Hustle & Bustle

Returning students will battle more than the chilly weather this week. Winter book-buying season means fighting the year's largest crowd of bookworms.

Sessions promote harmony, enlightenment

The chanting began with a soft, feminine voice in the corner of the room. From the opposite side of the living area, the men's deep baritones joined in. With their eyes closed, legs crossed beneath them and hands raised to the sky, the 20 present members of the MSU Buddhist Study Group began their Friday night ritual in a typical home tucked away in a quiet East Lansing neighborhood. For these men and women, their week culminates with this chanting at 7 on Friday evenings.

Ludacris scheduled to 'Disturb Tha Peace' at Breslin

The Breslin Center will host two chart-topping rappers next month. On Feb. 29, Ludacris will promote his album "Chicken -N- Beer" with special guest Chingy, part of Ludacris' "Disturbing Tha Peace Family." Ludacris was recently nominated for two Grammy Awards, one for Best Rap Album for his second LP, "Word of Mouf," and one for Best Male Rap Solo Performance for "Rollout (My Business)." Both artists currently are sitting comfortably in the Billboard Top 20 R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Singles lists. The show will start at 7:30 p.m.

Pop tax bill to be introduced

Michigan pop drinkers may have to fork over extra cash for their carbonated drinks in the near future. The increase in pop prices would come from a sales tax one local lawmaker wants to add to all bottled and canned soda pops. Sen.

Downloads still banned despite subpoena ruling

Although the Recording Industry Association of America will now have a more expensive and lengthy process to obtain the identity of illegal file-sharers, students shouldn't see the ruling as a green light to download, university officials say. Last month the U.S.

International photo exhibit stops in E.L.

The corners of some of the pictures in a new photography exhibit at the Kresge Art Museum have begun to curl. It might be because the artwork was recently in a more humid environment, art Professor Peter Glendinning said.

Students can vote online for Democratic caucus

Democrats who don't want to venture out into the cold to support their presidential candidate on Feb.

Myers set standard with Michigan Capitol design

Elijah Myers set an architectural precedent when he used the U.S. Capitol as a model for the Michigan Capitol in 1871. Born Dec.

Moore tackles gun culture with grim accuracy, dead-on aim

I really wanted to dislike the best documentary made in the past few years. After reading last year's reviews hailing Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" as a brilliant and transcendent look at how America has become a culture of fear, gun nuts and conservatism, it made my mental list of DVDs to rent, and then of DVDs to own. Then, after Moore's scathingly anti-Bush acceptance speech at the 2003 Academy Awards for "Bowling for Columbine," I wanted to watch his documentary even more so I could dispel it as self-serving, politically motivated propaganda to make Moore's stubbly, bespectacled face the beacon of all things liberal and good. Over the long winter break, I finally got around to seeing it.

Flint offers more than just basketball

When I picked up the Dec. 3 issue of the newspaper. I was pleased to see the article featuring the MSU basketball players from Flint ("Hard life to hardwood" SN 12/3). However, as a Flint native, I was disappointed as I read through the first few paragraphs of the story.

Police briefs 01/13/04

MIDDAY UPDATE: Coalitions battle over affirmative action petition

Two Michigan coalitions are squaring off over a proposal that would let voters choose the fate of racial preferences in admission to universities and their uses in other public agencies. The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative kicked off a petition drive Monday to gather about 317,000 signatures from registered voters in order to put the proposal on the November ballot as an amendment to the state constitution. But those against the movement are already on the defense.

Capitol connection

Amidst the uninhabited wilderness of Mid-Michigan, a hastily constructed, temporary state Capitol arrived in Lansing 156 years ago.

Hallowed halls reveal historic treasures

Since 1879, visitors have been wowed by the detal and history found withinthe state Capitol's walls.

Izzo: Cotton still confused, receiving calls from schools

It seems imminent Brandon Cotton will transfer from MSU. At his weekly press conference Monday, MSU head coach Tom Izzo said the freshman point guard still was confused as to what he was doing, but mentioned Cotton's name when talking about college basketball transfers in general. "As of last night, it was still up in the air (if Cotton would start school Monday)," Izzo said.

Professor to discuss abortion's influences

Adrienne Asch, an ethicist and disability rights advocate and professor in biology, ethics and the politics of human reproduction at Wellesley College, will be speaking on the medical ethics of abortion on Wednesday. Her topic is "Emerging Issues in Abortion: Beyond Pro-Life and Pro-Choice," and will take place at 7:30 p.m.

Slot support

Adding slot machines to area horse race tracks could mean more money for agriculture and higher education, and more money in a time of low funds is always good. Legislation was recently proposed to create racinos, which add video, telephone and Internet wagering to Michigan horse racetracks and also could provide higher education some much-needed extra cash. In declaring his immediate support of pro-racino state legislation as a means of possibly generating university revenue, MSU President M.

Brightest & Best

The opportunity to earn her master's degree at Cambridge University has made zoology senior Sarah Lansing quite nervous. Lansing is one of two MSU students nominated for the prestigious Churchill Scholarship, and although she applied for the scholarship on a whim, the Chicago native is anxious to plan her post-graduate life. "The nomination was kind of last minute," Lansing said.

Private donations fund Capitol's 125th anniversary party

The kick off to a year full of ceremonies commemorating the Capitol's 125th anniversary begins Wednesday with a celebration in the building's rotunda for state officials. More festivities will take place throughout the year, but taxpayers' dollars will not buy a single streamer or balloon.

Flood displaces students, workers

A month after a third-floor water-pipe burst crippled an East Lansing apartment building, some MSU students are still without a home. As clean-up crews gut apartments and renovate the Delta Commons building, 315 W.