Group pickets anti-affirmative action initiative in Lansing

Large trees showering red and yellow leaves line Tulane Drive in north Lansing. The residential street is an unlikely location for a protest. But Thursday morning, a dozen protesters from By Any Means Necessary gathered at 2510 Tulane Drive to protest an anti-affirmative action petition. Being careful to follow Lansing police orders not to step on the lawn, members of the national affirmative action group circled the driveway of the two-story gray house. The house is the business office for National Petition Management, a petition-collection service contracted by Ward Connerly of the American Civil Rights Institute in California.

E.L. Pumpkin Walk treats local kids

Vampires and princesses frolicked around downtown East Lansing on Thursday evening, playing spooky tricks and gathering sugar-filled treats. The disguised children participated in the 13th annual Great Pumpkin Walk, sponsored by East Lansing merchants promoting safe trick-or-treating. Ariel from "The Little Mermaid," one of many costumed children, enjoyed a can of Orange Crush as she left Flat's Grill, 551 E.

Starkly different candidates might seem similar

Lansing mayoral candidates Virg Bernero and Tony Benavides both are Democrats. They both speak passionately about eliminating crime in the city and making sure kids stay in school, and they both feel that Lansing needs to make itself more attractive to small businesses and young people.On the surface, it would seem as though the two men disagree about very little.

City council to review ASMSU noise policy changes

ASMSU officials will address East Lansing officials with recommendations for changes to the city's party-noise ordinance at the next council meeting.Members from MSU's undergraduate student government passed a bill during a Student Assembly meeting Thursday night to present five clarifications and revisions to the policy.

'U' to celebrate cultural events

Once they get some rest after a night of haunting on Halloween, MSU students and Lansing area residents will have an opportunity to celebrate different cultures. Seoul Train and The Great Lakes Anishnaabek Traditional Pow Wow will both be held Saturday. Korean Students United will present Seoul Train at 8 p.m.

Eagle released back to wild

Five people gathered around an outdoor holding cage behind MSU's Veterinary Medical Center on Thursday morning to watch as an injured symbol of American freedom - and the center's latest patient - checked out of the center to be released back into the wild.

Broadcaster appearts at Lansing Center Friday

National Public Radio Social Correspondent Susan Stamberg will speak about her broadcasting experience at 10:30 a.m.

New specializations approved for spring

MSU students will have some new course options and specializations for the spring.A jazz study option, a graduate specialization in hospitality business and an undergraduate specialization in science, technology, environment and policy will all be available after the Academic Council approved the proposed additions Tuesday.The new additions represent the growing university trend of moving toward more interdepartmental offerings, said Jo Ann Beckwith, director of the University Committee on Curriculum."It's an example of the interdepartmental initiative that allows people in various colleges to draw on the strengths offered by other colleges for the benefit of the students," Beckwith said.

Police briefs 10/30/03

Fossil hunter speaks at endowed professorship

Renowned fossil hunter Louise Leakey will visit MSU as part of the M. Peter and Joanne M. McPherson Endowed Professorship for the Understanding of Science on Thursday. She will present "Origins and Evolution: In Search of How We Became Human" at 7:30 p.m.

Separation week given OK by council

A resolution to honor Church/State Separation Week was passed by the East Lansing City Council on Tuesday, an act that counters its previous recognition of Bible Week.

Elementary playground receives needed facelift

A community-based effort to replace an ancient playground at Red Cedar Elementary School was completed Tuesday as the children of the school greeted their new equipment."It was tremendous," school principal Mindy Emerson said, "from the vision to the completion of the project."A ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Red Cedar, 1110 Narcissus Drive, on Tuesday morning gave the students a sense of accomplishment and a chance to enjoy a new jungle gym that was installed over the weekend, Emerson said.Children whose parents had installed the equipment on Friday and Saturday cut a piece of yellow caution tape to signal the official opening.About 60 additional students were enrolled in Red Cedar this fall after being displaced from Spartan Village Elementary School, 1460 Middlevale Road.

Magazine names 'U' scientific workplace eighth best in nation

Researchers from around the world ranked MSU eighth in a recent rating of the best scientific institutions to work at in the United States. The ranking was determined by a Web-based questionnaire presented to more than 2,200 full-time researchers in the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Israel.

Midland native awarded microbiology fellowship

Microbiology senior Carole Kuehl of Midland was awarded the American Society of Microbiology Undergraduate Research Fellowship. Kuehl is one of 31 students granted the opportunity to conduct full-time summer research at their institution with an American Society for Microbiology mentor and present the results at the 2004 society general meeting in New Orleans. Each recipient is awarded a $2,500 stipend, one-year student membership in the society and reimbursement for travel expenses to the general meeting. Kuehl and her mentor, Vincent Young,, assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics, are studying inflammatory bowel disease. For more information on this fellowship visit www.asm.org.

Asian-American group memberships rise

Although the Asian Pacific American student population at MSU has leveled off at about 5 percent in recent years, member participation and the number of registered student organizations has jumped."It's a good sign that they're wanting to identify as (Asian Pacific American) students," said Maggie Chen Hernandez, director of the Multicultural Center in the basement of the Union.

Police briefs 10/29/03

Athlete says domestic violence hurts everyone

Victor Rivers is not a woman.That might be an obvious statement about the actor and former NFL football player.

Lansing aims to become capital of coolness

Lansing officials say they are confident that Gov. Jennifer Granholm's "Cool Cities" initiative will put the city on the road to becoming cool and hip.The "Cool Cities" initiative was formed by Granholm in an effort to search for techniques designed to attract and keep people in the 25-34 age group in Michigan and revitalize its cities.A "Cool Cities" forum will be held at 6:30 p.m.

Forum addresses worldwide disease-prevention issues

Members of the Journal of International Law said Tuesday that global health problems can only can harmonized by the cooperation of world organizations.The panel discussed how the World Health Organization, World Trade Organization and United Nations can work together to deal with global epidemics such as West Nile and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome at the MSU-DCL College of Law Building.Chicago Law School professor and symposium speaker John Blum said the world needs a broader frame of work to accommodate health problems.

Granholm sets 11-stop tour to explain $900M deficit

Gov. Jennifer Granholm made her first moves Tuesday to help bandage the state's $900 million budget deficit. Granholm plans to tour the state to ask residents to set what's on the cutting block this fall. "As we've said before, everything is on the table," Granholm said.