City to the people: There are cultural venues

The State News recently ran the column "City missing artistic venues," (SN 7/28), by Ryan McCormick.

New director of bands both 'artistic, academic'

The MSU School of Music will have a fresh face overseeing MSU bands and conducting the school's top ensemble.

House Rep. Rogers wins Ingham County

U.S. House of Representatives incumbent member Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, appeared to fend off a challenger for the party's nomination in Tuesday's primary. By the time The State News went to press, Rogers, in District 8, received slightly more than 87 percent of the votes in Ingham County over challenger Patrick Flynn, who received slightly more than 12 percent of the vote. Democratic candidate Jim Marcinkowski was unopposed. The district covers Clinton, Ingham, Livingston and parts of Oakland and Shiawassee counties. Rogers, who is seeking his fourth term in the House, said in a statement he was grateful for the votes. "The pressures of elections hardly compare with the pressures on Michigan families and the economy," Rogers said.

Debut catchy, falls short of goal

As a State News writer, I'm only allowed to use exclamation points sparingly. I'm not sure exactly why, but they're not a big part of what we refer to as "State News style." Unfortunately, this means I have to take alternate measures for displaying my interest/distaste for the current trend of bands' names utilizing the most exhilarating pieces of punctuation.

Iraq's War: Civil or international?

Now, some politicians are attributing this to the idea that Iraq is deep in a civil war. Army troops and generals posted in the nation say that a civil war was raging even before U.S.

Public must come together to wage war on global warming

The past week has seen the United States brutally attacked by a massive heat wave. More than 100 were killed in California alone, the vicious force tearing through the country, sparking record highs in state after state.

Fliers may prompt more votes in coming elections

In an effort to raise voter turnout, Michigan residents are being notified of whether or not their neighbors voted. Ingham County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Mark Grebner, sent 20,000 fliers out to registered voters across the state listing whether or not their neighbors voted to see if it increases numbers at the polls. The effort is part of a statewide voter turnout study being conducted by Grebner. "We're hoping that fliers like these will get more voter participation," Grebner said.

WEB EXTRA: Primary election results

Here are the primary results so far for the 69th District seat in the state House of Representatives.

Police briefs 08/08/06

Activist, poet to perform at Creole

Crackly, yet filled with anticipation, John Sinclair's voice came through the telephone like a needle hitting a vinyl record. The alienated poet's past is well-documented.

Using religion to form opinion not always bad

Mark Adler makes a couple good points with which I agree in his letter, "Religion, politics should be kept separate issues," (SN 8/7), and one with which I contend.

WEB ONLY: 'Descent' ascends to horror-elite status

Horror movies in recent years decided to be less scary and terrifying, and more sadistic and shocking. Whether it be "Hostel" or the "Saw" movies, horror films are more motivated by getting their audiences to throw up their lunch rather than giving them nightmares for weeks. In Neil Marshall's (writer/director) "The Descent," Marshall decides to take an approach that made horror movies from the '70s and '80s so horrifying. "The Descent" seems to be a mix of a variety of classic horror films from the '70s, like "Jaws" and "Alien" with a dabble of "Deliverance" and "The Hills Have Eyes." Its nerve-racking, tight-spaced, bloody good time allows the audience to walk out of the theater scared to death but yearning for more instead of sick to their stomachs. The film takes place in the backwoods of the Appalachian Mountains as a group of six females decides to take on a spelunking adventure to prove how strong-willed they are as women and how close they are as friends. The girls are always doing something adventurous and risky to bring them closer together and after one of the women goes through a tragic incident, the women feel it is time to rekindle that adventure. This is probably one of the most important aspects Marshall brings to this film.

Granholm signing Self-Defense act laughable

I want to thank Gov. Jennifer Granholm for signing the Self-Defense Act on July 20. I know that the reason she did so was motivated out of a political calculation and not her sincere belief in the measure.

WEB ONLY: Lesser-known Canadian rockers top Red Hot Chili Peppers at Lollapalooza

Red Hot Chili Peppers, you are dead to me. Whoa, I'm sorry, that was harsh. I'm saying things I really don't mean.

State News continues battle for information

When the government and the media disagree about the public's right to information, it sometimes takes legal action to settle the dispute. Since last semester, The State News and MSU have traded legal arguments over this public right. Conflicts between media and public institutions are not new, but having the conviction to take them to court is rare, said Mark Goodman, executive director of the Student Press Law Center — a nonprofit organization advocating student press rights. "It's an ongoing problem," Goodman said.

Union under construction

The Union will look a bit different than it has in the past with new businesses and facility updates, Union Director Jim Sheppard said.

Fresh start

Almost exactly one year ago, the Spartan football team began preparing for an upcoming season that would begin in the national spotlight and end in a frustrating spiral of failure.

Free film festival to show 'Spellbound'

The Moonlight Film Festival will feature the award-winning documentary "Spellbound" at 9 p.m.

Johnny O'Neal shines at JazzFest

Lansing — Saturday evening's headliner, Johnny O'Neal, started tapping his piano keys 10 minutes early, but was perfectly in time for the rest of the night. With a slight wind from the south and an overcast sky during the final night of the 2006 JazzFest, showers seemed to be looming.

Larrowe column shows little change from 1979

While I never knew Lash Larrowe, I have heard that his presence at MSU was much appreciated, both inside and outside of class. Thankfully I know he will rest in peace, knowing that bigotry in America against Arabs has still survived the test of social progress. The reprint of Larrowe's column from 1979, "Troubled times for Iranians," (SN 8/4), is only the latest in the recent columns "Lash"ing out against Arab society.