wayne county

Local community leaders are celebrating the restraining order signed on Wednesday to halt the transfer of radioactive soil from New York to Wayne Disposal in Van Buren Township. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, alongside Texas Republican Congressman August Pfluger, introduced the PROTOCOL Act to the House with hopes of expanding broadband accessibility. Ana Longoria has the details.

A big crowd is expected tonight as 6th district Congresswoman Debbie Dingell holds a town hall meeting on the plans to transport and store hazardous waste to the Wayne Disposal facility in Van Buren Township. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has a preview.

Michigan’s redistricting commission has moved some potential new maps for a handful of metro-Detroit state House districts ahead to public comment. Colin Jackson has more.

A $9.5 million grant from the Department of Energy is coming to electric vehicle research projects in Washtenaw and Wayne Counties. WEMU’s Taylor Bowie has details.

Governor Whitmer has signed measures into law to require all children be tested for lead exposure. Additionally, a new law requires installation of lead water filters in all schools and childcare centers. It is progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done. WEMU's David Fair discusses its impacts with lead policy expert Mary Sue Schottenfels.

As of Sunday, October 1st, the United Way of Washtenaw County is no more. A previously announced merger rolls the community services support agency's efforts into the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, which is based out of Detroit. However, the United Way will keep an office in Ann Arbor, and the expectation is that staff and funding in Washtenaw County will be expanded. WEMU's David Fair discussed the merger and its anticipated impacts on the community with senior director of collective impact, Bridget Herrmann.

PFAS contamination is occurring in the area’s only cold-water trout stream. Johnson Creek is a 3.6-mile-long tributary to the middle branch of the Rouge River, where it joins in Wayne County’s Northville Township. The Arbor Hills landfill in Washtenaw County’s Salem Township has been identified as the source of the contamination. Getting regulators to address the issue has been difficult, and that is where the grassroots citizens group, The Conservancy Initiative, comes in. David Drinan is its vice president, and he spoke with WEMU's David Fair on how the group is taking matters into its own hands.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County will be merging with its sister organization in Metro Detroit. WEMU's Cathy Shafran reports.

Ann Arbor police say the man changed in the death of local activist Jude Walton was most recently a resident in a homeless shelter - less than a quarter mile from Walton’s home. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.