News

Later this week, bids to demolish most of the former Willow Run factory originally built to produce bombers during World War II will be opened.  As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, future environmental actions and redevelopment of the factory were the subject of a public meeting Tuesday night.

The city of Ypsilanti is on the verge of becoming a member of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authortiy.  WEMU's Bob Eccles has the story.

  An Eastern Michigan University professor is undertaking a 450-mile cycling trip starting June 29 in order to raise $4000 dollars to support Study Abroad programs at Eastern.

Even more amazing, he will making the 12-day journey at age 70, something many people in their 70's could not undertake.

John Fike is a part time lecturer in Eastern's political science department. He says Study Abroad programs are important because students who go to other countries to study come back more mature, more focused, and more rounded in their understanding of the world.

  Full time undergraduate students at Eastern Michigan University will spend about $340 more in tuition and fees next school year. 

The board of regents today approved a 3.75 percent increase in tuition and fees.

Ann Arbor City Council has adopted a resolution committing to funding a project at 721 North Main.  As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, the move means a proposed greenway along the city's western edge takes a couple of steps forward.

  Ann Arbor City Council has amended the city's signs and outdoor advertising ordinance to prohibit new digital billboards, or conversions of old billboards to digital.  WEMU's Andrew Cluley has the story.

  A principal has been named for Ypsilanti New Tech High School beginning with the creation of Ypsilanti Community Schools on July 1st. 

Kelly Mickel most recently served as Health and Wellness Facilitator with Willow Run New Tech High School.  She has a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Health from Eastern Michigan University, along with a masters degree in Educational Leadership.

Mickel fills a position left open when Cory McElmeel accepted the position of principal at Ann Arbor's Skyline High School.

  The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan wants Ann Arbor Public Schools to to re-think charging high school students for seventh hour classes.  WEMU's Andrew Cluley has the story.

  A University of Michigan professor says improving the fuel efficiency of cars is a good thing, but he warns that alternative fuel vehicles are not the greenhouse gas "silver bullet" some make them out to be.  WEMU's Bob Eccles has the story.

The latest innovations in "green" products will take over Ann Arbor's Main Street tonight. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, the 13th annual event runs from six to nine tonight.

The unified, Ypsilanti-Willow Run school board continues the march towards the July 1st, official launch of the district merger. As WEMU's Bob Eccles reports, the board on Thursday night took care of some contract business.

The Mayor of Ann Arbor says the city has turned the corner on recession. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, John Hieftje yesterday gave an unofficial "State of the City" address at the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Headline Lunch.

Michigan Theater Executive Director Russ Collins paid his weekly visit with David Fair for this week's installment of Cinema Chat, and began the conversation discussing the return of one of the University of Michigan's most successful exports to Hollywood.

Ann Arbor Public Schools will use almost one-point-two million dollars in reserves to balance next year's budget.  as WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, the School Board early this morning approved the district budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year.

The Ann Arbor School District is turning to the head of its Human Resources and Legal Services 

Departments to lead the district for the next few months. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, the Board of Education last night named Dave Comsa to serve as Interim Superintendent.

The whole keyboard was Miller's canvas. His left hand could stride and swing with great authority, and when the two hands got together, he sent the train down the tracks. Hear music from WBGO's 25th-anniversary party, the Detroit Jazz Festival and the Kennedy Center Jazz Club.

JazzSet celebrates the art of the late piano great Mulgrew Miller.

Pianist and singer Freddy Cole gets better and better. If it’s possible, there is greater warmth and depth in his husky voice. His phrasing is even more subtle and sly. His sense of rhythm – just slightly behind the beat feels more suspenseful yet playful than before. His chemistry with the band seems to be more organic, tighter and empathetic.

Downtown Ann Arbor sidewalks may become low-key concert venues more frequently.  WEMU's Andrew Cluley has more on a proposal to encourage street musicians.

With gas prices soaring, local motorists are as baffled as anyone else as to why we're paying so much to fill up our tanks.  WEMU's Bob Eccles has the story.

The 2nd annual Cinetopia Film Festival kicked off in Ann Arbor Thursday night and will run right through the weekend. With so much to cover, a second installment of Cinema Chat this week seemed appropriate and needed! In this bonus edition, WEMU's David Fair is joined by Michigan Theater Executive Director Russ Collins and Michigan Theater Program Director Amanda Bynum. Additionally, there is a special appearance by Richmond Arquette! Richmond is the co-star of the film, "This is Martin Bonner."  The film will be shown twice at Cinetopia, the first of which is 9:30 tonight.