The Ann Arbor Independent Editorial Team 2253 posts 224 comments

ON JUNE 24, Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation to prevent discrimination against breast-feeding mothers. “Breast-feeding is a natural act with many proven benefits,” Snyder said. “By supporting new mothers we help ensure good infant…

by Mike Evangelist Fast-food workers are walking off the job in 150 U.S. cities today to demand a raise in pay, in the latest demonstration of discontent with the low-wage jobs that have become the new normal in today’s economy. The…

by P.D. Lesko AT A RECENT mayoral candidate forum, unabashed supporters of “crony capitalism”—what President Obama’s former economic expert Dr. Lawrence Summers called the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s programs—defended Ann…

RIVERSIDE PARK, Ypsilanti, will be transported back in time to pay tribute to one of America’s most recognized figures–Elvis Presley®. The 15th Anniversary of the Michigan ElvisFest is one of a handful of events that is sanctioned by Elvis…

Economic Development Entities and Public Schools Thank you to The Ann Arbor Independent and Rep. Jeff Irwin for working to expose the damage being done to public schools across Michigan by so-called “economic development” organizations…

THERE ARE TWO vacant seats on the Washtenaw County Trial Court that voters will decide during the August 5 primary election. The two non-partisan candidates who collect the most votes in the primary will face each other in the November 5…

Answers to the 7 Big Questions Everyone Asks About Gluten Jill Richardson should stick to the facts in “The Foodist:  Answers to the 7 Big Questions Everyone Asks About Gluten.” She makes a personal judgement about applied kinesiology…

by Jill Richardson Why are some people so much more attractive to mosquitoes than others? And what can you do about the pesky little bloodsuckers, especially if you don’t want to resort to DEET? (DEET, while effective, is also weakly…

by P.D. Lesko A Washtenaw County employee told City Council in January 2014 that Ann Arbor’s homeless men, women, children and families could use a variety of public buildings during the day to escape temps. that plummeted to -20F. One…

SEASONALLY UNADJUSTED unemployment rates in May rose slightly in 12 of the state’s 17 major labor market regions, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment and labor force levels increased…