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1st Friday Focus on the Environment
The First Friday of Every Month
  • There has been an intensified effort to invest in Michigan’s infrastructure. Certainly, you’ve noticed all of the road and bridge construction. There is much more work on being done on various kinds of infrastructure. Zach Kolodin is the state's chief infrastructure officer and the director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. He discussed the ongoing efforts with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.
  • The U.S. Department of Defense is finally going to take meaningful action to protect Lake Huron from PFAS contamination emanating from the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. This action in Michigan may serve as a template for clean-ups at nearly 400 other bases across the country. The progress can be attributed to the efforts of concerned Michigan residents. Tony Spaniola is an Oscoda resident and co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the latest information and what comes next.
  • 2024 is a presidential election year, and Michigan's primary is earlier than ever before. What role will the environment play in this year's election cycle? How are climate issues playing among Michigan's voters? Will the state remain blue or turn red? And what role do the green issues play in forecasting outcomes? WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak explore the latest polling with Andrew Baumann from Global Strategy Group on the January edition of WEMU's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment."
  • This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed historic legislation into law aimed at improving the health and sustainability of Michigan's environment, and we wanted to take a deeper dive into what that is going to look like. WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak found Kara Cook to provide insights as WEMU’s 1st Friday guest. Kara provides perspective from her position in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
  • The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative fights for funding every budget cycle. A potential government shutdown this year could have adverse impacts on the health of the world's largest fresh water supply. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak discuss progress and challenges with Laura Rubin. She is the director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.
  • The month of September is going to be an important one for Michigan’s Environmental and energy future. A number of measures are being considered in the state Legislature aimed increasing availability and access to more renewable energy. State Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to discuss the proposed legislation and its potential impacts.
  • The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has a new director. Phil Roos was recently appointed to the position by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Roos will be charged with taking on a number of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of Michigan's air, land and water. In his first media appearance since taking charge of EGLE, Roos discussed his plans with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.
  • Canadian wildfires have lowered air quality in Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan. Climate change is impacting local and statewide agricultural practices and outcomes. Tim Boring is the director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak to share insights into how the state is working toward climate adaptation and resiliency in the face of significant challenges.
  • If decarbonization efforts are going to be successful, we'll have to retrofit our existing structures and better design and build our new ones. And it needs to be done through the lens of equity and social justice. Jan Culbertson is the leadership chair for the Ann Arbor 2030 District. She joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to discuss local and statewide efforts to meet those challenges.
  • The Michigan Legislature is putting final touches on its budget proposal, and environmental issues are prominent. This is the first time in 40 years both chambers and the governor’s office are led by Democrats at the same time. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conversation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, went straight to the source. State Senator Sarah Anthony chairs the Appropriations Committee. They discussed planned funding for environmental protections and more equitable distribution of funding for environmental and social justice programs.