Michigan Supreme Court dismisses redistricting suit over Black representation
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — The Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against the state’s new independent redistricting commission that alleged new maps illegally dilute the power of Black voters. Plaintiffs, including state lawmakers who are part of the Legislature’s Detroit Caucus, failed to prove a violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, […]
Deaths exceed births in Michigan. Blame COVID, but long-term trends are grim
Mike Wilkinson (Michigan Health Watch, Bridge Michigan) Deaths now exceed births in Michigan. That’s bad news for the economy, and a problem that has been years in the making. The COVID-19 pandemic super-charged a demographic nightmare that’s been brewing for years. In 2019, deaths exceeded births in 55 of 83 counties, and demographers warned that was a […]
Michigan’s $7 million ‘tampon tax’ is officially over
by Zahra Ahmad (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — As of Thursday, Michigan women and their families no longer have to pay the state’s so-called “tampon tax” on feminine hygiene products. In November, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation exempting menstrual products from the state’s 6 percent sales and use tax. The repeal officially took effect this week. […]
Michigan petition seeks 9 days of early voting, funds for absentee ballots
By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán LANSING — A coalition of voting-rights groups is launching a ballot initiative to change the Michigan Constitution to allow early voting and publicly subsidize absentee ballots. The ballot proposal, Promote the Vote 2022, could cancel a different initiative pushed by Republicans that would tighten election laws and require voter IDs. Khalilah Spencer, […]
Michigan DNR camping reservations up 8 percent. Book now for busy sites.
By Zahra Ahmad (Bridge Michigan) Reservations for Michigan state park’s campgrounds are up by 8 percent compared to this time last year, and popular sites are going fast. Campers can reserve overnight stays at state parks six months in advance. Those wishing to spend the summer holidays there should not wait to book a reservation, […]
Virtual learning and the end of Michigan snow days
By Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Will school snow days soon be a thing of the past? As a winter storm swept through Michigan Wednesday, many schools closed for winter weather, but Detroit Public Schools Community District and Ann Arbor Public Schools pivoted to online learning. Both districts had already used up the number of days the state allotted to cancel […]
Duck and goose populations booming in Michigan. Other birds? Not so much.
by Zahra Ahmad (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s duck and geese populations are soaring as receding water levels created the perfect wetland breeding conditions last year, even as most bird species struggle. Waterfowl are breeding in record numbers: a recent state study found duck populations are up 191 percent and Canada goose populations are up 21 percent […]
Ann Arbor pours money into green affordable housing. Will others follow?
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Five years ago, developers and government officials in Ann Arbor launched a project to bring eco-friendly construction to the masses. It was a novel concept and very on brand for the progressive, affluent college town. The idea was to have local government subsidize some up-front costs of green housing and reserve […]
COVID may be here to stay. So much of Michigan is weighing risks, moving on
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) COVID-19 is still raging across much of Michigan, with some of the highest rates of new infections ever recorded and many hospitals nearing patient peaks. Outside those hospitals, though, much of Michigan has weighed the risks and concluded it’s safe to resume pre-pandemic activities. Highway traffic is up, while crowds […]
Activists push Michigan for bolder, faster climate efforts
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) As Michigan regulators consider how to transition the state away from fossil fuels by 2050, activists want them to focus more heavily on housing, transportation and rooftop solar. During the first of two scheduled listening sessions as state regulators circulate the draft climate plan published this month, activists on Wednesday lauded the […]
