January 22, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Vivek Jaikamal and Maneesha Mankad, Owners, Ivybrook Academy for this week's Saline Area Chamber of Commerce Report. IvyBrook Academy, a new preschool opening in the Ann Arbor-Saline region in fall 2025, is designed to focus on critical thinking, creativity, and fostering a love of learning in children from 18 months to five years old. The academy aims to blend Montessori and Reggio Emilia educational philosophies, promoting both individual and collaborative learning experiences.

January 21, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Sandy Bowers, Foster Grandparent Program Supervisor and LaDonna Austin, Foster Grandparent Program Volunteer for this week's Community Cares. The Foster Grandparent Program, established in 1965 and introduced to Washtenaw County in 1968, engages senior volunteers to support children and youth with special needs. Sandy highlights its mutual benefits for seniors, children, and schools. Volunteer LaDonna Austin shares her positive experiences, describing how the program has rejuvenated her and given her a sense of purpose. Open to seniors aged 55 and older, the program requires about 20 hours of weekly commitment and focuses on assisting lower-income individuals, including background checks for participants.

January 21, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Professor Justin Huang, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Michigan Ross School of Business. They discuss the potential ban of TikTok in the U.S. due to concerns about data security linked to its Chinese ownership by Byte Dance, which could allow the Chinese government access to user data under national security laws. Professor Huang suggests that a broader approach to data security legislation in the U.S. would be more effective than just targeting TikTok.

January 20, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Mark Munzenberger, Financial Education Manager, University of Michigan Credit Union for this week's Money Monday with UMCU. TSA PreCheck is an expedited airport security program available at approximately 200 U.S. airports, designed to help travelers bypass long security lines, particularly during busy travel seasons. It requires a vetting process and grants passengers a special boarding pass designation that allows them to use faster security lanes and enjoy perks like not needing to remove electronics or certain clothing items.

January 20, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Adrienne Woodland, Spokesperson, AAA. The Arctic weather is significantly affecting people and vehicles, leading AAA to issue a Michigan Statewide Arctic Air Advisory. To ensure safety in extreme cold, it’s important to keep the gas tank at least half full to prevent freezing, check the vehicle’s battery and charging system, and use winter-grade windshield washer fluid and engine coolant. Parking vehicles in garages or using tarps and wind protection can help prevent issues like frozen car doors. It’s also advised to avoid car washes in freezing temperatures to prevent water from freezing on the vehicle.

January 20, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Andy Hetzel, VP of Corporate Communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for this week's A Healthier Michigan. While stress can be beneficial in short bursts, aiding in task completion and fighting off illness, prolonged stress weakens the immune system, increases inflammation, and raises the risk of heart disease, anxiety, and depression. This stress can exacerbate skin conditions and lower white blood cell effectiveness, making individuals more susceptible to colds and viruses.

January 17, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Perry Seibert with the Michigan Movie Critics Guild for this week's Talking Pictures. The film “Amelia Perez,” directed by Jacques Audiard, is a musical and Golden Globes winner that tells the story of a drug kingpin who fakes his death to undergo gender reassignment surgery, returning as Amelia Perez to reconnect with her children. Featuring elements of opera and telenovela, the movie stars Zoe Saldana, Carla Sofia Gascon, and Selena Gomez.

January 17, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Ashley Schafer, Executive Director Main Street Ann Arbor, Dave Sharp, Artistic Director, and Derek Bolster, General Manager at the Blue Lama as we go Downtown with The Ann Arbor Main Street Area Association. The Blue Llama Jazz Club in downtown Ann Arbor is participating in Restaurant Week from January 19 to January 24, offering a unique dining and music experience. The venue has recently released a CD titled “The Late Set” by the Nick Collins Sextet and is recognized as a significant establishment by Ashley Schaefer, Executive Director of the Main Street Area Association. During Restaurant Week, Blue Llama offers a three-course meal for two at $70, or solo dining for $35, including show tickets. The menu, refreshed with Afro-Caribbean flavors by JJ Johnson, features dishes like grilled pork chop, small plates, and desserts inspired by New Orleans and African Caribbean cuisine.

January 16, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Michael Bright, Assistant Calendar Editor at the Ann Arbor Observer, who details various weekend events in the area. On Friday and Saturday, the University Musical Society presents “Earth Tones,” a multimedia jazz performance addressing climate change, featuring Etienne Charles, with tickets priced between $41 and $51. Dexter hosts Ice Fest on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM, with ice sculpting and a cocoa crawl. Pioneer High School’s Theater Guild will present “Future Stars” on Saturday at 7 PM, showcasing student talent judged by a panel and audience applause.

January 16, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance is joined by Nick Nerbonne, Media/Digital/Industry Relations Director at Travel Michigan for this week's Pure Michigan Moment. Nick discusses a trend in travel where people are seeking slower, more immersive experiences rather than rushing through packed itineraries. Travelers are now focusing on enjoying their destinations fully by relaxing at the beach or engaging with local culture and nature. This shift has led the travel industry to create experiences centered around relaxation and presence, moving away from mere sightseeing.