Redistricting plan draws controversy

Republican plans to redraw Michigan’s congressional and legislative districts passed quickly through the state Senate on Tuesday. The assembly, after a 21-14 party-line vote, approved a plan analysts say would likely flip Michigan’s representation in Washington, D.C., from a Democratic to a Republican majority. Democrats have cried foul, saying the process has been unnecessarily hurried by the Republicans, who are in a strong position to decide the new boundaries, as they control both state legislative chambers and the governor’s office. District lines are redrawn every 10 years after each U.S.

ACLU files request

The Lansing-area chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed another Freedom Of Information Act request for the university’s files regarding the undercover police infiltration of Students for Economic Justice on Monday.Henry Silverman, president of the ACLU Lansing-area chapter and an MSU history professor, said the ACLU is not trying to make a nuisance of itself.“We are not trying to harass the university, we are simply trying to find out if there was any reason for this action,” he said.Silverman said the ACLU will push the case as far as possible, even if it means going to court.

Professor remembered for kindness, enthusiasm

Although cancer affected sociology Professor Chris Vanderpool within weeks, his wife, Mariam Sticklen, said Vanderpool had prepared her for his death.“It was a shock, but he really prepared me, I suppose,” she said.

Police briefs 06/27/01

Researchers find pesticide hazardous to human health

When Rachel Carson published the novel “Silent Spring” in 1962, she warned that the pesticide dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane, or DDT, might have more long-term effects on the environment than killing insects.The pesticide, which had been produced in lots of 600 million pounds per year in the United States, was later banned in the country in the late 1970s.MSU researchers have found dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethene, or DDE - a metabolite of DDT - might have a long-term effect on human beings.Wilfried Karmaus, an associate professor of epidemiology, researched children in areas of Germany where the pesticide is still used, with the help of epidemiology graduate student Scott Asakevich.Many of the girls exposed to the pesticide were nearly an inch shorter than average.

Conference addresses race issues

After a year of sit-ins, takeovers and death threats, members of Penn State University’s undergraduate student government decided to take action against racism on campus. And they brought the rest of the Big Ten with them. During the Association of Big Ten Students annual summer conference last week, eight representatives from ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, and eight other schools’ representatives signed a bill sending condolences to Penn State and standing up against racism in their own schools. The student governments also supported a Sept.

Cops welcome updated forensic lab

DELTA TOWNSHIP - The Michigan State Police on Friday opened the doors to its new state-of-the-art forensic science laboratory on Canal Road. The new 82,710 square-foot facility came with a $23.5 million price tag and replaces the lab’s old offices, which were housed among six different buildings at the state police headquarters compound on Harrison Avenue in East Lansing since 1932. Together, the old offices constituted about 15,000 square feet.

Police briefs 06/25/01

Memory kept alive with run

More than 300 people spent Sunday morning honoring the memory of Bob Forsythe and raising money for The Listening Ear Crisis Intervention Center.The event, Bob’s 5K run/walk, raised about $10,000 for The Listening Ear, with 295 runners and 80 volunteers.

Health centers ready for HIV Testing Day

The battle with AIDS is not over.Between 800,000 and 900,000 Americans are infected with HIV. The Ingham County Health Department, the Mid-Michigan District Health Department, Lansing Area AIDS Network (LAAN) and Planned Parenthood of Mid-Michigan are joining forces to ensure HIV counseling and anonymous testing is available from 7:30 a.m.

Council to review application

The East Lansing City Council will discuss alley improvements and an application for a grant to buy a building downtown Tuesday. Carolyn Bennett, East Lansing community and economic development administrator, said the department is asking city council to approve an application from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to receive a grant to purchase a building in downtown East Lansing. “It is to start City Center Two,” Bennett said.

Ronald House enjoys anniversary party

The Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan might not give you super-sized combo meals.But it can give comfort and a place to stay for out-of-town parents with sick children.“I can walk across the street and see my daughter anytime I want,” Lansing resident Shelly Vendeville said.Vendeville is staying at the house, 121 S.

Free phone cards feature health message about AIDS

Free calling cards are bringing an important message. The message has been in brochures, posters, advertisements, billboards and public announcements.The message is AIDS is still killing people.The Midwest AIDS Prevention Project is distributing 5,000 free 10-minute phone cards to gay and bisexual men throughout Michigan.

Cream ale social commemorates sign

East Lansing will travel back in time Friday to celebrate a Michigan tradition. The East Lansing Historical Society will kick off the first of four East Lansing Cream Ale Parties from 7 p.m.

DCL partners up with Lithuanian university

The MSU-Detroit College of Law and Vytautas Magnus University of Lithuania agreed to offer a certificate in transnational law Wednesday.During the 2000-01 academic year, MSU-DCL sent three faculty members to teach at the Lithuanian school, which is located in the city of Kaunas.

U school operates D.A.R.E. training for Michigan officers

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program (D.A.R.E.) charged 11 more officers to change the way middle school students think about drugs, with some help from MSU’s School of Criminal Justice.D.A.R.E.

False calls push cops buttons

Your cell phone might be crying wolf without your knowledge.Lansing police Lt. Ray Hall said the department is now receiving many false emergency calls from cell phones.“This year, for the first time, we experienced receiving more cellular 911 calls than from normal phones,” he said.

Ronald McDonald House to honor anniversary

Lansing’s Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan does more than just love seeing people smile.The house provides comfort to those who need it badly.This year alone, the Lansing house has provided a place to stay for 220 out-of-town families whose children were in the hospital.On Saturday, the facility, at 121 S.

Sparrow to host celebration for local cancer survivors

The Sparrow Regional Cancer Center is sponsoring its seventh annual National Cancer Survivors Day on Saturday.

College of Social Science soon to name new dean

There will be a changing of the guard at the MSU College of Social Science. Marietta Baba is expected to be named the new dean of the College of Social Science at the MSU Board of Trustees meeting Friday.