B-ball buddies

East Lansing police officers trade in their handcuffs and guns for whistles and basketballs a few nights each week to teach kids the basics of basketball and team work. "It's a great way for kids to be introduced to police officers," East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said. Before basketball practice on Friday, Wibert joined about 45 children as they warmed up with jumping jacks. East Lansing police Officer Steve Whelan counted out loud with each jumping jack, and the kids would chime in.

Casting a legacy

When Elias Lopez received a handmade gray scarf in 2001, the Weslaco, Texas, native didn't even know how to wear it. The scarf came as a gift from Patricia Patrick, who worked in the MSU Office of Supportive Services.

6 new trucks purchased for parking enforcement

MSU police replaced the old green 2002 Dodge Dakotas used for parking enforcement with six new silver 2006 Dodge Dakotas this semester. The change has angered some students, who say they don't understand why replacing the trucks was necessary. "It seems that for as much as every student spends on parking tickets, I'd hope the department would spend the money better than on replacing trucks that were only 5 years old," animal science senior Faye Vanderhoff said. Vanderhoff said she questions why MSU police even use trucks, rather than other means of transportation, for parking enforcement. "All they do is hop in and out of them and write tickets," Vanderhoff said.

Student activists to raise AIDS awareness at conference

After reports predicted that by 2020, 100 million deaths will be caused by AIDS, some MSU students want to bring the issue closer to home. The Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, a student program contributing to positive race relations through discussions and activities, will be hosting No Place to Hide: Student Activism and the Fight Against the Global Aids Pandemic at the Union on Friday and Saturday. The conference, which focuses on raising awareness about current and future issues, will feature local, national and international HIV and AIDS activists, authors and speakers. Keynote speakers will include Pat Naidoo, the associate director of Health Equity of the Rockefeller Foundation, author Greg Behrman and Anne-Christine D'Adesky, co-producer of the documentary "Pills, Profits and Protest." In March 2005, the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, viewed the AIDS documentary "A Closer Walk" and was motivated to bring the HIV and AIDS issue to MSU's campus, education senior Amy Yousif said. "It's not just in Africa; it's not just a gay disease — it's an everyone disease," Yousif said.

State tourism on 'uphill swing'

Michigan tourism revenue increased by 4 percent in 2005, despite rising gas prices, MSU researchers said. "We had very good weather conditions during the peak travel season in summer and fall," said Don Holecek, director of MSU's Tourism Center.

Police briefs 03/24/06

MSU to study online safety

By Caitlin Scuderi For The State News Internet buyers beware: Someone might be phishing for your information. Phishing, or sending an e-mail falsely claiming to be an establishment in order to obtain personal information to be used for identity theft, is happening more frequently, MSU police Sgt.

Businesses feel the loss

It's not just the MSU men's basketball team or the student body that felt like Friday's first-round loss to tournament Cinderella George Mason was a letdown. Local East Lansing stores planning for big MSU merchandise sales and restaurants expecting huge turnouts for Spartan tournament games in the later rounds are feeling the effects of the Spartans' second first-round exit in the last three years. "We're not even doing 5 to 10 percent of what we did last year," said Stacey Renfrow, assistant buyer of Spartan Bookstore, located in the International Center.

2 Lansing residents charged with child abuse, murder

A Lansing man and woman were arrested Wednesday morning for the abuse and murder of the woman's 2-year-old child, Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III said. Cynthia Daniel, 30, and Samuel Courtland, 31, are in jail with no bond on counts of child abuse and open murder. Daniel's 2-year-old son, Jalyn Daniel, died last May from pneumonia. "This kid was tortured," Dunnings said.

Bill could lift Mich. Single Business Tax

Michigan's Single Business Tax would be repealed in December 2007 if a bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday becomes law. The Senate voted almost entirely along party lines in passing the bill, which was approved in the House last week. The Single Business Tax, or SBT, was scheduled to expire in 2009. The bill also stipulates the revenue lost by repealing the SBT will not be replaced by raising taxes or rates on the state income tax, the sales tax, use tax or property tax. Gov.

President's plan focus of meeting

The goals of the College of Social Science are in step with the university's goals, officials said Wednesday at the college's annual informational forum. The forum focused on the status of the college, its place in the university and ways to collaborate on universitywide initiatives, such as MSU President Lou Anna K.

Police briefs 03/23/06

E.L. amends law for Breathalyzers

A revision to an East Lansing law will officially allow people to turn down a breath analysis test without being ticketed or fined — although the method had been practiced by East Lansing police for more than two years. The East Lansing City Council approved the amendment Tuesday evening after a brief public hearing. Although the revisions were just brought up at a February 28 City Council meeting, East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert said voluntary consent for a breath analysis test — commonly known as a Breathalyzer — in this type of situation isn't new.

Experts: Be aware of bird flu abroad

By Natalie Giannosa For The State News A face mask, Tamiflu and bird repellent aren't on Robert Besaw's travel list as he prepares to go to Costa Rica this summer on a study abroad trip.

Levin meets with Iraqis, urges unity

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., urged Iraqi leaders Tuesday to come together to form a unified national government and told them that the American people are "impatient." Levin, who has been traveling in the Middle East as part of a six-member congressional delegation, said in a conference call Tuesday that he met with Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, in Baghdad. Levin said his main message to Iraqi leaders came as a challenge. "The American people are very impatient," Levin said he told Iraqi leaders.

Council endorses conflict of interest policy

A new faculty conflict of interest policy — which would establish a new staff position and implement policies specific to individual colleges — was approved by Academic Council on Tuesday. According to the policy, a conflict of interest exists when opportunities for personal benefit might compromise the judgment a faculty member needs to perform his or her responsibilities at MSU. Current practices for conflicts of interest require faculty to sign an annual statement, and this practice would be removed under the new policy.

Police briefs 03/22/06

Innovations: Cystic cells

Name: Associate Professor Douglas Luckie Department: Physiology and the Lyman Briggs School Type of research: Acidity of cystic fibrosis cells Date of research: Luckie began this field of research about 15 years ago. Basics of the project: In his research at the MSU Cystic Fibrosis Lab, Luckie compares model cells that line both healthy and cystic fibrosis-infected lungs.

Home sweet Senate

Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, became the chamber's youngest member when she was sworn into her new position in Tuesday's Senate session. Whitmer defeated Vince Green in last week's special Senate election to fill the vacant 23rd District senate seat. Whitmer, 34, said she enjoyed the experience and felt welcomed by members from both parties. She went straight from the Senate session into her new committee meetings Tuesday. "There was no honeymoon today," Whitmer said. The committees Whitmer was assigned to were the Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism; Local, Urban and State Affairs; Judiciary Gaming and Casino Oversight; and the Health Policy committee, where she will serve as the Minority Vice Chair. Her major plans for this week are catching up on the bills and issues before her new committees, since she will be attending committee meetings during the week. "There will be a lot of reading bills and analyses," she said. Whitmer said she appreciated the welcome and offers of assistance made on the floor by Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming, and Senate Minority Leader Bob Emerson, D-Flint. "We welcome Gretchen to the Senate with open arms," Emerson said in a press release.

1 day left to vote on RHA tax increase

With one day down and one day to go for student government elections, Residence Halls Association officials hope students will pass their request for a $3 tax increase. Students who live on campus pay $22 a semester to the Residence Halls Association, or RHA. If students vote in favor of the increase, on-campus residents will pay $25. Only students who live in the residence halls can vote on RHA's tax increase. The election will be held until 8 p.m.