by Rob Smith THE MICHIGAN COUNCIL for Arts and Cultural Affairs recently announced that the organization had awarded $9.7 million to cultural organizations in Michigan. That’s up 27 percent over the $7.6 million in grant money awarded…

The Ann Arbor Independent published a long list of stories that received quite a bit of attention from readers. Below, find links to some of the most compelling and popular articles published in 2014, based on the number of social media…

Julie Weatherbee—U-M IT Systems Trainer, wiles away Monday evenings on Twitter commenting on City Council mmetings. Julie Weatherbee is, in turns, clever, funny, acerbic, rude and politically nerdy. Twice monthly, she watches City…

Dr. Rose Bellanca was hired as the president of Washtenaw Community College in 2011. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, university presidents, on average, stay in their jobs 8.5 years. With a total compensation package that…

The A2 Indy’s Ann Arbor Locals to Watch in 2014 were: Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift, Dr. Matthew M. Davis, Council Member Sally Hart Petersen, restaurant entrepreneur Sava Lelcaj, Council member Jack Eaton, County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi,…

SINCE NOV. 9, The Ann Arbor Independent has filed multiple Freedom of Information Act requests in an effort to disseminate public records about the shooting of 40-year-old Ann Arbor resident Aura Rosser’s Nov. 9 shooting. The newspaper…

by Rob Smith IN A REPORT released on Dec. 10, the Foundation for Individual Right in Education concluded that the University of Michigan and EMU are  “red light” institutions when it comes to free speech on the campus. In fact, of the 12…

by P.D. Lesko At their annual retreat last week, Ann Arbor Council members shared what they want Ann Arbor city government to focus on, and how the members, who are politically divided, can work together to get the job done in the coming…

by Sam Greene THE HOLIDAYS ARE here, and if you’re ready for an affordable and fun holiday escape, look no further than Michigan state park lodges. These modern accommodations provide all the comforts of home, in a variety of beautiful…

by Donna Iadipaolo ONE MAN WANTS to change the face of debate and speech activities in Ann Arbor for middle school students. His name is Shawn Batt, and he is the founder of Michigan Speech Outreach (MSO), which began as a Lansing-based…