New laws penalize water polluters

Lansing - Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed two bills during Thursday's Earth Day celebration at the Capitol that will charge Michigan's polluters for dumping industrial and toxic wastes into the state's waterways. The laws require dumpers to pay one-time or annual fees for the unloading of wastes into Michigan's rivers, lakes and groundwater. One of the laws requires municipal dumpers to pay a minimum of $400 annually for surface water dumping in small communities and up to more than $200,000 in larger cities, such as Detroit.

In a bind

Near the front entrance of the East Lansing Public Library, Tinisha Kuykendoll sprawled on a cement bench Thursday afternoon, taking in the sun and a good read. Extending David Hadju's "Positively Fourth Street" an arm's length above her, Kuykendoll was immersed in the description of the lives of folksingers Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. "The images form out of your own imagination," said the East Lansing High School sophomore and library page.

Armenian genocide focus of lecture, vigil

Guest lectures and a vigil on campus Saturday will commemorate the 89th anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian genocide.

'Kid's Fest' to include face painting, sports

MSU's campus will play host to a carnival for inner-city children today. The fourth annual "Kid's Fest" will feature food, fun and games for more than 300 children from inner-city areas.

Safety first

You know teenagers today. They're crazy. Much crazier than when we were all teenagers. They try to find ways to stay out past curfew, snag their first beer or first drug and then try to top it all off with a clumsy first venture into having sex. Those crazy, rotten teenagers.

Planet-friendly

It is that time of year again, when nature and environment enthusiasts from across the globe unite to celebrate planet Earth.

Annual festival puts art glass in Center of Lansing

Diane Kent traces precise flower-petal shapes on the marbled purple glass. She carefully wraps the edges of the colored glass with copper, another step in the stained-glass process.

Center deals with building problems

Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part series highlighting effects of the forecasted state revenue-sharing cuts, which impact the East Lansing city budget. Atop the gravelly, bi-level roof of the Bailey Community Center, numerous tufts of green moss grow without restriction. It is a section of the roof built below the roof's main level that rarely sees the sun and has suffered for it with a segment that no longer stops the rain. During a strong storm or winter thaw, the building's corridors are lined with buckets to catch the water dripping from the ceiling.

Family planning, conserving Earth's resources go hand in hand

In the midst of all the chaos that comes with the end of the year, there are two major dates that students should save: Today is Earth Day and April 25 is the March for Women's Lives.

Wideout ready to 'release the beast'

Junior wideout Aaron Alexander has shown more of his talents than most MSU athletes. He's been an up-and-coming quarterback, a surprise bench player for Tom Izzo and, most recently, one of the Spartans' most dangerous wide receivers. But, he says, MSU fans still don't know the real Aaron Alexander. "I got a whole other side of me, another drive that a lot of people haven't seen yet and I'm just waiting because I haven't really been healthy yet," he said.

Police briefs 04/22/04

Business as usual for reopened pizza shop

Gumby's Pizza recently reopened after a four-month hiatus, and while its manager says business is better than ever, some former customers aren't returning. The pizza shop closed in December when a water pipe burst in its building, 311 W.

WEB ONLY: Lugnuts take 2nd straight over Snappers

Lansing - An early offensive explosion and solid pitching gave the Lugnuts their second straight win against the Beloit Snappers on Wednesday at Oldsmobile Park. Carlos Marmol allowed only two runs on five hits in eight innings, and designated hitter Brian Dopirak hit his third home run of the season to lead the Lugnuts to a 5-3 win. "It was a good pitching performance by him, and boy, Dopirak is hot, swinging the bat good," Lansing manager Julio Garcia said.

Students participate in silent protest

Kristin Dunn, dressed in black shorts and a black T-shirt, might have blended into the steady student foot traffic along Farm Lane on Wednesday - if it weren't for the giant silver strip of Duct tape plastered across her mouth. As a participant in MSU student groups' recognition of National Day of Silence, the communication sophomore stood on the sidewalk handing out fliers to passersby.

ASMSU officials attend House Appropriations meeting

Lansing - Rifling through a budget lit by sunlight from a side window in the state House Appropriations room, Andrew Bell checked line by line to make sure higher education appropriations hadn't changed. Wednesday morning, Bell, ASMSU's director of legislative affairs, attended the first of four state House higher education subcommittee meetings to determine next year's Michigan college and university funding. "We're going to make sure we're not left out of anything, that nothing slips by us," Bell said.

Children, 'U' paint river trash cans

Undergraduate students, staff and children from the Lansing School District met Wednesday to discuss the importance of keeping Michigan water clean through artwork.

Late-inning rally lifts Spartans to 9-4 win

It was a typical MSU-Central Michigan baseball contest coming down the stretch. The teams were neck and neck, and whenever one seemed to gain the momentum, the other would charge back to even the score. But Wednesday, it was the Spartans who stole and kept the momentum in the late innings, downing the Chippewas at Kobs Field, 9-4. "They always play us tough," MSU manager Ted Mahan said.

Faculty support needed at meeting

I urge my colleagues across MSU to attend the Academic Senate meeting today at 5 p.m. in B108 Wells Hall.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Suspects remain at large after Mayo Hall robbery and battery incident

Three men remain at large following a robbery and assault in Mayo Hall on Wednesday.MSU police Sgt.

Meeting focuses on budget

About 40 people attended an East Lansing City Council meeting and public hearing regarding the city budget Tuesday. Though the meeting was held on campus at the Union's Gold Rooms A and B and allowed for public discussion of the coming year's budget, no MSU students were on hand to address the council during the public comment time. During the meeting, the city's Human Relations Commission presented the council with recommendations for allotting the city's general fund money that comes from taxpayers. Although cuts in city projects were suggested in order to balance the city budget, the commission did not recommend an increase in property taxes. Due to an expected 2005 state budget deficit of $1.3 billion, local governments have received less funding.