PHOTO ESSAY: Puppets and political commentary at FestiFools 2025 Read Article

FestiFools in downtown Ann Arbor.
Photo: FestiFools in downtown Ann Arbor. Doug Coombe

Features

Innovation News Wilson Marine Brighton aprentice Brad Tyler. Community Development

Apprenticeship fair offers paid, on-the-job training opportunities in Washtenaw County

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, April 15, 2025
A collaborative of 10 Washtenaw County organizations will host its second annual Apprenticeship Fair on May 1 from 4-7 p.m. at Ypsilanti Community High School.
Longform Jason Gold at the Michigan Folk School. Technology and Innovation

Michigan Folk School builds community by passing on knowledge of traditional skills

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, April 15, 2025
The Michigan Folk School in Superior Township's Staebler Farm County Park allows visitors to experience the importance of old traditions in the rapidly changing modern world. 
Longform Summit Pointe Youth Services staff, from left, Matt Jones, Beth Decker, Sam Stover, Melissa DeDie, a Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Community mental health and child welfare collaborate to care for Michigan’s vulnerable children

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, April 15, 2025
Michigan’s community mental health (CMH) agencies are the lead in providing mental health care for children in the child welfare system.
Feature Story A still from iFFY's "Best of the London International Animation Festival 2024" program, screening April 18. Arts and Culture

Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti returns with documentaries, Michigan films, horror shorts, more

Rylee BarnsdaleMonday, April 14, 2025
The Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti returns to Riverside Arts Center April 17-19 with two feature films, four short film blocks, and live performances alongside its signature 26.2-hour filmmaking marathon.
Innovation News The Metric Marketing team. Entrepreneurship

Saline's Metric Marketing makes Inc. list of fastest-growing Midwest companies for third year

Sarah RiggMonday, April 14, 2025
Metric Marketing is one of only 12 companies in the state of Michigan, and the only one in Washtenaw County, to make the list.  
Longform Gordon "Big" Dooley with merchandise from his clothing line, Husky Life. Free coaching from the Small Business Success program helped Dooley refine his business plan. Entrepreneurship

New program offers free support for entrepreneurs in Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe counties

Sarah RiggWednesday, April 9, 2025
From increasing search engine traffic to overcoming burnout, small business owners in Washtenaw County and beyond are benefiting from Ann Arbor SPARK's new Small Business Support program.
Longform The new YCHS AI learning space. Kids and Education

New certification for Ypsi high school opens professional development opportunities for students

Rylee BarnsdaleWednesday, April 9, 2025
Ypsilanti Community High School recently joined the nationally recognized NC3Start certification program for career and technical education (CTE), allowing staff to expand the school’s CTE offerings and emphasize the potential of artificial intelligence education.
Innovation News A heat pump. Sustainability

Ann Arbor launches new concierge service for residents considering heat pumps

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, April 9, 2025
A new free online tool that provides customized options for residents to switch from gas furnaces to more energy-efficient electric heat pumps.
Longform FestiFools in downtown Ann Arbor. Arts and Culture

PHOTO ESSAY: Puppets and political commentary at FestiFools 2025

Natalia HoltzmanTuesday, April 8, 2025
We asked puppet-masters, community members, and other participants about their FestiFools experience.
Feature Story "... at least 17 children at any time are boarding in an emergency department across the state.” Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan's hospitals and improved pediatric behavioral health care

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, April 8, 2025
The Michigan Health and Hospital Association addresses pediatric behavioral health care with data, advocacy, and grant funding of member hospital programs. 
Innovation News A performance at Midwest House at this year's SXSW. Technology and Innovation

Ann Arbor SPARK returns to promote Michigan's startup opportunities at SXSW conference

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, April 8, 2025
The organization co-sponsored Michigan Day at the conference's Midwest House on March 11.
Innovation News The annual FestiFools parade in Ann Arbor. FestiFools is collaborating with the University Musical Society and Riverside Arts Center to bring a puppet processional to downtown Ypsi on April 19. Arts and Culture

FestiFools-style puppet parade coming to downtown Ypsi

Rylee BarnsdaleTuesday, April 8, 2025
The University of Michigan’s University Musical Society will cap its April residency at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse with a joyful, puppet-filled processional through Ypsilanti on April 19.
Longform Deante Bland and Julius Buzzard at Growing Hope's incubator kitchen. Entrepreneurship

Food business changes in Ypsi: Incubator closes, accelerator opens, and entrepreneurs scale up

Sarah RiggWednesday, April 2, 2025
The food entrepreneurship landscape in Ypsilanti is shifting as an Ypsilanti Township food business incubator closes and an Ypsilanti commercial kitchen adds new resources for business owners.
Innovation News The Ypsilanti Food Co-op. Community Development

Ypsi Food Co-op kicks off series of 50th anniversary events

Sarah RiggWednesday, April 2, 2025
The public is invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ypsi Food Co-op from 2-4 p.m. April 12, and the co-op plans to host a series of events all year long to celebrate the milestone.
Feature Story Vickey Carter-Ivory volunteered at the Rotating Shelter at her church Second Wave - Michigan

Faith-based groups lend a hand to shelter vulnerable DetroitersNonprofit Journal Project

Carole Hawke-DiopTuesday, April 1, 2025
With homelessness in Detroit on the rise, Cass Community Social Services partners with local congregations to tackle “a problem we can fix.”
Feature Story Passenger provide recovery support to people in the music industry and in the community Second Wave - Michigan

From tour van to recovery haven: How Detroit's Passenger is reimagining music industry supportNonprofit Journal Project

Chris HandysideTuesday, April 1, 2025
In Hamtramck, Passenger offers support groups and hosts creative programming that bridges recovery and artistic expression for locals and touring musicians.  
Feature Story May Erlewine. Arts and Culture

Singer-songwriter May Erlewine embraces rock 'n' roll and vulnerability on new album

Rylee BarnsdaleTuesday, April 1, 2025
Michigan singer-songwriter May Erlewine will celebrate the release of her latest album, "What It Takes," with a show at the Ark in Ann Arbor.
Feature Story Oliver Haimson and the cover to his book, "Trans Technologies." Technology and Innovation

U-M professor explores relationship between trans people and technology in new book

Natalia HoltzmanTuesday, April 1, 2025
In researching his book "Trans Technologies," Oliver Haimson interviewed the creators of more than 100 apps, games, extended reality systems, and other forms of technology specifically designed to address the unique challenges and joys encountered by trans people.
Innovation News NextGenAI photo Technology and Innovation

U-M joins new OpenAI initiative to advance AI research and education

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, March 26, 2025
U-M's participation has the potential to strengthen the university's AI resources and boost its ability to conduct groundbreaking AI research. 
Longform A rendering of the Equitable Ann Arbor Land Trust's proposal for development on the former University of Michigan Hospital dump site. The proposal would bring 2,165 housing units to the site after environmental remediation. Community Development

Ann Arbor nonprofit's affordability solution: Thousands of new housing units in walkable communities

Drew SaundersTuesday, March 25, 2025
How long does it take for you to go from your house to school, a grocery store, work, or a park? Urban planners at the Equitable Ann Arbor Land Trust want the answer to be a 20-minute walk, no matter where you live. 
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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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