News

WASHINGTON — Recession fears are back with a bang and the economy is front and center in the political arena again after a Labor Department report Friday showed that the nation's unemployment rate leapt to 6.1 percent in August, employers shed jobs for the eighth consecutive month and revised numbers for earlier months showed even greater payroll hits.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Now the country has a clearer picture of its choices.

The first back-to-back political conventions in half a century gave Americans a blur of late-summer political activity that nominated the two major-party presidential candidates, unveiled the vice presidential running mates, and laid out their visions for the future.

This all set the stage for a two-month sprint to Election Day that will give voters a choice between two competing stories of who can best change the country's unpopular course — and how they would change it.

A group of incoming freshmen play “Alligator Hands” during the CloseUp orientation program at Pease Auditorium.

Eastern Michigan University’s Department of Public Safety, which came under the direction of Police Chief Greg O’Dell in February, is continuing efforts to improve safety and security on campus.

Efforts being taken by DPS this year include: increased visibility, increased police foot patrols, continuation of the private security service hired by the university last year, and continuation of the emergency text messaging alert system.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has pleaded guilty, ending a nearly eight month drama that has transfixed the region, paralyzed much of city business and halted a political career that once held such promise.

The deal calls for Kilpatrick to plead guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice by committing perjury, agreeing to serve four months in jail, pay up to $1 million in restitution, and serve five years' probation. He also agreed not to run for office during that five-year span.

Billboard would be located near Huron Street on I-94, no set date for construction

Eastern Michigan University could soon be advertising sporting events and other activities to drivers on a new digital LED billboard.

The proposed sign, to be placed near the Huron Street exit facing I-94 by Adams Outdoor Advertising, would be both taller and wider than the current sign operated by the convention and visitors bureau.