Lansing group to target low-income vote

The streets will be filled this fall with political activists, petitioners and advocates representing the presidential candidates of their choice. Lansing Voters Matter, a new non-partisan voter registration organization, will be targeting a group they say is often overlooked by many of the regular campaigns - Lansing's low-income population. "We realized that all of the 'Get out the vote' drives were politically motivated," co-founder Michelle Johnson said.

Police briefs 08/10/04

Police briefs 08/10/04

Enrollment down in business program

Enrollment in MSU's Executive Masters of Business Administration program has gone down over the last five years, while many of the nation's schools have seen steady enrollment, university officials said. MSU saw a drop of almost five students per year on average in its EMBA program. And nationwide, more than three-fourths of responding Masters of Business Administration programs reported a decline in applications, according to a recent Graduate Management Admission Council survey, although MSU's figures have remained relatively steady. Also, 25 percent less students took the GMAT test for admission into business school than in 2002. "Given that the number of people who've taken the GMAT is down, there is a smaller pool of students," said John Delaney, associate dean for MBA Programs with the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management. This limited number of candidates means universities in the top 10 of national business programs can syphon away students from MSU, he said.

Chemistry demos might suffer

Students taking chemistry classes this fall won't get to see as many demonstrations as their predecessors, because chemistry demonstrator Sheldon Knoespel will no longer be experimenting. Knoespel, who was in the position for 14 years, was responsible for doing all the demonstrations in different chemistry classes that emphasized what was being taught in the classroom.

Professor named to lead agricultural society

With farming converting into a type of corporate business from its past image of family driven manual labor, agriculture graduates with an economics and engineering background are farther ahead career-wise, MSU College of Agriculture officials say. Otto Loewer, a 1980 MSU alumnus, recently became the president-elect for the American Society for Agricultural Engineers, due in part to his dual background in those subjects.

'U' institutes program on American Indian law

A new American Indian Law Program will begin this fall at MSU, teaching students about indigenous law, policy and practice. When the two classes start they will be the beginning of the only formal American Indian law program in Michigan and the most comprehensive in the Midwest. "It's an entire area of law that people just aren't aware of," said Donald Laverdure, a professor and director of the program.

Parade celebrates African Americans

Lansing - State Rep. Michael Murphy, D-Lansing, watched one of the nation's oldest and largest black parades in Chicago every summer as a child and eventually participated in the parade when he was old enough.

Police briefs 08/09/04

McPherson awarded for work in Iraq

MSU President M. Peter McPherson has received an award from the U.S. Department of Treasury for his efforts last summer to help rebuild Iraq's struggling economy. McPherson took a 130-day unpaid leave of absence from the university to serve as the financial coordinator in Iraq for the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance.

'U' wasting time on net

Just try to balance a full load of human biology course work with the time requirements of a starting position on the MSU baseball team. As imaginable, goof-off time was scarce for Charlie Braun, shortstop and second baseman for the 2003-04 Spartans. "I didn't have the luxury of free time," he said.

Family mourns lost son

There's a display board resting against the old piano in the little white house on Stuart Avenue.

Bush to visit Saginaw today

When President Bush stops his "Heart and Soul of America" tour in Saginaw today, it will be his 19th trip to the Great Lakes State since his bid for the presidency in 2000. The Republican has visited Michigan more than any other president in U.S.

Neighbors build bond on annual 'Night Out'

Neighbors met in driveways and cul-de-sacs Tuesday night, chatting, being introduced to unfamiliar faces, watching children and pets play and sometimes sharing ice cream.

Parade will float to Lansing

As a little boy growing up on the south side of Chicago, state Rep. Michael Murphy, D-Lansing, would watch one of the nation's oldest and largest black parades march down his street every year.

Retired teacher to face Rogers

Democrat Bob Alexander will go head-to-head with U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers on issues such as the Iraq War, health care and jobs when the two compete in November for Michigan's 8th Congressional District. To win the right to take on Rogers, R-Brighton, Alexander beat Democrat Matt Ferguson in Tuesday's primary.

Lansing to soon be home to playground

A new 10,000-square-foot playground will be available to Lansing's Henry H. North Elementary School students this fall.

E.L. Library to offer computer seminars

The East Lansing Public Library will extend its free adult computer classes throughout the month. All sessions are from 9-10 a.m. "Basic Computer Skills" begins Monday and will teach basics such as how to use the mouse and provide a basic lexicon defining technical computer terms. "Beginner's Guide to the World Wide Web" on Thursday, Aug.

Ingham County Fair more than a ride

Mason - Like the methodical rotations of a Ferris wheel, the 150th Ingham County Fair began Monday morning with less of a bang and more of a slow, resounding "moo." As the first of a projected 100,000 total visitors trickled into the park to visit with cows, pigs, horses and even Bengal tigers, the persuasive voices of carnival game hosts were rivaled only by the upbeat dance music playing in the background of slick-moving, head-jerking carnival rides.

Meningitis survivor stresses awareness

Back in October of 1999, then-sophomore marching band member Adam Busuttil skipped the MSU versus University of Michigan football game because he thought he had the flu.