washtenaw county

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. 

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meet tonight, and one resolution is aimed at cultivating a culture of inclusivity within the Sheriff’s Office.  We have more from WEMU’s Heather Irvine.

College scholarships are available for Washtenaw Community College students, and you don’t have to be a graduating high school senior or honor student for eligibility.  WEMU’s Heather Irvine has more.

The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office has announced it will not collaborate with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, also known as ICE.  89.1 WEMU's Taylor Pinson has more.

Despite limited supplies, distribution of the coronavirus vaccine is increasing locally.  Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Ringler-Cerniglia joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the latest information and what it means to you. 

In the best of times, food insecurity is a significant community problem.  In the pandemic economy, it has become a desperate situation for all too many.  The Ypsilanti-based Joyful Treats Community Foundation is bringing its culinary and catering talents to the fore in helping address the issue.  Founder and president Khadija Wallace joined WEMU's David Fair on "Washtenaw United" to discuss the inspiration and motivation behind the foundation's efforts.

Calling it "the second greatest, most significant contagious crisis in recent history," physician, professor, author, and director for the Center For The History of Medicine at the University of Michigan Dr. Howard Markel talks with WEMU's Lisa Barry.  He shares his perspective on where we are now in the pandemic compared to previous pandemics and how he sees it ending.

Jamall Bufford is a musician, rapper, and DJ, and his energy impacts a number of young men through his work as project specialist at Washtenaw County My Brother's Keeper (WMBK).  He joined "creative:impact" co-hosts Deb Polich and David Fair to discuss the importance of infusing art and creativity into youth development projects.  The efforts have resulted in an album featuring a number of talented young people from Washtenaw County and a documentary film highlighting how the project offers a path forward. 

Two local health organizations are coming together to help expand COVID-19 vaccination efforts at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center.

Local efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 are having some positive side effects.

"The Racial Roots of Vaccine Skepticism" is what an upcoming virtual roundtable discussion involving several state and local lawmakers is being called.  WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with State Senator Jeff Irwin and Charles Wilson from the Washtenaw County Health Department about the planned community conversation on the racial roots of vaccine skepticism as part of Black History Month.

Ann Arbor Restaurant Week typically takes place in January.  But because of the continuing pandemic, some changes were made, and it will now take place in late February.  Lisa Barry talks with Sandra Andrade, the executive director of Main Street Area Ann Arbor, about this year's event and supporting the Ann Arbor culinary scene while still enjoying some unique dining experiences.

Despite the United Kingdom variant entering the area, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has leveled off recently.  Yet, distributing out the vaccine to residents has still not reached the level that was hoped for.  Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Cerniglia discusses the latest COVID-19 developments with WEMU's David Fair.

For nearly a decade now, Eastern Michigan University's Family Empowerment Program has helped those living in Ypsilanti Housing Commission facilities in a variety of ways.  The program's work has become even more important through the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for families of color.  The program's executive director, Marquan Jackson, joined WEMU's David Fair on the first day of Black History Month to discuss services offered and why the pandemic has highlighted issues of systemic racism. 

February is Black History Month, and coming up this week in Ypsilanti is a virtual community conversation being called “America Without Racism...Making the Vision a Reality."  Organized by several local organizations, including “Washtenaw Faces Race” and the Ypsilanti District Library, the two-day, online event is intended to be a conversation about imagining a world without racism and exploring what needs to be done to make that a reality.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with La'Ron Williams, a local storyteller and racial justice educator, who helped come up with the idea for the community event.

In an effort to interrupt the spread of COVID-19 and a new variant of the virus on the University of Michigan campus, a new “stay in place” recommendation has been issued by the Washtenaw County Health Department for students on or near the Ann Arbor campus.  WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Rick Fitzgerald, assistant vice president for public affairs at the University of Michigan, about what that means for the university community.

Ann Arbor's Materials Recovery Facility has been closed for nearly five years due to safety concerns.  In 2020, the city hired Recycle Ann Arbor to handle recycling and charged it with reopening the facility.  Renovation and innovation measures are getting underway, and "The MuRF," as it's called, should open this fall.  Recycle Ann Arbor CEO Bryan Ukena joined WEMU's David Fair to update you on this week's "Issues of the Environment."

A new, more contagious strain of the coronavirus made its way to Washtenaw County earlier this month.  Since then, 13 cases have been confirmed in the county, and all University of Michigan athletic programs have been put on pause.  WEMU's David Fair discussed the latest information with Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Cerniglia.  

In under a month on the job, the new Washtenaw County prosecutor, Eli Savit, has announced a number of new criminal justice plans for the county, including a new approach to juvenile justice.

WEMU's Lisa Barry talked with Savit about his new suite of policy changes, which he says is long overdue and based on science, which will lead to better life outcomes for the youth involved.

The past year has brought a global pandemic, political unrest, and a more concerted effort to combat systemic racism.  Put together, it has created new challenges for leaders in the non-profit sector.  Ann Arbor-based "Career Directions" is dedicated to coaching leaders and organization teams and, it too, has found new challenges to overcome.  On "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair explores challenges and solutions with Career Directions executive coach/principal, David Gruner.

Each week, WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Sarah Rigg, project manager for "On the Ground Ypsi," about an online story from Concentrate Media focusing on the Ypsilanti area.  This week, Lisa and Sarah talk with Suzanne Van Dam from the "Circles Program," part of "Friends In Deed" based in Ypsilanti, about how they have been able to stay connected and support local families even during a global health crisis.

2020 reinforced that there is still a lot of work to do to achieve racial equality and justice in America.  Numerous acts of police brutality and a pandemic that disproportionate impacted people of color highlight the need for greater investment in equity.  In a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day edition of "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair discusses the state of "The Dream," locally and beyond, with Washtenaw County racial equity officer Alize Asberry Payne.

The first case of a variant strain of the COVID-19 virus in Michigan was found in Washtenaw County.  WEMU’s Lisa Barry spoke with Washtenaw County Health Department spokeswoman Susan Cerniglia about what happens next and why there is concern, but not surprise. 

A week has passed since pro-Trump extremists attacked the U.S. Capitol.  In the meantime, more protests are planned, including one at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing.  Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss local efforts to assure public safety. 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently expanded eligibility for the COVID 19-vaccine.  The three-day turnaround for health systems and health departments has put a lot of strain on the system.  And, there isn't enough vaccine to meet demand.  Washtenaw County Health Department spokesperson Susan Cerniglia joined WEMU's David Fair to offer the latest information. 

Police-related violence and resisting arrest are the subjects of two new policies being implemented by the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Washtenaw County Elections Department continues to see an increase in voter registration.  

The Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber says that as more and more people get vaccinated for COVID-19 in Washtenaw County, local businesses may see an increase in revenues.  

Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building Wednesday as Congress worked to certify Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election.  Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton Joined WEMU's David Fair to share his thoughts on the racist motivations behind the insurrection and the police response to the mob attack. 

While many of Washtenaw County employees are working remotely right now because of the pandemic, the county is prepared for when employees return to work in person.