congress

This week on "In The Public Interest," our bi-weekly conversation with the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, 89,1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talks to league member Mary Seelhorst about a bill now being considered by Congress that provides a number of protections for voters.

Today is known as "Fat Tuesday," and thousands of Paczki are eaten across Michigan as part of a pre-Lenten tradition and as a Polish celebration.

89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke to 12th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, who shared the tradition today at home and in Washington, D.C. to carry on the tradition started over 40 years ago by her husband, Congressman John Dingell, who passed away last month.

The nation’s longest serving Congressional member has passed away.  Michigan representative John Dingell died at home Thursday at the age of 92.  89.1 WEMU’s David Fair reports on the life and legacy of a political giant.

The life of retired Congressman John Dingell is filled with decades of great service.  In fact, that service has led to many of his former staff members to seek office for themselves.  Among them is Washtenaw County commissioner Andy LaBarre, who talks about his tenure with Dingell with WEMU's David Fair.

With nearly 60 years in Congress, John Dingell's impact on people and places across Michigan and across the country was significant and far reaching.

89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke with Dingell's final chief of staff Leigh Greden, who is currently chief of staff in the president's office at Eastern Michigan University.

John Dingell has touched many lives in many different ways.  89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talked with current Washtenaw County commissioner Jason Morgan, who used to work for the Dingells.  Morgan shares his personal reflections on John and Debbie Dingell and how John's commitment to "work for the people" influenced his own choice to run for office.

In this week's edition of "In The Public Interest," our bi-weekly conversation with the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor area, 89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with league member, attorney Margaret Leary about the upcoming 2020 census and some controversy surrounding that.

U.S. lawmakers announced the creation of a bipartisan task force Wednesday to fight PFAS chemicals.  A majority of the members on the task force are from Michigan.

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has been won another term in the U.S. House of Representatives.  She will be joined by many other Democrats when the new term begins in January.  She offers her analysis of the concluded midterm election with WEMU's David Fair.

Michigan officials are cheering the fact that President Trump has thrown his support behind upgrading the Soo Locks.  The president endorsed the plan this past weekend.

12th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell is hosting a special town hall meeting Thursday, February 22nd to discuss Ypsilanti's ongoing mail service issues.  89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry discussed the upcoming community meeting with the congresswoman.

Today is Fat Tuesday, which is the day before the 40-day period where Catholics make personal sacrifices known as Lent.  This time of year is particularly special to 12th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.  She talks to WEMU's Patrick Campion how she and her family have celebrated Fat Tuesday over the years.

Local Congresswoman Debbie Dingell delivered her 4th “State of the District” update to the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti regional chamber luncheon Monday.

89.1 WEMU’S Lisa Barry reports she did a lot of what she said was “speaking from the heart.”

Interim Michigan State University President John Engler has instructed school employees to cooperate with investigations into campus sexual misconduct.  Michigan’s former governor began his first full day on the job as convicted MSU sports doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced for sexually abusing patients. 

Governor Rick Snyder says a new shipping lock in Joliet, Illinois is needed to stop Asian carp from making their way from the Mississippi River system to the Great Lakes.  Snyder says it’s taking too long to get the project started.

President Donald Trump delivered his first State of the Union address Tuesday night, and 12th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell was in attendance.  She spoke to WEMU's David Fair about her thoughts on the speech, including such issues as the automotive industry and immigration.

It's Christmas!  And as much as times have changed, it's the holiday traditions that many people celebrate today.

89.1 WEMU'S Lisa Barry shares what that means to local Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.

The resignation of Congressman John Conyers will leave the seat vacant until it is filled by a special election. 

Civil rights leader, Congressman John Lewis is speaking in Ann Arbor tonight as part of the Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series.  Ypsilanti High School art teacher Lynne Settles is taking a group of 20 students to Hill Auditorium, including junior Deahja Tigner, who was pre-selected to ask the Georgia congressman a question at the event.

89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry spoke to the art teacher and one of the students who will be addressing the civil rights leader.

The pressure is building on Congressman John Conyers as Michigan Democrats joined the call for a House Ethics Committee investigation.  The committee announced it will look into allegations of sexual harassment and using taxpayer money to cover it up.

The ranking Democrat on the US House Oversight Committee wants to subpoena Governor Rick Snyder.  Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) says the governor has not been forthcoming about when he first knew about a fatal outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in Genesee County.

Governor Rick Snyder says he’s concerned that President Trump’s decision to end subsidies that help low-income families pay for health insurance could make rates unaffordable.

Republican Congressman Dave Trott says he will not seek reelection next year and will retire after four years in Congress.  Trott says he always intended for his congressional career to be brief. 

Governor Rick Snyder is asking Congress to act to protect people from deportation who were brought to the country illegally as children.  The governor was responding to President Trump’s announcement that the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program will end in six months. 

12th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) is co-sponsor of a measure aimed at creating greater support for the creative industries, including artists. The legislation is known as the CREATE Act. In this week's edition of  creative:impact, WEMU's David Fair and President and CEO of  The Arts Alliance, Deb Polich, learn kmore about what passage of the bill would mean, locally.

A Women’s Issues Town Hall is taking place in Scio Township Wednesday to help address the many needs of women and families.  It’s part of an ongoing listening tour gathering feedback from area residents by several elected officials.

State Senator Rebekah Warren, State Representative Donna Lasinski, and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell will be among those participating in the “listening tour town hall.”

89-1 WEMU’S Lisa Barry spoke with Senator Warren about the many challenges facing women today…

The former mayor of Saline and two-term State Representative Gretchen Driskell formally announced Wednesday she is running for Congress again in 2018.  She's running for the 7th Congressional District seat against incumbent Tim Wahlberg.  89.1 WEMU'S Lisa Barry spoke to Driskell about her campaign announcement.

A familiar name is throwing her hat back in the ring for a seat in Congress.