Collins' swings are now connecting

It's 1:30 p.m. on a sunny Monday afternoon, more than five hours before game time, and Lansing left fielder Kevin Collins is already down in the batting cage, working on his swing. The Lugnuts slugger was recently named the starter and designated hitter for today's Midwest League All-Star Game, a long way from last season when his number of strikeouts almost doubled his number of hits. "Last year was a long year for me," Collins said.

Reagan death leads to skewed image

I will remember Ronald Reagan as the man who sent Donald Rumsfeld to normalize relationships with Saddam Hussein, despite knowing his horrible human rights abuses. I will remember Reagan as the man who sold arms to Iraq and Iran during the Iraq-Iran conflict, in which one million people were killed by U.S.

Out of pocket

A tuition increase of 2.4 percent has been passed by the MSU Board of Trustees for the 2004-05 school year.

'Dodgeball' right on target

Other than his part in "There's Something About Mary," I can't stand Ben Stiller's attempts at being a good actor.

Support group honors 10 years

The fear of germs and worrying about safety is quite normal, but when fears and worries begin to interfere with professional, social and personal relationships, OCD Support Group of Lansing officials say people might have a condition called Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Sail away

A recent report issued by the U.S. Sailing Association shows a considerable decline in participation in sailing. The report detailed statistics showing 100,000 fewer sailors have enjoyed the sport every year since 1992. In response, the national governing body of sailing in the United States is aiming to restructure itself in order to promote further involvement by the public. However, the current decline in the public's interest in the sport does not especially concern MSU Sailing Center Director Ken Warshaw. "The national decline in recreational sailing is due to the emphasis placed on racing," said Warshaw, who has been with the center since 1997.

Affirmative reaction

Less than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling on the issue of affirmative action, MSU and University of Michigan officials say it is too soon to tell whether the decision has had a significant impact on the number of minority students at either college. In June 2003, the court ruled U-M could continue to look at race in the admissions process, but could not grant points on an application because of it.

'04 grad serves as hotdogger

When MSU alumna April Lopez gets up to go to work every day, she doesn't climb into any regular company car; she drives a 27-foot-long, 1,450 pound hot dog-shaped car, also known as the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

Superficial modern society plagued by egocentrism, materialism

As I meander through my daily routines, I am saturated by multimedia that tells me what our society values.

Impact of 'U' presidents has far reach

When Provost Lou Anna Simon steps into the presidential role on Jan. 1, she'll impact both the day-to-day operations of the country's seventh largest university, as well as its prominence nationally and globally, officials say. Simon was named the university's 20th president on Friday as President M.

'U' presentation to discuss disabilities

The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine will sponsor a presentation Thursday entitled "Beyond Disability: Optimizing the Physician/Client Experience" as part of the ongoing Diversity Education Series. The event will begin at 12 p.m.

Police briefs 06/22/04

Run/walk to benefit Listening Ear center

The 7th annual Bob's 5K Run/Walk will take place at 8 a.m. Sunday in downtown East Lansing. The event, which will benefit the Listening Ear Crisis Center, will start at the corner of Albert Avenue between Charles and Division streets. Entry fee is $15 before the race, and $20 the day of.

Students need to vote to be heard

I was disappointed to read "Study: College Students Lack Political Motivation (SN 6/15)." State Senator Valde Garcia of Howell said it best: Those who don't vote won't be heard.

Festival seeks to keep jazz alive

In the 1950s the cultural elite congregated in smoky clubs, and under dim light with dry martinis or cosmopolitans in hand, they came to listen.

Slaves' emancipation honored

Lansing - July Fourth is, to some, the most patriotic of all U.S. holidays. It is celebrated to memorialize the formal separation of the colonies from Great Britain, which ensured America's freedom. However, many Americans observe another day of independence not found on most calendars. June 19, also known as Juneteenth or African American Emancipation Day, has yet to be recognized by legislators as an official holiday. Hundreds gathered in Lansing this past weekend for a three-day celebration titled "Beyond Emancipation - Toward Empowerment" to make a push toward getting legislation to make a holiday of Juneteenth, the day in 1865 when the remaining slaves in Galveston, Texas, were notified of their freedom after the Civil War. "Recognition is due," said Debra Plummer, chairwoman for the Lansing Juneteenth Committee.

Fox speaks in Lansing

Lansing - Before he even began speaking, thousands of people Thursday night gave Mexican President Vicente Fox a standing ovation as he entered the Lansing Center.

Trustees approve tuition increase

The MSU Board of Trustees unanimously approved the university's $710.6 million budget at Friday's meeting, which included an undergraduate tuition increase of 2.4 percent for in-state students and 5 percent for those from out of state. A 15-credit semester for an in-state freshman or sophomore costs about $3,022.50 and $3,367.50 for a junior or senior in the 2003-04 academic year, according to the Controller's Office.

Lansing wins 8-7 on homer

Lansing - With a playoff spot guaranteed, the Lansing Lugnuts had only one thing to play for Sunday afternoon - a chance to be in the record books. An 8-7 win over the Battle Creek Yankees tied the Lugnuts for the franchise record of 38 wins for a half-season, as they now head into the All-star break. "The record doesn't mean a whole lot to us," Lansing manager Julio Garcia said.

Fans celebrate championship in downtown Detroit with Pistons

Detroit - History junior Sean McDaniel squinted as his eyes adjusted to the sunlight Thursday morning at Detroit's Hart Plaza. "Boy, having a reason to wake up early - besides school - was great," he said. McDaniel and a group of his friends were among the one million people who crowded into downtown Detroit on Thursday for an afternoon of celebration. The reason?