Green tech firms in Washtenaw County clean up PFAS, restore soil, and turn waste to fuel Read Article

Anne McNeil is the co-founder and Juergen Koller is the CEO of Sequestro, an Ann Arbor company that uses sawdust to clean PFAS chemicals out of water.
Photo: Anne McNeil is the co-founder and Juergen Koller is the CEO of Sequestro, an Ann Arbor company that uses sawdust to clean PFAS chemicals out of water. Doug Coombe

Features

Longform Ryan Yates, dad and Duncan Aviation engine line technician. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Early care and education: A boon for children, families and the economy

Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Expanding access to affordable, high-quality early care and education could support working parents, strengthen the state’s labor market, and promote gender equity.
Longform Monica Smith, Yevgenia Gazman, and Christine Sauvé, MIRC Detroit Office. Second Wave - MichiganDiversity

الهجمات على العائلات المهاجرة وما تعنيه لتعليم الطفولة المبكرة

Brianna NargisoTuesday, August 12, 2025
في عام 2024، لاحظ معلمو الطفولة المبكرة في جنوب غرب ديترويت انخفاضًا كبيرًا في تسجيل الأطفال في مرحلة ما قبل المدرسة، وذلك بعد تصاعد نشاط تنفيذ قوانين الهجرة. وعلى الرغم من أن هذا الانخفاض لم يتم توثيقه رسميًا في ذلك الوقت، أفادت منظمات مجتمعية أن ما يقارب 15٪ من الطلاب تم سحبهم من برامج ما قبل المدرسة في المنطقة خلال أسابيع قليلة.
Longform Parkridge Summer Learning Experiences students present their projects. Kids and Education

From oral history to fishing, kids share highlights of Parkridge Summer Learning Experience in Ypsi

Sarah RiggMonday, August 11, 2025
On Friday, Aug. 8, almost 60 campers ages 6-13 presented the lessons they'd learned during a five-week science, technology, engineering, and math immersion summer camp at Parkridge Community Center in Ypsilanti.
Longform Juergen Koller is the CEO and Anne McNeil is the co-founder of Sequestro, an Ann Arbor company that uses sawdust to clean PFAS chemicals out of water. Technology and Innovation

Green tech firms in Washtenaw County clean up PFAS, restore soil, and turn waste to fuel

Sarah RiggMonday, August 11, 2025
Washtenaw County startup companies are innovating in "green technology" with efforts that range from cleaning up PFAS contamination to converting waste into environmentally friendly fuels.
Longform Bright Futures Project Director Suzie Staley and Bright Futures Assistant Director RJ Quiambao. Kids and Education

EMU's Bright Futures after-school program faces federal funding rollercoaster and uncertain future

Lee Van RothMonday, August 11, 2025
The program, which supports more than 5,000 students in 22 schools, has had its funding temporarily restored through summer 2026, following a national hold on nearly $7 billion in federal funding.
Feature Story Rod and Annie Capps. Arts and Culture

Ann Arbor folk duo Annie and Rod Capps celebrate nostalgia and fun on 10th album release

Lee Van RothMonday, August 11, 2025
Ann Arbor-based folk duo Annie and Rod Capps are preparing to celebrate their upcoming album, tentatively titled "Enjoy The Ride", with a double album release performance at The Ark on Aug. 21 alongside Chicago alternative folk trio Sons of the Never Wrong.
Second Wave - MichiganEconomic Development

Global Detroit program helps immigrant entrepreneurs grow Michigan’s tech economy

Misty BarronMonday, August 11, 2025
Global Detroit’s Global Entrepreneur in Residence program helps immigrant tech founders secure visas, build startups, and create jobs, fueling innovation and economic growth across Michigan’s expanding tech sector.
Feature Story Kaysi Hohner in welding class at Saline High School. Kids and Education

CTE classes offer career experience in Washtenaw County high schools. Here's how to sign up for them

Jaishree DrepaulThursday, August 7, 2025
More than 70 state-approved career and technical education programs provide practical learning experiences across numerous fields such as skilled trades, technology, culinary arts, and engineering.
Innovation News a2Tech360's Women in Tech event in 2022. Technology and Innovation

Ann Arbor tech festival a2tech360 returns for 10th year

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, August 6, 2025
The annual, family-friendly celebration of local tech innovation and the talent driving it takes place Sept. 24-Oct. 3.
Innovation News Students and staff at HighScope. Kids and Education

Ypsi school research plays a role in case against cutting or eliminating Head Start program

Sarah RiggTuesday, August 5, 2025
When President Donald Trump's administration announced possible cuts to federal education spending this year, research from Ypsilanti was cited to push back against the prospect of eliminating the Head Start early childhood education program for low-income families.
Innovation News A fried tofu rice bowl at Little Kim. Entrepreneurship

Miss Kim owner opens new Ann Arbor restaurant focused on vegetarian Asian food and affordable prices

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, August 5, 2025
Featuring fresh and flexible vegetarian-focused fare in a welcoming, casual setting, the new restaurant is a fun and easy way to experience the talents of a five-time James Beard Award-nominated chef. 
Feature Story A performance at Fun Fest. Arts and Culture

Fun Fest celebrates 5 years of music, arts, and more in Ypsi's Frog Island Park

Lee Van RothTuesday, August 5, 2025
Ypsilanti's Frog Island Park will come alive with music, food, and community spirit as Fun Fest returns for its fifth year on Aug. 9, from noon to 9 p.m.
Longform Monica Smith, Yevgenia Gazman, and Christine Sauvé, MIRC Detroit Office. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Attacks on immigrant families and what that means for early education

Brianna NargisoTuesday, August 5, 2025
Community-based organizations report that approximately 15% of students  withdrew from preschool programs within weeks due to immigration enforcement activity. Advocates and policy researchers attribute these shifts to the growing climate of fear among immigrant families in Michigan.
Longform Lauren LaPine Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Community mental health and hospitals partner to fill care gaps

Brianna NargisoTuesday, August 5, 2025
Michigan's hospitals and community mental health agencies are working together to address gaps in behavioral health care that contribute to long emergency department stays and delays in treatment. Several recent initiatives aim to improve care coordination and create new models of crisis response.  
Longform Monica Smith, Yevgenia Gazman, and Christine Sauvé, MIRC Detroit Office. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Ataques a las familias inmigrantes y lo que eso significa para la educación temprana

Brianna NargisoTuesday, August 5, 2025
En 2024, los educadores de la primera infancia en el suroeste de Detroit observaron una caída significativa en la inscripción preescolar tras el aumento de la actividad de control de inmigración. Aunque el descenso no fue documentado oficialmente en ese momento, las organizaciones comunitarias informan que aproximadamente el 15% de los estudiantes fueron retirados de los programas preescolares del área en cuestión de semanas.  
Feature Story Hope Clinic student volunteer Anika Baldawa. Healthy Communities

Ypsi clinic provides free health care and supportive environment for low-income residents

Shruti AttiliMonday, August 4, 2025
In this installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Shruti Attili digs into the work of Ypsilanti's Hope Clinic.
Innovation News An 826michigan writing tutoring session at Beezy's in Ypsilanti in 2013. Kids and Education

Nonprofit 826michigan moves to Ypsi with plans to create 25,000 new writers by 2030

Lee Van RothWednesday, July 30, 2025
After two decades of nurturing young writers from a whimsical robot shop in Ann Arbor, the nonprofit 826michigan is relocating its headquarters to Ypsilanti in a move aimed at deepening impact and expanding access to literacy education.
Longform Charolette Buck with her father Charles Buck. Healthy Communities

Washtenaw Dental Fund marks 10 years of serving low-income patients at Ypsi clinic

Sarah RiggWednesday, July 30, 2025
Dental care was identified as a priority in multiple Washtenaw County Health Department community health assessments, which directly led to the establishment of the clinic in 2015.
Feature Story Max von Wel Second Wave - MichiganEntrepreneurship

From Hamburg to Michigan: How Global Detroit helped a biotech founder stay, work, and build

Misty BarronWednesday, July 30, 2025
After immigrating from Germany, Max von Wels co-founded a biotech startup in Michigan. With Global Detroit’s help, he secured a visa and a future in tech.
Feature Story Julie Molenda Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

SBAM Nurture Benefits program enhances compensation for child care providers

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, July 29, 2025
The Small Business Association of Michigan Nurture Benefits will expand access to health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings for Michigan's child care providers.  
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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.

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