David Fair

Getting Oscar fever? Marquee Arts has a cure for you! WEMU's David Fair was joined by Marquee Arts' Nick Alderink to discuss a special Oscar gala event coming to Ann Arbor! Plus, they discussed all of the new films and special screenings coming your way this week!

Did you stay up to watch the State of the Union last night? It was one of the longest in U.S. history. Along with many of her fellow Democrats, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor chose not to attend, but she did listen to President Trump's address to the nation. She joined WEMU's David Fair to present her thoughts on the speech.

The race to eliminate waste is on, and the University of Michigan is working to win! The Campus Race to Zero Waste is the nation’s leading collegiate waste-reduction competition. Michigan won the competition in 2024 but fell short last year. The 2026 competition is underway and runs through the end of March. WEMU's David Fair spoke with U-M Sustainability Program Manager Alison Richardson about the competition and how it benefits the environment.

Tax season is in full swing now. Not many people love paying taxes, but for low-income individuals and families, it can be a hardship just finding the money for someone to prepare the taxes. Here in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan, there is expert, IRS-certified tax preparation assistance available, and there is no cost to any individual or couple earning less than $69,000 a year. Last year, in Washtenaw County alone, it saved residents over $2 million. WEMU's David Fair got the details in this conversation with the United Way’s Megan Tybos.

WEMU's David Fair got together with Marquee Arts' own Nick Alderink to chat about the new films arriving in theaters this weekend and the latest round of special screenings coming to downtown Ann Arbor! Plus, they took time to remember actor Robert Duvall and filmmaker Frederick Wiseman, who both passed away this week.

As we continue the process of mapping out our energy future, there are a number of issues to address, from energy generation and storage to how our electric grids are developed, secured and controlled. State Senator Jeff Irwin is a proponent of virtual power plants as a part of the comprehensive solution. It would divert control of the grids away from the major, centralized utilities. The 15th District Democrat believes virtual power plants can give power to communities in determining their energy futures while saving ratepayers money. Learn more in his conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

Today is what many refer to as “Fat Tuesday” or Paczki Day. These rich, deep-fried Polish doughnuts are traditionally eaten to use up sugar and fat before Lent, and Southeast Michigan celebrates as much or more than any city in the country. The Dingell family has a long history with Paczkis and has created its own traditions around the day. WEMU's David Fair was joined by 6th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell to talk all about it and caught up on what is going on politically in the nation’s capital.

There is a long tradition of teenagers and young adults getting summer jobs to save up some money while school is out of session. It has seemingly become more difficult to land one of these jobs. That’s where SummerWorks comes in. Through partnership and collaboration, the SummerWorks summer youth employment program works with area employers to find paid internships and mentorship to area young people. It can go beyond a few summer dollars and be a pathway to self-discovery, an educational path and/or a career. WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Executive Vice President Andy LaBarre talked with program manager Kathleen Clancey about the program and how your kids and grandkids can get involved.

This winter in Washtenaw County has been notably colder and snowier than most of the past decade. It has created inconveniences and hardships. But there may be some benefits to all of the snow and cold. Snowier winters play an important ecological role beyond what we experience at the surface. WEMU's David Fair was joined by U-M Biological Station researcher, Dr. Olivia Vought to explore this winter’s environmental benefits and how it all works.

Research shows that having early childhood education produces better outcomes. Access and affordability are still issues for a great number of families. For parents of infants and toddlers, finding high quality and affordable day care has become increasingly difficult. Foundations Preschool of Washtenaw County has been working in this arena since 1934 and is the oldest, continuously running childcare center in Michigan. Here in 2026, it is still working through these issues with local families. WEMU's David Fair talked about access and affordability and the future of early education with executive director Sandy Williams.