MICHIGAN
Justices hear case on race in admissions
WASHINGTON — Seven years of controversy surrounding Michigan’s affirmative action ban came to a head Tuesday when the “U.S.
MICHIGAN
Jury finds McCowan guilty
As the jury shuffled into the courtroom Tuesday, Okemos resident Connor McCowan’s family clasped hands, preparing to hear the verdict.
MICHIGAN
East Lansing City Council approves same-sex couple registry
If they choose to do so, both straight and same-sex couples can now place their names on a city directory and be officially recognized by East Lansing, even if state laws prevent them from formally doing so. On Tuesday, the East Lansing City Council approved an ordinance allowing for the recognition of domestic partnerships by the city in a directory. East Lansing is the second city in the state of Michigan to pass such an ordinance. Ann Arbor passed a similar ordinance in the 1990s.
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Connor McCowan trial concludes with second degree murder conviction
After more than two weeks of trial, the jury found Okemos resident Connor McCowan guilty of second-degree murder Tuesday afternoon for stabbing and killing MSU student Andrew Singler. The jury reached a verdict midway through its second day of deliberations. McCowan’s sentencing will be held Nov. 6.
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Connor McCowan found guilty of second-degree murder
A jury has found Okemos resident Connor McCowan guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing of MSU student Andrew Singler. McCowan is accused of fatally stabbing Singler Feb. 23 after getting in a text messaging fight regarding Singler’s treatment of his girlfriend, McCowan’s sister Shay McCowan.
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Indigenous student group protests Columbus Day
Members of MSU’s North American Indigenous Students Organization, or NAISO, and other supporters gathered at the rock on Farm Lane on Monday evening to protest Columbus Day, a federal holiday to celebrate the explorer’s discovery of America. A drum group performed and supporters held signs with messages such as “Columbus was lost” and “We were already here.”
MICHIGAN
Face Time: East Lansing City Council candidate Susan Woods
Even though East Lansing City Council candidate Susan Woods has lived all over the world, she decided a long time ago to make Spartan territory her permanent home.? A 1975 graduate of the University of California at Berkley, Woods previously has lived in Spain, Austria, Boston, Washington D.C. and San Francisco.? After her husband got a job at MSU in the early 1990s, Woods and her family moved to the city’s Bailey neighborhood and have remained ever since.?
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East Lansing event gives residents glimpse of future city development plans
Members of the East Lansing community had an opportunity to get a glimpse at the “bigger picture” of what’s to come Monday evening during an event geared at advancing city goals 20 years into the future. Monday evening marked the beginning of the city’s Bigger Picture Plan and Design Week, which helped kick off the city’s public portion of its comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan is a broad-based policy document for the physical, economic and social development of the city.
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Closing arguments over, jury deliberations start in trial
One side believes Okemos resident Connor McCowan stabbed and killed MSU student Andrew Singler to protect his own life. The other maintains the 19-year-old had plenty of chances to run away, go home or diffuse the situation, but chose not to out of intent to harm Singler. This week, the jury will decide who to believe.
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UPDATE: Jury begins deliberation in McCowan case
Both sides began presenting their closing arguments in the trial of Okemos resident Connor McCowan Monday morning in Ingham County Circuit Court. McCowan is accused of stabbing and killing MSU student Andrew Singler after a text messaging argument between the two escalated to blows on Feb. 23. The jury will deliberate over whether McCowan is guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter.
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McCowan's case focuses on blows to head in fight
After reaching the door of MSU student Andrew Singler’s apartment on the morning of Feb. 23, Okemos resident Connor McCowan said his subsequent actions were a result of a series of blows to the head. Singler allegedly hit McCowan multiple times above his left eyebrow when McCowan saw a bright light and stumbled backward into the hallway, McCowan testified Friday in his trial in Ingham County Circuit Court.
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Look inside Spartan Linen Services
Spartan Linen Services, located south of campus at 373 Service Road, might be the farthest thing from a laundromat. More of an industrial facility than laundry service, Spartan Linen Services washes almost all the linens used on MSU’s campus, from Kellogg Center tablecloths to employee uniforms. They also clean the linen packages that some on-campus students use.
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East Lansing Brew & Do event questioned by city residents for effectiveness
City officials are trying to expand the way they reach residents with new and unique events, but some citizens are concerned the city is not doing it the right way. The Brew & Do event, set to run this Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Dublin Square Irish Pub, seeks to engage the community in a different venue than a typical government meeting place.
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Retired MSU dean honored by MSU Black Alumni Association
A retired dean of the MSU College of Urban Development was honored by the MSU Black Alumni Association this weekend for his work in education and activism.? Robert L. Green, a dean emeritus and former associate of Martin Luther King Jr., was honored at an event in Lansing to celebrate Green’s 80th birthday and to help raise funds for the Robert L. Green Scholarship Fund. Green also received a “distinguished alumnus” award.
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City sponsors comprehensive planning events
The Plan and Design Kick-Off Week for East Lansing’s 18-month update to its comprehensive plan is set to take place Oct. 14 – 17. The comprehensive plan is a policy document for the physical, economic and social development of the city, reviewed for updates every five years to project land use planning 20 years in advance.
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Update: McCowan concludes testimony in murder trial
Discrepancies between the actions and testimony of Okemos resident Connor McCowan were questioned during the defense side of his trial Friday morning. McCowan, 19, was taken into custody by Meridian Township police just hours after he allegedly stabbed and killed MSU student Andrew Singler on Feb. 23. He called his mother, Judy McCowan, from the Ingham County Jail that morning, and testified Friday that he was “devastated,” when she told him Singler had died.
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State bill could keep bars open later, but city officials skeptical
Ever go out for a few beers, stumble toward the clock and realize it’s already 2 a.m., but still need to pound a few more? A new bill could let patrons imbibe later into the night, but some East Lansing officials aren’t sold on the idea. A new bill from state Sen. Virgil Smith, D-Detroit, would allow bars to stay open two hours later — a move supporters hope would make Michigan cities more competitive with metropolitan areas such as Chicago or New York City.
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Connor McCowan emotional in court during trial testimony
On the morning of Feb. 23, Connor McCowan recalled walking up the stairwell to MSU student Andrew Singler’s apartment, where he paused. According to his testimony in Ingham County Circuit Court, he took out the folding knife he had in his pocket and opened it, exposing the blade. He slid it back into his pocket before he entered his friend’s residence.
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Road closures scheduled for Homecoming Parade this weekend
The Homecoming Parade is set to roll through East Lansing once again this weekend, and with it comes several road closures.
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Connor McCowan begins testifying in his own murder trial
Okemos resident Connor McCowan took the stand in his own murder trial Thursday to defend himself against allegations that he stabbed and killed MSU student Andrew Singler. Defense attorney Chris Bergstrom began questioning McCowan in Ingham County Circuit Court Thursday afternoon. Much of the testimony centered around text messages sent between McCowan, his sister Shay McCowan and Singler on Feb. 23 before Singler died.