Using mussels to scrub fresh water — and sound the alarm on contamination
by Amalia Medina, Capital News Service (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Water tanks line a room in Philadelphia’s Water Works on the bank of the Schuylkill River. Inside are small fish that are hosts to tiny organisms that researchers say can help solve polluted waterways. Tucked under the fish gills are microscopic mussels that will mature […]
Michigan election challengers face new rules to deter delays, disruptions
by Hayley Harding, Votebeat (via Bridge Michigam) Michigan poll challengers face stricter rules going into the November election, part of a wave of new requirements that aim to prevent some of the disruptions that marred the ballot counting process four years ago. Poll challengers — distinct from poll workers and poll watchers — are individuals […]
What’s in a name? Tom Izzo runs for Michigan House. No, not him
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Michigan State University basketball coach Tom Izzo is not running for office. But voters in Michigan’s 74th state House district will see a Lansing man with that name — same spelling, different pronunciation — on their ballots running as a Republican against incumbent state Rep. Kara Hope, D-Holt. Tom Izzo […]
Dems OK $125M for Michigan school safety, mental health. GOP wanted more
by Isabel Lohman & Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) Facing pressure from school groups in a critical election year, Michigan House Democrats on Wednesday proposed spending an additional $126 million on student safety and mental health. The proposal, unveiled as Democrats fight to retain their slim two-seat House majority, would partially reverse what school groups had […]
Audit finds DTE Electric and Consumers Energy outages ‘worse than average’
by Jenelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) DTE and Consumers Energy had “worse than average” service interruptions, restoration delays, and tree trimming cycles compared to other utility companies, according to an audit conducted by an independent party. The Michigan Public Service Commission said it hired Liberty Consulting Group, based in Pennsylvania, to audit both companies in 2022 “amid […]
Michigan’s mental health crisis extends beyond students: Teachers struggle, too
by Katie Finkbeiner for Capital News Service (via Bridge Michigan) LANSING – “When I was a teacher, I felt like I connected so much with the kids who were struggling, I felt like I took that home with me,” said Becky Halamka, a Negaunee Public Schools counselor and founder of Superior Educator Wellness Services. Before […]
As Michigan moves toward $15 minimum wage, workers rally to keep tip system
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) Michigan will move forward with plans to raise its minimum wage to nearly $15 an hour by 2028 but should delay a full phase out of the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers until 2030 under an amended order released Wednesday by the state Supreme Court. Responding to a request for […]
In Michigan, alarms grow over construction worker suicides; more help on way
by Anna Rossow, Capital News Service (Bridge Michigan) LANSING – Mental health problems in a male-dominated industry – construction – are often overlooked, and its workers have disproportionately high suicide rates, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics The agency says the suicide rate among construction workers is four times more than for adults […]
Michigan’s fall salmon migration run has begun. Anglers are salivating
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s coastal rivers and streams are filling up with salmon as the prized sportfish make their annual fall migration from the Great Lakes. The fall fishing run is eagerly awaited by anglers, giving them easy access to some of the millions of Atlantic, Chinook, pink and coho salmon that the […]
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. […]
