How does such a small pill cause such a big debate?

The locked doors of the doctor's office were once a foreboding sight for women waiting for the morning-after pill. Without a doctor's prescription, women who needed Plan B, a form of emergency contraception, sometimes had to wait a weekend for their physicians to return. Now, the pill is shedding its required prescription and moving over the counter. The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, announced Thursday that Plan B will become available over the counter without a prescription.

Liebler new ELPD deputy chief

East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert's approach to naming a new deputy chief Friday night was less than conventional. He surprised Capt.

Response still inappropriate 1 year later

New Orleans — home of Mardi Gras, jazz and jambalaya — also was home to about 480,000 people more than one year ago.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Vicari leaves MSU hockey program

Goaltender Dominic Vicari has opted to forgo his senior season of college eligibility at MSU and pursue a professional career in hockey. Vicari said in a phone interview with The State News that his decision stemmed from his lack of gametime last season.

Spartans get commitment from 15-year-old phenom

The MSU hockey program scored a verbal commitment this summer from Matt Duchene — a 15-year-old Ontario native who scouts are already predicting to be the province's next hockey prodigy. Although Duchene won't be able to sign a letter of intent for about 18 months, he's already being considered as a Top 5 pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. "There's a lot to like," said Dennis MacInnis, the International Scouting Service's director of scouting. "The kid's got tremendous acceleration and a great set of hands.

ID policy at MSU's dorms ill-advised, not effective

I was a supervisor for the Brody Hall night receptionist program since January 2005. Last week, I quit. I believe Adam Lark's article, "Policy problems," (SN 8/28), gives readers a very skewed understanding of the consequences of the new identification collection policy.

Front & center

Maureen Pawlak Junior soccer midfielder Hometown: Novi, Mich. The sport she would be playing if she weren't playing soccer: "Volleyball.

Hill gets weekly honor for hat trick plus one

Freshman forward Lauren Hill was named Big Ten women's soccer Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, a day after she tied a single-game school record by netting all four goals in a 4-2 win against Western Michigan. Hill is the first Spartan to earn weekly accolades since Emma Harris in October 2005. She is the first MSU women's soccer player in 19 years to have a four-goal game. Hill also assisted on a goal in her first career game, MSU's 3-2 season-opening loss to Central Michigan on Friday. Hill was the 2005 Michigan High School Gatorade Player of the Year and was recruited from Northville, Mich.

Government's Katrina reaction shows America's underlying racism

A year after Katrina ravaged the southern coast, light-headed politicians and most Americans are still not effectively addressing the social inequities brought to light by the disaster. My heart ached as I watched Oprah's Hurricane Katrina special after the storm claimed hundreds of lives across the southern United States — it seemed so surreal. Young women, men, the elderly and children were found on the side of roads and in houses, sucked lifeless by Katrina's wrath.

Gas prices at 5-month low, could drop further

Another cause for celebration this Labor Day weekend could come from an unlikely place — the gas station. After this weekend, gas prices should begin to drop, said AAA Michigan spokeswoman Nancy Cain. "We don't think we've seen the lowest price yet," she said. Already, the gradual drop at the pumps can be seen as the summer slowly dwindles to an end. The price of regular gasoline is down 35 cents per gallon over the past three weeks, and the statewide average reached a five-month low of $2.77, AAA Michigan announced Monday. Still, compared to this time in August 2005, prices are up 9.5 cents per gallon.

Young team still getting feet underneath itself

After finishing 12-6-5 overall and winning its first NCAA Tournament game in school history last year, expectations have risen for the MSU women's soccer team. But after graduating four starters and losing 74 percent of its total goal scoring from a year ago, the Spartans also will be challenged with finding a new identity as a team.

Police briefs 08/28/06

Right hurr

It isn't often that a top Billboard artist chooses to perform for free at a college campus after midnight, but rap artist Chingy did just that Friday night.

$27K donated to benefit program

When Steven Alexander, president of National City Bank of central Michigan, handed over a check to the College Assistance Migrant Program, or CAMP, he knew he was helping to fulfill the dreams of more than 70 MSU students. CAMP is a program that assists migrant farm worker students during their first year of college.

Completing bicycle ride shows life continues after obstacles

When I graduated high school in 1998, I honestly thought that was as far as I would ever make it in life.

Front & center

Jerramy Scott Senior football wide receiver Hometown: Jupiter, Fla. His favorite restaurant: "Texas Roadhouse.

Real Idlewild a historical landmark

At first glance you might think the recently released movie "Idlewild," starring hip-hop duo OutKast, is about the historic community in northwestern Michigan. But it's not.

Student may vie for seat on council

East Lansing officials have not heard the last of John Fournier. The political theory and constitutional democracy senior said he is vying for a vacant seat on the East Lansing City Council as councilmember Mark Meadows' last day approaches on Sept.

Wharton Center box office opens Monday

Tickets to Wharton Center events will be available to the public Monday. Patrons will be able to purchase tickets to "Act One Family Series" and "Jazz Kats," as well as "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Pippin," "MAMMA MIA!" "Legends!" and "Rent". Tickets for other events will be available at a later date. Tickets can be purchased at the Wharton Center box office, by phone at (800) 942-7866 between 10 a.m.

Dover's Crossing has early morning scuffle

Lansing — Seven people were arrested and two police officers suffered minor injuries during an early morning dispute Sunday involving about 500 students outside Dover's Crossing Apartments, Lansing police said. At about 2 a.m.