'Tis the season, as they say—tax season, that is. For many, it’s a stressful time of year, particularly if you can’t afford assistance in getting those taxes filed accurately and on time. That’s why the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program was developed, and it has more than 80 volunteers to help those in need in Washtenaw County. This year, there are some tax changes as some of the pandemic programs end and new tax breaks are offered. WEMU's David Fair discusses the program and how to access it with the United Way of Washtenaw County's vice president of development, Susan Smith.
NPR News
-
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in the disappearance of a Pioneer High School student. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.
-
University of Michigan officials want to expand artistic opportunities on campus. We get more from WEMU's Taylor Pinson.
-
Many educators and literacy experts are backing a potential change to Michigan’s so-called third grade reading law. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
-
Washtenaw County officials want to put a service center on the west side of the county near Chelsea. They are seeking the public’s help to determine what that might look like. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
-
A new, free downloadable application called ChatGPT is offering students a new homework tool. It can not only offer artificial help with math and history, but it is also now capable of writing essays as well. Dr. Heather Kellstrom, head of IT at Ann Arbor Public Schools, talked with WEMU's Cathy Shafran about how the software is being received locally and how it works.
-
Governor Gretchen Whitmer would like the first two public acts of her second term to be lifting the income tax on pensions and expanding the earned income tax credit. That’s as the state Legislature controlled by new Democratic majorities has started sending bills to her desk. Rick Pluta and Colin Jackson have more.
-
Hundreds of car crashes and other traffic accidents were reported across Washtenaw County during Wednesday’s snowy weather. We get more from WEMU's Taylor Pinson.
-
A ruling by the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the city of Ann Arbor’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
-
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, this month, granted accelerated approval to an Alzheimer’s drug that might slow the acceleration of memory loss for early-stage Alzheimer’s patients. But neurologist Dr. Judy Heidebrink at Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center at University of Michigan Health is looking at this drug with caution. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran brings us an in-depth discussion with Dr. Heidebrink about local hopes for the drug Lecanemab.
-
The Ann Arbor Folk Festival makes its return this weekend. After a virtual event in 2021, and a cancellation last year, the city’s premier live music event is back with a new format. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
COVID-19 Updates
- Mask mandate in Ann Arbor schools ends
- COVID-19 variant XBB.1.5 could increase Washtenaw County's 'plateaued' case numbers
- Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority ridership is up in advance of service changes
- Whitmer State of the State address will be January 25th
- Washtenaw County Health Department urges caution about respiratory illness when coming back from holiday gatherings
- EMU officials 'cautiously optimistic' about amount of post-holiday respiratory infections
- U-M health system at full capacity due to rise in respiratory ailments
Stay informed with our weekly WEMU E-Update
Support for Art & Soul (Thursdays during All Things Considered) comes from Sesi Mazda, long time sponsors of local and live arts productions