Today, we mark Public Radio Music Day by celebrating the hosts that bring you 43 hours of live and local music programming every week on WEMU.  Every host and every program is paid for out of funds contributed by WEMU listeners.  You can support the jazz , blues and more  with a donation during this one-day fundraiser.  Throughout the day, you will hear conversations with a number of great minds and artists who also have an appreciation for Public Radio Music.  Fred Jacobs is founder and president of Jacobs Media Strategies, a media consulting firm that has impacted your life in more ways than you know, including working with WEMU and NPR.  He joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation on Public Radio Music Day. 

Dr. Ethan Kross is a professor of psychology and management/organizations at the University of Michigan and has written a new book called "Chatter."  He talks with WEMU's Lisa Barry about how listening to and working with our inner dialogue can help enhance our own sense of well being.

The trial of white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is nearing an end.  He's charged in the killing of George Floyd, a Black man.  Not far from the trial, another Black man, Daunte Wright, was killed last Sunday by another white police officer.  Survivors Speak founder and executive director Trische' Duckworth joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss these current events and the goals of this weekend's protest in Ann Arbor. 

The Oscars are inching ever closer, and Ann Arbor's downtown theaters can help prepare you.  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair talks about the latest movie news and films becoming available for your viewing pleasure with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins.

In this week's "On The Ground Ypsi," Lisa Barry and project manager Sarah Rigg talk to Scott Heister, Southeast Regional Director for Mi STEM and a co-founder of the American Center for Innovation.  He talks about the proposed program to work with kids and encourage them to pursue real jobs in STEM fields and providing "cradle-to-career opportunities."

Spring is in the air, and it's tempting to clean up the yard.  Yet, starting too early, or cleaning too thoroughly, can be devastating to our pollinators, including bees, birds and butterfiles.  On this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with Lisa Denys, a seasonal environmental program assistant for Washtenaw County, about some tips for maintaining a clean and environmentally friendly yard. 

As an elected official and a cardiovascular ICU nurse at Michigan Medicine, Katie Scott, who represents District 9 as a Washtenaw County commissioner, has experienced quite a bit over this past year in a pandemic.

She talks with WEMU's Lisa Barry about that and her decision to write a public letter addressing recent comments shared by an Ann Arbor city council member, which contained a quote attacking journalists and included a homophobic slur.

The number of confirmed cases continues to rise in Michigan, and vaccine efforts will be hampered by news the CDC and FDA have recommended pausing use of the Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine.  WEMU's David Fair discussed these recent COVID-related developments with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia.

Yen Azzaro: graphic recorder, illustrator, serial creative entrepreneur, and arts activist.  She founded The Paper Pusher and applies her talent for the common good and understanding.  She tells Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair how she now needs her community to rise up for her and other Asian Americans experiencing racism and acts of violence.  Hear her story on this edition of "creative:impact."

Eastern Michigan University is ramping up its efforts to get students and staff vaccinated against COVID-19.