'U' weapon violations rank No. 1

More arrests for possessing weapons were made on MSU's campus in 2001 than any other university in the country. The Chronicle of Higher Education released a report that places MSU in the top spot, ahead of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, the University of Kansas Medical Center, Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. MSU had 32 total weapons arrests, 12 of which were in residence halls.

Series a saga of epic size

The wait is over. Today the long anticipated "The Matrix Reloaded" will be hitting theaters everywhere to kick-off a summer of blockbuster expectations.

Lugnuts drop 2, tally 13 errors in losses

The road has taken its toll on the Lugnuts already and Lansing has only been gone for two days. After taking three of four games from Wisconsin (19-18) last week at home, the Lugnuts (21-14) have now dropped two straight to the Timber Rattlers. That isn't all Lansing is dropping.

Student death ruled accidental, drug overdose

Medical examiners determined a 23-year-old MSU psychology senior died from a drug overdose. John Cornelius Eckhold III was found dead by his father on April 20 after he hadn't heard from his son for a few days.

Sports briefs

Golfers Kansas-bound for NCAA tournament After a successful regular season, the No. 54 Spartans travel to Manhattan, Kan.

Messing with Texas politics adds twist to redistricting in Lone Star State

Who says politics aren't interesting? On Monday, demonstrating that the loyal opposition might actually be showing signs of life, a courageous group of Democratic state Legislators in Texas united to confront a shifty partisan redistricting plan by Republicans in the Texas Legislature. By emphatically walking out of the state legislature, these Democratic lawmakers deprived the Texas House of a quorum and prevented the Republican majority from passing a new Congressional redistricting plan. In order to avoid a forced return by Texas law enforcement, these bold legislators fled to Ardmore, Okla., outside the jurisdiction of Texas Rangers, thus providing a noble example of lawmakers who are willing to risk their careers for the sake of upholding democracy and the intent of the U.S.

Everyone should get equal rights

Recently, I stumbled upon an online column in The Daily Journal titled "'Lifestyle' of homosexuals can be changed" (TDJ, 05/08/03). Like every single one of the "ex-gay" pieces I have read, be it an article, book or letter to the editor, this one was laden with pure hatred, ignorance and disgust.

Police briefs 05/15/03

Weather raises risk of West Nile virus

Summer humidity and heat could bring an explosive mosquito population, increasing East Lansing's risk for the West Nile virus, city officials say. "The greater the mosquito population, the higher the concern that more people will get West Nile," said Dave Smith, environmental specialist for East Lansing. The city of East Lansing is implementing a program to monitor and control a large increase of mosquitoes during the summer months. East Lansing, along with many areas throughout the state, are at risk because of standing water and retention ponds which is creating mosquito breeding grounds, Smith said. The city has not had a mosquito control system in place in recent years, but the issue could be crucial this year, Smith said. "We have not done anything up until the point because mosquitoes were nothing more than a nuisance problem - now it is a human health issue," he said. Employees in the East Lansing Department of Public Works are identifying mosquito breeding grounds and placing donut-like cakes of larvicide to keep new mosquito populations down. The cakes, or "dunks," are composed of a natural bacteria found in soil that kills mosquito larvae. "We are trying to get ahead of the situation because there will most likely be cases of West Nile virus, it's just a question of how many and how severe," public service administrator Angela Mabin said. At a work session Tuesday, department officials explained the affects of spraying a higher-toxicity insecticide to combat the mosquitoes. "Targeted spraying would be the last resort," Mabin said.

Women in politics

As a 20-something and recent MSU alumna, Debbie Stabenow found her call to service in politics as many of her male counterparts found theirs in the U.S.

Proposed bill would amend gender-exclusive references

In November, Michigan elected its first female governor - but you wouldn't know that from reading the state constitution. Written in 1963, the document refers to the governor using male pronouns on several occasions. State Rep.

Attacking Annika

Discussion in the golf world has shifted from Tiger Woods to Vijay Singh and his comments about Annika Sorenstam playing at the PGA Tour's Colonial tournament in Fort Worth, Texas next week. Sorenstam, 32, is the first woman in 58 years to compete in the PGA and Singh is upset with her presence. Singh said in an Associated Press interview on Sunday that he " hopes she misses the cut...because she doesn't belong out here." On Tuesday, Singh tried to correct his statement by saying he did not want Sorenstam to miss the cut.

Art fest planned for E.L. streets

Saturday and Sunday the streets of downtown East Lansing will transform from the familiar string of shops and restaurants into an international art community.

Beastie Boys' second offering layers beats, acclaims, rhymes

When the Beastie Boys exploded onto the scene with the 1986 "License to Ill," their staying power was questionable.

Matrix reload

Get ready to free your mind - again. An unforgettable action-packed freeway battle, a kung fu fight against multiple Agent Smiths and Neo soaring like a bird is what reloads this latest installment of the Matrix series. "The Matrix" began with the story of Neo (Keanu Reeves), a hacker who was told his reality was simply a "computer generated dream world" created by machines to enslave the human race.

No. 1 problem

Picture this. It's a football Saturday and the tailgaters are out in droves. Grills are fired up, stereos are blaring and the alcohol is flowing like water.

Professor receives award

Yong Zhao has dedicated his research to bridging technology and the educational process. His work has now been recognized by the American Educational Research Association. Zhao, an associate professor for the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education, was awarded the Raymond B.

'U' helps lure graduates to MI

Researchers at MSU and other institutions across the state are working on ways to get more college graduates to come to Michigan. Many Michigan graduates find jobs in the state, but employers are hoping to attract out-of-state graduates as well, researchers have found. "Since 1996, 72 to 76 percent of Michigan grads have stayed in the state," said Phil Gardner, director of research at MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute.

'U' helps lure graduates to MI

Researchers at MSU and other institutions across the state are working on ways to get more college graduates to come to Michigan. Many Michigan graduates find jobs in the state, but employers are hoping to attract out-of-state graduates as well, researchers have found. "Since 1996, 72 to 76 percent of Michigan grads have stayed in the state," said Phil Gardner, director of research at MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute.

Student City Council candidacy in review

The MSU student hoping to run for an East Lansing City Council seat might have to wait two more years. Caleb Marker, an international relations junior, turned his petition into City Clerk Sharon Reid, Tuesday with 55 signatures but not all signatures were valid, she said. A candidate must turn in an petition with at least 50 valid signatures from registered East Lansing voters. Five of Marker's signatures did not belong to registered voters in East Lansing and two were illegible, bringing Marker's signature total below the mark, Reid said. The clerk's office is working to verify the last two signatures, which must be validated for Marker's name to appear on the ballot. Marker also sits on The State News Board of Directors. If Marker's petition cannot be verified, only the three incumbents will be candidates.