Flag burning should be nonissue for Congress
On Monday, Congress began debating a bill that may possibly ban the desecration of the American flag.
Hindu Students Council to hold yoga lecture, culture exhibition
The Hindu Students Council at MSU will be holding a lecture on the science of yoga, along with an exhibition on Hindu culture on July 6.
Study: Condom use may help prevent HPV
People who use condoms every time they have sex could significantly decrease their chances of becoming infected with human papillomavirus, or HPV, according to a recent study at the University of Washington. Researchers studied 82 female students at the university and found the women whose partners always used condoms were 70 percent less likely to get the virus than the women whose partners used condoms less than 5 percent of the time. Even women who used condoms more than half of the time were still 50 percent less likely to contract the virus, according to the study published by The New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday. The study monitored the sexual activities of the women — ages 18 to 22 — by way of electronic diaries.
Album offers mediocre emotion, reggae beat
The reggae beat is alive, but kind of over-produced. Los Angeles-born and raised vocalist Elan kicks out some perfect tunes for sitting around the pool on his first major label release "Together As One," with solid bass lines and tight drum fills.
Diner stays classic
The interior of the Old Town Diner makes the restaurant look as if it hasn't changed in decades — and in many ways it hasn't. The paneled walls, brown padded booths and stainless steel waitress station at the diner, 516 E.
City collects cell phones for donation to developing countries
East Lansing is collecting cell phones to be donated to developing countries. The program receives $30 for each donated phone, and all phones will have personal information removed. The phones can be dropped off at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.
Ager, Brown, Davis to enter NBA Draft, find out their hoops future
The 2006 NBA Draft will kick off tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Madison Square Garden. This year, MSU's big three — Paul Davis, Maurice Ager and Shannon Brown — have entered the draft looking for a first-round selection.
Web site to reach voters
It's very likely that your classmates use the Internet on a daily basis. It's also very likely that this same group of people is more technologically-savvy than older generations.
Approved pipeline to be appealed
An Ingham County Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of the construction of 20 miles of gasoline pipeline through south Lansing on Friday. Judge James Giddings said Michigan's Constitution is not being violated by Wolverine Pipe Line Company building the pipeline along Interstate 96. Tom Shields, a spokesman for Wolverine Pipe Line Company, said they were happy with the ruling. "We were very pleased with the judge's decision and also glad to see that the new state law was being followed as well," Shields said. He added that the law says the state, not the city, has unlimited access to working on fenced-in highways or expressways like I-96. The company wants to add the 20 additional miles to existing pipeline that runs from Jackson to Meridian Road.
Drugs' environmental impact to be studied
What happens when a fish ingests Viagra? Scientists aren't sure, but MSU researchers are looking for ways to prevent pharmaceuticals from reaching unintended patients, specifically, marine life in lakes and rivers. An MSU study on how microbes break down pharmaceutical components that are discharged into the environment received a grant of more than $375,000 from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc. "Pharmaceuticals are reaching the environment because it's used in humans and animals; yet, in some cases, we do not know about the environmental fate of these chemicals," said James Tiedje, director of the Center for Microbial Ecology and one of the principal investigators for the study. Hui Li, an associate professor in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, and Mary Beth Leigh, a research assistant at the Center for Microbial Ecology, are also helping lead the study. When a person ingests medicine, what is not absorbed into the blood stream passes out of the body with stool and urine that is flushed down the toilet, said Amy Perbeck, a toxicologist at the Water Bureau of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The waste water then goes to a treatment plant and is released into streams and rivers or is sprayed out to fields or sand basins, Perbeck said.
Science can't include god; impossible to test faith
In his letter, "Bice's letter on intelligent design doesn't cite evidence," (SN 6/26), Josh Rilko makes a case for the inclusion of a god in science.
Planners update campus blueprint
Green space, bicycle lanes and new buildings are a few of the plans being refined for MSU's 2020 Vision plan. Created in 2001, the plan acts as a blueprint for changes to be made to the campus, while retaining its historical and academic atmosphere, according to MSU's Web site. Revisions to the plan are underway in the Campus Park and Planning office and are divided up into three elements: academic units, transportation — including motorized and non-motorized traffic — and open space. Campus planner Stephen Troost is responsible for gathering information from several campus groups on what changes are needed and wanted by the community. Troost said a group representing each 2020 Vision goal conducted 65 individual interviews with academic groups and student leaders. "(In interviews) we're looking for people that have that new idea that can get thrown into the mix and see if it is worthy of consideration," Troost said.
Problems still exist with certain alternative fuels
The opinion column, "United States must take head out of sand, research other fuel sources" by Shane Krouse, (SN 6/21), overlooks significant problems with certain alternative fuels.
Heating up downtown
After the dust and din of construction settles along the corner of East Grand River and M.A.C. avenues, two businesses will give residents a taste of something old and something new. B-Tan, a popular tanning salon, has moved four stores down on East Grand River Avenue to a freshly renovated building.
Trial dates set for alleged Hubbard assailant
Criminal trial proceedings for Roy Lee Holt, arrested and charged in connection with a Feb. 23 assault in Hubbard Hall, are scheduled to begin July 11 at the Ingham County Circuit Court. The 38-year-old will appear in front of Judge James Giddings and faces 10 charges, including home invasion, conspiracy to commit home invasion and felonious assault with a dangerous weapon. On Feb.
MSU, E.L. to create community liaison role
The city of East Lansing and MSU are teaming up to hire a person who will handle conflicts between permanent residents and students. The idea came from MSU President Lou Anna K.
Refugees start new life, remember past
Lansing — The TV flickered in the background as James Deng, 33, sat on the edge of his couch and explained how escaping death meant being separated from his family, culture and country. His surroundings are very different today, pushing lines of shopping carts each afternoon at the Meijer, 2055 W.
Bush administration should spread wealth by raising minimum wage
The Republican-led Congress continues to push a central theme of Bush administration economic policy: Help the ultra-rich whenever there's a window of opportunity, but don't throw a bone to the working poor unless it's an absolute political necessity. House GOP leaders are striving to exempt more multimillionaires from the estate tax after failing to win its outright repeal in the Senate.