The Eastern Echo, 228 King Hall, Ypsilanti, MI (2026)

09/07/2026

Here are the tips and tricks for Eagle Sports this week!

Sept. 7-8: Men's golf at Chandler, Arizona
The tale: The Eagles officially open their season in Chandler, Arizona, competing in the Bombs Darts Birds Collegiate. Last season, playing on this very same Whirlwind Golf Course, Eastern Michigan shot an exceptional 19-under-par 845 to finish seventh overall, a mark that stands as the seventh-lowest 54-hole score in program history. Head coach Andy Walker enters his third year following a thrilling summer where he captured the Michigan Senior Open title in a dramatic playoff.

Sept. 10: Women's soccer at Milwaukee
The tale: This matchup represents a rare showdown. Historically, Eastern Michigan has only faced the Milwaukee Panthers once on the pitch: a 2-0 loss back on October 17, 1997. Under third-year head coach Taylor Clarke, the Eagles look to balance the scales.

Sept. 11: Men's and women's cross country at the Spartan Invitational
The tale: Eastern Michigan has a legendary history in East Lansing. At the 1940 NCAA national meet hosted by Michigan State, the EMU men’s cross country team finished as the national runner-up behind Indiana. Decades later in 1983, under legendary coach Bob Parks, the Eagles defeated Michigan State (23-35) in head-to-head competition despite overcoming severe mid-season roster depth issues.

Sept. 11-12: Volleyball at the Golden Grizzly Invitational
The tale: Eastern Michigan has historically dominated local rival Oakland, holding a commanding 27-9 series lead, including a flawless 3-0 sweep in their last meeting on September 19, 2025. The Eagles also have a winning history against Friday opponent UAB, claiming a 3-0 victory in their last matchup on September 16, 2000.

Sept. 12: Football at Michigan State
The tale: The green and white return to Spartan Stadium looking to turn the tide. Previous trips to East Lansing have been challenging, including a 20-52 loss on September 9, 2006, and a 7-51 road defeat on September 11, 1999.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/09/eagle-sports-tips-and-tales-sept-7-13

Writer: Ruby Brannon
Photo: Bradan Copeland / The Eastern Echo

09/07/2026

The EMU Department of Public Safety, or DPS, typically holds a women's self defense class each school year. For the fall 2026 semester, the R**e Aggression Defense, or RAD, women's self defense class will take place Sept. 9 in McKenny Hall.

RAD is a program that demonstrates and teaches realistic self-defense tactics and techniques. The class is taught by certified RAD instructors and the class offers a workbook/reference manual that includes the entire physical defense program for reference and continuous personal growth.

The RAD class aims to provide women with the knowledge to make an educated decision about resistance. They will be provided with effective options during the class, giving women the chance to take an active role in their own self-defense and psychological well-being.

"This six-week class is open to any individual who identifies as female or non-binary and is age 16 and up," the DPS website said. "A parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form for students who are under the age of 18."

For those who have questions, would like more information or to be notified when future classes are available, they can contact Officer Elliott by email at [email protected] or by phone number 734-487-0987.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/09/rad-self-defense-class-for-women-returns-to-emu

Writer: Lelaina MacDonald
Photo: Courtesy of Cathy Wilman

09/07/2026

At the Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, Ypsilanti City Council meeting, council members discussed an ordinance to impose an emergency moratorium on issuance of new zoning permits for data centers in the City of Ypsilanti for 60 days.

In March of this year, City Council voted to approve a moratorium that would temporarily halt new zoning permits for data centers within city limits. Since then, Councilor Amber Fellows, Ward 3, stated that the city has continued to extend the moratorium and is able to continue doing so until March of 2027 if they wish.

Many Ypsilanti residents who attended the meeting emphasized the importance of the council voting yes on this ordinance and encouraged council to extend the moratorium.

Desirae Simmons, Ward 3, stated that she would like more engagement with the Ypsilanti community prior to the Sept. 15 City Council meeting to discuss with the public the proposed tax amendment.

Ypsilanti City Council members developed a motion where the tax amendment would come to the council as a discussion topic. The discussion topic would include an informational presentation with no action attached, where the council can ask questions and have a conversation. In addition, the council wants to look into public engagement in person and virtually with this discussion topic. This motion passed after receiving a yes from all council members.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/09/ypsilanti-city-council-continues-data-center-moratorium-discussion

Writer: Lelaina MacDonald
Photo: Courtesy of Ypsilanti City Council

09/07/2026

Ypsilanti residents who have a residential parking permit can now renew or apply for one until Sept. 30, 2026.

The residential parking permit allows residents to park on any street marked with permit parking signs within their zone. Streets included are marked with signs stating the hours of enforcement and the hours of enforcement are different in each area.

In order to renew a residential parking permit, the applicant must have proof of residency (driver's license, lease or utility bill), current vehicle registration and a current driver's license, the City of Ypsilanti website says. The same applies for those who are purchasing a parking permit for the first time.

A new permit fee is $45, a permit renewal is $30 and an additional visitor pass is $30. The permit is a sticker that is meant to be placed in the bottom driver's side corner of the windshield of a person's car. Motorcycles can receive parking permits, too, as long as it is visibly displayed.

Paper applications can be mailed or dropped off to City Hall at 1 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti. Permits can also be purchased online.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/09/ypsilanti-city-parking-permit-renewal-deadline-approaches

Writer: Lelaina MacDonald
Photo: Courtesy of City of Ypsilanti

09/04/2026

Following a severe thunderstorm that prompted a tornado warning in Washtenaw County and other portions of Southeast Michigan Sept. 3, 2026, damage in Ypsilanti included downed power lines and tree branches, power outages and some reports of flooding.

7,486 customers were out of power across 63 outages in the 48198 zip code and 2,876 customers were out of power across 47 outages in the 48197 zip code, as of 10:48 p.m. Sept. 3, according to reports from DTE Energy. Residents can report a power outage online at DTE's outage website.

Ypsilanti Fire Captain Jameson Schultz said the fire department received about 12 or 13 calls following the storm, which sent many residents to basements and windowless rooms after an alert from the National Weather Services.

Trent Frey, meteorologist for the Detroit office of the National Weather Service, previously told The Echo that conditions favorable for a tornado prompted the Thursday afternoon warning. Frey said rotations from the Livingston County area were indicated on the radar, but no actual tornado was identified yet, as of 4:15 p.m. A later survey would confirm if there was a tornado or not, he said.

If residents see a downed power that they suspect the fire department isn’t aware of yet, they should call 911 to report it, Schultz said. The fire department was monitoring one small fire in a yard on Maple Street caused by a downed power line, keeping it contained until DTE could shut off the power, as of 7 p.m. Sept. 3. DTE advised on its website that people should "stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines, and treat any downed line as live and dangerous, even if it looks harmless."

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/09/severe-weather-causes-damages-power-outages-in-ypsilanti

Writer: Lilly Kujawski and Laura Meriweather

09/03/2026

Why has the Eastern Michigan University football team begun flashing a raccoon chain on a ladder after forcing a defensive turnover throughout the course of this season?

“That’s not football. That’s MACtion. You wouldn’t survive one quarter in Ypsilanti,” are the infamous words of YouTube user on a viral comment under a YouTube video, the message being a prop of the Mid-American Conference and an indirect diss to the “Power 4” Southeastern Conference.

The comment in full reads, “Congrats on your 5-star recruits and $100M facilities, SEC fans. Meanwhile, the MAC is out here playing real football in front of 14 people and a raccoon on a Tuesday night during a blizzard. You ever seen a punter throw a touchdown to a long snapper while the scoreboard’s on fire? Didn’t think so. While y’all are busy arguing over which frat-funded dynasty is less fraudulent, Toledo’s cooking up a triple-reverse flea flicker in a game that ends 43-42 after six missed PATs and a goalpost gets stolen. That’s not football. That’s MACtion. You wouldn’t survive one quarter in Ypsilanti.”

The Sickos Committee Podcast shared some lore on how the connection was made during an episode from Aug. 12, 2025, titled "Urban Meyer's Ghost Kitchen,” with host George Smith revealing the team reached out via direct messages on social media and asked for T-shirts to be sent for the staff to wear.

Eastern Michigan football’s social media channels fully embraced the concept, with multiple Instagram, X and Facebook posts promoting the raccoons and T-shirts. However, this was only the tip of the iceberg.

It took four games for the Eagles defense to force their first turnover of the season, but when they did, thanks to an interception from Llewellyn, the defensive unit officially debuted the MACcoon tradition: Llewellyn standing on a ladder and flashing a raccoon chain in front of the home fans.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/11/the-maccoon-chain-how-a-youtube-comment-birthed-eastern-michigan-football-s-newest-tradition

Writer: Caleb Henderson
Photo: Courtesy of Marlon Llewellyn

09/03/2026

Six months after Eastern Michigan University’s Department of Public Safety took over management of campus parking, the results are visible in freshly repaved lots and new reserved space-signage.

A major piece of the recent work has been physical: resurfacing, regrading and re-striping lots across campus, some of which hadn’t been updated in years. Winter salting and plowing gradually wears paint off asphalt, and after enough seasons, faded lines make it difficult to tell where a parking space is.

One of the largest initiatives, Chief Lige said, covered roughly 1,400 spaces in a single lot — splitting between residential and commuter parking. Crosswalks in several areas have been redone as well. DPS also did away with the coin-operated meters in favor of QR-code payment.

Several lots, Chief Lige said, have been reclassified based on who uses them most. A lot near Downing Hall that was previously split between staff and commuter parking has been converted into a dedicated commuter lot after feedback from residents. A separate lot, once shared by staff and commuters, has been repurposed to exclusively commuters.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/09/fall-semester-kicks-off-with-changes-to-campus-parking

Writer: Sam Peterson
Photo: Bea Dingman / The Eastern Echo

09/02/2026

On Wednesday Sept. 2, 2026 Eastern Michigan University’s School of Performing Arts is hosting its annual block party to welcome in the new school year. Auditions for EMU Theatre’s fall shows will be held that evening after the party.

The block party will be outside in the space between Alexander Music building and Judy Sturgis Hill building on campus, 3:30-5 p.m.

The event will be open to anybody that wants to join, not just performing arts students. The event will offer games, and theater-related student organizations such as EMU Players and Alpha Psi Omega will table the event. Attendees can also receivetours of Judy Sturgis Hill and Alexander Music buildings and free food.

Following the block party, theater auditions will be held in Judy Sturgis Hill building, 6-9 p.m. Acting and singing auditions will be from 6-8 p.m. and dance auditions will be from 8-9 p.m., said information on the CMTA website. Auditions will be for three shows: "Jumpin' Jamboree," the Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young graduate program's fall tour show; "Ride the Cyclone," the December musical; and "Someone is Speaking, Someone is Silent," a student-directed lab show.
Auditions are open to all students, not just students majoring in the School of Performing arts, Cardell said. The casting calls ask for actors of any race, ethnicity, gender or ability. Students must complete the audition form prior to showing up for auditions and make directors aware of any rehearsal scheduling conflicts.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/08/school-of-performing-arts-to-host-welcome-back-block-party-fall-theater-auditions

Writer: Hannah Borders
Photo: Courtesy of Pam Cardell

09/02/2026

On Aug. 29, 2026, the Eastern Michigan Eagles started the season with a home win over the Sacramento State Hornets. This is the first year of FBS football for the Hornets, who are now members of the Mid-American Conference. The 28-17 conference win for Eastern gives them momentum as they prepare to play the San José State University Spartans on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

The first quarter started slowly for both teams. No points were scored, and eight total punts were kicked. Once the second quarter began, the Eagles found their groove. Noah Kim led the charge by completing two 25-yard passes to Benson Prosper before scoring a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Kim went on to throw a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kozy Isaac.

The Eagles’ defensive line kept pressure on the Hornets for the entirety of the game and seems to have shown significant improvement since last season. The highlights of the defensive line were sacks from Quincy Byas and Joseph Oluwayemi. In total, the Hornets were held to only 49 rushing yards. The Eastern Michigan secondary proved efficient as well. Hornets quarterback Carson Conklin was held to no touchdowns and one interception by Jason Marshall. Eagles Head coach Chris Creighton had positive remarks for the defense in the postgame press conference. “I'm super proud of the start we’re off to defensively ... they really saved us,” Creighton said.

The Eagles will look to continue their success as they prepare to take on the San José State Spartans. The game will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/08/eagles-soar-to-season-opening-football-win-set-sights-on-next-challenge

Writer: Darrell Justice
Photo: Bradan Copeland / The Eastern Echo

09/02/2026

In a sea of rainbow, Ypsilanti community members gathered in Depot Town for Ypsi Pride on August 30, 2026.

Many small businesses offered pride items, Ypsilanti merchandise and homemade goods while informational booths such as Planned Parenthood, the Washtenaw County Health Department, Eastern Michigan University's LGBT Resource Center and Voters Not Politicians offered information and resources on sexual health, safe relationships, voting rights, and more.

A few vendors offered either free mom hugs or free dad hugs for attendees whose families may not accept them, are struggling with their identity or simply could use some human connection.

Throughout the action-packed day, Ypsi Pride offered performances in multiple locations. Attendees could see drag performances, the Ypsilanti Youth Choir, Out Loud Chorus, live DJs and dancers, drag story time and more. Stages were located on the street, in the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, and at Riverside Park.

At the end of the drag performance hour, host Zooey Gaychanel announced that next year’s Ypsi Pride will take place on June 26. She also said that for the next three years, Ypsi Pride will be the last Saturday in June.

Click the link for more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2026/08/ypsilanti-pride-displays-love-community-lgbtq-joy

Writer: AnnaBelle Favre
Photo: AnnaBelle Favre / The Eastern Echo

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