State continues talks on budget, economy

Lansing - Republican lawmakers and the Granholm administration will continue meeting this week to compromise on tax reform, the state budget and college scholarships. Members of the administration have been meeting regularly with Republican legislative leaders. House GOP leaders decided last week to put off a vote on their economic stimulus package after agreeing to requests from Democratic Gov.

'Wedding Crashers' fails to deliver solid plot line

It's a sad day for Hollywood comedy when good character actors skilled at improvisation are sidelined by terrible writing and dreadful plot lines. "Wedding Crashers" could have been a good film.

Police briefs 07/19/05

Bush, cabinet want only to keep power

The recent revelation that Karl Rove was involved in the outing of a CIA agent adds yet another piece to the puzzle of an administration willing to do anything to advance its policy.

Supreme Court seat might sway abortion laws

The issue of abortion could be affected by whom President Bush nominates for the U.S. Supreme Court seat vacated by Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement. O'Connor, the first woman to serve as a justice on the Supreme Court, announced her resignation July 1.

MIDDAY UPDATE: MSU Agricultural Expo brings variety in farming activities

For people who don't know how to manage manure, handle cattle or anything about the chestnut industry, the MSU Agricultural Expo can help. The Ag Expo will be held for three days, providing more than 250 exhibits and scheduled demonstrations designed to attract farmers and the general public on MSU's campus and offsite locations. "It was started as a way to demonstrate farm equipment, new research and new extension programs," said Laura Probyn, communications manager for the Ag Expo.

Officials warn against illegal use of wireless

Today's technology lets people use wireless connections to access the Internet, and the illegal use of wireless networks is an issue with some officials. Some use their neighbor's wireless Internet networks without giving it much thought, said Rich Wiggins, MSU's Academic Network & Computer Services senior information technologist.

Program helps freshmen adjust to college living

A group of incoming freshmen performed skits on college life on Friday in the McDonel Hall Kiva to wrap-up the one-week program Maximizing Academic Growth in College, or MAGIC. For nine years, the program's aim has been to provide incoming racial and ethnic minority students with information about transitioning to college through workshops and other activities.

Kitchen fire

A fire that started in the kitchen of Theio's Restaurant, 2650 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing, was contained to the establishment's cooking area, said Rick Curry, Lansing Township's deputy fire chief. "It appears the fire started over the grill area," he said, adding that it will take time to estimate how much damage was caused by the fire and how much it will cost the restaurant's owner.

Q & A: Dark New Day's Clint Lowery

Dark New Day has embarked on a summer tour to support its album, "Twelve Year Silence." The tour is the group members' first, as the longtime friends came together after splitting with bands such as Creed and Sevendust. After arriving in Lansing on Friday to play at the Common Ground Festival, guitarist and vocalist Clint Lowery, formerly of Sevendust, talked to The State News via phone from his tour bus. State News: How do you like Lansing so far? Clint Lowery: It's great.

Jesus accepting of all people, diversity

In response to Benjamin Greathouse's letter, I would like to remind him that Jesus accepted all people ("Homosexuality is a sin, Bible says so" SN 7/14). "Societal morality" is, in fact, decaying.

Letter offensive, illustrates hatred

I would like to thank Benjamin Greathouse for his reminder that hate still exists both on this campus and in churches around the country ("Homosexuality is a sin, Bible says so" SN 7/14). I am glad his chemistry degree has bestowed upon him the mastery of all theology, Biblical interpretations and the voice for Christians everywhere. With such credentials, I wonder if he gets as angry when The State News writes an editorial supporting our football team - after all, there is no legitimate interpretation of Scripture which could possibly be seen to allow touching pigskin (or wearing polyester clothes, for that matter). And the decay of societal morality (whatever that might be) is surely in huge danger from those feminist hippies who dare to sow more than one plant in their fields and eat lobster. Rather than argue against his hateful, self-assured rhetoric, I will simply thank those more open minded for their ability to accept equality, placing Greathouse and those like him in the minority at this university. Erik Green English senior

At 14, student enrolls at MSU

Paris-Lapazelle Moore is like many other incoming MSU freshmen trying to savor the summer by going to the movies.

Trial overdue

As the poster boy for American military involvement in Iraq, it's good to see Saddam Hussein's name in the news again.

Burton's 'Wonka' creative, darker than original

Let's get one thing straight - "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory" is not a remake of 1971's "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." Rather, it's an adaptation of the 1964 book by Roald Dahl, bearing the same title, and parallels the children's novel closer than Mel Stuart's generation-spanning favorite.

Spartans get verbal commit for fall 2007

After attending MSU football camp from Sunday through Tuesday last week, Lowell High School junior-to-be quarterback Keith Nichol decided it was the right time to give a verbal commitment to attend MSU in 2007. "There wasn't one coach that I didn't like," Nichol said Thursday.

Writers must protect sources; recent arrests 'scary' for journalists

"If the judge would permit it, I would go serve some of her jail time because I think the principle is that important, and it should be underscored." These were the words of renowned journalist Bob Woodward when he spoke on "Larry King Live" on July 11.

Study: Accidents 4 times more likely with cell phone use

Driving while chatting on the phone can increase the likelihood of a crash resulting in injury by about four times, according to a recent study. The study from the University of Sydney, Australia, which was published July 12 in the British Medical Journal, or BMJ, also said that hands-free phones are not any safer, said Suzanne McEvoy, who helped conduct the study. Researchers interviewed 456 drivers who were in the hospital for crashes and owned a cell phone.

Chief's choice

Chief Justice William Rehnquist will not be retiring just yet, according to a statement he made through his family last week.

Player pleads guilty to drunken driving

Senior wide receiver Aaron Alexander pleaded guilty to drunken driving charges and faces an Aug. 12 sentencing, a clerk from the 54-B District Court said. Alexander is still a member of the football team, said John Lewandowski, assistant athletics director and director of Sports Information. However, Lewandowski wouldn't comment on whether MSU football head coach John L.