News

A key to the success of any business, organization, or institution is knowing your audience.  Marketing and advertising will help seal your product, but it is branding that will create emotional connection and loyalty.  As such, branding has become an art form unto itself.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich connect with Danielle Milner, a partner at the Ypsilanti branding studio DO:BETTER. 

What do you think about hip-hop music?  Do you know it has deep roots in African-American culture and many of its messages can be inspiring and uplifting?  As part of Black History Month, 89.1 WEMU’s Lisa Barry explores the roots and reputation of hip-hop music in Washtenaw County and efforts to incorporate it into education and its impact on the community.

Michigan could become a completely hands-free driving state.  A new bill in the state House comes after Governor Gretchen Whitmer made distracted driving a priority during her State of the State address.

This week, "Art and Soul" is about the visual arts.  89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry is joined by local and state arts leader Omari Rush.  Since the conversation will be heard on and around Valentine's Day, the discussion focuses on what it means to be an art lover and the meaning that can be derived from art.

It's time to see a movie with that special someone!  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair talks to Michigan and State Theater executive director Russ Collins about the latest movie news and all of the flicks you can catch at your local movie house this Valentine's Day weekend.

Nearly 11 months after Eastern Michigan University announced it would eliminate women's tennis and softball, a federal judge has ordered them to reinstate those programs.  89.1 WEMU's Jorge Avellan has the details.
 

During her State of the State address, Governor Gretchen Whitmer presented proposals regarding better education, infrastructure, clean water, and equal rights for the LGBTQ community. 52nd District State Representative Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Township)  shared her impressions today with WEMU's David Fair.

On Tuesday night, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her first State of the State address, where she discussed such things as infrastructure, clean water, and the need for greater investment in education.  53rd District State Representative Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair this morning to share his thoughts on the address. 

Many young people remember being read to by their parents, whether it's a bedtime story or just a daily activity.  Of course, such an activity fades over time, but the Ypsilanti District Library believes that it shouldn't.  In fact, it should evolve into a more in-depth experience.  In this week's "On the Ground-Ypsi," WEMU's Patrick Campion and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg learn all about the "Ypsi Family Read" program from Ypsilanti librarians Jodi Krahnke and Gilliam Ream Gainsley.

There's been some severe winter weather over the past few weeks, thanks to the polar vortex.  Is this just a typical weather pattern, or another sign of climate change.  In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair looks into this phemonenon with Dr. Richard Rood, professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering at the University of Michigan. 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer set some big goals in her first State of the State Address Tuesday night.  She’s calling for major investments in infrastructure, education, and clean water, among other things.  But Republicans are skeptical about the costs of her ideas.  As Jake Neher reports, the speech represents a bold vision for Michigan that’s already sparking partisan divisions.

A small rally was held Tuesday afternoon after a black doll was found hanging from the shower rod of a dormitory bathroom at Eastern Michigan University.  89.1 WEMU's Jorge Avellan attended the rally.
 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will give her first State of the State address tonight.

The most ancient form of artistic expression is architecture.  Whether in it's in our own backyard or across the world, architects have created buildings of all shapes and sizes.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's Patrick Campion and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich talk to Kristen Nyht, who talks about her work with the Quinn Evans archtectural firm in Ann Arbor and as president of the Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

The Washtenaw County Health Department recently published a new report that looks behind the facts and numbers of the growing opioid epidemic and focuses on a comprehensive community approach to the problem.

89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talks to a county epidemiologist who authored the report focusing on "how did we get here" when it comes to the increase in deadly opioid overdoses.

Hundreds of residents, politicians and community members in general gathered Monday in Dearborn for former Congressman John Dingell's visitation.  89.1 WEMU's Jorge Avellan attended and has the story.
 

In our bi-weekly conversation with the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, 89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talks to Nancy Schewe and Carol Burke about plans to commemorate the upcoming anniversary of the 19th Amendment with a year-long event in Washtenaw County involving and engaging as many people as they can.

State lawmakers are trying to once again raise the age of who is considered an ‘adult’ in the criminal justice system.

The student body president at Eastern Michigan University is asking a professor to resign after posting a racist acronym on social media last year.  89.1 WEMU's Jorge Avellan has the story.

The nation’s longest serving Congressional member has passed away.  Michigan representative John Dingell died at home Thursday at the age of 92.  89.1 WEMU’s David Fair reports on the life and legacy of a political giant.

Eastern Michigan University's Health Administration Student Organization is urging you to "give the gift of life."  EMU is again participating in the Gift of Life Michigan Campus Challenge, "During the five-week Gift of Life Michigan Campus Challenge, colleges and universities compete to see which school can sign up the most people to donate life."  Patrick Campion sat down with Earlene Stone, President of HASO, to talk about organ donation, the competition, and how exactly you inspire college students to discuss this difficult subject.  

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s plans to restructure the state Department of Environmental Quality could be over.

The life of retired Congressman John Dingell is filled with decades of great service.  In fact, that service has led to many of his former staff members to seek office for themselves.  Among them is Washtenaw County commissioner Andy LaBarre, who talks about his tenure with Dingell with WEMU's David Fair.

With nearly 60 years in Congress, John Dingell's impact on people and places across Michigan and across the country was significant and far reaching.

89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke with Dingell's final chief of staff Leigh Greden, who is currently chief of staff in the president's office at Eastern Michigan University.

John Dingell has touched many lives in many different ways.  89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talked with current Washtenaw County commissioner Jason Morgan, who used to work for the Dingells.  Morgan shares his personal reflections on John and Debbie Dingell and how John's commitment to "work for the people" influenced his own choice to run for office.

The third and final construction phase of Eastern Michigan University's science complex has been completed, and a dedication ceremony was held Thursday afternoon.  89.1 WEMU's Jorge Avellan attended and has the story.  
 

This week, "Art and Soul" focuses on the culinary arts.  89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry is joined by writer, food expert, and host of the Sunday afternoon jazz music show "The In Crowd" Jessica Webster as they talk to one of the owners of Ann Arbor's Logan about plans to open a new different type of restaurant soon.