David Fair

The federal administration has laid off hundreds of staff from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the impact is already being felt locally and in region. Moving forward, there is the potential NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab in Ann Arbor could be shut down. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Nicole Rice about where it stands now and where it may be headed. Rice is among those already fired from the lab in Ann Arbor.

2025 marks WEMU’s 60th year as a broadcast radio station. We are celebrating throughout the year with a series of conversations with those who have been instrumental in building the foundation and creating public identity for WEMU. Russ Collins was the longtime executive director of the Michigan Theater Foundation, which is now known as Marquee Arts. And for more than 30 years, he served as co-host of "Cinema Chat" on WEMU. Deb Polich led Artrain and Creative Washtenaw and for years served as host of "creative:impact" on WEMU. Both have retired from all of their positions, but stopped by for a 60th Anniversary conversation with "Morning Edition" host David Fair.

There's still time to catch a good summer flick downtown! WEMU's David Fair chats with Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink about the newest films and the latest batch of special screenings coming to Ann Arbor! Plus, the Michigan Theater has something special for any "Deadheads" out there this weekend!

Between 1995 and 2023, the City of Ann Arbor’s Natural Area Preservation (NAP) division coordinated a continuous butterfly monitoring program using trained community science volunteers. Ludovico Behrendt is an environmental data specialist with NAP and conducted a retrospective analysis of this nearly 30-year dataset. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the findings on the health of butterflies in the area and what it says about the health of the local environment.

We all need a hand-up sometimes. Some of us need a little more. Since 1949, the Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy has offered that support to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A court decision in 2024 offered a boost in those services and changed the way the state approaches IDD. But the new federal administration’s policy changes and budget cuts put that progress at risk. WEMU's David Fair talked with the association’s President and CEO, Kristen Columbus, about all of it on this week’s "Washtenaw United".

The movie world has it all this week, including the return of a Cinetopia Film Festival favorite! WEMU's David Fair had his weekly meet-up with Marquee Arts cinema programming director, Nick Alderink. Together, they give you all the details on the latest cinematic offerings!

Election days can be stressful for candidates and those who have a vested interest in the outcome of a particular ballot issue. It can also be stressful for election workers who have a huge job and a short time to finish it. Well before elections, there is a rather impressive preparation process, months in the making. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Washtenaw County Clerk and Register of Deeds, Lawrence Kestenbaum, about the lead up to Tuesday's election and the preparations already underway for November.

Voters in Ann Arbor have passed two proposals that will change the future of what many call the "Library Lot." The city-owned property will eventually house a mixed-use development with housing and retail, a new library and about 10,000 feet of open space. Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor has been a strong proponent of the plan and advocated for passage of Proposals A and B. He joined WEMU's David Fair to share his takeaways and how the plan will move forward from here.

Proposals A and B won voter approval in Ann Arbor. It is not the outcome members of the Library Green Conservancy had been hoping for. That group helped pass a 2018 charter amendment that called for the city-owned Library Lane property to be turned into a Center of the City commons, which would serve as an urban park and gathering place. WEMU's David Fair spoke with the conservancy's president, Rita Mitchell, about the disappointment, the election, and what may come next.

Voters in the Northville School District have approved renewal of a 10-year sinking fund millage.