Lack of profs leads to TV lectures

Correction: The article misspelled Doug Estry's name and misidentified him as the acting associate dean of undergraduate education.

Campus media question SN employment policy

Student journalists are challenging a State News policy through ASMSU. The MSU Alternative Media Alliance, or MAMA, says a policy that limits State News journalists from working for other media outlets is "exclusionary." The alliance is composed of Purpose Magazine, SpartanEdge.com, The Spartan Weekly, FEM Magazine and The Big Green. At its Nov.

Records for student's death not yet released

Muskegon Township police said second-year medical student Michael Lundholm, who died last Thursday in Muskegon, lost control of his vehicle driving home from a bachelor party, went off the road and hit a tree at 2:36 a.m.

Gas prices could fall more; awaiting OPEC's decision

Curious to know the winter forecast for gas prices? The official season is less than a month away, and local gas prices have dipped to an average price of $2.27 per gallon this week. "Typically, from about the first of August until the end of December, the price of gas is going down," said Michigan Petroleum Association President Mark Griffin.

Various soybean types included in report

The 2006 Michigan Soybean Performance Report is available to give farmers performance evaluations on 205 different kinds of soybeans. The report can be found at www.css.msu.edu/varietytrials and was developed by private companies and the MSU soybean breeding program. The information on the report includes topics such as yields, maturity dates, plant height and lodging scores. For more information, visit the Soybean 2010 Web site at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/soybean2010/.

Police briefs 11/30/06

Congressman to discuss immigration issues

Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.) will speak on campus at 8:30 p.m. today in Room 471 of the MSU College of Law building.

City's development slated for December

The demolition of two homes along Virginia Avenue could begin at the end of December, making way for a sweeping redevelopment project along the avenue's 600 block. The project is expected to cost East Lansing $3.3 million and calls for the demolition of all 24 homes along the avenue's 600 block.

Organic food rising in popularity

A $50,000 grant was awarded to the Michigan Apple Committee in October to fund organic research, which will be used to determine whether growing organic apples is economically feasible. The grant highlights a trend in the increasingly popular organic market, which has grown 28 percent since 2003 and pulled in $14 billion in 2005.

MSU professor offers identity theft safety tips

Even with the threat of online identity theft, an MSU professor says it is still safe to shop online. Although online shopping increases the threat of identity theft, telecommunication, information studies and media Professor Bob LaRose said these issues do occur at all times — not just during the holiday season. "A lot of times it works by someone impersonating a type of security agency," LaRose said.

Police, students go head-to-head for charity

On Sunday, MSU police and students will kick, carry and tackle on the Duffy Daugherty Building football field to rack up touchdowns and dollars to benefit the American Cancer Society. The second annual "Flags for Charity" coed flag football game will match members of the MSU police with residents from Brody and West Circle complexes. The students claimed victory last year by just one touchdown against the team of 11 MSU police officers.

Police briefs 11/29/06

Journalism Hall of Fame deadline coming up

The Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for 2007. Honorees will be inducted during a banquet held April 21 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m.

Universities create alliance

MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University publicly announced an alliance Tuesday called the University Research Corridor. As part of the alliance, the three universities will work to enhance research capabilities within the state of Michigan and boost the unstable economy. "I hope certainly that this will help young people when they are looking for jobs," U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said in a conference call Tuesday. Within the last five years, the three universities combined have averaged one new patent per day, and these advancements have led to 500 new agreements for further research or private company usage. Officials from the universities said they hope the collaboration will bring competition to Michigan during this time when globalization is key, MSU President Lou Anna K.

Warm weather inspires free hugs

Free hugs were given away by Lisa Eddy and Kate Dimitry on the corner of Farm and Shaw lanes Tuesday. Why?

Forum to show aftermath of drunken driving

The student organization Spartans Against Drunk Driving, or SADD, will host an open forum at 7 p.m. Sunday, in the Wonders Hall Kiva to give students and community members the opportunity to share their drunken driving-related experiences with others. Amy Gnotek, president and founder of the organization, described the event as "an open-mic night for anyone to come and share a story about how drunken driving has affected them." She said anyone who has lost someone because of a drunken driver or who was arrested for drunken driving will be able to speak. "We want the community to hear about the consequences of drunken driving," Gnotek said.

Mich. bill to OK marijuana use will likely stall

Michigan lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday for a medicinal marijuana bill that isn't likely to pass before the end of the year. The 2005 bill states a patient with a "debilitating medical condition" — such as cancer or glaucoma — will not be subject to arrest or prosecution for using appropriate dosages of marijuana in Michigan to relieve pain.

Drum class brings African culture to Lansing area

Lansing — Tom Machowicz's blue eyes opened wide with passion every time he spoke of the West African Malinké people during breaks from playing djembe at Magdalena's Tea House in Lansing. "Guinea is the poorest nation in the world, but it's probably the richest in drum music," he said. Machowicz spent a month in Guinea two years ago while studying traditional West African drum music. On Monday night, Machowicz taught the last of three $15 monthly classes to about 11 beginning drum players. Most of the participants played the djembe, a West African hand drum made of a tree trunk, metal rings, rope and goat skin.

Centennial commission searching for photos

Historic photographs and objects that represent East Lansing are being sought by the East Lansing Centennial Commission.

Police briefs 11/28/06