The Great Gatsby  opens in theaters this weekend!  In this week's installment of  Cinema Chat, WEMU's David Fair and  Russ Collins discuss several film options for the weekend and preview the upcoming Cinetopia Film Festival. The conversation began, however, with some sad news out of Hollywood.

There will be three occasions next fiscal year for which the Ann Arbor Public schools will have to borrow money to cover payroll costs. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, the Board of Education last night passed as resolution authorizing establishment of a line of credit of up to 10-million dollars.

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) are collecting public feedback on short and long term transportation plans. The proposals are billed as the "2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Plan" and the "2040 Regional Transportation Plan." The first public hearing on the comprehensive measures took place Wednesday at Washtenaw Community College. WEMU's Andrew Cluley was there.

As we search for the best new music on  WEMU, we will often feature someone you’ve never heard before but think is worth your time. 

The Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development is funding a survey of small and home-based businesses in our area to find out what they need to be successful. 

WEMU's Bob Eccles spoke with Jessica Meissner about the survey.  Jessica is an economic anthropologist and an advocate for sustainable, community-based economies with The Shed, a business and employment collaborative.

Here's a link to the survey:
http://theshedbec.com

Rattlesnakes in Washtenaw County! They're here, and they serve a purpose. Unfortunately their habitat has been threatened, but a project is underway to help. Joining WEMU's David Fair on Issues of the Environment is Steven Parrish, Steven is the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Habitat Restoration Project Manager and Natural Areas Specialist at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum.  Together, David and Steven discuss  work in Washtenaw County on the Eastern Massasauga Habitat Restoration and Education Project.

Ypsilanti City Council has approved a purchase agreement for a portion of the Water Street Property. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, the action will result in a new, Family Dollar Store.

There has been no shortage of input from the community at public forums on the Ann Arbor School District's budget proposal. The latest hearing was held Tuesday night at Pioneer High school. The budget proposal calls for eight-point-seven million dollars in cuts for the upcoming academic year. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, attendees are also suggesting ways to enhance district revenue.

Residents in the Village of Dexter have voted to continue on the path to becoming a city. WEMU's Andrew Cluley has more on the vote in Tuesday's election.

Ypsilanti City Council has approved a purchase agreement for a Family Dollar store to be built on the northeast corner of the Water Street re-development area.

The approval came after the developer agreed to some changes to make the store fit better with the city’s vision for the property, including moving the store to the northwest corner of the point-eight-five acre parcel.

The city is selling the parcel for $210,000.