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This year's Oscars and Ann Arbor Film Festival are both in the books. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins get together to recap both events. They also chat about the new films and special screenings coming your way this weekend.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, this week, signed a nearly $5 billion dollar spending plan into law that will increase investment in infrastructure, water systems, quality and safety, and a number of other environmental measures. Will the plan create future sustainability? Will it only address short term-needs? Governor Whitmer provides the answers in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.

The tax deadline is rapidly approaching, and all too many in Washtenaw County can't afford to have someone prepare the forms for submission. Help is available. Patrick Cornelius oversees the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Washtenaw County and joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss tax code changes and finding those it helps with the biggest returns possible.

Nonprofits in Washtenaw County have been heavily reliant on volunteers as we manage our way through a global pandemic. The fact of the matter is, they've always been an important safety net and most are reliant on volunteers. Bridget Herrmann is Vice President for Impact and Advocacy at the United Way of Washtenaw County. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the need for greater participation and the ongoing efforts to better diversify the volunteer force.

The city of Ann Arbor has an ambitious environmental goal. It wants to utilize grant money to launch a plan to intends to decarbonize the Bryant neighborhood on the city's southeast side. Ann Arbor sustainability and innovations manager, Missy Stults, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss where the process stands and what it will take to become successful.

Back in the 1990's, the Border-to-Border Trail in Washtenaw County was still a concept. Fast forward to today, and more than 30 miles of trail have been completed, and more is on the way. Peter Sanderson is principal planner for the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Department. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss how far we've come, what's going to be done this year, and where we're headed in the future.

It's St. Patrick's Day, and we're looking to raise the green here at WEMU. But we still found time to talk about movies. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins meet again to talk about the latest film news and screenings coming up this weekend, as well as the State Theatre's upcoming 80th birthday!

The United Way of Washtenaw County has chosen the leader of the Washtenaw County Health Department as its 2022 Woman of the Year. Jimena Loveluck has spent over three decades working in the public health realm and continues the quest to create equity in care accessibility and health outcomes. She became chief health officer for Washtenaw County just months before the pandemic hit. The manner in which she has led the department and engaged the community has led to the award recognition. The legacy she continues to build made her the perfect choice as our first guest on WEMU's Washtenaw United Women’s History Month series.

The International Panel on Climate Change has issued a dire warning about inaction in addressing the climate crisis. The latest report spells it out but also provides some guidance on what local governments and communities can do to prevent catastrophic consequences. Climatologist and Huron River Watershed Council planner, Daniel Brown, joined WEMU's David Fair to look at the global, national and local measures that need to begin right now.

All too often, those with disabilities feel left out. The notion of community-wide inclusion to forge more meaningful and productive relationships to people of all abilities is behind the soon-to-open "Work & Play Cafe" in Ypsilanti. In the return of "On the Ground Ypsi," David Fair welcomed Concentrate Media's "On the Ground" project manager, Sarah Rigg, and the subject of her article, cafe co-founder Steve Berg.