Miller files suit to protect personal privacy

By ED RONCO The State News A new law requiring Michigan residents to submit their Social Security numbers when they renew their driver’s licenses is being challenged in a lawsuit filed Thursday by Secretary of State Candice Miller. States are required under the federal Welfare Reform Act approved by Congress in 1997 to collect Social Security numbers from licensed drivers to help track parents who fail to pay child support. Miller said the requirement, which took effect in October, violates the privacy of Michigan’s 6.9 million licensed drivers. “I will not sit idly by while residents’ privacy is invaded by an intrusive, ineffective and unfunded mandate,” Miller said. Michigan is the only state not complying with the requirement that took effect in October, said Pam Carte,r of the U.S.

U.S. Postal Service raises stamp price, competitors follow suit

By ED RONCO The State News Mechanical engineering senior Jeff Bullock used to write home for 33 cents, but as of Sunday that became more expensive. The U.S.

Meningitis kills employee, state tightens regulations

State lab workers are working under stricter regulations when studying meningococcal bacteria - the organism that causes meningitis.The move comes after Department of Community Health employee Linda Reese died Christmas Day after she was infected by a meningitis bacteria sample that she had been working on.

Towing policy change assures compliance with Michigan law

An amendment to the MSU’s towing policy will assure that all towing practices conform with state law.The amendment, approved by the MSU Board of Trustees at its Dec.

Riot policy revised to gain student support

Tracie Goldman thinks the Student Disorderly Conduct Policy demonstrates fairness between students and administration. The policy, passed at the Dec.

Snow fall leads to collapse of local carport, dangers

MERIDIAN TWP. - Mary Martin didn’t realize she was moments away from being buried beneath a flat-roofed carport, which collapsed outside of her Meridian Township apartment Friday.

December blizzard still a burden on snow crews

The blizzard that whipped across Michigan on Dec. 11 left Jillian Williams - and many others - out in the cold during finals week.“I had an 8 a.m.

Abraham accepts Secretary of Energy post in Cabinet

After losing his seat in the U.S. Senate, Michigan Republican Spence Abraham was appointed as President-elect George W.

Invention contends in market

The engineers at MSU’s Cyclotron building don’t get a three week vacation during the holidays; they’re always working - and thinking. Steve Bricker is no exception. Bricker graduated from MSU in 1981 and has been an engineer in the Cyclotron lab ever since.

Murder suspects face possible life imprisonment

Prosecutors began laying out their case Friday against two men charged with the December 1999 murder of an East Lansing woman.Cornelius Alden Brown, 29, and Sam Jones III, 25, sat in 54-B District Court on Friday.

NAACP president and Harvard theologian to speak at U

Kweisi Mfume, the president and chief executive officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Preston Williams, an academic theologian from Harvard University, will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

On-campus media assist food bank during holidays

WKAR-TV and Radio will help feed the hungry this holiday season by serving as a collection site for donations to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.The food drive will continue through Dec.

Bootery to close after 65 years

After 65 years, the sole of East Lansing is closing its doors.Like many of the shoes of customers looking for a new pair, Tonnie and John Temple, owners of the MSU Bootery, are worn out.The couple has decided it is time to close down the family business at 217 E.

College Alcohol Study reveals boost in marijuana use among U.S. students

The government’s war on drugs may have been lost on college students - especially when it comes to marijuana, according to a recently released study.Harvard University’s School of Public Health conducted the College Alcohol Study in 1993, 1997 and 1999, surveying more than 14,000 students in colleges and universities nationwide.

Santa on wheels

Each year children flock to a mall to sit on Santa Claus’ lap to tell him their hopes and dreams for Christmas morning and get their picture taken with the jolly old soul. But this year, a new tradition has been born. Meridian Township will be having its first-ever drive-thru Santa Claus in the Central Park parking lot, 5151 Marsh Road in Okemos, from Dec.

Student puddle-splasher may face jail time, fines

Apparently, pedestrians are not the only people who need to watch out for puddles these days. A 20-year-old MSU student may face misdemeanor reckless driving or assault and battery charges for purposely splashing a woman with his pickup truck while driving over a puddle on Oct.

Police ask students to be cautious

With books closing and doors slamming, many students prepare to depart from MSU for their homes with few thoughts of burglary, fire or tragedy to where they reside during the academic semester.“Theft is not something I would really think about,” said Tara Relyea, an accounting sophomore.

Police briefs 12/08/00

Olin offers solutions for finals week stress

Christmas came early for the Ingham County Health Department. After almost three months of waiting, the health department received its first shipment of the flu vaccine late last week. And although it’s late in the flu season, the vaccinations can still be effective, Ingham County Disease Control Supervisor Judy Williams said. “We go by confirmed cases where someone shows up in the emergency room and has a throat culture done and it shows that the person has influenza,” she said, adding that there is a flu mimic circulating that is not actually influenza.

Magazine honors U producer

Kevin Epling, producer and director of photography for MSU’s Division of University Relations, is one of the best in the business. That’s according to AV Video Multimedia Producer magazine, which named Epling one of the Top 100 Producers of 2000.