Republicans concerned over 2008 budget

Although not every department’s budget had been passed, Marsden said it was important to address them now.

Cool down, stay fit in local swim facilities

Three MSU students in Minneapolis share their reactions to overpass collapse

You can find an MSU student or graduate almost anywhere in the country, and Minneapolis is no exception.

Experts: 'Mich. bridges are safe'

Michigan motorists shouldn't second-guess crossing the state's bridges, despite the state's percentage of "structurally deficient" bridges, experts say. The Interstate 35W bridge that collapsed Wednesday in Minnesota was named "structurally deficient" two years ago.

Word on the street

What do you do to keep cool on hot summer days? "I worked all day in the air conditioning, and now I'm going to class to sit in the heat.

WEB EXTRA: Package causes evacuation of Romney Building

At 9 a.m. a suspicious package was delivered to the George W. Romney Building, 111 South Capitol Ave., Lansing, and by 9:30 a.m.

Innovations: MSU professor strives to protect tomatoes from pests, disease

With a family tree filled with farmers, Gregg Howe's interest in plants was almost inevitable. Howe's father and grandfather were both farmers, so his family spent a lot of time outdoors, he said. "I guess I just sort of have an appreciation of nature," the biochemistry and molecular biology professor said. But the defining moment for Howe's career choice was seeing a professor decapitate a rat. At the time, he was studying biology as an undergraduate at East Carolina University. They were working on the rat's liver, and the professor had to sacrifice the animal in the process, Howe said. The class stood around and watched. "That wasn't too appealing," he said with a laugh.

Police briefs 08/02/07

Bill makes low-income tax credit unlikely

Michigan's Earned Income Tax Credit program could be stopped before it's even started, if a bill being considered by the Senate Finance Committee is passed. The Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, is a tax measure that would provide a refundable tax credit for low-income workers and families earning a wage below a certain threshold. Passed in 2006, and not scheduled to go into effect until 2008, the EITC would cost the state of Michigan roughly $130 million in tax revenue. But if Senate Bill 662, sponsored by Sen.

18 churches to hold day of prayer

The Capital City Community Action Network, or CCCAN, invites the interfaith community to participate in a day of prayer from 7 a.m.

Young minds bloom in garden

Families wandered amid the alphabet-labeled plants and the Alice in Wonderland maze while middle and high school students read children's stories in a garden Tuesday.

Police briefs 08/01/07

Legislature faces ridicule for latest tuition increase

Sen. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, agrees with most university and college boards of trustees around the state - Michigan needs to reinvest in higher education. Tuition hikes are a direct result of the Legislature's unwillingness to take an interest in the schools, Schauer said. About $26 million was cut from higher education during the 2006-07 school year, Schauer said, and it's not likely to be restored. At an MSU Board of Trustees meeting in July, the trustees agreed tuition hikes directly correlated to a lack of state aid. Universities need to hold the Legislature accountable for tuition increases, Trustee Faylene Owen said at the meeting. With uncertainty about how much schools are receiving, boards are forced to raise tuition to plan for the worst, Schauer said. "That really has forced universities to sort of throw a dart at the dart board without having guidance from the Legislature," he said. A solution to the state's budget crisis, Schauer said, could be a minor increase in the income tax and a broadening of the current 6 percent sales tax to certain high-end luxury services. "The combination of those two things would get us pretty close to where we need to be," he said. The Democrats have no reason to talk about raising taxes, said Matt Marsden, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester. Marsden said Democrats are continuously spending money the state does not have. "The Democrats continue to push for tax increases, but they refuse to accept any support for reforms in government," he said. Until the spending is dealt with, the Republicans and Democrats will have a stalemate, Marsden said. "We don't have a taxing problem, we have a spending problem that needs to be dealt with first," he said. Schauer said the Republicans are "stubbornly adhering to a failed ideology." "We need to step up to the plate and get our budget balanced and quickly in a way that invests in the universities and in colleges, and invests in our work force," he said. When universities cut programs, Schauer said, it makes Michigan less competitive in the job market. Marsden agreed it was unfortunate that higher education had to make some sacrifices. "We certainly support and agree that higher education is essential to moving Michigan into the 21st century," he said. He said the Republicans support an increase to higher education if possible, but won't be able to discuss specifics until they know how much of a state deficit they are dealing with. Schauer said he hopes the state listens to what Gov.

Safety Carnival to take place Aug. 7

East Lansing National Night Out Safety Carnival will take place from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at Patriarche Park, 1100 Alton Road. National Night Out is a national event and campaign used to aid crime prevention and promote community interaction. Co-sponsored by the East Lansing Police Department and East Lansing Kiwanis Club, attendees can enjoy free hot dogs, chips and drinks, and participate in activities such as a First Aid kit workshop, carnival games and Michigan National Guard climbing wall. For more information, call (517) 319-6813.

'FRESH' choices for less

Greasy chips and candy bars may be a cheap buy, but some farmer's markets provide low-income families and seniors with healthier alternatives at a lower cost. The Meridian Township Farmer's Market, 5151 Marsh Road, in Okemos, offers Project FRESH, a program that provides $20 coupons redeemable for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. "It's rewarding to be able to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to several people who might not be able to get them otherwise," said Earl Threadgould, a Mason farmer and vendor at the market. "The second advantage is, by having them get fruits and vegetables Michigan-grown, it helps people get accustomed to having fruits and vegetables, and they improve their eating habits," Threadgould said. Project FRESH began in 1986 and provides eligible families with coupon booklets to be used from until through Oct.

Police patrols return to standard mileage

Expect to see more Michigan State Police troopers patrolling up and down the highway now that the state has lifted mileage restrictions on the troopers. In March, Michigan's Department of Management and Budget, or DMB, forced state police to limit miles driven while on patrol. "Since March, we've reduced patrol by about one million miles." said Shanon Akans, Michigan State Police spokeswoman.

Businesses prepare for grand opening

Steve Christodoulides has 25 years of restaurant experience under his belt but never before has he opened up an eatery in East Lansing - until now. Christodoulides said people are anxiously awaiting the opening of his new family-owned and operated restaurant, Spartan Gyros, 565 E.

MSU vet hospital debuts new technique

When Wendy Villarreal's border collie injured its knee, a surgical technique offered at MSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital was the perfect fit for her four-legged friend. Jennifer Au, an MSU veterinarian and orthopedic surgeon, has been performing the surgery, called Minimally Invasive Modified Retinacular Imbrication Technique for three months. The technique, which is used to repair dogs' knees, allows Au to make several small incisions in the animals' knee, instead of one large incision, like typical knee surgeries. "It allows us to make a couple small incisions and look through with a fiber optic camera," Au said.

Police briefs 07/31/07

Bikers stop in Lansing

MSU alumnus Ken Blidy joined his Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brothers last year to embark on a 63-day coast-to-coast bicycle tour. It wasn't until he finished the tour when everything came together for him. "It didn't actually hit me until we got to Washington, D.C., and we raised our bikes in the air," he said.