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Bicycling culture in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County is growing. As such, there is an increased chance of car versus bike crashes in the area. WEMU's David Fair talked with Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society member Craig Stephann about overcoming safety hurdles as non-motorized transportation is key to sustainability efforts.

The repercussions of PFAS contamination continue to grow. Not only has it impacted fishing and recreation on the Huron River, it's affecting farmers and agriculture. Jason Grostic is owner of Grostic Cattle Company in Livingston County. His operations have been shut down because his cows tested positive for PFAS. As such, he’s gone nearly two years without a source of income and is now suing the source of the contamination, Wixom-based Tribar Manufacturing. He's also pushing state lawmakers to pass polluter-pay legislation that may prevent such occurrences in the future. Grostic shared his emotional story with WEMU's David Fair.

In 2003, an organization was founded with a mission of tackling the unmet needs of socially and economically vulnerable young women in Washtenaw County. Now, Girls Group is celebrating 20 years of empowering young women to achieve emotional and economic self-sufficiency by ensuring they graduate from high school and begin their college or career journeys. Sue Schooner is the founder and executive director of Girls Group and shared the organization's story with WEMU's David Fair.

Earl Lewis is a problem solver. He is also a scholar, an historian, an administrator and a National Medal for the Humanities recipient. As the founder of the University of Michigan Center for Social Solutions, he wants to find answers to questions of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. Dr. Lewis joins host Deb Polich on this edition of creative:impact. Tune in to be inspired!

What do you do in the cold of winter if you can't pay your heating bill? Sadly, thousands in the area face that crisis question. There are some resources available, and, on "Washtenaw United," you'll learn how to tap into them. Sean Scane is director of utility assistance with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. He joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest information on the growing need for assistance and the efforts to expand the Michigan Energy Assistance Program.

What do Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, John Legend and Gwen Stefani have in common with Ann Arborite Angelina Nazarian? They appeared together on the 24th season of The Voice. Hear about Angelina’s experience as a contestant and being on Team Reba when she joins host Deb Polich on the next edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

Independent restaurants serve Ypsilanti in just about every cuisine you can imagine. In fact, for restaurant owners, the city has become a desired location. In choosing Ypsilanti, they also work towards creating community. There are a number of eatery owners working to do just that, and Naj Hammoud is among them. He and his family own and operate Speedy’s Big Burgers, and he shared his story with Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale.

Without thinking about it too much, we tend to accumulate a good amount of toxic chemicals in homes—cleaning products, batteries, gas and oil...all sorts of things. If improperly thrown away, these are all materials that can dramatically harm the environment, wildlife and human beings. That’s why there is an expanding home toxics disposal program in Washtenaw County. Learn all about it when WEMU's David Fair speaks to Washtenaw County Public Works Manager, Theo Eggermont.

The Ypsilanti District Library and Eastern Michigan University are working to make menstruation products more accessible. In fact, the tampons and pads are available free of charge. As you’ll learn on WEMU’s 'On the Ground Ypsi,' the hope is to reduce the financial burden of these essential items while also getting rid of the stigma of menstruation. WEMU’s Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media’s Sarah Rigg get all the details in a conversation with Jesse John from EMU’s ‘Changing the Cycle’ program.

The City of Ann Arbor continues the march toward carbon neutrality, spending millions in the effort to get there. But, since declaring a climate emergency in 2019, reductions in greenhouse gas emissions have decreased only slightly. Now, in an effort to make the public more aware of the issue, the city has launched an emissions dashboard. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Ann Arbor Senior Energy Analyst, Thea Yagerlener to see if the city is on track to hit its targets.