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MICHIGAN

Update: McCowan concludes testimony in murder trial

Katie Abdilla
October 11, 2013

Discrepancies between the actions and testimony of Okemos resident Connor McCowan were questioned during the defense side of his trial Friday morning. McCowan, 19, was taken into custody by Meridian Township police just hours after he allegedly stabbed and killed MSU student Andrew Singler on Feb. 23. He called his mother, Judy McCowan, from the Ingham County Jail that morning, and testified Friday that he was “devastated,” when she told him Singler had died.

MICHIGAN

State bill could keep bars open later, but city officials skeptical

Ever go out for a few beers, stumble toward the clock and realize it’s already 2 a.m., but still need to pound a few more? A new bill could let patrons imbibe later into the night, but some East Lansing officials aren’t sold on the idea. A new bill from state Sen. Virgil Smith, D-Detroit, would allow bars to stay open two hours later — a move supporters hope would make Michigan cities more competitive with metropolitan areas such as Chicago or New York City.

MICHIGAN

Connor McCowan emotional in court during trial testimony

Simon Schuster
October 10, 2013

On the morning of Feb. 23, Connor McCowan recalled walking up the stairwell to MSU student Andrew Singler’s apartment, where he paused. According to his testimony in Ingham County Circuit Court, he took out the folding knife he had in his pocket and opened it, exposing the blade. He slid it back into his pocket before he entered his friend’s residence.

MSU

Living City- A page in the life

Julia Nagy
October 10, 2013

For Ryan Claytor, life is illustrated. Claytor, who teaches comics studio courses at MSU and University of Michigan-Flint, self-published an autobiographical comic book series, “And Then One Day.” He’s been producing the comic since 2004. “I think it’s interesting to see what other people experience in this world and what they have to say,” Claytor said.

MSU

ASMSU looking into building repairs for offices

Nolly Dakroury
October 10, 2013

The ASMSU finance committee approved a bill to allocate up to $45,000 for the refurbishment of the undergraduate students government’s wing in the Student Services Building. The bill will be put to a vote at the next general assembly meeting on Thursday. ASMSU College of Business representative Christie Teske said it has been 58 years since the offices have been updated, adding the matter was urgent since asbestos, a toxic material which has been shown to cause cancer, has become exposed on parts of the ceiling where the tiles have fallen off.

MICHIGAN

Connor McCowan begins testifying in his own murder trial

Lauren Gibbons  and  Simon Schuster
October 10, 2013

Okemos resident Connor McCowan took the stand in his own murder trial Thursday to defend himself against allegations that he stabbed and killed MSU student Andrew Singler. Defense attorney Chris Bergstrom began questioning McCowan in Ingham County Circuit Court Thursday afternoon. Much of the testimony centered around text messages sent between McCowan, his sister Shay McCowan and Singler on Feb. 23 before Singler died.

FOOTBALL

Breast cancer awareness pink signs to be handed out at homecoming football game

Nolly Dakroury
October 10, 2013

MSU plans to give students the opportunity to sport some pink with their green and white by partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to raise awareness about breast cancer during this week’s Homecoming football game on Saturday. The nonprofit health care organization will provide attendees with reversible cheer cards in Spartan Stadium that read ‘Go Green/Go Pink’ or ‘Go White/Go Pink.’

MSU

Students campout for first crack at houses next year

Justine McGuire
October 10, 2013

At least 50 people camped out Wednesday night on the lawn of Community Resource Management Co., or CRMC, to get the first crack at signing up for housing for the next academic year. People hoping to sign up for their top choices of houses or apartments had to arrive on Wednesday evening to put their name and house on a board to hold their choice.

MICHIGAN

Defense begins calling witnesses in Connor McCowan murder trial

Micaela Colonna
October 10, 2013

Connor McCowan’s murder trial continued Thursday morning in Ingham County Circuit Court. Ingham County Assistant Prosecutor John Dewane rested his case, and the defense began calling witnesses, including Judy McCowan, to the stand. Connor McCowan is accused of fatally stabbing MSU student Andrew Singler Feb. 23 after getting in a fight with him over text messages.

NEWS

Formula for FRIB's future

Justine McGuire
October 10, 2013

Despite the government shutdown, the federally– funded Facility for Rare Isotope Beams project, or FRIB, at MSU is going full speed, although construction has not started, officials said. Construction for the project’s building has not begun and won’t start until April 2014.

MICHIGAN

Face Time: East Lansing City Council candidate Sam Artley

Geoff Preston
October 9, 2013

Sam Artley isn’t far removed from the rigors of college life.? A 2012 MSU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in social relations and policy, Artley originally is from the Waterford Park area of southeast Michigan. She hopes to use her background as a young college graduate to bring a fresh perspective to the East Lansing City Council.

MSU

Divine Nine preparing for Friday step show

April Jones
October 9, 2013

Members of The Divine Nine fraternities and sororities have been putting in hours of training with one goal in mind — stepping their way to first place this Friday night. MSU’s Divine Nine organizations, which are primarily made up of African American students, will step up to the challenge 7 p.m. Friday at the East Lansing High School auditorium for its annual step show contest, expected to reel in hundreds of attendees.

MSU

Council of Graduate Students moves funds to on-campus accounts

Nolly Dakroury
October 9, 2013

The Council for Graduate Students, or COGS, approved a resolution Wednesday to move the group’s funds to on-campus based accounts, thus aligning with the university policy. COGS President Stefan Fletcher said the group’s executive board has had extensive dialogue with Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Denise Maybank and Vice President for Finance and Treasurer Mark Haas. “We’ve had a fairly robust dialogue, because I don’t think any of (the executive board members) wanted to present something to the (council representatives) that was not a good deal,” Fletcher said. The resolution was put to a vote in a previous COGS meeting on Sep.

MSU

MSU alumna wins prestigious artwork award

Nolly Dakroury
October 9, 2013

MSU alumna Ann Loveless took home a special prize this past week, literally. Loveless won first place based on public voting at the 2013 ArtPrize, which ran from Sept. 18 until Oct. 6 in Grand Rapids. Loveless, who has been creating art quilts for 10 years, entered the competition with a five-by-20 foot long art quilt mounted on four panels showing the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

MICHIGAN

Campaign finance spending limits challenged in U.S. Supreme Court

America’s most wealthy citizens could use more of their affluence to support politicians and political parties if the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of scrapping certain limits on campaign contributions, and many advocates in Michigan are outraged over the possibility. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard the case of Shaun McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission. McCutcheon, a conservative Alabama businessman, challenged the limit on aggregate contributions to politicians and fundraising groups.

MICHIGAN

New bill could ensure pints are filled to brim

Derek Gartee
October 8, 2013

A bill going through the Michigan legislature could give bar patrons throughout the state a few more drops of beer in their mug. The bill, sponsored by Rep. David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights, would mandate that all bars selling pints must serve patrons a full 16 ounces.