Protesting pop

Luis Cardona said Tuesday he witnessed the murder of a Coca-Cola Co. worker in Colombia, and connects the murder to the company's business practices in the country. Cardona, who is from Colombia, spoke to a crowd of about 50 people at a rally Tuesday on the steps of the Administration Building, put on by Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ. He also said he witnessed bottling managers drinking and mingling with paramilitary members, who forced employees of the Sinaltrainal Union to resign.

Police briefs 02/22/06

New grant criteria undetermined

MSU officials will have a hard time awarding the $4,000 some students could receive from a new federal grant without more information on who qualifies, and now a new lawsuit could further complicate the process. President Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act on Feb.

Alumni to create MSU 'Chicken Soup' book

By Missy Kayko For The State News Many college students grew up reading or hearing about the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books. Now, MSU's Student Alumni Foundation, or SAF, wants to give students and alumni the same experience of college memories.

Free speech in question for college newspapers

Advocates of student journalism are saying college newspapers should get a written understanding of who controls their editorial content after the U.S.

WEB EXTRA: Council discusses property acquisition

Council members went into executive session 45 minutes into the East Lansing City Council meeting Tuesday night to discuss property acquisition and the status of labor negotiations. The property acquisition involves part of downtown East Lansing not associated with East Village, said Ted Staton, East Lansing city manager. He said revealing anymore information on the subject would compromise the city's interest in the matter. A resolution to honor the passing and legacy of civil rights pioneer Coretta Scott King was delivered Tuesday evening by Councilmember Kevin Beard.

Innovations: Analyzing allergies

Name: Assistant Professor Venu Gangur Department: Food Science and Human Nutrition and MSU's National Food Safety & Toxicology Center Type of research: How and why people develop food allergies Date of research: Gangur has about four ongoing projects, and most of them began in 2001. Basics of the project: Allergies begin with a process called "sensitization," which can potentially occur when a person's immune system comes into contact with certain food proteins for the first time. A certain antibody can react with these food proteins, which increases the likelihood of an allergy developing, Gangur said.

Civil rights initiative forum to be held Wed.

A forum will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the McDonel Hall Kiva to discuss the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, or MCRI. The program will include a panel of speakers that will discuss the impact the MCRI would have, if passed, on MSU and the state. MCRI is a proposal to amend the state constitution to ban affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on their race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting purposes. The event is hosted by the Briggs Multiracial Alliance, Holmes Hall Black Caucus and McDonel Hall Residence Life staff.

Police: Negligence leads to theft

More than $20,000 in personal belongings have been reported stolen on campus since the semester began in January. Most of these thefts were "crimes of opportunity" because the items were left unattended, said MSU police Sgt.

WEB EXTRA: Group hosts rally, speaker in campaign against Coke

Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ, will hold a rally on campus at noon today in support of removing Coca-Cola products from MSU's campus.

Details announced in New Orleans program

Nine committees that will handle everything from fundraising to food preparation for an MSU summer volunteer program in New Orleans were introduced Monday at an organizational meeting. Joyce Grant, an associate professor of teacher education, told the 15 potential volunteers present that she wanted to make fundraising a priority. The projected cost of the trip is about $800 per person, she said. "I have every faith that we'll have the money to go," she said. Grant has been organizing the four-week MSU New Orleans Summer Project trip for the past several months. For the project, faculty, staff and student volunteers will assist with summer school programs in four school districts — St.

Radio program holds sexuality discussion

The Impact (88.9-FM) will host a healthy sexuality discussion tonight from 7 to 8 p.m. to discuss various issues surrounding sexuality and students' concerns. The discussion is part of Olin Health Center's Healthy Sexuality Week 2006.

Sensual touches help partners

Expressing feelings and emotions through touch can strengthen communication and intensify sensuality in a relationship, Tina Kahn, Center 4 Yoga massage therapist said. As part of Olin Health Center's Healthy Sexuality Week 2006, Kahn demonstrates to students how massage doesn't necessarily have to lead to sex. "Between loving, consensual adults, massage can definitely increase communication and understanding and sensitivity," Kahn said.

Afternoon crash stalls commuters

A four-car accident blocked traffic on Lake Lansing Road east of Abbott Road for about 40 minutes Monday. One car rear-ended another at about 2:20 p.m., which caused two more cars in front of it to also get hit, East Lansing police Sgt.

Police briefs 02/21/06

City Hall closed today for national holiday

East Lansing's City Hall, 54-B District Court, public library, Hannah Community Center and Department of Public Works are all closed today in observance of Presidents Day.

Green says he brings fresh ideas for economy and businesses

Okemos attorney Vince Green's interest in politics dates back to his time as an administrator at Western Michigan University in the late '80s and early '90s. However, Green, a Republican, has not been personally involved in politics until this race. "I am not a politician," said Green, who while at Western was an assistant to the vice president of legislative affairs.

Legislators discuss Democrat issues

Hundreds of Democrats from across Michigan gathered Saturday in Lansing to listen to some of their party's biggest names lay out the issues important to them and rally their supporters for elections in the coming year. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from U.S.

Business background anchors Robinson's platform

Melissa Sue Robinson considers herself a businesswoman. She has 25 years of business experience that she believes will help her if she wins the special Senate election. "With my background in business, I understand how laws really affect actual businesses," said Robinson, who is running as a Democrat. Reducing taxes and reforming the regulatory environment in the state are the keys to attracting new businesses to Michigan, Robinson said. Most of her experience is in the construction business.

Runners paint Lansing red for cause, drinks

By Katie LaLonde For The State News Jonathon Doherty and his friends used to be known as runners.