1-man crusade dreams of lighting dome

Andrew Anthos has waged a lonely crusade for 16 years, lobbying and petitioning for a chance to honor his home state. The Detroit native can be seen frequently parading through the streets of Lansing with his handmade posters and petitions. His cause is simple: To illuminate the Capitol dome in red, white and blue lighting for one night of the year. "It would show a sign of Michigan's patriotism and its loyalty," Anthos said.

New Democratic group hopes to join forces with LBGT community

A new caucus within the College Democrats intends to focus on lesbian, bi, gay and transgender concerns, organizers said this week. Members of the caucus, which formed last week and is called MSU Stonewall Democrats, hope to unite LBGT and Democratic voters to benefit both sides. "Essentially it's an organization that tries to not only make the Democratic party better on LBGT issues, but to get the LBGT community involved," said Nathan Triplett, youth organizer of the Michigan Democratic Party and MSU College Democrats executive board member. The Stonewall Democrats is an LBGT Democratic organization which recently launched the Stonewall student network in an effort to promote organizations with a similar focus to campuses nationwide. The name Stonewall comes from the June 1969 Stonewall Rebellion in New York City, where LBGT bar patrons fought back after being thrown out of a gay bar.

Suspected package only delivers hoax

A package delivered to the Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building on Tuesday appearing to contain an explosive device turned out to be a hoax, MSU police said. Police Chief Jim Dunlap notified the MSU community about the incident through an e-mail Wednesday.

State consumer department awards $10,000 in nursing scholarships

The Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services awarded $10,000 to MSU and Monroe County Community College for nursing scholarships, state officials announced.Gov.

Senators give soldiers phone cards to 'combat loneliness'

Lansing - Michigan soldiers and their families will save money when calling one another in the future thanks to a gift of 3,000 phone cards to the Michigan National Guard and Army Reserve.The phone cards, which are for 60 minutes of domestic long distance each, were donated by DTE Energy and Verizon and were presented to representatives from the two military branches by state Sens.

Police briefs 11/13/03

Prosecutor will not seek charges against 8-year-old

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart J. Dunnings III will not bring juvenile delinquency charges against an 8-year-old boy who stabbed his 5-year-old brother in the back with a steak knife last month.Police said the 8-year-old snuck up behind his brother as they watched television in the family's home on Oct.

Trustees to vote on revision of alcohol ordinance

In an effort to generate university revenue, the MSU Board of Trustees is proposing a revision to MSU's alcoholic beverage policy that would no longer entirely prohibit alcoholic beverages from arenas and buildings.Alcohol ordinances aimed at students and those attending sports events, however, will not change.

Grant helps students attend 'U', teach in Detroit schools

Students from Detroit Public Schools hoping to attend MSU to pursue a teaching career will have new opportunities after the Broad Foundation donated a $6 million grant Wednesday.The Los Angeles-based foundation, headed by 1954 MSU graduate Eli Broad, pledged the money to fund a partnership between MSU and the Detroit Public Schools to help recruit students interested in a teaching career.

DCL raises bar, passes test

MSU-DCL College of Law students are setting the bar each time they hit the law books. The law school ranks third out of six law schools in the state for first-time student applicants who passed the Michigan Bar exam in July.

CRU leader strives for diversity

When Taina Jorda-Cid arrived at MSU four years ago, she said she felt cheated.After reading brochures hailing a diverse student body, she said she arrived at her Academic Orientation Program and saw few people who looked like her."I was thinking they had lied to me," said the political science senior who identifies as Mexirican - combining her Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage.

Police briefs 11/12/03

3 incumbents sworn in to E.L. City Council

Three East Lansing City Council members were sworn into their positions Tuesday night, followed by the election of the mayor and mayor pro tem.Council members Beverly Baten, Mark Meadows and Sam Singh took their turns at the podium to take an oath of office, led by City Clerk Sharon Reid.

Air travel rises as economy improves

If the popularity of Lansing's Capital City Airport in past months is any indication, Michigan's economy is improving, experts say.The airport experienced a 20.4-percent increase in passengers in October compared to the same time last year, making the month the busiest the airport has seen since March 2001.The landmark travel volume in October is at the tail of four consecutive months of passenger increases, Capital Region Airport Authority Executive Director Robert Selig said.Selig said the increased business coming into the airport is the result of several factors, including increased advertising, lower fares and the addition of a new airline, Allegiant Air, which provides several weekly nonstop flights to Las Vegas.The improvements attract area residents to fly out of Lansing as opposed to driving to larger airports such as the Detroit Metro Airport or the Gerald R.

Human research office seeks accreditation

MSU might be the next Big Ten institution to receive accreditation to ensure research on human subjects meet tough ethical standards.Approval would come from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs Inc., or AAHRPP, a nonprofit organization offering accreditation to universities for human subjects research, which involves research in biomedical, behavioral and social sciences.

WEB ONLY: Vietnam War veteran, Native-American author speaks of experiences in life, war

As people across the United States celebrated Veterans Day in honor of those who have served in the U.S.

Contractors try to expand downtown shopping

An updated market study for East Lansing is expected to be released in December, as new developments replicating City Center are being considered for downtown, officials said Tuesday.The study is a current version of one conducted in 1995, which focused on retail downtown compared to competition around the region and the future market for potential retail, said Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing's director of planning and community development."Based on that report, it indicated there was a strong market potential for additional retail space in the downtown, which led to City Center," van Ravensway said.

City council prepares to vote on mayor, mayor pro tem positions

Residents of East Lansing re-elected three city council members last week, and now it's up to the five-member council to decide on a mayor and mayor pro tem.Instead of its regular weekly meeting, the city council will hold a special ceremony to swear in Mark Meadows, Sam Singh and Beverly Baten, who were re-elected on Nov.

Conference addresses African development

The International Business Forum will meet today at 11:45 a.m. to discuss sustainable development in Africa.Special guest Amin Alexander Tejani of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce will lead the discussion.The luncheon costs $20 at the Michigan Athletic Club, located at 2900 Hannah Blvd.For reservations and more information, call (517) 353-4336 or e-mail wilkinsb@msu.edu.

Granholm addresses budget concerns over radio

Gov. Jennifer Granholm opened up discussion on the looming $920 million state budget deficit to a statewide listening audience Monday with two hours of explanation.Granholm first appeared on Michigan Government Television and then on Michigan Public Radio taking phone calls and challenging citizens to suggest where they prefer cuts, calling the practice a "good exercise of democracy."Republicans have criticized the budget tour as delaying the decision and not allowing segments of government enough time to prepare.Granholm says the budget deficits are caused by a gloomy national economy and tax cuts during the '90s by the state.The governor said she will balance the $38.6 billion budget predominately by making cuts, but she is looking at possible tax or fee increases, including a halt in a scheduled income tax rollback that could save the state $115 million."It doesn't do the whole trick, but it may soften some of the blow," she said.