clean water

October 1st kicks off a new fiscal year for both the state and federal governments. As with any new budget, there are many concerns. Among them is access affordability of clean and safe water. Mary Grant is the Public Water for All campaign director for Food and Water Watch. She addresses the issues with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak.

Life is always busy in Ann Arbor, and the city's mayor, Christopher Taylor, talks with WEMU's Lisa Barry about some of the many issues city officials are currently addressing.

This week, the U.S. Senate passed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill with rare, bipartisan support. The U.S. House is expected to pass the bill, but it will not have bipartisan support for a $3.5 trillion budget for the coming fiscal year. 12th District Representative Debbie Dingell joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss where we are and what happens next. 

Thursday, April 22nd is Earth Day, and, due to the pandemic, most celebrations will be virtual this year.  Still, the idea of Earth Day has endured since it all started with a series of teach-ins at the University of Michigan in 1970.  U-M Civil and Enviromental Engineering Professor Glen Daigger was there and joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss those heady days and what the future may bring. 

The Huron River is a life force for the communities in its watershed.  Throughout the years, it is women who have been a driving force in improving its quality.  In this Women's History Month edition of "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks with the current executive director of the Huron River Watershed Council about some of the women who preceded her and how that serves as foundation for the work she is doing today and for tomorrow. 

Former Washtenaw County commissioner Felicia Brabec was recently elected as the new 55th state House representative to the Michigan State Legislature.  Brabec watched from home as Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her annual State of the State message virtually due to the pandemic.  Brabec talks to WEMU's Lisa Barry about her reaction to the message.

The 7th Congressional District in Michigan includes seven counties, including western Washtenaw County.  Republican Tim Walberg, who is currently in his sixth term in Congress, is being challenged for the third time by Democrat Gretchen Driskell, who served two terms in the state House and as the city of Saline's first female mayor for 14 years.  WEMU's Lisa Barry reached out to both candidates to talk about the election.  Only Driskell responded and talks about why she decided to run again and what issues she believes need addressing in Congress.

Congress is set vote on the $3 trillion HEROES Act which, if approved, will be the largest relief package in American history.  12th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell is in Washington, D.C. for today's vote.  She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the proposal, its chances of passing, and what must come next. 

It's been forecast that this spring will be quite wet.  That could bring flooding to portions of Washtenaw County.  Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner Evan Pratt joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss planning for such issues and the proactive nature of work already underway on this week's "Issues of the Environment."

Through the contentious and controversial process of passing a new state budget, there was a point when the Republican-led Legislature removed much of the money earmarked to address water issues in Michigan.  Most of the money made its way back in by the time Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the spending bills and rearranged departmental spending.  In this month’s "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," you’ll get reaction to the spending plans and a look at increasing bi-partisanship when it comes to protecting our waters.  89.1 WEMU’s David Fair talks it through with Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak and Tony Spaniola from the organization Need Our Water, Oscoda. 

In this segment of our bi-weekly conversation with the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor area, WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with outgoing health department officer Ellen Rabinowitz and her replacement Jimena Loveluck.

Some Democrats running for President say the last election wasn’t a fair contest and made that point at last night’s debate in Detroit.  We have more from Rick Pluta.

In her first few months in office, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has made infrastructure and clean water among her top priorities.  Whitmer outlines her environmental strategy and budget with 89.1 WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak.