Wednesday, December 31, 2025

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

News

MSU

'U' scientists help refine quark definition

An international science collaboration involving 11 MSU scientists has refined the mass measurement of an important subatomic particle. DZero, a group of university scientists and students from 18 nations, found a more accurate determination of the top quark particle may verify the Standard Model - a theory that explains how subatomic interactions occur - and would allow scientists to more completely understand the nature of the world and what holds it together.

MSU

'U' looking to receive federal tech money

MSU is one of 53 competitors in the running for a share of $24 million in funding from the state. The funds are made available by the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor in order to promote research, commercialization and job creation in the sciences, auto manufacturing and homeland security industries. A panel from the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences reviewed 131 proposals from universities, nonprofit organizations and private research facilities on how to develop the three industries.

MICHIGAN

Capitol engagement

The state Capitol steps have been the site of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride events for more than 15 years, but Pride Weekend organizers anticipate this year's festivities will be extra special. Michigan Pride spokeswoman Sarah Mieras expects at least 15,000 people - a 50-percent jump from last year - to attend a rally and commitment ceremony on Saturday, in addition to other events this weekend.

MICHIGAN

Supreme Court approves state appeal on pipeline

The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed a decision made by the state Appeals Court, calling for approval from the six cities between Jackson and Lansing, that would have been involved a proposed 26-mile gasoline pipeline. Lansing officials brought the case to the Appeals Court three years ago claiming they were against having a pipeline, which would have been built by Wolverine Pipeline Company and traveled alongside Interstate-96.

MICHIGAN

Condominiums and retail space to occupy rezoned property in E.L.

East Lansing city officials say they are hoping to redevelop property near the former Greyhound Bus Station on West Grand River Avenue, by adding condominiums and retail space. Council members refereed to the city's planning commission, at Tuesday's City Council work session, an ordinance to rezone the properties into what city officials are calling the "West Village." Plans to renovate part of the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, and resurface Burcham Road between Timberlane and Hagadorn Roads were also discussed at the session. The "West Village" property covers what is now the Greyhound Bus Station, the Sunshine Restaurant and a few rental houses to the west. Jerome Abood, of Signature Associates, said he plans to turn the run-down bus station into owner-occupied housing because of the city's request. "The plan is to do a mixed use development with commercial stores, condos and some townhouses," Abood said. Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing's director of planning and community development, said the city wanted to make sure Abood's plans did not include adding more rentals into the East Lansing area. "He knew that it was the city's preference that the area be owner-occupied," van Ravensway said.

MSU

Construction begins to revamp Marshall Hall

Piles of broken bricks and mortar surrounded the exposed backside of Marshall Hall on Wednesday as construction began this week on the $6.86 million renovation. Marshall Hall was constructed in 1902 and later named after Professor Charles Marshall, an eminent bacteriologist at MSU.

MSU

'U' capital campaign ahead of schedule

The MSU fund-raising effort to raise $1.2 billion for the university before 2007 is ahead of schedule, campaign officials say. The Campaign for MSU moved into its five year public phase in September 2002.

MICHIGAN

Mosquito numbers to dwindle

The rainy May that East Lansing experienced wreaked havoc on rivers, homes and vacation plans, but mosquitoes in the area were living the dream. But have no fear, the mosquitoes currently buzzing around will dwindle down within the next couple weeks.

MICHIGAN

Lawmakers hurry to balance budget

State legislators say offsetting the current fiscal year's budget deficit and balancing the budget next year is proving to be the omnipresent issue plaguing them right now. With the deadlines for getting both a new cigarette tax bill signed into law and balancing next fiscal year's budget fast approaching, state legislators are scrambling to get both done. Last week, Gov.

MSU

Astronomers in awe over Venus transit

Venus will do something today it has not done in more than a century - it will line up exactly against the sun this morning, creating a black dot only visible through a telescope in what is called the transit of Venus.

MICHIGAN

E.L. Council to discuss rezoning, improvement

Planning and zoning move to the forefront of today's East Lansing City Council work session. The council will review two applications to renovate and rezone city property to include new residential housing, as well as another measure to resurface a major road. Council members will review an application, which would rezone properties on West Grand River Avenue to allow for the inclusion of townhouses, retail stores and apartments. Developer Signature Associates would renovate the former Greyhound Bus Station and surrounding houses, located at the intersection of Hillside Court and West Grand River Avenue, into what city officials are calling "West Village." "Plans include a mixed use structure with retail space, apartments above and a building containing several townhouses," said Bob Owen, the city's planning and zoning administrator.

MSU

Royalties from drug end due to expired patent

A MSU patent on a cancer-treating drug is up and will no longer provide royalties for the university. The drug, Carboplatin, which has had a dramatic effect on the nation, was a modification of Cisplatin, a cancer-treatment drug also discovered by MSU researchers Barnett Rosenberg, Loretta Van Camp and Thomas Krigas in the 1960s.

MICHIGAN

Change of venue

Like George and Louise Jefferson, the MSU Student Housing Cooperative is movin' on up to the east side. After 34 years in Student Services, the cooperative's headquarters has moved to 541 E.

MICHIGAN

Alumnus conquers Everest

Fighting hunger, frigid conditions and the death of several group members, MSU alumnus Dale Darling, 39, had to rely on his experience to take him to the summit of Mount Everest. Darling, who has been climbing mountains for 10 years, knew how to pace himself, thus he never was worried about death.

MICHIGAN

Funding to aid Northern Tier policing

Bath Township - Bath Township Police Chief Jack Phillips said he hopes to use a $15,000 donation from a local developer to train a team of police officers from several communities, in an attempt to prevent serious problems within the community's student housing district. Gordon Hunsaker, chief executive officer of Atlantis Development Group Ltd., said the money, which he donated Thursday morning, could come in handy with patrolling student apartment complexes in the Northern Tier. "The Bath Township area is currently experiencing tremendous growth," Hunsaker said in a written statement.

MICHIGAN

Reagan's influence warmly remembered

Following former President Ronald Reagan's death Saturday, some local politicians say the "Gipper's" charm and optimism enabled him to cross party lines and inspire Democrats and Republicans alike. During Reagan's presidency, state Sen.