Smokers pay up

Lansing - The State House brought Michigan one step closer to resolving the current fiscal year's $250 million deficit and balancing next year's budget by concurring Wednesday with a Senate version of a bill to raise the cigarette tax. State representatives approved the measure 55-52, but sent it back to the Senate with an amendment calling for half of the $3 million designated for smoking prevention to be applied toward programs aimed at helping smokers quit. "We have the potential to help 323,000 people quit in Michigan.

Jazz band back in E.L. area

The Midwest wants the funk, and Chicago's Urban Funk Ordinance lives to give it to them. For whatever reason, Urban Funk's Steve Schnall said the Midwestern states are comprised of some of the biggest funk lovers in the country. Maybe it stems from the history of funk in our underrated states, from Bootsy Collins' Ohio roots or rhythm and soul that has been resonated through Detroit's streets for decades.

Pledge/God issue sure to resurface

The U.S. Supreme Court routinely sidesteps issues. This is a common practice and if you'll look back over the history of landmark decisions you will find a "bubbling up" of the issue.

Spartans' 5th night home contest set for fall

For only the fifth time in its 81-year history, Spartan Stadium will host a night game. The MSU football team announced Tuesday the Sept.

Testing mind, body and soul

Lansing - Robert Cooley knows about life with HIV. When he was 8 years old, the Lansing resident contracted the virus from medicine that was made with HIV-infected plasma.

Rogers talks with new Iraqi leaders

After returning Tuesday from a three-day trip to Iraq, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, said Iraqis' attitudes are changing for the better and they don't want Americans to leave yet. Rogers, a former FBI agent and Army officer, traveled around the country with three other congressmen to review the progress toward Iraqi independence and developing greater security.

McPherson confident in Simon

He came from a highly political and finance-centered background, and she had spent the past two decades in an academic atmosphere at MSU, but President M.

Smoked out

The Michigan government seems to be participating in an anti-tobacco spree. On Tuesday, the state Senate and House passed a bill that will increase the cigarette tax by 75 cents, raising the price of cigarettes to $2 in taxes per pack.

Murder suspects' attorneys withdraw from case

The defense attorneys for the two men charged with murder in connection to the Feb. 29 shooting in front of an East Lansing 7-Eleven withdrew from their case Wednesday. Hugh Clarke and David Feinberg, who were representing Hatarie Deamont McCorkle and Eric Charles Gordy, respectively, both cited a "breakdown in the relationships with their clients." Both McCorkle and Gordy were present at the Veterans Memorial Ingham Circuit Court in Lansing, and, standing in front of Judge Thomas Brown in their prison jumpsuits, acknowledged they would each need court-appointed attorneys to further their legal proceedings. Gordy, 35, and McCorkle, 29, both of Detroit, allegedly shot and killed Lansing resident Joseph Lavon Parker, 34, and allegedly attempted to kill Lansing resident George Edward Whitfield.

Police briefs 06/24/04

Column overstates society's selfishness

In response to the column "Superficial modern society plagued by egocentrism, materialism" (SN 6/22), I fail to see how it is in any way detrimental for frequent television viewers to see lean and physically fit people on commercials or advertisements.

Sparty's move

Fans of MSU and traffic-dodging, we have some unfortunate news. "The Spartan," commonly known to all as Sparty, is getting a new home after 59 years at the intersection of Kalamazoo Street and Red Cedar Road.

Officials hike funding for diverse businesses

Lansing - Lansing officials are hoping a new ordinance will woo minority and women business owners to the city, but company leaders are unsure as to how much the measure will help to promote diversity. The Lansing City Council unanimously approved the Diversity Procurement Ordinance and its resolution Monday night, which will increase the city's spending on business contracts and supplies with women- and minority- owned businesses in Lansing. Councilmembers, Larry Meyer and Randy Williams were not present at the meeting. The council organized the Ad Hoc Committee on Supplier Diversity in response to several inquiries made by the Lansing branch's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, as well as inquiries from local women- and minority-owned businesses. The city's business contracts and supply bids range from restaurant catering at important events to paper towel suppliers in the city hall bathrooms, committee Chairwoman Carol Wood said. "We're making every attempt possible to encourage women and minorities to bid on city contracts and supplies," Wood said.

Scholarship honors Hamilton

Former and current MSU officials say a new scholarship named for Ruth Simms Hamilton will continue the former professor's legacy, while encouraging graduate students to study urban and black studies. The Hamilton Research Scholarship, announced earlier this week, is funded by a $500,000 endowment from Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association College Retirement Equities Fund, a New York investment and insurance company. For 35 years, Hamilton was a professor in the College of Social Science and focused on the African diaspora, which is a migration of people with a common origin, background or beliefs.

Open forum debates proposed smoking bill

Lansing - More than 30 people either testified or submitted an opinion card Tuesday at the Commerce and Labor Senate Committee's public testimony on the proposed ban on smoking in public restaurants.

E.L. bond strong

Though some students and faculty were stunned by the MSU Board of Trustees' quick decision naming Provost Lou Anna Simon the university's next president, many East Lansing officials said Simon's historic relationship with the city proves she's the best candidate for the position. "I think this was an outstanding decision by the trustees," Mayor Mark Meadows said.

Booth, Thelen await NHL Draft fates

A huge smile appeared on MSU junior forward David Booth's face expressing his anticipation of fulfilling one of his dreams - being drafted into the National Hockey League. "Growing up all you think about is playing in the NHL," Booth said.

Clinton's smooth talking antics adds charisma to scandalous behavior

Saturday Night Live star Darrell Hammond once summarized Bill Clinton with such remarkable accuracy that any attempt by the former president to do likewise would result in consummate failure. For this characterization, Hammond made reference to the heartfelt honesty Clinton could generate with the spoken word.

Bush administration riddled with lies

This letter is in response to Sean Conlen's letter to the editor concerning Michael Moore's documentaries ("Moore raises issues, distorts findings," SN 6/17). As Conlen stated, Moore excused inconsistencies and blatantly lied "in order to drive home an ideology," and furthermore that this was a "frightening trend" for political discourse.

Proposed soft drink tax problematic

I am concerned with the recent news that soft drinks could be taxed in the future. I strongly disagree with taxing soft drinks. Many students like to grab a cold soda on their way to class to refresh their minds.