Tuesday, December 30, 2025

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ICE HOCKEY

Five questions with MSU hockey: Thomas Ebbing

Each week, The State News will interview a member of the MSU hockey team and ask questions that aren't just related to hockey. Last time, The State News interviewed freshman forward Sam Saliba. This week, The State News interviewed senior forward Thomas Ebbing.

MICHIGAN

Ruth Beier: A life of no regrets and aiding her city

A native of Maryland, Beier studied economics at MSU as an undergrad, faced with a choice as a high school Junior when her parents decided to move to India. “I had to choose between going to India and going right to college, and one of the only colleges that I could get into without actually graduating was Michigan State,” Beier said. Despite this, Beier said she has an affinity for MSU, and after earning her Masters at Duke University she moved back to East Lansing in 1990, later settling here with her partner and their shared family of four children.

FEATURES

Two MSU students hope to bring virtual reality to classrooms

Imagine exploring Buckingham Palace in London, exploring the Empire State Building or even exploring the Taj Mahal in India at the expense of only virtual reality while never leaving the classroom.ch Two experience architecture MSU students, senior Tommy Truong and junior Eric Martin, are both researching new ways to bring virtual reality, or VR, directly into the classrooms.ch “The goal of the project is to find affordable and accessible ways to implement virtual and augmented reality in both higher education, as well as K-12, with a focus in higher education,” Truong said.ch The project initially began with a proposal from a friend at the Detroit Institute of Arts, or DIA.ch “We’ve had a friend from the Detroit Institute of Arts approach us a couple years ago with a proposal to innovate some method of modeling museum exhibits in the cheapest and easiest fashion that is affordable for those that are low-budget and be able to be done by those with lower amounts of technical skill,” Truong said.ch Trying out virtual reality didn't hit the two until they found an oculus rift, which is a virtual reality headset.

FEATURES

Former MSU staff member bakes all-natural dog treats from scratch

On a dirt-filled Clise Road in Bath, Mich., Leslie and Adam Cowell take residence in their one-floor home.ch Their home holds a bakery, which was originally a hot tub room, and the location of their Michigan-based company, Riker’s Dog Treats. The two high school sweethearts are now married and officially started selling treats for their company in 2014 as a result of their late dog, Riker.ch Riker became ill toward the end of his life from other dog food, which led to Riker’s veterinarian recommending he eat special food and take medicine, Leslie said.ch Leslie didn't understand the recommendation.

MICHIGAN

East Lansing facing serious financial issues

East Lansing has budgeted a -5.9 percent revenue growth for 2017 compared to a -2.6 percent expenditure growth, resulting in a $1,273,145 deficit that would be taken out of the general fund, according to the city’s Long-Term Financial Forecast. 

FOOTBALL

MSU football sends three to NFL Combine

On the heels of a 3-9 season, just three former MSU football players were invited to the NFL Combine. The trio consists of linebacker Riley Bullough, defensive back Montae Nicholson and defensive lineman Malik McDowell, according to the site's participant list.