Ann Arbor Observer

Celebrating Black History Month with a visit to the African American Culture and History Museum of Washtenaw County 

Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Expo 2026 (AAFAX) from this past Sunday (Feb 8th). Check your monthly Observer for local events and more.

Second Chances - Ann Arbor Observer Inspired by peer-to-peer mentorship through the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, Billy Cole teamed up with Bryan Foley to create Supreme Felons.

Second Chances
Recidivism, the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend, is a complex and persistent issue. But the Washtenaw County community is tackling it head on. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/second-chanc...

Rode To Hell - Ann Arbor Observer The weather for the annual Rode To Hell gravel bike race was perfect, but trouble awaited at mile forty-three.

Rode To Hell
Who's at fault when sports events go wrong? Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/rode-to-hell/

Slippery Sidewalks - Ann Arbor Observer “We hold ourselves to the same high standards we apply to everybody else,” city spokesperson Robert Kellar says.

Slippery Sidewalks
In winter, the safety of Ann Arbor's walkways is everyone's responsibility. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/slippery-sid...

HERD Mentality - Ann Arbor Observer The ordinance requires homesellers to schedule a home energy audit through the OSI and publish the score (from one to ten) in real estate listings.

HERD Mentality
Home energy efficiency improvements may help with carbon emissions, but don’t necessarily translate to higher sales prices. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/herd-mentali...

The Observer is Ann Arbor's magazine, and we want to know the issues that matter to you. Our editor in chief, Brooke Black, will be at ARGUS on LIBERTY from 8 to 10 a.m. Today, Friday, January 23. Come by, say hi, and let her know what you'd like to see in the Observer.

Growing Pains - Ann Arbor Observer “This is all meant to be net positive, a new basketball court, better stormwater, removal of invasive species,” says AAFD chief Mike Kennedy.

Growing Pains
With the construction of the new fire station, what's happening at Scheffler Park? Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/growing-pains/

The Observer is Ann Arbor's magazine, and we want to know the issues that matter to you. Our editor in chief, Brooke Black, will be at ARGUS on LIBERTY from 8 to 10 a.m. This Friday, January 23. Come by, say hi, and let her know what you'd like to see in the Observer.

Squeezed Out  - Ann Arbor Observer The recent housing study revealed what Ann Arbor’s working class has long known: if you make less than $50,000, you can’t afford to live here.

Squeezed Out
Workers in low-wage sectors are finding themselves priced out of Ann Arbor. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/squeezed-out/

Thinking Bigger - Ann Arbor Observer The Downtown Development Authority’s new development plan includes up to $21 million for improvements to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.

Thinking Bigger
A $21 million concept for the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/thinking-big...

New Millage - Ann Arbor Observer On November 4, voters approved the Washtenaw Intermediate School District’s proposed millage, levying 1 mill annually for career-technical education.

New Millage
Voters back the $25 million measure despite cost concerns and a surge in turnout. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/new-millage/

Turnover Trouble - Ann Arbor Observer In 2023, Michigan men’s basketball set an unenviable record: most losses in program history.

Turnover Trouble
Once again, Dusty May has assembled a cohesive team from the chaos of the transfer portal. Now, about those turnovers… Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/turnover-tro...

Extreme Makeover: Broadway Edition - Ann Arbor Observer The solid-brick Italianiate structure at 1027 Broadway St., built in 1874, is one of Ann Arbor’s oldest commercial buildings.

Extreme Makeover: Broadway Edition
What's going on at 1027 Broadway? Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/extreme-make...

Curious about whats going on with the Observer in 2026? Want to meet our new editor in chief? Well now is your chance! Stop by Argus (on Liberty), Friday, January 23rd, 8 to 10 a.m.

Ann Arbor Indivisible march and rally on State Street and N. University January 10, 2026

Vision Zero In Hindsight - Ann Arbor Observer City council's comprehensive transportation plan called for the elimination of traffic fatalities and serious injuries by the end of 2025.

Vision Zero In Hindsight
The city fell short of its goal of zero traffic fatalities in 2025. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/vision-zero-...

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Federal Funding Cuts Hit International Education - Ann Arbor Observer On Sept. 10, the U.S. Department of Education abruptly canceled all federal funding for International Education and Foreign Language Studies programs.

Federal Funding Cuts Hit International Education
Programs are deemed “inconsistent with Administration priorities ... do not advance American interests or values.” Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/federal-fund...

Last Call on CLUP - Ann Arbor Observer It’s been in the works for more than two years, and controversial since the first draft was released last spring.

Last Call on CLUP
City council approved the third draft of a new Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) in October, opening a last window for public comment as it moves toward adoption next year. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/last-call-on...

Defunding Science - Ann Arbor Observer There’s an imminent threat to promising mRNA research: massive cuts to the budget of the National Institutes of Health proposed by President Trump.

Defunding Science
The Trump administration’s drive to slash research funding is sending shockwaves through the U-M. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/defunding-sc...

For Sale: Lamp Post Plaza
Don’t worry, Trader Joe’s isn’t going anywhere. Read about it here annarborobserver.com/for-sale-lam...

Marketplace Closings | November 2025
Saying goodbye (for now) to Pinball Pete's, Champion's Party Store, and more. Read about it here annarborobserver.com/marketplace-...

Don't Call It a Data Center - Ann Arbor Observer The proposed facility has sparked concern from Ypsilanti residents, township officials, and some U-M employees.

Don’t Call It a Data Center
The U-M’s plan for a $1.25 billion high-performance computing facility in Ypsilanti has residents asking what it means for their community. Read the full story here: annarborobserver.com/dont-call-it...

Sports for Sale - Ann Arbor Observer After a landmark July court decision, the NCAA enabled schools to pay their athletes and removed limits on scholarships.

Sports for Sale
This fall marks the start of expanded rules governing the Name, Image and Likeness program (NIL) at Michigan. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/sports-for-s...

Fixing Barton Dam - Ann Arbor Observer This summer, the area below the dam bristled with payloaders and dump trucks placing layers of sand and gravel on the downstream side of the embankment.

Fixing Barton Dam
A leaky embankment gets a “mineral drain.” Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/fixing-barto...

Newspaper Rescue - Ann Arbor Observer Ann Arbor businessman Nagabhushanam “Bobbi” Peddi has purchased the Sun Times News, a weekly paper covering Dexter, Chelsea, Milan, and Saline.

Newspaper Rescue
TRUiC buys The Sun Times News. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/newspaper-re...

Learning Lag - Ann Arbor Observer 56 percent of Ann Arbor’s third graders scored proficient or better, and 61 percent of fourth graders.

Learning Lag
Declining M-STEP scores highlight challenges faced by students and teachers alike. Read the full story here annarborobserver.com/learning-lag/