Im David Fair News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

The State House and Senate are working to come to an agreement on the budget for the 2025 fiscal year and get it sent to Governor Gretchen Whitmer before a self-imposed July 1st deadline. Some of the environmental measures proposed by Governor Whitmer have been left out and finding for others is at a premium. 33rd District State Representative Felicia Brabec has been actively involved in the process. WEMU's David Fair checked in with the Pittsfield Township Democrat for the latest.

Avian Influenza is running rampant through Michigan and other parts of the country. Bird flu is nothing new, but this year, it has spread to dairy cattle. The impacts affect animal farming, consumer prices and the economy. As such, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has issued an emergency order to try and stop its spread. Department director, Dr. Tim Boring, provided the most up -to-date information in his conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

A five-year study out of the University of Michigan has turned up some interesting findings about the future of our forests and urban canopies. Dr. Peter Reich joined WEMU's David Fair to share what his team learned and how it can be applied to prevent degradation of Michigan’s tree population.

We often talk about the concept of giving back and paying it forward. That is precisely the idea behind the upcoming National Days of Action. Between June 12th and 16th, United Way branches across the country, including here in Washtenaw County, put hundreds of volunteers to work in their respective communities to improve local quality of life. United Way of Washtenaw County corporate giving manager, Ben Thompson, joined WEMU's David Fair with all you'll need to know.

If decarbonization efforts are going to be successful, we'll have to retrofit our existing structures and better design and build our new ones. And it needs to be done through the lens of equity and social justice. Jan Culbertson is the leadership chair for the Ann Arbor 2030 District. She joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, to discuss local and statewide efforts to meet those challenges.