Research sheds light on evolution

What happens when you put together a biologist, a theoretical physicist, a philosopher of science and a computer scientist?With the added help of digital organisms from a computer, the answer is a new way of dealing with Darwin's theory of evolution."You can think of (digital organisms) as being like computer viruses, but ones that can mutate and evolve on their own," said Robert Pennock, associate professor of philosophy for Lyman Briggs School.

Tavarez, Lugnuts blank Burlington, 2-0

Lansing - The Lugnuts completed a three-game sweep of Burlington on Monday, downing the Bees 2-0 in the first and only game of a doubleheader on Monday.Lugnut righty Anderson Tavarez (4-0) tossed the first complete-game shutout of his career in the win.

Students concerned over visiting family in SARS infected countries

For many, a typical trip to a hardware store consists of buying plywood, tools and home fixtures.

Police briefs 05/14/03

E.L. bars combat alcohol abuse, receive awards

Two East Lansing bar owners were honored for their commitment to encourage responsible drinking by the Responsible Hospitality Council on Tuesday.Joe Bell, owner of The Peanut Barrel Restaurant, 521 E.

Chairman charged in $25K slander suit

A chairman of the Department of Horticulture was ordered to pay $25,000 in a slander suit involving a former MSU employee.Joan Runkel filed a lawsuit in August 2001 against Ronald Perry, chairman of the department, after he made comments to other staff members accusing her of trespassing on his property, entering his residence and destroying property.

Construction chaos

Traffic cones and ice cream cones will both be staples on campus this summer, leaving students stuck in lines both for treats and classes. Students traveling on campus will encounter detours and road closed signs on Farm Lane, Service Road and Brody Road. Dennis Hansen, construction superintendent at the MSU Campus Park and Planning division, said the construction is part of the university's maintenance program to improve the road conditions on campus.

Students screened from SARS-infected countries

Although some universities are responding to the SARS outbreak by discouraging international students from attending school or isolating them once they arrive, MSU officials say they have no such plans."No students have been denied admission or isolated thus far," said MSU spokesman Terry Denbow."We have no blanket policies about this, other than screening those who are coming from or recently have been to SARS areas." The epidemic known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, caused the University of California-Berkeley to initially turn away about 500 summer students from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

E.L. doesn't raise parking rates

East Lansing City Council members decided charging students more for parking is not the way to entice them downtown. At a work session Tuesday, councilmembers discussed three possible plans for the parking section of the upcoming budget, to be approved May 20. Mayor Mark Meadows said he was concerned some of the options focused too heavily on rate increases, and stressed a parking budget be implemented without raising rates. The new parking budget will attempt to stray away from increased parking rates, and will focus more on drawing customers into the downtown parking area by offering new parking products and alternatives.

Women in political office stand out as mentors, role models

Women in the political arena remain strong political role models through obstacles and stereotypes, female politicians say."There's always an effort to stereotype women as being interested in only a narrow set of issues that are called 'women's issues' and the reality is, every issue is a women's issue," U.S.

'U' tops list of alcohol arrests

MSU ranked No. 1 in the country for alcohol arrests on college campuses in 2001, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.The Chronicle reported 898 alcohol-related arrests at MSU last year, up from 852 in 2000.

Aid helps low-income students choose 'U'

University officials say a recent study regarding low-income students choosing not to attend elite universities does not reflect conditions at MSU.The study, conducted by the Century Foundation in Washington, D.C., found students who are accepted to universities choose other higher education options because they, along with their families, cannot afford to pay the increasing cost of tuition.

Art festival set to transform downtown E.L.

The 40th annual East Lansing Art Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday in downtown East Lansing.

Bernero confirms run for Lansing mayor

State Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, confirmed his candidacy for Lansing mayor Tuesday morning."I'm running for mayor because I believe Lansing needs bold and effective leadership and we need it now," he said.Bernero said he plans to work toward increasing the safety of the city and revitalizing Lansing's downtown, Old Town and the Riverfront area.

Vulgarity is becoming an ugly norm

There was an old hermit named Dave who kept a dead ____ in his cave. Now if you can fill in the blank and finish the limerick you definitely are showing your age.

Victory Games kick-off Thursday at 'U'

The 28th annual Michigan Victory Games begins Thursday at IM Sports-West. More than 100 athletes with physical and visual impairments from Michigan and surrounding states will compete in events including table tennis, bocci ball, track and field, power lifting, cycling and cross country.

So far, so good for Granholm, which isn't good for local Republicans

I think Gov. Jennifer Granholm's doing a pretty decent job as governor and that pisses me off. As the top College Republican operative in the state, one of my main duties is to help lay the groundwork for defeating her in 2006.

'The Matrix Reloaded' ready to hit theaters Thursday

The Matrix trilogy returns to the screen with the sequel, "The Matrix Reloaded," hitting theaters Thursday.

Strong pitching leads Lugnuts to win

Lansing - The Lugnuts rolled to a 2-0 victory over the Burlington Bees Monday behind strong pitching from Lugnut righty Anderson Tavarez.Tavarez tossed his first professional complete-game shutout, scattering just four hits and walking none while icing seven Bee bats.Lansing stepped out to a quick lead as third baseman Robinson Chirinos drove a solo home run over the wall in right field with one out in the bottom of the first inning.The next three batters reached base safely off back-to-back singles and a walk, bringing right fielder J.J.

Eco members upset over voting policies

Eco officials say they are disappointed a $5 tax for renewable energy will not be added to student tuition bills this fall, even though the referendum was approved by about 3,800 voters. In April, the University Student Appeals Board denied a request by ASMSU to disregard a university rule which requires more than 50 percent of undergraduate students to vote and the majority of those voters to pass a new tax when it's placed on MSU's undergraduate student government's March ballot. The voting numbers were not released until after the board made its decision to deny Eco's request. The number of "no" votes for the tax referendum was less than 1,000. Eco, an environmental student organization, came to ASMSU to have the $5 tax added to the organization's existing $13 tax.