News

As the Oscars get closer and closer, more great movies are hitting the big screen!  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan and State Theater executive director Russ Collins talk about the latest movie news and all of the new flicks you can check out this weekend.

Matt Shepard has been a great part of the WEMU family, calling EMU football games for the last 18 seasons.  Now, he just landed the broadcasting job of a lifetime--lead announcer for the Detroit Tigers on Fox Sports Detroit.  Shepard talks all about his plans for the upcoming Tigers season, as well as the challenges he and his family have faced recently, with WEMU's David Fair.

Getting a haircut in Ypsilanti is more than just regular self-maintenance.  Many barbershops and salons serve as pieces of Ypsilanti's history, as well as places that serve the common good.  Among these establishments is Finesse 1 Salon, owned by Shawn and Hala Green.  They talk about their experiences with WEMU's Lisa Barry and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg in this week's "On the Ground-Ypsi."

Protecting Michigan's drinking water has becoming even more of a priority in the past year.  However, during the Michigan Legislature's lame-duck session, former Governor Rick Snyder signed into law a measure making protection more difficult. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks about this legislation, and its impacts, with Bonnifer Ballard, executive director of the American Water Works Association's Michigan section.

From January 17th through the 22nd, Eastern Michigan University will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. with a series of special events.  WEMU's Patrick Campion will talk about these events with EMU's assistant vice president of student affairs Ellen Gold and Steve Bryant, who is EMU's director of diversity and community involvement, in this week's "Focus on EMU."

As part of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, dozens of universities are showcasing special projects.  Among them is Eastern Michigan University.  89.1 WEMU's Jorge Avellan attended the show during the press preview days and has the story.
 

"The pARTy 2019," in which the Arts Alliance honors those who have made significant contributions to the arts, is coming up on February 11th.  This year's recepients of the Lifetime Achievement Medal are the musical, husband-and-wife duo, William Bolcom and Joan Morris.  WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance President and CEO Deb Polich sat down with Bolcom and Morris to discuss their decades-long career in this week's "creative:impact."

Enrollment at many of Michigan's public universities is down.

In our bi-weekly conversation with the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, 89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Jan Salsberry, who co-founded a new league in Lenawee County.

The state Legislature returned last week to open its 100th session.

This week, "Art and Soul" is about the visual arts.  89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry is joined by state and local arts leader Omari Rush and Megan Winkel of the Ann Arbor Art Center to talk about several visual arts events in the Ann Arbor area, including one that explores what art is.

A new year has begun, and, in the movie world, awards season is already in full swing!  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair talks to Michigan and State Theater executive director Russ Collins about all of the new films coming to theaters this weekend.  Plus, they talk about the results of this year's Golden Globes ceremony.

Patrick Campion sat down with Eastern Michigan University's Vice President and Director of Athletics, Scott Wetherbee, to talk about the current state of the Championship Building Plan, Athletics funding, and how they are moving forward without the $6 million gift announced by his predecessor, Heather Lyke.

What may came as a surprise to some residents is that Eastern Michigan University trains future pilots.  In fact, the number of students that have enrolled in the aviation program has increased significantly in the past few years.  In this week's "On the Ground-Ypsi," WEMU's Patrick Campion and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg talk all about the program with Tom Simon, who is director of marketing and recruitment for the Eagle Flight Centre.

Detectable levels of PFAS and PFOS chemicals are in the Ann Arbor municipal drinking water.  Progress was made in 2018, and more is expected in the new year.  In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair discusses next steps with Brian Steglitz, manager of the City of Ann Arbor's Water Treatment Services unit.

Every year, the Arts Alliance hosts a reception to honor those who invest in and contribute to the arts scene in Washtenaw County and around the world.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich talk about this event, which is best known as "The pARTy!"

The Michigan Legislature will gavel in for its 100th session this week.  Lawmakers say they have one multi-billion dollar issue to tackle first.

January 21st is Martin Luther King Day, an annual federal American holiday that celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.  It is intended to celebrate the life and achievements of the influential American civil rights leader. 

At Eastern Michigan University, nearly a week of activities are planned, including a keynote address by Keith Boykin, New York Times bestselling author and TV's leading commentator on politics, race, and sexual orientation.  89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke to Boykin about the current state of politics and his upcoming address at EMU.

Eastern Michigan University students, under the direction of Dr. Sadaf Ali and Patrick Campion, were given the opportunity to create a reporting project as a final project in their CTAT 334 class.  This is the work of Julia Selig, reporting on a conference hosted by NASCO, the North American Students for Cooperation.

After the November election, there was fast and furious action in Lansing, as lawmakers made a harried run through the lame duck session.  Some of that action could impact the environment in 2019.  In this month's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak discuss these New Year's challenges  Joe Schwarz, a former state lawmaker and current board member with both Voters Not Politicians and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.

This week, "Art and Soul" focuses on the culinary arts and with the upcoming “restaurant week” in Ann Arbor.  89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talks to the director of the Ann Arbor Main Street Association,  which organizes the annual event, Sandra Andrade, about the annual restaurant event.

Eastern Michigan University students, under the direction of Dr. Sadaf Ali and Patrick Campion, were given the opportunity to create a reporting project as a final project in their CTAT 334 class.  This is the work of Alejandro Rodriguez, who reports on the Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase and the influence it has had on rising comedians.

Eastern Michigan University students, under the direction of Dr. Sadaf Ali and Patrick Campion, were given the opportunity to create a reporting project as a final project in their CTAT 334 class.  This is the work of Will Bogen, reporting on groups who meet and play the video game "Super Smash Bros. Melee," both socially and competitively.

Eating healthier is usually among the top New Year’s resolutions as the holiday season comes to an end.  So, to make a bit easier for you, we spoke with local health and food experts to provide you with tips.   89.1 WEMU’s Jorge Avellan has the story.

Eastern Michigan University students, under the direction of Dr. Sadaf Ali and Patrick Campion, were given the opportunity to create a reporting project as a final project in their CTAT 334 class.  This is the work of Pedro Esteva, reporting on the Washtenaw County venues known for showcasing folk music artists.

2019 has officially begun, and it's time to make some resolutions on how to handle dangerous chemicals, like PFAS.  In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks to Gillian Miller, senior scientist at healthystuff.org, about some tips to make 2019 a more ecologically friendly year.

Michigan officially has a new governor.  Gretchen Whitmer was sworn in Tuesday on the Capitol steps. 

Eastern Michigan University students, under the direction of Dr. Sadaf Ali and Patrick Campion, were given the opportunity to create a reporting project as a final project in their CTAT 334 class.  This is the work of Noel Saval, reporting on FTM A2 Ypsi, which is a support group for transgender-identifying men and nonbinary people in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. 

Eastern Michigan University students, under the direction of Dr. Sadaf Ali and Patrick Campion, were given the opportunity to create a reporting project as a final project in their CTAT 334 class.  This is the work of Chauncey Mines, reporting on the work Swoop's Student Food Pantry does for the EMU community.