News

Infrastructure upgrades, the Allen Creek Greenway project, and accessory dwelling units to be included in the next fiscal year.

  They train together for victories, and for athletes at Eastern Michigan University they'll also soon be training to fight sexual violence. 

Ann Arbor officials won't have to try to find a new City Administrator at this time after all. 

The federal government and area farmers could help improve the quality of water flowing through area rivers and streams. 

Snyder: House transit plan not sufficient

Governor Rick Snyder says a plan adopted by the state House to shift sales taxes collected on fuel sales to roads won’t work. He says that could rob schools and local governments of money they need to operate.

Despite objections from many in the Eastern Michigan University community, a partnership with the controversial statewide school district designed to turn-around the worst schools in Michigan will continue.  

Eastern Michigan University students, staff, and visitors will have to leave campus to use tobacco starting next summer. 

Ypsilanti City Council has approved spending about $55,000 to buy 15 body-worn cameras for the police department.  The money will also pay for an upgrade to the department's in-car video system.

State House approves suspicion-based drug testing for welfare recipients

The state House has approved a bill that would revoke welfare payments from people who fail drug tests. The state would implement the one-year pilot program in three counties that have not yet been selected.

The drug testing will be conducted based on "reasonable suspicion," unlike previous programs in Michigan that made testing mandatory.

A new online tool can help communities and individuals in the Great Lakes area plan for challenges climate change may cause.

Ann Arbor's Downtown Development Authority is putting some conditions on allowing the former Y-Lot on Fifth Avenue to return as a surface parking lot. 

In the not-so-distant future, Pittsfield Township Hall may be entirely powered by solar energy, with a center that also serves as a community gathering place and educational opportunity. In this week's installment of 'Issues of the Environment', David Fair talks with Pittsfield Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal.  

State Senate rejects bill to reduce truck weight limits

The state Senate has rejected a bill that would reduce the amount of weight trucks are allowed to carry on Michigan's roads. The state has the highest truck weight limits in the country.

Democrats say reducing the limits will help keep the roads from crumbling.

MI asks federal judge to end oversight of child foster care

Michigan wants out from under court-ordered oversight of the state's child foster care system. The state filed a motion Tuesday with the US District Court in Detroit to bring an end to the protracted litigation.

The class action lawsuit was filed in 2006 by the advocacy group Children's Rights. The court found high caseloads and too many kids who weren't finding permanent homes.

The University of Michigan is looking for a new football coach, as Brady Hoke has been dismissed following a 5-7 season.  

Visitors to downtown Ann Arbor may soon have a team of people to turn to for information and assistance.

Organizations across Washtenaw County encouraged people to get tested for HIV Monday for World AIDS Day.

The number of new HIV cases grew sharply in the county last year, reaching a 15-year high.

Jimena Loveluck is the president of the HIV/AIDS Resource Center.

She says it's incredibly important to get tested and know your HIV status.

Ypsilanti City Council Tuesday night will consider paying for body-worn cameras for the police department.

Chief Tony DiGiusti is asking for $54,634 to not only pay for 15 body-worn cameras, but to upgrade the department's in-car video system. 

City Council will also consider transferring ownership of two parcels of land to the Ypsilanti Housing Commission to be used in part as offices where low-income residents can have access to the Internet and Family Empowerment Program counselors.

Three people filed paperwork by Monday's 5 p.m. deadline to be considered for appointment to Ypsilanti's vacant Ward two City Council seat.

Council member Susan Moeller resigned to spend more time with elderly family members. 

Beth Bashert, Gail Wolkoff and Anne Brown will now be interviewed by City Council at a special meeting on December 9. 

Gov. Snyder urges state House to pass gas tax increase for roads

State lawmakers have just nine or ten more session days in 2014, and still no consensus on how to raise money to help fix Michigan's roads.

With the Legislature's "lame duck" session about to start up in earnest on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Snyder spent Monday promoting a specific road funding plan at events in Detroit and Southfield.