Monroe County

With all of the changes in federal policy and spending priorities, we are contending with a lot of uncertainty. That is certainly true among nonprofits and service agencies in our community. Still, there are concerted efforts underway to ensure that the most marginalized and underserved will have access to the support they need. WEMU's David Fair talked with Alex Gossage, the executive director of Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston, about how these events are playing out in his organization.

Local, state and national agencies have been in Washtenaw County and southeast Michigan for several days participating in a radiological emergency response exercise. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Over 100 businesses in the area have been awarded a total of $6 million in Going PRO Talent Fund grants from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

An interdisciplinary artist, Claire Moore applies her belief as she leads art workshops at the Disability Network of Washtenaw, Monroe and Livingston. Claire joins Deb Polich on this edition of "creative impact" to talk about the impact of her work and an upcoming holiday market featuring the work of her clients.

One of the closest watched and contested races in the state is in the 31st House district covering portions of Washtenaw County. .WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The first frost of the season probably isn’t too far away. Properly preparing the agricultural soil for next spring and summer is a matter of timing. Getting the cover crops in place is essential before a hard freeze occurs. The Washtenaw County Conservation District is working to make it convenient and effective for local farmers. Conservation technician Matt Dejonge explained it all in his conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

The Washtenaw County Health Department has relaunched the "It Is Possible" campaign to help local residents kick their substance abuse problems. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

We talk a lot about equity and inclusion in our community. It's about access to opportunity. For those with disabilities, gaining full access can still prove difficult. Alex Gossage has used his personal experience with disability to guide the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living to a brighter and more accessible future. He talks about some new programs and initiatives underway to change that in our area with WEMU's David Fair.

The threat of nuclear war is greater now than at any time since the Cuban Missile Crisis. We also live in the shadow of the Fermi 2 nuclear power plant in Monroe County. Should something go wrong there, it would take a huge toll on our environment, ecology, and, of course, our people. WEMU's David Fair checked in with Washtenaw County emergency planning coordinator, Benjamin Pinette, to find out just how prepared we are in case of a nuclear emergency.

Voter turnout was just over 18% in several local elections that took place in Washtenaw County on Tuesday. WEMU's Lisa Barry has the full story:5,698…