School safety measures are being debated in Lansing as students grow more vocal in demanding protections from gun violence. And the race to become Michigan's next governor is heating up in both the Republican and Democratic parties. Get an insider's look and the latest information in this week's edition of 89.1 WEMU's new feature, 'The State of Politics.'

Sterilization is one of methods the City of Ann Arbor uses to help control the urban deer population. That could change. The Michigan House of Representatives has approved a bill that could impact the city's deer management program.

This week, Art and Soul is about living a self-aware, well-balanced life with hope and happiness. 89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry is joined by Ann Arbor business leader and author Peter Morville . Lisa and Peter see how their starkly different work experiences can merge into one healthy perspective offering balance and hope and a sense of well-being.

The Ann Arbor YMCA , Ypsilanti Community Schools , the Ypsilanti Housing Commission , and Eastern Michigan University have all joined forces to create a new child care center called "The Collaborative." It is expected to open at the former Chappelle Elementary School site this summer. In this week's "On the Ground-Ypsilanti," WEMU's Patrick Campion and Concentrate Media's Brianna Kelly talk to Toni Kayumi, President and CEO of the Ann Arbor YMCA, about the new facility.

You never know where a musical journey may take you. On 'creative:impact' this week, you'll follow the journey of a local woman who has ended up in a different place than expected. Jennifer Jones, a classically trained piano player and cellist, took up guitar and songwriting and is now running a fully-functioning, music-management machine in Ann Arbor. From player to entrepreneur, this is the story of the founder of Sadie Madden Music in a modern day “Gig Economy.”

Ypsilanti's city council will meet tonight and discuss if they will censure Mayor Amanda Edmonds after an investigation was conducted on a controversial trip to China.

Have you ever played with a toy, remote-controlled car? Would you want to do it if the vehicle was the size and weight of the vehicle you drive? And, you were riding in it? People are doing that right now, right around the corner from you. What they learn may determine our transportation future. By now, you’ve likely heard of the American Center for Mobility. The testing site in Ypsilanti Township once housed the historic Willow Run bomber plant in the World WAR II era. It later served as home

In addition to deciding the "Y" lot issue, Ann Arbor City Council and the Ann Arbor Library Board will continue budget discussions. Absentee Ballots are available for the May 8th elections, and the annual Commuter Challenge is about to get underway! Join WEMU's David Fair and Mary Morgan of the CivCity Initiative to find out all about these topics and more in this week's "Civic Matters."

For more than two decades, Rick Pluta has been covering Michigan politics in Lansing as chief correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has his finger on the pulse of what is happening at levels of state government. Now, he'll regularly share his expertise with you in 89.1 WEMU's new feature, 'The State of Politics."

After two years of being closed, the Border-to-Border Trail in Ypsilanti will soon re-open.