Lack of experience for back-ups taking its toll on defense early

Last year on the scout team, Kaleb Thornhill's practice assignments were handed to him on a small card.

Rock your body

Welcome back to "Rock Your Body," The State News' fitness and nutrition column. Each week, we hit up our local experts with some questions and pass on their wisdom to you. But before we get to the goods, we thought we'd tell you a little bit about who'll be giving you advice. Jim Pivarnik: Jim is a professor of kinesiology and epidemiology.

WEB ONLY: Big Ten teams debate the use of instant replay

Big Ten teams saw the good and the bad side of instant replay in the first week, but overall, coaches and players said it is a good idea for college football. "I think it's a really good thing because some of the calls the refs make aren't always the right calls," MSU senior linebacker Ronald Stanley said.

SN's portrayal of students unfair

I am writing in regard to "Student groups march for migrant workers" (SN 9/7). The State News' portrayal was extremely racist and presented an inaccurate picture of the panel discussion.

Green Party presidential nominee David Cobb to visit Mich.

Green Party presidential nominee David Cobb will speak in Lansing on Wednesday, according to area Green Party activist Steve Herrick. Cobb, who coordinated Ralph Nader's 2000 Green Party presidential campaign, joined Nader in June as a viable third-party presidential candidate.

Q & A with Angela Karkau

The State News chatted with Angela Karkau, a supervisor for the Special Event Security Employees, commonly known as Greencoats.

Q & A with Brian Kelly

After finishing last in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, Central Michigan (3-9 overall, 1-7 conference) hired Brian Kelly as its new head coach, replacing Mike DeBord. Kelly comes to Central from Grand Valley State University, where he was the head coach for 13 seasons and won back-to-back national championships in 2002-03, and also finished second in 2001. Central lost at Indiana University last week, 41-10.

Students should spend more time at theater

My fear of approaching my mid-twenties was subdued last week when I attended "The Little Foxes." The only people that even came close to my age range were the few 10-year-old children of the actors and actresses, who spent most of the play in chairs kicking their feet where ground was supposed to be. Everyone else was, well... old. For most plays in the area, audiences are made up of older people - mostly those in their 60s or 70s. Although there is nothing wrong with an older audience, there is something wrong with younger people not participating in or watching theater. It might be tickets that range from $15 to $40, or possibly the indispensable time younger people can't seem to spare. It could be a preference issue - some people simply prefer other forms of entertainment.

Local band showcases unique brand of country on 1st release

I have an open confession - a disclaimer, if you must - I like country music about as much as I like physics.

Lawmakers work to disperse, balance Mich. budget

Wednesday was a busy day for state lawmakers as they returned to chip away at next year's $39.7 billion budget. As the weeks dwindle before the Sept.

MIDDAY: Laura Bush visits Saginaw plant, addresses female business leaders

Saginaw - First Lady Laura Bush spoke today to a small group of workers and Bush-Cheney supporters at the Mahar Tool Supply Company in Saginaw. Addressing the group of about 175 people, Laura Bush spoke about small businesses, women entrepreneurs and the economy. "You're living a great American success story ? anybody who might want to start a business and make it grow," she said to the crowd. The Mahar plant in Saginaw is a family business that has been owned by Barbara Mahar Lincoln since her husband, James, passed away in 1978.

Walking with the dead

Beneath the shaded, rolling expanses of an 82-acre lot not far from campus, are many of the reasons MSU exists as the institution it is today. There, under oak and cedar trees, beneath aging obelisks and ornate headstones, lie some of the men whose names we base our daily lives around - usually without even realizing it.

Crash landing

A truck traveling north on Chestnut Road early Wednesday morning jumped the curb and drove into the Red Cedar River. The red Chevrolet S-10 truck had a male driver, whose condition is unknown. Rueben Nair, a psychology sophomore, said he and two friends heard the truck hit the curb at Chestnut Road and Kalamazoo Street just after midnight. Nair said the three helped the driver out of his truck, which was submerged up to its headlights.

Give freshman QB spot behind center

Who would have thought that the Spartans would walk out of Rutgers Stadium without a win? Sure, there was a lot of talk about all of Rutgers' returning starters and the improvement that the team has made in the last four years, but that game was inexcusable.

Starting quarterback still up in the air, Stanton back in mix

Senior Damon Dowdell is MSU's starting quarterback, but as ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast my friend." For the second straight week, head coach John L.

About time

It has been 2 years and 364 days since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks rocked the nation. It's also been 2 years and 364 days since Arab and Chaldean Americans have taken undue discrimination in forms never before seen or endured. Finally, action has been taken at the state level to connect the lives of Arab and Chaldean Americans to the Capitol.

Hockey cheer section looks for new recruits

Slapshots, MSU's student hockey spirit section, is looking for new members for the upcoming season. The cheering section offers ticket packages of 9-18 games, along with the chance to go on road trips and the opportunity to meet head coach Rick Comley. Other perks of being in the section include MSU Student Alumni Foundation membership and an official Slapshots long-sleeved T shirt. For more information or to purchase tickets for Slapshots, visit at www.msusaf.com or go to the SAF office on the third floor of the Union.

Police briefs 09/09/04

Critic gives top 10 songs to hear on a rainy day

One of the worst parts about FM radio is whenever something's going on in the world - politics, weather, school, etc.

MIDDAY UPDATE: First fined under E.L. noise ordinance recognize one-year anniversary

After loading three kegs into the back of a police car last September, Steve Hines, Adam Wells and Eddie Vargas were left with a sinking feeling of uncertainty - and instant stardom. "It was one of our first parties," Hines said.