Used car prices are through the sunroof. Here’s why
By Sophia Kalakailo (Bridge Magazine) Cheap used cars are hard to come by these days. The average price of a used car has jumped dramatically in Michigan and across the country due to numerous factors, including the pandemic, driving high demand and low supply. How high are prices? Some used cars are now more expensive than […]
Michigan tourism sector fumes at new delay in opening border to Canadians
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Michigan) As the clock ticks down on the summer travel season, Michigan tourist venues will have to wait at least another month before they see visitors from Canada who are vital to their bottom line. Angering lawmakers from New York to Michigan, the U.S. ban on nonessential travel from Canada will […]
Donkeys and yoga, tree houses with TVs at alternative Michigan campsites
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Magazine) IONIA COUNTY—For those inclined toward camping, yoga and small donkeys and horses, Rachael Devroy has just the place. About 20 miles east of Grand Rapids, perched above the Grand River valley on five rural acres, Devroy hosts a campsite appropriately called Miniature Horse & Donkey Oasis. Opened just a couple months ago, […]
Full-time virtual schools expand in Michigan in wake of COVID
Koby Levin, Chalkbeat, Tracie Mauriello (for Bridge Magazine) Most students are expected back in classrooms this fall, but the number of students learning via computer will likely remain well above pre-pandemic levels. There will be at least 18 new, full-time virtual school options available to Michigan students this coming school year, most operated by traditional school […]
State, feds suggest masks in classrooms. Michigan schools aren’t so sure.
By Ron French (Bridge Magazine) It’s likely that face mask policies will vary widely this fall among Michigan K-12 schools, despite recommendations from state and federal officials and pediatricians that children should continue to mask up. The American Academy of Pediatrics this week recommended that all students and staff in U.S. K-12 schools wear face masks […]
Yes, mosquitoes are worse in Michigan this summer. And it ain’t over
By Sophia Kalakailo (Bridge Michigan) You’re not imagining it — mosquitoes are bad right now. Rainfall preceded by drought-like conditions in April resulted in mosquitoes swarming the state this summer. The mosquitoes this year were even too much for Michigan State University’s mosquito expert to walk his dog in the daytime. MSU entomology professor Edward […]
Michigan vaccine lottery has first winners. But inoculation rates still flat.
By Jonathan Oosting, Makayla Coffee (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — A New Baltimore nurse, a Southfield resident, a Detroiter tired of wearing a face mask and a retired GM factory worker from Wyoming are the first four Michiganders to win money for getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced initial $50,000 prize winners on Wednesday […]
Michigan juniors take a career readiness test. Most employers ignore it
By Tracie Mauriello (Bridge Michigan) The state spends about $45 per student for juniors to take a career readiness test that few employers consider and even fewer require. That’s $4.4 million a year of taxpayer money that is wasted, said state Rep. John Reilly, R-Oakland Township, a sponsor for a bill to make the WorkKeys test […]
Latest effort to reform Michigan’s mental-health system finds critics
By Robin Erb, Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (Bridge Michigan) SOUTHFIELD—Whatever their politics, whatever their role — parent or provider, lobbyist or lawmaker — on this they agree: Michigan’s complex mental health system needs fixing, fast. But two legislative proposals meant to transform the system are facing pushback from families and mental-health advocates. “It’s upside-down,” said Fred Cummins, […]
U.S. Canada border reopening set for August, a relief for Michiganders
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Michigan) Traverse City resident June Thaden had a simple reaction when she learned the border to Canada may open to U.S. visitors in just a few weeks. “Oh, goody,” she said Friday. “This would mean everything to my whole family.” Like a good number of Michiganders, Thaden, 89, has a family […]
