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This year's Oscars and Ann Arbor Film Festival are both in the books. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins get together to recap both events. They also chat about the new films and special screenings coming your way this weekend.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, this week, signed a nearly $5 billion dollar spending plan into law that will increase investment in infrastructure, water systems, quality and safety, and a number of other environmental measures. Will the plan create future sustainability? Will it only address short term-needs? Governor Whitmer provides the answers in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.

Food—glorious food—is the subject of this "creative:impact." We meet Brooke Boyst and Andrew Schneider, museum studies graduate students at EMU. They are on the team behind the "Hamburgers for Breakfast" exhibition at the McKenny Gallery. Join Deb Polich’s conversation with Brooke and Andrew to hear what they discovered in Eastern’s archives, about the pairing of food, and the EMU student experience.

While there has been progress in the effort to remove the historic Peninsular Paper Dam from the Huron River in Ypsilanti, there are a group of folks continuing to argue against such action. The Friends of Peninsular Park contend the cost of removal is exorbitant, and, for less money, the dam could be returned to function and produce hydroelectric power. They also argue sediment contamination could spread downriver into Ford Lake that would adversely impact wildlife habitat. Tricia Mora is a board member of the group, and she provides the group's perspective in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

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.

We're getting closer and closer to back-to-school time. Still, the movies are here to keep you entertained. WEMU's David Fair is joined by Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins to give you a full rundown of the latest cinematic offerings. Plus, they take time to remember Ann Arborite Virginia Patton Moss, who starred in the classic film, "It's a Wonderful Life."

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.

The Gelman Sciences 1,4 dioxane plume continues to spread and threaten the health of groundwater in Scio Township and Ann Arbor. Recent reports indicate there is now a potential threat of exposure through wet basements. With spring and the usual basement flooding that occurs in portions of the area, it is a cause for concern. University of Michigan toxicologist and environmental professor, Dr. Rita Loch-Caruso, is a co-author of a study identifying the problems. She joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest information.

Every town should have a Mark Tucker! His larger-than-life whimsical creations inspire laughter and frivolity. Parade floats, FestiFools, and giant museum sculptures are his artforms of choice. Learn more about Mark when he meets up with his creative:impact host Deb Polich to have some fun!

The Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center is diving deep into research in an effort to better understand how toxic chemicals interact and spread through the environment, our wildlife and, ultimately, humans. The center’s senior scientist, Dr. Gillian Zaharias Miller, joined WEMU’s David Fair to share the details of current and future research in the ongoing quest for solutions.