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More than 230 environmental organizations and public interest groups have signed on to a petition asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the utility industry for harming the public by putting up barriers to rooftop solar and renewable energy expansion. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, took a deeper dive into the effort to reign in the power of America’s utility industry with Matt Kasper. Matt is deputy director at the Energy and Policy Institute.

There's still a little bit of summer left, so why not catch a good movie in in the cool of a theater? WEMU's David Fair and Russ Collins got together to offer a preview of what the world of cinema has to offer in our area this week.

There is a significant immigrant community in Washtenaw County, and the process of arriving, getting settled, and creating a future can be difficult. That's where Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County (JFS) gets to work. Learn about the entirety of the process, the challenges and successes and how the more than 10,000 who have resettled here are contributing to greater cultural awareness and opportunity for everyone. JFS Resettlement director Shrina Eadeh joined WEMU's David Fair to shine a light on an under-recognized portion of our community.

As the climate crisis worsens, the drive to more quickly create sustainable, renewable energy systems is picking up steam. But there are barriers slowing things down. For example, Manchester Township recently denied a permit that would have allowed for a 159-acre solar farm. State House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski represents that part of Washtenaw County, and she shares her perspective with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.

Reccently, Ashanti Allona Harris fell short in her effort to fill a 3rd Ward vacancy by winning appointment to Ypsilanti City Council. Now, she'll try and earn that seat in the November general election. WEMU's Josh Hakala explains.

We talk a lot about equity and inclusion in our community. It's about access to opportunity. For those with disabilities, gaining full access can still prove difficult. Alex Gossage has used his personal experience with disability to guide the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living to a brighter and more accessible future. He talks about some new programs and initiatives underway to change that in our area with WEMU's David Fair.

The same Wixom company that dumped PFAs into the Huron River may be causing more damage with the release of a carcinogenic chemical into the sewer system. Monitoring continues to see if the contamination will reach Washtenaw County. Huron River Watershed Council executive director, Rebecca Esselman, joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest on the health of the Huron River.

The Huron River has, once again, been put at risk because of a chemical spill. First it was PFAS contamination, and now it's Hexavalent Chromium. In both instances, the same Wixom-based company is responsible. Yet, the laws in Michigan do not allow for holding the company liable. That wasn't always the case. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, got together with the author of Michigan's original and now-dismantled polluter pay legislation. Former Ann Arbor State Senator Lana Pollack weighed in on the need to re-institute liability laws to better protect the environment.

There's a new 47th State house seat in Lansing that is a mix of urban and rural areas that stretch from Ann Arbor to Jackson County. WEMU's Cathy Shafran looks at contested races on both sides of the political aisle.

The 2nd District Washtenaw County Commission race comes with both passion for policies and a fair share of controversy. WEMU's Cathy Shafran previews the race between Crystal Lyte and Stephen Lange Ranzini.