Michigan Blue Cross to limit mental health benefit. Will thousands lose care?
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan Thousands of Michiganders could lose access to their mental health providers under a new Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan policy. Effective March 1, the state’s largest insurer will no longer cover limited-license therapists who practice in private offices. Michigan has about 13,000 social workers, counselors, psychologists, and family and […]
House Speaker Matt Hall threatens budget stall over impasse with Senate Dems
by Simon D. Schuster, Bridge Michigan LANSING — GOP House Speaker Matt Hall is threatening to hold up Michigan’s state budget unless Democrats in the state Senate start passing some of his caucus’ priorities, raising the specter of the second straight year of protracted budget negotiations. Hall’s priorities are far from Democrat’s interests: They include […]
Abdul El-Sayed calls for public ownership of AI, citing risk of ‘human demise’
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Artificial intelligence amounts to a “tidal wave” or “tsunami” that will reshape society, according to Michigan US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. And that calls for drastic action to protect humanity, the progressive Democrat has argued, saying in recent forums that “we’re going to have to get to public ownership” of […]
More people are using AI for medical advice. Here’s what to know
by Nate Miller, Bridge Michigan Type health symptoms into your phone or laptop, and one of numerous artificial intelligence models will spit out potential diagnoses and treatments in seconds. But Dr. ChatGPT isn’t ready to replace your family physician just yet. Nearly 1 out of every 3 adults reported asking artificial intelligence for health advice, […]
Deaths at Michigan women’s prison spur calls for Whitmer to act, director to resign
by Janelle D. James, (Bridge Michigan) Federal and state lawmakers are calling on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to intervene at Michigan’s only women’s prison after a third inmate in less than a month died Saturday, intensifying scrutiny over conditions and medical care at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility. Ashley Hoath of Hillsdale County was rushed to Trinity Health […]
Gov. Whitmer has vowed to boost literacy in Michigan. Here’s where we stand
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Magazine) In a packed auditorium on a cold day in December, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said literacy would be her top priority in her last year. Now, as students break for the summer and we’re halfway through that last year, Bridge Michigan is taking a look at what progress Whitmer has made on […]
Saline data center brings out bigwigs. Big day for Michigan or big betrayal?
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Leaders of tech companies behind a blockbuster data center project in Saline Township gathered Monday for a ceremonial groundbreaking of what they say is one of the largest artificial intelligence projects in the world. The $56 billion complex, known as The Barn, will be completed at the end of 2027. Operations should […]
Michigan bald eagle success story faces new threats
by Isabella Figueroa Nogueira, Bridge Michigan The number of bald eagles in Michigan is declining, and funding delays aren’t helping the cause. Researchers who have spent decades climbing trees, banding eaglets and monitoring nests across Michigan say something unusual is happening this year. Field crews working with long-term bald eagle monitoring programs say they’ve found […]
Scabies outbreak puts more than half of Michigan prison under quarantine
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan More than half of the housing units at a Muskegon prison are under quarantine after 15 cases of scabies were confirmed by the Michigan Department of Corrections. The itchy skin condition, caused by mites burrowing in the upper layer of the skin, was first reported at the Muskegon Correctional […]
Michigan center for adults with disabilities to reopen after dispute
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan A northern Michigan adult day program for people with developmental disabilities will reopen this month, following a complicated dispute about workers’ wages. The Bergmann Center in Charlevoix serves about 70 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It closed after last month over a dispute with North Country Community Mental Health, […]
