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In the news today: For our first story of the day focusing on campus news, ASMSU elects new vice president of academic affairs, governmental affairs. For our second story focusing on more campus news, MSU sues Department of Energy over proposed cuts to research funding. For our final story focusing on more campus news, thousands of Bibles handed out on MSU campus.
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What is The State - A Podcast from The State News + Impact 89FM?
The State is a daily rundown of the headlines that matter to the East Lansing, MI community.
This is The State for Monday, April 21st where we bring you the headlines that matter. I'm Rachel Fulton.
For our first story of the day focusing on campus news,
Here at Michigan State University, student government elections continued last Thursday evening as the Associated Students of MSU elected two new vice presidents.
Tony Pham, a freshman majoring in biomedical laboratory science, was elected Vice President of Academic Affairs. He ran unopposed and was chosen unanimously. Pham, who currently serves as a representative for the College of Natural Science, said he plans to challenge the status quo, expand academic governance, protect research opportunities, and make student resources more accessible. He called for bold leadership to address rising tuition, underfunded support services, and academic policies that often leave students behind.
For Vice President of Governmental Affairs, the race was contested. Deonte Sparks, a freshman political science major and representative for the College of Social Science, won the position over senior Kaylin Casper, who currently represents the North American Indigenous Student Association. Casper focused her campaign on boosting student voter turnout and civic involvement in local politics. Sparks emphasized advocacy for student rights, civic engagement, diversity and inclusion, and government transparency.
Both leaders are set to bring fresh perspectives to ASMSU and student life at MSU.
For our second story focusing on more campus news,
Michigan State University has joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Energy, alongside three organizations and eight other universities, challenging a new federal policy that caps how much funding universities can receive for research overhead costs. The suit claims the policy is illegal and threatens the sustainability of scientific research in higher education.
The contested "Rate Cap Policy" imposes a flat 15% limit on indirect costs for all DOE-funded university research grants. Indirect costs cover essential research infrastructure--such as utilities, building maintenance, and administrative support--that aren't tied to specific projects. MSU currently operates under a much higher negotiated rate.
The lawsuit argues that the cap undermines federal rules requiring agencies to negotiate cost rates individually with each institution to reflect their actual operational needs. Plaintiffs are asking the court to strike down the policy, calling it "arbitrary and capricious" and a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.
In response, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the DOE from implementing the policy, pending a hearing on April 28. The suit also points to a similar case involving the National Institutes of Health, where a court permanently barred a nearly identical policy.
MSU says its decision to join the lawsuit reflects its leadership in energy innovation and its commitment to preserving the U.S.'s competitive edge in research.
For our final story focusing on more campus news,
Dozens of members of Gideons International gathered at Michigan State University last Wednesday, distributing thousands of Bibles to students in a large-scale effort to share Christian scripture.
"We're just trying to get God's word out," said Russell Leviska, a Gideon and former public health inspector, as he offered small green booklets outside MSU's library. The organization, known for placing Bibles in hotel rooms and public spaces, has distributed more than 2.5 billion copies worldwide, according to its website.
By one estimate, over 70 Gideons came to campus, hoping to hand out as many as 5,000 Bibles throughout the day. They stationed themselves at key campus locations from early morning until the afternoon, engaging students and offering copies of the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs.
Reactions from students were mixed. Some passed by without acknowledging the Gideons, while others politely declined. "A lot of people here don't want a Bible," said Mark Jewell, a former welding instructor. "While overseas, they're begging for them."
Still, the Gideons remained committed.
Gideons International is a men's ministry, composed of "business and professional men" endorsed by their pastors. Their wives may participate through the organization's Auxiliary, which focuses on prayer support and occasionally helps with distribution. Several couples were present at MSU, with Leviska saying the organization prefers its members to be married. "It's good to have husbands and wives working together," he said.
Despite the changing cultural landscape, the Gideons continue to find meaning in face-to-face outreach. "These Bibles have changed lives," Leviska said, referencing a story of a man who reconsidered robbing a bank after reading scripture.
While Bible distribution has declined in places like hotels, the Gideons remain committed to campus outreach--meeting students where they are, even if many choose to walk by.
Before we end our episode, today's weather forecast is predicting rain showers early and then remaining overcast and windy later in the day with a high of 63 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.
Thank you for joining us for The State... Produced by The State News and Impact eighty-nine F-M. You can find us online at State News dot com and Impact eight-nine F-M dot org. We'll be back tomorrow with more.