Whitmer signs Right-to-Work repeal, prevailing wage restoration
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday signed bills repealing the state’s Right-to-Work law and restoring prevailing wage rates, doing away with Republican labor policies long despised by union groups. Taken together, the legislation would end a 2012 law that prohibits compulsory union dues or fees and restore a construction-industry “prevailing wage” law the GOP repealed […]
Michigan schools find creative ways to nudge receptive students to read more
by Janelle D. James Reading levels for Michigan students are far below the national average, but schools across the state have implemented initiatives to encourage students to read more and at their grade level. About 45% of third grade students scored proficient or higher in English language arts during the 2018-2019 school year, according to […]
Lions come to town, beat Manchester staff with hotly contested basketball touchdown
by Marsha Chartrand A touchdown in the final five seconds of last Friday’s basketball game put the iconic Detroit Lions alumni in a winning position, 38–35, over the Manchester Flying Dutch staff. A touchdown? In a basketball game? That’s how the Lions roll, and the Manchester staff graciously accepted defeat after a well-played game that […]
Chuck Steele honored as 70-year Legion member
by Marsha Chartrand No matter how you look at it, 70 years is a pretty long time. But 70 years of commitment to one organization is a very special accomplishment. In March of 1953, Charles “Chuck“ Steele got out of the U.S. Army and in April of 1953 he joined the American Legion Post 117 […]
Farm Bureau celebrates National Ag Week, March 21–27
submitted by Kathleen Siler, Washtenaw County Farm Bureau Washtenaw County Farm Bureau (WCFB) will join countless other organizations across the country to celebrate agriculture’s important role in daily life as part of National Ag Week, March 21–27, and Ag Day on Tuesday, March 21. The theme for this 50-year Anniversary is Agriculture: Growing a Climate […]
WCSO January – February 2023 report of police services in the village
provided by Washtenaw County Office of the Sheriff During the month of January 2023 there were 166 calls for service. During this time, 105 traffic stops were made, resulting in 37 citations. There were no significant incidents to note during the month of January that posed a risk to the general public or were noteworthy […]
Former Sheriff’s deputy and social worker launches 2024 campaign for Washtenaw County Sheriff
submitted by Dyer2024.com Last week, Alyshia Dyer formally launched her 2024 campaign for Sheriff in Washtenaw County. Dyer, a University of Michigan–trained social worker who spent 10 years as a deputy sheriff in Washtenaw, held a virtual launch party attended by more than 50 community members, local officials, and supporters. In honor of Women’s History […]
From migrant worker to Michigan teacher: ‘Just keep fighting for your dreams’
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) KALAMAZOO – It’s 3pm on a rainy February day at Arcadia Elementary, part of Kalamazoo Public Schools, and the 20 kindergarteners in Alfredo Aleman’s classroom are squirming in their seats. Ninety percent are what the Michigan Department of Education calls economically disadvantaged. Eight are from homes where English isn’t spoken. […]
Michigan voter roll maintenance means removing nearly 100,000 registrations
Oralandar Brand-Williams, Votebeat (for Bridge Michigan) As Michigan election officials prepare to remove nearly 100,000 potentially ineligible voters as part of a periodic cleanup, they are turning to local clerks and community groups to check their work and ensure no eligible voters are improperly removed. Clerks and other election officials have scoured Social Security death […]
Michigan lags nation in government transparency. Lawmakers promise change
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — As of March 14, Michigan remains one of two states in the country where lawmakers and the governor are wholly exempt from public records requests. Last week, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle vowed that that won’t be the case for much longer. Along with Massachusetts, Michigan […]
