'U' observes religious holiday

White lights wound around the banisters in the McDonel Hall Kiva twinkled in the darkened room as rhythmic drumming and a lilting pipe filled the air. Women dressed in colorful choli suits of blue, green and pink practiced a dance, their arms swaying in unison to a slight tinkling of bells. About 55 people gathered Thursday night to celebrate and learn about the Diwali holiday in an event hosted by the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students, Asha for Education, the MSU India Club and McGlobe International Club. Diwali, a festival of lights, is celebrated by people who practice Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism.

Library to offer tutors to E.L. schoolchildren

Free weekly tutoring is now available at the East Lansing Public Library for all subject areas on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can participate in the program, called HomeWork Help. Students can come in at any time during the session and stay as long as necessary. Tutors are from the MSU chapter of the Student Michigan Education Association, a professional and community service organization for future teachers. Information on HomeWork Help and other programs available through the library can be found at elpl.org or by calling (517) 351-2420.

House gives pipeline veto power to state

Residents might not have any say in the approval of a pipeline set to be built along Interstate 96 on the city's south side under a measure approved Wednesday in the Michigan House. By a 61-44 vote, the House agreed to take away cities' veto power on pipelines passing through their borders on state-owned land and give it to the state government.

Artist to speak on technology for McPherson series

A black mask that collects dirt and monitors air quality while someone travels around a city is the newest of Natalie Jeremijenko's inventions.

Representatives elect DeRoche as House speaker

Rep. Craig DeRoche, R-Novi, won the nod of Republican state representatives for speaker of the House on Wednesday, going unchallenged. But the majority of Republican state representatives already supported DeRoche before the election, said Rep.

Prize-winning political reporter gives lecture

Walter Mears spent his fair share of time in political reporting. The retired Pulitzer Prize winner covered nearly 40 years of presidential campaigns for the Associated Press, and after four decades of reporting, he shared his anecdotes from the inside. Mears spoke to about 30 people in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building on Wednesday as part of the Siebert Lecture series. In the first election since his retirement, Mears said sitting on the sidelines this year wasn't easy. "I missed it a lot, but there comes a time when another generation needs to take over," he said. The retired journalist spent the first 20 minutes of his speech criticizing President Bush, and was almost relieved in saying that his reporter's obligation to be objective was relinquished after retirement. Mears said even though politicians are more accessible now than any other time, much of the coverage is superficial and insubstantial. "While images and sound bites from political candidates are more accessible, they're packaged and sold as supermarket products," he said. In his early days, when a journalist's questions weren't answered by politicians, "it would get nasty," he said. "Right now, there's almost none of that and it's a loss to the political readers," Mears said.

Board to consider vet center, finance

At its Friday meeting, the MSU Board of Trustees will discuss a variety of campuswide changes, including renaming a board committee and restoring part of Spartan Stadium. Up for approval is renaming the board's Finance Committee to the Finance and Audit Committee and making minor changes to its responsibilities. "Across the country, you see corporations, both public and private, enhancing and stressing the important role that audit committees play," board Chairman David Porteous said.

College engineers exposure

A mariachi singer tapped her stark white boot to the music as she sang a traditional song begging her lover to return.

'Miss Greek' pageant held for charity

Sorority members posed on a small, crowded stage in mini-skirts, halter tops and high-heeled shoes Tuesday evening, as audience members whistled and cheered. People packed inside The Temple Club, 500 E.

MSU police confiscate unlicensed clothing

T-shirts emblazoned with "2004 Big Ten Showdown" and "Michigan State vs. Ohio State" that circulated at Saturday's home football game were confiscated from unlicensed sellers milling around several campus parking lots. The four men were cited for selling merchandise without a permit before Saturday's football game.

Students fight cancer

The Common Grounds Coffeehouse in the basement of Akers Hall hummed with conversation as about 50-60 students scribbled on envelopes and donation forms during the fourth annual Up 'til Dawn Letter Writing Party. The Tuesday night event was held to raise money for St.

Commission to look at rental restriction

The bulk of East Lansing's Planning Commission meeting tonight will be spent addressing four petitions that are intended to freeze the amount of rental units in certain neighborhoods.

State representatives approach end of term, work to pass bills, knowledge

As incoming state House members trickle into Lansing for this week's initiation, term-limited members are concentrating their efforts on rounding out their six-year tenure. New members will succeed the incumbents in 37 districts who lost their seats because of term limits - 24 of them Republican, 13 Democratic.

Police briefs 11/10/04

Government offices observe Veterans Day

In observance of Veterans Day, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced that all Secretary of State branch offices and the Office of the Great Seal will be closed Thursday. Licenses and plates that expire on Thursday can be renewed on Friday without penalty.

Center analyzes world job markets

Asian pacific countries have some of the highest growing markets in the world, according to MSU's emerging markets potential index.

Police briefs 11/10/04

Sparty maintenance nears completion

Sparty might be freed from his tent-like surroundings tonight after repairs to the ceramic campus landmark took longer than anticipated. Work on "The Spartan" statue was supposed to be completed by Nov.

Restaurant expands, relocates

A local restaurant has moved to a larger space a few feet away as East Lansing officials discuss a plan to redevelop its old location. Peking Express, 611 E.

House debates pipeline

Testimony for a bill to allow a gas pipeline to run through Lansing and replace the one running through East Lansing was heard Tuesday in the Michigan House. The bill, introduced by State Rep.