Monday, January 12, 2026

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SPORTS

MSU, Detroit settles for tie

The chances are there for the MSU women's soccer team. The Spartans just aren't finishing. Despite outshooting their opponent for the fifth straight game, the Spartans squandered a 2-0 lead and could manage only a tie against Detroit Mercy on Wednesday. MSU head coach Tom Saxton said the team lacked focus, possibly because this was the last game the Spartans play before the Big Ten season. "I just felt we were flat as a team and as a coaching staff," Saxton said.

COMMENTARY

Out of where?

"Hi, Mom, I'm coming out." What's her first assumption here? Probably not that her son or daughter is announcing political leanings. But it's official: They're coming out … as conservatives. The first National Conservative Coming Out Day is today, and the MSU College Republicans and Young Americans for Freedom are promoting this event on campus. The day is to celebrate right-leaners and enable them to show pride in their political choice. But by using the phrase "coming out," it seems a little backwards for conservatives and detrimental to the campaign's statement. When someone says he or she is "coming out," they are, more often than not, announcing his or her homosexuality. Rarely, if ever, has this phrase been associated for any other group of people. It's most likely not coincidental Republicans have chosen this phrasing to mark their celebratory day.

MICHIGAN

Outdoor Circus brings sense of nostalgia to Lansing

Before Tetyana Synovyat launched herself 100 feet into the air at the Cole Bros. Circus on Tuesday, she stiffened her muscles and pressed her legs flat against the cannon's floor. The petite projectile's legs were locked, arms were tight and mind was focused. After a deafening boom from the human cannonball launcher, she detangled herself from the safety net and was again backstage, prepping for a motorcycle tightrope stunt later in the show. "You feel like you fly," the 9-year Cole Bros.

COMMENTARY

Dialogue must start after storm tragedy

A week ago I was having a conversation with my friends about race and Hurricane Katrina. I argued at the time that it was more important to get relief efforts up and running than to waste time pointing fingers and talking about race.

COMMENTARY

Columnist incorrect; SN wrong to print it

John Knowles' latest 'masterpiece,' "Opposition is trendy, but Iraq war is justified, more popular than most," (SN 9/13) is unfit to be printed in The State News because almost all the facts are wrong, which makes his message laughable at best.

NEWS

MIDDAY UPDATE: Engineering program attracts minorities

When Pedro Barba was looking at universities for his graduate study, he said a minority program in the MSU College of Engineering made up his mind. In 2000, the electrical and computer engineering graduate student became part of the Sloan Engineering Program, which is aimed toward minority students. The College of Engineering- the program's host - received national attention after "Hispanic Business" magazine ranked it fifth in the nation for Latino graduate students. Other schools in the top 10 include the University of Texas at El Paso, San Diego State University and Iowa State University. Barba said the Sloan program provides assistance for minorities that he hadn't seen before. "I come from a school for mainly Hispanics, but the Hispanics there are the minority," he said.

MSU

ASMSU positions remain unfilled

ASMSU's Academic Assembly has grown sizably in the last two weeks - 10 out of 11 student group spots have been filled and the total number of college representatives has doubled. Although the group had to add more tables to fit all the new members during its Tuesday meeting, about half of its college representative seats remain empty. Despite the open seats, Academic Assembly Chairperson Robert Murphy said he is happy with the group's progress. "I'm really pleased with what we've done so far," Murphy said.

FOOTBALL

Hoeppner: Game time needs to be addressed

Gone are the days of 3 yards and a cloud of dust from the Woody Hayes-Bo Schembechler era. In are the days of the spread offense, increased passing and increased scoring. This offensive transformation has led to an increase in the length of games during the past few years. Indiana head coach Terry Hoeppner expressed concern about the length of games in recent years. The Hoosiers' season-opening win at Central Michigan lasted 3 hours, 52 minutes.

FEATURES

Five favorites

The State News presents five things going on in the world of pop culture that just might make your life a little bit better. 1.