Michigan House unanimously approves changes to system that tracks child abuse
by Ted Roelofs (Bridge Michigan) The Michigan House unanimously approved legislation Tuesday intended to make it more difficult for innocent people to be added to a state registry of adults deemed a serious risk to children. The Central Registry, maintained by the Children’s Protective Services program within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, now […]
Michigan passes 25,000 COVID-19 deaths; hospitals are so full patients are dying at home
by Robin Erb and Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s hospitals are so overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients now that others who are sick are now dying at home rather than seeking care in packed emergency rooms, University of Michigan doctors said Wednesday. They added their voices to warnings from Michigan’s healthcare systems that are experiencing the […]
Omicron variant arrives in Michigan. What you need to know
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan has become at least the 24th state with the omicron variant of the coronavirus, after it was detected in a fully vaccinated Kent County resident, state officials reported Thursday. The adult had a confirmed COVID-19 case on Dec. 3 but the genomic sequencing of the virus was confirmed Thursday. […]
Michigan drivers to get insurance refunds of $400 per car from trust fund
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) An insurance agency trust fund will return about $3 billion in surplus fees to Michigan drivers by issuing refunds of $400 per vehicle next year. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who in November urged refunds from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, said Tuesday that drivers should expect to receive checks in the second quarter […]
After Oxford shooting, Michigan Dems seek to bar high-capacity magazine sales
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Every second matters in a mass shooting and limiting high-capacity ammunition magazines could save lives by slowing shooters and forcing them to reload more often, Michigan Democrats argued Thursday as they proposed new regulations. Legislation set to be introduced in the state House and Senate would prohibit the […]
Bloody drawings, a cry for help, and Oxford’s choice before school shooting
By Kelly House, Ron French (Bridge Michigan) In the eyes of Oxford Community Schools, it was a judgment call. Fifteen-year-old Ethan Crumbley had been scrolling online for ammunition at school, drew a disturbing picture of a gun, a bullet and someone bleeding, and wrote that his “thoughts won’t stop, help me,” and “the world is […]
Rising cost of water in Michigan leads to affordability problems
by Brett Walton, Circle of Blue (Bridge Michigan) The rising cost of water and sewer service in Michigan is consuming a larger share of household income, leading to mounting financial burdens for both families and communities, particularly those with high poverty rates, a new report finds. The growing affordability problem spreads beyond publicized examples in Detroit and […]
Michigan House panel approves changes to state child abuse and neglect list
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Michigan) A Michigan House committee unanimously approved legislation Tuesday intended to make it more difficult for innocent people to be added to a state registry of adults deemed a serious risk to children. The Central Registry, maintained by the Children’s Protective Services program within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, […]
Michigan hospitals at COVID-induced capacities, as moods turn angrier
by Robin Erb, Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Nearly one-in-four Michigan hospital patients has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, packing the state’s health systems to unprecedented levels Friday. Some hospitals said they’ve flown past near capacity levels and are now “beyond capacity” in some units. The number of daily COVID-19 deaths in Michigan’s hospitals has […]
The case against the parents of Oxford shooting suspect: Gun was Xmas present
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — The parents of a 15-year-old accused of killing four classmates at Oxford High School bought the gun for him days earlier and failed to keep it secure despite alarming behavior by their son, according to Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald. McDonald on Friday charged James and Jennifer Crumbley […]
