We often ask ourselves how we can make a difference in the health of our environment at home. One of the answers is to build a rain garden. There are now well over 1,000 rain gardens in Washtenaw County as the Water Resources Commissioner's Office has scaled a decentralized network to capture and filter stormwater. It's making a difference, and the effort will expand this year. WEMU's David Fair gets more details in a conversation with Rain Garden Coordinator, Susan Bryan.
NPR News
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Eastern Michigan University students spearheaded a recent effort to transform the annual Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition (SEMIS) Community Forum into a zero-waste event for the first time. Thanks to their efforts, 250 pounds of food and other materials were composted, and 165 pounds of unused food were recovered and donated to Ypsilanti-based Hope Clinic, resulting in less than a third of a bag of waste from the event going to a landfill. Lee Van Roth talked about the event and what it may lead to with SEMIS Coalition Director Anna Balzer.
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A large group of Ann Arbor schoolteachers and supporters are holding a rally tonight ahead of the district’s school board meeting. As WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, the Ann Arbor Education Association has just entered its sixth month without a contract.
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The Ypsilanti City Council Tuesday night approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year. As WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, the city still had to dip into its Fund Balance, but not as much as previously feared.
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The playground at Ann Arbor’s Fuller Park will soon be completely replaced following a series of community engagement discussions. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.
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A bipartisan group of state lawmakers has proposed a new tax break as an incentive to build more affordable housing in Michigan. We have more from Rick Pluta.
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As energy bills continue to rise the Michigan League of Conservation Voters is renewing the push for the passage of a state Ratepayer Bill of Rights. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.
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Local restaurant and wholesaler Juicy Kitchen is nearing reopening after a freezer fire that forced the Maple Road establishment to close this past September. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.
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State demographers warn that Michigan's aging population and stagnant labor market could have serious consequences if not addressed. One-third of Michigan's population is over 55, putting pressure on elder care and healthcare services. In Washtenaw County, there are a number of organizations working independently and collaboratively to serve the growing senior population. Among them is Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels. WEMU's David Fair talked with Director Courtney Vanderlaan about what her organization is doing on its own and as part of the Big Hearts for Seniors collaborative.
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The third annual Ann Arbor Black Film Festival (A2BFF) takes place June 5-7. This year’s festival is poised to be bigger and more impactful cultural event than ever, with 21 visiting filmmakers and guests, featuring over 11 hours of content from 31 Black creatives across 11 states and nine countries. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor talked with two of the featured filmmakers, Yehuda Sharim and Michael Soenen, and Festival Director Chris Anderson about the event.
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Saline is looking to raise funds to help offset the costs associated with improvement projects for the Davenport-Curtiss House. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.
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The Legislature returns to Lansing today with a month remaining until the deadline to have the state budget wrapped up. Rick Pluta reports.
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A large crowd of dignitaries, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, were on hand this afternoon for a celebration of the Saline Township data center. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.
EMU Today reports on WEMU
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