MICHIGAN

Above average summer temperatures could lead to increased snowfall

Andrew Krietz

August 12, 2010

A warmer than average summer increases the chances of an above average snowfall this upcoming winter, said John Kowaleski, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids. Through the end of July, Lansing recorded temperatures were about 4.3 degrees higher the average of 82, and in June, temperatures were 2.5 degrees above normal — numbers not seen in the past few years, Kowaleski said.

MICHIGAN

Report finds students face increasing debt after college

Karen Confer

August 12, 2010

As state funding to public universities is cut and tuition increases, students are leaving college with more debt, according to new released Monday by the Michigan League for Human Services, or MLHS. Titled “Pulling the Plug on Michigan’s Future,” the reported was conducted by the MLHS, which is a nonprofit advocacy group for low-income residents.

MSU

MSU veterinarians embark on 3-week Neuter-a-Thon

Emily Wilkins

August 12, 2010

Every year, more than 100,000 kittens and puppies are euthanized in Michigan shelters because of overcrowding and limits on how long an animal can stay. To help limit the number of animals without homes, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine is going to the source of the problem — the dogs and cats who have the litters.

MSU

MSU hosts intro for teaching assistants

Emily Wilkins

August 11, 2010

Sixty students from about 25 different countries came to MSU for a three-day orientation to the U.S. culture and its customs called Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant program, or FLTA. MSU is one of eight schools selected to hold an orientation program for FLTA. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and administered by the Institute of International Education, or IIE.

MSU

MSU research assists Dow energy projects

Alanna Thiede

August 11, 2010

Michigan homes could benefit from a new initiative focusing on retrofitting existing structures using energy efficient insulation, equipment and other strategies to reduce energy consumption by up to 50 percent. MSU’s School of Planning, Design & Construction and Institute for Public Policy and Social Research’s Office for Survey Research will join Dow Building and Construction, Habitat for Humanity International and Ferris State University on a multiyear initiative funded by the U.S.

MSU

MSU law professors believe race might factor into death penalty

Ashley Brown

August 11, 2010

Finding a possible correlation between race and justice, two MSU law professors statistically found race might play a role in North Carolina convicts being sentenced to the death penalty. MSU law professors Catherine Grosso and Barbara O’Brien began to research capital punishment cases in North Carolina about a year ago after the passing of the Racial Justice Act, which allows death row inmates in the state to appeal their sentences based on racial discrimination.

MSU

MSU officials merge landscaping material to save money

Andrew Krietz

August 11, 2010

MSU officials look to pile on the savings once the merging of landscaping materials is complete. About three piles of materials are in the process of being moved into one centralized location at the Beaumont Nursery in an attempt to increase efficiency and reduce costs by officials at the Physical Plant.

MSU

MSU professor discovers rare reptile fossil

Pat Evans

August 11, 2010

Animals in prehistoric Africa might have taken a drastically different evolutionary route than scientists previously thought, according to the results of a recent fossil discovered by an MSU professor in Tanzania. MSU professor and paleontologist Michael Gottfried was part of a research group, led by Ohio University professor Patrick O’Connor, that uncovered a mammal-like crocodile in the country located in southeastern Africa.

MSU

MSU Garden Plant Showcase educates horticulture experts

Alanna Thiede

August 10, 2010

Horticulturists, landscapers and other industry professionals wandered throughout MSU’s Trial Gardens inspecting blossoms for their color and durability among the varieties of this year’s plant breeds at the MSU Garden Plant Showcase. About 70 professional landscapers, horticulturists and plant breeders attended the annual showcase event held in the Plant and Soil Sciences Building and Trial Gardens. The day-long event featured presenters from MSU faculty and staff, as well as industry experts.

MSU

MSU vets use new technology to preserve salamander population

Ashley Brown

August 10, 2010

After learning North America’s largest salamander was in danger of extinction, MSU veterinarians have teamed up with two zoos to start researching the sticky situation. Due to the declining populations of the hellbender salamander, MSU researchers — with help from the Nashville Zoo and Antwerp Zoo in Belgium — have been tracking and collecting sperm samples from the remaining salamanders.

MICHIGAN

Emergency notification system to inform Ingham County residents

Andrew Krietz

August 10, 2010

A new initiative is giving residents of Ingham County an opportunity to receive notifications of emergencies and traffic advisories from across the county. East Lansing officials and the East Lansing Police Department are encouraging people to sign up for Nixle, an online information service that allows local governments to send real-time text messages and e-mails to subscribers. City Manager Ted Staton said the service is an alternative to traditional means of broadcasting important information — such as a radio station alerting the public of a road closure. “So many people are very tech savvy — that is where they get important news,” Staton said.

MICHIGAN

StateSide deli prepares to open E.L. location

Pat Evans

August 9, 2010

The second location of StateSide Deli, which will open Wednesday in downtown East Lansing, will fulfill the name of the store, a sentiment missing from the original location in Okemos. With the newest location of StateSide Deli, 313 E. Grand River Ave., Spencer Soka, the deli’s owner, said he is planning on the New York-style deli to be an MSU mainstay.

MICHIGAN

E.L., Meridian plan to share services

Alanna Thiede

August 9, 2010

An agreement between East Lansing and Meridian Township to share construction inspection services and save money for both communities went into effect Monday. As a result of the agreement, Meridian Township utility inspections will be conducted by East Lansing inspectors.

MSU

Garden Tour to be held Tuesday

Alanna Thiede

August 9, 2010

The annual MSU Garden Plant Showcase will take place all day Tuesday at the Plant and Soil Science Building and Trial Gardens. The showcase will feature MSU faculty and staff discussing top-performing plants.

MSU

MSU Quilt Index to receive grant

Meagan Choi

August 9, 2010

This fall, the MSU Museum’s Quilt Index — an online database of more than 50,000 quilt images — will prepare to expand its resources internationally, using an almost $100,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, or IMLS. The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for U.S. libraries and museums. The Quilt Index was one of 13 national recipients to receive one-year project planning grants.

MICHIGAN

Pass It Forward website hosts 2nd annual event

Ashley Brown

August 8, 2010

When Bob Hoffman, the public relations manager for Wharton Center, was cut off by a woman driving in front of him, he had no idea it would lead to the grassroots nonprofit movement ePIFanyNow.org. Hoffman invited friends to do the same, resulting in 250 people at Dublin Square Irish Pub, 327 Abbot Road, for the inaugural Pass It Forward party in February 2009, which was hosted by the website.

MICHIGAN

Locals compete in Down syndrome scavenger hunt

Anthony Odoardi

August 8, 2010

About 90 percent of pregnant women who discover their child will be born with Down syndrome have an abortion, but Jamie Rahrig, the vice president of activities and events for the Capital Area Down Syndrome Association, or CADSA sported her “proud parent” T-shirt Saturday, which displayed a picture of her 6-year-old son, Jackson, who has Down syndrome. Rahrig and CADSA hosted an inaugural scavenger hunt event Saturday, which was used not only to garner funds for other CADSA functions, but also to raise awareness about the genetic disorder.

MSU

17 program graduates to compete in election

Karen Confer

August 8, 2010

Seventeen graduates from an MSU political training program will compete in the Michigan November general elections to become legislators in the state House of Representatives. Since the Michigan Political Leadership Program, or MPLP, began at MSU in 1992, 10 graduates have served in the House and six currently serve.

MSU

MSU shows green thumbs on Garden Day

Aseel Machi

August 8, 2010

Friday was the annual Garden Day at MSU, led and organized by the MSU Horticulture Gardens, and with a dozen workshops and two keynote speakers, including the director of the MSU Horticulture Gardens, Art Cameron. The day is an opportunity for the public to learn how to be successful gardeners.

MSU

MSU, Habitat, Whirlpool join together to honor Sept. 11

Emily Wilkins

August 8, 2010

A decade after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the day has come to symbolize supporting America through service. To commemorate the anniversary, MSU will collaborate with Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool Corp. for its 2010 Whirlpool Building Blocks program. The nation-wide program has targeted seven different communities in which to build a house, and MSU is the first college campus to be involved in the project.