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We’ve been through a stretch of bitter cold and wintery conditions. It has been inconvenient for most of us. For the unhoused, it has been potentially deadly. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Shelter Association of Washtenaw County executive director Nicole Adelman about the work and increased costs of helping those in need.

Data centers continue to be a major topic of discussion and community concern. Right here in Washtenaw County, there are at least four data center projects proposed or in development. Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi opposed tax incentives while he was a state legislator and even more have passed since his departure. WEMU’s David Fair caught up with Rabhi to discuss his positions on AI and the need for data centers.

Ypsilanti has been selected as one of six communities participating in Recast City's Recast Leaders Program, a new Southeastern Michigan cohort focused on strengthening local economies through small-scale manufacturing and product-based businesses. Lee Van Roth was joined by Recast City founder/CEO Ilana Preuss to discuss why Ypsilanti was selected for the program and what this work could mean for local businesses and residents.

The federal administration is cutting environmental programs and funding and further reducing regulations on polluting. The political environment in Washington, in and of itself, is toxic. On the February edition of WEMU’s "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak were joined by Democratic Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin to discuss policy and politics.

Research shows that having early childhood education produces better outcomes. Access and affordability are still issues for a great number of families. For parents of infants and toddlers, finding high quality and affordable day care has become increasingly difficult. Foundations Preschool of Washtenaw County has been working in this arena since 1934 and is the oldest, continuously running childcare center in Michigan. Here in 2026, it is still working through these issues with local families. WEMU's David Fair talked about access and affordability and the future of early education with executive director Sandy Williams.

We are now into February, and we got plenty of cinematic surprises in store for you! WEMU's David Fair meets up with Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink to chat about the new films landing on the big screen this weekend and the latest special screenings coming to Ann Arbor—many of which are free and open to the public!

Do you prefer books or reading your favorites on an e-reader? We’ll look at the ecological impacts of both choices and explore why other sustainable initiatives are more likely to positively impact the overall health of our environment. David Fair is joined by the director of the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan's School of Sustainability and Environment Greg Keoleian on this week's "Issues of the Environment."

Thomas Merton once said, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." That philosophy is similar to what an Ypsilanti-based program is creating. Miriam Kirscht is founder of Improvisation Heals. The program uses improvisational interaction to help overcome social anxieties and build confidence. WEMU's David Fair and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg discovered more about this innovative local program in this week's #OTGYpsi conversation.

The Academy Awards will be held this coming Sunday, March 27th. That's the same day the 60th Ann Arbor Film Festival comes to conclusion. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins update both and discuss some new film offerings becoming available to you on 'Cinema Chat.'

Women in leadership positions in unions and the labor movement are still the exception rather than the rule. On WEMU's final Women's History Month edition of "Washtenaw United," David Fair will introduce you to a local woman who is among the exceptions. Gloria Llamas worked her way up to become President of the Communication Workers of America union before her retirement. Today, she remains active in egalitarian efforts to achieve equity among women and workers here in Washtenaw County.