Sunday, January 11, 2026

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COMMENTARY

Backup plan

Say, for whatever reason, a contraceptive failed. Then what? Time for Plan B. The Plan B pill, also known as the morning-after pill, is an increased dosage of birth control, which will reduce the chance of pregnancy by as much as 89 percent if taken within 72 hours of intercourse. In 1999 The Food and Drug Administration approved prescription use of the drug.

MSU

Value of 'One Book' event examined

The idea of MSU's "One Book, One Community" requires freshmen to read one book to unite the students and East Lansing residents by having a common interest, but some professors and students differ on the value of the annual program. This year's book assignment, Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner," is mandatory for all freshmen and encourages East Lansing residents to participate in book-related events from Aug.

FOOTBALL

Senior poised for return

The swagger is finally back for Ashton Watson. After a trying first three years, the senior cornerback has finally regained his confidence and the results have shown on the field. He is expected to be starting at left cornerback when MSU opens its season Saturday against Kent State. "I'm stronger mentally," Watson said.

NEWS

Welcome home

East Lansing quickly became alive this weekend as an influx of nearly 50,000 students moved back into town.

NEWS

Una nueva universidad - a new university

Thousands of miles from home, in a place far less tropical, Elizabeth Montoya-Romero shrieked at the sound of a familiar melody. "That's reggaeton!" she said, in reference to the music genre that blends hip-hop with Latin style.

COMMENTARY

Iraq constitution process similar to U.S.

In no country in the world do all citizens agree on everything. Iraq should hardly be expected to be the exception. As the troubled nation sends a signed draft constitution to parliament this week over the heads of the objecting Sunnis, it makes sense to take a look at the issues being argued, and a look at another document that also endured a long fight and a lot of compromise - the U.S.

MSU

Students adapt to facility upgrades

New floors, bleachers, locker rooms and workout equipment are among some of the updated features that greet new and returning students for the first time at IM Sports-West's renovated facility, which opened May 16. The new $5.5 million facility was renovated because the former building was not up to par, said Lawrence Sierra, director of Intramural Sports and Recreation Services.

SPORTS

Spartans fans to get season tickets outside of Izzone

Izzoned out? Now there's a place for you. A section of upper bowl seats will be set aside this year for students who want season tickets for men's basketball but aren't interested in the Izzone student section. "It will be a reserved section - reserved in more ways than one, I guess," senior associate athletics director Mark Hollis said. The new section will give students another seating option but won't change the way the Izzone is run, Hollis said. "The Izzone is our student section and that's something we want to support for the long term," Hollis said.

NEWS

Violence increases, arrests typical

Police officials said it was a typical Welcome Week this year - meaning they were handling nearly 100 alcohol-related incidents. Close to the same number of underage drinkers were arrested both on and off campus during this year's Welcome Week.

NEWS

Kite Runner 'surpassed hopes'

By Don Jordan The State News Khaled Hosseini describes the writing of his book, "The Kite Runner," as an "act of resurrecting the dead." The Afghan doctor and author used his own childhood experiences of growing up in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, to craft the novel, which chronicles the life of an Afghan boy alongside the history and politics of his country. The best-selling book is being used in the One Book, One Community program, which urges MSU freshman and East Lansing residents to read the book and then discuss it at various events throughout August and September. Hosseini was born in Kabul in 1965, but moved to France in 1976 after his diplomat father was assigned to the Afghan embassy in Paris.

NEWS

Book store rush fuels $$$

Name: Howard Ballein Age: 71 Business: Student Book Store, 421 E. Grand River Ave. Years with the store: 45 Education: Bachelor's degree in animal science from The Ohio State University How he started working with books: In college he was hired at a local bookstore.

MSU

ASMSU Web site redesigned to offer more info

Less than a month ago, ASMSU's Web site had half finished pages, broken links and missing information, but with some quick fixes and an outsourced webmaster, the Web site was revamped in time for Welcome Week. "We put as much information on the Web site for students, to show not only what exactly we offer, but what we're giving back to students," said Association Director Jason Bucholz.