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Washtenaw County has, what many consider, a surprisingly high rate of poverty. There are day-to-day needs to be met, but the bigger picture is to stop managing poverty in the area and eliminate the systemic barriers to escaping poverty. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Sarah Thornburg, executive director of the Ypsilanti-based service organization, "Friends In Deed," to discuss what that change looks like and the plan to get there.

Our communities are still in the process of building a foundation in which girls and young women are offered equal opportunity to educational and career opportunities. It becomes even more difficult when personal trauma or family finances stand in the way. Addressing those issues and supplementing existing opportunity is the function of the Ann Arbor-based, "Girls Group." WEMU's David Fair explores the issues and solutions with founder and executive director, Sue Schooner.

The Michigan Board of State Canvassers will meet today to comply with a state Supreme Court decision that it must place an abortion rights amendment on the November ballot. We have more Rick Pluta.

More investment is being made in early childhood education in Washtenaw County as the need for help and support continues to grow. WEMU's David Fair spoke with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District's Eddie Manusczak about what that looks like locally and what the future holds for helping children and families and improving the communities' steps toward greater equity and opportunity.

The Michigan Supreme Court is faced with decisions this week on whether two contentious questions will appear on the November ballot. We have more from Rick Pluta.

From new and exciting films to long lost classics, the movies have something for everyone this week. WEMU's David Fair gets together with Michigan Theater Foundation executive director, Russ Collins, for their weekly chat about the world of cinema.

We all recognize solid waste as a significant issue, but how much do we really know about trash? That's the point and function of the upcoming "Trash Talk Tour" in Washtenaw County. It's an interactive, engaged effort to teach the community about how our trash is being dealt with and how best to move closer to a zero-waste lifestyle. WEMU's David Fair discussed all of it with event co-organizer and executive director of Live Zero Waste, Samuel McMullen.

Two campaigns to amend the state constitution filed appeals Thursday with the Michigan Supreme Court in an effort to get on the November ballot. Rick Pluta reports.

As efforts continue to bring an end to systemic racism and create greater equity and equality in our communities, individual growth is an essential part of the foundation. At Mentor2Youth, helping young Black people find personal identity through service to others is key to that path. Executive director Darryl Johnson joined WEMU’s David Fair to discuss the methodology of getting young people to view life through the “chess versus checkers” life paradigm.

Seemingly elusive, artists and creatives are forever optimistic about making a cooperative creative space in Washtenaw County a reality. Will this time be THE TIME that it becomes real? A group of community members have engaged Artspace out of Minneapolis to guide the effort. Lisa Sauve is one of the community members in the lead. Aneesha Marwah of Minneapolis’ Artspace is consulting. Meet them both and hear how this time may be the charm when they join Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw as she hosts this edition of "creative:impact."