Lansing - Pro-lifers and pro-choicers didn’t let rain get in the way of debate Tuesday at the state Capitol. Michigan Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League planned to rally on the Capitol steps, but rain forced gatherers - and rivals - indoors. The pro-choice organization addressed such issues as female health funding, contraceptive equity and abortion clinic violence.
Different species of frogs are thriving and not croaking, the annual state frog survey suggests.The survey is conducted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and began in 1988 to develop knowledge of the amphibians.Despite concerns over disappearing habitats, the critters have been making comebacks with a little help.Ecologists stress the importance of frogs as important links on the food chain for other animals as well as consuming insects.
The East Lansing City Council will hold its final formal meeting tonight before the Nov. 6 council elections. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m.
Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund are disclosing information on sewage overflows not reported by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The environmental groups released a report Tuesday claiming the DEQ’s Web site fails to report 29 billion gallons of sewage overflows in the state. By law, the size of the overflow and all surrounding waters near it are required to be reported to the DEQ and local health departments. The law also requires the DEQ to post the information on its Web site. Bethany Renfer, program coordinator for Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, said the state total for sewage overflows is far more than what has been reported and communication between the health departments and the DEQ needs to improve. “We (filed Freedom of Information Act requests) with county environmental health departments and compared that to what is on the DEQ Web site,” she said.
Gov. John Engler is doing his part to raise money for the survivors of the Sept. 11 terrorism victims online. Engler is participating in the Auction for America, an Internet auction fund-raiser on eBay, the world’s largest online auction house.
Thomas Rachman has been racing since he was a born - and Sunday was no exception.Thomas, 3, placed second in the Unity Walk and Run 5K and his dad placed an extremely close third.That’s because Steve Rachman pushed Thomas in a red racer stroller throughout the twisting 3.1 mile Pinecrest neighborhood course.“This is a way for us to be together,” Rachman said.
Okemos resident and MSU professor of family child ecology, Harriette McAdoo, said the $18 she spent on gas would give her almost a full tank. “I purchased gas I think it was the 12th and it was $30 to fill my tank, it was all I could do,” she said while pumping gas into her car Sunday at the Speedway, 6323 W.
The number of piping plovers may not be plummeting.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported a slight rise in 2001 with 32 new nesting areas spotted in the Great Lakes area.Last year only 30 nesting pairs were counted.Jack Dingledine, Great Lakes regional piping plover coordinator for the U.S.
Secretary of State Candice Miller will begin accepting orders for the new “Proud To Be American” license plate today.Miller joined state Sen.
Dade Schultz knows animals.He has spent his entire life around horses and mules - as a child in one grandfather’s blacksmith shop in Chester, Mich., and on his other grandfather’s farm, where 30 horses pulled the plows.He moved to his own farm in Charlotte in 1974 where he raises horses and mules, showing them in parades around the country and using them to teach children.Two of his mules, “Bays in Brass,” the show name for 14-year-olds Ruth and Rudy, will pull a show wagon adorned with several “East Lansing, Home of MSU” banners during tonight’s Homecoming parade.The parade begins at 6 p.m.
Gov. John Engler is expected to sign a bill that restores firefighting grants that protect state buildings.Engler recently vetoed legislation that would have increased fire protection grants to $9.4 million, saying that the state couldn’t afford a $2 million increase from last year.
Michigan retailers may need a crystal ball to determine whether to stock more merchandise or cut back from last year’s levels.The Michigan Retailers Association released a recent report saying 41 percent of stores are buying more, while 44 percent are buying less and 15 percent are staying at the same level.Tom Scott, spokesman for the association, said the expectations for this year are low.“(The economy) has been slow all year long, and the events of Sept.
State representatives in the House Criminal Justice Committee want to keep better track of parolees and probationers.The committee unanimously approved legislation Tuesday that enters Michigan into a national group of states working together to manage parolees and probationers who wish to cross state lines.
Those who picture Michigan’s Great Lakes may think of swimming, sailing or historic lighthouses.But they’re also responsible for producing some of the best wines in the nation.“There are dramatic advantages to Michigan,” said Joel Lichty, owner of Veritas Wine Shop, 211 M.A.C.
New legislation may make state residents think twice before using false identification.Introduced at the beginning of the year by state Rep.
Members of Sigma Chi are determined to earn back their chapter house with the support of alumni throughout the country.“We recently had a vote that the house is not going to be sold right now,” said Sigma Chi president Jeff Maxwell.
Byron McGhee is starting his new fashion line at the beginning.The communication junior is developing a line of clothing called Shione, which means beginning.“Right now we just have T-shirts, and we have baby T-shirts for the girls,” he said.
Most makeovers provide drastic change in very little time, but East Lansing’s downtown has been in the process of a long makeover for more than six years.And it’s really beginning to take shape.Jim Cash of The Christman Company, the Lansing-based development company in charge of the project, said the $30 million project is going well and staying true to its schedule.Two of the projects - a new 730-space parking structure and the relocated Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave.
Alex Beachum isn’t worried about finding a job when he graduates.The interdisciplinary studies and pre-law senior said he plans on selling real estate before he enters law school.“The economy is pretty slow, but the line of work I am going into doesn’t really matter,” he said.
The economic status of the United States may still be on shaky ground following the events of the last month, but the city of East Lansing is maintaining its development efforts.East Lansing has several of its own construction projects underway within the city limits, and several projects are underway in adjacent Bath Township on Abbott Road north of Lake Lansing Road.