Michigan writers, books featured in series

MSU students and faculty are invited to meet several authors and discuss their work for free on campus.

Senator tours state promoting security

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., met with police and firefighters in Marquette Monday to address their concerns regarding homeland security. Stabenow spokesman Dave Lemmon said the round-table discussion was her sixth such visit to Michigan municipalities.

Budget woes force cut backs in TA positions

Aaron Naumann has seen the number of teaching assistants in his Integrative Studies for Social Science office cut in half.Last semester eight graduate students worked in his Berkey Hall office.

Union, school board square off in lawsuit

The bickering over the budget crisis in East Lansing Public Schools reached the legal level Monday.The East Lansing Education Association, the union representing East Lansing teachers, filed unfair labor practice charges against the East Lansing School Board - accusing them of breaking a state labor law.Union officials have pointed fingers at the school board, saying Superintendent Tom Giblin broke state labor laws by releasing budget plans publicly before they were presented to the teachers' union.

E.L. promotes recycling with new drop site

East Lansing residents again have an opportunity to turn their trash into reusable goods.The city reopened the Valley Court recycling drop-off site on Friday, located at Valley Court and Hillside Court.

Spartans question claim of human clone

Some MSU students and faculty aren't fully convinced a group claiming responsibility for the birth of the first human clone is telling the truth. And they are not alone. On Saturday, a Florida attorney subpoenaed a vice president of the cloning organization, Clonaid, to testify in court.

Financial experts fight embezzlement

MSU Controller David Brower says he is ready to join the fight to rebuild the United Way's reputation while the local chapter attempts to recover nearly $1 million in missing money.Brower was appointed by the Capital Area United Way blue-ribbon panel of experts which will analyze the chapter's financial safeguards.

Police briefs 01/13/03

Legacy of a leader: Martin Luther King, Jr. timeline

1929 - Born Jan. 15. Michael Luther King, Jr., later renamed Martin, born to school teacher Alberta King and Baptist minister Michael Luther King.1944 - Sept.

Michigan groups to fight for transgender causes

Lansing - The National Association for the Advancement of Transgendered People will with high hope for change, founder and president Melissa Sue Robinson says.The nonprofit association, which will act as a political activist group, union and support organization for transgender people, is beginning with a 25-person membership but Robinson said she expects that number to increase as more people learn about the association.The association will hold monthly support meetings on the third Saturday of every month."We will help transgendered people if they run into problems," she said.

Asian American group seeks new members

Lambda Phi Epsilon and alpha Kappa Delta Phi are looking for new members. Lambda Phi Epsilon, formerly known as the Asian Fraternity Interest Group, was colonized at MSU this semester.

Route loss might hassle riders

Students and East Lansing residents may soon have to go further down the road for personal railway service.About 40 people braved freezing temperatures Saturday afternoon to participate in a rally to protest the loss of ticket agents and possible route closing.As of today, East Lansing's Amtrak rail passenger station, located at 1240 S.

U-M installs cameras at every dorm's door

The University of Michigan's residence halls are now under stricter supervision.The Big Ten university installed cameras at every door to each campus residence hall last week after an increase in on-campus thefts during the last semester.U-M Residence Halls Association Vice President Amy Keller said the cameras were a product of an increased crime rate in dormitories across the country."We want to make sure that if there is a theft, we have a way to identify the criminal," Keller said.Students response to the electronic eyes was mixed.Keller said she thinks most U-M students are receptive to the idea.South Complex Facilities Manager Paul Manson said MSU installed its security cameras in the late 1980s and early 1990s at the front doors of some residence halls."Overall, as the years have gone by, the response continues to be positive from the residents," Manson said.

Olin launches female sexuality health month

Increasing the sexual pleasure, self-esteem and healthy relationships of women are just a few of the goals student health advocates have set for this month.Olin Health Center's Community Action Team and Sexual Health Team kick off their celebration of Women's Healthy Sexuality Month today, the first in what they hope becomes an annual tradition."The program aims to celebrate women's sexuality in all aspects, not just the negative parts," said Olin health educator Dennis Martell.The first week of the program is themed "Make your body a temple and love it!" All female residence hall students will receive "If Vaginas Could Talk" pamphlets in their mailboxes, stressing the importance of annual gynecologist visits.

ASMSU fills void with experience

Ahmed Baset's career path has led him from internships in Washington, D.C. to the offices of ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government.As the new director of legislative affairs for the organization, Baset is in charge of lobbying on behalf of MSU students on the local, state and federal levels."Any way I can further the process toward Michigan State students, that's what I do," he said.Baset, an international relations junior, said his dedication to politics began in his childhood, much to his mother's despair."My mom wanted me to be a doctor, and I didn't think that was going to happen," Baset said.

Editor's note

The State News and Statenews.com plan to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. in a number of ways this week. First, make sure to pick up a copy of Friday's newspaper for a special section that commemorates King's dream and its impact on MSU today.

Councils to hold info session for students

The Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council will be holding an information session for all their member fraternities and sororities from 4-8 p.m.

Fifth Third comes to E.L.

Fifth Third Bank officials say they are ready to tap into the banking needs of East Lansing business and MSU staff and students.A new branch of Fifth Third Bank is moving into its new digs at 309 E.

Schedule of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events

Saturday, Jan. 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Banquet 7:00 p.m., East Lansing Marriott, 300 M.A.C.

'I have a Dream' speech

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.