Anxiety felt by children easily misunderstood

Nothing is worse than losing a parent, especially one who is the family’s foundation. Such was the case with the McGuckins of Idaho, who clearly fell apart after the death of Michael McGuckin, husband of JoAnn McGuckin and the father of seven children, ranging from 8 to 19 years old.The McGuckins were an independent family that believed in sticking together.Living in abject poverty for more than a decade, the family could outlast any member on the “Survivor” series with the skills it acquired.

Borderline

Increased security along the U.S.-Mexico border isn’t the right way to go about handling immigrants. U.S.

Rain in no hurry to go away

Beaches, barbecues and sun - some of summer’s most popular elements - have quickly become less common as the weather all over Michigan continues to remain cool, wet and gloomy.And to top it off?

E.L. to celebrate beverage, tradition

A traditional Detroit drink is being celebrated in East Lansing.The demolition of the former Byrnes Building in March uncovered an old Vernors advertisement, with a winking Spartan gnome and the words “Drink Vernor’s Ginger Ale,” on the building on the corner of M.A.C.

State may sue Circuit City over lack of rain checks

Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm is threatening to file a lawsuit against the Circuit City electronic store chain. Granholm said the Virginia-based Circuit City Stores Inc. violated Michigan consumer protection laws at its 23 stores across the state by not providing rain checks for specially advertised items not available for purchase during the sale period. Circuit City spokesman Bill Cimino said the company was “puzzled by (Granholm’s) notice.” Granholm filed a Notice of Intended Action, which allows Circuit City 10 days to respond and begin settlement negotiations.

New employee to act as environment safeguard

MSU is on the lookout for a new employee.But it will be the new employee’s job to look out for environmental safety on campus.The environmental safety director position was created by university officials this summer to help oversee campus environment issues.Although the search for the director will last throughout the summer, officials say the issues aren’t being ignored now.“We could use the director of environmental safety to make a good system even better,” said Kathy Lindahl, assistant vice president for Finance and Operations.

Bill hopes to permit Ten Commandments

So let it be written, so let it be done - say several bill-makers who hope to make it possible for Michigan school employees to display signs of religious faith, such as the Ten Commandments.The bill was examined for the first time April 25 in the state House Oversight and Operations Committee.

Profusion of pretense disgusts columnist

A year ago, I wrote a piece describing my intense hatred of bumper stickers. I thought my arguments were compelling and irrefutable, but it seems that I would have done more for the cause if I had tied my column around a dog’s neck, shot the dog and set it on fire.

Construction poses few problems

Everyone who lives in Michigan knows the old joke: “In Michigan there are two seasons - winter and construction.” But with construction going on all over Lansing and East Lansing with Interstate 496 and U.S.

Lure of open highway irresistible to student

The following is a quiz. Please consider it carefully. Do you find yourself mindlessly channel-changing, looking for some stimulation?

Congress, Court wrong to overrule voters

I’m not going to talk about marijuana. I’m going to talk about the cannabis plant, known as a superior medicine since the world’s first medical text, the Pen Ts’ao by Emperor Shen Nung, was written in China 5,000 years ago.

Online program lets U earn masters

The College of Education is looking to meet the needs of teachers in the age of technology. A new online program has been launched, allowing students, as well as those looking to continue their teaching education, to earn their master’s degrees in education. The program aims to concentrate in the areas of technology and learning, special needs students, school leadership, literacy education and science and mathematics. Carole Ames, the dean of the college, said the new program will suit students’ needs because it will favor anyone’s schedule. “(It is) more responsive to (students’) schedule,” she said.

Police briefs 06/06/01

County commissioner wins special primary

Voters in Clinton and Ionia counties went to the polls Tuesday to take their first step in finding their new state representative.In the special primary, the citizens narrowed the GOP side of the ticket from six candidates to one.Clinton County Commissioner Scott Hummel was that one.

Good example

Every vote counts, doesn’t it? When we walk away from the polls, we expect that our vote is tallied along with the rest and if it isn’t, somebody should find out why. The U.S.

Election flaws discovered

By WILL LESTER The Associated Press WASHINGTON - The Justice Department should investigate the possibility of intentional discrimination in last year’s elections in Florida, the chairwoman of the U.S.

Montgomery named assistant basketball coach

MSU basketball coach Tom Izzo and his staff have spent the last five weeks searching, interviewing and checking backgrounds of coaches from all over the state and into Ohio.The search finally came to an end Monday when Izzo named former Spartan point guard Mark Montgomery as the Spartans’ No.

Bill stiffens penalties to protect construction workers

Motorists who don’t “Give ’em a Brake” could find themselves broke and behind bars if they are responsible for injuring or killing a construction worker while traveling Michigan roads.The state Senate on Tuesday approved a set of bills concerning construction worker safety.

Costs fuel interest in campus conservation

The recent rise in energy costs is forcing the university to take a deeper look at ways to educate students about conservation techniques.And the recent gloomy weather, bringing chilly evening temperatures, is helping out in the meantime.“Fifty degrees is no air conditioning, no heating,” said Robert Ellerhorst, director of utilities for MSU.“If you want to be energy-conscious, that is like perfect weather.”In recent months, prices of fossil fuels have risen and coal consumption has increased because coal power stations have been used in place of the gas-fired units that cost more.And while MSU is always concerned about conservation, inflated costs are becoming an increasingly important issue.“The university is always interested in trying to do conservation - that is not new,” Ellerhorst said.

Group takes credit for second research arson

The Earth Liberation Front, which took credit for a 1999 Agricultural Hall arson, is claiming responsibility for a fire last month at the University of Washington’s Center for Urban Horticulture.The group posted a statement on its Web site, saying members broke into the office of research Associate Professor H.D.