Scientists: Lower-sugar cereal not more healthy

In the battle for the hearts of health-seeking Americans, cereal manufactures offer lower-sugar sweetened cereal, but experts say the new versions are almost nutritionally unchanged. At the request of The Associated Press, nutrition scientists from five universities looked at cereals offered by both General Mills and Kellogg's and found that calories, carbohydrates, fat and fiber did not change significantly. The lower-sugar option was offered because there was a demand from consumers, said Shelly Dvorak, spokeswoman for General Mills, which lowered sugar content in its cereals, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Trix and Cocoa Puffs. "We had consumers writing in and calling in for reduced-sugar options," Dvorak said. But although reducing sugar in the cereal, carbohydrates had to be added, Dvorak said.

Sparty's worker named MSU employee of the year

For his work at Sparty's Convenience Stores, advertising senior Justin Best has been named MSU's Student Employee of the Year. "It's quite an honor.

Sen. speaks on Social Security

College students need to be concerned with the future of Social Security, because changes to it will affect them, U.S.

MSU athletes still watched, tested for steroid use

As national attention turns to steroid use among athletes, health and MSU officials say it is a constant battle to monitor new drugs. Last week, Congress heard testimony from several professional baseball players in an effort to shed light on steroid use. It is an important health issue, said Robert White, spokesman for the House Committee on Government Reform. "What we heard from the hearing is this is not just steroids," White said.

Air traffic keeps growing locally, nationally

In February, 46,564 passengers flew through Lansing's Capital City Airport - more people than the number of students who attend MSU. This was an increase of 6.3 percent in a month, following a national trend of increased air travel traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration released a forecast Thursday, stating that more than 1 billion passengers will travel yearly by air by 2015.

Members blame policy for lack of eligible applicants

With ASMSU elections a day away, the student government is once again having trouble finding enough people to fill its open seats. And ASMSU members said their election code could be the cause of the problem. History shows that not many students apply for student government seats, and candidates running have no problem getting elected because of the lack of competition. This year, the Academic Assembly has 13 seats still open, and the Student Assembly, which has two more seats than 2003, has 17 open. Last year, of 26 seats open on the Academic Assembly, nine were filled.

Main Library creates nook for children, aids parents' studying

In hopes of giving student parents time to study, a new addition has been made to MSU's Main Library - a children's nook. The nook opened during spring break and was created when students from the Student Parents on a Mission, or SPOM, brought up the idea to library administrators. "We were approached by a student group, and they made the argument that there was no place for students who have small children to study," said Jim Hensley, an administrative assistant for MSU Libraries and coordinator of the project. The project was funded by donations from Lori Strom, coordinator of the Family Resource Center, the library and students from SPOM. Hensley said there is a sampling of books for children as young as toddlers to as old as early teens.

ASMSU election to begin Wednesday

ASMSU officials recently released revisions to their tax-hike scholarship proposal - an issue that is up for decision in Wednesday's student government elections. ASMSU members voted about two months ago to increase undergraduate ASMSU taxes by $3 per semester to fund a scholarship.

Police briefs 03/22/05

WEB-ONLY: Former FBI director speaks on U.S.-Israel relations

Steve Pomerantz knows how America fights terrorism. Pomerantz, a former assistant director of the FBI, spoke to students about his experience Monday in the Union. Spartans for Israel, or SFI, and Hillel Jewish Student Center sponsored Pomerantz's visit as part of a series called "Conversations on U.S.-Israel Relations." SFI president Jennifer Bloom said the event was a chance for students to hear how the U.S.

Area science center to host Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny will visit the Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum Drive in Lansing, from 8 a.m.

E.L. officials to discuss budget for next fiscal year

Discussion of East Lansing's 2006 fiscal year budget will take place during the City Council's work session tonight.

Some E.L. leases cause problems for MSU renters

Final exams won't be the only concern on Mary Deboni's mind when the second session of the summer semester ends.

Asian cultures focus of 'Tridentity' event

Students danced, jumped, sang and spoke out at the bi-annual "Cultural Vogue" event sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Student Organization, or APASO, on Saturday in the Auditorium. About 1,200 people attended this year's event, which was titled "Tridentity" and focused on the diverse cultures represented in the organization.

Author's work focus of group's discussion

The Muslim Students' Association will conduct a "Teach-In" at 7:30 p.m. today in the Wonders Hall Kiva to discuss the recent campus visit of author Salman Rushdie.

Workers' rights focus of protest

Holding signs, chanting and participating in a satirical version of a children's game, about 100 students rallied in front of the Administration Building on Friday afternoon in the final stages of a five-year effort for MSU to join the Worker Rights Consortium. The consortium, or WRC, is a group of students and university administrators who work to make sure no university clothing is produced by companies that have violated human rights. During the rally, students chanted about fair labor, read poems about sweatshops, waved signs and banners and played a brief game of Simon Says, referring to WRC negotiations with MSU's president. The rally was organized by students from Students for Economic Justice, or SEJ, the Coalition of Racial Ethnic Students, the Council of Progressive Students and Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlan. Zoology senior Dianna Miller held a sign that read "Justice Now!

Trashy business makes loads

The Bertsch family is expecting a new child in May. But with new regulations for cribs and car seats, the old baby equipment from two other children was out of date and just taking up space in their East Lansing home.

Race benefits area food banks

By Jolene Ross Special for The State News Lansing - As soon as the runners finished a 5K race on Saturday at Hawk Island Park, most ran under a pavilion to get dry and warm. Rain and sleet caused some problems for the annual Food & Fitness 5K Run/Walk fund-raising event sponsored by the Lansing Dietetic Association, but the amount of money raised was not affected. As expected by race officials, funds increased, with almost $5,000 raised for Lansing area food banks. "I'm happy with that for this kind of weather," said Gayle Hood, treasurer for the Lansing Dietetic Association.

Greeks change party policies for safety

Amid new party policies, MSU's greek community is keeping safety issues at the top of its priority list. The Panhellenic Council and the Interfraternity Council changed their policies on one-on-one parties last semester and regularly discuss risk management for open parties, said Lyndsay Dalby, vice president for administration of the Panhellenic Council. One-on-ones are parties with a fraternity and sorority in which only members of the two chapters are allowed to attend, and open parties are open to nonmembers. "Risk management is something that is constantly talked about within the community," Dalby said.

Tax increase to be decided in ASMSU election

ASMSU elections are Wednesday, and undergraduates will have the ability to determine if their student government tax will be increased. More than a month ago, Academic and Student assemblies members voted to increase student taxes by $3 per semester to fund a scholarship account.