Michigan Democrats aim to host 'O8 primary

Michigan could be one of the first states to host a Democratic presidential primary in 2008 if an application submitted by the Michigan Democratic Party is accepted by the Democratic National Committee. Last month the Rules and Bylaws committee of the Democratic National Committee, or DNC, created up to four open spots between the set first caucus in Iowa and the period in which any state can hold its caucus or primary. The Iowa caucus will be followed by one or two available spots for other states to house caucuses before New Hampshire holds its own primary.

Stabenow focuses on Great Lakes, out-of-state waste

With a campus as beautiful as MSU's, all Spartans should be environmentalists and care for their surroundings, U.S.

MSU to announce med school partner

Spectrum Health and MSU will announce a new partnership solidifying their combined efforts to expand the MSU College of Human Medicine to west Michigan at 10 a.m.

Lansing budget to be topic of forums

Residents will be able to voice their opinions about the proposed budget to members of the Lansing City Council this evening. The first of two public forums will take place at 6:30 p.m.

ASMSU gains power to select representatives

The power to elect undergraduate students to academic committees is now in the hands of student government officials. The MSU Board of Trustees approved a proposal Thursday transferring power from faculty to ASMSU members to select student representatives to the Academic Governance system. The proposal amends the bylaws of the Academic Governance system that affect ad hoc committees, which are temporary committees formed by administrators to discuss specific issues that arise throughout the year. The Academic Governance system reviews university legislation and takes action on issues, such as adding academic minors to the university's curriculum and other academic issues. This proposal should "strengthen the hand of students in governance," said Jon Sticklen, chairman of the Executive Committee of Academic Council. "Like every other part of governance, it really is dependent on the grassroots folk to let their representatives know what they think," Sticklen said.

Police briefs 04/18/06

Group to announce initiative to help create Mich. jobs

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will join Gov. Jennifer Granholm and others today to announce a new federally-funded, $15-million plan to create more jobs in Michigan. Simon and the governor will be joined by former Lansing Mayor David Hollister and Emily Stover DeRocco, U.S.

Residence Halls Association seeks PR director

The Residence Halls Association, or RHA, is looking for a Director of Public Relations and Advertising. Duties include, but aren't limited to, serving as RHA's spokesperson publicizing all RHA meetings, hall government events and caucus events as well as preparing press releases, talking with the media and designing advertisements.

Fresh style hits town

Protégé Academy, East Lansing's newest cosmetology school, opens for business today at 16800 S.

Council wants student input on noise policy

East Lansing's City Council will seek student input on proposed changes to the city's noise ordinance during a public hearing Tuesday on campus. The revised ordinance would eliminate jail time as a penalty for loud parties. The proposal would add drinking games to a list of indicators police use to write party noise tickets. Tuesday's council meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

MSU law clinic to expand services with grant

When Lansing resident Mike Salim needed help with contracts for his small business he sought the advice of the MSU Small Business & Nonprofit Law Clinic. Salim, the owner of three stores, has sought legal advice from the clinic regarding contracts and claims for his businesses on three occasions. "They have wonderful services and have always guided me to the right directions," said Salim, who owns Gold Touch, 5330 W.

Police briefs 04/17/06

Program may relocate to Arts & Letters

MSU's apparel and textile design program could find a more permanent home in the College of Arts & Letters beginning next fall. A proposal in the Academic Governance system would move apparel and textile design from its present location in the College of Human Ecology, but officials are not sure yet if Arts & Letters would be a good fit for the program. "This could be a wonderful match, but how the major fits in — we don't know yet," said June Youatt, dean of undergraduate studies and acting dean of the College of Human Ecology.

Upgrading East Lansing

Soccer players might soon be able to see million-dollar renovations to the East Lansing Soccer Complex from the East Lansing Planning Commission's proposals, which include improved lighting for the fields. The commission annually releases a list of suggestions to the East Lansing City Council on how to improve the city in the Capital Improvements Program. The council uses the Capital Improvements Program to help plan the budget, ultimately deciding whether to approve the funding. The $1.4-million soccer renovations, as well as road maintenance on Abbott and Chandler roads for $2 million, are some of the proposals in the program. Some of these ideas, however, might not come to light due to lack of funding to finance the entire list, said City Manager Ted Staton. "There's no way all these things will happen," Staton said.

Mixed-race conference planned

When international relations senior Jaime Chao applied to MSU, she had to choose the race with which she identified, she said.

Police briefs 04/14/06

Zoning delays East Village rebuilding

East Lansing officials are pushing for redevelopment in the East Village area, but for the time being, they're going to have to put a stop to the very activity they want to promote. The city's planning commission is in the midst of reviewing a new zoning code for the East Village, located south of Grand River Avenue between Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road, and would provide for taller buildings and a mix of retail and residential space not permitted by the existing law. Officials hoped that work on the code, detailing exactly what can and cannot be built in the 35-acre area, would be completed by the time a City Council-imposed construction freeze is lifted. But since the planning commission is still engaged in the review process, it will be almost impossible for the City Council to approve the new code before the moratorium on building in East Village expires May 6.

RHA works to end racism

Racism — not in their halls. Officials from the Residence Halls Association, or RHA, have created a campaign called "Not in Our Hall" to help fight racism in dorms. The program aims to include residence hall student governments to convey the same message — that racism and discrimination won't be tolerated. Vic Maurer, RHA's director of Racial, Ethnic and Progressive Affairs, said the idea came from something Wilson Hall's student government did last year to help stop discrimination against black students. "We decided to make it campuswide," Maurer said, adding that RHA officials wanted it to reflect the different incidents that happened all over campus. Maurer said RHA officials made the program optional for hall governments because it would be more valuable if student leaders took the initiative to start it.

Local bars still under tax probe

Tax investigations into The Dollar Nightclub and Maggy's Sports Grill continue as the Michigan State Police probe further into the two bars.

CATA will not offer services on Sunday

There will be no CATA bus service on Sunday due to the Easter holiday. Many Saturday night routes will conclude earlier than usual.