News

Sen. Irwin and Rep. Peterson testify on bill addressing police training and excessive force in Michigan

Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Rep. Ronnie Peterson (D-Ypsilanti) testified on Thursday in front of the Michigan House Judiciary Committee about their bill aimed at addressing police training and excessive force in Michigan. The bill requires that all police officers receive training on implicit bias and violence de-escalation techniques, as well as take a mental health screening, as a part of their initial training and certification.

EMU announces “EMU Single Room Guarantee”

EMU announced its "EMU Single Room Guarantee” where any student that requests a single room will receive one at $1,700 less per academic year than a single room normally costs. Students who wish to have a roommate will continue to have that option.

Ypsilanti BLM protests draws several hundred people

On Saturday, June 6, a peaceful, Black Lives Matter demonstration took place in Ypsilanti with approximately several hundred participants to protest police brutality against Black people in the United States. Protesters marched peacefully from the Ypsilanti District Library to the Ypsilanti Police Department.

Gallery: Hundreds participate in BLM demonstration in downtown Ann Arbor on May 30

Gallery: Second protest emerges after white Washtenaw County deputy is accused of using excessive force on black woman

A second protest emerged after a Washtenaw County Deputy is under investigation after being accused of using excessive force in the arrest of Sha'Teina Grady El and her husband, Danyal Grady El.

UPDATE: Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office further addresses recent accusation of excessive force

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office put out a media release on May 26 following a shooting incident and excessive force from a deputy in Ypsilanti Township. A neighbor recorded a Facebook Live video of a white deputy repeatedly punching a black woman in the head. Investigations are ongoing for both the initial shooting case and the excessive force used by the deputy. 

Before Trump’s visit to Ypsilanti, top Washtenaw County official asks President to cancel

In an interview with the Echo, Morgan said that he’s gotten mixed responses from the public, but that he thinks most people understood his message was a calm and rational request necessitated from concern for residents.

Video of Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputy punching woman leads to investigation of excessive force

A Washtenaw County Sheriff’s deputy accused of using excessive force during an arrest the morning of Tuesday, May 26, has been placed on administrative leave. The deputy is currently under investigation.

MDHHS partners with Kroger Health for new COVID-19 testing site

Located in Ford Elementary School parking lot in Ypsilanti, a new drive-through COVID-19 testing site was made possible by Kroger Health and MDHHS.

Ypsilanti’s Amtrak train station grant fails

Ypsilanti’s Depot Town was to be the new home of an Amtrak train station, but the grant application failed. 

Gallery: Anti-Trump and pro-Trump protestors gather outside the Ford plant in Ypsilanti during President Trump's Thursday visit

View photos from the protests that occurred during President Trump's visit to Ypsilanti on Thursday. 

EMU’s Family Empowerment Program continues to support YHC community

EMU's Family Empowerment Program has continued to support residents of the Ypsilanti Housing Commission's complexes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The YHC community is apart of the 48197 and 48198 zip codes where over half the COVID-19 cases in Washtenaw County can be found.  

Symposium: EMU graduate examines EMU's marketing strategies over the years

EMU graduate Kaitlyn Eby's undergraduate thesis took a look at the history of marketing at EMU. Her presentation, along with all of her peers, was canceled along with the whole of the 40th EMU Undergraduate Symposium. For more, listen to Eastern Echo’s Podcast, “Symposium.”

President Trump to speak at Ypsilanti's Ford Rawsonville Plant on Thursday

President Trump is expected to speak at the Ford Rawsonville Components Plant regarding Ford Motor Company's collaboration General Electric Healthcare in an effort to build 50,000 ventilators in 100 days. The visit comes as part of the president's nationwide tour to thank businesses who aided in the effort to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical equipment in the effort against  the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Podcast: May 18 , 2020

University President James Smith announces a plan to reopen the university in the fall, EMU partners with U of M and other state universities to aid local governments, and certain local business see an unexpected increase in sales.

Local bicycle shops experience a sudden boom of sales during pandemic

Two Michigan-based bicycle shops, Wheels in Motion and Tree Fort Bike, experienced unexpected rapid growth of bicycle sales in wake of the social distancing restrictions in Michigan due to the pandemic. Nationally, cycling has suddenly become super popular as it is a healthy exercise and adheres to social distancing practices.

EMU collaborates with other Michigan universities to provide fiscal guidance to struggling local governments during the COVID-19 crisis

Local governments will soon be faced with difficult choices because of how their revenue sources are impacted by the coronavirus crisis. In a partnership with the University of Michigan’s CLOSUP, EMU and other Michigan universities are aiming to provide local governments with expert advice on how to navigate through the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis.  

Armed robbery occurs at Happy's Pizza in Ypsilanti Township, employee held at gunpoint

An armed robbery took place at Happy's Pizza in Ypsilanti Township. The suspect fled with an unknown amount of money. No arrests have been made. This is the second armed robbery in Ypsilanti Township this week.

St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital relocates curbside testing

The St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital has relocated its curbside testing site. Testing is open to the public for individuals displaying one or more symptoms. 

YPSI LIVE offers students and families in the school district free internet access during the COVID-19 crisis

The COVID-19 crisis has thrown many people a whole new set of challenges in their academic and professional lives. In an effort to aid students and families in the Ypsilanti school district, the YPSI LIVE project was launched. The project offers six months of free internet services to those who have zero or unreliable access.