Watch your bets

The probable opening of a new casino in Port Huron is yet another hint that Michigan is well on its way to becoming the next Nevada. After Gov.

Its up to doctors to recruit more nurses

I read last week’s State News series of stories “Career in crisis” (SN 9/18 to SN 9/20) and the editorial “Nursing ills” (SN 9/23) about nursing shortages in Michigan and how lawmakers need to lure more students into nursing.

U should take steps to keep out spam

There is nothing legislators can do to stop spam e-mail. These advertisements are bounced off of many unguarded e-mail servers around the world in countries that won’t recognize our laws. This makes it impossible to track down and punish the spammers.

U.S. has history of hunting for witches

This is a letter to the persecuted State News columnist Rishi Kundi (“Opinions don’t make traitor, know someone before criticizing” SN 9/18). One of the greatest writers all time is Arthur Miller.

Whitmer hopes to serve hometown, alma mater

A lot has changed in East Lansing since state Rep. Gretchen Whitmer was a child trick-or-treating on the front porches of MSU fraternities and sororities.

MIDDAY UPDATE: McPherson delivers State of University address

Addressing the MSU community in his 10th State of the University address, MSU President M. Peter McPherson urged students to continue to make progress academically and for the university to increase diversity in the classroom.“The preparation of entering classes had steadily improved, and this year’s freshman class has the highest academic profile in the university’s history,” McPherson said.

Spartan goalkeepers receive Defensive Player of the Week honors

Two MSU goalkeepers received Defensive Player of the Week nods from the NCAA on Monday. After the women’s soccer team shut out Illinois and Iowa this weekend, the Big Ten named junior goalkeeper Stacy Heller Co-Defensive Player of the Week. And Christina Kirkaldy, a sophomore goalkeeper for the field hockey team, also earned Defensive Player of the Week for extending the Spartans’ winning streak to eight with a shutout against No.

Police briefs 09/24/02

Alcohol likely to blame in drowning

Alcohol is likely to blame for the death of Allegan resident Timothy Walters this weekend at an East Lansing hotel, police said.On Sunday, another hotel guest found Walters, 25, face down in the hot tub of Hampton Inn, 2500 Coolidge Road.

Williams impressive, psychotic in One Hour Photo

For anybody who has held a job in the service industry or worked with a customer, there has always been a distinction between what is appropriate treatment and what isn’t. Seymour “Sy” Parrish (Robin Williams) blurs the distinction, then spits on it in “One Hour Photo” as a seemingly customer-friendly film developer. When a relationship with his favorite customer Nina Yorkin (Connie Nielsen) turns obsessively unhealthy, Sy starts to lose it.

Mason should find new football coach

Bravo to Del Highfield for saying what all MSU students, alumni and fans have been thinking for quite some time in his letter to the editor “Williams has turned team into NCAA joke” (SN 9/23). One need only look at our opponent on Saturday to see what a real coach can do to improve a team.

Road warrior

Just as the first Ali-Frazier bout drew the who’s who to Madison Square Garden in 1971, P.T.

Ice hockey opens practice sans Mason, Miller

Practice starts today for the MSU hockey team and, for the first time in 24 years, Ron Mason will not be presiding over the squad.

School celebrates 35 years

A lecture on zebra finches tonight will kick off the 35th anniversary celebration of the Lyman Briggs School, MSU’s residential natural science community.

Murphy hopes to lead House Democrats

Rep. Michael Murphy is plotting his path to become chief of the state’s House Democrats by the end of the year. The Lansing lawmaker said Monday that he plans to run for a leadership position in his party’s caucus after the November elections.

Students, kids enjoy weekend science games

Lansing - Six-year-old Carla Jones furrowed her brow as she concentrated on the gumdrop-and-toothpick molecule in her hands. “I like these stick things,” she said, holding up a mangled oxygen molecule. But her favorite activity at the Impression 5 Science Center’s Super Saturday was making giant bubbles. “I made big ol’ circles,” she said, stretching her arms as wide as she could.

Drug war cannot be won, stop fighting it

The Page One story “Drug charges on rise in E.L.” (SN 9/13) represents a rare occurrence - some honesty about efficacy of our nation’s war on drugs. Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wriggelsworth said drugs are just as easy to obtain now as they were 30 years ago.

U Museum receives merit award

The MSU Museum will be honored with a prestigious award this weekend. The museum’s “The FairTime Project,” which began in 1995, will receive an Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History on Friday.

McPherson to deliver annual address, discuss capital campaign, freshmen

Academic standards and MSU’s $1.2 billion fund-raiser are among the ideas that will echo at 2:30 p.m.

Workshops offered about kids, parents

Free workshops for the Parenting Education Series begin today with a seminar called “The ABC’s of Discipline at Work.” MSU Child and Family Care Resources program and the Women’s Resource Center sponsored the series. The two-part workshop will be presented by Paul Van Kleek, from the office of Program and Professional Services.