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Did you know that state and local governments collectively spend about $1.3 trillion each year in procurement? That’s products like furnishings, computers, vehicles and pens and staplers. Many of these products are harmful to the environment, and so now, there is a movement towards sustainable procurement policies. It turns out Ann Arbor is leading the way and being used as a model around the country. WEMU's David Fair talks sustainable procurement with Matt Naud. He was the first ever environmental coordinator for the City of Ann Arbor and is now Senior Consultant for the Ann Arbor-based Resource Recycling Systems.
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The U.S. Department of Defense is finally going to take meaningful action to protect Lake Huron from PFAS contamination emanating from the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. This action in Michigan may serve as a template for clean-ups at nearly 400 other bases across the country. The progress can be attributed to the efforts of concerned Michigan residents. Tony Spaniola is an Oscoda resident and co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the latest information and what comes next.
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The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative fights for funding every budget cycle. A potential government shutdown this year could have adverse impacts on the health of the world's largest fresh water supply. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak discuss progress and challenges with Laura Rubin. She is the director of the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition.
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Local officials will be watching closely as Congress expects to vote to raise the debt ceiling this week. President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy finalized details of a measure Sunday night that, if passed, will raise the debt ceiling and avoid default. If the federal government defaults, it could impact Washtenaw County. WEMU's Josh Hakala has more.
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The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Western District of Michigan has a new summertime gun violence prevention campaign. Colin Jackson has more.
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After some nine days under siege and another 36 hours on the run, a Washtenaw County woman is now safe from the violent conflict in Sudan. The country’s conflict has left millions of civilians under constant attack. 32-year-old Katie Okonski was one of them. But now safe in Cairo, Egypt with her two-and-a-half-year-old son, this international teacher from Milan is sharing her harrowing experience with WEMU’s Cathy Shafran.
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Energy grid reliability is again at the fore following an ice storm that crippled much of Michigan. Additionally, environmental concerns about transporting toxic chemicals and how and where they are stored is, once again, a priority following a train derailment in Ohio. 6th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters with new and updated information on the path forward.
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Energy grid reliability is again at the fore following an ice storm that crippled much of Michigan. Additionally, environmental concerns about transporting toxic chemicals and how and where they are stored is, once again, a priority following a train derailment in Ohio. 6th District Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) joined WEMU's David Fair and Lisa Wozniak from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters with new and updated information on the path forward.
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Fat Tuesday is the day of the Paczki! Michigan Congressional Representative Debbie Dingell has long made it a tradition to send the delicious pastries out to members of the media in appreciation of keeping the public informed. This year will is no exception. But, as you'll learn, the Ann Arbor Democrat's relationship to the tasty treats extends back well before she was elected to Congress. Representative Dingell joined WEMU's David Fair on a Mardi Gras celebration day on WEMU to tell her story.
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The need to help refugees around the world has never been higher. There are plenty of ways to help locally in Washtenaw County, but the federal government has created a new program to help resettle those in need. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.