Illini holds reign as No. 1 in nation

After losing to Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament final last season, Illinois seemingly has something to prove this year. The No.

Stranded student returns

Julie Crane found herself alone in a foreign country where she didn't speak the language. Scared, without money or a permanent place to stay, she could rely only on herself to make it home. The day her study abroad group was to depart from Peru, the mechanical engineering sophomore realized she didn't have her passport.

Depeche Mode member, vocalist forms Erasure after five year break

In the music world, time is pretty relative. Few pop bands stick around for more than the given 15 minutes of fame; most never even make it past one-minute wonder status.

'Hotel Rwanda' stunning, accurate

Every once and a while, a film comes out that attempts to recreate the worst events in human history - events that cannot ever be adequately described, because words and pictures can never do justice to real experiences.

Mich. offices closed for Monday's holiday

The Department of State offices will close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, and Presidents Day, Feb.

Winter work-out gear

So, you've made a New Year's resolution to get back in shape, right? Yeah, just like the rest of us.

Columnist's love life destroyed by Destiny's Child

I'm struggling, y'all. I keep hearing all these stories about finding the love of your life in college.

New releases

In case the snow's kept you away from your local music shop, here's a roundup of new releases. Pop/Rock/R&B Artist: Esthero Album: We R in Need of a Musical Revolution (EP) Label: Warner Brothers Artist: Doobie Brothers Album: Minute By Minute Label: Audio Fidelity Artist: Destiny's Child Album: Destiny Fulfilled (Bonus Tracks) Label: Sony International Jazz Artist: Grant Green Album: His Majesty, King Funk Label: Universal Japan Blues Artist: Etta James Album: Best of the Modern Years Label: Blue Note And for a head's up - here are next Tuesday's releases. Country Artist: Bill Anderson Album: Gospel Gold: Softly and Tenderly Label: Brentwood Artist: Patsy Cline Album: Duets Label: Brentwood Latin Artist: Alea Album: Alea Label: WEA International Artist: Antonio Vega Album: Autorretratos: Lo Mejor De Label: Universal International Rock Artist: The Coke Dares Album: Here We Go With ... Label: S.A. Artist: The Detroit Cobras Album: Baby Label: Rough Trade

MSU diversity award nominations due

Members of the MSU community have until the end of this month to nominate those who help broaden society's view of diversity. The Excellence in Diversity Recognition and Awards program, or EIDA, created in 1990, promotes and encourages diversity by recognizing people in the MSU community who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and creativity in that area, said Office for Affirmative Action, Compliance and Monitoring Director Paulette Granberry Russell. "It gives us an opportunity to distinguish efforts of those who have supported issues around diversity broadly defined," Granberry Russell said.

Police briefs 01/12/05

Pistons far better off without Okur

In response to Matt Bishop's column "Pistons hurting due to loss of Mehmet Okur" (SN 1/11), the only thing more asinine than Okur only playing "3.3 more minutes per game than he did during his rookie campaign" is the assertion that the Pistons are struggling because of the loss of a man relegated to mop-up duty during the championship season. With Okur playing a minuscule role in the Pistons' playoff march to the title, a point that Bishop asserts several times, how can the blame for this year's lackluster showing be blamed on Okur's absence?

Market filters

Quentin Makowski smokes a carton of cigarettes each week. The Lapeer native calls himself "an avid smoker" and even wrote a paper in high school defending the habit.

Community center to host ceramics event

The Bailey Community Center, 300 Bailey St., will host a Ceramics Open House from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday. The event will be a chance to learn about ceramics, watch demonstrations and meet instructors.

WEB ONLY: E.L. Council discusses rental overlay, zoning at work session

The East Lansing City Council tossed around the idea of shortening the time a rental overlay district can remain untouched by new zoning petitions at Tuesday's work session. Questions from residents about changing the "no tamper" duration at the Jan.

Right to know

It wasn't meant to happen, but it did. You are not quite sure what to do next. It's hard enough just to get over the shock and confusion.

MSU accepts theology class for credit

Students taking a Catholic theology course at a local church can receive three MSU credits this semester.

Squirrel hunting expedition teaches columnist lessons about life

The beat-up van bumbled over the cultivated soil as we drove away from the dairy farm toward the forest. My friend, John, parked near a thicket skirting the denser wood.

Strict punishment a must for offenders

This letter is in response to the student writing "Retribution will not right past wrongs" (SN 1/11). Whether or not a rapist should be punished is by far one of the stupidest comments I have ever read.

High school MEAP to change in 2007

The MEAP, for high school students at least, is no more. Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a bill Jan.

Area relief collection continues

While senior citizens in Charlotte are making crafts and baked goods, local businesses and places of worship are urging others to donate money - and it's all for the same cause. Area residents and businesses still are contributing to the hundreds of millions of dollars the United States has sent to victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia and southern Africa. Members of the Islamic Center of Greater Lansing, 920 S.