Tyler Whitney sat at attention listening to gubernatorial candidate state Rep. Jack Hoogendyk, R-Kalamazoo, talk about the need for tax re-structuring and pro-life policies in Michigan on Thursday.
Some people run marathons or sell pizzas to raise money for a good cause, but prenursing freshman Rene Rodriguez seized the chance to jump out of a plane. Rodriguez is participating in Operation Freefall, a national program to raise awareness about sexual assault. The program raises money for two national organizations created to raise awareness about sexual assaults: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network and Speaking Out About Rape. "Sexual assault is one of the most common things that goes unreported," Rodriguez said. Without clear awareness and resources out there, sexual assault victims will not get the help they need, she said. More than 250 people across the nation will be jumping out of planes for Operation Freefall on Saturday, said Kellie Greene, the founder of Speaking Out About Rape. She said she came up with the event as a way to reclaim a day that had become marked by her own tragedy. It falls on the anniversary of the day she was raped and it takes something extreme like skydiving to counteract the consequences, she said. "It's no longer the day I was raped, it's the day I went skydiving," Greene said. Issues surrounding sexual assault need attention and a bold statement is made by skydiving, Greene said. "When people are throwing themselves out of a perfectly good airplane, people are going to take notice and say 'Wow they must really believe in what they're doing,'" she said. Even though she is afraid of heights, Rodriguez said she wanted to do something to help. She heard about the event through Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention, an MSU sexual assault awareness group, and decided to create a Web site asking her friends and family for help in raising money, she said.
The city of Lansing will hold an election simulation from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday at Lansing City Clerk's election unit, 809 Center St., for voters to familiarize themselves with new voting equipment. Voters can get their questions answered on the new voting equipment before upcoming elections.
The East Lansing City Council has declared May 1-8 to be Days of Remembrance of the Holocaust in the city of East Lansing.
An East Lansing burning ban was lifted Tuesday because of recent rains and snows in the area. The fire department issued a ban of all fires on March 24 and extended the ban mid-April because of unseasonably dry weather this spring. All permit holders are allowed to burn recreationally in East Lansing.
Woldumar Nature Center, 5739 Old Lansing Road in Lansing, will hold the first part of a two-part tree identification workshop at 6:30 p.m.
At Okemos High School, student athletes know there is a three strikes policy if caught using performance-enhancing drugs, said Athletic Director Keith Froelich.
A 13-year ban on certain silicone-gel breast implants might be lifted, but there is some disagreement among area residents, the government and national organizations on their safety. The U.S.
A new organization aimed at working toward legalizing same-sex marriage kicked off its work by holding a rally at the Capitol on Wednesday. Students for Gay Marriage is a group dedicated to overturning the amendment in the Michigan Constitution that bans same-sex marriage.
With U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reporting the number of United States prisoners surpassing more than 2 million people, Michigan judicial departments are working to offer more creative sentencing. Some states have been pushing judges, prosecutors and community members to create community program alternatives for would-be prisoners who are nonviolent and first-time offenders.
While a majority of students leave MSU and East Lansing during the summer, some who take classes or work in the area will be left to fill the rental vacancies. Rather than sign a new housing agreement, some students move into apartments already locked into a yearlong lease.
"I just got fired from my other one, so it's time to start looking." Justin Cherwinski economics senior "I've had more than 50 interviews.
A year after one of the largest pro-choice rallies was held in Washington, D.C., pro-choice groups from across Michigan gathered at the Capitol to urge legislators to support women's reproductive rights. Women and men spent the day speaking to their legislators and making signs and then joined a rally where they listened to speakers talk about pro-choice issues. "We need to reach pro-choice candidates and get them to run and send anti-choice legislators back to their districts where they belong," said Rebekah Warren, executive director of MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan. The master of ceremonies for the rally was Nancy Skinner, a self-proclaimed liberal radio host from Illinois.
A report released Tuesday by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reports that, although crime rates in general are declining, violence against lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender people are still on the rise. Both nationally and in Michigan, the number of anti-LBGT crimes increased by 4 percent in 2004.
A $90,000 parking agreement between the city of East Lansing and MSU might be approved at tonight's City Council meeting. About 100 MSU faculty and staff could be displaced into East Lansing's parking system while a parking ramp to be located near Morrill Hall is constructed. "At peak times, we are at about 59 percent capacity," said Dan O'Connor, East Lansing's parking administrator.
For Jewish students participating in Passover this week, the Hillel Jewish Student Center, 360 Charles St., is offering lunch and dinner every day during the eight- day celebration. "It is difficult for students who do observe it, while living in dorms or on campus, since there are such strict dietary rules," said Jennifer Bloom, president of the Jewish Student Union.
The 36th Annual WalkAmerica event will be held at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Louis F. Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing. The walk is held by the Lansing Division of the March of Dimes and is intended to raise money for babies who are born premature. Opportunities at the event include a canine competition, in which dogs are judged as walkers cross the finish line, a spirit station with refreshments and a family fun area. To register or for more information, visit www.walkamerica.org or call (800) 525-WALK.
East Lansing's Youth Action Team and Prime Time Seniors' Program are hosting the Vegetable Soup Variety Show from 6 p.m.
The Lansing Area Safety Council, 3315 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Lansing, is offering the National Safety Council Defensive Driving Course from 6 p.m.
By Lindsey Poisson Special for The State News After weather conditions forced a community landscaping event to be postponed Saturday, East Lansing's Community Relations Coalition still went ahead with a field day inside Bailey Community Center. Liza Walter, 7, sat eating pizza with her mother after spending close to an hour riding a tricycle, coloring a large paper banner and watching a magician do card tricks. "My favorite thing was drawing on the poster," Liza Walter said.