Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer halts action on Line 5 tunnel
by Jim Malewitz (Bridge) LANSING – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday ordered state agencies to halt action on a proposed tunnel to encase the controversial Line 5 pipeline in a tunnel. Whitmer’s executive directive came minutes after a fellow Democrat, Attorney General Dana Nessel, issued a legal opinion claiming that a law creating a state authority […]
Whitmer orders Michigan to set PFAS standards, setting up clash with GOP
by Jim Malewitz (Bridge) LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has kickstarted efforts to set a statewide standard for PFAS, hazardous chemicals that are increasingly befouling Michigan waters. The Democrat on Tuesday directed the Department of Environmental Quality to begin the process of establishing a drinking water standard for how much of the chemicals are unsafe. Whitmer ordered […]
Michigan plows on with Medicaid work rules as law is struck down in two states
by Lindsay VanHulle (Bridge) Michigan is continuing on its path to implement new work requirements for Medicaid expansion recipients, even as a federal judge this week blocked similar rules in two other states. But a legal challenge is possible — and, if one is filed, the case could wind up in front of the same federal judge […]
Consumers Energy investing $200 million in Freedom compressor station
If you have driven Pleasant Lake Rd past the lake recently it would have been impossible for you to miss the construction happening on Consumers Energy’s Freedom Compressor Station. Consumers has initiated a more than $200 million investment to upgrade the Compressor Station, which has been in operation since 1948 and is a key point […]
2019 Cub Scout Pack 421 Pinewood Derby winners
On March 16th, Manchester Cub Scout Pack 421 held their annual pinewood derby at Sharon United Methodist Church. Isaac Flint was the Overall 2019 Pinewood Derby Champion! The top three finishers in each den and then in the pack overall earned awards. The den awards are as follows: Tiger; 1st Fisher Nord 2nd Reid Mann 3rd […]
Plots available for rent at the Community Garden
submitted by Ruth VanBogelen, Manchester Community Garden Committee The Manchester Community Garden is now renting plots for the 2019 growing season. Many of the plots have already been rented, but we have seven plots which are 20 feet x 20 feet in size still available and are only $45. Multiple families are welcome to share a garden […]
River Raisin Watershed Council holding vernal pool patrol training workshop
The River Raisin Watershed Council is co-sponsoring a Vernal Pool Patrol Training Workshop on Saturday, April 6, from 10 am to 3:30 pm at Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 W. Monroe Road (Hwy. M-50) in Tipton. Vernal pools are small, isolated, temporary wetlands that are important for maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. Because these wetlands dry up and are fishless, they provide critical […]
Rich-poor achievement gap won’t budge. Is investing in teachers an answer?
by Ron French, Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Despite decades of efforts, the achievement gap between rich and poor students hasn’t budged in the United States for a half century, or in Michigan since at least 2000. That’s the sobering finding of a national study released this week examining test scores dating back to the 1970s, and a Bridge […]
