Retirement opens bench spot

It has been more than 20 years since two, six-year term judgeships were vacant for the same election.

2 LCC trustees run for open Lansing City Council seat

Lansing City Council candidates Kathy Pelleran and Brian Jeffries have shaped many similar ideas for changes within the city.The two Lansing Community College trustees are campaigning to fill the vacated seat of former Councilmember Louis Adado, who resigned amid a sexual harassment scandal earlier this year.

Paper isnt biased because of opinion

The State News is not “right” or “wrong” when it chooses to endorse a political candidate. This fact seems to have been forgotten when two James Madison College students and a Lyman Briggs School student wrote letters to the editor that were published Friday (“SN ought to have picked Posthumus,” “Paper proves bias in support for Granholm” and “SN right to support Bernero, Whitmer” SN 11/1). How, might I ask, can a newspaper be right or wrong when publishing support for anyone on the Opinion page? What these above students, as well as others, fail to see is that an opinion simply cannot be right or wrong. One can certainly disagree with an opinion, but people should not criticize an opinion, they will get nowhere. The State News was also called biased for supporting Attorney General Jennifer Granholm for governor.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Candidates make last-minute pitch for votes

East Lansing’s Cuppa Java overflowed with Democratic energy Monday while just miles away, Republicans claimed a win in Tuesday’s statewide election.Gubernatorial candidates Democratic Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and Republican Lt.

THE ISSUES: Joanne Emmons

Name and political party: Joanne Emmons, Republican Age: 68 Political background: state senator, 1991-present; state Senate majority leader since 2000 Hometown: Big Rapids Occupation: state senator Family: married to John, two children Education: MSU bachelor’s degree in home economics Web site: no personal Web site, but more information can be found at www.senate.state.mi.us Overcoming the university’s budget difficulties: Says she will use her connections with state legislators to bring more state funding to MSU Tuition increases: Wants to fight tuition increases by requesting funding from alumni Faculty salaries: Says MSU must compete with other Big Ten universities, but higher salaries will be difficult to achieve in coming years with budget woes Affirmative action: Agrees with current policy Gay rights: Supports equal rights but does not believe in medical benefits for gays because they are not married Presidential searches: Agrees with closed-door meetings Off-campus student conduct: Supports a conduct code, because safety is essential

Spartans upset No. 11 Penn State

After a crushing loss to Michigan on Wednesday, the No. 25 MSU volleyball team regained its composure, defeating No.

THE ISSUES: Jennifer Granholm

Name: Jennifer Granholm (D) Age: 43 Hometown: Northville Occupation: Michigan attorney general Family: Married to Dan Mulhern; three children Political background: Michigan attorney general, 1999-present Web site:

THE ISSUES: Virg Bernero

Name: Virg Bernero (D) Age: 38 Hometown: Lansing Occupation: State representative Family: Married to Teri; two daughters Political background: State representative, 2001-present; Ingham County commissioner, 1993-2000 Web site: www.votevirg.com Stance on the issues: Overcoming the state‘s budget difficulties: Delay or eliminate some Engler administration tax cuts; examine state programs for budget cuts, excluding human services and K-12 and higher education; consider reinstating inheritance tax. Higher education affordability: Ensure affordable education to all students; restructure Merit Scholarship Award program to reward top students at every high school; strengthen need-based financial aid. Environment: Pass tough “polluter‘s pay“ law; reward companies committed to environmental protection; rebuild ability to detect, prosecute polluters. Transportation: State is challenged to find funding to fix delayed maintenance on main roadways, to repair bridges and to support local governments in fixing roads; funds for road repairs must be spent for that purpose; road work should be under warranty; enhance public transportation. Abortion rights: Pro-choice. Affirmative action: Supports affirmative action as a necessary tool to remedy patterns of institutional discrimination and economic inequality that places minority students at a disadvantage in pursuit of education and jobs. Gay rights: Discrimination, hatred and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people must not be tolerated, or encouraged by regressive laws that treat life partners differently based on sexual orientation.

Recordamos los muertos

Small white crosses lined the grass around the rock on Farm Lane. On each of the crosses, which stood no more than a foot off the ground, students wrote the name of a loved one who passed away. A little altar has been built near the crosses, with offerings of bread to the spirits of ancestors.

Rogers-Jackson matchup overshadowed

The showdown between one of the nation’s top wide receivers and defensive backs didn’t play out the way many envisioned. Michigan sophomore cornerback Marlin Jackson - a Jim Thorpe Award candidate for the nation’s best defensive back - wasn’t matched with MSU junior wide receiver Charles Rogers in man-to-man coverage nearly as much as some thought. Instead, the Wolverines’ secondary played zone most of the afternoon and had safety help on other plays.

Student turnout at polls expected to remain low

Are politicians overlooking the student vote, or are student voters overlooking the politicians? Traditionally, voter registration and turnout at polls among college students have been lower than other groups - a problem experts see solidifying itself. Political science Professor Carol Weissert, director of the MSU Institute for Public Policy and Social Research, said a variety of factors play into keeping Michigan student voters off the political radar. “I think where you vote has caused some problems on campus,” Weissert said.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Athletics donations up despite poor football season

Despite the MSU football team’s performance on the field, university officials say athletics department donations are doing well.“We’re off to a good start,” said Chris Ritrievi, associate athletics director and director of development for the department.

Prop. 1 helps stop blind votes at polls

I feel compelled to respond to The State News’ “No” endorsement of Proposal 1 (“Stay Straight” 10/25). While the Editorial Board raised some interesting points, it glossed over key issues that deserve more attention.

Holiday sales to remain subpar

Michigan retailers are expecting subpar sales this holiday season, in line with national trends and retailer forecasts. The Michigan Retail Index reported that while 57 percent of state retailers are expecting higher holiday spending compared to a year ago, the projected revenue growth is only 3.7 percent.

THE ISSUES: Colleen McNamara

Name and political party: Colleen McNamara, Democrat Age: 53 Political background: MSU trustee since 1995 Hometown: Okemos Occupation: executive director of the Michigan Cable Telecommunications Association Family: single, one child Education: MSU bachelor’s degree in social science Web site: no personal Web site, but more information can be found at trustees.msu.edu Overcoming the university’s budget difficulties: Says MSU should focus on its $1.2 billion fund-raising campaign while it seeks higher state appropriations Tuition increases: Favors keeping tuition rates at or below rate of inflation Faculty salaries: says MSU needs to pay faculty more, but administrators cannot raise tuition in the process Affirmative action: Supports affirmative action Gay rights: Supports domestic partner benefits Presidential searches: Agrees with closed-door meetings because of “the nature of the business” Off-campus student conduct: Against a code of conduct; voted against the riot policy, which was ultimately approved by the board in 1999

Police briefs 11/04/02

Sand mandala creation shows Tibetan tradition, purification of deeds

At the age of 3, Thupten Tsondu was forced to flee Tibet and seek political asylum with his parents in India.Now, 42 years later, Tsondu visited MSU with three other monks for the Tibetan-Mongolian Monks Dharma Tour 2002-03: A Life in Exile, presented by Students for a Free Tibet.Their visit is one stop on the North American tour, which was created for supporters to learn more about Tibetan and Mongolian refugee monks and their work to support monastic students.

Long-term goals separate Peters, Cox in race for AG

To an unfamiliar eye, the platforms held by each candidate for Michigan attorney general appear the same - both stress crime and consumer protection - but a closer look reveals differing long-term goals. Leading candidates for the position are Republican Mike Cox and Democrat Gary Peters.

U should let voice be heard on Tuesday

The numbers suggest that most of you reading this will not get out and vote. Whether you feel the candidates don’t represent you, your vote doesn’t count or you just don’t care about the election, your vote still matters. The mass of men and women over the course of history has not had the important privilege that we students enjoy. Even today, too many people in the world do not have the simple right to have a say in who their leaders are. Though this right is simple, the process of gaining it has been anything but.

Nonpartisan justice race shaded by party politics

Although the race is supposed to be nonpartisan, political views are stirring up controversy among the seven Michigan Supreme Court justice candidates.