Senate contenders split on issues, plan

Michigan's interests haven't been met in Washington with Sen. Debbie Stabenow at the helm, says Republican challenger Mike Bouchard. Bouchard is a former small business owner, and he said when it comes to a failing economy that forces businesses to make tough financial decisions, he can "understand those issues very personally." Bouchard formerly owned three businesses, including one in yogurt and ice cream food products, corporate consulting and security applications. "Not only do I have a record of creating and supporting job creators, but conversely, my opponent has been incredibly hostile to job creators," he said.

Trustees: Smith fired for record

As university officials ask MSU's head football coach to leave one week before elections, political analysts and election candidates say they believe the decision to relieve John L.

Absentee ballot use rises in Mich.

Philosophy junior Joey Gaylord votes by absentee ballot because it helps him make more educated decisions, he says. "It helps with the proposals," Gaylord, 21, said.

Young and ambitious

Some MSU students have very ambitious extracurricular activities this semester. From Michigan's House of Representatives to the MSU Board of Trustees, students and local young politicians are campaigning for public office to make needed changes, they say.

MSU student assaulted with pistol Wednesday

Correction: The map accompanying the story mistakenly switched the locations of where the incident occurred and where the suspects were found. Friends of an MSU student assaulted with a handgun Wednesday morning were able to help police track down the three suspects within minutes of the incident, East Lansing police said. The man who allegedly brandished the Highpoint .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun used in the assault was charged Wednesday with multiple felony counts, including felony firearm and carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. Lansing resident Anthony Derek Richard, 20, was arraigned Wednesday at East Lansing's 54-B District Court and charged with a total of five counts stemming from the incident that occurred at 1:30 a.m.

Students celebrate Hindu holiday on campus

The Hindu holiday called Diwali is a time for families to gather and recognize good triumphing over evil with a celebration filled with lights. In India, where the holiday is mostly celebrated, communities decorate homes and buildings with lamps and candles.

Stabenow aims to improve economy

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow plans to help Michigan's struggling economy by voting for more federal funding for education and research, stem cell research and reform trade laws if re-elected. Saving Michigan's jobs and economy must start with a change in health care funding and fair trade laws that lessen expenses for American businesses while making workers a top priority, she said. "I work in Washington where a president believes the way to compete is by saying, 'If you work for less, pay more in health care and lose your pension, we can be competitive,'" Stabenow said.

Innovations: Fewer strokes

Name: Arshad Majid, associate professor of neurology and the director of the division of cerebrovascular diseases. Department: Neurology Date of research: Work was started about a year ago. Type of research: Common dietary supplement used to reduce the severity of a stroke. Basics of research: Majid and other researchers are experimenting with a dietary supplement called Carnosine, which is a diet peptide that combines two amino acids. The testing is done on mice in hopes of finding what happens when cells die and how cells can be protected in the brain in case of a stroke. "Basically we used a mouse model where we can selectively include a critical artery in the brain that supplies blood to the mouse brain," Majid said.

Police briefs 11/02/06

Report: Cut heating costs through less power, more insulation

Since the '90s, the cost of natural gas has doubled — meaning students are paying more for their heating bills. But a new Environment Michigan report released Oct.

Candidates hope to lure voters with big names

With less than a week until Michigan midterm elections, candidates are pulling every big-name politician and celebrity in their arsenals to get voters enthused about Tuesday. Musician Kid Rock is scheduled to appear in Royal Oak today with Republican Mike Bouchard, Sen.

Students take day to honor dead

Although it falls the day after Halloween, Day of the Dead isn't about candy, ghosts or pumpkins.

Election education

With a bundle of rubber-banded Democratic leaflets and brochures in hand, Eric Burton, dressed in blue jeans and a green MSU track T-shirt knocks on East Holden Hall doors as students stream by wearing garb more appropriate for the Halloween night. "Hi, I'm just dropping off some literature about next week's election," Burton says, who by now has knocked on 10 doors in 25 minutes. The student at the door responds with a thank you.

Magic gives back to community

Lansing — David Demyers waited in anticipation as he practiced his color guard routine. Working on it for close to three weeks now, he was almost bursting at the seams with excitement at the prospect of performing for a favorite celebrity. Demyers was one of many children who got to meet Earvin "Magic" Johnson Wednesday night at a charity event in Lansing. "It's a time in my life when I get to meet someone famous," Demyers said.

Faculty, staff rank university's working conditions among best in the nation

MSU staff and faculty are happy to be working for the university, according to one magazine's online research. Last year, the university ranked 41st on The Scientist's "Best Places to Work 2006: Academia" survey.

Police briefs 11/01/06

Students voice opinions on voting for, against MCRI

When Brittney McCullers turns 18 in January, it will be too late for her to vote in the November election. The accounting freshman will be affected by the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or MCRI, if passed Nov.

Whitmer runs for state Senate twice in a year, now against Lambert

Democratic state Sen. Gretchen Whitmer is readying herself for her second election in less than a year. Because she technically filled the vacant Senate position left by now-Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero in March, she's running again this November for a second term. This time she's up against Republican challenger Frank Lambert. Both candidates agree that educational funding is an important issue facing Michigan residents.

Nontraditional students honor faculty for assistance

The people who make it possible for nontraditional students to attend class, study for exams and work for rent money or groceries are being rewarded. As National Nontraditional Student Recognition Week begins next week, the MSU Family Resource Center is honoring faculty and staff members who have helped married students, commuters, military service members or those who have other unusual circumstances maintain their busy schedules.

Granholm, Stabenow lead in latest poll

A poll released Tuesday shows Democratic incumbents leading their Republican challengers in the Michigan gubernatorial and U.S.