The Eastern Echo, Ypsilanti, MI (2025)

07/23/2025

Between its delicious food and homey atmosphere, it is no surprise that Ypsilanti restaurant Ma Lou's Fried Chicken has received rave reviews.

The restaurant's outdoor dining area features tables under red umbrellas. Inside, tables are stocked with local vinegar, Heinz Ketchup, and a hand paper roll. The aromas and flavors of Southern food welcome visitors as soon as they step inside.

When talking about fried chicken, owner and chef K.C. Knipple's eyes sparkled with excitement and pride.

“Oh, yeah, it's my livelihood," said Knipple. "I've always liked food, but I've never been drawn to any particular item like I am with chicken. And that is only over the past eight years. It's just the obsession with perfecting it. That's probably what you've seen in my eyes."

At least a dozen press releases from organizations such as WDRG, Lovefood.com, MLive and clickondetroit have shared outstanding reviews and appetizing pictures.

While Ma Lou's has given a fresh face to fried chicken in Ypsilanti, fried chicken has a deep history in the city. “Ypsi-tucky” was a nickname given to Ypsilanti when people from Louisville, Kentucky, moved to Willow Run in Ypsilanti Township and brought Southern culture to the North, along with Southern cuisine and its flavor of crunchy fried chicken.

K.C. Knipple said that Ma Lou’s has many students from the University of Michigan who come to dine in, and he is aware that many Eastern Michigan University students are commuters. Ma Lou's invites EMU students to stop by and enjoy some delicious American cuisine. Knipple encourages students to include his fried chicken restaurant as part of their visits to downtown Ypsilanti.

To read the full story, click the link below:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/07/ypsilanti-s-most-popular-food-for-2025-including-ma-lou-s-fried-chicken

07/22/2025

What's the move in Ypsilanti this week? From festivals to astrology and more, check out our list of local events to make the most of this summer.

🌟 Free Astrology Class: The Moon for Your Highest Potential – July 22, 2025
In this fun session, Linda Mendonsa, the director of Astrology Learners Academy, will discuss the moon's influence on individuals' career, intuition, creativity and more from an astrology perspective.

🎤 Ypsi Alehouse Open Mic Hosted by Skinned Knees – July 22, 2025
Local musician Sydney Timbrook, leader of the singer-songwriter project Skinned Knees, hosts open mic events at the Ypsi Alehouse from 7 to 9 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month.

🍻 26th Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival – July 25 and July 26, 2025
Those 21 years of age and older can sample some delicious beer from Michigan's finest breweries at the 2025 Summer Beer Festival. This is the oldest of the Michigan Brewers Guild's yearly festivals, and this year, it will take place in Riverside Park on 2 E. Cross St. in Ypsilanti.

🚶‍➡️ Walk With Friends – July 26, 2025
Washtenaw Optimal Wellness presents Walk With Friends, a community walking event, every Saturday from July 12 to Sept. 27. Participants will walk two miles through downtown and Riverside Park, starting and ending at 105 W. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti.

💐 Lattes & Bouquets: A Flower Bar Experience – July 27, 2025
This event on Sunday, July 27, will be the last in a series of self-care events presented by Bridge Community Café and Swanky Lady Couture. This Sunday, attendees can enjoy their favorite beverage from Bridge Community Café while participating in a hands-on flower bar experience by Swanky Lady Couture. Guests will have the opportunity to design their own flower bouquets and take them home in brown bouquet wrapping, a vase, or even an Eastern Echo newspaper! The Radical Henna Artist and Bizarre Trinkets will also be vending during the event.

🌑 New Moon Ceremony: Embracing Renewal and Setting Intentions in Community – July 28, 2025
On Monday, July 28, Rhizome Roots Studio will host a New Moon Ceremony, a relaxing wellness event focused on nurturing peace and purpose, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Click the link below for more information and ticket links:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/07/whats-the-move-july-22-29-events

Writer: Allie Beecher
Photo: Swanky Lady Couture

07/18/2025

⭐ Rating: 9 out of 10 ⭐

On July 8, 2025, Netflix released the second installment of its documentary-style series titled "Quarterback."

This series gives viewers a look behind the scenes at some of the most recognizable names who hold the most recognizable position in the NFL. These quarterbacks hold the occupation that many have claimed to be the “toughest in sports.”

The first season gives viewers a chance to see the in-season lives and day-to-day preparations of three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes, Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota, and former Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Overall, "Quarterback" does what it is designed to do – peel back the curtain and offer a behind-the-scenes look at arguably the most difficult position to play in professional sports.

From the highs of Jared Goff leading the Lions to their best season in franchise history, to the lows of the potential end of the road for longtime NFL veteran Kirk Cousins, to the up-and-down season of Joe Burrow’s Bengals, the three different perspectives and seasons of each player are enough to keep viewers fully invested for all seven episodes.

Click the link below to read the full review:

https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/07/review-quarterback-is-a-peek-behind-the-curtain-at-three-of-the-brightest-nfl-minds

Writer: Caleb Henderson
Photo: Bleacher Report, SB Nation

07/17/2025

At Eastern Michigan University's Board of Regents meeting on June 26, 2025, The Eastern Echo was recognized for winning the 2024 College Newspaper of the Year award in the Michigan Press Association College Newspaper Contest.

The MPA presents awards to the top college papers in three divisions in the annual College Better Newspaper Contest. The Echo won the College Newspaper of the Year award in Division 1, which is for newspapers that publish more than weekly.

⭐ Several individual Echo staff members were also recognized for winning awards. For example, Editor-in-Chief Ameera Salman was recognized for winning first place in the Division 1 Best Writer category, and several other staff members were honored for receiving second and third place honors.

"I was really excited when I found out that we were going to be recognized by the regents," said Gabriella Payeur, The Echo's marketing director. "It felt really exciting and really good to stand in front of some very high-up people involved with the school and have them say, 'We see you. We see what you've done, and we are honored to have you guys here."

Click the link below to read the full story:

https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/07/the-eastern-echo-honored-at-emu-board-of-regents-meeting

Writer: Allie Beecher
Photo: Ameera Salman / The Eastern Echo (first image)

07/15/2025

There are lots of events coming up in Ypsilanti this week!

🚘 Rally in the Alley: Depot Town Cruise Night — Thursday, July 17, 2025

Another evening in the series of Rally in the Alley will be taking place on Thursday, July 17, 2025, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

In addition to the three-hour car cruising, attendees can enjoy local stores, restaurants and other activities for children and adults.

Fun Fact: The Depot Town Cruise Night has been taking place on summer Thursdays since 1993.

🍕 Fired Up for the Community — Friday, July 18, 2025

This Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m., local nonprofit Growing Hope will host Fired up for the Community, a pizza event with wood-fired oven pizza made from fresh ingredients.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour Growing Hope's urban farm and see the local produce grown there.

🎵 Summer Sing Workshop — Saturday, July 19, 2025

Beyond Choir invites all experienced singers to participate in a five-hour singing event at Pease Auditorium.

The agenda for the workshop has six parts:

5 to 5:30 p.m. – Check-in
5:30 to 6 p.m. – Warm up and initial run (Honors College Auditorium)
6 to 6:30 p.m. – Sectional (if needed)
6:30 - 6:45 p.m. – Break
6:45 - 7:35 p.m. – Rehearsal (EMU Honors College)
7:30 - 9:00 p.m. – Final run

🏀 BIG3 Summer — Sunday, July 20, 2025

The Detroit Amps play live on July 20 at Little Caesars Arena against DMV-Trilogy, starting at 3 p.m.

Tickets vary in price and are available for purchase on the GameAbove website.

Click the link below for ticket links and more information:
https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/07/what-the-move-july-15-21

Writer: Israel Shriki
Photo: Israel Shriki / The Eastern Echo

07/14/2025

On the 25th anniversary of Eastern Michigan University adding women’s rowing to its sports catalog, the university has announced the addition of its 20th varsity sport for student-athletes.

Eastern Michigan will debut its own women’s lightweight rowing team during the 2026-27 academic year. Lightweight rowing differs from the traditional rowing division in its weight restrictions – women’s lightweight rowers are restricted to weighing less than 130 pounds (59 kg) in order to be cleared for competition.

The addition of lightweight rowing marks the first women’s sport to be introduced to Eastern Michigan’s athletics department since lacrosse was added during the 2022-23 academic year and the 13th women’s sporting discipline overall.

EMU, Ypsilanti and the greater Ann Arbor area will also play host to the U.S. Rowing’s annual RowFest beginning Saturday, July 12, 2025, and lasting through July 20. According to U.S. Rowing’s Director of Competition Sarah McAuliffe, the Rowing Course on Ford Lake will host all the action as one of the Midwest’s premier rowing venues, with the 2,000-meter course serving as the stage for over 350 RowFest races during the festivities.

National championships following traditional racing formats will be held for the youth, under 17, under 23, and open divisions, as well as for the master's age group. Cash prizes, sprints, and relay races will also be featured.

Click the link below to read the full story:

https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/07/eastern-michigan-adds-women-s-lightweight-rowing-to-sports-list-in-2026-27

Writer: Caleb Henderson
Photo: EMU Athletics

07/08/2025

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is an annual event held every summer during the month of June.

Each day of the week except Monday, attendees can enjoy live music, street art, and more. The event also features movie screenings and various children's activities.

📸 This gallery covers the closing night of the festival on Sunday, June 29, 2025, including performances by featured artists such as Alex Cuba, David Zinn, and Lady Sunshine and the X Band.

Click the link below to see the full gallery:

https://www.easternecho.com/gallery/3ab3bc90-e45f-41cd-920f-bb540d3f7229

Photos by Max Taylor

07/08/2025

What’s happening in Ypsi this week? See our list of local events.

🚘 Rally in the Alley: Depot Town Cruise Night — Thursdays, July 10-31, 2025

Every summer, Ypsilanti's Historic Depot Town heats up with classic cars for Cruise Nights.

Another evening of the Rally in the Alley series will take place on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 5 to 9 p.m.

💃 Riverside Swings — Friday, July 11, 2025

Dance lovers of all levels can visit the Riverside Arts Center for swing dancing.

Those interested in attending may come with a partner, in a group, or alone.

This event takes place from 8 to 11:30 p.m. and is divided into two parts. The first part is the free beginner lesson, which begins at 8 and ends at 9 p.m. The second is an open dance session that starts at 9 and ends at 11:30 p.m.

🎹 Ypsilanti Community Schools Jazz in the Parking Lot — Saturday, July 12, 2025

The YCS Jazz Concert has become a nine-year tradition for the Ypsilanti community and visitors.

This year, the event features special guest and international vocal recording artist Athena Johnson.

Attendees are advised to arrive at 6 p.m., an hour before the performance begins, and bring a chair to sit on while they enjoy the music.

Click the link below for more information and helpful links:

https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/07/whats-the-move-july-8-14

Writer: Israel Shriki
Photo: Israel Shriki / The Eastern Echo

07/07/2025

With the 2025 college football season rapidly approaching, Eastern Michigan University enters the upcoming campaign with some uncertainty regarding who will line up under center for the squad this year.

Here’s a look at each candidate and what he will bring to the table:

🏈 Noah Kim (No. 13) | Graduate transfer from Michigan State, Coastal Carolina

Probably the most recognizable name on the list, Kim was the starting quarterback for Michigan State University for the first five games of the 2023 season. He posted 1,090 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions.

🏈 Cameron Edge (No. 15) | Junior, transfer from Maryland

A former four-star recruit and the 11th-ranked quarterback in his graduating class, Edge spent the past three seasons working his way up the depth chart at the University of Maryland before deciding to bring his talents to Eastern Michigan this winter.

🏈 Jeremiah Salem (No. 10) | Senior

Having originally walked on for the Eagles in 2022, Salem earned a full scholarship for the team at the end of last year’s spring semester after being named the scout team player of the year for the program the season prior.

🏈 Jace Stuckey (No. 12) | Redshirt freshman

A three-star prospect from Indiana, Stuckey practiced with the team throughout the 2024 season but did not see any in-game action.

🏈 Bryce Button | Freshman

Hailing from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Button enrolls as a three-star prospect according to 247 Sports and a two-star prospect according to Rivals.

Click the link to see the prospects of each player:

https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/07/eastern-michigan-football-s-qb-quandary-who-starts-for-the-eagles-in-2025

Writer: Caleb Henderson
Photo: SB Nation, Opendorse, Jeremiah Salem

07/04/2025

Did you know that The Eastern Echo has its very own newsletter? It delivers a weekly round-up of news straight to your inbox.

📨 Sign up today to get the latest scoop on campus and community happenings!

Subscribe by clicking the link below:

https://easternecho.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=42f7a18f74a6f359bb09178ec&id=b3f41886b1&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAae2Nj3ErXnAeM0TEK0H8KV2RO-2j_gi2jQlQPGBCX953agYRV2LR9gTMVq7eA_aem_ib5-RdMy699MsLEYCqJYqQ

07/03/2025

⭐Rating: 4 out of 10⭐

"F1" is a movie that brings the thrill of motorsport to the big screen. It follows Sonny Hayes, played by Brad Pitt, as he returns to the world of Formula One after an injury at the 1993 Spanish Grand Prix. Alongside him is rookie Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, battling to prove himself and keep his spot on his failing team, the fictional APXGP.

APXGP is entering its third season in Formula One with not a single point scored. Hayes’ old friend and racing rival Ruben Cervantes, played by Javier Bardem, owns the team, and if the team can’t get a win by the end of the season, Cervantes will be forced to sell the team he has spent over $300 million building.

The movie plays out to be a classic story about an underdog rising to the top, with Sonny and Joshua battling out egos before bonding and realizing they both have something to learn from each other.

Click the link below to read the review:

https://www.easternecho.com/article/2025/07/review-f1-is-an-action-packed-visually-interesting-movie-with-an-alright-story

Writer: Gabriella Payeur
Photo: Formula 1 website

07/03/2025

📷 The pics are in!

🏳️‍🌈 Black Pride Ypsi held a 90s-themed cookout to bring together the Black LGBTQ+ community of Ypsilanti.

🖤 The event was hosted at the Jim Toy Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, June 28, 2025. There were plenty of activities, including a bounce house, card games, line dancing, video games, and more.

Click the link below to see the full gallery:

https://www.easternecho.com/gallery/f2c6dc51-6602-4b09-ac3c-b0825b686224

Photos by Lee Hammock

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