Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

News

MSU

Students feel stifled by program

As a 9-year-old boy, José Villagrán worked all day hunched over in cucumber fields. His hands bled from being pricked by the crop. Villagrán, an interdisciplinary studies in social science senior, grew up as a migrant worker with his family, traveling between Texas and Wisconsin for about five years. The injustices Villagrán saw while working in the fields pushed him to actively fight for migrant worker rights while a student at MSU.

MICHIGAN

Mason said he will be 'fall guy' in murder

Lansing — Sympathetic to the family of Martin V. Brown and ashamed about his association with a hate group in the 1970s, Gary Mason said he would become the "fall guy" or scapegoat for Brown's 1973 murder on MSU's campus. In taped interviews in 2005 with Detective Jason Ferguson of the Ingham County Sheriff's Department, Mason proclaimed his innocence, but said he still felt guilty about Brown's murder. "I'm so ashamed," Mason said.

MSU

ASMSU debates degree

When Robert Mugabe took power in Zimbabwe 27 years ago, he preached peace and cooperation. In 1990, Mugabe received an honorary doctorate degree from MSU when he visited campus.

MSU

MSU College of Law approves new dean

After the MSU College of Law's Dean Terence L. Blackburn took a temporary leave of absence in October, the college has been led by two acting deans. Because of concerns raised by faculty during the college's accreditation process last summer, and some professors' desire to see Blackburn's role as dean terminated, he left to serve as a legal reform specialist in Jordan for an American Bar Association program in the Middle East.

MICHIGAN

Proposal offers reward to energy-smart consumers

A new piece of legislation could make purchasing renewable energy more feasible for Michigan residents. The proposed bill would give people buying green power from utility companies a tax credit equal to the yearly cost difference between regular energy and renewable energy. Some power companies have the capability to sell energy generated from sources such as windmills and hydroelectric dams. The bill would give the tax credit on a yearly basis and allow a refund of up to $100. It was introduced by state Rep.

MSU

Students assist with psychology research

In a way, Stephanie Hynes had to be a laboratory guinea pig to pass a class. While she wasn't confined to a terrarium, the education and Spanish sophomore is one of hundreds of students who'll participate in psychology research this semester — a seven-hour Psychology 101 requirement. Hynes completed her research requirement by filling out multiple surveys, such as a women's issues questionnaire, and participating in a visual simulation project, in which she was monitored while playing a computer game. "It made me think a lot more about myself, especially the women's survey one," she said.

MSU

Election deadline, concert approach

MSU organizations and the city of East Lansing are baiting students to do community service with the reward of a free concert by a mystery artist. After approximately a year and more than 100 hours of planning, ASMSU, the Residence Halls Association, MSU and the city will sponsor the Volunteer To Rock concert on April 11 at Wharton Center. The concert will be a reward for students who perform 10 hours of community service. "Everyone thinks MSU is a party school but no one realizes that more than 10,000 students do community service and this would be a great way to celebrate community service," said Cynthia Chang, ASMSU's assistant director of governmental affairs for the city.

MICHIGAN

New lock system to expand

Megan Ventriss, a preveterinary medicine sophomore living in Emmons Hall, leaned with her weight against the door that leads down to the first-floor living area, waiting patiently for her friend to visit from neighboring Bailey Hall. Ventriss doesn't like the ID card reader Emmons Hall has.

MSU

Lyman Briggs redefines its status

The odds seem to be in favor of Lyman Briggs School becoming a college by its 40th anniversary this fall. The proposed change was discussed Tuesday within MSU's Academic Governance at the Executive Committee for Academic Council, or ECAC, meeting.

MSU

WEB EXTRA: City encourages service through reward of concert

MSU organizations and the city of East Lansing are baiting students to do community service with the reward of a free concert by a mystery artist. After approximately a year and more than 100 hours of planning, ASMSU, the Residence Halls Association, MSU and the city will sponsor the Volunteer To Rock concert on April 11 at Wharton Center. The concert will be a reward for students who perform 10 hours of community service. "Everyone thinks MSU is a party school, but no one realizes that more than 10,000 students do community service and this would be a great way to celebrate community service," Cynthia Chang, ASMSU's assistant director of governmental affairs for the city, said.

MICHIGAN

East Village designs go to E.L. City Council

The East Lansing City Council will get a sneak peek tonight at what a redeveloped East Village might look like. The $350-million East Village project calls for revamping the area bounded by East Grand River Avenue, Bogue Street, Hagadorn Road and the Red Cedar River. Representatives from San Diego-based The Pierce Company Inc. will present the project's preliminary designs during the council's work session at 6 p.m.

MSU

CATA to change bus schedule during break

Lansing's Capital Area Transportation Authority bus service will modify its services to MSU's campus during spring break. From March 5-11, CATA will operate at a base level, with many of the routes students use every day being changed or cut completely. Check CATA's Web site, www.cata.org, for all of the route changes during spring break.