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The 2026 Cinetopia Film Festival is now in the books! WEMU's David Fair talks all about the festival's highlights with Marquee Arts' own Nick Alderink. They also chat about the new films landing on the silver screen this weekend and Ann Arbor's next round of special screenings.

Cinetopia 2026 is now officially underway! Opening the festival is the documentary "Sons of Detroit," directed by Jeremy Xido. In this special edition of "Cinema Chat," Xido talks about his film with WEMU's David Fair and Marquee Arts' Nick Alderink. Plus, David and Nick will chat about all of the special screenings coming to Ann Arbor!

Noise Permit is a youth program developed by the Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) and Ozone House designed to help teens explore their creativity through audio technology. Thanks to a new source of funding, the program will expand into the world of video technology. Lee Van Roth discussed the program's new direction with YDL staff member Shayla Card-Nowlin.

Whenever you go to renew your driver's license, you are asked if you want to become an organ donor, if you are not already. Right now, only 58% of the Michigan adult population has joined the registry. April is National Donate Life Month. WEMU's David Fair got together with Gift of Life Michigan President and CEO Dorrie Dils to discuss all of the issues surrounding organ donation.

The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) has been making strides in its efforts to rehabilitate and transform Woodlawn Cemetery in Ypsilanti Township, the only known African American graveyard in Washtenaw County. AACHM Board Chair Dr. Debby Covington joined Lee Van Roth to talk about the progress already made on the project and what else is planned.

Today is Earth Day. The theme for Earth Day 2026 is "Our Power, Our Planet." To mark the occasion, we take a look at the power of natural river flow and the benefits and consequences of man-made dams. There are some legislative reforms under consideration in Lansing, and, in the meantime, there are a number of dams in Washtenaw County in different states of functionality. Huron River Watershed Council executive director Rebecca Esselman joined WEMU's David Fair for a look at where the power of policy and funding will lead us in the years ahead.

It is 2026, and all too often, we continue to see incidents of discrimination in housing. In fact, because of increasing complaints, the Fair Housing Center of Washtenaw County had to rebrand as the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan about 10 years ago. Why is this still happening? WEMU's David Fair talked it over with the Fair Housing Center’s executive director, Kristen Cuhran.

The march toward carbon neutrality in Ann Arbor continues. In enacting the measures needed to make the A2ZERO plan work by the goal date of 2030, it has to be approached from a variety of angles. That includes boots on the ground. That’s where the Ann Arbor Climate Corps comes in. It helps bridge the gap between city policy and neighborhood level implementation, and it’s been working so far. But now, there is the potential elimination of federal AmeriCorps funding. Maggie Halpern is program manager for Ann Arbor Climate Corps. In her conversation with WEMU's David Fair, she talks about what options are being considered, should that come to pass, and the work the Climate Corps will continue doing in Ann Arbor.

We're entering the summer movie season, and WEMU's David Fair met up with Nick Alderink from Marquee Arts to chat about the new films and special screenings arriving on the silver screen to kick things off.

Access to quality healthcare is becoming an issue for more and more people. For people of color and for those in lower income zip codes, the problem has always existed. One out of every seven adults in Michigan is dealing with chronic kidney disease and one in three are at risk. Experts call it a silent epidemic. If diagnosed early, it can be treated and managed, but all too many find out too late. The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan has been combatting this issue since 1955 by providing prevention programs and services to high-need populations. WEMU's David Fair looked at the growing need and demand for service and assistance with the foundation's Director of Policy and Programs, Crystal D'Agostino.