In Michigan, 1 in 3 students miss 18+ days of school a year, data shows
by Isabel Lohman & Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Nearly 1 in 3 K-12 students in Michigan missed 10% or more school days this past academic year, a tiny decrease from last year but still considerably higher than before the pandemic. The troublesome trend comes as state test scores show students have still not fully recovered from […]
Michigan gas prices may drop as refineries switch to winter-grade fuel
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Michiganders could see a dip in gas prices ahead of the fall as oil refineries make the switch to “winter-grade fuel.” As fall approaches and drivers are spending less time on the road as they did during the summer, demand for gasoline tends to decrease. That along with oil […]
In mid-Michigan, economic worries persist. So does disgust of politics
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) FLINT — At 78, Daniel Spaniola still mans the counter at Paul’s Pipe Shop, the business his father started 96 years ago. The walls of the tobacconist are lined with display cases for pipes and are mostly empty these days. “I’ve burned up most of my savings, but we’re struggling,” […]
Matilda, woman of mystery …
by Marsha Chartrand A volunteer, stopping in on Wednesday morning to begin her shift at Worth Repeating, was surprised to find a new occupant of the charity resale shop to greet her. The volunteer sent an anonymous tip to the Mirror and of course we had to track it down. So we checked in with […]
Restoring Michigan rivers by cleaning up, removing crumbling dams
by Lester Graham (Bridge Michigan via Michigan Public Radio) In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, building dams for electricity generation was the big new thing. Those hydroelectric dams provided power to nearby cities. But big companies found centralized coal-burning power plants could provide power to larger areas and make more money. Many of […]
Michiganders get nine new ‘I Voted’ stickers for the November election
by Jenelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) In an election year filled with memes and “vibes,” even the traditional “I Voted” sticker is getting a makeover. Michigan has approved nine new stickers that voters can wear after casting their ballots. The winning entries in the state’s first “I Voted” design contest range from funny and cute […]
Executive order signed in Michigan prioritizing grants for high-wage projects
by Josh Boak, Associated Press (via Bridge Michigan) President Joe Biden on Friday signed an executive order for federal grants that will prioritize projects with labor agreements, wage standards, and benefits such as access to child care and apprenticeship programs. Biden said the ideas in his order “are common sense.” “Economists have long believed that these good […]
Lifesaving doula services expanding for Michigan moms with help of Medicaid
by Daniel Schoenherr (Bridge Michigan) Every expectant parent should have access to a doula, Michigan’s maternal care experts say. But the parents who need those childbirth companions the most have historically had the least access. It’s the sort of service that medical leaders believe could save lives in Detroit. Doulas provide information and support to […]
As University of Michigan classes resume, so do pro-Palestinian demonstrations
by Isabel L0hman (Bridge Michigan) As the school year begins, pro-Palestinian demonstrators are continuing their calls for the University of Michigan to “divest” from financial investments that demonstrators say benefit Israel and its military. On Wednesday, demonstrators held a “die-in” at a university welcome event where students can meet different student groups. It was the third day […]
Michigan plots ‘drone zone’ to test package delivery tech of the future
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan aims to establish a “drone zone” running from Alpena to Camp Grayling in early 2025, creating a six-mile wide airspace to test technology it hopes ultimately will help make large-scale drone deliveries routine. The new drone corridor — the first in the state — will allow unmanned aircraft to […]
