sue shink

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection Agency say they’re taking action against microplastics contamination. It’s welcome news to local lawmakers who have been working to get them out of the water supply for years. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

A bill introduced in the Michigan Senate could end any plans to expand the Arbor Hills Landfill in Salem Township. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Senator Sue Shink serves Michigan’s 14th Senate District. She joined WEMU's Caroline MacGregor to share her thoughts on President Trump’s State of the Union and Governor Whitmer's State of the State addresses this week. Both talks come amidst an era of economic uncertainty, and unpredictable federal policy changes.

As we continue the process of mapping out our energy future, there are a number of issues to address, from energy generation and storage to how our electric grids are developed, secured and controlled. State Senator Jeff Irwin is a proponent of virtual power plants as a part of the comprehensive solution. It would divert control of the grids away from the major, centralized utilities. The 15th District Democrat believes virtual power plants can give power to communities in determining their energy futures while saving ratepayers money. Learn more in his conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has begun a noise study on M-14 in Ann Arbor. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

There will be some significant environmental issues to deal with this year. Data centers, grid security, renewable energy policy—all of these issues will be before the Michigan Legislature, and it comes during a mid-term election year. How much will get accomplished? On this week’s "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with State Senator Sue Shink. She laid out her environmental priorities in 2026.

Ann Arbor State Senator Jeff Irwin says he wants to make the most out of 2026, his final year in the state Legislature. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

We live in a polarized nation, and sometimes, those varying political beliefs and opinions make their way to the holiday dinner table. It can be awkward and uncomfortable. So, how can we bring it all back together and appreciate one another’s company? WEMU’s John Stockwell went looking for answers and, as you’ll hear, found a number of them.

Local lawmakers are pushing to get legislation passed to get plastics out of the state’s water sources and environment. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Paper or plastic? We’ve all answered that question in the checkout line at the grocery store or supermarket. While reusable bags are growing in popularity, plastic bags remain ubiquitous in retail shopping. A movement to start banning plastic bags, or at least charge money for choosing them at the store, was thwarted in 2016 when the state Legislature banned local governments from passing such environmental measures. Now, Democratic State Representative Morgan Foreman of Ann Arbor is working to lift that ban. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the legislation and what it aims to accomplish.