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The State News
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Michigan State University's independent, student-run media group since 1909.
In a classic Michigan State versus Oakland basketball matchup, the Spartans did not play well. Or, more accurately, the Grizzlies played very well. In a game defined by physicality, grit and an underdog story that nearly came to life, MSU defeated Oakland 79-70.
MSU grinds out 79-70 win against Oakland in physical matchup - The State News
In Saturday's 79-70 victory over Oakland, Michigan State men's basketball was caught in a physical game where the Grizzlies front court and back court played. It was a game that put MSU’s grit and grind to the test.
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December 21, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The last name Bullough carries extra weight on the streets of East Lansing compared to most others. It represents Michigan State royalty, with three generations of Bullough men having worn Spartan green on the football field.
Former MSU All-American Max Bullough expected to return to East Lansing - The State News
Max Bullough, a former Michigan State All-American and the eldest member of one of the program’s most storied football families, is expected to return to East Lansing — this time as a coach. After climbing the coaching ranks at Cincinnati, Alabama and Notre Dame, Bullough has been hired as MSU’s linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator on Pat Fitzgerald’s inaugural staff. His return adds both pedigree and familiarity to a rebuilding Spartan program, reconnecting MSU with a name that has shaped its identity for generations.
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December 15, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees approved new head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s contract at its Friday meeting.
MSU board approves new football coaches contract - The State News
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees approved new head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s contract at its Friday meeting. A term sheet spelling out certain aspects of Fitzgerald's deal with MSU has been publicized, but a complete version of his contract has not been. 
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December 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Trustee Brianna Scott, the current vice chair, will begin serving a one-year term as chair in January. Trustee Renee Knake Jefferson will serve as vice chair. Trustee Kelly Tebay, the current chair, will end her term.
Brianna Scott to be next chair of MSU's board - The State News
MSU Board of Trustees chair Kelly Tebay concludes her year-long service as the board's leader. Trustee Brianna Scott will adopt the role of chair, and Trustee Renee Knake Jefferson will take on vice chair, effective Jan. 1.
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December 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Michigan State University student activists expressed their discontent about the structure of a soon-to-be bureaucratic committee meant to consider divestment requests from campus.
Michigan State University approves investment committee amid pushback from divestment activsts - The State News
The MSU Board of Trustees established a new committee to consider concerns about the school's investments amid calls for it to divest from holdings tied to fossil fuels, weapons manufacturers and Israel. Student activists expressed doubt about committee, referring to it a bureaucratic tool for slowing down their cause.
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December 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The Michigan State University's Board of Trustees approved Friday a $1 million raise for men's basketball coach Tom Izzo.
MSU board gives Tom Izzo $1 million raise - The State News
The raise makes Izzo the highest paid men's basketball coach in the Big Ten conference.
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December 12, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees approved new head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s contract at its Friday meeting. A term sheet spelling out certain aspects of Fitzgerald's deal with MSU has been publicized, but a complete version of his contract has not been.
MSU board approves new football coaches contract - The State News
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees approved new head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s contract at its Friday meeting. A term sheet spelling out certain aspects of Fitzgerald's deal with MSU has been publicized, but a complete version of his contract has not been. 
statenews.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:50 PM
In the last decade, Michigan State University has gone through a trial by fire, weathering what seems to be one scandal after another. From the Larry Nassar scandal to the allegations against former football head coach Mel Tucker, MSU has endured crisis after crisis.
EDITORIAL: MSU is taking an unnecessary risk with Fitzgerald - The State News
Following Michigan State University's tumultuous history in the last decade, we question if the recent hiring of football head coach Pat Fitzgerald is an unnecessary risk.
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December 12, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Ranked at No. 7, the MSU women’s soccer team earned their highest post-season ranking in program history in a season underlined by historic firsts and near-successes.
No. 7 MSU women’s soccer reaches new heights as its season ends - The State News
MSU women's soccer closed out its season ranked at No.7, the highest in program history, in a season filled with firsts and almosts.
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December 12, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Students are now more 'accepting' of violence in discourse, with 38% of MSU students considering it acceptable to use violence to stop someone from speaking on campus, at least in rare cases, according to FIRE College Speech Rankings.
Political RSOs navigate inter-group dynamics and influence amid record student engagement - The State News
An overview of political student groups at MSU, their relationships with each other, and their influence on the political atmosphere on campus.
statenews.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Michigan State University's vice president for fundraising responded Wednesday to a State News report on employees' issues with her leadership style, sending a lengthy note of appreciation to her staff that credited it with the department's successes.

MSU fundraising VP responds to State News story: 'Leadership comes with difficult choices' - The State News
The revelations about Tobin's unit and her response to them come as it navigates its loftiest test yet: Advancement is in the midst of a record-setting $4 billion capital campaign.
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December 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
With changes this semester for Registered Student Organizations in terms of funding for CORES&CAMS groups and the now-required signature of the Anti Discrimination Policy, student groups have expressed frustration with the abrupt changes to RSO functions.
December 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
On Dec. 6-7, the UAB hosted its 62nd annual Winter Arts and Craft show at the Michigan State University Union. This is one of the largest craft shows in Michigan, with 130 booths stretched across three different floors.
UAB hosts its 62nd annual Winter Arts and Crafts Show - The State News
On Dec. 6-7, the UAB hosted its 62nd annual Winter Arts and Craft show at the Michigan State University Union. This is one of the largest craft shows in Michigan, with 130 booths stretched across three different floors. 
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December 10, 2025 at 7:00 PM
From Warsaw to the Breslin Center spotlight, Karolina Staniszewska’s junior season was one to remember. The MSU outside hitter earned a spot on the 2025 All-Big Ten Volleyball Second Team, the conference announced last Tuesday afternoon, marking the first all-conference honor of her career.
Karolina Staniszewska earns All-Big Ten Second Team honors - The State News
Michigan State outside hitter Karolina Staniszewska earned her first career All-Big Ten selection after a dominant junior season. She led the Spartans in kills and fueled their most successful season since 2017.
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December 10, 2025 at 6:45 PM
For the first time in Michigan State University’s 170-year history, Beaumont Tower was illuminated with holiday lights Monday evening, marking the beginning of what President Kevin Guskiewicz hopes will become a lasting MSU tradition.
MSU hosts inaugural Beaumont Tower holiday lighting ceremony - The State News
For the first time in Michigan State University’s 170-year history, Beaumont Tower was illuminated with holiday lights Monday evening, marking the beginning of what President Kevin Guskiewicz hopes will become a lasting MSU tradition.
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December 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
This investigation is based on interviews with 25 current and former Advancement employees and nearly 1,000 pages of MSU documents obtained through public records request.

MSU donor-relations department under 'fear-based' leadership - The State News
As University Advancement sets records, staffers’ patience with their ‘authoritarian’ VP is waning
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December 9, 2025 at 10:09 PM
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December 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees will consider establishing a series of rigid tests for evaluating campus calls for changes to its investment portfolio based on ethical reasons.
Board to vote on strict criteria for addressing investment concerns - The State News
Calls for MSU to alter its investment portfolio for "non-financial reasons" could be subject to strict tests ensuring the requests have broad enough support, that the university could impact the situation and that a "central university value" is "clearly at stake." The university board of trustees will vote on whether to adopt the protocol for the "Advisory Committee for Responsible Investing" at its upcoming meeting.
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December 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees will vote Friday on whether to approve the new head football coach's contract, and a number of campus infrastructure upgrades.
MSU Board to vote on new football coach Pat Fitzgerald's contract, construction projects - The State News
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees will vote Friday on whether to approve the new head football coach's contract, and a number of campus infrastructure upgrades.
statenews.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Michigan State women’s tennis placed three athletes in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division I National Singles and Doubles Rankings, which were released last week following the NCAA Individual Championships.
MSU women’s tennis stacks up three ITA rankings - The State News
Spartan's women's tennis grabbed national attention with three players ranked in the ITA Division I rankings following the NCAA Individual Championships. The honors spotlight Amara Brahmbhatt in singles and the Blackford–Morais pairing in doubles.
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December 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Just two days before National Signing Day, Pat Fitzgerald became the new head coach of Michigan State. That created the challenging task of trying to retain as many of MSU’s current recruits as possible — players who had previously committed to former head coach Jonathan Smith.
MSU football lands 18 high school recruits for 2026 class - The State News
Michigan State’s recruiting class survived a chaotic coaching transition as new head coach Pat Fitzgerald arrived just two days before National Signing Day. Despite the late change, MSU held onto 16 of its 20 committed recruits and added key flips to finish with the No. 46 class. With headliners Collin Campbell and Kayd Coffman on board and four-star Samson Gash waiting until February, the Spartans now turn to the transfer portal to shape next season’s roster.
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December 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Michigan State women’s tennis added three future standouts to its roster last Monday, as head coach Kim Bruno announced the program has signed Ariane Lesterhuis, Fredrika Runström and Nora Syrtveit to compete beginning in the 2026–27 season.
MSU Women’s Tennis welcomes a trio of 2026 Recruits - The State News
Michigan State continues to build its future roster with the signing of three women’s tennis student-athletes in the 2026 class.
statenews.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Jonathan Smith’s era at MSU is officially over after the university parted ways with the head coach earlier this week. His short, unsuccessful tenure lasted just two years and ended with a 4-20 record in East Lansing, affected in part by disciplinary actions tied to the program’s probation.
The struggles behind Jonathan Smith’s tenure at MSU - The State News
The Jonathan Smith era has come to an end at MSU following a second consecutive disappointing season. Breaking down key things that went wrong during his short time on the Spartan Stadium sideline.
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December 8, 2025 at 7:30 PM
MSU men’s soccer announced four new recruits shortly after the season ended, bringing in young talent to replace several departing players. Midfielder Dominic Dono, goalkeeper Ezra Horlings, midfielder Drew Rensing and defender Bilal Obeid have all officially signed to represent the Spartans.
MSU men’s soccer welcomes new class of Spartans - The State News
MSU men's soccer welcomed a new upcoming class of Spartan's with four new recruits. Midfielder Dominic Dono, goalkeeper Ezra Horlings, midfielder Drew Rensing, and defender Bilal Obeid.
statenews.com
December 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
If you’re an MSU student, you should be getting a text from us tomorrow with a survey about campus issues.

Be sure to fill it out! The data will help us better understand what students think, and responses will be entered in a raffle to win MSU basketball tickets, gift cards, and more!
December 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM