Economic decline plagues Ag Expo

It’s still a place where an adventurous child can climb into the pilot seat of a huge tractor.

Lugnuts ready to tussle with division leaders

The Lansing Lugnuts will have a chance to gain some ground in the standings when they return to Oldsmobile Park, 505 E.

Summer months brings canoeing to Red Cedar

Residents looking for a nearby outdoor adventure can consider canoeing on the Red Cedar River. During the summer months, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, MSU Concessions offers canoeing service for the MSU community. “We offer this service because we feel that some things are just good for the community,” said Bill Kost, operations manager at MSU Concessions.

Dems to debate isssues in gubernatorial event

The first of two debates for the three Democratic candidates for governor is scheduled for Thursday. The first will be at 10:30 a.m.

Old man river

Kudos to researchers in the MSU-WATER program, or Watershed Action Through Education and Research. The four-year, $1.4 million program designed to develop a watershed management program for the Red Cedar River, is an important effort to undertake, and it is only fitting that it originated at MSU. With the Red Cedar River as one of the foremost landmarks of MSU’s campus, it is important for the university to lead the charge to clean up the historic body of water whose banks it calls home.

Waterslide to drop into E.L. Family Aquatic Center

If you see swimmers flying through the air at the East Lansing Family Aquatic Center, don’t be alarmed.The park, located at 6400 Abbott Road, after inspection, could debut its fourth slide Friday.

Smokers know its bad, leave me in peace

Just recently, I stepped outside for a cigarette break. As I lit up, a woman walking into the building decided to make a comment. “Trying to help the deficit?

Provost left to fill 3 top positions in office

MSU will bid farewell to two more prominent administrators who are retiring or taking on new opportunities.

Police briefs 07/18/02

Registration deadline approaching for day camps

The Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road in Okemos, is holding three separate day-camps. All camps will run July 30 through Aug.

Weekend Guide

Thursday Barnes & Noble Booksellers presents authors Tim Powers and Karen Joy Fowler at 7 p.m.

Wharton to celebrate 20th anniversary in style

Broadway is making a stop on the MSU campus this year to provide students with an amazing lineup of original and legendary shows. Wharton Center is celebrating its 20th anniversary season, “Encore,” and will host six Broadway shows and musicals from September to April. “Basically, we’re bringing back the best of the best for our 20th anniversary - and then adding to it,” Wharton public relations manager Bob Hoffman said.

E.L., Meridian Township continue disagreement on landshare

East Lansing might be one step closer to annexing more than 100 acres of Meridian Township land after township officials voted 5-1 Tuesday in favor of a land-sharing agreement rejected by city officials July 3. This is the fifth time officials of the two municipalities have failed to see eye-to-eye on the issue.

Dog days of summer

Sweep crouched low in the weeds. His tail was stiff and flat between his hind quarters as he intently eyed a flock of sheep near Mount Hope Road, awaiting his cue.And then it happened.

Right to privacy can extend to public photos, pictures should not be published

As I am not a woman, I cannot be totally sure of the impact an abortion can have on someone. Whether it is emotional, mental or physical, I’m sure there must be some level of effect on the woman having the procedure. And as if this and the procedure itself aren’t traumatizing enough, she also must go up against the pro-life activists. These activists block entrances, hound and shout at patrons - basically doing everything in their power short of physically assaulting women to get them to change their minds.

Police briefs 07/17/02

Stuff gives fans what they want

When the Dave Matthews Band’s sixth major release hit shelves Tuesday, the trail of “Busted Stuff” marked a return to roots that most long-time fans will eagerly embrace.

Granholm discusses education concerns

Lansing - Attorney General Jennifer Granholm met with area education and community leaders Tuesday to learn the “hot button” educational issues in her quest for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination.Granholm, flanked by Lansing Mayor David Hollister and Lansing Community College President Paula Cunningham, moderated a roundtable discussion at LCC’s Herrmann Conference Center.Early education and promoting responsible parenting are Granholm’s main concerns.“Preparation for a child’s learning and for life is critical to success,” she said.

Superstitions abundant with Benik

Lansing Lugnuts right-hander B.J. Benik’s key to success this season has been getting ahead of batters with his fastball and finishing them off with one of his three off-speed pitches.

Students battle for scholarship

Student leaders from across the state gathered Tuesday at MSU to form a grassroots coalition to fight a ballot initiative that threatens funding for the Michigan Merit Scholarship program. The students, representing five public college student governments in the Association of Michigan Universities, hope to join with private schools, community colleges and other groups to take aim at the Healthy Michigan Amendment, which would direct 90 percent of the state’s $8.5 billion tobacco settlement only toward health care programs. Tobacco settlement money now is used to pay for the scholarship program, which provides $2,500 to college-bound students who meet Michigan Educational Assessment Program test standards, some elderly health care programs, the Life Sciences Corridor, and to make up for budget shortfalls in other areas. Some opponents of the ballot initiative believe its passage would mean the end of the scholarship program. “This is something that affects all students,” said Matt Clayson, ASMSU Academic Assembly chairperson.