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Energy costs are a significant problem for many in our community, and utility bills are going up everywhere. In this month's installment of “1st Friday Focus on the Environment”, we look at the issue of energy equity with Dr. Tony Reames. He is Director of the Detroit Sustainability Clinic at the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability. Dr. Reames joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak with an assessment of where we are on energy equity and where we're headed.

February is here, and there are plenty of new returning and continuing movies to see! WEMU's David Fair sat down with Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink to discuss your options over the next week.

The 97th Academy Awards are just days away now! WEMU's David Fair and Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink discuss who may be the big winners at this weekend's ceremony. Plus, they chat about the new films and special screenings coming to your favorite downtown movie houses and they pay tribute to actor Gene Hackman, who has passed away at the age of 95.

Founded in 2001, the nonprofit Girls on the Run Southeast Michigan has provided high-quality, research-backed programming that blends physical activity with life skill development for over 24,000 girls in Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw Counties. With nine locations in Ypsilanti, Girls on the Run aims to help participants realize their limitless potential and boldly pursue their dreams. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale shares more about the program with one of the Ypsilanti site leaders, Estabrook Elementary teacher Cheri Cottrell, on this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

The Trump administration has rolled back a Biden administration plan that would have set more stringent PFAS discharge limits into water sources. The Huron River is already contaminated with the forever chemicals. WEMU's David Fair checked in with Huron River Watershed Council executive director Rebecca Esselman, who gave an update on the current health of the Huron and what rollbacks in environmental protections may mean for the future health of the river.

Since 1972, the Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale has performed throughout the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area. But it is not just a singing group. It is an educational institution aimed at serving the youth in the region and their families, and at the fore is the commitment to ensuring the African American concert spiritual remains a viable part of the community's artistic landscape. Donna Smith and LaVonte’ Heard from the Chorale joined WEMU's David Fair for this week’s "Washtenaw United."

WEMU's David Fair presented a special edition of "Cinema Chat" this week. He was joined by Leslie Raymond, executive director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival. They discussed what you can expect for the 2025 edition of the longest running experimental film festival in the country!

Safe and affordable housing for older residents in Washtenaw County is a growing problem. Additionally, there are clear inequities among race and gender when it comes to elder housing. By 2028, there will more people in Washtenaw County 55 and older than there are under the age of 18. We’ll explore where we are and what programs are being implemented in anticipation of further senior housing issues. Yvonne Cudney from the Housing Bureau for Seniors at the U of M joined WEMU's David Fair for an update on this week’s "Washtenaw United."

When we talk about poverty in Washtenaw County, we often divide the county into east and west. Ann Arbor is the haves on the west side of US-23, and Ypsilanti is the have-nots on the east side of the county. But that is an oversimplification. There are people in poverty throughout the county, include further south along US-23 in the Milan area. The organization Aid in Milan is helping meet the needs of over 100 families a week with needs like housing, transportation, employment, childcare and cost of living. WEMU's David Fair talked with its executive director, Andrew Felder, about Aid in Milan’s work and the prospects for a better future.

Marquee Arts cinema program director, Nick Alderink, has returned from the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. He screened a good number of films with an eye towards bringing them to the big screens in Ann Arbor. Nick talked all about it with WEMU's David Fair.