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NEWS

Expert focuses on malnutrition

Don Jordan
November 18, 2003

The problem of micronutrient deficiency affects an estimated 3 billion people around the world, and for Professor Dean DellaPenna, that is too many. DellaPenna, an MSU biochemistry and molecular biology professor and one of the nation's premier experts in plant biofortification, is working with plant genomics to produce crops that contain greater amounts of vitamins and minerals. His research is being done as part of HarvestPlus, a global alliance of research institutions and implementing agencies that have come together to research, breed and disseminate crops that will aid in the global fight against micronutrient malnutrition. "The main goal is to provide a healthy diet to people living in all the countries of the world," DellaPenna said. The $50 million dollar project will spread out over five years, with half of the funding coming from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

NEWS

MIDDAY UPDATE: Lansing awaits decision on Wolverine Pipe Line issue

The City of Lansing and the Wolverine Pipe Line Co. are awaiting a decision by the Michigan Supreme Court as to whether Wolverine needs the city's approval to build a 26-mile gasoline pipeline - a portion of which would run through Lansing.The two sides argued their case before the court Thursday in what was the latest in the company's almost three-year struggle to construct the pipeline."It was a lively debate," said Lansing City Attorney Jim Smiertka, adding that he could not guess on what the outcome will be.

COMMENTARY

U.S. sex education puts women at risk

I find it highly unreasonable that a person will point the finger at anyone considering an abortion and say, "You should have thought about the consequences of sex before you went and had it," or my favorite, "Use an available contraceptive." I believe this argument should put all of its moral issues aside and examine the real problem: the comfortable, reasonable discussion of sex.

COMMENTARY

Women have no right to play God

I was saddened and disappointed when I read Preeti Prasad's column "Right to abort between woman, doctor not her legislators" (SN 11/11). I feel she has misinterpreted abortion in her column.

MSU

'U' officials suggest revisions to Proposal A

Evan Rondeau
November 18, 2003

Proposal A needs to be tweaked to preserve revenue for Michigan schools, a report released Monday concludes.David Plank and David Arsen, co-directors of MSU's Education Policy Center, released the findings of the report Monday at the Kellogg Center.

MICHIGAN

Democrat 'Bring Success' act targets economic growth

Brian Charlton
November 18, 2003

State House Democrats unveiled an eight-bill package aimed at protecting and creating jobs on Monday.The Michigan Jobs and Opportunity Bring Success Act comes in light of the $920 million state budget shortfall and three weeks after Republicans introduced their jobs package.The Democrats say the plan improves the Republican plan by being revenue-neutral, addressing rising costs of heath care and prescription drugs and supporting the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority."We need to jump-start this economy, because nationally we're getting no help," said House Democratic Leader Dianne Byrum, D-Onondaga.

COMMENTARY

Culture club

Some of life's best lessons are learned beyond classroom walls - and MSU's study-abroad program is continuing to prove this. MSU's commitment to leadership in international study programs recently has been marked by growing student interest in programs such as the College of Engineering's session in Russia.

NEWS

'U' tops nation in studying abroad

Evan Rondeau
November 18, 2003

MSU sent more undergraduate students abroad last year than any other U.S. institution, according to a report released Monday.A total of 235 institutions responded to the survey, which was conducted from Oct.

SOCCER

Men's soccer doesn't receive NCAA Tournament bid

The MSU men's soccer team did not receive a phone call from the NCAA championship committee Monday for an invite to the NCAA championship.The Spartans (11-5-2) lost to Penn State during the first round of the Big Ten tournament last Thursday, 2-1.Indiana defeated Penn State to win the Big Ten Tournament Sunday in Bloomington, Ind.

MICHIGAN

Young, old residents fear cuts to revenue sharing

Sarah Mcevilly
November 18, 2003

About 50 city residents and officials packed into the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, on Monday to discuss how cuts to revenue-sharing funding would affect the quality of life in the city.The concerned citizens wore brightly colored tags to the forum with the words "Save our revenue sharing" and "Revenue sharing is critical to us" while addressing the importance of the city programs they represent.Public safety, road repair, library funding and programs for children and senior citizens could be affected if revenue-sharing dollars are slashed to alleviate the $920 million state budget deficit."These are programs that are at the core of what this city is about," said City Manager Ted Staton, who led Monday's discussion.

MSU

Marathon of Majors to be Thursday in Bessey

The Undergraduate University Division is sponsoring the Marathon of Majors from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday in hopes of alleviating some of the confusion undergraduates face in choosing a major. The event will be on the first-floor classroom wing of Bessey Hall.

FOOTBALL

Injuries drag down 'U'

Jon Styf
November 18, 2003

As MSU's season moves downhill with three consecutive losses, injuries continue to plague the team.One of the downfalls of the past week occurred on Thursday, when sophomore safety Eric Smith came down wrong, twisting his knee when defending a pass thrown to senior wide receiver Ziehl Kavanaght.On Saturday, head coach John L.

NEWS

MIDDAY UPDATE: Son likely to claim insanity in murdered professor trial

Steve Eder
November 18, 2003

Bramlett Hamilton, who is accused of killing his mother, an MSU professor, will undergo a psychiatric examination to determine if he is competent to face charges, a judge ruled Tuesday.Hamilton, a 35-year-old MSU graduate, is likely to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, attorney Vincent Green told the court at the pretrial hearing at the 55th District Court in Mason.Hamilton's mother, urban affairs Professor Ruth Simms Hamilton, 66, was found dead in her Meridian Township home on Nov.

BASKETBALL

Point guard position poses questions for Izzo's squad

Brian Beute
November 18, 2003

It'll be the question of the season for the Spartans.Well, maybe second to "Can they win a national championship?"Will the point-guard-by-committee approach suffice for the men's basketball team's postseason powerhouse dreams?Juniors Alan Anderson and Chris Hill, senior Rashi Johnson and freshman Brandon Cotton are members of the quarterback committee."We really have three or four guys that can run the point," sophomore center Paul Davis said.