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Coal-fired power plants face curbs

By Renee Schoof · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

WASHINGTON- The Environmental Protection Agency will put controls on the emissions of hazardous pollutants such as mercury from coal-fired power plants for the first time by November 2011, according to an agreement announced Friday to settle a lawsuit against the agency. Many other polluters were forced to reduce emissions of toxic material such as mercury, arsenic and lead after the Clean Air Act was strengthened in 1990.

The Eastern Echo

Some Democrats in Senate hold fate of health care bill

By David Lightman · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

WASHINGTON – A handful of moderate Senate Democrats will determine the fate of this year’s health care overhaul, and they’re sending strong signals that while they are willing to compromise, they’re wary of a strong public option. “I’ve ruled out a government-funded and a government-operated plan,” said Sen.

The Eastern Echo

Burglary in Phelps Hall; DPS is investigating case

By Alyssa Eckles · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

A burglary occurred in Phelps Hall last Thursday afternoon between 1:30 and 2 p.m., resulting in a stolen laptop. Police Chief Greg O’Dell said the Department of Public Safety has had no new developments in the case. The case will remain an open investigation due to no suspects.

US NEWS BEES 1 AK

Vote will come on bee-keeping

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

City Council voted to postpone a decision on an ordinance that would allow bee-keeping in Ypsilanti Tuesday night. In a 6-1 decision, with Councilmember Brian Robb, D-Ward 3, voting against, the measure was postponed while changes are made to the ordinance.

The Eastern Echo

Supreme Court will hear detainees' appeal

By David G. Savage · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

WASHINGTON -The Supreme Court set the stage Tuesday for another clash with the president, this time, with Barack Obama instead of George W. Bush, over the prisoners held in the war on terror and whether a judge can order the immediate release of a detainee who was wrongly held as an enemy combatant.

The Eastern Echo

Afghan president, challenger OK runoff on Nov. 7

By Hal Bernton · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

KABUL – Now comes the hard part. Afghan President Hamid Karzai, under heavy pressure from the Obama administration, its allies and the United Nations, accepted Tuesday a final election tally that stripped him of hundreds of thousands of questionable votes in Afghanistan’s Aug. 20 election and agreed to a Nov. 7 runoff with the second-place finisher, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.

The Eastern Echo

Adoption treaty produces double standard

By David Shaffer · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS – Last year, an adoption agency in Florida was denied permission to find children for American families in 77 foreign countries that have agreed to operate under the rules of an international treaty aimed at cleaning up abuses in international adoption.

The Eastern Echo

Police Blotter

By Jordan Dekker · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

10/15 An arson incident occurred between 4 and 10 p.m. in Phelps Hall. Staff reported paper attached to a residence hall room door was found burned.

The Eastern Echo

Eastern honors faculty for teaching excellence

By Katie Milewski · Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

The Eastern Michigan University Alumni Association is holding their teaching excellence awards on Saturday. These awards will honor eight faculty members from four different colleges for going the extra mile in instruction.

The Eastern Echo

Pakastani troops move to risky area to make new strikes

By Alex Rodriguez · Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The move by Pakistan’s military into the Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold of South Waziristan on Saturday launched a risky offensive widely seen as the key to crushing a militancy that has destabilized the nuclear-armed nation. The challenges are daunting: The military will face unforgiving terrain along the Afghan border that has long been viewed as a possible hide-out for Osama bin Laden, as well as a battle-hardened enemy likely to respond by stepping up bloody attacks across the country.

The Eastern Echo

Japanese government has tough budget choices to face

By Tadashi Isozumi and Takeo Azuma · Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

TOKYO – Now all the budgetary requests by government entities have been made, the Cabinet will face two choices: either turn a blind eye to the nation’s huge debt and place priority on realizing the ruling bloc’s campaign pledges, or avoid further issuance of government bonds and give up on certain campaign pledges. The government of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama effectively bloated the total amount of budgetary requests to realize campaign pledges made for the Aug.

The Eastern Echo

EMU offers autism education and services

By Alyssa Eckles · Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

The Autism Collaborative Center, a place for individuals and families struggling with autism, is opening its doors on Eastern Michigan University’s campus this fall with an open house on Wednesday. The center will offer services to the community as well as interdisciplinary learning for students at EMU.

The Eastern Echo

Aggravated assault on Huron Drive under police investigation

By Dan DuChene · Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009

Police are investigating an aggravated assault that took place near Eastern Michigan University Monday, according to a release from EMU Police. According to an e-mail release to the “campus community” this afternoon, an EMU student was assaulted by three men on the 800 block of Huron River Drive near Ann Street at 9 p.m.

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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