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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.

After a week away, WEMU's David Fair returns to chatting about cinema with Marquee Arts executive director Russ Collins. As they do every week, they deliver all of the details on new films and the many special screenings coming to Ann Arbor!

There are a good number of private septic systems in Washtenaw County. Assessments show that nearly half of those systems have exceeded their expected lifespans and could fail in the near future. That would not only threaten the ecosystems of local waterways but also put public health in jeopardy. The Huron River Watershed Council is advocating that the private septic systems be replaced with centralized water treatment systems. WEMU's David Fair talked with the council’s Ric Lawson about what it would take to make that change.

While we work on big, community environmental initiatives and goals, we have to remember that sometimes it’s the small, everyday choices we make at home that add up to a big difference. Washtenaw County has robust reuse and recycle programs. With the growing amount of electronics in our lives, we are often left with decisions to make about how best to get rid of those items. WEMU's David Fair talked with Washtenaw County Public Works Director Theo Eggermont about our options and the kind of difference our choices can make.

Are you familiar with pocket forests? These are dense plantings of native trees and shrubs that can influence water movement and soil conditions and improve the environment and ecosystem in a targeted area. There are already some in Washtenaw County, and more are coming. WEMU's David Fair talked about the growing number of small-scale ecological projects with Dr. Heather Chen-Yost, who is a volunteer with the Tree Town Urban Forest Team.

The mid-July Canadian wildfires released intensive amounts of smoke, resulting in days of hazardous air quality in Washtenaw County and all across Southeast Michigan. Studies have shown that climate change remains a major factor in these extreme conditions. Dr. Stuart Batterman, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Health Sciences and Global Public Health at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, joined Rebekah Warren to discuss these studies in detail and what future precautions should be taken.

Just after World War II, the Vatican instructed French Catholic authorities not to hand baptized Jewish children back to their parents, according to a recently revealed document. The discovery has re-rekindled disputes over the wartime role of Pope Pius XII.