Unfair fight

The unfortunate reality of war is that citizens not directly involved in conflict sometimes lose their lives.

Letters will not change opinions

Every day before class, I read all the letters in The State News regarding our current war with Iraq, and I have come to a concrete decision: I am anti-war.

New brand of humor to take Riverwalk stage

It's not everyday the death of a friend's fiancee can bring laughter to a Lansing theater.Fans of English sitcoms might want to check out "Absent Friends," premiering this week.The play is written by English playwright Alan Ayckbourn and is about Colin, who's fiancee has just drowned.

Riot article was false, sensational

This letter is regarding "More than 2,000 pack streets, wreak havoc in E.L." (SN 3/31). I am dismayed by The State News' lack of professionalism in reporting Sunday's events.

Temporary extension keeps Amtrak running

After weeks of negotiations, Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation have reached a temporary deal allowing the railway to continue operating its two state-funded train lines for at least the next three months.Amtrak officials and department representatives settled the deal in a conference call Monday, with both sides agreeing to a three-month contract setting Amtrak's funding level at $1.425 million through July 1.Department spokeswoman Stephanie Litaker said the deal provides the Legislature more time to pass a bill lifting a $5.7-million cap in state funding Amtrak annually receives, while still securing Michigan's passenger rail service."This deal is somewhere in between," Litaker said.

Celebration! to construct IMAX

Lansing - Celebration! Cinema is about to change. John Loeks, President of Celebration!, 200 E.

SPARE rally hurt by class conflicts, weekend riots

Students Protecting And Representing Education, or SPARE, held a rally today on the steps of the Capitol building.The rally, which drew crowd of about 50 students from schools across the state, was attempting to gain support for higher education - as schools face possible cuts upward of 6.5 percent.But the rally had low student turnout because of class conflicts, confusion with a special bus route and the actions of a disorderly crowd this weekend - all of which hurt the cause of SPARE, officials said.For more on this story please see Thursday's edition of The State News.

Community, 'U' share in celebration of jazz

Since its debut, MSU's Jazz Spectacular has steadily grown in popularity in the Lansing and East Lansing area.

Prestigious awards bestowed on 'U'

That two MSU third-year students, Jared English and Megan Dennis, were recently selected as Truman and Goldwater scholars, respectively, is a remarkable achievement.

ASMSU benefits from endorsements

MSU's undergraduate student government is different than most of its relatives. We have a bicameral student government and award special seats to minorities and interest groups.

Council to seek strict punishment for participants

If East Lansing officials get their way, those convicted in Sunday's riots won't be allowed to set foot within 2,500 feet of any state-funded university campus for at least a year. Eight people - including six MSU students - were arrested for disorderly conduct and city officials are pursuing others involved.

Police: Tear gas necessary despite bystander presence

As officers continue to defend the decision to use tear gas to disperse crowds of rioters and bystanders Sunday, some students maintain police went too far. Police released more than 135 canisters of chemical ammunition on campus and in the city, attempting to disperse more than 2,000 revelers who took to the streets after the MSU men's basketball team's Elite Eight loss to Texas.

Men's tennis takes on Michigan

The MSU men's tennis team hosts intrastate rival Michigan today, marking the 100th meeting of the schools. 74th-ranked MSU (10-9 overall, 1-3 Big Ten) is looking for a reversal of fortune against the 61st-ranked Wolverines (5-9, 0-4). The Spartans have lost seven of their last eight dual meets and are on the losing side of a 17-81-1 all-time record against U-M.

Affirmative action case needs support

This is very hard for me to say, given that I've been a Spartan my entire adult life, but the times call for it. Go Michigan! To those who disagree with its policies, I'd simply like to add: if we all started out on a level playing field, there would be no need for affirmative action anymore.

E.L. School Board approves budget cuts

After about two months of listening to public comment, reviewing programs and buildings' uses, the East Lansing School Board unanimously approved the districts 2003-04 budget recommendations. The budget prepares for a projected $4.2-million shortfall.

State News headlines delivered daily to your e-mail

Can't wait until class for the latest headlines from The State News? Wait no longer. Readers of The State News and www.statenews.com can now have the day's headlines e-mailed to them each morning.

Master of Fine Arts Exhibition comes to Kresge

What is art?Is it a statue of a famous person? An arrangement of flowers? A revealing self-portrait?Or is it an image of someone vomiting on a city sidewalk?These days, just about anything can be considered art."That's a very tough question," says studio art graduate student Jeremy Forman.

Police briefs 04/02/03

State gas prices drop despite war with Iraq

While oil fields in Iraq remain safe, gas prices in Michigan have dropped nearly 16 cents per gallon in the past two weeks.AAA spokesman Jim Rink said war fears have not come forth and have allowed for the decrease in gas prices."Initial fears that the oil fields in Iraq would be sabotaged have not taken place," Rink said.

'U' students rally for, against admissions policy

A cultural mosaic of students and faculty gathered in front of the Administration Building Tuesday, as chants of "What do we want?