News - The Eastern Echo

A dozen or so people sit in the audience of Ypsilanti City Hall, holding signs that say "Ypsi thrives when art survives."

Ypsilanti Planning Commission approves Dzanc House zoning resolution

By Gray Connor · Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

The Ypsilanti City Council is expected to vote on a zoning law amendment passed by the city's Planning Commission, following Dzanc House's former shutdown notice.

Eastern Michigan University students respond to snow days

By Lauren Holloway · Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

Eastern Michigan University officials explain how school closures are decided during inclement weather, while EMU students share opinions about closures and winter conditions.

Eastern Michigan University alum, Brendan Kelly

'Teed it up perfectly': EMU prepares for presidential transition

By Lilly Kujawski · Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Two-time Eastern Michigan University alum Brendan Kelly is now EMU's president-elect, set to take over in the spring.

Lenore Ariel Ojibway-Gifford - City Council

Ypsilanti residents selected for Water Street citizen participation committee

By Lilly Kujawski · Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Eight members of the public were selected from a pool of 28 candidates to serve on the Ypsilanti Water Street redevelopment ad hoc committee.

EMU alumna Jasmine Jones to compete in Winter 2026 Olympics

By AnnaBelle Favre · Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026

Eastern Michigan University track and field alumna, Jasmine Jones, speaks with The Echo about what it is like to compete as an Olympian.

Multiple people sit in rows of chairs and at a table perpendicular to the chairs at an Ypsilanti City Council meeting, with one person holding a sign that says, "No ICE."

'We need it now': Ypsilanti Council limits use of city resources for immigration enforcement

By Lilly Kujawski · Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

Ypsilanti City Council unanimously approved a resolution establishing a policy prohibiting the use of city resources, funds or personnel to assist in civil immigration enforcement.

9 members of City Council staff sit around a table inside City Hall while listening to public commentators.

Ypsilanti City Council to vote on civil immigration resolution

By Lilly Kujawski · Monday, Feb. 16, 2026

Ypsilanti City Council will consider a resolution at its next meeting to limit the scope of civil immigration enforcement action in the area.

The Echo Q&A Series: Toni Pressley-Sanon talks history and community

By Laura Meriweather · Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026

The Eastern Echo sat down with Toni Pressley-Sanon, a professor of Africology and African American Studies at Eastern Michigan University, to reflect on the program's past, present and future at EMU.

People clap and smile as Nate Ford, Art Timko, and James Smith hold oversized scissors and cut the green ribbon.

WEMU celebrates new office in Halle Library

By Gray Connor · Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026

Halle Library will now house WEMU, NPR's local jazz, blues and news station.

License plate car tags from Ohio, Maine, Ontario, New York, Indiana, and Illinois have been cropped and edited together into one image.

EMU's 'all are welcome here' philosophy ties in with tuition model

By Lyndsay Tusen · Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026

Eastern Michigan University offers undergraduate students a flat tuition rate whether they are in-state, out-of-state or international. From fall 2014 to fall 2025, student enrollment has decreased, but the percentage of students enrolled whose residence is outside Michigan has remained relatively the same.

Group of people gather in front of a storefront to smile for a photo. They all wear blue and white t-shirts for a walking club.

Washtenaw Optimal Wellness helps Ypsilanti residents live healthier, Blue Zone lifestyles

By Ky'anna Coats · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Blue Zones are identified as longevity hotspots, or places with a high concentration of people who exceed the age of 100 and who have few chronic diseases stemming from unhealthy lifestyles. Washtenaw Optimal Wellness is on a mission to establish Ypsilanti as one of them.

Putt-R-Round opens at new location, offers putt arcade

By Katherine Tatomir · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

Putt-R-Round has re-opened at 130 W. Michigan Ave., offering more games, a party room and the occasional movie night.

Colorful office room with cushioned seating and several posters on the wall. The photo is taken from outside the doorway looking in.

EMU LGBTRC offers resources amid director change

By Gray Connor · Friday, Feb. 13, 2026

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center offers a variety of resources for queer students at Eastern Michigan University.

Dozens of attendees sit in front of The Songbirds, a band, while they perform inside a large gallery room.

Art as Resistance promotes advocacy through art and music

By Gray Connor · Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026

Michigan Student Action's Art as Resistance event gave artistic voice to criticisms of immigration enforcement, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, the war in Gaza and other issues.

The entrance to the EMU Student Center is via several concrete steps. The Student Center exterior is made of red brick, and its glass doors are framed.

Student Government election season takes off at Eastern Michigan University

By Laura Meriweather · Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

February marks the start of election season for the Eastern Michigan University Student Government.

Debbie Dingell speaks into a microphone and stands in front of a projector screen that says "Public Safety Town Hall: Immigration Update."

What to know about immigration enforcement in Washtenaw County

By Lilly Kujawski · Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026

A guide to immigration enforcement in Washtenaw County with information provided by the Sheriff's Office, legal experts and advocates.

Man killed by Washtenaw County deputies identified as veteran 'loved by many'

By Lilly Kujawski · Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

John Andrew Jenuwine of St. Clair County has been identified as the unarmed man shot and killed by police in Ypsilanti in January.

8 people wait in front of a service desk with glass panelling. 4 students gather in front of the desk, and 4 stand back and wait.

Eastern Michigan University expands loan repayment program, includes more majors

By Lauren Holloway · Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

Eastern Michigan University will allow more majors to join the Loan Repayment Assistance Program for the fall 2026 semester.

Two-story red brick house. 2 windows have been boarded up with plywood on the upper floor, along with a hole in the exterior brick wall between them. Tarps, bricks, and debris litter the front, snow-covered yard.

Ypsilanti City Council postpones resolution vote on police response to barricaded man

By Gray Connor · Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

During its Feb. 3, 2026 meeting, Ypsilanti City Council postponed a resolution regarding the Jan. 4-5, 2026, barricade incident.

Two people hold a very large sign resembling a check for $15,000. People cheer while sitting at a long desk behind them.

Ypsilanti families receive cash support from Rx Kids program

By Laura Meriweather · Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026

In December 2025, Rx Kids, a program that provides direct financial support to eligible families, was expanded to Ypsilanti. As of January 2026, 63 Ypsilanti families were enrolled.