Group to examine petition's wording

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission will conduct a hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Detroit to investigate allegations that voters who signed the petition to place the proposal on the ballot were misled. Proposed language for the controversial Michigan Civil Rights Initiative ballot proposal, which would end affirmative action, was released on Friday. According to the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration, & Immigrant Rights and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary, or BAMN, voters who actually support affirmative action signed the petition because they were misled, said Donna Stern, the group's national director. Stern said the Michigan Board of Canvassers provided a sample of 500 people who signed the petition. "We did not find a single black signer that had knowingly signed an anti-affirmative action petition," Stern said. However, state Rep.

Police stress caution after local kidnapping

The man charged with abducting a 21-year-old student on Thursday reportedly tried making the student think the incident was a prank and he wasn't actually kidnapping her, police said. "He was playing upon the security provided to students in East Lansing," said East Lansing police Lt.

Muslim prayer begins multiple-day holiday

The three-day Muslim holiday, Eid al-Adha, begins today. Eid acknowledges the Quran's account of Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son to Allah. The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing will be recognizing the holiday today at the center, located at 920 S.

Speed limits could increase

Speed limits on two of East Lansing's main thoroughfares will be going up unless the state's highest court intervenes. Portions of Grand River Avenue and Saginaw Highway could be 10 mph faster, increasing to 35 mph and 45 mph, respectively. The change is the latest development in a nearly yearlong court battle between the city of East Lansing and the Michigan State Police and the Department of Transportation, or MDOT. Last March, East Lansing won a decision that blocked the state's initial attempt to raise the speed limits. The Michigan Court of Appeals overturned the order in a Dec.

Miners remembered in campus darkness

The University Committee for a Sustainable Campus is asking the MSU community to honor the lives of coal miners who died in the Jan.

Fulbright fellowship awarded to student

Anthropology graduate student RoseAnna Downing-Vicklund is investigating people's confidence in their drinking water sources after she was recently named a 2005 Canada-U.S.

ASMSU: Academic minors essential

A plan introduced by student government officials to incorporate academic minors into MSU's curriculum would bring it in line with other Big Ten schools. "Everybody on the issue loves the idea of minors," said Robert Murphy, ASMSU's Academic Assembly chairperson.

Retailers attempt to spark sales

By Lauren Hyland Special to The State News Before car enthusiasts swarm to Detroit this month for the auto show, boat retailers tried to tap into the pocketbooks of Lansing residents this weekend by showcasing their newest watercrafts. On display at the Lansing Boat Show at the Lansing Center were nearly 100 of the newest speed boats and pontoons, as well as the latest accessories and flotation devices. Much like the struggling auto industry, retailers are trying to keep Michigan's boating industry afloat.

Police briefs 01/10/06

Governor enacts anti-torture bill

Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a new anti-torture bill after a loophole in the law prevented Huron County prosecutors from correctly charging a Pigeon man who continually tortured his disabled wife. Granholm signed the bill, which creates harsher penalties for people convicted of torture on Jan.

Official New Year's resolutions

"My resolution is to continue to learn about the campus … about the values and directions and do everything I can to help the campus move forward." Kim Wilcox MSU provost "Like everyone, I want to exercise more and have a healthier diet.

Group sponsors rally to save Amtrak at E.L. station

On Saturday morning, the train from the Blue Water line slowly pulled into the East Lansing Amtrak station, 1240 S.

ASMSU in search of funding for new, affordable activity center

Student government officials are proposing a combined IM sports facility and student events center located on campus to lower event expenses for student organizations. While the plan is in its initial stages, a survey will be sent out to students to gather public input on the matter, said Harry Wang, a finance sophomore and Eli Broad College of Business representative for ASMSU's Student Assembly ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government. "We have limited amounts of space to host student events," Wang said.

Big in '06: East Lansing's to-do list

It's the time of year to make resolutions for the coming months. But much of the activity in the city government leading up to the new year was more about a lack of resolution. If the city of East Lansing crafted its own list of goals for the new year, it might look something like this: • Approve an East Village Master Plan: The East Lansing Planning Commission wrestled with an outline for future developments in the East Village on Dec.

MSU woman abducted on lone trek near Abbott Road

A 21-year-old MSU student escaped after being forced into a convicted felon's car Thursday when police pulled it over for dark tinted windows and noticed the student making gestures for help. Michael Lee Castillo, a 32-year-old Lansing Community College East student, was arraigned Friday on charges of kidnapping the student early Thursday morning. Kidnapping is a felony with punishment of up to life in prison.

Grill receives no jail, pays back embezzled funds in full

Former MSU School of Journalism faculty member Raye Grill was sentenced Wednesday and repaid about $69,000 she stole from the school and the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association. Grill will not see jail time but will be on probation for 18 months and is to serve 300 hours of community service as part of the sentence.

Yoga studio to hold ribbon-cutting event

As You Are Yoga, 111 E. Allegan St., Lansing will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. The studio opened Nov.

Granholm announces special Senate election

A special election will be held March 14 to fill the Senate seat vacated after newly-elected Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero resigned to begin his new job.

Police academy starts Wednesday for public

The East Lansing Police Department's Citizens' Police Academy starts Wednesday. The free class meets Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. For more details, call Sgt.

Contest held for horseshoers

Gentlemen, start your forge ovens. Horseshoes, known as good luck charms and often pitched at company picnics, went back to their roots Saturday as Michigan's best horseshoers competed in a timed 30-minute shoeing contest at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.