WEB EXTRA: Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing names new chairperson

Richard Cole will be the new chairperson for the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing, effective March 1. Cole, who is the executive vice president and chief administrative officer of the Detroit Medical Center, served as a faculty member in the department from 1985 to 2001. Current chairperson Bonnie Reece will retire this year.

WEB EXTRA: CVS obtains beer, wine permit

CVS/pharmacy, 240 M.A.C. Ave., is now permitted to sell beer and wine. The East Lansing City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to grant CVS a beer and wine permit. But CVS must follow conditions — they cannot sell kegs, advertise liquor in the windows, or sell alcohol through the pick-up window.

Improvements made to accelerate Amber Alert

Michigan's Amber Alert system, intended to find abducted children faster, will be updated following a grant from AT&T Michigan. The $77,000 grant will be used to update technology so the emergency broadcast alert will be automatically sent over radio or television during an Amber Alert, and eliminate manpower needed in newsrooms to physically put out the alert, said Karole White, president of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. "It can go directly to the television set," White said. In the previous system, local law-enforcement agencies contacted the Michigan State Police after an abduction.

18 sexual predator bills go into effect

Registered sex offenders can't live, work or loiter within 1,000 feet of Michigan schools, with few exceptions, after new legislation went into effect this year. Gov.

MSU home page updated, gains 'modern look'

By Dan Smallwood Special for The State News MSU launched a test version of its redesigned home page on Monday with improved navigation to the university's major resources. The new home page is accessible through a link on the current university home page, located at www.msu.edu, or directly at home2006.msu.edu. Officials plan to gather feedback through surveys before permanently replacing the old site on Feb.

Running to represent

Since announcing his candidacy in December, MSU College of Law student John Knowles has learned how much work campaigning for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives involves. "It's been tremendously exhausting," Knowles said. Balancing his campaign and other commitments has 25-year-old Knowles typically working from 8 a.m.

Program informs young writers

By Tara Thoel Special for The State News Area eighth graders turned the tables on broadcast journalists from Lansing stations on Saturday, trying to push information out of interviewees. Dan Ponce, the morning and weekend anchor and reporter for Channel 10 News, and Tanee Elston, the news director and accounting executive for WQHH-Q (96.5-FM), answered questions about why they chose a career in journalism and the steps they took to get their jobs.

Police briefs 01/17/06

Stamp price hike affects MSU

By Liz Kersjes Special for The State News Two extra pennies for a postage stamp might seem trivial, unless like MSU, you send out 4 million pieces of mail every year. The United States Postal Service raised the price of first-class stamps to 39 cents each last week, up from 37 cents for the first time in nearly four years.

ASMSU: Police 'shirked' duties during melee

Unsatisfied with the investigations of the April 2-3 disturbances, student leaders are calling for university officials to investigate the MSU police response to the melee. ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, designed a bill requesting the Executive Committee of Academic Council hold the department responsible for its actions that night. "The students would like a simple apology," said Robert Murphy, ASMSU's Academic Assembly chairperson.

LGBT training session scheduled for tonight

A workshop will be held today at the Gone Wired Cafe, 2021 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing, for anyone interested in being an ally to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Trustees approve expenditure of more than $5 million in 24 minutes

The MSU Board of Trustees on Friday approved the spending of more than $5 million of both public money and tuition dollars for universitywide projects — after about 24 total minutes of discussion. The board meets publicly about once a month to make decisions and hear presentations from faculty and staff. The State News reported Friday that the trustees meet in committees the day before the public meeting to discuss the issues they will decide the next day.

Policy could restrict downtown rentals

East Lansing doesn't need more student housing downtown, city officials say. City Council will consider adopting a policy today that makes student-geared developments its lowest priority when approving new housing projects, focusing instead on encouraging home ownership. The council will vote to approve the policy at today's meeting, which begins at 5 p.m.

Marcinkowski to visit MSU Democrats today

Democrat Jim Marcinkowski, who has announced his intention to run for the 8th Congressional District seat, will attend the MSU Democrats' first meeting of the semester tonight.

King honored

By Catharine Batsios Special for The State News Students, student groups, local activists and peace enthusiasts spilled into the courtyard of the Beaumont Tower on Monday as it chimed loudly and poetically, "We Shall Overcome." From there, the crowd began the frigid, but brief, trek to the rock on Farm Lane as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

Robinson sues over ballot law

State Senate candidate Melissa Sue Robinson, who is a transgender person, filed suit yesterday against the state of Michigan, challenging a law which would require her former name to appear on the ballot. Robinson, who was born Charles Edward Staelens Jr., changed her name in May 1998.

Police briefs 01/13/06

Possible fall break proposal reconsidered

A little rest and relaxation for students and faculty during the fall semester might come in the form of a school break if university officials approve the proposal. The University Committee on Academic Policy created a subcommittee in 2000 to evaluate the fall break recommendation.

Ex-CIA agent to challenge Rogers

Former CIA agent Jim Marcinkowski launched his bid this week for the Democratic nomination in the 8th Congressional District to run against GOP incumbent Mike Rogers, R-Brighton.

Luncheon will honor Martin Luther King Jr.

The 21st annual luncheon honoring Martin Luther King Jr. will take place at the Lansing Center on Monday at 11 a.m.