washtenaw county

Ann Arbor Summer Festival executive director Mike Michelon shared more information about opportunities for live performances for the upcoming Ann Arbor Summer Festival.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Michelon about the opportunities created this year, which are different from a typical Summer Festival due to the ongoing pandemic.

There is progress in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus. Vaccinations are being expanded to include more younger people, and employers will soon be allowed to return to in-person work. Soon, more social restrictions will be lifted. For a local perspective, WEMU's David Fair discussed the latest developments with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia.

Throughout history, women have been the primary caregivers. All too often, it comes at the cost of their own physical and mental health. Dr. Ebony Parker-Featherstone is an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discusses ways for women to improve self-care. 

The future of mobility will be the focus of a panel discussion taking place Tuesday at Washtenaw Community College.

Hannah Palmer just started her senior year at Eastern Michigan University, but before she even graduates, she is finding purpose in her own personal pain by creating "The Sunflower Project."

She talks with WEMU's Lisa Barry about the goal of the mental health nonprofit and how she hopes to help those dealing with mental health challenges, beginning by sharing her own struggles and finding ways to support others who do as well.

Known as "Basil Babe," the mother-and-daughter duo work together making Asian dumplings selling and serving them at pop-up events around Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Lisa Barry speaks with the daughter, Thai Inhmathong, about how the business got started and what she envisions happening in the future.

The natural parks found all over Washtenaw County are like a time capsule. They tell tales of local and state history, which is why their preservation is such a high priority. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks about the work being done to protect and preserve these areas with Kira Macyda, a park planner and preservationist for Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation.

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:

After a 17-year, underground incubation period, the Cicadas are coming.  The somewhat large, noisy insects will return this summer and swarm in huge numbers in portions of Washtenaw County.  WEMU's David Fair checked in with Washtenaw County Conservation District community forester Summer Roberts about the 2021 irruption.  There is some good they do for the environment, and there are ways to help mitigate the potential harm they bring to small trees and shrubs. 

Michigan is still the nation's hotspot for newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, but some positive strides are being made.  More vaccinations are available, and the pause on the one-dose, Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been lifted.  WEMU's David Fair discussed the latest information with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia.

Growing up in a household infused with art, creativity, and as the granddaughter of Motown Temptation Melvin Franklin, Morgan Foreman-McGovern gained confidence and direction.  She is a Renaissance woman: a dancer, singer, advocate for the environment and the BIPOC community, and the constituent services director for Michigan Representative Felicia Brabec.  She tells Creative Washtenaw's Deb Polich and WEMU's David Fair her story on this edition of "creative:impact."

"Barrier Busters" is a coalition of more than 90-plus service agencies and organizations in Washtenaw County.  It helps low and moderate income families in times of need and helps bridge gaps that might otherwise send a person, or family, spiraling downward.  Moonson Eninsche supervises the program from the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development.  He joined WEMU's David Fair to offer an inside look at how pandemic hardships have increased the need for services. 

In the wake of the conviction of former Minneapolis, MN police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd, police reform is at the top of local and national discussions.  12th District Representative Debbie Dingell weighs in on the opportunity to make meaningful change on that and other issues in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton says he, like others, feels no joy in the guilty verdicts of Derek Chauvin but agrees there is some sense of relief and validation.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with the sheriff about his reaction to the verdicts and shares his support of public protests and encourages them to be done in a safe manner.

This year marks the United Way of Washtenaw County's 100th anniversary.  Appropriately enough, "Washtenaw United" has now surpassed 100 episodes on WEMU.  David Fair marks both milestones in a conversation with UWWC president and CEO Pam Smith and touches on what the future holds. 

The trial of white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is nearing an end.  He's charged in the killing of George Floyd, a Black man.  Not far from the trial, another Black man, Daunte Wright, was killed last Sunday by another white police officer.  Survivors Speak founder and executive director Trische' Duckworth joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss these current events and the goals of this weekend's protest in Ann Arbor. 

Spring is in the air, and it's tempting to clean up the yard.  Yet, starting too early, or cleaning too thoroughly, can be devastating to our pollinators, including bees, birds and butterfiles.  On this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with Lisa Denys, a seasonal environmental program assistant for Washtenaw County, about some tips for maintaining a clean and environmentally friendly yard. 

As an elected official and a cardiovascular ICU nurse at Michigan Medicine, Katie Scott, who represents District 9 as a Washtenaw County commissioner, has experienced quite a bit over this past year in a pandemic.

She talks with WEMU's Lisa Barry about that and her decision to write a public letter addressing recent comments shared by an Ann Arbor city council member, which contained a quote attacking journalists and included a homophobic slur.

The number of confirmed cases continues to rise in Michigan, and vaccine efforts will be hampered by news the CDC and FDA have recommended pausing use of the Johnson and Johnson one-dose vaccine.  WEMU's David Fair discussed these recent COVID-related developments with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia.

Eastern Michigan University is ramping up its efforts to get students and staff vaccinated against COVID-19.

Washtenaw County residents aged 50 and over may not get out and about as easily as younger folks.  It can be even harder for those with less financial means.  A new pilot program called "AARP Ride@50+" was developed to make public transit more accesible, and its community development manager, Alison Petersen, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the program and what it has, so far, achieved. 

Ypsilanti officials have declared a local state of emergency.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Education and efforts continue in Washtenaw County, including this weekend's "Everesting Challenge."  SafeHouse Center executive director Barbara Niess-May, and two of the center's board members, will take on the challenge to to raise awareness of the ongoing challenges and money to address them.  Niess-May disucussed all of it in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair. 

Established by Ann Arbor's Leon Speakers and Ypsilanti-based Grove Studios, there is a new Amplify Fellowship meant to support musicians of color living in Washtenaw County.  Lisa Barry talks with On the Ground Ypsi project manager Sarah Rigg and Maia Evans, co-founder of the fellowship, about who and what is involved.

The Ypsilanti District Library will finally break ground on a new Superior Township branch, and the public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, April 7th.  Lisa Barry talks with Sam Killian of the library system about how this new facility has been a long time in the making and how the community will benefit.

Even though vaccine eligibility has expanded, the state of Michigan has faced a surge in COVID-19 cases.  The number of variant cases and hospitalizations has risen as well.  WEMU's David Fair spoke with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia about the trends found in our community. 

We are officially in the midst of tax season.  For many Washtenaw County residents, it is stressful, especially for those who have struggled financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  Still, volunteers working at the United Way of Washtenaw County's VITA program are ready to provide tax advice and assistance.  VITA program manager Emma Roeder joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation about the program's current efforts on this week's "Washtenaw United."

Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of attention on Washtenaw County--most of it positive, but not all.  WEMU’s David Fair and 12th District Congressional Representative Debbie Dingell discuss increased investment in combatting coronavirus in the area and at Willow Run Airport.  The Dearborn Democrat also explains why she has asked the federal Department of Education to look at Title IX allegations leveled against Eastern Michigan University.

For 24 years, Janis Bobrin served Washtenaw County as Water Resources Commissioner.  Some of the programs she devised and implemented are now industry standard and the positive environmental impacts she's had in our community are quite tangible.  For the final Women's History Month edition of "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair speaks with Bobrin about her remarkable career and the lasting impacts she has had on the health of our environment and quality of life. 

There will be a special flag-raising ceremony outside the Washtenaw County administration building to recognize the Transgender Day of Visibility.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Washtenaw County commissioner Jason Morgan about that.