Features

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.

Barbara Walters, Adam Weisman, Kasey Whitford, and Dan Johnson at Eastern Michigan University.

Community Development

EMU theater students partner with Ann Arbor police to improve crisis intervention trainings

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, May 21, 2025

The partnership draws on expertise from EMU’s School of Social Work and Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young program to bring realism and empathy into police trainings.

University of Michigan associate professor Thomas McKenney and students tour the Mark W. Barker, the first commercial vessel to be built on the Great Lakes in more than 40 years, in River Rouge.

Economic Development

U-M leads in national effort to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, May 20, 2025

Spurred by China's current dominance in shipbuilding and America's reliance on foreign shipyards, the University of Michigan is leading efforts to train the needed workforce and develop a statewide maritime strategy.

Partner Content

Second Wave - MichiganEquity

Blueprint for school funding would ensure equitable resources in special education

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, May 20, 2025

The MI Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint would ensure that Michigan adequately and equitably funds public special education in Michigan.

Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

No-cost pre-K for all Michigan 4-year-olds enrolling for 2025-26 school year

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, May 20, 2025

QA with Jeffrey Capizzano, Policy Equity Group, on the implementation of Pre-K for All no-cost preschool for Michigan 4-year-olds.

Nonprofit Day at the Capitol, February 2025

Second Wave - Michigan

How Michigan nonprofits are navigating federal uncertaintyNonprofit Journal Project

Layla McMurtrie Monday, May 19, 2025

Michigan nonprofits are facing uncertainty as federal funding streams fluctuate and administrative support wanes. The Michigan Nonprofit Association is helping organizations navigate this instability through advocacy, collaboration, and strategic planning.

Adam Grant at A Brighter Way's future transitional house for formerly incarcerated people.

Community Development

Ypsi nonprofit creates long-term transitional housing for formerly incarcerated people

Sarah RiggThursday, May 15, 2025

Ypsilanti nonprofit A Brighter Way recently purchased a home in Ypsilanti to provide long-term transitional housing for formerly incarcerated clients, just a few blocks from the organization's office.

This scene in "Money Over Boyz," directed by Ypsilanti couple Yolanda and Keith Ragland, takes place on the Tridge in Ypsi's Riverside Park.

Arts and Culture

Ypsi filmmaking couple's debut feature holds top 100 spot on streaming service Tubi

Sarah RiggWednesday, May 14, 2025

After finding great success releasing their debut feature film, "Money Over Boyz," on the free streaming service Tubi, Ypsilanti-based married filmmakers Keith and Yolanda Ragland are nearly ready to debut their second movie.

Sienna Troy, Eli Harris, Nick Corvera-Garay, Jaylah Cotton, Josephine Smith, and Tuula Martinez at a Growing Hope Teen Leadership Program meeting.

Healthy Communities

Teens fight food insecurity in Ypsi through Growing Hope leadership program

Tova WeissWednesday, May 14, 2025

In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Tova Weiss takes a look into the work of the Growing Hope Teen Leadership Program.

Economic Development

Report finds $226 million economic impact in Ann Arbor from 2024 U-M football season

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, May 13, 2025

The study reports that 2024-2025 U-M football home games generated $226.7 million in direct visitor spending from attendees residing outside Washtenaw County.

Economic Development

Q&A: Ann Arbor's first economic development director on affordability, growth, and more

Sarah RiggTuesday, May 13, 2025

Now that he's had two months to settle into the job, we sat down with Joe Giant to discuss the future of economic development in Ann Arbor.

Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Medicaid cuts would destabilize mental health care: How Michigan is responding

Brianna NargisoTuesday, May 13, 2025

Proposed Medicaid funding cuts would dismantle critical services, especially for residents facing poverty, mental illness, or substance use disorders — and reduce access to mental health services for all.

A Great Day in Ypsi on the steps of the downtown branch of the Ypsilanti District Library.

Arts and Culture

"A Great Day in Ypsi": Residents recreate iconic 1958 Harlem photo

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, May 7, 2025

Over 60 writers, word-lovers, and community members gathered for a celebratory photo inspired by Art Kane’s iconic 1958 photograph "A Great Day in Harlem" and Ypsi writer Debbie Taylor’s children’s book "Sweet Music in Harlem."

Humanity first: Members of the Church of the Latter-day Saints volunteer at Zaman

Second Wave - Michigan

Shared humanity that crosses language, religious and cultural barriersNonprofit Journal Project

Amy KurasWednesday, May 7, 2025

An unlikely partnership has blossomed between the Mormon church and Zaman International, a nonprofit that serves mostly Middle Eastern Muslim women. Both faiths have more in common that it might appear on the surface.

Community Development

Gault Village residents plan cleanup and other community events for Ypsi Township neighborhood

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, May 7, 2025

The "Gault Village Glow-Up," organized by Gault Village resident Regan Hizer, is the first of many planned events intended to foster a sense of unity throughout the neighborhood.

Kids and Education

WCC to launch programs preparing students for growing semiconductor and battery industries

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, May 7, 2025

Washtenaw Community College was recently awarded nearly $2 million through three Michigan Economic Development Corporation grants to launch new degree and certificate programs that support Michigan’s growing semiconductor and battery manufacturing industries.

Economists Donald Grimes (center) and Dr. Gabriel Ehrlich (right) present the 40th annual Washtenaw County Economic Outlook report.

Economic Development

Annual report finds "headwinds" for Washtenaw County's economic outlook

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, May 6, 2025

The 40th annual Washtenaw County Economic Outlook report, commissioned by Washtenaw Community College, was presented on April 24.