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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

WEB EXTRA: CVS obtains beer, wine permit

CVS/pharmacy, 240 M.A.C. Ave., is now permitted to sell beer and wine. The East Lansing City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to grant CVS a beer and wine permit. But CVS must follow conditions — they cannot sell kegs, advertise liquor in the windows, or sell alcohol through the pick-up window.

MICHIGAN

Improvements made to accelerate Amber Alert

Michigan's Amber Alert system, intended to find abducted children faster, will be updated following a grant from AT&T Michigan. The $77,000 grant will be used to update technology so the emergency broadcast alert will be automatically sent over radio or television during an Amber Alert, and eliminate manpower needed in newsrooms to physically put out the alert, said Karole White, president of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. "It can go directly to the television set," White said. In the previous system, local law-enforcement agencies contacted the Michigan State Police after an abduction.

MICHIGAN

Running to represent

Since announcing his candidacy in December, MSU College of Law student John Knowles has learned how much work campaigning for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives involves. "It's been tremendously exhausting," Knowles said. Balancing his campaign and other commitments has 25-year-old Knowles typically working from 8 a.m.

MICHIGAN

Policy could restrict downtown rentals

East Lansing doesn't need more student housing downtown, city officials say. City Council will consider adopting a policy today that makes student-geared developments its lowest priority when approving new housing projects, focusing instead on encouraging home ownership. The council will vote to approve the policy at today's meeting, which begins at 5 p.m.

MICHIGAN

Robinson sues over ballot law

State Senate candidate Melissa Sue Robinson, who is a transgender person, filed suit yesterday against the state of Michigan, challenging a law which would require her former name to appear on the ballot. Robinson, who was born Charles Edward Staelens Jr., changed her name in May 1998.

MICHIGAN

Local bars reject longer hours

Mike McNeely doesn't plan on keeping his Lansing bar open any later, despite a new law that allows Michigan bars to stay open after 2 a.m. "What would be the reason to stay open?" said McNeely, a co-owner of Trippers, 354 Frandor Ave.

MICHIGAN

In Flight Sports faces closing

By Darrell Hughes Special to The State News In Flight Sports might be grounded. The sporty, yet vintage, clothing and accessories store — which is known for its Grateful Dead merchandise — is on the brink of closing later this month or in early February if store owner Marvin Pridgeon doesn't find someone to purchase the business. "We've been trying to sell for months," Pridgeon said.

MICHIGAN

Rogers calls for lobbying legislation

Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton announced yesterday his principles for lobbying reform legislation, aimed at holding lobbyists and officials accountable for the way money is raised. "The goal is to restore the accountability and the trust in government," said his spokeswoman, Sylvia Warner. Rogers called for the reform in a letter to his colleagues Monday when he announced his intention to run for the majority whip position, the House's No.

MICHIGAN

Experts pan earbud listening

Turn down the music. As iPod and MP3 player users nestle earbuds into their ears, each listen could increase the possibility of permanent hearing damage, audiologists say. The popular earbuds used with iPods and MP3 players could be even more damaging than headphones, they said. "Digital music players like the iPod and MP3 players are causing more damage than old players," said Eileen Bridges, an audiologist with Mid-Michigan Ear, Nose & Throat Professional Hearing Consultants.

MICHIGAN

6 vying for Bernero's former seat

Six candidates are now in the race to fill an empty Michigan Senate seat representing most of Ingham County, including MSU. Three Democrats and three Republicans turned in the required paperwork by Tuesday's deadline to run in a special election for the 23rd Senate District opened by the departure of former Sen.

MICHIGAN

Lawmakers to focus on economy, environment

With state legislators returning to Lansing this week, both parties are laying out their top issues for 2006. Top Republican legislators said they want to cut the alternate small business tax and control state regulations that would hinder economic growth. Democrats said they want to focus on ending Canadian and out-of-state trash dumping, increasing minimum wage, preventing outsourcing and expanding preschools. Focusing on recovery To catch up with the recovery of other states, the state must cut costs and be more business-friendly for job providers, said House Speaker Craig DeRoche, R-Novi, who joined Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming, in announcing the Republicans' goals Tuesday. "This is the year to address small businesses and the vital role they play in Michigan's economy," Sikkema said. The party is trying to shift focus away from the state budget to examine the state's economic recovery, said Ari Adler, Sikkema's spokesperson.

MICHIGAN

Post office to process passport applications

East Lansing residents looking to travel abroad will have an opportunity to get their passports in order next week. A lobby in the East Lansing Post Office, 1140 Abbott Road, will be dedicated to processing passport applications Jan.

MICHIGAN

Katrina survivor reunited with photo album

Kaysi Higgins came to Lansing in October with clothes for three days, a toothbrush and not much else. Photo albums and other belongings back home had been ruined when Hurricane Katrina hit and split the ceiling of her New Orleans home, but she still had an album that held pictures from as far back as her baby years. Higgins, 16, lost the album in MSU's Main Library but got it back Tuesday after an MSU police staff member tracked her down using clues from the photos. Higgins got tears in her eyes as she looked at the album. "I didn't realize I have all these good pictures in here," Higgins said.

MICHIGAN

Rogers to run for majority whip

Despite reports of other early favorites for the No. 3 Republican spot in the U.S. House, Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton could compete for the position. Rogers, whose district includes MSU and Ingham County, would be charged with gathering votes and support in the House if he was picked for the majority whip position. Four candidates have announced their intention to run for the position, which would be open if Rep.