News

The Ypsilanti skies were filled with action and excitement this past weekend.  Folks from all across Michigan flocked to the Willow Run airport to catch the 2018 Thunder Over Michigan event.  In this week's "On the Ground-Ypsi," WEMU's Patrick Campion talks about what unfolded at this year's aerial display with Concentrate Media reporter Brianna Kelly and Concentrate Media photographer Doug Coombe.

The state of Michigan this month issued, then expanded, a “Do Not Eat Fish” advisory for portions of the Huron River.  It cited unusually high levels of PFAS in the fish it tested.  PFAS are a compound of chemicals known to cause cancer and other medical issues.  In this week’s “Issues of the Environment,” Huron River Watershed Council executive director Laura Rubin dispels some misconceptions about the advisory and discusses the concerns the contamination raises for the present and future health of the river.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) might be in for a shakeup – and Michigan could feel the effects.

In this week's "creative:impact," prepare for a rare WEMU crossover event!  WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance president and CEO Deb Polich talk with Michigan and State Theater executive director--and "Cinema Chat" co-host--Russ Collins!  They'll discuss  what operating movie theaters means to the economic and community growth.

The judge who told Larry Nassar she signed his death warrant when she sentenced him says there is no reason for him to be resentenced.  Nassar is the former Michigan State University sports doctor who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting multiple young patients.

A federal judge says an independent candidate for Michigan’s Attorney General might be able to go on the ballot.  That is, if he has 5,000 valid signatures.

This week, on "In the Public Interest," our bi-weekly conversation with the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, 89.1 WEMU’s Lisa Barry gets the lowdown on some interesting league history from member Susan Wooley.

Michigan Democrats finalized their portion of the November ballot this weekend.  There were few surprises yesterday at the Democratic convention.

The Michigan Republican party has it’s ticket finalized for the November election.  While multiple people called for unity, there is still some discontent within the party.

Whether another initiative can go on the November ballot could be decided by the Michigan Supreme Court.

This week, "Art and Soul" focuses on the performing arts in our area.  89.1 WEMU’s Lisa Barry is joined by local writer and reviewer Jenn Mckee and local actor Dominic Seipenko, talking about his part in the musical now being put on by the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre…and even sings a bit!

In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair and Russ Collins talk about all of the latest films hitting theaters this weekend.  Plus, Russ announces a special event to honor the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

On the south side of Ypsilanti, last-minute preparations are being made for the upcoming Parkridge Summer Festival.  In this week's "On the Ground-Ypsi," WEMU's Lisa Barry and Concentrate Media's Brianna Kelly learn about what to expect from this festival from Bryan Foley and Cherisa Allen, who are both members of the Parkridge Summer Festival Steering Committee.

The impacts of exposure to lead are costly to both public health and Michigan's bottom line.  While the Flint Water Crisis brought greater awareness of lead exposure hazards, lead-based paints continue to damage children throughout the state.  In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair speaks with Rebecca Meuninck, Deputy Director of the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, to discuss new EPA standards for the amount of lead permitted in household paint, dust, and soil.  

Michigan hasn’t prioritized public health – and now it’s paying for it.  That’s according to a new report from the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, a non-profit public affairs research organization.

There are a number of challenges for entrepreneurs and prospective start-up businesses.  Overcoming those challenges was the focus of conversation at Spark East in Ypsilanti Tuesday morning.  The event was part of the larger "Startup Week Across America" effort to showcase innovation and educate lawmakers on how to bettter support new business development.  U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell attended and shared her takeaways with WEMU's David Fair. 

Music certainly plays a large part in the artistic world.  It can also stimulate the academic part of our brains, too.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance president and CEO Deb Polich found the perfect person with which to to explore the subject.  Dr. Mark Clague is a noted musicologist and is Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. 

It won't be long before students of all ages start a new school year, but there's still a few things to do in the world of civic engagement.  WEMU's David Fair and the CivCity Initiative's Mary Morgan will talk about back-to-school preparations in the Ann Arbor area, as well as developments in Ann Arbor city business, in this week's "Civic Matters."

History gives us the opportunity to better understand the past and predict the future.  A missing piece of Washtenaw County history, dating back to 1898, was recently discovered sparking a community effort to share the local piece of history with area residents.

89.1 WEMU’s Lisa Barry follows the path to the past and the future of dozens of historic beams from inside an old log cabin in Ann Arbor that, until recently, were…hidden in plain sight.

This week, "Art and Soul" is about the art of well being.  89.1 WEMU’s Lisa Barry talks with Dr. Steve Taubman about how humor helps deal with the many challenges life presents.

With the passing of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, a lot of people are grieving and sharing memories of her life changing music and career.

89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke to Kali Thiel, director of news and publications for Concordia University in Ann Arbor, where one of Aretha's prized concert pianos is located.

In this week's "Cinema Chat," WEMU's David Fair sits down with Michigan and State Theater executive director Russ Collins to discuss the latest movie news.  Plus, they'll preview all of the new films coming to your local movie house this weekend.

Former state Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons will be Bill Schuette’s running mate for the 2018 gubernatorial election. 

Larry Nassar’s attempt to have a new judge consider his appeal in Ingham County has been denied.  Nassar is the former Michigan State University sports doctor who sexually assaulted his patients for years.