaching staff. He'll see the coach who has been his mentor and friend for more than 25 years. "He's probably my closest confidant in the coaching world; one guy I've always relied on," Smith said of Idaho head coach Dennis Erickson. For more on this story, please see Friday's edition of The State News.

Israel learns history, not U.S.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Since elementary school, students have had this adage pounded into their heads.

Letter writer misinterprets conservative ideology

I have to say that reading Stephen Roth's letter to the editor, "Conservative movement ideas are contradictory," (SN 8/28), made me chuckle.