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Underground and not listed on concert calendars, Johnny’s Speakeasy has hosted bands in a little venue down the road since the late 1990’s. That is, until last year, when a fire destroyed both the venue and Johnny Williams’ home. Hear how and why local musicians have launched a campaign to "Save Johnny’s Speakeasy" when Johnny joins host Deb Polich on this edition of 89.1 WEMU’s "creative:impact."

These are rather exciting times in the Ypsilanti Community Schools. The state is forgiving the combined debt created when the district merged with the Willow Run Schools. It has received a significant grant to invest in and expand STEAM and STEM programs. And the district will reopen a shuttered school building. WEMU's David Fair discussed these issues and more with district superintendent, Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross.

We'll be talking movies as we always do on Thursday, but with a slight twist. Russ Collins is taking a couple of weeks away, so the Michigan Theater Foundation's cinema programming manager, Nick Alderink, will sit in his Cinema Chat chair. Nick will bring all the movie news you expect to discuss with WEMU's David Fair.

What cinematic excitement will 2024 bring to Ann Arbor? Well, for starters, you have a chance to see the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between Michigan and Washington at Ann Arbor's Michigan Theater! WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater Foundation executive director Russ Collins will tell you all about that, as well as the upcoming special screenings and new movie openings.

2024 will be a special year in Ann Arbor, as the city celebrates its bicentennial. When it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion, how far has Ann Arbor come in 200 years? What is the work that needs to be done in the new year and for future generations? WEMU's David Fair went to Ann Arbor city administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. for answers.

Governor Whitmer has signed measures into law to require all children be tested for lead exposure. Additionally, a new law requires installation of lead water filters in all schools and childcare centers. It is progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done. WEMU's David Fair discusses its impacts with lead policy expert Mary Sue Schottenfels.

2024 is a presidential election year, and Michigan's primary is earlier than ever before. What role will the environment play in this year's election cycle? How are climate issues playing among Michigan's voters? Will the state remain blue or turn red? And what role do the green issues play in forecasting outcomes? WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak explore the latest polling with Andrew Baumann from Global Strategy Group on the January edition of WEMU's "1st Friday Focus on the Environment."

The Michigan Wolverines are national champions, and the celebrations continue! Almost everyone in the area watched on Monday night as the Michigan men dominated Washington, while over a thousand watched and celebrated at the Michigan Theater! WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater executive director Russ Collins provide a wrap-up of the big game championship, plus news about upcoming concerts and film openings in Title Town!

Ann Arbor’s Buhr Park could become home to a new "pocket forest” in 2024. What is a pocket forest? We weren't sure either, so we went right to the source to find out more. Barbara Lucas is a volunteer for the project. She joined WEMU's David Fair to explain what it is, why it is so ecologically valuable and why this is likely just the start of a much bigger local environmental movement.

Local and renowned artist, ceramist and professor Susanne Stephenson's career spans seven decades. Now working with a team to archive and catalog her works, Susanne is sifting through a lifetime of memories. It’s a lot! So much that we are doing a two-part series on Susanne’s career and the documenting of this prolific artist’s lifetime of work. Susanne joins host Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact."