Sarah Rigg

There are some who describe Ypsilanti Township as a "food desert", where access to healthy and affordable food is difficult to those without transportation. But businesses and government officials are working to address the lack of food access in Ypsilanti Township. In today's edition of "On The Ground Ypsi," WEMU's Cathy Shafran talks with Concentrate Media Reporter Rylee Barnsdale about her site's reporting on efforts to bring fresh food opportunities closer to the community, along with one of the community members working to make this possible, 2Marines co-founder Josh McAllister.

It's not often that when we think of jellyfish that we think of them existing in fresh water. But an Eastern Michigan University biology professor and a group of her students are studying this phenomenon in various lakes across Michigan. WEMU's Cathy Shafran was joined by Concentrate Media reporter Rylee Barnsdale to discuss her article on the subject. And, they are joined by EMU biology professor Cara Shillington and EMU grad student Rachel Koski to explore the growing statewide interest in the freshwater creatures since the first report of their work was shared late last year.

The three-mile stretch of Washtenaw Avenue between US-23 and EMU’s water tower area has been the target of discussion for years. Now, an MDOT study on that stretch of road is taking a comprehensive look at how to fix it and also how to make it an area friendly for pedestrians and bicyclists as well. On this edition of "On the Ground Ypsi," WEMU's Cathy Shafran and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale hear from Nathan Voght, the project manager for Reimagine Washtenaw, about visions for this portion of Washtenaw Avenue that could one day make it a multi-modal corridor, rather than a pothole-laden stretch of land to maneuver around.

Expanding access to meaningful STEM Education: That's the mission behind UniteSTEM in Ypsilanti. The non-profit describes education as "an adventure," and it wants to create real-world career opportunities by working with local kids and giving them access to the tools required to be a success. UniteSTEM co-founder, Frank Norton, provides an insider's look at the program in this week's "On the Ground-Ypsi" with WEMU's David Fair and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg.

Thomas Merton once said, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." That philosophy is similar to what an Ypsilanti-based program is creating. Miriam Kirscht is founder of Improvisation Heals. The program uses improvisational interaction to help overcome social anxieties and build confidence. WEMU's David Fair and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg discovered more about this innovative local program in this week's #OTGYpsi conversation.

The 'Black Men Read' organization has its origins in Washtenaw County but is expanding its reach across the nation. It brings African American men to read books to children with hopes of inspiring them to go far in life while highlighting the vital and positive role that Black men bring to the community. Black Men Read co-founder, Tamara Tucker-Ibarisha, joined WEMU's David Fair and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg to talk about the group's recent work, including adaptations to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

All too often, those with disabilities feel left out. The notion of community-wide inclusion to forge more meaningful and productive relationships to people of all abilities is behind the soon-to-open "Work & Play Cafe" in Ypsilanti. In the return of "On the Ground Ypsi," David Fair welcomed Concentrate Media's "On the Ground" project manager, Sarah Rigg, and the subject of her article, cafe co-founder Steve Berg.

In its second year, Ypsilanti youth arts nonprofit "Elevation Youth Corp" is planning to support the community with winter coats for those in need. WEMU's…

Each week, WEMU's Lisa Barry checks in with On The Ground Ypsi's Sarah Rigg to talk about one of her online Concentrate Media stories being published that…

This week for "On the Ground Ypsi," our weekly partnership with Concentrate Media giving voice to one of their online stories about the Ypsilanti area,…