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MSU

MSU to install artificial turf at Munn Field

A new artificial turf field in the southeast corner of Munn Field will be available for use by the Spartan Marching Band and others starting next August. Artificial turf is much more durable than grass and the field will serve the band, classes, intramural sports, club sports and intercollegiate sports.

MSU

Engineering students create voting joystick

MSU engineering students are helping to develop a joystick that could make it easier for disabled people to cast votes. The joystick will create a force feedback, giving voters the opportunity to feel the movement as they go through the ballot.

MSU

East Lansing adds moped parking spots to three downtown ramps

The city of East Lansing is accommodating for the growing trend of moped use by designating free moped parking slots in downtown parking structures. The three parking structures with new moped parking slots include the Division Street Parking Structure on 430 Albert Ave., Grove Street Parking Structure on 330 Grove St.

MSU

Ann Arbor boy creates biking event from Michigan Stadium to Spartan Stadium to raise money, awareness for ALS

While the Spartan and Wolverine football teams will be waking up and mentally preparing for the big game Saturday, a group of 15 bikers will hit the road on from Michigan Stadium to Spartan Stadium to raise awareness and funds toward amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. 13-year-old Ann Arbor native Sam Sugerman, along with his close friends and family, ventured on an six hour, 65-mile excursion sponsored by Ann Arbor Active Against ALS, also referred to as A2A3, last year on the day of the Michigan-Michigan State football game.

MICHIGAN

Residents share thoughts on proposed improvements to Greater Lansing

Community members, officials and students gathered Wednesday evening to view what eight days of charrettes produced for the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission’s vision for the corridor from the Capitol to Webberville, Mich. The corridor runs of Michigan Avenue from the Capitol to its merge with Grand River Avenue, then on to Webbervile, close to a 20-mile stretch total.

MSU

Racist Halloween costumes gain community attention

A viral social media posting showing two college-aged Florida men dressed as Trayvon Martin and his killer, George Zimmerman, has sparked a conversation about how race is portrayed in Halloween costumes. Costumes representing offensive stereotypes of ethnic groups such as American Indians or Mexicans might be found on the streets of East Lansing Thursday night, creating the question among students and faculty of when costumes are no longer fun and simply offensive.

NEWS

Alleged I-96 shooter pleads no contest but mentally ill in Oakland County case

The alleged I-96 shooter, an MSU alumnus, pleaded no contest but mentally ill Wednesday afternoon for felony assault and weapons charges in Oakland County. Raulie Casteel, 44, will be sentenced in Oakland County on Jan. 30, according to the Detroit Free Press. He was arrested on Nov. 5 and charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, along with several felony firearms charges. Casteel allegedly went on a random shooting spree involving 24 people between Oct. 16-27 of last year on the I-96 corridor. Only one person was injured.

MSU

ASMSU bill calls for new higher-ed fund

ASMSU’s policy committee recently passed a bill calling for the state Legislature to pass a resolution related to an increase on the Michigan Sales Tax, with the goal of creating a post-secondary education fund.

MSU

U-M pres. to speak at MSU fall graduation

With a football showdown looming between MSU and the University of Michigan, it was announced on Tuesday that U-M President Mary Sue Coleman will become a Spartan — sort of — when she receives an honorary doctorate of laws degree at a December commencement.

MICHIGAN

New clothing company opens doors in E.L.

A new apparel store near the corner of Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road hopes to offer a unique twist on footwear to the East Lansing community and its visitors alike. Shoe and clothing chain VILLA had a soft opening Sunday, and will have its grand opening celebration this weekend. The East Lansing location is one of four new VILLA locations in the Midwest.

MICHIGAN

ROTC cadets test their skills with water training

The IM Sports-West swimming pool saw a team in a different uniform jumping from the diving board as several MSU ROTC cadets attempted to complete the Combat Water Survival Test on Tuesday. The test, which is required for cadets before they enter their final year of ROTC, consists of a three-meter blind jump from a diving board, a 10 minute continuous swim, five minutes of treading water, a 15-meter full equipment swim and an equipment ditch.

MSU

MSU reacts to Saudi Arabian driving protests

An American 16-year-old’s right of passage has become a battle cry in Saudi Arabia as women demand the right to drive a car — a movement that’s captured the attention of people worldwide, including at MSU. Videos and pictures of the protest have circulated through Saudi women’s tactics of driving and then tweeting or posting Youtube videos of their unlawful actions.

MSU

Office of Campus Sustainability releases report highlighting university's efforts

The MSU Office of Campus Sustainability released a report highlighting the sustainability efforts made by students, faculty and researchers so far this year. The report evaluated both on-campus and global research, as well as academic and community outreach programs. The report stated MSU has experienced a 17 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2010, 60 percent increase in recycling on campus since 2008 and 43 percent decrease in materials sent to landfills since 2008.

MSU

Earthquake in Japan draws attention on campus

Mother Nature struck Japan again this past weekend, this time with a 7.1-magnitude earthquake rumbling the Pacific Ocean about 200 miles from the coast of Fukushima, Japan — a situation that caught the attention of MSU students and experts. Around 2:10 a.m.

MICHIGAN

MSU police officer trains, works with double the dogs

By the time MSU police Officer Gary Heckman brought in Clyde, one of his two German Shepherds in the K-9 unit, the abandoned building located slightly north of Mason, Mich., was littered with carefully-hidden narcotics and detonation-free explosives. Clyde, 6, is specially trained in tracking, aggression and sniffing out explosives. Every other Wednesday afternoon, officers in the unit travel to both indoor and outdoor locations to train their dogs, aiming to strengthen their specialties.