News

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.

Over a hundred years since the pandemic of 1918, our current public health crisis is happening in a very similar manner to what happened then... killing hundreds of thousands of people.

Lisa Barry talks with the Assistant Director of the Center for the History of Medicine at the University of Michigan, Dr. Alex Navarro, about how what's happening now compares to what happened back then.

Washtenaw County residents aged 50 and over may not get out and about as easily as younger folks.  It can be even harder for those with less financial means.  A new pilot program called "AARP Ride@50+" was developed to make public transit more accesible, and its community development manager, Alison Petersen, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the program and what it has, so far, achieved. 

Ypsilanti officials have declared a local state of emergency.

President Joe Biden is preparing an extensive bill to improve infrastructure and create jobs.  12th District Representative Debbie Dingell advocates passage of the plan.  The Dearborn Democrat joined WEMU's David Fair and also discussed proposed gun control measures and the alarming surge in the number of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. 

This month marks the 20th anniversary of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Education and efforts continue in Washtenaw County, including this weekend's "Everesting Challenge."  SafeHouse Center executive director Barbara Niess-May, and two of the center's board members, will take on the challenge to to raise awareness of the ongoing challenges and money to address them.  Niess-May disucussed all of it in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair. 

The City of Ann Arbor is preparing for a massive swarm of cicadas this spring.

The Ann Arbor Public Art Commission is an advisory body to City Council with the goal of creating public art in Ann Arbor that improves the aesthetic quality of public spaces and structures and provides cultural and recreational opportunities.  Lisa Barry and Omari Rush talk to commission chair Allison Buck about public art in the city and the revival of the Golden Paintbrush Award.

The Oscars are just a few weeks away, and the box office seems to be coming back to life.  In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins talk about the latest movie news and all of the flicks coming your way in the theaters and online this weekend.

To ensure Michiganders remain hypervigilant about protecting themselves from someone stealing personal information and to protect them from increasingly more sophisticated robocalls, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel talks to WEMU's Lisa Barry about her efforts to stop these crimes. 

They also discuss her reaction to recent public comments calling her and other top women leaders in the state "witches." 

The University of Michigan has unveiled a new plan to start vaccinating students next week.

We know, with certainty, the climate crisis is negatively impacting our environment.  It is also having adverse affects on pubic health, particularly in communities of color and among low-income familes.  Dr. Lisa Del Buono is the founder of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action.  She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss her organization's advocacy of a carbon-fee plan to comprehensively address the issues. 

Established by Ann Arbor's Leon Speakers and Ypsilanti-based Grove Studios, there is a new Amplify Fellowship meant to support musicians of color living in Washtenaw County.  Lisa Barry talks with On the Ground Ypsi project manager Sarah Rigg and Maia Evans, co-founder of the fellowship, about who and what is involved.

The Ypsilanti District Library will finally break ground on a new Superior Township branch, and the public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, April 7th.  Lisa Barry talks with Sam Killian of the library system about how this new facility has been a long time in the making and how the community will benefit.

Even though vaccine eligibility has expanded, the state of Michigan has faced a surge in COVID-19 cases.  The number of variant cases and hospitalizations has risen as well.  WEMU's David Fair spoke with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia about the trends found in our community. 

Meet Carla Dirlikov Canales, Ypsilanti native, renowned opera singer, and arts advocate.  She is also founder of the Canales Project, an organization that uses the arts to bridge cultural divides.  She joined Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair to talk about how she uses her voice to advocate for the arts and creativity in the halls of Congress and across the world. 

The nation's oldest ladder manufacturer is in Ypsilanti, and it's folding.  WEMU's Heather Irvine has more.

Ann Arbor’s curbside collection of compostable materials resumed this week.  WEMU’s Heather Irvine reports.

We are officially in the midst of tax season.  For many Washtenaw County residents, it is stressful, especially for those who have struggled financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  Still, volunteers working at the United Way of Washtenaw County's VITA program are ready to provide tax advice and assistance.  VITA program manager Emma Roeder joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation about the program's current efforts on this week's "Washtenaw United."

Ann Arbor Public Schools is resuming COVID-19 testing of student athletes today.

Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of attention on Washtenaw County--most of it positive, but not all.  WEMU’s David Fair and 12th District Congressional Representative Debbie Dingell discuss increased investment in combatting coronavirus in the area and at Willow Run Airport.  The Dearborn Democrat also explains why she has asked the federal Department of Education to look at Title IX allegations leveled against Eastern Michigan University.

The University of Michigan has initiated a carbon neutrality plan unlike any other.  If effective, the school could become completely carbon neutral by the year 2040.  In this month's installment of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak explored the U-M President's Commission on Carbon Neutrality plan with Jennifer Haverkamp, the chair of the recently dispersed commission and director of the Graham Sustainability Institute.

Cookie lovers can find a unique cookie variety at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.  Called "Frick'n Good Cookies," they are named after the Frick family who went into business nearly a year ago making and selling cookies with a unique shape and flavor.

Lisa Barry talks with Mikayla Frick, who helped create the cookie company using her grandmother's secret recipe and technique.