Analysts: Despite decrease, jobless rate high

Michigan's unemployment rate for January dropped 0.4 percent from December's rate of 7.5 percent - the first decrease since last April, according to information released Wednesday from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. The monthly rate shifted back to the norm seen in the last couple years, with the exception of last November and December's exceptionally high rates, said Jim Rhein, a labor market analyst for the department. "We've sort of been at a plateau, and that's been really since early 2003," Rhein said.

ONLINE UPDATE: E-mail 'phishers' attack MSU Federal Credit Union

Students who respond to a seemingly legitimate e-mail from their bank could lose money from their account. MSU Federal Credit Union reported Thursday a "phishing" attack had hit the bank.

3-pointers not falling

It's no secret that MSU has been struggling with the 3-point shot lately. Since Big Ten play began, the Spartans have shot 30 percent or less from behind the arc nine times, a trend that continued Wednesday at Northwestern. "I'd like to see it improve," MSU head coach Tom Izzo said.

Spartans to face Illini

It has been nine days since the No. 8 MSU women's basketball team clinched its second-ever Big Ten Championship, and more importantly, since it has played a game. The Spartans (25-3 overall, 14-2 Big Ten) have been preparing without knowing who they are going to play.

Cooling off

When Troy Ferguson skated in green and white from 1999 to 2003, Munn Ice Arena was in the midst of a record sell-out streak, packing people into the arena to create one of the best atmospheres in college hockey. "When I played, the crowd was good," Ferguson said.

Religious season ends with fasting

For some, the new year means partying, parades and good times with friends. Members of the Bahá'í Faith, however, see their new year as a chance to get closer to God. Followers of the Bahá'í Faith on campus will join fellow members from around the world in celebrating the final month of the Bahá'í calendar with 19 days of fasting, which began Wednesday.

ONLINE UPDATE: Hundley hired as secondary coach

Football head coach John L. Smith announced Tim Hundley as secondary coach on Friday. Hundley, the defensive coordinator at UTEP last season, helped the Miners to an 8-4 record last season following a 2-11 record in 2003-04.

Police briefs 03/04/05

'Story' covers big-city media

BoarsHead Theatre has raised the bar for performance. The cast of "The Story" at BoarsHead Theatre, 425 S.

MSU staff member witnesses conflict in Nepal

Nanda Joshi encountered a world without phone lines, newspapers or local television on the first day of February. The MSU research associate in large animal clinical studies was visiting his family in Nepal when King Gyanendra seized complete power and eliminated the prime minister and parliament of Nepal. "I looked at the news and just after the king's speech, the phones went dead," Joshi said.

Filling the Gap: SN to relocate

The State News Board of Directors announced Thursday that it plans to relocate the student newspaper as soon as this summer to the building previously occupied by the Gap clothing store on Grand River Avenue. The State News General Manager Marty Sturgeon said an agreement to purchase the facility was signed, and she expects the deal to be final by early April.

New RHA leader hopes to improve on-campus living

The Residence Halls Association elected its new president Wednesday. Kevin Newman was elected by a majority vote of the group's General Assembly, and will assume the presidency in April. This is Newman's third year with RHA.

Bus drivers check more student IDs

Waiting for a Capital Area Transportation Authority bus in front of Berkey Hall, journalism senior Kristin Cain stood ready with a dollar for her bus fare. Cain said although bus drivers haven't required her to show her student identification in the past to receive a discount, many have begun requiring it recently. Cain said she lost her student card and will likely be asked to pay the regular rate, $1, instead of the 50 cent discounted fare. "It's ridiculous," she said.

Facts of assaults can't be ignored

This is in response to Thursday's "Assault coverage slanted the issue" (SN 3/3). I would like to start off by saying the fact that the assault made the front page, and was reported so quickly after the incident, is a small victory in itself.

Eyes on the prize

For those of you heading down to Chicago to cheer on your beloved Spartans, do not fear, there are plenty of places in the Windy City to keep you entertained, even when MSU isn't playing. The Gin Mill, at 2462 N.

Month of March has right feel for fans

Although it might look and feel like January outside, in terms of basketball and the calendar, it's March. Tournament time, conference titles, automatic bids to the Big Dance and it's already started for both the men's and women's NCAA teams. Can you feel the excitement? Every March, basketball fans get a taste of the game at its best with conference regular-season wrap-up games, conference tournaments and the NCAA tournament. When I was younger, I would run home from school or bounce in my seat on the bus ride home, waiting to see who had upset who in the afternoon games.

WEB-ONLY: Wrestling team heads to Iowa for Big Ten Championships

The No. 20 MSU wrestling team will head to Iowa this weekend, facing some stiff competition in the 2005 Big Ten Championships, hosted by Iowa. The Spartans will have their work cut out for them, with eight Big Ten schools ranked in front of the Spartans. MSU (7-6-1 overall, 4-3-1 Big Ten) faces another setback as it will be without 184-pound redshirt freshman Joe Williams, due to a nagging knee injury. "He's probably going to have surgery in another week or so," MSU head coach Tom Minkel said.

Seniors end MSU careers on Sat.

As MSU senior swingman Alan Anderson's final days as a Spartan tick down, he's remembering the little things. He remembers when MSU head coach Tom Izzo kicked him out of his first film meeting as a freshman. Slouched over and propping his head up with his arm, Anderson was drifting off.

WEB ONLY: Open mic poetry night to take place at 621

"Nu Poeticz," an open mic poetry night, will take place from 6 p.m. to about 11 p.m. on March 13 at 621, a bar located at 621 E.

'Women in Struggle' chronicles life of Palestinian women, plays on campus today

The MSU Students for Palestinian Human Rights is sponsoring a film viewing today to increase conversation on campus about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The documentary "Women In Struggle" will play at 7:30 p.m.