Search results for

A Washtenaw County program is investing in business startups in the Ypsilanti area. And those investments are already paying off in jobs and business development. WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale bring you background on the "Innovate Ypsi" program with SPARK East's director of entrepreneurial services, Kristine Nash-Wong, in this edition of "On the Ground Ypsi."

WEMU wrapped up its fall fundraiser last week, and we're continuing the celebration with new movies! David Fair chats about the latest films and film news with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director, Russ Collins.

Acts of gun violence and deaths have reached epidemic levels throughout the United States. The group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is focused on reducing gun violence. Rylee Barnsdale speaks with Washtenaw County's chapter lead, Rochelle Igrisan, about the work they are doing in Washtenaw County and to highlight some upcoming events.

The race to eliminate waste is on, and the University of Michigan is working to win! The Campus Race to Zero Waste is the nation’s leading collegiate waste-reduction competition. Michigan won the competition in 2024 but fell short last year. The 2026 competition is underway and runs through the end of March. WEMU's David Fair spoke with U-M Sustainability Program Manager Alison Richardson about the competition and how it benefits the environment.

After two decades of nurturing young writers from a whimsical robot shop in Ann Arbor, the nonprofit organization, 826michigan, has relocated its headquarters to Ypsilanti. It's a move aimed at deepening impact and expanding access to literacy education. Lee Van Roth talks to 826michigan's grants writer, Catherine Calabro-Cavin, about the move to Eastern Michigan University's College of Education and what that means for the future.

The Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) is making summer more accessible, educational, and fun for everyone in the community. The library's eighth annual Summer Challenge, where readers of all ages earn badges for prizes, to free meals, mutual aid programs, and teen-led music showcases, offers a full slate of free programming. Lee Van Roth (formerly Rylee Barnsdale) will share more about the program and others being offered in a conversation with YDL Community Relations Coordinator, Sam Killian.

Food, housing, transportation, health care, education—the price of everything is going up and putting a strain on greater numbers of people. The hardship is worse for those who are already living at or under the poverty line. Combating poverty and the challenges that perpetuate poverty through generations is at the heart of the work performed by the Ypsilanti-based non-profit, Friends In Deed. While the need for assistance is growing, so is the resolve to address poverty and related issues. For Friends In Deed Executive Director R. Tyrone Kelsey, the mission is personal. He explains why in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

The march toward carbon neutrality in Ann Arbor continues. In enacting the measures needed to make the A2ZERO plan work by the goal date of 2030, it has to be approached from a variety of angles. That includes boots on the ground. That’s where the Ann Arbor Climate Corps comes in. It helps bridge the gap between city policy and neighborhood level implementation, and it’s been working so far. But now, there is the potential elimination of federal AmeriCorps funding. Maggie Halpern is program manager for Ann Arbor Climate Corps. In her conversation with WEMU's David Fair, she talks about what options are being considered, should that come to pass, and the work the Climate Corps will continue doing in Ann Arbor.

Inspired by her own experience as a caregiver for a loved one living with a serious mental health condition, Judy Gardner is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, inclusion, and access to care. She has continued that passion as Executive Director of the Washtenaw County chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Gardner talked about the organization's work in promoting men's mental health with Decky Alexander.

University Musical Society (UMS) is returning to Ypsilanti's historic Freighthouse this fall with another season of performances and community events. This year's residency brings back some familiar Freighthouse favorites, while also introducing some new experiences with the hopes of, once again, creating a very welcoming musical atmosphere for folks in and around the Ypsi community. Lee Van Roth gave us a preview of the upcoming season with UMS Vice President of Learning and Engagement, Cayenne Harris.