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MICHIGAN

EPA takes lead in air quality protection

When the Environmental Protection Agency says “get the lead out,” they mean it. A little more than two weeks ago, the EPA cut the amount of lead emissions allowed in the air by 90 percent, from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3) to .15 ug/m3, according to a statement from the EPA.

NEWS

Bringing about change

Now that the votes have been counted and the confetti has cleared, it’s time for President-elect Barack Obama to begin contemplating the people and policies that will shape his administration. Obama began to tackle the first items of business Wednesday in several hours of meetings, during which he reportedly made calls to possible cabinet members.

NEWS

Dems take 2 trustee positions

Riding the coattails of President-elect Barack Obama, Democrats were elected to the state’s three public university boards, including MSU’s Board of Trustees. Democrats Dianne Byrum and Diann Woodard beat Republican candidates Lisa Bouchard and incumbent G. Scott Romney, giving the board a 6-2 Democratic majority come January 2009.

NEWS

Bans on same-sex marriage pass

Same-sex marriage was banned in three more states Tuesday amid an election that many Americans viewed as progressive. But the mantra of change did not sweep as far as the gay and lesbian community was hoping it would.

NEWS

City clerk: E.L. had 65 percent voter turnout

Students who were gathered at the polls by 7 a.m. on Election Day had taken East Lansing City Clerk Nicole Evans’ advice: Get to the polls early to avoid the peak hours. “Students heard the call about off-peak hours being at 7 a.m. — so they all showed up at 7 a.m. and created a new peak time,” she said, laughing.

MICHIGAN

Recent warm weather not indication of global warming

East Lansing residents are enjoying the warm weather today, with the average temperature about 20 degrees higher than the historical average of 50 degrees. Meteorologists said a low pressure front is moving in from the west and is pushing warm air through the Midwest.

MSU

ASMSU concert to be discussed

Students could be tapping their toes to some new tunes on campus next spring — at least if a $65,000 concert gets the OK. Last week, ASMSU passed a bill through its Student Assembly Finance Committee, which would allocate $65,000 to a spring concert. Tonight, the bill will be discussed by the Student Assembly, where it could become the second major concert sponsored by ASMSU this school year.

NEWS

Faulty tabulator jam delays E.L. ballot count

After a long wait for ballots to arrive at the East Lansing city clerk’s office, votes finally started to be tabulated at around 10:45 p.m. Tuesday night. “We had a little bit of trouble getting the ballots tabulated, but once they arrived, the votes were counted pretty quick,” said Barb McCaffrey, an election official.

NEWS

Police Brief 11/05/08

More than 1 pound of marijuana was seized and three students were arrested Monday at the Sigma Nu Annex house, East Lansing police Lt. Kevin Daley said.

NEWS

'Change has come'

History. It was the defining theme of the election season, from Hillary Clinton’s groundbreaking campaign, to Barack Obama’s historic nomination, to Sarah Palin’s arrival on the Republican ticket. And Tuesday, history was written again. America will have a black president for the first time.

MICHIGAN

Voters approve CATA millage, sale of local parking ramp

Off-campus routes are expected to stay the same after local voters approved a millage increase for Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA. The millage is for .787 mills per year on property owners over a five-year period, which, for a $100,000 home, equals $39.35 per year. According to CATA, the millage should bring in $4.75 million in 2008.

MICHIGAN

Dunnings retains prosecutor spot

Incumbent Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings won his fourth election since 1996 Tuesday evening. With about 68 percent of votes in, Dunnings had about 67 percent to Republican challenger Nicholas Bostic’s 33 percent as of press time. Dunnings credited his endorsements from United Auto Workers, Fraternal Order of Police, Greater Lansing Labor Council and Michigan Education Association in aiding his campaign.

MICHIGAN

Meadows defends house seat

Longtime East Lansing politician and incumbent state Rep. Mark Meadows will get two more years in the state House after leading challenger Frank Lambert for the 69th House of Representatives seat. Meadows, D-East Lansing, led Lambert with 54 precincts of out of 136, reporting as of press time. Meadows’ district includes most East Lansing residents and a small eastern portion of Lansing.