Features

Dr. Hank Paulson is a neurologist at University of Michigan Health and director of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

PODCAST: Inside the rapidly expanding field of dementia research

Patrick DunnWednesday, July 19, 2023

One of the most frustrating and scary things about dementia is that we still know breathtakingly little about it. But the medical community in Michigan, as in the rest of the U.S., is currently working at unprecedented speed to change that.

Univeristy of Michigan clinical assistant professor William Lopez.

Community Development

Voices of Youth: How far does Washtenaw County's protection for immigrants fall short?

Maria FarahWednesday, July 19, 2023

In this installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Maria Farah examines immigration issues in Washtenaw County.

O&W's current leadership team: Isabel Wanty, VP of operations; Cooper Wanty, VP of finance; Jamie Wanty, VP of marketing; and Kit Wanty-Lambert, president.

Entrepreneurship

Ypsi-based beer distributor celebrates 90 years in business, 5th generation of family ownership

Sarah RiggWednesday, July 19, 2023

The business began as a pub, Old Town Tavern, in downtown Ann Arbor in the early 1900s and transitioned to a beer distributor that now employs more than 180 people.

Tim Austin, president of A&H Lawn Services, and Mike Van Patten, director of commercial property management at Oxford Companies.

Sustainability

Ann Arbor's Oxford Companies to use all electric landscaping equipment for commercial properties

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, July 19, 2023

Oxford will partner with Saline landscaping company A&H Lawn Services to invest in equipment serving one-third of Oxford's commercial portfolio this year, another third next year, and the final third in 2025.

Technology and Innovation

Washtenaw County makes progress connecting rural areas to broadband

Layla McMurtrieWednesday, July 19, 2023

Construction has started in Bridgewater and Manchester Townships, and homes around Pleasant Lake will be brought online over the coming weeks.

Partner Content

Sensory rooms in doctor’s offices can improve the experience for ASD families.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Corner Health sensory room makes accessing healthcare easier for people living with autism

Autism Alliance of MichiganTuesday, July 18, 2023

For people on the autism spectrum, simple healthcare tasks such as routine vaccinations or annual check-ups can be a challenge. Sensory rooms are one way to overcome that challenge.

SOCIAL Program volunteers Keen Parra and Brooklynn Wilton with their client, Tammirah, at center.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Student volunteers relieve caregivers and build intergenerational friendships through new program

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, July 13, 2023

Students are connecting with, caring for, and learning from older adults through a new intergenerational program that also addresses Michigan’s caregiver shortage.

Reverends Teleah and Donald Phillips at Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti.

Community Development

Michigan's second-oldest AME church celebrates 180th anniversary in Ypsi

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, July 12, 2023

After nearly two centuries in existence, Brown Chapel AME is continuing a broad-ranging mission of community service.

Kids and Education

Child care is expensive and understaffed – but a new Washtenaw County coalition aims to change that

Natalia HoltzmanWednesday, July 12, 2023

A new cross-disciplinary group of local business owners, families, child care providers, and civic organizations is working to alleviate child care challenges.

Saline resident Jim Mangi is a care partner to his wife, Kathleen, who has Alzheimer's disease.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

PODCAST: Building support for dementia caregiving challenges

Patrick DunnWednesday, July 12, 2023

Becoming a caregiver to a person living with dementia is a challenging process. We talked with Michigan caregivers about their struggles, their successes, and the resources and support they need to do their vital work.

LaTanya Nobles is one of many people of color who've experienced racial discrimination at work.

Equity

Voices of Youth: Examining the everyday effects of racial discrimination

Cameron FlowersWednesday, July 12, 2023

In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Cameron Flowers examines the impact of racial discrimination.

Development News

Community Development

Washtenaw County secures funding for recreation center serving Ypsilanti area

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, July 12, 2023

The state of Michigan recently awarded the county a $15 million grant towards development of a new rec center, which will be supplemented by $10 million in additional funds.

A new segment of the Border to Border Trail in Chelsea.

Transportation

National nonprofit ranks Chelsea one of Michigan's bike-friendliest cities

Layla McMurtrieWednesday, July 12, 2023

The city was recently ranked Michigan’s 7th bike-friendliest city by the national nonprofit People for Bikes.

Arts and Culture

New pitch event at Ann Arbor Art Fair will offer cash prizes for artists and art entrepreneurs

Natalia HoltzmanWednesday, July 12, 2023

Event participants will be invited to pitch an idea, artwork, or other facet of an arts-related business.

Ryan Henyard, a member of the Coalition for Re-envisioning Our Safety, uses wildlife photography as a way to center himself.

Second Wave - Michigan

Coalition builds plan for unarmed public safety response in Ann ArborQ&A with Ryan Henyard: Nonprofit Journal Project

Allison Torres BurktaThursday, July 6, 2023

The Coalition for Re-envisioning Our Safety is a coalition of community members and groups in Washtenaw County that is working to develop an unarmed, non-police public safety response program.

Since being diagnosed with dementia, Monica Downer (center, being interviewed) has become an activist for awareness of her disease.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

PODCAST: Dementia disparities in communities of color

Patrick DunnWednesday, July 5, 2023

Dementia is challenging for everyone, but it takes a particularly heavy toll in communities of color. Here's how people living with dementia, researchers, and activists are working to change that in Michigan.

Students run a farm stand as part of Partridge Creek Farm's farm to school program in Ishpeming.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan programs empower kids to be community health leaders

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, June 29, 2023

When kids take the reins, health and wellness programs take off in new and wonderful directions that the adults in charge would never have anticipated.

Cyndy Hund, pictured here with her husband Mike, quit her job due to her dementia symptoms – but it still took her another four years to get a diagnosis.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

PODCAST: No more "diagnose and adios": Rethinking dementia diagnosis

Patrick DunnWednesday, June 28, 2023

Getting a dementia diagnosis can be a challenging, years-long process. Here's how Michiganders living with dementia and those who care for them are working to change that.

EMU students Ren Lands, Lauren Masserant, and Ruth Mella work at Swoop's Food Pantry.

Healthy Communities

Ypsi nonprofits step up efforts to address rising food insecurity

Sarah RiggWednesday, June 28, 2023

The end of COVID-19 government benefits plus skyrocketing grocery costs has created a one-two punch for many Ypsilanti families.