David Fair

Originally from Detroit, Jeremy graduated cum laude in Painting and Comparative Literature from Columbia University, NY and trained at the Actor's Studio.

Food, housing, transportation, health care, education—the price of everything is going up and putting a strain on greater numbers of people. The hardship is worse for those who are already living at or under the poverty line. Combating poverty and the challenges that perpetuate poverty through generations is at the heart of the work performed by the Ypsilanti-based non-profit, Friends In Deed. While the need for assistance is growing, so is the resolve to address poverty and related issues. For Friends In Deed Executive Director R. Tyrone Kelsey, the mission is personal. He explains why in a conversation with WEMU's David Fair.

There is a growing local food network in Washtenaw County. As high prices increase food insecurity, more homegrown food can help. Further, local farmers are creating better connections with the general public, and that is helping to combat the climate crisis by helping reduce transportation-related emissions. There is also potential for more local economic impact. WEMU's David Fair talked with Ryan Poe, the founder of The Hungry Locavore, about local agriculture as part of our carbon neutrality and food insecurity solutions.

OPENING THIS WEEK "I Love Boosters" — OPENS TODAY AT THE STATE AND THE MULTIPLEX

The march toward carbon neutrality in Ann Arbor continues. In enacting the measures needed to make the A2ZERO plan work by the goal date of 2030, it has to be approached from a variety of angles. That includes boots on the ground. That’s where the Ann Arbor Climate Corps comes in. It helps bridge the gap between city policy and neighborhood level implementation, and it’s been working so far. But now, there is the potential elimination of federal AmeriCorps funding. Maggie Halpern is program manager for Ann Arbor Climate Corps. In her conversation with WEMU's David Fair, she talks about what options are being considered, should that come to pass, and the work the Climate Corps will continue doing in Ann Arbor.

OPENING THIS WEEK "The Breadwinner" — OPENS FRIDAY, MAY 29 AT THE MULTIPLEX A supermom lands a Shark Tank deal, switching roles with her breadwinner husband.

Access to quality healthcare is becoming an issue for more and more people. For people of color and for those in lower income zip codes, the problem has always existed. One out of every seven adults in Michigan is dealing with chronic kidney disease and one in three are at risk. Experts call it a silent epidemic. If diagnosed early, it can be treated and managed, but all too many find out too late. The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan has been combatting this issue since 1955 by providing prevention programs and services to high-need populations. WEMU's David Fair looked at the growing need and demand for service and assistance with the foundation's Director of Policy and Programs, Crystal D'Agostino.

RESOURCES: TRANSCRIPTION: David Fair: State demographers are warning that Michigan's aging population and stagnant labor market

We often ask ourselves how we can make a difference in the health of our environment at home. One of the answers is to build a rain garden. There are now well over 1,000 rain gardens in Washtenaw County as the Water Resources Commissioner's Office has scaled a decentralized network to capture and filter stormwater. It's making a difference, and the effort will expand this year. WEMU's David Fair gets more details in a conversation with Rain Garden Coordinator, Susan Bryan.

ABOUT LANA POLLACK: Lana Pollack has spent her long and diverse career as an outspoken advocate for people and causes whose voices are often unheard in the halls of power.