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Over this past summer, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy named a new chief climate officer. Alessandra Carreon was named to the position over the summer after serving on the Michigan Public Service commission. It is a challenging time to try and follow through on adaptation and resiliency policies. Alessandra will discuss how EGLE is proceeding and what the goal is by the end of the Whitmer Administration at the end of 2026 with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.

The holidays are just weeks away now, and a good movie always fits the bill! WEMU's David Fair met up with Marquee Arts cinema programming director, Nick Alderink. They discussed the new films and special holiday screenings coming to your favorite movie houses on this week's edition of "Cinema Chat".

A vision born from tragedy is giving hope to the future. In 2017, Julie and Scott Halpert’s 23-year old son Garrett died by suicide. In their grief, and in hopes of preventing others from taking their lives, the Halperts envisioned a campus that would provide support to young adults in a non-medical setting. The residential part of that campus will soon be a reality. It is called Garrett’s Space. WEMU's David Fair talked with executive director David Garcia about the vision, the mission and where construction of Garrett’s Space stands.

The Ann Arbor School District is making progress toward making its bus fleet entirely electric. The goal is full electrification by 2035. There are challenges in getting to where the district wants to be in terms of funding, infrastructure and reliability. WEMU's David Fair talked with the district’s manager of construction projects, Moe Nagpal, to find out what the process and procedure looks like.

There’s a new educational program that's literally transforming the landscape around Ypsilanti Community Schools, sometimes one sweet potato or pawpaw tree at a time. YCS has launched a new agriscience and botany career technical education program. It's part of a countywide push to expand hands-on learning opportunities for students. Lee Van Roth discussed the program and what it hopes to achieve with Ypsilanti Community High School biology teacher Laurel Wiinikka-Buesser.

The holiday shopping season is well underway. For many small business owners and retailers, the month of December can determine whether they finish the year in the black. That’s where the notion of “Think Local First” can make a difference. How will it turn out in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti this year? WEMU's David Fair and A2Y Regional Chamber Executive Vice President Andy LaBarre find out in their talk with Ypsilanti DDA director Elize Jekabson and Ashley Schafer, the Executive Director of Main Street Ann Arbor.

Washtenaw County is increasing efforts toward a more effective way of dealing with waste. 2023 amendments to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act requires all Michigan counties to develop a new “Materials Management Plan” that emphasizes recycling, organics diversion, and sustainable materials management rather than focusing solely on landfill capacity. Its led to some forward thinking and action plans here in Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair discussed those programs with Theo Eggermont, Public Works Director for the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office.

The federal administration has targeted environmental agencies and protection programs in its efforts to reshape the government. The Environmental Protection Agency has seen layoffs and firings and budget cuts. Now, there is a government shutdown creating more issues. WEMU's David Fair discussed immediate and longer-term impacts with Greg Dick, the Director of the Cooperative Institute of Great Lakes Research in Ann Arbor.

Earlier this year, Eastern Michigan University chemistry professor Dr. Ruth Ann Armitage and her students presented groundbreaking research on mummies at the World Congress on Mummy Studies in Peru. They're now back at EMU continuing to further the work. Dr. Armitage joined Lee Van Roth to discuss her South American experience, as well her ongoing studies.

It's a magical time at your favorite movie houses with the opening of the next "Wicked" film! WEMU's David Fair talks all about a series of Wicked-style events at the State Theatre with Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink. Plus, they provide a rundown of the many other new films and special screenings coming to Ann Arbor in the coming days!