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The creative arts can play a significant role in providing structure and direction for our at-risk children. However, access to such programs often prove difficult for many families, particularly in lower income communities and communities of color. How can youngsters connect with strong mentors and gain access to good training? That’s the mission of Elevation Youth Corp. WEMU's David Fair talked with the group's president, Keith Ragland, and its executive director, Yolanda Ragland, about engaging and connecting at-risk youngsters to a brighter future.

There are so many American myths: the Mayflower Story, George Washington never telling a lie, and then there is Francis Scott Key penning the lyrics to what became our national anthem. How much is of the "Star-Spangled Banner" story is true? Join Deb Polich on this edition of "creative impact." She welcomes back musicologist Mark Clague, whose new book, "O Say Can You Hear?" breaks down the music from the myth.

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.

A lot of new cars can drive themselves down the middle of a lane and adjust speed to match traffic. Some even let you go hands-free at times. But they all require very close supervision.

The United Way's National Day of Action is right around the corner. Local volunteers in communities around the country work on a number of projects aimed…

Moving ably from verse to historical prose, poet Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz chronicles the life and work of an unsung medical innovator in the exhaustively researched Dr. Mütter's Marvels.

Washtenaw County Clerk and Register of Deeds Larry Kestenbaum moonlights in the creative world as photographer, illustrator, and the master sleuth behind "The Political Graveyard," the most comprehensive single free source for American political biographies, including how politicians died and where they are buried. Join Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact" when Larry tells her about his obsession with political history.

As a recording artist and music producer, Dr. Rod Wallace amplifies hip hop. He is an educator who applies the study of music technology to ignite and inspire youth. Rod is busy planning the March 2nd Detroit Electronic Music Conference at Washtenaw Community College. Meet him when he joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs, are a significant part of the American food and agricultural systems in Michigan and around the country. We knew CAFOs posed hazards to the environment, but a new report indicates it is worse than previously thought. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, spoke with one of the authors of the report, Katie Garvey. She is a staff attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center, and she discussed the troubling findings in the center’s 2024 report.

There are underserved portions of our community, and among them are newcomers to Washtenaw County. Immigrants make up an important part of the area's workforce but often struggle to gain a stable foundation on which to build a new life in our country and in our county. WEMU's David Fair talked about the efforts to welcome and support immigrants with Shrina Eadeh of Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County.