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MICHIGAN

Hundreds hear former sex slave speak out

Darcie Moran
February 3, 2013

A packed Union lounge Friday night told Malynda Jennings there might be hope for the thousands of children living the life she used to — forced to give oral or physical sex as a child sex slave. Jennings spoke about being trafficked by her parents even before she was 2 years old, in a small, eastern Michigan town to raise awareness about human trafficking in Michigan during the University Activities Board’s Spartans Against Slavery event. “It’s a horrific act that some other people do at the cost of innocence of another person,” Jennings said. “There’s no race, creed or color to it.” About 2,500 suspected incidents of human trafficking, mostly sex trafficking of children, in the U.S. were recorded between January 2008 and June 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. There were about 140 calls to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center from Michigan regarding human trafficking incidents from January to September 2012.

MSU

Study abroad trip gives inside glimpse into Cuban lifestyles

Simon Schuster
February 3, 2013

Last spring, with trumpet in hand, Gibron Lockhart would walk the Malecón — a broad promenade bordering the Caribbean Sea in Havana, Cuba’s capital — and meet people. They would ask to play music with him, to sing or to dance, and along the way he learned their dances and the subtleties of their music. “They’re so open and so warm and loving,” jazz studies senior Lockhart said. “You meet them and they give you a hug and a kiss on the cheek.”

MSU

Students speed date for Valentines, experience

Isabella Shaya
February 3, 2013

The annual speed dating event hosted by the University Activities Board, or UAB, gave students a chance to find that special someone just in time for Valentine’s Day. But many of the 350 students who attended the event Saturday night in the International Center were not in search of a date.

MSU

‘Talking computer’ leads to friendship

Lilly Keyes
January 31, 2013

John Eulenberg, Don Sherman and J. J. Jackson can recall every detail of the day they met 39 years ago . “It was love at first sight — even though I couldn’t see them,” said Jackson, a blind former Artificial Language Lab scientist, as he reached over to touch Sherman’s arm jokingly. Dec. 4, 1974, just two weeks after their meeting, Eulenberg and Jackson decided to help Sherman perform a simple task — ordering a pizza via telephone. Because Sherman has Moebius syndrome, which leaves his face mostly paralyzed, this mundane task was something he had never done before. Little did they know, the team of now-best friends opened the floodgates for MSU’s speech pathology program that night. “I think we all feel it was our destiny to work in this area and to remain committed to it,” Jackson said. “We still honor, love and treasure the link we established in 1974.” The video recording of the event recently went viral, giving the roughly 50,000 viewers a glimpse into the MSU Artificial Language Laboratory’s work to provide voices to those with limited speech. More than three decades later, the men still get together each year on the anniversary of Sherman’s computer-aided phone call. Although MSU’s laboratory has since been downsized, MSU still is involved with communicative disorder research.

MICHIGAN

Changes come to Stateside Deli: Owner faces challenges revamping the restaurant

Michael Koury
January 31, 2013

Stateside Deli, 313 E. Grand River Ave., might be unrecognizable to students today. Construction projects are scheduled, and now the business will be known as Spencer’s Kitchen and Bar. The restaurant was closed this week for painting and aesthetic touch ups, and it tentatively is scheduled to open today pending the interior renovations are completed on time. If not, students most likely can chow on the famous corned beef sandwiches Monday after continued weekend construction.

MICHIGAN

E.L. bars ‘unlikely’ to face tragedy similar to brazil bar

Darcie Moran
January 31, 2013

Long lines at Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub or Rick’s American Cafe might be daunting for students looking for a fun weekend, but East Lansing officials said they should be thankful because it prevents overcrowding that could lead to dangerous incidents such as the club fire in Brazil. A recent fire at a Brazillian night club left 235 dead, after pyrotechnics lit the building on fire and thousands raced toward a single exit, according to media reports. East Lansing Planning and Community Development Director Tim Dempsey said before any 5establishment opens, owners must go through a thorough review process. He said the design and plans have to be approved, and construction is closely inspected.

MICHIGAN

The golden touch

Natalie Kolb
January 31, 2013

After working with jewelry since high school, gold smither and Bath Township resident Tom Awrey knows how to repair or craft just about anything a customer brings to him. “I guess I look at it in terms of Christmases. I have 43 consecutive Christmases on the bench,” said Awrey, who works his own jewelry repair business fixing pieces for stores in the Lansing area.

MICHIGAN

Local businesses unscathed by fall quarter, lower-than-average GDP

Alex McClung
January 31, 2013

The road to national economic recovery hit a slight barrier during the end of 2012, according to a bleak gross domestic product report released this week. The economy contracted at an annual rate of 0.1 percent during the last three months of 2012, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. This fourth-quarter report is the worst quarter the U.S. economy has seen in three and a half years. Economic experts expect growth this year to rebound at a rate of 1.5 percent, which still is lower than the pace it has kept during the past three years.

MICHIGAN

Puppies, abortion among proposed bills

Kellie Rowe
January 31, 2013

The Michigan Legislature has had a busy few months between right-to-work legislation and gun bills, but few students might know dozens of other bills are introduced everyday. Here are a few of many bills the Michigan legislators are working on at the moment.

MICHIGAN

New addition to Chandler Crossings available in June

Isabella Shaya
January 30, 2013

The image of an average college apartment usually consists of a broken sink, holes in the wall and loud, partying neighbors. But for students past the party scene who are looking for a quiet environment, a new duplex-style apartment slated to be finished this June might appeal.

MICHIGAN

Study: Student debt on decline

Kellie Rowe
January 30, 2013

The latest results from a nationwide student debt survey show MSU students are graduating with less debt and college graduate unemployment rates are dropping. MSU students who graduated in 2011 had about $2,000 less in debt than those who graduated in 2010, according to Project on Student Debt.

MSU

Course drop refund deadline looming

Robert Bondy
January 30, 2013

The final day to drop classes with 100 percent full-refund is tomorrow, Feb. 1. In an email, the Undergraduate University Division, or UUD, encouraged students to check their schedule to prevent any costly errors.

MSU

Former NASA astronaut shares story with students

Christine LaRouere
January 30, 2013

Astrophysics freshman Carolyn Wendeln wants to be an astronaut, so when she heard former astronaut Story Musgrave was coming to campus, she jumped at the chance to hear him speak. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, students and residents came to the Union to hear advice and life stories from Musgrave — who worked for NASA, holds seven graduate degrees and has flown air crafts for the Marines in Korea.