Monday, January 12, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Multimedia

MICHIGAN

Stamp prices to rise by one cent

By JOHN HEILPRIN The Associated Press WASHINGTON - For the second time in as many years, Americans are being asked to spend a penny more to mail a letter. First-class stamps will cost 34 cents and other postal service rates will increase, but 20-cent postcards will remain unchanged.

FEATURES

Film club takes U behind the scenes

Now in its third year of existence, the MSU Cinema Club, a forum that provides students interested in film with the opportunity to help each other, is more or less a mystery to most.“Many students across our campus love movies as much as I do but maybe don’t realize a club like this exists to support and encourage young filmmakers, screenwriters, directors and actors to come together,” English junior Lindsey Robbins said.

NEWS

Birthday drinking death stuns U-M

Byung Soo Kim, who celebrated his 21st birthday Friday night by drinking 20 shots of Scotch whisky in 10 minutes, died Monday morning.Kim, a University of Michigan engineering student, died at the University of Michigan Medical Center after registering a blood alcohol level of .39, almost four times the legal limit.Kim was trying to drink a shot for every year of his life, but passed out after 20 shots.

SPORTS

Williams eager for Penn State

In the eyes of Spartan fans, Saturday’s win over Purdue was huge. But for head coach Bobby Williams, it was even bigger. At his Monday press conference, Williams said MSU’s 30-10 win over the Boilermakers was a win that should benefit the program in the future since the game was played on national television and in front of prospective recruits. “Winning that game really set the stage for the future of this program,” he said.

NEWS

New riot policy may be easier on students

Students can expect a permanent code of conduct soon, which some consider more lenient then the interim policy adopted in 1999.After viewing it on Friday, the MSU Board of Trustees appears ready to pass a revised version of the MSU Student Disorderly Conduct Policy.

MSU

Despite cold, locals trot 5K for Lung Association

Hundreds of runners and walkers of all ages took over the Turf Arena in IM Sports-West on Sunday afternoon to raise money for the American Lung Association.Participants gathered in the Turf Arena to register and warm up for the 11th annual Cold Turkey Trot, a 5K run sponsored by the American Lung Association in conjunction with Olin Health Center.

SPORTS

Swimmers and divers defeat Eastern

Swimming and divingThe men’s swimming and diving team beat Eastern Michigan on Friday in the teams’ second meeting of the year.First-place finishes in every event except the 50-meter freestyle gave the Spartans a 25-point lead over the Eagles.

MICHIGAN

Legal fraternity initiates new members, resumes activity

Friday evening in the Moot Courtroom of the MSU-Detroit College of Law Building, 43 MSU students were initiated into the pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta. The fraternity, open to students of all majors who are considering law school, had been dormant on campus for the past three years. Natalie Gonder, a Spanish and journalism sophomore, was among the students initiated into the organization. “The ceremony went really well,” Gonder said.

FEATURES

DiFranco gives strong show

Brock Elsesser could tell folk artist Ani DiFranco was a little nervous at her performance Friday at Breslin Student Events Center. “From what I understand, the audience and venue are twice the size she’s used to playing at,” the kinesiology junior said.

FEATURES

Department of Theatre seeks student volunteers

As a theater undergraduate, Dave Goss grew very familiar with performing on stage as part of the Department of Theatre.And as a theater graduate student, he’s now working the front of the house.“I’ve been an actor for years,” the department’s house manager said.

SPORTS

W-hoops lose in defensive battle to pro club team

Despite an impressive effort by MSU freshman guard Candice Jackson with 24 points, MSU’s women’s basketball team lost 66-57 Sunday to the Houston Jaguars in exhibition play at the Breslin Student Events Center.The Jaguars, a club team, comprised of two Women’s National Basketball Association players and former NCAA players, held on to the win with their strong defense, forcing 21 Spartan turnovers.

SPORTS

Mens soccer loses to Penn State in Big Ten tournament

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The second day of play in this weekend’s men’s Big Ten Soccer Tournament witnessed the demise of the two top-seeded teams.The second-seeded Spartans lost to third-seeded Penn State 2-1 Friday, while top-seeded Indiana fell to fifth-seeded Ohio State.

NEWS

Gridders boil Purdue, eye bowl bid

During Saturday’s game, some Spartan fans raised a sign reading “Drew Who? Smoker for Heisman.”Although it’s a bit of a stretch, the sign was appropriate considering the performance of true freshman quarterback Jeff Smoker compared to Purdue’s Drew Brees in MSU’s 30-10 victory at Spartan Stadium.“Just last year, I was sitting at home watching him,” Smoker said.

SPORTS

Dont count out Spartans for bowl bid

During the first nine weeks of the season, MSU seemed more inclined to commit 30 penalties in a game than score 30 points.Last week, the Spartans endured another mistake-ridden loss at Ohio State, blowing numerous offensive opportunities en route to their fifth frustrating conference defeat.

NEWS

U-M student in hospital after binge drinking

Little more than two years after MSU student Bradley McCue died after binge drinking, a University of Michigan student was in critical condition Sunday after consuming at least 20 shots in 10 minutes.Ann Arbor police said Byung Soo Kim consumed the shots of Scotch whisky at a party celebrating his 21st birthday that started Friday night, and was blue and had no pulse when they found him about 1:45 a.m.