Wednesday, April 24, 2024

News

MICHIGAN

Senator joins Bonior

State Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith officially joined U.S. Rep. David Bonior in his gubernatorial campaign. Wheeler Smith, D-Salem Township, announced her decision to drop out of the running for the Aug.

MICHIGAN

Wheeler Smith, Bonior join forces in governors race

Alma Wheeler Smith, after months of poor showing in the polls, has joined forces with U.S. Rep. David Bonior in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.Wheeler Smith, a state senator from Salem Township, decided to step into position as Bonior’s lieutenant governor when it became clear she would not be able to raise the money for her campaign.“They both believe it’s time for Michigan to have a real change,” Mark Fisk at Bonior’s campaign office said.Bonior, D-Mt.

MSU

U report dispels breast cancer race-based myth

Research by MSU faculty members suggests breast cancer death rates linked to race may be a myth. The report, which was published this week in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, said breast cancer death rates are associated with income level instead of race, something MSU researchers say is a common misconception. Researchers from the College of Human Medicine found women living in low-income situations were 41 percent more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the later stages of development and three times more likely to die.

MICHIGAN

Rising gas prices hit Michigan

Residents of Michigan and the rest of the Midwest have grown used to large increases in gas prices over the summer.But this year, the increases brought on by seasonal changes in travel have been joined by the United States interactions with Middle East oil producers.AAA Michigan spokesman Jim Rink said motorists already have seen some of the results of OPEC management.

MSU

Group hopes week helps worker rights

Protest signs, fliers and masses of students could be a common sight on MSU’s campus during Students for Economic Justice’s first Sweatshop Awareness Week. The week’s events began Monday as group members were outside Wells Hall for six hours with information about the activist group’s cause.

MSU

Paolucci Symposium to welcome 200 scholars

The College of Human Ecology is sponsoring the Paolucci Symposium April 4-6 at Kellogg Center. The title, “Personal, Social and Corporate Responsibility in a Common World,” will feature more than 200 scholars from various countries speaking on human ecological and environmental concerns. This year’s roster of speakers includes Clifton Wharton, former MSU president, Michael Crooke,CEO of Patagonia Inc., Kevin Burke, partner with William McDonough + Partners Architecture & Community Design, Paul Murray, senior executive with Herman Miller Inc., and Rebecca Grumet, an MSU horticulture professor. Elaine Williams, conference coordinator for the College of Human Ecology, said the program will give students an opportunity to learn about various types of responsibility. “This is a very good opportunity for students who attend to look at how individual corporate responsibility and social responsibility is taking place in the world,” she said.

MSU

ASMSU representation from freshmen upped

The number of elected ASMSU representatives from the undergraduate student government’s Freshman Class Council has increased this year. The council, which is made up of about 30 members, met every Monday night in the middle of ASMSU’s territory - third floor of Student Services - instead of a basement corner, which officials say encouraged council members to be more involved.Five members were elected to ASMSUassemblies in the March elections.

MICHIGAN

Court declares obscenity law unconstitutional

The Michigan State Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a law prohibiting obscenities in front of women and children was too vague and thus unconstitutional. In 1999, Timothy Boomer, of Roseville was convicted for violating the law after shouting obscenities when he fell from a canoe into the Rifle River in Arenac County.

MICHIGAN

Seasons boost construction

The days are longer, jackets are removed, lunches are eaten outside and construction workers and laborers return to work.While many companies experience a surge of business due to higher temperatures and sunnier days, the construction trade often sees large fluctuations in both business and employment, secretary-treasurer for Laborers Local 998 Joe Gunther said.The recession the nation faced during the winter resulted in the worst winter layoffs in three years, and most in the trade have been affected, Gunther said.“If you have 10 employees for a company they’re going to lay off three but if you have 30 or 40 you’re going to see about 10 get laid off,” he said.The result is a large discrepancy in the number of projects done in the summer and winter. Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing director of planning and community development, said he saw a lot less paperwork cross his desk in the winter.“We’re starting to get into the construction season so we get a lot of projects in now,” he said.For Ravensway, the spring represents the first of two major business opening times.Many restaurants try to open in the spring to take advantage of the flow of people into the city.But in September retail shops open in time for the holiday shopping season.“(Timing’s) a really tricky part of the construction business,” Ravensway said.This summer is not expected to be any different with Cosi and Douglas J expected to open in May.But not all parts of city development shut down for the winter.