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Ann Arbor City Council recently approved contributions to its first project in its innovative Bluebelt initiative. The Bluebelt program is a supplement and extension of the city’s Greenbelt land preservation program. It aims to improve area water quality. Now, in partnership with Washtenaw County and Scio Township, Ann Arbor is purchasing the Davenport Property just west of the city, along Mill Creek. That will add 79 acres of woods, wetlands and farmland. WEMU's David Fair got an update on the Bluebelt program with Ann Arbor Land Acquisition Specialist, Rosie Pahl Donaldson.

Inside a shared commercial kitchen in Ypsilanti, Growing Hope is helping local food entrepreneurs turn ideas into sustainable livelihoods, offering not only space, but support, mentorship, and community. Among the graduates of Growing Hope's "Incubator Kitchen" program is Eric Kinsler-Holloway, owner/operator of EK's Cheesecakes. He shares his culinary success story with Lee Van Roth for this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

Thousands across Michigan proudly decide to become Girl Scouts. The program is robustly present in Washtenaw County, too. The mission of the organization is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Still, scouting has had its fair share of controversies through the years. Brenna West is Chief Communications Officer with the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. She talked to WEMU's David Fair about the drive for equity, equality and inclusion and about some of the hurdles in helping girls get to that place.

Ypsilanti's Family Empowerment Program (FEP), which is based out of Eastern Michigan University's Engage@EMU office, provides supportive housing services to residents of low-income public housing communities. Now in its 15th year, the program serves about 900 individuals across all Ypsilanti Housing Commission communities. Lee Van Roth discussed the program's accomplishments with FEP's resident service coordinator, Lamar Thomas.

The Willow Run Airport is among those dealing with PFAS contamination. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has placed the airport within the state’s environmental mitigation efforts tied to aviation contamination. Willow Run will get a $250,000 grant to test and monitor for current pollution and to control or reduce additional contamination and to evaluate clean-up strategies. WEMU's David Fair spoke with EGLE Senior Geologist Eric Larson about the problem and potential solutions to aviation PFAS contamination at Willow Run and around the state.

Just about 40 miles from our WEMU studios sits a 440-acre lake plain prairie. It’s called the Sibley Prairie, and you’ll find it in Brownstown Township. It is the largest and highest quality lake plain prairie in Michigan. As such, work is underway to try and permanently preserve this rare ecosystem. Jeff Vornhagen is Director-at-Large of the Huron Valley Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society. He spoke about the preservation project with WEMU's David Fair.

Gas prices are skyrocketing; there is also raging debate over data centers and the shift to a more renewable energy future is being set back. Jennifer Granholm has helped shape energy policy as the former Governor of Michigan and as the U.S. Energy Secretary in the Biden Administration. She shared her perspective in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters CEO and President, Lisa Wozniak.

The Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) has launched a new pilot repair clinic program. It allows residents to use YDL supplies and equipment to repair household items. And it's all for free! Lee Van Roth gets you fully informed through her conversation with librarian Aaron Smith on this week's On the Ground Ypsi!

The Beatles are coming back to Ann Arbor! The film "A Hard Day's Night" is coming to the Michigan Theater again, and it will be on 35-millimeter film! It exhibits just a week before the live concert event featuring the music of the Beatles with "The Fab Faux!" Additionally, the animated fantasy film "Kiki's Delivery Service" will make its debut. There are a lot of special and some free screenings of other movies, too! Find out all about it on this week's "Cinema Chat!"

Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Republicans agree: Enhancing literacy needs to be a greater statewide priority. While they negotiate how best to support literacy efforts, there are strong programs available through our libraries. WEMU's David Fair explored the underdiscussed and appreciated role of these institutions with the director of the Ann Arbor District Library, Eli Neiburger.