East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi on Impact 89FM

When one thinks local business, 7-Eleven doesn't readily come to mind. This week, Andrew hopes to change that thinking with an interview with Ali Haider, who has owned and operated the downtown 7-Eleven for more than five years. Haider, who is from the area and now resides near Grand Rapids, talks about the challenges of Covid and students being gone, the growth of downtown EL and his dislike of how the Albert EL Fresco was executed. Listen in!

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, Andrew interviews ELHS teacher Mark Pontoni, along with two upperclassmen: junior Elke Schrenk and senior Marie Adele Grosso. The three each join Andrew to share their experiences dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic in the halls of East Lansing High School, from the fatigue of entering Year 3 to the challenges of masking in the building, it's discussed in this episode. Take a listen!

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, Andrew and Chuck are again joined by ELi's Emily Joan Elliott — this time to delve into the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the Omicron variant causing another wave and renewed concerns, the trio dive into issues facing Michigan State University, East Lansing Public Schools, and the City at-large. Give it a listen!

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, Andrew and Chuck are joined by ELi's Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott. Together, the trio talks about some of the bigger, noteworthy topics from 2021, from the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic to the return of in-person learning at MSU and East Lansing Public Schools, to the newly-formed East Lansing City Council, plus plenty more. Give it a listen!

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, Andrew talks to a number of folks about the Saturday accident involving a Canadian National train running through some downed power lines, leading to widespread outages of service. Andrew talks to Keith Ivkovich, who witnessed the accident firsthand, plus Mike Wilson from Comcast about how outages get repaired. Lastly, of course, Andrew and Chuck dive into what went down. Give it a listen!

Andrew and Chuck are joined by Al Hargrave, a newer ELi reporter, to discuss some of her recent reporting on East Lansing's City Attorney, the American Rescue Plan Act, plus East Lansing High School students being recognized for their smarts. The trio also dive into a couple other stories — about cameras downtown and a proposed medical marijuana dispensary. Listen in!

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, Andrew and Chuck are joined by ELi Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger to highlight and discuss the various transparency roadblocks they've encountered in East Lansing, plus what changes could fix it. Give it a listen!

After multiple presentations to the public from the City about water infrastructure, Chuck Grigsby joins ELi's Andrew Graham to talk about the ongoing sanitary and storm sewer debate in the City of East Lansing. They also delve into what the future might hold in terms of solving the flooding problems the City faces. Take a listen!

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, Andrew Graham is joined by Chuck Grigsby, who will be a more regular guest/co-host on the show moving forward. Chuck serves on the East Lansing Human Rights Commission, and chaired the study committee that crafted the recommendation for East Lansing's current Police Oversight Commission. In this episode, Andrew and Chuck delve into the issues that the group might face in getting information from the police — an issue Chuck is highly familiar with. Listen in!

On this edition of the East Lansing Insider, brought to you by East Lansing Info and Impact 89FM, policing, generally, is the topic and ELi reporters Andrew Graham, Heather Brothers and Jack Timothy Harrison dive in. First, Andrew interviews Heather about her coverage of the first meeting of the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission. Then, Jack talks about his reporting on the MSU student perspective of the Oct. 30 couch burnings and such. Listen in!

On this episode of the East Lansing Insider, brought to you by East Lansing Info and Impact 89FM, ELi's Andrew Graham is joined by attorney Brian Wassom, who successfully defended ELi in a recent defamation case. The duo discuss why the claims against ELi fell short of being capable of defamation and touch on how an anti-SLAPP law could've protected ELi from such a suit. At the end, Graham runs through some recent local news.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi reporter Andrew Graham is joined by ELi Founder and Executive Director Alice Dreger to talk about the 2021 race for three East Lansing City Council seats, the issues the new council will face, and how the civic landscape has changed in the city. The duo also talks about some recent City Council races and how this year has been a more lowkey competition for the available seats.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott sits down with Reporter Heather Brothers to discuss what happened at City Council on Oct. 19, including a discussion on a police labor contract. The two then provide a news roundup, introducing the new Ingham County Commissioner, reviewing some Ask ELi questions, and discussing how the City might use some of its federal Covid relief money.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Managing Editor talks with East Lansing Public Schools Superintendent Dori Leyko. Leyko shares the most rewarding and challenging aspects of leading the district during the pandemic. She also reflects on what the district has done in terms of equity and social justice, including hiring Director of Equity and Social Justice Klaudia Burton, and what she hopes to see achieved this year. You can see all ELi’s reporting on ELPS here.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott talks with City Desk Reporter Andrew Graham about his recent reports on flooding following heavy rains in East Lansing, particularly after heavy rains on Aug. 12. The two discuss the issues that residents on Timberlane Drive face in seeking solutions to prevent further flooding some residents are in East Lansing and others in Meridian Township. Andrew also provides an update from City Council on how the City of East Lansing is investigating significant flooding in the Glencairn neighborhood

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger chats with Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott about the history of the Evergreen Properties, which the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) purchased in 2009. Over the years, the DDA had hoped to sell the properties to several developers, but nothing so far has panned out as planned. Dreger explains the long history up to the present, including a possible deal between the DDA and River Caddis and the construction of MSUFCU’s downtown office building.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Alice Dreger, Emily Joan Elliott, and Andrew Graham visit some recent Ask ELi to Investigate questions that they sought answers to and helpful tidbits that they have received. The trio discusses recent flooding in East Lansing, equity and inclusion, upcoming plans for Burcham Road and at Valley Court Park, and several other questions related to East Lansing Public Schools. Since Jan. 1, 2021, ELi has received 137 distinct inquiries and is working to answer all of them. You can submit your questions related to East Lansing here!

On the latest episode of ELi’s podcast, Andrew Graham is joined by Madi Zink, an East Lansing High School math teacher and the coach of all the Trojans high school aquatics teams — boys and girls. Right now, it's girls swim and dive season and the duo discusses the progress of that team, plus get into the state of the whole program and where Zink hopes to take it. Also, Graham provides a quick news update from around the City of East Lansing.

On this week’s episode of the East Lansing Insider podcast, ELi government reporters Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger bring you the results from ELi’s survey of voters related to this November’s East Lansing City Council elections. Andrew and Alice read from and discuss what voters say are their big issues and questions for candidates. Topics include housing, downtown development, transparency, government waste, the climate crisis, and taxes, taxes, taxes — perhaps a surprise for a town that appears to lean so blue? Our weekly “Weird Thing This Week” relates to a strange response received by ELi from the City of East Lansing under a Freedom of Information Act request.

This week’s East Lansing Insider podcast focuses primarily on the flooding of East Lansing homes that occurred after the monumental rain on the night of Aug. 11-12, 2021. Many East Lansing residents ended up with raw sewage in their basements. ELi’s Andrew Graham speaks with Shaw Estates resident Dr. Rubén Martinez about his experience and Andrew also tells us what he’s learned from speaking with residents in the Glencairn neighborhood. Our Publisher Alice Dreger joins Andrew to talk about what the ELi team has learned from mapping reports of flooding and Alice explains why she bought flood insurance from FEMA for her Oakwood house a few years ago. Andrew also gives us a run-down of what’s coming in East Lansing Public Schools Sports, and we briefly cover the “weird thing” we reported this week – the story of an odd real estate listing in Whitehills.

On this week’s East Lansing Insider podcast, East Lansing Council member Lisa Babcock talks with ELi’s Andrew Graham and Alice Dreger about why she has voted against the rest of the Council on some issues like the Harbor Bay Newman Lofts rentals, who she is endorsing for City Council (Ron Bacon, Dan Bollman, and no third candidate), and what she’s hoping for out of the next City Attorney. Babcock also talks about her “biggest regret on Council,” referring to the early renewal of the City Manager’s contract. We also hear from ELi Managing Editor Emily Elliott about the weirdest thing she’s researched for our readers recently — a local foodie controversy over the Quality Dairy French Onion Chip Dip.

On this week’s edition of the East Lansing Insider podcast, three members of ELi's government reporting team talk about the latest switches on East Lansing’s City Council, the dismantling of the Albert EL Fresco downtown play space, the sudden disappearance of a law meant to protect student renters, and the consistent reappearance of Mark Meadows who quit City Council but can’t seem to stay away from East Lansing government. Hear Andrew Graham, Heather Brothers, and Alice Dreger cover this and more as they catch you up on the latest East Lansing news.

ELi’s Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott talks with Anaiis Rios-Kasoga, Laila Lloyd, and Liyu Mesay, three young Black women who recently graduated from East Lansing High School. The trio discussed their work with Black Student Union at ELHS, how the 2016 presidential election shaped their high school years, and what ELHS could do – and in some cases, has already done – to build a more inclusive environment.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, Reporter Andrew Graham is joined by East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg, who is set to become Mayor on August 11 when Aaron Stephens (the current Mayor) formally resigns. Gregg discussed the issues she thinks East Lansing faces, why she is supporting fellow Council Members Ron Bacon and Dana Watson in the upcoming City Council elections (she also indicated Dan Bollman was her third candidate of choice), and the City's parking system.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Managing Editor talks to Alex Hosey, a local civil rights activist and youth reporter for ELi. Hosey spoke about his decision to sit for the national anthem during a basketball game several years ago, his experience as a Black young man in East Lansing, and his future plans, which include attending Michigan State University in the fall.

ELi’s Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger and reporter Jack Timothy Harrison talk with outgoing Mayor Aaron Stephens as he prepares to leave the City to pursue a master’s degree in public policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Stephens talks about what he will miss and not miss about being mayor of East Lansing, what he regrets and what he’s most proud of, and what it was like to become mayor with virtually no warning.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger and reporter Heather Brothers speak with Cedrick Heraux, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Adrian College and a member of East Lansing’s special Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission. This week, City Council passed the ordinance establishing an oversight commission for the East Lansing Police Department, and we asked Prof. Heraux about whether he sees that new commission as having been adequately empowered, what he sees as important about policing culture in East Lansing, and more.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger and Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott sit down with Mark Meadows, former Mayor and Council member for the City of East Lansing. Meadows shares what he sees as the most important issues facing the city and who he is endorsing in the City Council elections to be held in November 2021. He also explains why he resigned and how he views his role in the community and local government now.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger and Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott chat with attorney Brian Wasson about freedom of the press granted by the First Amendment, threats to those protections, and the future of the press in Michigan and the United States. Dreger and Elliott then discuss a gas leak that occurred near Dreger’s home and how Dreger reported on that story using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM, ELi’s Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger and Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott discuss Dreger's article on complaints made to East Lansing's City Council about noise created by cars and motorcycles. The two discuss the issue, responses, and possible solutions. Elliott also interviews Tonya Williams, a Neighborhood Resource Specialist East Lansing Police Department, who deals with noise issues as part of her job.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider – brought to you by ELi in partnership with Impact 89FM – ELi’s Publisher Alice Dreger talks with ELi reporter Jack Timothy Harrison about the upcoming East Lansing City Council elections. Jack has been interviewing the candidates and writing profiles of them for ELi, and, on the pod, the two talk about what makes this year’s election unique and particularly interesting to watch. (Note: There’s one error in this episode, and that is that we said Ron Bacon earned his bachelors in Criminal Justice and Psychology, but it was in Criminal Justice and Sociology. We apologize for the error.)

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, Publisher and Executive Director Alice Dreger and Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott recap the City Council meeting from Tuesday, June 8. At that meeting, Council voted 3-2 to approve Ordinance 1500, which could change the process for apartment leasing in East Lansing, but it includes an important caveat. The pair also discuss the presentation given to Council by the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission.

On this episode of East Lansing Insider, brought to you by East Lansing Info (ELi), Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott provides an overview of what ELi is and the news it provides to the community. She and reporters Heather Brothers and Andrew Graham discuss some recent stories related to policing in East Lansing, including an investigation into a controversial press release made by ELPD and the work of the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission. Elliott wraps up the conversation with a recap of the last East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education meeting in May.

In a 40-minute interview with Alice Dreger and Heather Brothers, Ellsworth-Etchison discusses the ongoing work being done by the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Study Committee. And beyond that, Ellsworth-Etchison discusses her own experiences as a Black woman in East Lansing. (Music credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix.)

New East Lansing Public School Board President Terah Chambers sits down for a discussion with ELi's Emily Joan Elliott centering around the work being done ahead of a return to in-person learning at ELPS. (Credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix for the music.)

ELi's Managing Editor Emily Joan Elliott sits down for a 40-minute interview with Dr. Aron Sousa, the Interim Dean of Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine. (Music credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix.)

Emily Joan Elliott, ELi's Managing Editor, is joined by Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail for a 40-minute interview. The two discuss the vaccine rollout and Vail and the Health Department's other work during the past year. (Music credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix.)

On this week's edition of the East Lansing Insider, Alice Dreger talks with East Lansing Planning Chair Dan Bollman about the "Shaping the Avenue" plan, which could replace the existing zoning code with a new form-based code for the densest segment of East Lansing - downtown and beyond. (Music credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix.)

ELi reporter Heather Brothers joins Andrew Graham and Emily Joan Elliott to discuss the progress and work of the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission. Also, the trio catches up on School Board, City Council, and more. Also, a word from NPR's Peter Sagal reminding you to keep ELi running. (Credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix for the music.)

In this special edition of the East Lansing Insider, ELi's Executive Director and Publisher Alice Dreger brings a report on the reality of the refinancing of the Center City District bonds. According to a deeply-reported analysis by ELi, the claim that the City will save money on the refinancing is likely not true. After Dreger presents her report and accompanying analysis, she and Emily Joan Elliott dive in to discuss the situation and what comes next. (Credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix for the music.)

Andrew Graham is joined by Emily Joan Elliott and Adan Tomas Quan, an ELi cub reporter, for the roundtable. The trio discuss Adan's story about how East Lansing's emergency services are working through Covid-19, Emily's recent reporting on the public schools and Andrew reminds listeners the deer cull is on the way. Also in this episode, Andrew interviews East Lansing Deputy Police Chief Steve Gonzalez about disaster preparedness and how you can be prepared. And Emily is joined by ELi General Manager Jodi Spicer to give an update on ELi's sustainability campaign. Oh, and Peter Sagal - of NPR's 'Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!' - reminds you to donate to keep ELi running, and you can get a copy of his new book about running.

In a more casual episode (No. 7), Andrew Graham, Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott take some time to decompress and discuss a whirlwind few days around East Lansing. Items of note in the pod: A discussion of the moves to refinance the Center City District bonds, Michigan State University changing housing requirements in 2022 and ELi's sustainability campaign for 2021. (Music credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix.)

In the sixth episode of East Lansing Insider, Andrew Graham, Emily Joan Elliott, and Alice Dreger come together on the day before Thanksgiving to talk turkey about the meetings that happened on Monday and Tuesday in East Lansing. The trio gets into the school board recertifying the Continuity of Learning Plan, discusses a use of force presentation given by ELPD to the Police Oversight Study Committee and make clear that a recent City audit isn't entirely indicative of a healthy financial picture. Also in this episode, Emily discusses her story on the City's supposed green fleet of vehicles, Andrew discusses his story on the Study Committee and Alice gives an update on the Center City District bonds. (Spoiler: We don't know much, yet!) And Emily does an interview with a new ELi donor about why they chose to support the work it does in the community. (Music credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix.)

For the first time ever on the East Lansing Insider, an East Lansing City Council member joins the show. On this episode, Dana Watson joins Andrew Graham for an interview about Covid, racism as a public health crisis and how East Lansing can be anti-racist. Also in the episode, Andrew hosts a roundtable with Emily Joan Elliott and Alice Dreger; Andrew and Alice talk about issues getting information under the Freedom of Information Act; and Emily brings a fundraising update with ELi general manager Jodi Spicer. Music credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix.

Emily Joan Elliott, Alice Dreger and Andrew Graham sit down for a roundtable discussion centering on the busy Nov. 10 City Council meeting. The trio discusses police transparency, the ongoing Center City District issues and upcoming infrastructure work and construction around the Evergreen Avenue properties. Also, Andrew sits down with Maysa Sitar, an ELi board member and MSU student, for an interview about life as a college student during a pandemic. (Credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix for the music.)

Host Andrew Graham is joined by Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott as the trio recaps the latest news in East Lansing. This week, they discuss the mobs of couch-burning people taking to the streets following MSU's upset win in football, recent reporting by ELi on racial and ethnic data from ELPD and more. Also in this episode is an interview with Chuck Grigsby, Chair of the Study Committee on an Independent Police Oversight Commission, and a fundraising update from ELi's General Manager, Jodi Spicer. As always, music credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix.

In the second episode of East Lansing Insider, hosted by Emily Joan Elliott, the ELi team discusses the latest news in East Lansing, brings you an interview from President of the Board, Sam Hosey, and Andrew Grapham and Alice Dreger go long (45 minutes!) on the City Center District. Credit to Audionautix and Jason Shaw for the music.

In the first ever edition of East Lansing Insider, a new show from East Lansing Info (ELi), host Andrew Graham discussed the latest news from East Lansing, Michigan, with colleagues Alice Dreger and Emily Joan Elliott. From the latest at City Council to a preview of MSU football returning, the trio digs in to the stories of the week and looks ahead to what's coming. (Credit to Jason Shaw and Audionautix for the intro/outro tunes)