David Fair

Data centers continue to be a major topic of discussion and community concern. Right here in Washtenaw County, there are at least four data center projects proposed or in development. Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi opposed tax incentives while he was a state legislator and even more have passed since his departure. WEMU’s David Fair caught up with Rabhi to discuss his positions on AI and the need for data centers.

We are a country divided. The tone and tenor of political discourse is divisive, mean-spirited and the business of effectively legislating is being compromised. An event in Lansing on Wednesday will bring together the four living former Michigan governors to call for a more civil approach to governing and in how we interact in our communities. Republicans John Engler and Rick Snyder will join Democrats Jim Blanchard and Jennifer Granholm to ask that we turn the political temperature down, so problems can be solved in a civil manner. WEMU's David Fair was joined by one of the organizers of the event, Rebekah Warren. She is a former Ann Arbor State Senator, who now co-leads a bi-partisan group called Michiganders for Civic Resilience.

We’ve been through a stretch of bitter cold and wintery conditions. It has been inconvenient for most of us. For the unhoused, it has been potentially deadly. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Shelter Association of Washtenaw County executive director Nicole Adelman about the work and increased costs of helping those in need.

A new documentary called "Resurgo Detroit: The Rise from Within" is about make its world premiere in downtown Ann Arbor! Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink joined WEMU's David Fair today. They discussed that event, other film openings and the list of movies just added to the National Film Registry.

Invasive plants are not just a backyard nuisance—they’re one of the biggest drivers of long-term habitat loss in the Huron River Watershed. Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum in Ann Arbor have become a local model for tackling the problem through coordinated stewardship and public engagement. WEMU's David Fair found out what they’re doing with Natural Areas Specialist, Steven Parrish.

It's going to be a very, very cold weekend, so get ready to warm up with some new movies! WEMU's David Fair and Marquee Arts' own Nick Alderink cover the latest films and next round of special screenings coming to your favorite Ann Arbor movie houses!

There will be some significant environmental issues to deal with this year. Data centers, grid security, renewable energy policy—all of these issues will be before the Michigan Legislature, and it comes during a mid-term election year. How much will get accomplished? On this week’s "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair spoke with State Senator Sue Shink. She laid out her environmental priorities in 2026.

Grocery prices are higher, the cost of clothes and school supplies is higher, just about everything we buy for our households is more expensive than a year ago. Affordability is a political issue, but for all too many, it’s a personal crisis. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan is providing aid for these everyday items through its Community Fulfillment Center. WEMU's David Fair finds out more about the center’s growing role from UWSEM community engagement and outreach associate director Chris Taylor.

WEMU's David Fair met up with Marquee Arts' own Nick Alderink to chat about the movie awards season and the new films and special screenings coming to the Ann Arbor area!

The annual Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on January 17th. Electric vehicles are already embedded in local climate policy as a required component of meeting adopted emissions targets. Affordability has become a significant issue, and these cost pressures affect communities differently within Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair looked at the impact of EV’s in our community with Charles Griffith from the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center.