Saturday, December 27, 2025

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

News

MICHIGAN

Zulu baskets set for exhibit this weekend

More than 150 Zulu baskets will go on exhibit and sale today. The baskets will be on display at All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbott Road, today from noon until 9 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m.

MSU

Forum informs students about cloning, bioethics

To Oscar Caballero, Wednesday night's animal biotechnology forum was a dream come true. Three years ago, the cell and molecular biology graduate student heard a presentation from the environmentalist group Greenpeace calling genetic engineering an "evil" action that messes with "Mother Nature's grand design." "People who do not have the knowledge about biotechnology come out of there thinking, 'I'm never going to allow another piece of transgenic food in my mouth again,'" Caballero said.

MICHIGAN

'U' members discuss MTV greek portrayal

Sitting among his fraternity brothers watching the debut of MTV's "Fraternity Life," Matthew Castel expressed his disgust at some of the scenes. "That's really disgusting," the electrical engineering junior, a member of Delta Tau Delta, said after a Sigma Chi Omega brother talked about defecating on the top of a toilet instead of inside the bowl on camera. Both "Sorority Life 2" and "Fraternity Life" debuted on MTV on Wednesday night.

MICHIGAN

Activists rejoice after court ruling on protests

After a Supreme Court ruling earlier this week giving protection to protesters from racketeering and extortion charges, some local protest groups are rejoicing at the decision. The case dealt with anti-abortion demonstrators that were charged with blocking clinic entrances, attacking doctors, patients and clinic staff and destroying equipment.

MSU

Traffic committee to meet, hear public feedback

The MSU community can discuss traffic, transportation and pedestrian issues from 2:30-4 p.m. on March 13 in the North Conference Room of the Main Library. The All University Traffic and Transportation Committee will share its ideas to improve traffic on campus with the audience and ask for feedback.

MSU

RHA elects new president

Derek Wallbank is the new president of the MSU Residence Halls Association. Wallbank was elected from a pool of four candidates to lead the 34th General Assembly of RHA. "He combined what all others based their campaigns on," general assembly member Adam Raezler said. Wallbank said he plans not only to work on promoting a better environment within RHA itself but also wants to focus more on residents and RHA's involvement with them as it pertains to campus life. "Every decision that needs to be made in RHA should involve residents," Wallbank said. Carrie Hoover

MICHIGAN

Weight Watchers tries to help curb obesity

Next week, Mid-Michigan will have the opportunity to weigh in and become more healthy. Weight Watchers is working with the American Cancer Society to launch the society's "Great American Weigh-In." Lansing's Weight Watchers center, at 500 N.

MSU

Leader discusses lack of Chicano presence in history books

For Daniel Osuna, true leadership comes from within. Osuna, a Chicano Yaqui Indian, spoke Thursday night in the Essex Room of Wilson Hall, offering what he said was an account of Chicano history that isn't included in a high school history book. "Are (high school teachers) teaching us what to think, or how to think?" he said. Education freshman Gloria Melina Monita said history doesn't always reflect the way things are. "What do we celebrate about Columbus Day?" Monita asked.

MSU

Students, 'U' officials debate energy tax

A tax that would require students to pay $5 per semester for renewable energy is the subject of debate between ASMSU and university officials. ASMSU is MSU's undergraduate student government. Eco, an environmental student organization, wants students to be more aware of the energy they use by voting yes on a ballot proposal which would tax students to purchase environmentally friendly energy sources. Power from sources such as solar panels and wind turbines could replace fossil fuel emissions on University Farms. "Most people don't know what renewable energy is, or even global climate change," Eco spokeswoman Amy Gregory said.

MSU

Alternative Spring Break provides fulfillment, service opportunities

Keyan MacCune traveled to Mexico on her first Alternative Spring Break three years ago expecting to just volunteer at a hospital. She came back with a better understanding of life. "You go down expecting to give by doing service but you always bring back more than what you have given through the experiences and knowledge you gain," the elementary education senior said.

MSU

Cadet receives honor

Adam Malson will be joining top ROTC cadets from around the country in Lexington, Va., at the Virginia Military Institute from April 15-18. The interdisciplinary studies in social science senior is a recipient of the General George C.

MSU

Activist relates long road to racial equality

Tom Hayden has been beaten, jailed and kicked out of towns across the southern United States. Hayden, a civil rights activist, former legislator and author, spoke Thursday at the Kellogg Center about his time as a freedom rider in Mississippi and Albany, Ga. He was the final speaker in the third annual visiting faculty series sponsored by the College of Osteopathic Medicine. "There are not many of these speakers that I say share my criminal background," College of Osteopathic Medicine Professor William Anderson said during his introduction of Hayden. As an activist, Hayden dedicated much of his time to fighting racial, ethnic and gender bias and discrimination. "It's in his DNA to fight for civil rights and justice," Anderson said. Gregory Jones, a 1980 MSU graduate, said Hayden's lecture gives him a chance to see the activist he so often heard about. "I remember he was a big activist in the '60s and '70s," he said.

MICHIGAN

Students enjoy tour through Capitol

Lansing - As they walked through the Senate wing of the state Capitol, 25 elementary students gasped in awe at the massive beauty of the building's rotunda. "The rotunda is for us, the constituents," Capitol tour guide Dan Reynolds told the fourth-graders. "It's supposed to make us feel proud - does it make you feel proud?" With mouths open wide, the class stared up through the rotunda's wooden balconies to the high blue ceiling painted with gold stars and answered with a resounding, "yes." The students and teacher Bill Lenyz traveled from Nellie Reed Elementary School in Vernon, about 40 minutes northeast of Lansing, to attend the tour earlier this week. Sixteen capitol tours are led per day, and people have been touring the building since 1979.

MSU

Groups plan affirmative action march in D.C.

MSU student groups plan to march on the nation's capital April 1. Women's Council, Multi Racial Unity Living Experience and other organizations will demonstrate their support for affirmative action on the day the U.S.

MSU

Student pleads guilty at flier hearing

The MSU student accused of posting a racially offensive flier in Shaw Hall pleaded guilty today to charges of misdemeanor harassment in front of East Lansing 54-B District Court Judge Richard Ball.During a pretrial meeting, prosecutor Marie Wolfe made David Powder aware of his possible options and gave him time to decide what he wanted to do.

MICHIGAN

Leaders offer solutions

Community leaders say they are looking at long-term solutions rather than quick fixes for the budget troubles in East Lansing Public Schools.Hampered by funding dilemmas, the Board of Education has been left with the duty of putting back together the pieces of the district's long-term puzzle."We can reinvent the schools," said Bill Donohue, secretary of the school board and an MSU communication professor.

MSU

Poetry reading honors emotion, Chicano culture

A hush filled a room in Wilson Hall as Maria Zavala stepped into the center, clearing her throat and slowly raising a worn black binder brimming with poem-filled pages.The communication sophomore took a deep breath, glanced down at the laminated sheet in front of her, then launched into an original selection titled "Yo Soy," or "I Am.""Yo soy Chicana," Zavala cried during the opening lines of the poem, fiercely emphasizing each syllable.