Judge approves $626 million settlement in Flint water crisis
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A judge has approved a $626.25 million settlement in the Flint water crisis, but has not yet decided how much money goes to residents and how much lawyers keep. In a Wednesday opinion, U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy rejected all objections to the settlement of claims against the state […]
Michigan to allow two-year vehicle registration
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Beginning next fall, Michigan drivers can renew their vehicle registration every two years — instead of annually — under a new law signed this week by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. In signing the Republican-sponsored bill, the Democratic governor said the policy change will save drivers a trip to the Secretary of […]
Facing COVID vaccine mandates, these Michigan residents just said no
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Michigan) One walked away from a job he loves rather than take a vaccine he hates. Two medical professionals were ready to do the same. Another now travels the state preaching against what he calls the tyranny of mandatory inoculation. These four Michiganders are among those who have risked their jobs […]
Michigan redistricting commission relents, creates majority-Black maps for House
by Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (Bridge Michigan) LANSING— After pushback from African-American leaders over political districts, Michigan’s redistricting panel on Thursday proposed a new state House configuration that creates majority-Black districts in Detroit. The latest map comes after weeks of back and forth between Detroit-area commissioners and the panel, and after hundreds of concerns regarding the commission’s […]
Child COVID vaccines are available in Michigan. Now comes the hard part.
by Robin Erb, Ron French (Bridge Michigan) GRAND RAPIDS—The decision to vaccinate 7-year-old Brittish Conaway against COVID pivoted on Dr. Jenny Bush’s choice of words. “When she gets sick,” the doctor explained to the girl’s mom, “her sugar levels plummet. And that’s where things like metabolic strokes happen.” Brittish has complex health problems stemming from a […]
Whitmer vetoes tax breaks for private schools. Petition drive coming next.
By Ron French (Bridge Michigan) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed bills that would allow state funds to subsidize private school education Friday. The veto was expected, and sets up an attempt by Republicans to circumvent the Democratic governor’s veto with a state ballot proposal petition drive. The two bills, passed along party lines in October, would have […]
Climate change grips trout streams across the nation: How anglers are responding
by Laura Gersony, Circle of Blue (for Bridge Michigan) The air is rich with the scent of wild river as David McCool sets his boat in the Au Sable River in northern Michigan. The early morning silence is broken only by an occasional bird call and the soft susurrations of the crystal clear water. It’s […]
Michigan to offer nonbinary designation for driver licenses this week
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan residents will soon be able to select a gender-neutral designation on their driver license or state ID cards: an X. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office will begin offering the nonbinary gender designation beginning Nov. 10, providing a new option for residents who do not identify as […]
Michigan drivers to get car insurance refund from $5B surplus
By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (Bridge Michigan) The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association voted Wednesday to use part of its $5 billion surplus to refund the state’s insured drivers. The association issued a statement that did not immediately reveal how much refunds will be, or give a timeline on when consumers can expect their checks. “The goal is […]
Why are so many Michigan water systems finding lead? They’re looking harder
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Benton Harbor is likely just the beginning. Since the southwest Michigan community’s prolonged lead-in-water crisis began making national headlines this fall, residents of Hamtramck, Wayne and Manchester have all learned that their water, too, exceeded government lead standards, sparking renewed cries for faster action to eliminate the toxic metal from […]
