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The Eastern Echo

Chicago's Headley tied to more terror plots

By Josh Meyer · Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009

WASHINGTON – The al-Qaida-affiliated militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba has been actively planning one or more additional Mumbai-style attacks in India, based in part on scouting by a Chicago man recently charged with being a longtime clandestine operative of the group, according to current and former U.S., Indian and European counterterrorism officials. FBI and Justice Department officials spent last week in India and Pakistan as part of an urgent effort to head off such an attack, sharing a wealth of information from their investigation into the activities of David Coleman Headley, the officials said. The new plots, believed to be in the works for months, are most likely against “soft” civilian targets such as hotels or synagogues frequented by Americans, Israelis and other Westerners, the officials said.

The Eastern Echo

Families visit Santa

By Tom Perkins · Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009

Youngsters gathered at Frenchie’s and the Enchanted Florist this morning for a chance to have breakfast with Santa Claus and present him with their wish lists. About 100 kids and their families came for the event, which started off with brunch at Frenchie’s before moving to the Enchanted Florist where they got to sit on Santa’s lap, tell him their Christmas wishes and receive an early present. While the event is geared to bring smiles to kids’ faces, it’s also a food and blanket drive for Blanket Express and S.O.S.

The Eastern Echo

Students shadow Pittman Hall construction projects

By Robyn Hoffenblum · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

Eastern Michigan University is giving mentors and students a chance to work together on campus. Brandon Pomish, head of the Pittman Hall construction project, wanted to get students involved in the project to give them education beyond the classroom.

The Eastern Echo

Rebels target Pakistan's military intelligence office

By Saeed Shah · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

ISLAMABAD-An insurgent driving a truck laden with up to a ton of explosives targeted an office of Pakistan’s premier military intelligence agency Tuesday. This is the latest assault in a terrorist rampage that’s left 500 people dead since early October.

US NEWS ATTACKS-PLOT 1 SP

Tipster's $100,00 FBI reward doesn't settle controversy

By Greg Gordon · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

WASHINGTON-The FBI has belatedly awarded $100,000 to a former Minnesota flight school manager whose phone tip eight years ago led to the arrest of al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui, but the bureau gave nothing to a man widely credited as a second tipster.

The Eastern Echo

Democrats reach tentative deal on public option

By David Lightman · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

WASHINGTON- Senate Democratic negotiators said Tuesday they’d tentatively agreed to a compromise plan that could alter the government-run option in their health care bill, a bid to win key moderates who’ve threatened to derail the effort.

The Eastern Echo

Hope Clinic holds campus book drive

By Jared Hoffenblum · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

What is a student going to do with his/her used textbooks? Selling them back to the bookstore is the obvious answer, but he/she can use them to make a difference. A textbook donation drive is being held now through the 14th. Students can donate their old books, and the money will go to the Hope Clinic.

Cafe Luwak will stay open for another year while owner Jim Karnopp looks for a business partner to run the cafe.

Cafe owner avoids closing

By Tom Perkins · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

The good news is Café Luwak owner Jim Karnopp officially put to rest the rumor he is shutting down Depot Town’s best stop for a latte and a sandwich.

The Eastern Echo

Ypsi DDA Design Committee accepts bids for signal tower

By David Gomez · Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009

Last Monday, the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority’s Design Committee looked at nine bids from four sign contractors for the signal tower at the corner of Cross and River streets in Depot Town. A motion from DDA member Sandee French to accept a design from Huron Signs was seconded by Scotty James, DDA board member and design committee vice-chair.

The Eastern Echo

Ypsilanti dispatch discusses moving

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009

Ypsilanti City Council will likely be discussing the merits of contracting dispatch for police and fire departments through the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office. After a presentation during last Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, City Manager Ed Koryzno said the group would likely be taking the matter up for discussion during its meeting later this month. He said the matter can be decided by resolution of Council, which would not require publication or a public hearing. During his presentation to City Council, Lieutenant Paul DeRidder – acting chief for the Ypsilanti Police Department, said the city could realize more than $89,000 in cost savings if the plan is approved.

Muslim professor

U-M Professor talks of Middle East

By David Paulk · Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009

Professor Juan R. Cole of the University of Michigan’s History department addressed the situation in the Middle East on Thursday evening in the Student Center.

The Eastern Echo

Dec. 7 still infamous

By Art Carey · Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009

PHILADELPHIA— Saturday, Dec. 6, 1941, was payday. By the time various deductions were made, John Joniec and his Army buddies in Schofield Barracks had little money left. So they spent the day hanging out, shooting the breeze.

MBR

Fish kill nets little proof of Asian carp

By Dan Egan · Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009

MILWAUKEE— Mop-up from the massive fish kill continued on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal Friday, and while officials said they’ve killed thousands of fish, as of Friday afternoon only one of them was confirmed to be an Asian carp.

Latest Podcast

Eastern Michigan University’s “Enlighten U” has been ranked the top mental health podcast in Michigan by FeedSpot, a platform that compiles blogs, podcasts, YouTube channels, newsletters and other sites in one location.

“Enlighten U” is a podcast geared toward students who are experiencing mental health challenges. Melissa Thrasher, EMU's executive director of media relations and social media, and Lolita Cummings, an EMU public relations professor, serve as the co-hosts. Each episode is released around the 15th of every month and features a student or alum and a subject-matter professional.

Lolita Cummings in an interview with The Echo said that this is not the first time the No. 1 mental health podcast in Michigan has been awarded to "Enlighten U."

"We've been the No. 1 mental health podcast in Michigan from the very beginning," Cummings said. "I think it's an indicator of the fact that what we are trying to do, we are doing well, and that is important."

At the start of each "Enlighten U" episode, Cummings and Thrasher state that the "Enlighten U" podcast is an award-winning show.

"A couple of years ago, I won the best in PR for good campaign from Public Relations Society of America for the marketing and promotions program, because it's important that we get this, the word, out to everyone and about the podcast," Cummings said.

Thrasher and Cummings are both extremely proud of their podcast, but these awards and recognitions are not why they continue with it.

It is important to Cummings that she serves all of her students' needs. She noticed that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of many of her students was declining. When the students came back after the pandemic, Cummings noticed that her students' mental health was even worse. Due to this, she began brainstorming with one of her students about how she could help.

"She [the student] said to me, 'We watched a lot of podcasts while we were off.' So I said, 'Okay, I don't know anything about podcasts, but I will meet you all where you are.' So that's where the idea came from," Cummings said. "I am able to not just serve their academic needs, but I'm also able to serve their mental health needs. And to get the feedback from them, that is really helping, and is everything to me because the students are the ones who tell us what issues are impacting the most. Those are the issues that we bring to the table at 'Enlighten U.'"

Cummings encourages students to not only watch and listen to "Enlighten U" but to also spread the word about the podcast.

"One of the things we want to do is get the word out about this podcast to as many people as possible, across the nation, across the world," she said. "The need is not limited to our campus — the need is universal; it is worldwide. My goal at this point is obviously to continue to produce quality shows that reflect the mental health challenges that students are facing, but also get it out to wider audiences so we can help more people."

For those who are interested in engaging with "Enlighten U," the podcast can be found on YouTube and Spotify.

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