Friday, January 2, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Multimedia

COMMENTARY

Kerry the man with the plan in 2004

Imagine the possibilities for our great country if the right man were president. With dynamic vision and the correct priorities, John Kerry will redirect the vast resources of the United States from war and tax breaks for millionaires, to meeting the glaring needs of the American people.

COMMENTARY

Mom and Pop

On the evening of a blazing East Lansing summer, follow the Red Cedar east, winding through the bramble, and weaving past the low ash branches until you reach a small clearing just past city limits.

MSU

DPPS tags bikes to be impounded

Campus is on orange alert. Brightly colored orange stickers have sprung up everywhere attached to unregistered bicycles because they are in violation of MSU Board of Trustees Ordinance 33.

NEWS

A mighty bridge

Although construction of the Mackinac Bridge began 50 years ago, Margaret Halava remembers the details of the bridge as if it was built yesterday. The bridge, which celebrated its 50th anniversary marking the beginning of construction this month, sways above the Straits of Mackinac with two main white towers, and nearly five miles of roadway. Halava, 86, of Okemos, worked as the administrative assistant to Prentiss M.

COMMENTARY

Theological stride

Support by lawmakers of a move allowing scholarships for theology students has scholars singing praises. The State Senate unanimously voted in favor of a bill last week to approve scholarship funding for theological studies Initial hesitation for the measure was prompted by the fear of dispute regarding the separation of church and state. However, laws that would deny scholarships for those who choose to study theology are essentially discriminatory.

MICHIGAN

E.L. parks, recreation programs losing money

East Lansing city officials are not getting the return investment expected from two of the city's parks and recreation programs. In the midst of another budget crunch, officials are looking at alternative ways to increase revenue with the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, and Active Living For Adults, the city's adult daycare program. The city's annual budget this year will contribute almost $1.2 million from its general fund to the Parks and Recreation Department.

MICHIGAN

WEB ONLY: E.L. Family Aquatic Center to open Saturday

The City of East Lansing Family Aquatic Center opens its 2004 season Saturday. The center features water slides, a zero-depth pool, room for sunbathing, an interactive play area and a wet-dry sandbox. Located on Abbott Road, just north of Lake Lansing Road, the center offers 10-day as well as daily passes.

COMMENTARY

Holy smokes

Smoke 'em if you got 'em, Michigan. Your worst fears of hefty state taxes on cigarettes are quashed, and we're so happy that we could cough up a lung. Not on the merit that smoking is a positive activity, of course.

NEWS

Theology students might get state aid

Lansing - Michigan students and lawmakers are overwhelmingly supportive of a measure that would make students studying theology eligible for scholarships previously unavailable to them under state law. A six-bill package awaits Gov.

COMMENTARY

Tax evasion nothing less than unpatriotic

Tax evaders beware: You are unpatriotic. April 15 has come and gone. What a relief to millions of private Americans, and also to public corporations, which have a whole year to talk to their lawyers and accountants and plan how to avoid taxes in 2005.

MICHIGAN

Center to host event with Wharton official

The first executive director of the Wharton Center, Ken Beachler, will speak at noon on Thursday at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road. The speech will include Beachler's memories about Wharton Center headliners he encountered, including Duke Ellington and Tony Bennett. Lou and Harry's Five-Star Deli, 245 Ann St., will cater the day's lunch, reservations are required and tickets are $10. Call (517) 337-1113 for more information.