East Lansing Insider: Recent Episodes

East Lansing Info, creator

A weekly podcast from the folks at East Lansing Info breaking down all the news and happenings in East Lansing, Michigan. || Donate and support ELi today: eastlansinginfo.news/donate/

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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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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 2021 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.

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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.)

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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.)

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For the first time ever on the East Lansing Insider,an East Lansing City Council member joins the podcast. 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.

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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.)

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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.

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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 Graham and Alice Dreger go long (45 minutes!) on the Center City District.

Credit to Audionautix and Jason Shaw for the music. 

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In the first ever edition of East Lansing Insider,a new podcast from East Lansing Info (ELi), host Andrew Graham discusses 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.)