Features

Arts and Culture

Audiences will join in unconventional musical performance as Squonk troupe makes Ann Arbor debut

Lee Van RothMonday, June 9, 2025

Squonk, a Pittsburgh-based group of musicians and visual artists, will bring the free outdoor show "Brouhaha" to Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park on Ann Arbor's Ingalls Mall in six performances June 20-22.

Author Jahshua Treadwell stands at the site of a future community center in Superior Township.

Community Development

Community members weigh in on new community center coming to Superior Township

Jahshua TreadwellMonday, June 9, 2025

In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Jahshua Treadwell interviews community members about the impact of a forthcoming community center on the site of the former Cheney Elementary School.

TradeScouts program participants pose with a toy box they built for a daycare center.

Kids and Education

Ypsi program helps youth and adults build skills and confidence for careers in the trades

Jah'Niya TreadwellThursday, June 5, 2025

The Ypsilanti-based Trades Program for Youth and Adults is designed for those who want to learn hands-on skills, explore careers in the trades, and build confidence along the way.

A union training event at Washtenaw Community College.

Economic Development

Study finds union training programs bring millions to Washtenaw County economy

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, June 4, 2025

Destination Ann Arbor has announced results of a recent study showing that three major national union training programs hosted in Washtenaw County injected $23 million into the local economy last year.

London Beck will be featured in the next installment of the Voices concert series at The Ark.

Arts and Culture

Series spotlighting BIPOC artists at The Ark set to return June 8

Natalia HoltzmanTuesday, June 3, 2025

Artist Kyler Wilkins, known as Ki5, founded the ongoing Voices concert series at The Ark. The series is intended to highlight the work of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) artists in an intimate setting.

A rendering of the planned pavilion at Broadway Park West.

Economic Development

Ann Arbor's Broadway Park West development receives $1 million grant for public pavilion

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, June 3, 2025

The nonprofit Lower Town Riverfront Conservancy was recently awarded a $1 million grant to support the largest brownfield redevelopment in Washtenaw County’s history, Broadway Park West.

PreK for All ensures that every 4-year-old in Michigan has access to a high-quality preschool experience, regardless of income.

Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

“A lifeline for families,” PreK for All expands access and raises expectations

Brianna NargisoTuesday, June 3, 2025

Enrollment in PreK for All is now open for all families, no matter their income. The program operates across a mixed delivery system, including local school districts, public charter schools, private child care providers, Head Start programs, and community-based organizations.

Cheers to Queers founders Marisa Quiery and Danya Youssef-Agha.

Community Development

Ypsi organizations rally to support LGBTQ+ community in challenging times

Sarah RiggTuesday, June 3, 2025

Ypsilanti-area organizations and community members are supporting local members of the LGBTQ+ community in a variety of ways, ranging from supportive health care to queer takeovers of public spaces.

DTE workers make upgrades to power lines near Dixboro in fall 2024. The utility says it is investing $200 million in Ann Arbor's infrastructure over the next five years. But the city is pushing back against DTE's request to raise electricity rates.

Sustainability

Ann Arbor takes key role in pushing DTE Energy for lower rates and improved infrastructure

Elinor EppersonMonday, June 2, 2025

Over the past few years, Ann Arbor has emerged as the only municipality in Michigan to regularly and publicly push DTE Energy for more action toward carbon neutrality, affordable rates, and reliable infrastructure.

Partner Content

Event helps autistic children and adults get used to the airport environment and boarding experience.

Second Wave - MichiganEquity

On Board for Autism: Airport simulation helps autistic kids take flight

Estelle SlootmakerFriday, May 30, 2025

To help autistic people and their families manage these challenges, Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM), Delta Airlines, and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport partner to host On Board for Autism events that prepare them to successfully take a flight.

Healthy Communities

Ypsi students prepare for health careers by becoming peer educators through new EMU/Toyota program

Sarah RiggThursday, May 29, 2025

High school students from Ypsilanti Community Schools and two other southeast Michigan school districts will be trained as peer health educators, teaching others about traumatic brain injury, through a new program called Way Forward@EMU.

Homebuilding students build an entire house over the course of their school year.

Kids and Education

In Ann Arbor schools' Homebuilding program, students build a house in a school year

Tova WeissWednesday, May 28, 2025

Founded in 1968, the career and technical education program is intended to widen the horizons of high school education beyond the classroom for students interested in the building trades.

Artist Bryan Pollard at Westside Art Hop.

Arts and Culture

Westside Art Hop to bring 90 artists to Ann Arbor neighborhood

Natalia HoltzmanTuesday, May 27, 2025

Ann Arbor’s annual Westside Art Hop will again bring a plethora of artists to vend their wares from yards and driveways in the city's West Side neighborhood on June 7 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and June 8 from noon-5 p.m.

Pharmacists handle cancer medications at the cancer drug repository at the Trinity Health Reichert Medical Center in Superior Township.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Ann Arbor nonprofit and Sault Tribe of Chippewa partner to redistribute unused cancer drugs for free

Patrick DunnTuesday, May 27, 2025

Last year the nonprofit YesRx received a grant to work with the tribe over a two-year period, expanding access to expensive drugs that would otherwise go to waste.

Ann Arbor SPARK President and CEO Paul Krutko speaks at SPARK's annual meeting.

Economic Development

Ann Arbor SPARK annual meeting highlights economic development wins and climate change threats

Jaishree DrepaulFriday, May 23, 2025

The event showcased SPARK's achievements in fostering economic growth and innovation in Washtenaw County, while its keynote speaker discussed climate change's potential impact on the county's economy.

The Ann Arbor District Library's Downtown Library.

Entrepreneurship

Ann Arbor District Library to offer downtown retail spaces with rents as low as $150/month

Clifton Kirkman IIThursday, May 22, 2025

The retail suites, dubbed Lobby Shops, will be available for a six-month lease with an option to renew for another six months. Monthly rent ranges from $100 to $250.

Ryan Friedholm working in Computer Integrated Manufacturing class at Saline High School.

Kids and Education

Saline manufacturing students create adaptive tools to help people with disabilities

Vaishnavi AttiliThursday, May 22, 2025

Students in Trent Trout's Computer Integrated Manufacturing class at Saline High School are learning to develop innovative real-world solutions for people with disabilities.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Dental aid helps cancer patients regain health and dignity

Shandra MartinezWednesday, May 21, 2025

HNC Living Foundation provides dental care, nutrition, and support to head and neck cancer patients facing financial and treatment challenges.

Whitmore Lake High School student Jayden Canter.

Kids and Education

From champion carpenter to apparel entrepreneur, Washtenaw CTE students are "powerhouse" achievers

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, May 21, 2025

We talked to three students in county career and technical education programs about the impact of getting ready for the professional real world through practical, hands-on learning experiences.