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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Quenching the economy

Thea Neal
February 9, 2007

While Michigan's $800 million deficit is thirsty for dollars, one nonprofit corporation is looking to dry the public's palette by raising a tax on beer. The Center for Michigan, a nonpartisan think-tank, has created "Eight Ideas to Structurally Change How Michigan Does the Public's Business in These Difficult Economic Times." The plan, which has been developed for months, gives ideas to alter both spending and taxation. Aside from an increase on the beer tax, the plan also calls for the creation of a soft drink tax. Executive director John Bebow said the current beer tax is "reaching irrelevance." The $6.30 tax per barrel of beer hasn't changed since 1966.

MICHIGAN

State, MSU to develop alternative fuel plans

Cash Kruth
February 8, 2007

Lansing — MSU faculty gathered with the Michigan Senate Economic Development Committee on Wednesday to discuss how the university and state can become leaders in a post-petroleum economy. This is the first of many committee meetings throughout the next few months. The transition to a bioeconomy is crucial for Michigan to survive, which was made evident by the State of the Union and State of the State addresses, said Steve Webster, MSU's vice president of governmental affairs. "Those leaders identified the bioeconomy as an area of growth for our country and state," he said.

MICHIGAN

State of the State draws mixed reviews

Alex Altman
February 8, 2007

Despite a combined $3 billion deficit looming over Michigan, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the only way to get out of the state's economic crisis is by investing more in the economy. "If we are to revitalize Michigan, we … must invest in our people and diversify our economy," Granholm said Tuesday, during her State of the State address.

MICHIGAN

Garbage imports overcrowd landfills

Brendan Bouffard
February 7, 2007

Michigan is a desirable location for garbage exports from around the world. But the dirty habit of making cash from other people's trash has left the state with little capacity in its landfills. A report filed two weeks ago with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, or DEQ, estimated Michigan landfills have 18 years of space remaining in them. "It's certainly a concern for us," DEQ spokesman Bob McCann said.

MICHIGAN

Homeless shelter could close

Cash Kruth
February 7, 2007

Lansing — Walk through the doors of the New Hope Day Center and you will hear plenty of conversations and some laughter, as well as feel warmth. On a day when the weather is just a few degrees above zero, anywhere with heat is comforting — something the clients of New Hope are looking for.

MICHIGAN

Council plans city's future

Jacob Carpenter
February 6, 2007

The final East Lansing Comprehensive Plan will be presented to City Council tonight — the culmination of five years of work. The plan establishes guidelines for how the city could develop more homes, businesses and apartments in the future.

MICHIGAN

Preparing to run for political office

Alex Altman
February 5, 2007

Three MSU students are running for positions in organizations that connect college Democrats and Republicans statewide. MSU Democrats' Emily Mixter and MSU College Republicans Steve Japinga and Jeff Wiggins are running for spots with the Michigan Federation of College Democrats, or MFCD, and the Michigan Federation of College Republicans, or MFCR, respectively. Their jobs would be to create a broad network of communication between college groups across the state.

MICHIGAN

E.L. festival celebrates 5th year

By Isaac DeVille For The State News Amanda Shuler is proud of her Irish heritage. So proud, in fact, that she was one of about 60 participants in an Irish folk-singing workshop Saturday at Hannah Community Center.

MICHIGAN

E.L. festival to sing away winter blues

Thea Neal
February 2, 2007

Sally Potter bursts out into song, even when she's on the phone. Tonight, Potter and other folk singers hope to share their singing passion with participants in the Mid-Winter Singing Festival. The fifth-annual festival will start tonight at Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road.

MICHIGAN

Scam targets MSU community

Thea Neal
February 2, 2007

Members of the MSU community were the target of another phishing scam Wednesday. Students, staff and faculty members with MSU e-mail accounts might have received a fraudulent message that appeared to be from the MSU Federal Credit Union.

MICHIGAN

Civilians learn skills

Tucked into the corner of Lansing Community College's West Campus, a mix of MSU students and area residents felt the heat. They grappled with the question of when to use force, handled various ammunition and were even sent to shoot at dangerous assailants. The police weapon tutorial was part of the East Lansing Police Department's annual Citizen's Police Academy, where average Joes are invited to take part in a free, 11-week training session. The Academy gives participants an insider's view of how the ELPD operates, said Capt.

MICHIGAN

Security breach affects students

Cash Kruth
February 1, 2007

Shopped at a T.J. Maxx or Marshalls last year? How about A.J. Wright or HomeGoods? You might have got more than you bargained for. The credit and debit card information of some customers was stolen in mid-December in a nationwide security breach.

MICHIGAN

Beaner's sales grow by nearly 53 percent

Cash Kruth
January 31, 2007

Beaner's Gourmet Coffee sales increased by 53 percent in 2006. Entrepreneur magazine ranked the company 289 out of the top 500 franchise concepts in the U.S. The store opened new branches in Georgia, Florida and Illinois and plans to cross the 100-store mark by the end of 2007 by opening stores in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Detroit. "Overall, it shows that our brand is doing very well," said Kori Lawlor, marketing manager for the franchise.

MICHIGAN

Proposal calls to inform parents

Alex Altman
January 31, 2007

A group of Michigan legislators wants to make sure parents are fully aware of a new vaccine that could protect their teenage daughters from cervical cancer. The proposed law wouldn't force parents to get their children immunized — it would require them to understand the correlation between the genital human papillomavirus, or HPV, and cervical cancer.

MICHIGAN

Parking garages upgrade system

Kristen Daum
January 31, 2007

In the next few months, drivers coming to East Lansing's downtown parking facilities are going to be greeted with an electronic computer rather than a parking attendant. More than $1 million worth of computerized parking equipment has been ordered to replace the city's existing technology by July. The new equipment will offer drivers the option of paying with credit cards and city-issued debit cards, along with more options for short-term permits. "It's just the way the industry's going," East Lansing Parking Administrator Dan O'Connor said.