Features

Feature Story Kevin Fischer3

Medicaid cuts threaten Michigan’s mental health

Federal Medicaid cuts threaten the very lives of those living with serious mental illness, disabilities, and substance use disorders as well as the quality of life and livelihoods of those managing their mental health care with medications and support that Medicaid currently covers.  

Innovation News Rowers at the inaugural RowFest.

Free beginner rowing lessons offered in Ypsi Township in advance of national rowing championship

Two free rowing classes will be offered to the public as part of RowFest 2025, a national rowing championship coming to Ford Lake in Ypsilanti Township this year.

Feature Story Kaysi Hohner in welding class at Saline High School.

Diversity in skilled trades: Women find rewarding work in traditionally male-dominated fields

In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Lillian Gentry interviews female students and adults about their experiences in skilled trades.

Development News TORC Robotics' new facility in Ann Arbor Township.

Self-driving truck company opens $5.6 million Ann Arbor Twp. facility, creating 500 local jobs

TORC Robotics, an independent subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG and a leader in autonomous truck technology, has announced the opening of a new facility in Ann Arbor Township.

Innovation News Caleb Dahl working in Computer Integrated Manufacturing class at Saline High School.

CTE millage to go before Washtenaw County voters as CTE program demand increases

A new report shows that over the last four years, while overall student enrollment in Washtenaw County has decreased, CTE program enrollment has increased by 69%. 

Feature Story Saline High School student Ashley Malinczak.

High schoolers get an early start on health care careers through Washtenaw County CTE programs

In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Eliza Gallippo looks into how students are getting a health care career jumpstart through career technical education programs in Washtenaw County.

Feature Story Stethoscope and health puzzle

Breaking barriers: How youth and adult advocates are reimagining health care access

In this installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Divya Reddy examines systemic and interpersonal barriers young people face in accessing health care, and community-centric ways to address those barriers. 

Innovation News The first five Michigan graduates of the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program.

Ann Arbor SPARK, WCC celebrate first Michigan grads of manufacturing education program

The inaugural cohort is leaving the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program with two years of work experience, degrees, and job offers. 

Feature Story A view through the titanium-sapphire crystal that helps to transfer power into ZEUS’s laser pulses.

U-M's ZEUS laser, the strongest in the U.S., is about to get even more powerful

Currently operating at an electrical power output of two petawatts, this summer the ZEUS laser’s output will soar to three petawatts thanks to a new lab-grown titanium-infused sapphire crystal from Salem, Mass. 

Innovation News Manzanitas Spanish Immersion Playschool in Ann Arbor.

U-M works to preserve and disseminate education data as feds pull funding for its collection

As Americans continue to digest cuts to the U.S. Department of Education, researchers at the University of Michigan are striving to maintain and widen access to education data critical to informing public policy. 

Feature Story Danielle Davis, known professionally as Dani Darling.

Ann Arbor's Dani Darling to step back from music after July EP release

Ann Arbor-based musician Danielle Davis, who performs as Dani Darling, says she doesn't "want to throw out the word 'retirement,'" but she is also looking forward to taking a break from music after she releases her latest EP, "Cazimi," at the end of July.

Longform The inaugural meeting of the Ypsi Fine Arts Club.

Ypsilanti Fine Arts Club celebrates 2 years of supportive community for local artists

Since May 2023, Ypsilanti’s Riverside Arts Center has hosted the Ypsilanti Fine Arts Club, providing a space for local artists and art appreciators to connect and share their work on the first and third Wednesday of each month. 

Longform Cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care.

Commmunity mental health partnerships with first responders a win-win for communities

Across Michigan, community mental health (CMH) agencies are redefining crisis response through deep partnerships with EMS, law enforcement, and fire departments. These cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care.  

Feature Story A still from Elizabeth Ai's film "New Wave."

Documentary screened in Ann Arbor explores music, identity, and healing for Vietnamese immigrants

In this installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Ella Yip interviews filmmaker Elizabeth Ai about her documentary exploring the connection between Vietnamese Americans and '80s new wave music.

Innovation News A Walk With Friends group prepares to set out on a two-mile walk around Ypsilanti on June 21, 2025.

"Walk With Friends" group promotes exercise and social connection with weekly 2-mile walks in Ypsi

Washtenaw Optimal Wellness has partnered with Ypsilanti Marketing and Print Company and the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority to bring a new, free walking group to Ypsi residents this summer.

Feature Story The Balkan Paradise Orchestra.

All-female Spanish ensemble to bring Balkan brass music to Ann Arbor Summer Fest

Barcelona’s genre-blending Balkan Paradise Orchestra will light up the Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Rackham Stage with a free show on June 22, promising a vibrant fusion of Balkan folk, jazz, classical, and street music.

Longform Kara Inmon, Darius Smith, and J.B. Ricks at the Food Folks Fun studio in Ypsi.

New Ypsi-based podcast network aims to uplift local community and neighboring businesses

The new podcast network Food Folks Fun will showcase a variety of local voices in order to promote the businesses, organizations, and people of Depot Town and beyond.

Longform Lotipha Renée Hunter performs at a drag bingo event at Uplift.

Drag as activism: Washtenaw County performers seek to "demystify" queerness in divisive times

Washtenaw County’s drag scene is stepping boldly into the political spotlight, using art and expression to counter rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.

Innovation News Juneteenth celebrations in Ypsilanti.

Juneteenth in Ypsi grows into a weekend of activism, music, and faith, featuring gospel star

Ypsilanti's annual Juneteenth celebration will run a full weekend this year, including a day of action, a sickle cell anemia awareness walk, and a performance by a Grammy-winning artist.

Innovation News A flyer for Lattes and Bouquets.

Ypsi cafe to feature "flower bar" for attendees to build their own bouquets

Ypsilanti’s Bridge Community Cafe is collaborating with Detroit-based pop-up event planner Swanky Lady Couture for a series of hands-on bouquet-building events throughout July. 

Hasini and Harshini Anand are members of Corner Health Center's Youth Leadership Council and mental health advocates.

 


   Voices of Youth
Concentrate's Voices of Youth series features content created by Washtenaw County youth in partnership with Concentrate mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. Click here for a full list of the latest content from this series.