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Oregon has long delivered for the Democratic Party. But in its newest Congressional district, the race is a toss-up as Republicans make gains across the state.

Dollar Tree plans to close about 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of this year and 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores over the next several years.

Fifteen years ago this Wednesday, the federal minimum wage went up from $6.55 per hour to $7.25. It hasn't budged since.

The federal administration is cutting environmental programs and funding and further reducing regulations on polluting. The political environment in Washington, in and of itself, is toxic. On the February edition of WEMU’s "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak were joined by Democratic Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin to discuss policy and politics.

When Ann Arbor City Council next meets, it is expected to pass an ordinance that will require home sellers to acquire an energy score report from a qualified assessor before listing the property for sale. Tom Renkert is Chief Executive Officer of the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, and while the organization fully supports the city's A2Zero carbon neutrality goals, it doesn't believe this ordinance should be a part of the plan. He joined WEMU’s David Fair to explain why.

Let’s talk some trash! The 3rd annual Trash Talk Tour is right around the corner, and we’re going to find out how much fun there is in learning about how we deal with waste in Ann Arbor. The Trash Talk Tour is the brainchild of Dan Ezekiel. He is a retired science teacher, a local environmentalist and former chair of the Huron Valley Group of the Sierra Club. He joined WEMU's David Fair to fill us on how the family-friendly event educates us about the circular economy and how to live a zero-waste lifestyle.

"creative:impact" listeners have often enjoyed Mark Clague, musicologist and foremost authority on "The Star-Spangled Banner," as a frequent guest. Mark has recently accepted a new role as the executive director of U of M’s Arts Initiative. Mark is back on the show to tell us about his new role and what’s in store for the Arts Initiative. He joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

The federal administration has laid off hundreds of staff from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the impact is already being felt locally and in region. Moving forward, there is the potential NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab in Ann Arbor could be shut down. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Nicole Rice about where it stands now and where it may be headed. Rice is among those already fired from the lab in Ann Arbor.

While we ring in the New Year, 2026 will see a continuation of many of the same environmental issues we experienced through 2025. But this year is also a mid-term election year, and that could further complicate issues. 48th District State Representative Jennifer Conlin discusses what may come in 2026. The Ann Arbor Democrat joined WEMU's David Fair and co-host Lisa Wozniak to explore current and new challenges.

There will be some significant environmental issues to deal with this year. Data centers, grid security, renewable energy policy—all of these issues will be before the Michigan Legislature, and it comes during a mid-term election year. How much will get accomplished? On this week’s "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with State Senator Sue Shink. She laid out her environmental priorities in 2026.