layoffs

A large crowd of veterans were joined by union members, healthcare workers and political representatives outside the Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Kettles Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Ann Arbor Saturday. The demonstration was to protest DOGE-related job cuts at VA offices and the Trump Administration’s attempts to invalidate bargaining agreements with the union that represents VA employees. WEMU's Caroline MacGregor spoke today with the legislative political council chairperson of AFGE Local 2092, Larry Barton.

Dozens of protesters appeared outside a veterans' hospital in Ann Arbor this weekend to share concerns about federal changes to veterans' services. Colin Jackson has more.

Members of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and their allies will be gathering this afternoon to rally outside Ann Arbor’s Veterans Affairs Medical Center. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Michigan’s unemployment rate edged up in February by one-tenth of a percentage point to 5.4%. The jobs report was released Thursday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Rick Pluta reports.

The Trump Administration has been slashing government in a variety of areas, including the Environmental Protection Agency. Region 5 of the EPA covers the Great Lakes area and includes Washtenaw County. The layoffs have the potential to impact the agency’s ability to steward the environment around the world’s largest body of fresh water. And the impact on public health could be significant. Loreen Targos is Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Government Employees-Local 704, which represents about 1,000 EPA workers. She spoke with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak about employee cuts and the implications.

Today is the first day of school in Washtenaw County. In Ann Arbor, 45 of the 55 teachers who were laid off this summer are back on the job. WEMU's Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Financial advisors recommend Ann Arbor Public Schools has enough dollars in its Fund Balance to cover two months of operating costs. Currently, it has four days worth. As WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, the budget presented to the School Board on Wednesday focuses on rectifying part of that shortfall.

The Ann Arbor Public School District will present its budget for the upcoming fiscal year tonight. The plan moves to address what is now a dangerously low Fund Balance. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The timeline for Ann Arbor teachers to agree to buyouts has been extended until Friday, June 7. As WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, other changes to the deal have been agreed to, as well.

The Ann Arbor School Board has given its blessing to a plan that cuts about $20.4 million from the district’s budget as part the move to deal with a $25 million shortfall. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.