Ann Arbor Independent Wins Investigative Reporting Award for “Supreme Felons, Inc.”
On May 15, 2023 the Society of Professional Journalists announced that The Ann Arbor Independent had won an excellence in reporting award for its investigative series about a $1.2 million grant handed over to a Washtenaw County non-profit…
Under Distracted Driving Bill, Cellphone Use While Driving Could Result in a Suspended License
by Scott McClallen
The Michigan Senate passed bills aiming to require hands-free cellphone use while driving.
The goal is to reduce distracted driving and, therefore, fatalities.
House Bills 4250, 4251, and 4252 aim to prohibit…
Expenditure of Mental Health Millage Money to Fund Sheriff Candidate’s Run for Office Must End
by P.D. Lesko
Over the past months, I've received photos of Derrick Jackson's face plastered on the side of Ann Arbor buses and Jackson's face plastered on billboards along I-94, ads paid for with Mental Health Millage money and funds…
Movie Review: “Mafia Mamma”
Tired of being disrespected in her day-to-day life, an Italian American mom discovers she’s tougher than she thought when her estranged grandfather dies, leaving her to manage his criminal operation.
by Peter Debruge
In her own home,…
Michiganders Pay High Rates for Unreliable Electric Service
Michigan residents pay outsized rates for some of the least reliable electric service in the country.
by Jason Hayes
The February ice storm that struck the state of Michigan took out the electric utility services of as many…
Open Letter: U-M Faculty Pledge to Withhold Grades– “You Have Refused to Bargain in Good Faith”
Dear President Ono and Provost McCauley:
We are writing as University of Michigan faculty members to express our solidarity with the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO). Like so many others in our community, we are horrified by the…
No Background Checks In This Local School District: Superintendent Welcomes Felon-Volunteers
by P.D. Lesko
Public records revealed that the Lincoln Consolidated Schools in Ypsilanti has no policies or procedures that require background checks on volunteers. State law requires public schools to background check employees,…
Ypsilanti District Library Gets $30,000 Grant to Expand STEM Programming
by Sam Killian
Get ready for more STEM at the Ypsilanti District Library. A $30,000 grant from Toyota will fund Project STEM@YDL, and will bring more kits, activities, and talks from experts in the areas of science, technology,…
Movie Review: “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret”
Kelly Fremon Craig directs a kinder, gentler take on the Judy Blume classic that skips some of the straight talk about growing up.
by Amy Nicholson
Judy Blume’s landmark 1970 young adult novel “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret”…
State Administrative Law Judge Reverses Trial Court: Rules Striking Grad Students Must Stop Their Strike
by Jon King
A state administrative law judge ruled that the University of Michigan Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) AFT Local 3550 violated the no-strike clause in its current contract when they walked off the job on March 29.
…
