Search results for

For as long as we’ve been discussing advancements in mental health care and the work to destigmatize mental health issues, there is still a lot of work to be done. One of the efforts in Washtenaw County is the “#wishyouknew” campaign. It is put forth by the Washtenaw County Health Department. WEMU's David Fair talked with the county's communications coordinator, Lisa DeRamos, about the program, who it is helping and how it can connect you with available resources.

It’s been a blast to host this show and introduce you to hundreds of artists and creative business in our region. Together, we’ve explored how they have impacted our local quality of life, place and economy. Join Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair for the last edition of "creative:impact" to look back and forward as Deb signs off for what she expects to be the last time.

There are times when help is desperately needed, and it feels like there is nowhere to turn. Providing that resource is the mission of the 2-1-1 program. Dial 2-1-1, and you can be connected to assistance for critical services like housing, food, utility assistance and more. This is a nationwide program, and, in our area, the help center is administered by the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. WEMU's David Fair was joined by 2-1-1 operations director Tasha Ball to learn more about the program and how it can serve as the connection needed to start the journey forward.

Paper or plastic? We’ve all answered that question in the checkout line at the grocery store or supermarket. While reusable bags are growing in popularity, plastic bags remain ubiquitous in retail shopping. A movement to start banning plastic bags, or at least charge money for choosing them at the store, was thwarted in 2016 when the state Legislature banned local governments from passing such environmental measures. Now, Democratic State Representative Morgan Foreman of Ann Arbor is working to lift that ban. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the legislation and what it aims to accomplish.

During the Biden administration, local food distributors were encouraged to apply for grants funding to help build infrastructure for local farms and food. Now, the USDA is making cuts that could undermine the local food system and its suppliers...like Argus Farm Stop in Ann Arbor. WEMU's David Fair talked with co-owner Bill Brinkerhoff about immediate and longer-term impacts.

Michigan attracts trash. Accumulated garbage from places like Ohio, Indiana and Canada ends up in Michigan landfills. In fact, out-of-state garbage accounts for about 25% of what is being dumped in Michigan landfills. State Senator Jeff Irwin is looking to make Michigan a less attractive dumping site by raising the cost of sending garbage here. WEMU's David Fair talked with the Ann Arbor Democrat about his bills to increase tipping fees.

The state budget hasn’t been passed yet, but all indications are that it will include significant cuts to social safety net programs. That will have impacts throughout the community, including at The Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti. WEMU's David Fair checked in with the center's CEO, Alex Plum, and discussed how he is preparing for the known and the unknown.

Over this past summer, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy named a new chief climate officer. Alessandra Carreon was named to the position over the summer after serving on the Michigan Public Service commission. It is a challenging time to try and follow through on adaptation and resiliency policies. Alessandra will discuss how EGLE is proceeding and what the goal is by the end of the Whitmer Administration at the end of 2026 with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.

A lot of folks are about to hit the road or the airports with Christmas right around the corner. Gregory Keoleian is the director of the U-M's Center for Sustainable Systems. He joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about how best to minimize our carbon footprint and still get to where we want to go.

Swift became the first woman and third artist ever to have four of the Top 10 albums on Billboard's 200 chart. This latest milestone comes weeks after the release of Speak Now (Taylor's Version).