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MSU

Puerto Rican culture celebrated

Events with catered food tend to feature lukewarm mostaccioli and bland chicken. This was not so at Lechonada on Thursday night at the Puerto Rican pig roast, which featured traditional staples such as baked pork, flan and arroz con gandules, a rice dish. "We have culture to share with everyone," said Natalia Mercado, Puerto Rican Student Association vice president.

MICHIGAN

Man injured in fight

A man is being treated at Lansing's Sparrow Hospital for head injuries after he was assaulted while breaking up a fight outside Beggar's Banquet early Thursday, East Lansing police said.As the man intervened in the scuffle, he was pushed or shoved, causing him to fall backward and strike the back of his head against the pavement.

MSU

Amid budget cuts, group plans school overhauls

Members of the MSU Council of Graduate Students elected a focus group Wednesday night to discuss the restructuring of the colleges with MSU Provost Lou Anna Simon.MSU administrators are planning fundamental changes to six of MSU's colleges for the spring semester to make up for the drastic funding cuts from the state.Nine members were selected to attend the Dec.

MICHIGAN

Pageant winner proves age just another number

She sang "New York New York," wore a black evening gown and dazzled a panel of judges with her gleaming personality. But it was the beauty of age and experience that led 66-year-old Beverly Hunt-Sherrod to win the 25th annual Ms. Senior Sweetheart of America Pageant. Hunt-Sherrod, a Lansing resident with silver and black hair and bejeweled fingernails, won the national pageant over 34 contestants on Nov.

MSU

Stabenow to address graduating class

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, an MSU alumna, will return to her alma mater in December as one of three speakers to address graduates at this semester's commencement ceremonies.Stabenow will be joined by Lewis Coleman, president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and Bernard Kerik, who served as Iraq's interim minister of interior.The ceremonies will be held Dec.

MSU

MSU-DCL officials elect board member

MSU-DCL College of Law officials elected a new member to the MSU-DCL board of trustees. Louis Kasischke is a nationally recognized lawyer, businessman and mountaineer.

MICHIGAN

Decision nears in pipeline clash

The city of Lansing and the Wolverine Pipe Line Co. are awaiting a decision by the Michigan Supreme Court as to whether city approval is needed to build a 26-mile gasoline pipeline.The two sides argued their case before the court Thursday in what was the latest in the company's almost three-year struggle to construct the pipeline.

MSU

Professor speaks on freedom of speech

School of Journalism Associate Professor Folu Ogundimu will host a forum titled, "Freedom of Speech, The Media and Democracy in Africa," on Thursday.Ogundimu was an award-winning journalist with Nigeria's WNBC and the Nigerian Television Authority.

MSU

TV personality Jeff Corwin on campus

Conservationist and television personality Jeff Corwin brought his charm and expertise to MSU, speaking in front of a packed Auditorium on Tuesday night.The lecture is this year's second installment of the M.

MICHIGAN

Study links shopping, music

Jazzy tunes and fast beats are for more than just listening pleasure - they're also designed to influence consumer spending habits, according to music distributors and business owners. PlayNetwork spokesman Ryan Risenmay said there's definitely a connection between music and consumer behavior, based on informal observations from retailers. PlayNetwork, a company based in Redmond, Wash., distributes thousands of songs from jazz to pop to retailers, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Cosí, Finish Line and Starbucks. "Research found that some softer music can put people at ease and some faster pace music can pick up the pace of the shopping experience," Risenmay said.

MICHIGAN

Granholm: State to build in urban areas

Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed an order Tuesday requiring state departments to try to locate new state facilities in urban areas.The order requires state officials to consider the adaptive use of historic buildings or reuse of existing buildings in urban areas.