News

Ann Arbor's city council is considering ordinance amendments that would impact the Downtown Development Authority's ability to collect tax increment financing revenue.  With that in mind, DDA officials discussed the agency's budget at a council work session Monday night.  Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

Ypsilanti Mayor Pro Tem Lois Richardson thinks it's time for a moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. 

Talks are underway which could lead to a new dispensary on the east side of South Huron street, just north of I-94.  Richardson says the city doesn't need another dispensary.

Richardson says Ypsilanti Township limits medical marijuana dispensaries, and the city should, too.  She has not made an official proposal to limit the number of dispensaries in the city, but she appears to have support from at least two of her colleagues on city council. 

Washtenaw County finished 2012 in a bit better budget position than expected, giving the county some additional money to use the current fiscal year if needed.  Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

WEMU listener favorite Harry Connick, Jr. was staff favorite from March 11th through the 17th.

Each week we track how many times we play a new CD. Between March 11th and the 17th, pianist and singer Harry Connick, Jr. claimed the top spot of our Sweet 16. We first premiered the disc on Mardi Gras 2013 (February 12th). The disc’s presence at the top of the list a month later is a testament to the authenticity of Harry Connick, Jr’s joyful New Orleans funk grooves.

Sunday Wilde’s new CD, He Gave Me A Blue Nightgown was just perfect for a Friday premiere on WEMU when we play it a little loose and fun getting ready for the weekend. 

This weekend you have the chance to learn more about the Small Learning Communities educational model chosen for middle and high school students in the Ypsilanti Community Schools. 

A public meeting Saturday will also help to determine which school buildings are best suited for Small Learning Communities, and which might not be used next year.

Saturday's meeting runs from ten to noon at Ypsilanti New Tech at Ardis, 2100 Ellsworth Road. 

Part of Ann Arbor's Main Street won't be quite as bright as normal for an hour tomorrow night.   The city is celebrating the sixth annual Earth Hour by turning off street lights from 8:30 to 9:30 on Saturday (3/23) night.  Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

We welcome Asuka Kakitani to the realm of expressive composers and arrangers with Bloom. Chronologically, March 21st is the second day of spring for 2013, but the weather proved otherwise. So, we dreamed of spring and listened to new music evoking rebirth and the beauty of nature by Asuka Kakitani and her Jazz Orchestra this morning on 89.1 Jazz.

The Washtenaw County Border-to-Border Trail is a step closer to completion, thanks to an easement obtained by the City of Ypsilanti from Fischer Honda on Michigan Avenue. 

Ypsilanti City Planner Teresa Gillotti says the easement will clear the way for a pedestrian bridge to be built from Riverside Park to a corner of the Fischer Honda property, with an improved Michigan Avenue crossing then linking the trail to the Water Street re-development area. 

Gillotti says the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission is covering the $38,000 cost of the easement.

Before Michigan's right-to-work law takes effect later this month, the Washtenaw County  Board  of Commissioners has approved new long-term contracts with nearly all of the unions representing county workers.  Similar policy for non-union employees has been set as well.  Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

The 51st annual Ann Arbor Film Festival is underway.   Everything you need to know about it is on this week's Cinema Chat from WEMU.

A group of about 35 people, most of them students, got together last night in the Ypsilanti High School media center to talk about mascot and school colors suggestions for Ypsilanti Community Schools. 

The generational divide between the students and the adults was obvious, as most of the adults favored a mascot with historical significance, such as Bombers or Liberators, and the kids preferred something new, like Royals or Grizzlies. 

Today we honored a woman who helped shape the history of jazz as a musician, band leader, composer, 

Ypsilanti residents can plan for nice vegetable gardens on their property this summer, now that city council has approved an ordinance text amendment to allow for urban gardens in residential yards and vacant lots.  

City Planner Teresa Gillotti says gardens can be grown in front, side and back yards, but must be set back three feet from the sidewalk and cannot obstruct the view for motorists. 

Gillotti says area churches have been among those anxious to put vacant city lots to good use by planting gardens.

Ypsilanti's city council has put off a decision on a purchase agreement that would have a Family Dollar store built on the northeast corner of the Water Street redevelopment area.  The delay is due, in part,  to the city's master plan update.  Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

This week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU examines infrastructure needs to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles and hybrids.  Our guest is the project manager for "Plug-in Ready Michigan", Mark Rabinsky. 

The 51st annual Ann Arbor Film Festival kicked off Tuesday night with the opening gala at the Michigan Theater.   WEMU's Andrew Cluley was there.