Tough job, fewer applicants: Michigan struggles to hire police, survey finds
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Police agencies throughout Michigan are struggling to hire qualified officers, a new study finds, exacerbating an officer shortage that has hit forces nationwide. A University of Michigan study released Tuesday found that 72% report difficult hiring and another 48% said they had problems keeping officers of the 1,800 Michigan cities, townships and counties surveyed. […]
It’s a community affair with Midwest Energy & Communications (MEC) Day of Action
by Marsha Chartrand It’s a great thing when a group of unrelated (or loosely related) entities gathers together for a volunteer effort. Many companies in recent years have turned to a “day of action” where employees are granted time off work to perform acts of volunteerism; whether those of their own choosing or something pre-selected […]
Manchester Varsity Football blows out Homer in week #3, 44–0
by Marsha Chartrand The Flying Dutchmen traveled to Homer for its third game of the 2024 season last Friday and brought home a big one for the “W” column, ready to meet their opponents from Napoleon for homecoming this weekend, September 20. The Dutch carved out a 44-point shut-out in three periods, scoring three TDs […]
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 […]
