Kalamazoo Promise buzz brought to light

I recently read Gabrielle Russon's column "Kalamazoo schools serve as prime example for others to follow" (SN 3/24). I was thrilled that she brought this wonderful idea to the attention of everyone not from the west side of the state or who missed it in the Detroit and Lansing papers. When I first heard about it I thought it was probably one of the coolest things I'd ever heard. However, I think she missed one of the main points in the story.

Building a bioeconomy

Bioeconomy — it can't be looked up in the dictionary. And while Gov. Jennifer Granholm and MSU President Lou Anna K.

Bring us your masses

There are millions of illegal immigrants in America. And if currently debated legislation is passed in the Senate, they could be on their way to becoming citizens.

Five favorites

Things going on in the world of pop culture that might make your life a little bit better: 1 "Memoirs of a Geisha," a movie about a Japanese child who is taken from her poor family to work at a geisha house before World War II, is released on DVD today.

Keep on truckin'

You've probably seen them around campus by now. Instead of green Dodge Dakotas that made everyone scramble to put more change in the meters, there are six brand-new, shiny, extended-cab Dodge Dakotas to help parking enforcers get around. The MSU Department of Police and Public Safety Parking Services has upgraded its 2002 vehicles to the newest 2006 models. Given that $2 million of the department's funding is from parking tickets, it might appear to many students that their misfortune paid for those new vehicles. Due to constant low-speed driving and the increased amount of seat wear from parking enforcers getting in and out of the vehicles, parking officials said the upgrade was needed. But the necessity depends on how you look at it. For students who drive and park on campus, the lack of legal and cheap areas to park is made worse by parking enforcers who are sometimes pitiless and "just doing their job." In "Showdown at the meter" (SN 2/28), it's clear that parking enforcers are not popular and sometimes the target of drivers' anger (spitting, yelling and lifting a vehicle while the enforcer was still inside). It would seem that anyone who has ever paid a ticket would have a stake in how it was spent.

Here come the geeks

Sporting a clip-on tie and the white-socks, black-pants combo that makes fashion-followers freak, Joel Urbanowicz is a true geek.

Law course readies students for technology in courtroom

Many professionals in the law field, including lawyers and paralegals, are switching over to electronic evidence programs as courtrooms become more high tech. And MSU College of Law students are following suit. A new course, called the Courtroom Technology and Electronic Evidence Lab, is open to law students and practicing attorneys. This semester, two sessions of the course were offered to students, including one that is currently in session. The lab teaches students how to use a program called TrialDirector Suite, which is the most-used trial presentation software. Bonnie Dabb, a judicial assistant for Judge David McKeague of the U.S.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Local fraternity house could be demolished for proposed downtown development

A new development in downtown East Lansing could turn a local fraternity house into a parking lot. The Theta Delta Chi house, located at 139 Bailey St.

Student featured in TV series

Student affairs administration graduate student T.J. Jourian has made many transitions throughout his college career.

WEB EXTRA: Softball team faces Eastern Michigan at 2 p.m.

The MSU softball team opens its home season at Old College Field against Eastern Michigan at 3 p.m. today. This past weekend, MSU went 3-1 in the IU Softball Classic.

Big culture gap exists between France, U.S.

After I returned to MSU from a week in Paris during spring break, I was walking down Grand River Avenue and something weird happened.

Criteria lags with dark, whiny style

Lead singer Stephen Pedersen seems to be going through a therapy session rather than making a rock album. But is Criteria trying to make a rock album?

Lansing City Council delays decision on Bernero's budget plan

Lansing — After almost two hours of comments from Lansing residents, the Lansing City Council decided to review Mayor Virg Bernero's proposed budget for two weeks before making a decision on possible cuts. "We will read the material and listen to the people and look into every consideration to maintain a balanced budget," council President Harold Leeman said. In his proposal, Bernero said he will not raise taxes or cut staff from the fire and police departments — although many other changes will have to be made to trim the city's $11 million deficit, including cutting city jobs and raising fees for Potter Park Zoo. Bernero was frank when presenting his proposal. "The budget will not please anyone," Bernero said.

Police briefs 03/28/06

The price of education

More than 1,500 teachers in the Detroit Public Schools protested in a way that would show their unhappiness with the school district Wednesday.

Violent crimes down in E.L.

The number of serious crimes in East Lansing last year was the lowest in the past decade, but the number of other offenses, such as disorderly conduct and speeding, have increased, according to East Lansing crime statistics released Monday. The decrease in serious crimes follows a national trend.

Plenty of music acts scheduled at Wharton

The fall season is filled with big names and a wide variety of musical styles at the Wharton Center.

Seniors set bar high for future of MSU hockey

Albany, N.Y. — The hockey team's 5-4 loss to Maine in the NCAA East Regional Finals was a complete turn of emotions from what the Spartans felt nearly one week prior after clinching the CCHA playoff championship. Instead of smiles and hugs, there was an abundance of long faces for anyone wearing green and white after the game. After they watched Maine celebrate on the Pepsi Arena ice they skated over to the MSU fan section that made the trip from East Lansing and saluted the fans with their sticks the same way they salute fans after every home game — win or lose. And as the players' sticks hit the ice for one last time this season, the careers of the four regularly dressed seniors — David Booth, Corey Potter, Colton Fretter and Jared Nightingale — came to an end. "It's pretty sad right now," Fretter said, at a loss for words following the game. The only thing that could have prevented the sadness was a national championship and even then there would still be tears, although they would've been associated with another emotion. But in a few days when the seniors have had time to reflect on their college careers, each will realize they were part of something special. Before this season, the seniors had to field questions from the media on why they weren't in the national tournament, why they couldn't win the CCHA or why they couldn't get two weekend wins. This year, they accomplished all of that and converted critics of MSU hockey into fans.

Student bicyclist hit

Usually, you can't miss him. Erik Green rides a double-decker bike — a dark blue frame stacked on top of a copper-colored one.

Congress could cut local grants

It's basic economics — the trickle-down theory. Congress is forced to make budget cuts.