Search results for

We’re about to enter a new year, and Michigan and Washtenaw County are looking to grow environmental sector jobs. In November, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the Clean Energy and Jobs Act. Supporters say it puts Michigan on a path for quicker buildout of renewable energy, like wind and solar. And that could mean significant job growth. Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi is a proponent of such measures and advocated for such legislation when serving as a state representative. He joined WEMU's David Fair to take a look at what growth we might see in Washtenaw County in 2024.

Icy roads are synonymous with Michigan winter, and the Washtenaw County Road Commission uses about 18,000 tons of salt in an average year to keep the roads safe. It is the most cost-effective way to treat the roads, but it is horrible for the environment. A new University of Michigan-led research project seeks to find solutions in the natural environment. WEMU's David Fair was joined by Anish Tuteja. He is a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Michigan and is serving as the project’s principal investigator.

There are some new faces in office in Washtenaw County government following the November general election, and that includes a new Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner. Former Saline Mayor and Democratic State Representative Gretchen Driskell won election to the office after Evan Pratt decided against running for reelection after three terms in the position. WEMU's David Fair talked with Evan about his 12 years in office and the challenges his successor will face in her first term.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, food insecurity is on high in Washtenaw County. Eileen Spring is president and CEO of Food Gatherers, and she says, since the pandemic, the demand for food assistance has skyrocketed and continues to go up. What is being done to address this glaring community need? Part of the solution also provides some rather amazing environmental benefits. Eileen joined WEMU's David Fair for a discussion on dealing with food insecurity and how food rescue also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The leading cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing, and that's especially true here in Washtenaw County. Avalon Housing in Ann Arbor works to solve this problem by building more supportive housing communities. The group's co-executive directors, Scott Ellis and Molly Smith, joined Decky Alexander to talk about Avalon's ongoing mission and what may lie ahead for the organization.

The No Child Left Behind Act — which Congress approved with overwhelming bipartisan support — is now drawing sharp bipartisan opposition. The law is up for reauthorization, and many — including those who originally supported it — are pointing out its flaws.

Nine days after Hurricane Fiona, hundreds of thousands in Puerto Rico still lack electricity. Mayors are calling on retired electrical workers, despite threats legal from the private electric utility.

The Rapid Action Batallion fights crime and terrorism in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Human rights activists say 340 deaths attributed to the RAB are extra-judicial killings. But crime is down and ordinary citizens seem less concerned about a lack of due process.

It was a massive explosion at Baptist Al Ahli hospital — a Christian hospital and one of the oldest in Gaza. Doctors there tell NPR they are still uncovering bodies

Many North Korean defectors in South Korea use a secret network of brokers to stay connected to those back home. But recently, South Korea investigated some of those brokers for espionage.