Survey says frogs reappear despite dwindling habitats

Different species of frogs are thriving and not croaking, the annual state frog survey suggests.The survey is conducted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and began in 1988 to develop knowledge of the amphibians.Despite concerns over disappearing habitats, the critters have been making comebacks with a little help.Ecologists stress the importance of frogs as important links on the food chain for other animals as well as consuming insects.

Alumnus: Treasure special E.L. places

Upon graduating, I have returned to MSU only twice, though I wish it could be more often. After visiting for “The Cold War,” it was so disappointing to see the commercial businesses.

U celebrates All Things Considered with NPR

The first 22 rows of Wharton Center’s Great Hall were filled with people and applause from all generations Monday night. National Public Radio news personalities Susan Stamberg, Alan Cheuse and Robert Siegel celebrated the 30th anniversary of the daily radio news show “All Things Considered” by participating in an open panel. The panel was the second event in the “Fora: Lectures in the Arts and Humanities” series to be presented by the College of Arts and Letters this semester. Wendy Wilkins, dean of the College of Arts and Letters, introduced Stamberg, an NPR special correspondent; Cheuse, a book commentator for “All Things Considered;” Siegel, the show’s co-host; and Scott Pohl, news producer for local station WKAR (870-AM) and moderator for Monday night’s forum. “When I go to a new community, the first thing I do is to turn on NPR,” she said.

Atheism not cause of history tragedies

In a recent letter Professor Kelly David Ludema claimed the lack of organized religion has caused the worst tragedies in human history (“Organized religion helps, not hurts,” SN 10/12), which is untrue.

End bombing of innocent Afghan people

In high school, whenever the topic of animal rights came up I would explode into a passionate sermon about the injustices of our treatment and the arrogance of our attitude toward the other living things that are a part of Earth. I’ve been standing on my self-righteous soapbox since I was a kid.

Goodenow puts health problems behind him

Reporters weren’t asking Joe Goodenow the questions he expected to hear in his first three seasons at MSU.Instead of queries about hat tricks, tape-to-tape passes or bone-rattling body checks, Goodenow has had to explain separated shoulders and groin pulls.Those are certainly not the topics the 5-foot-10, 196-pound Toronto native wants to be synonymous with his collegiate career.“The last four years have really been a struggle to be healthy,” said Goodenow, a senior left wing and center.

Letter wrong about need for holiday

I have seen many things that have had the ability to make me feel ashamed for my race and my country.

Food Day panel discusses hunger

MSU will participate in the 18th Annual World Food Day today by showing a worldwide live teleconference and holding a panel discussion to address hunger and nutrition issues. “Any graduate or undergraduate student who has an interest in learning about what they could do to help fight hunger and end hunger would benefit from this event,” said Robert Glew, assistant director of the Center for Advanced Study of International Development.

Bikers slow down to avoid accidents

I was walking to class recently when this girl on a bike quickly rode by at a crosswalk. She had been in such a rush she almost hit the girl walking in front of me.

Lack of plot drowns Corky

We all know the standard perception of a film critic: a jaded, hateful and spiteful person who hates everything but obscure subtitled foreign films. But despite this perception, I find it hard to believe that anyone actually needs to hear that the new affront to humanity, “Corky Romano,” is bad.

Police briefs 10/16/01

Mason wrestler gives verbal to Spartan team

MSU’s wrestling squad landed its third recruit from the area, when Mason’s Tony Greathouse verbally committed to the Spartans on Monday.Greathouse - No.

Bright idea

You could almost see the light bulb going off over university officials’ heads when they had the bright idea to set off the new energy conservation campaign. In the face of various budget cuts causing blows to academic, extracurricular and support departments across campus, MSU has been searching for ways to keep its costs down.

New anthrax cases found, infant will recover fully

FROM COMBINED WIRE REPORTS New York - Americans returning to work faced anxious moments opening envelopes after the number of people across the nation exposed to anthrax sent through the mail jumped. In three new cases, a police officer and two lab technicians involved in an investigation at NBC’s New York headquarters tested positive for the presence of the bacteria, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said Sunday.

City Council plans payment for lights

The East Lansing City Council will hold its final formal meeting tonight before the Nov. 6 council elections. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.