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

Note: 10/22/25 This article was updated with comments from CART organizer Kathy Griswold and WISD spokesperson Ashley Kryscynski. Citizens Against Regressive Taxes (CART) is a grassroots coalition of Washtenaw County residents dedicated…

by Mark Naess The Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) has no budget, no actual plan for the funds requested through the new millage on which we'll vote in Nov. What the WISD has given voters in this: "Give us $25 Million a…

by Teresa C. According to the CDC (2025), “20 percent or nearly 1 in 5 adolescents ages 12-17 have a current, diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition.” Every day, the number of individuals affected by mental health challenges…

by P.D. Lesko Between Dec. 6-14, 2024, Toni Kayumi, Director of Washtenaw County's Office of Community and Economic Development, and Andrew DeLeeuw, Deputy County Administrator, took part in Michigan's Middle East and North Africa…

by Anurag Srivastava It’s hard work soaking up sunlight to generate clean electricity. After about 25 to 30 years, solar panels wear out. Over the years, heating and cooling cycles stress the materials. Small cracks…

by Dr. Kyle Doudrick Chemists invented PFAS in the 1930s to make life easier: Nonstick pans, waterproof clothing, grease-resistant food packaging and stain-resistant carpet were all made possible by PFAS. But in recent years, the…

by Dr. Tom Hastings For decades the rightwing movement at all levels has been massively funded, far more than moderate, left, or progressive organizations, political think tanks, or associations. This has purchased them a commanding…

by Dennis Harvey Finding your short-term house rental double-booked proved a recipe for terror in Zach Cregger’s “Barbarian.” Faced with the same issue, the protagonists in Mercedes Bryce Morgan’s “Bone Lake” run a wider range of…

by Dr. Laurie Archbald-Pannone Autumn brings a chill in the air – and the start of another season of respiratory illnesses, which can be especially hard for older adults. Although vaccine recommendations have been in flux, the…

by Jan Bernath An open letter to Chelsea City Council and Mayor Pacheco, On June 23, 2025, you held a closed meeting following the regular council meeting. At that meeting, a consequential decision was made about City Manager Marty…