Gov. goes to Japan, seeks development

Gov. Jennifer Granholm left for a trip to Japan on Sunday as part of what she called an investment mission to bring more jobs by foreign businesses to Michigan. Granholm will stay in Japan for three days to talk to business leaders, said Granholm's spokeswoman Heidi Hansen. In her weekly radio address, Granholm said she will meet with 19 companies in Japan that could benefit Michigan. Granholm also said meeting with business leaders could convince companies to come to Michigan. "Japan might be half a world away, but the results of our previous investment mission can be seen in communities all across the state," Granholm said in the address. After the governor's 2005 trade trip there, 10 Japanese companies said they would be expanding in Michigan with investments of $116 million.

Lugnuts defeat West Michigan Whitecaps 3-1

Lansing — The Lansing Lugnuts moved into first after defeating the West Michigan Whitecaps, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon at Oldsmobile Park. Four Lugnuts pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts and only one run.

Bouchard announces his candidacy for U.S. Senate

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard has officially added his name to the list of Republicans who want to challenge U.S.

GM discontinues production of H1 Hummer vehicle

People in the market for a Hummer will soon have one less option for their off-road excursions. The 4-ton H1 Hummer, introduced in 1992 as a civilian version of the U.S.

Eateries address sanitation concerns

Lansing — When it comes to the restaurant business, food safety is a top priority. With recent health issues at Bravo Cucina Italiana, 2970 Towne Centre Blvd., and Carrabba's Italian Grill, 6540 W.

E-mail still an issue for many students

Weeks after a derogatory e-mail from an MSU professor to the Muslim Students' Association was made public, student groups are still rallying for a public reprimand from the university. Mechanical engineering professor Indrek Wichman wrote an e-mail on Feb.

Rude, noisy neighbors deserve visit from cops

As an unwritten rule, I would typically agree with the simple principle of not calling the cops on your neighbor.

Wichman's letter correct, should be commended

Thanks to the miracle of the Internet, I have seen that one of your professors, Indrek Wichman, is a subject of controversy because of an e-mail he sent to a local Muslim student group.

Council modifies noise ordinances

Moving out of East Lansing is like having a burden lifted off your shoulders, said Patrick Daley. Packing his things and relocating to Haslett about a year ago, the 2006 graduate said he left the city because of a burdensome police presence and tensions between permanent residents and students. "It was not worth it to have people over (in East Lansing)," he said.

Campus quiets down for summer

Silence filled the kiva, the classrooms and most of the hallways in McDonel Hall on Sunday afternoon. On the eve of the first day of summer classes, a fraction of the number of students who would be on campus August through April were settling into their dorm rooms and preparing for a quiet summer. McDonel and Owen Graduate halls are the only dormitories housing summer semester students for the next couple of months. Business and general management sophomore Jamie Clements is looking forward to the summer silence. "I'm here because it's quieter," he said. Clements is embarking on his first summer at MSU and plans to enjoy being away from home and having fewer students on campus.

Under the weather

With the cover of clouds and under a steady downpour, the 2006 Track and Field Big Ten Outdoor Championships took place on campus this weekend, bringing equal amounts of competitive energy, high spirits and personal agony. Teams from across the Big Ten gathered on Ralph Young Field to compete to see who would be crowned the champion. Despite the bad weather, many of the competitors were excited for the start of the tournament and the fact it was held at MSU. "The facilities here are real good," said Steve Meyers, a Penn State junior competing in the shot-put and discus.

Police briefs 05/15/06

Gnarls Barkley debut lives up to expectations

"Gnarls Barkley is crazy." Those four words have been plastered across the Internet for months.

Biased professor in dire need of diversity training

I thank you for your editorial chastising of Professor Indrek Wichman ("Poor choice, professor," SN 4/27). One hardly expects sweeping stereotypes and unbridled bias from a university professor, whose education should have provided a more nuanced grasp of human history and civilization. All large groups have criminal elements.

'Poseidon' offers audiences thrills

"Poseidon" is a disaster movie, a genre that is as commonly seen during the summer as cold weather forecasts are seen during the winter.

Blues Brawl provides live music, competition

The fourth annual Capital Area Blues Society Blues Brawl will be held at the Green Door Blues Bar, 2005 E.

Beware: NSA collects your phone calls

It all began with the Patriot Act. The Bush administration started prying into our personal information in an effort to detect early signs of domestic terrorist activity by looking at our private lives.

'Art School Confidential' portrays bloody, comedic picture for viewers

Picture some colorful art students in the midst of a murder mystery, and voilá, the canvas is set for John Malkovich's latest flick — "Art School Confidential." The movie isn't quite a masterpiece, but it does have plenty of laughs and a plot that's about as lively as a Jackson Pollock drip painting. At times, the film seems very disjointed between scenes and kind of random.

Improved Opinion Page doubles as new friend, medium to share perspective

Reader, that's you, I want to introduce you to something. Right here before your very eyes is The State News Opinion Page. Are you excited yet? As the new opinion editor, I feel it is my duty to make sure you, the reader, and this page have a good relationship. In the hope of creating a better reading experience for you, the Opinion Page has a new face this summer.

MSU community is smart, knows Nazis are bad, evil

Courtney Couvreur's column "SN coverage overly sympathetic to Nazi cause; harms community" (SN 4/28) is flawed in two respects.