The Ann Arbor Independent - A locally owned newspaper in Ann Arbor

ACCORDING TO FIGURES released by the State of Michigan, seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in February increased in 15 of the state’s 17 major labor market regions, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management &…

THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF Community Health (MDCH) recently became aware of a breach of protected health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and is notifying 2,595 individuals and the Department…

APRIL THE 15TH: In the United States, it’s a date dreaded by many, as the date to file income taxes — or beg for an extension — looms large. But this year, Tax Day gives lovers of the sky something to look forward to, as the first of four…

by P.D. Lesko THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES had taken the majority of the chairs out of the waiting room and into a conference room, where a gaggle of them were gathered around a table having a meeting. The waiting room was full of people…

DESPITE U.S. POPULATION growth, fuel consumption by American drivers of light-duty vehicles is now lower than it was 15 years ago, says a University of Michigan researcher. In a follow-up to a series of reports released last year,…

NANCY KAPLAN, A current member of the Ann Arbor District Library Board of Trustees, recently launched a run for Ann Arbor City Council to represent Ward 2. Kaplan, a retired physical therapist, was elected to the AADL Board of Trustees in…

by Rene Ghert-Zand We are fortunate that while Passover commemorates events of a very ancient era, we live in extremely modern times. As we rush around shopping and cooking for the holiday this year, we don’t even need to turn on our…

by Ellen Freudenheim SO YOU’VE BEEN invited to a Seder! Mazel tov! There are all kinds: small family Seders, and huge Seders involving dozens of friends. Seders with a lot of kids running around, and Seders where the youngest is pushing…

by Erica Brody AS THE SEDER draws near, Jews of all stripes become oenophiles, setting out to stores to choose the perfect wine for their Passover meals. As with the meals themselves, which by now include vegetarian and gourmet…

by Rabbi Arthur Waskow THE TRADITIONAL Passover Haggadah teaches that in every generation, some Pharaoh will arise in destruction, and that in every generation, every human being — not just every Jew — must look upon herself or himself…