child care

Eastern Michigan University created the "Bright Futures" after-school program to provide students area students with homework help and mentoring. It runs all year long. Like many education programs, it is facing uncertainty due to federal budget cuts. Lee Van Roth spoke with "Bright Futures" director Suzie Staley about the benefits of the program and what the future may hold.

Earlier this year, the Trump Administration announced possible cuts to federal education spending. Research from Ypsilanti was cited to push back against the prospect of eliminating the Head Start early childhood education program for low-income families. The nonprofit, HighScope, has played a major role in making this research more open to the public. Lee Van Roth discusses the findings with HighScope's President and CEO, Dr. Alejandra Barraza.

A bill scheduled for a committee hearing today in the Michigan Senate would put more resources into a program that helps pregnant and new mothers. Colin Jackson has more.

The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the state of Michigan does not have to destroy data gleaned from infant blood samples collected by hospitals at birth. Rick Pluta has more.

Michigan tax code would count fetuses as dependents under a bill getting a state House committee later today. Colin Jackson has more.

Mary Louise Kelly is co-host of NPR’S award-winning news magazine, "All Things Considered." She started at NPR as a national security correspondent and has worked for the BBC as a foreign correspondent. She is also mother to two sons and knows firsthand the conflict working mothers face between family and work. WEMU's Caroline MacGregor had a chance to chat with Kelly about her new book, "It. Goes. So. Fast.: The Year of No Do-Overs."

Bills introduced in the Michigan Legislature would offer many lower-income parents a tax break for every child under 4 years old. Rick Pluta has more.

On a Labor Day edition of "Washtenaw United," we’re taking a look at an institution that made it possible for all of Rosie the Riveters to work at the Willow Run Bomber Plant in World War II. Back then, it was called Perry Nursery School. Now, it is known as Foundations Preschool of Washtenaw County. It stills primarily serves single and working mothers and is about to celebrate its 90th anniversary. WEMU's David Fair with the school's executive director, Sandy Williams, about developing the workforce of the future.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she’s looking to expand human services spending and business incentives as she looks ahead to the next state budget. Rick Pluta reports.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will present her budget proposal today for the coming fiscal year. The governor says it will include a focus on services for families and children. We have more from Rick Pluta.