desirae simmons

Extreme heat, wildfire smoke and power outages are becoming more and more familiar parts of summer in Washtenaw County each year, and a growing network of local officials, health professionals and community organizers is working to help Ypsilanti residents do more than simply weather the next emergency. Lee Van Roth spoke about the actions being taken to protect residents with the director of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, Desirae Simmons.

A resolution opposing Proposal B on the Ypsilanti November ballot failed to get the required votes for passage Tuesday night. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Approving funding to establish a Community Responder Program in Ypsilanti will have to wait for the budget process. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The Ypsilanti City Council has sent a Charter Amendment ballot initiative to Governor Gretchen Whitmer that would require voter approval for any increases in the police department budget. But it’s still a long way from going before voters in November. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The Ypsilanti City Council tonight will be working to finalize a budget tonight with some amendments and possible spending reductions on the agenda. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The Ypsilanti City Council is asking the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners to help with funding to create an unarmed emergency response program. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The Ypsilanti City Council will no longer state the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of council meetings. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The Ypsilanti City Council has narrowly rejected a resolution that would have set arrests for possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia as the lowest level priority for the police department. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

Third Ward Democrat Desirae Simmons was able to fight back a recall challenge on Tuesday and will keep her chair on Ypsilanti City Council. As WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, Simmons defeated independent Rod Johnson by a vote of 467-429 in Tuesday's election.

It’s Election Day with only one issue on the ballot in Washtenaw County: A Ward 3 runoff for City Council in Ypsilanti. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.