Local

March Against Monsanto comes to Ann Arbor

David Fair — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:07:02 +0000

Downtown Ann Arbor, on Saturday, will be the site of a protest march and rally. The "March Against Monsanto" will begin at 1 pm on the University of Michigan central campus Diag, and proceed to Hanover Square Park for the rally. On "Morning Edition" today, WEMU's David Fair caught up with the woman who organized the protest, Kryssi Jones.

Ann Arbor Schools Officials Seek Public Input in its Superintendent Search

Andrew Cluley — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:54:01 +0000

The Superintendent search is underway in the Ann Arbor School District and applications are beginning to roll in. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, district officials are gathering public input before any interviews are conducted.

Locally Sourced, Bike Delivery Ice Cream to come to Ypsilanti

Bob Eccles — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:54:19 +0000

Soon Ypsilanti residents will be able to have ice cream delivered at home, with future plans to expand to Ann Arbor in the near future. WEMU's Bob Eccles sits down with Rob Hess, of Go! Ice Cream to talk about his passion for ice cream and cycling.

Ypsi Firefighters to Present Hybrid Police/Fire Concerns to City Council

Bob Eccles — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:01:11 +0000

It looks as though Ypsilanti City Council will go ahead and allow the city's firefighters union to make a presentation on why it believes a hybrid police and fire model is wrong for Ypsilanti.

City Manager Ralph Lange has recommended cross-training police to also respond to fires as a way to make the best use of city employees.

Cinema Chat: Cinetopia, Whiskey and Fast Cars!

David Fair and Amanda Bynum — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:44:32 +0000

On this week's edition of "Cinema Chat" WEMU's David Fair has a different co-host. While Russ Collins spent the morning toiling elsewhere, Michigan Theater Program Director Amanda Bynum filled in to provide all of the movie information you'll need.

Ann Arbor School Board Shares Plans for Nearly 9-Million Dollars in Cuts at Public Hearing

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:54:46 +0000

The Ann Arbor Board of Education continues to grapple with exactly where to make about nine-million dollars in budget reductions. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, the board last night held a public hearing on it's proposed plan.

Ypsilanti Makes Request To Join AATA

Bob Eccles — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:27:15 +0000

The City of Ypsilanti has made a formal request to join the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority. WEMU's Bob Eccles has the details in his report.

Issues of the Environment: Prescribed Ecological Burns

David Fair — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:57:02 +0000

In this week's installment of Issues of the Environment, WEMU's David Fair explores the importance of prescribed ecological burns in our area parks. The guest this week is David Borneman. David is Natural Areas Preservation Manager for the City of Ann Arbor.

Proposed Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Moratorium in Ypsilanti Delayed

Bob Eccles — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:22:15 +0000

As of today, there are six medical marijuana dispensaries in Ypsilanti and one grow facility. Some on city council believe that's enough. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, a proposed moratorium on new dispensaries went before city council last night, but no decision was reached.

Washtenaw Red Cross Ready To Help In Oklahoma

Bob Eccles — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:37:47 +0000

The Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter of the American Red Cross is preparing for possible deployments to Oklahoma, following Monday's tornado that devastated the city of Moore, just outside Oklahoma City.

Executive Director Donna Duvin says the local chapter hasn't yet received any direct requests for assistance, but stands ready to help.

Duvin says in the event local volunteers are called upon to travel to the tornado-ravaged area, the Washtenaw-Lenawee Chapter will still be ready to offer any help necessary to residents in this area.

Ann Arbor Aims to Streamline Economic Development Efforts

Andrew Cluley — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:08:57 +0000

Ann Arbor officials are looking to improve economic development efforts in the city. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, City Council is creating a new task force to better coordinate development strategies.

Affordable Housing Wins in 2014 City of Ann Arbor Budget

Andrew Cluley — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:25 +0000

Ann Arbor City Council will dip into fund balance a bit further next fiscal year to give a boost to affordable housing and human services. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, early this morning the City Council, passed an 83.1 million dollar general fund budget for the 2014 fiscal year.

WCC Hosts House Subcommittee Hearing

Bob Eccles — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:13:27 +0000

Washtenaw Community College hosted a hearing of the Michigan House Community College Subcommittee on Appropriations Monday afternoon.

WCC President Rose Bellanca told the subcommittee that it would be helpful if the state would help community colleges pay for developmental programs for students who aren't quite ready for college.

She also thanked the panel for a proposed two-and-a-half percent increase in funding for community colleges.

David Arnay Goes from Concept to Accomplishment

Linda Yohn — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:08:44 +0000

I admit it – I’m often skeptical regarding a concept CD from a new artist. I think to myself - oh they need a gimmick to get to me to listen.

Ypsilanti Pride Day Marks 18th Anniversary on Saturday

Laura Heffner — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:47:41 +0000

Spring clean-up and community beautification projects will be found throughout Ypsilanti on Saturday.

Roundabout Construction Near Costco Will Soon Be Underway

Andrew Cluley — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:06:13 +0000

Motorists in the Ann Arbor/Pittsfield Township should prepare for some new traffic delays as a new road construction project gets underway. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, work on a new roundabout at the intersection of State Street and Ellsworth Road will get underway in June.

Ann Arbor In Concert To Hold Inaugural Performance

Bob Eccles — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:25:29 +0000

The new performing arts group Ann Arbor in Concert holds its inaugural performance Saturday night at 8 at the Michigan Theater. WEMU's Bob Eccles spoke with a couple of the folks involved.

Cinema Chat: Into the Woods, Star Trek Into Darkness and More

David Fair and Russ Collins — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:33:21 +0000

There are new films opening in the are this week, and it is the season for film festivals. In this week's installment of "Cinema Chat" WEMU's David Fair and Michigan Theater Executive Director Russ Collins cover all of it for you, beginning with discussion of a new, lavish movie musical that's in the works.

Washtenaw County Committee Delays Action on Potential 345-Million Dollar Bond Sale

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:21:40 +0000

A proposal for a 345-million dollar bond sale to pay for Washtenaw County's unfunded liabilities will move forward more deliberately than originally intended. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, The Board of Commissioners Ways and Means Committee last night pulled the item from it's agenda to allow more time for public input.

Washtenaw County Exceeds 1st Quarter Budget Expectations

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:55 +0000

Washtenaw County officials report better than expected financial results in the first quarter of the year, but still need to make millions of dollars worth of structural changes next year. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, County Administrator Verna McDaniel last night gave the Board of Commissioners an update on the fiscal state of the county.