Monday, April 20, 2026

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NEWS

Native Americans fight for land rights

SOUTH FOX ISLAND, Mich. - Darrell Wright hasn’t followed in the footsteps of his grandfathers. He hasn’t been allowed to. Buried in the South Fox Island’s cemetery in 1906, Wright’s great-grandfather spent years fishing, logging and living with his family on the Lake Michigan island. Although Wright, an East Jordan, Mich., resident, and his family stayed in northern Michigan, his family left the island just eight months before he was born, 70 years ago, giving him only pictures and stories of his family’s island history. The cemetery lies on the land of developer and MSU alumnus David Johnson, who owns two-thirds of the land in scattered plots around the island.

MSU

U-M contemplates tuition increase

Kary Howard hasn’t been able to lay in the sun, relax or read a good book this summer.Instead, the agriculture and natural resources and communications senior has to work two jobs.She’s prepping for her tuition bill, complete with its 8.9 percent tuition increase.“I had grant money to cover it before,” she said.

FEATURES

Waiting for Godot opens in Lansing

Lansing’s Riverwalk Theatre will be the venue for the tragi-comedy “Waiting for Godot” during the next two weekends. The Samuel Beckett play is designed to “rouse audiences to demonstration of enthusiasm and anger” and will be directed by Bob Gras. Brad Rutledge and Terry Jones star as two broken-down men waiting for the mysterious, all-powerful entity named Godot, who continually says he will appear but never does.

NEWS

Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks fans at Common Ground

A “Freebird” flew over the capital city Wednesday night as 1970s southern rock and blues masters Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage at the Common Ground Festival.“It is just like old times,” Lansing resident and longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd fan Steve Tryon said.The classic rockers were one of 20 musical acts at this year’s festival and bands like Molly, Blitz 66 and Fuel all shared the venue with Skynyrd on Wednesday.

NEWS

Student filmmaker cries foul in police bust of staged rave

Behind the lens of his camera, Tyler Blair, a marketing junior and an amateur filmmaker, watched police intervene in his newest film, “E-tards,” on Friday in Grand Rapids. The tragic comedy, with a title slang for users of the drug ecstasy, documented the rave scene. And Blair said he contacted the special events city coordinator, police and the traffic safety commission to request permission to film a party scene. But Grand Rapids police came to the staged rave, which was held at the home of one of Blair’s friends, making three drug-related arrests and charging the filmmaker and two other people with operating an illegal business.

MSU

Students try life in ROTC

The heat was beating down, the enemies were closing in and the troops had to navigate across a river using only a rope bridge.This wasn’t real combat; it was a simulation used by MSU’s Army ROTC to help students from different organizations define the meaning of teamwork.Forty-five high school students from all over Michigan, decked out in camouflage shirts and dog tags, gathered to take part in the Future Farmers of America Leadership Camp on Monday.The camp consists of high school students who have just been elected as FFA regional officers.“We help stress the importance of teamwork and we also get a chance to give our input,” Capt.

MSU

Activist sentenced to community service

The 1997 MSU graduate accused of assaulting a Philadelphia police lieutenant will not be serving any jail time.Steve Swart was given a misdemeanor and sentenced to community service Monday, said Catyie Abookire, spokeswoman for the Philadelphia district attorney.“During jury selection, the defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 23 months in jail and immediately paroled with a $146.50 fine,” she said.

MICHIGAN

Forum introduces candidates to E.L.

Students and residents will have a chance to listen to all of the candidates vying for East Lansing City Council in one place tonight. The Greater Lansing Area League of Women Voters will host a forum for the eight city council candidates at 7 p.m.

NEWS

U examines graduation race gap

Tamiko Jones, a 2001 MSU graduate, considered dropping out when her financial aid fell through.Because of her son, though, she claimed herself as an independent and finished her degree.But Jones said many black students are set up to fail.“It’s not fair for students who start 10 steps back or don’t have the money to afford school,” said Jones, who is black.