Actor will talk about need for involvement

Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actor Edward James Olmos will speak to local students at 11:30 a.m.

Group holds conference for biracial, bisexual students

A conference titled “The Mixed Experience” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Multicultural Center in the Union basement.

RHA completes board elections

The Residence Halls Association’s executive board wrapped up elections Wednesday, adding Holden Hall Rep.

County purchases nonlethal weapons

Mason - Matthew Flint staggered backward, grabbed his chest and began violently coughing. Flint, an Ingham County Sheriff’s Office sergeant, had just been shot with a round of pepperballs from the office’s new Jayco SA200 Pepperball Launcher System. A pepperball is a small cylinder that breaks on impact, filled with oleorecin calsicum, a powder version of what is found in pepper spray.

Speaker rallies for prisoners release

Phyllis Englebert will be seeking support for the freedom of a Middle Eastern prisoner from 4-6 p.m.

Group breaks from farmer bill

A two-week legislators’ break won’t be as much of a concern for local farmers after some of the debate has ended.A joint federal committee has been examining two different versions of a bill passed by the U.S.

Business owners expect festival tourism to pump up commerce

Despite concerns about summer tourism earlier this year, East Lansing business owners aren’t worried about sales dropping during the city’s summer festival season.But Lori Martin, a research specialist at MSU’s Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center, said the tourism outlook for 2002 is uncertain while the nation recovers from recession.“There are a few wild cards out there,” she said.Those wild cards include the possibility of terrorism, weather and gas prices.Despite the unknowns, the center’s researchers expect increases in tourism throughout the state, including a 3 percent increase in traffic volume due to tourism in the region including Ingham County.And East Lansing officials aren’t expecting much of a drop-off as the Great Lakes Folk Festival and East Lansing Art Festival near.“It seems like people are looking for more things that they can spend time with their family or friends,” community events specialist E.

Jewish, Great Lakes exhibits come to U

The MSU Museum received two grants Wednesday to showcase Jewish and Great Lakes-area cultures later this year.The Michigan Humanities Council awarded the museum $12,432 to display a U.S.

Residents concerned about increased apartments, traffic

New apartment complexes on Chandler and Abbott roads have East Lansing city officials and residents worried about increased traffic.Abbott Road becomes Chandler Road at the Clinton County Line north of Lake Lansing Road.Resident Terry Linger said he avoids the road as much as possible because of its poor condition.The two-lane road is under the control of the county and can’t support the amount of traffic renters going back and forth from work and MSU create, he said.“Most of them will be going during rush hour,” he said.

Group promotes, protects forest products industry

The timber industry gained a helping hand this week.The Michigan Forest Products Council, a public affairs group for timber industries, officially began work Tuesday.“It’s basically to promote and protect the industry,” said Steve Hicks, acting chairman of the council’s board of directors.Hicks said the council will essentially serve as a representative in the state capital for the industry that provides more than 200,000 jobs and $12 billion.But people shouldn’t interpret the council’s creation as a sign that the industry is in jeopardy, Hicks said.“We’re not in trouble,” he said.

Campus briefs

Panel discussion to address conserving campus energy The panel discussion “Michigan’s Energy Future: Shaping the New Century,” will be held at 7 p.m.

Police briefs 03/21/02

Speaker addresses public health

Madalyn Pollock fidgeted with her pearl necklace Wednesday as tears filled her eyes.Photos of her husband flashed across the screen in Wharton Center’s Pasant Theatre as an introduction to journalist Laurie Garrett’s presentation.

Man suspected of scamming for donations

A 32-year-old Lansing man was arrested Monday night as he is suspected of scamming money from the American Red Cross and other charities after the Sept.

Engler pushes bonuses

Before the Legislature breaks for two weeks of vacation, Gov. John Engler is hoping to move an early retirement plan for judges through the Senate and into immediate effect.The plan, which would offer bonus benefits for judges who retire early, has been criticized by many Democrats as “court-packing” and bribery.

Senator looks to end fake ID flow

Around college campuses, perhaps more than anywhere else, fraudulent IDs abound. But one senator wants to make it harder for people to misrepresent themselves by lengthening the process used by Secretary of State officials. “Every precaution needs to be taken,” said Sen.

U-M graduates to help GEU reach quicker contract

The University of Michigan’s Graduate Employees Organization coming to an agreement with university officials this week has left members of MSU’s Graduate Employees Union with mixed feelings. “I think the mood is sort of people are excited and optimistic, but also frustrated with the lack of progress we’ve been making in bargaining,” said Jessica Goodkind, the graduate union’s president. MSU officials were unavailable for comment on Tuesday. Goodkind said the union and MSU agreed on a few issues, including training and development of teaching assistants, on Monday.

Area schools elect to leave God out

School administrators received permission and encouragement to put God in their buildings, but Lansing area public schools are not participating.

Staples increases recycled paper

Staples will be selling less trees in its store.The office supply chain, found locally at 3003 E.

E.L. residents not expressing concerns

East Lansing residents may be passing up a chance to let city planners know what they think. Since March 11, two forums have been held at Hannah Community Center with light attendance, said Kevin Beard, East Lansing Planning Commission chairman. “We know there are concerns out there,” he said.