Katrina's impact on human health weighed

An open forum will be held today to discuss the impact of Hurricane Katrina on human health. The public talk will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Rescuers relate aid experiences

East Lansing Fire Department Lt. Troy Brya said he is happy to be home after spending 10 days handing out supplies and restoring order in New Orleans. As a witness to the massive devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Brya said helping out was a positive experience despite all the loss around him, and he was happy to arrive home. "Everywhere you look down there is a mess," he said.

Alumnus new director of experiment station

The Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station recently named Steven Pueppke as its new director. Pueppke, who also will be MSU's assistant vice president for research and graduate studies, currently works at the University of Illinois, where he has been the associate dean for research in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences since 1998. His appointment will take effect on Jan.

Gandhi's teachings inspire students

By Gabrielle Russon Special to The State News Twelve-year-old Kim Emens eagerly waited for a knock at her front door Saturday morning. A few days earlier, she had learned a group of MSU students would be volunteering to help fix up her family's home in Lansing.

Water Carnival's revival draws hundreds

MSU alumni crowded around the Red Cedar River on Friday evening to witness the return of Water Carnival after a 36-year absence. What they saw in a roughly hour-long procession of 18 floats was a departure from the extravagant tradition many of them remembered. The chilly October weather gusted wind and mists of rain on the hundreds who attended Friday's event.

Oct. named Arts and Humanities month

October is being recognized by the East Lansing City Council as Arts and Humanities month. The resolution was approved at a council meeting on Oct.

Access to black box questioned

Police might not be able to use information recorded by a "black box" installed on most new cars if the state Senate deems the device the property of its owner. Sen.

Noodle shop aims to stir up E.L. clientele

Students will have another restaurant to go to for noodle dishes when Noodles & Co. opens its newest Michigan location on Grand River Avenue on Saturday afternoon. Darlene Murphy, a spokesperson for Pasta Per Trio L.L.C., Noodles & Co.'s franchise operator in western Michigan, said the restaurant's location is key to attracting the type of customers it targets. "University communities have active, healthy lifestyles," she said.

Rally on Capitol steps to support rights for Mich. women in prison

The Michigan Battered Women's Clemency Project is holding a rally at noon today on the front steps of the Capitol in Lansing. The rally is to raise awareness for female prisoners who have not received fair trials, according to the group, which supports clemency and human rights for women in prison.

Former MSU professor to be honored during memorial on Sunday

A memorial service will be held in honor of Arthur Athanason at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive in Lansing. Athanason was a professor of English and theater at MSU for 35 years.

Commission to hold melee review meeting

The independent commission reviewing the April 2-3 disturbances is scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. Friday in the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.

Police briefs 10/07/05

Gas prices fuel mo-ped sales

Small, nimble and quick, the rides are seemingly ubiquitous across East Lansing. Sometimes driven in packs and sometimes alone, mo-peds sales are up this semester following a summer of high gas prices. Sales at College Bike Shop, 340 N.

Lansing diocese removes support for charity walk

The Catholic Diocese of Lansing is discouraging members from participating in the annual Lansing CROP Walk tomorrow because a portion of funds raised will be contributed to the purchase and distribution of contraceptives around the globe. The CROP Walk, an acronym for the Christian Rural Overseas Program, is a national fundraiser that raises funds to eliminate hunger in about 80 countries around the world. Some of the funds go to hunger agencies in the city in which it is being held, and several church groups and organizations participate in the walks. Director of communications for the Lansing diocese, Michael Diebold, said the diocese withdrew support for the walk after it became aware of how the walk's partner organization, Church World Service, or CWS, will be using the funds. "It was the feeling of the diocese that we didn't want to be a part of an organization that participated in beliefs contrary to ours," Diebold said. Diebold said they encouraged members to donate to area charities such as local soup kitchens, rather than to the walk. In Michigan, 150 fundraising walks are organized each year, and the one planned for tomorrow will mark the 29th year Lansing has participated, said Bob Barnhart, associate director of the Michigan CWS/CROP Regional Office. Barnhart said the organization was aware that the Lansing diocese withdrew support for the event. He said CWS, which is just one of the event's partner organizations, does provide contraceptives, but noted that 25 percent of all funds collected go to Lansing charities.

Communication college celebrates 50th birthday

In the middle of former MSU President John Hannah's 28-year reign, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences was just one more addition to his list of firsts. A desire for education from soldiers returning home after serving in World War II and a rapidly changing society led to the need for the college - which became the first communication school in the nation when it opened in 1955. "The change was an industry-led and community-led initiative," said Kirsten Khire, the college's communication manager.

Student group to hold day of volunteering

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m on Saturday, the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students is hosting "Be The Change Day," formerly known as Gandhi Day, to celebrate Indian philosopher Mahatma Gandhi.

Forum targets U.S. relations with Canada

Americans don't often think about their relationship with neighboring Canada - a relationship that has been bruised in recent years by national political disputes, former Michigan Gov.

Area safety council to hold free CPR lessons

The Lansing Area Safety Council is offering CPR and first aid training for child caregivers from 8 a.m.

U.S. budget delayed, stalls appropriations talks for RIA project

Appropriations for continued research on the proposed Rare Isotope Accelerator are tied up in federal budget talks. RIA has been identified as a top priority in research funding in previous years, but recent budget woes have cast doubt on the viability of the project. MSU had been one of the main contenders for the site of the accelerator, along with Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago. The federal budget was supposed to be completed by Oct.

ASMSU reps held to more rigid office hours despite low demand

ASMSU members announced they would be more strictly enforcing representatives' attendance at office hours, even though students rarely visit representatives. "People don't really know that they can talk to their representatives," said Elizabeth Lostracco, College of Arts and Letters representative for ASMSU's Academic Assembly.