Thursday, January 1, 2026

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MICHIGAN

Engler donates to eBays Auction for America

Gov. John Engler is doing his part to raise money for the survivors of the Sept. 11 terrorism victims online. Engler is participating in the Auction for America, an Internet auction fund-raiser on eBay, the world’s largest online auction house.

NEWS

DNA helps solve murder

Lansing - For 29 years, a cigarette butt tucked away by the Michigan State Police held the secret to Betty Jean Goodrich’s death. State police investigators announced this month they linked DNA found on the cigarette to former Mason resident Charles Joseph Emery, placing him at the scene of the Lansing woman’s death. The DNA testing technology, which has become a popular crime-solving technique in its 10-year life span, prompted detectives to reopen the case. “I sorted the evidence out, repackaged it and submitted it to the lab for analysis,” said state police Detective Sgt.

MSU

Prominent professor speaks about evolution

A prestigious Harvard professor will be on campus tonight to discuss the importance of evolution. Stephen Palumbi, a professor of biology, will be discussing the dramatic acceleration of evolution of pest and disease organisms and why it’s necessary for people to be alerted. The lecture, “The Social and Economic Impact of Rapid Evolution: Why Ignoring Evolution is Educational Malpractice,” is the second in a series coordinated by the Lyman Briggs School.

MSU

Land grant institution program chooses Bethel as new director

A new set of hands will be leading MSU’s effort to reach out to the state.Margaret Bethel was named director of MSU Extension, part of a national land grant institution program that attempts to apply research done on university campuses to the lives of citizens across that school’s state.

MICHIGAN

Environmental groups respond to quality report

Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund are disclosing information on sewage overflows not reported by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The environmental groups released a report Tuesday claiming the DEQ’s Web site fails to report 29 billion gallons of sewage overflows in the state. By law, the size of the overflow and all surrounding waters near it are required to be reported to the DEQ and local health departments. The law also requires the DEQ to post the information on its Web site. Bethany Renfer, program coordinator for Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, said the state total for sewage overflows is far more than what has been reported and communication between the health departments and the DEQ needs to improve. “We (filed Freedom of Information Act requests) with county environmental health departments and compared that to what is on the DEQ Web site,” she said.

SPORTS

Field hockey teams win streak at 4

The No. 6 field hockey team’s winning streak grew to four games as it beat Kent State 3-2 on Sunday and Indiana 3-2 in overtime Friday. MSU improved to 12-4, which is the team’s most wins since the 1996 season.

SPORTS

Weekend ends with win

After opening the weekend with a disappointment, the Spartans women’s soccer team returned Sunday with more intensity and resulted in a better outcome.The MSU women’s soccer team (6-5-2 overall, 3-4-1 Big Ten) lost to Purdue 2-0 on Friday and beat Indiana 2-1 on Sunday.The Spartans struck quickly against Indiana (6-4-1, 3-3-1).After only five minutes of play, sophomore midfielder Trisha Kenny sent the ball down field to sophomore forward Tiffany Laskowski, who put the ball in the net.Kenny also attacked the Indiana defense tenaciously in the second half, creating several opportunities because of her increased intensity, Kenny said.“I always try to use my speed, because that’s really all I have,” she said.

COMMENTARY

Terror scare

We usually feel safe on campus, but the scare of an anthrax attack Friday at Linton Hall should be a reminder to all of us to be aware and vigilant against suspicious activity. The landmark hall on West Circle Drive was closed off after an employee opened a letter thought to contain a white powder - especially worrisome considering anthrax was mailed to a Florida tabloid newspaper office, NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw and a Microsoft office. Officials sent 15 people to the hospital as a precaution while the letter, apparently from an animal rights activist, was tested for dangerous substances.

FEATURES

Emmys should remain canceled

Well, yet again the Emmys have been canceled. And once again, the people behind the annual pat-ourselves-on-the-back event are scrambling to figure out when to try again. I’ve got an idea - how’s never? Not only does the viewing public not need an awards show in the wake of recent disastrous events, but the show stands as yet another meaningless time waster that does nothing but give the entertainment industry another chance to congratulate itself. I think just about everyone would love to work in a field where not only do you do your job, but then you get to throw a party, on live television, just to talk about how great you did your job.

MSU

Sundae allots fans Homecoming feast

Friday’s issue of The State News lay covered in melted ice cream as community members celebrated the fourth annual Super Bowl Sundae on Farm Lane and Wilson Road.MSU Dairy Store and Dairy Plant employees filled a sanitized pond liner at 2:05 p.m.

MSU

Rescuers get warm welcome from U

Several hugs were shared with New York City rescue workers among thousands of U.S. paper flags that consumed the stands of Spartan Stadium on Saturday. Rescue workers from New York’s fire and police departments were honored guests at MSU’s Homecoming parade and football game this past weekend and were the recipients of more than $100,000 in donations. At the football game against Iowa, marketing junior Ted Edginton watched as the New York firefighters and police officers left their seats by the side of the field and went up into the stands to give students hugs. “Students reacted so positively to the visiting New York City rescue workers,” he said.

VOLLEYBALL

Win at Indiana solid before problems begin at Illinois

Champaign, Ill. - Unforced errors cost the Spartan volleyball team a perfect weekend, as it settled for a split after Illinois swept MSU 3-0 in Champaign, Ill., on Saturday.The Illini handled the Spartans for all three games of the match winning 30-27, 30-26 and 30-22.The Spartans (11-4, 4-4 Big Ten) suffered more serve and pass breakdowns against the Illini, recording 12 service errors and 13 return errors.

MSU

Students often affected by domestic violence

Helen Dalton was a 36-year-old mother of two.But instead of watching over her children, a “silent silhouette” memorial to her watches over students entering Mason Hall.Dalton, a Grand Rapids resident, was shot and killed by her boyfriend last year.