A child mental-health fix takes early action, more help. Here are 7 ideas.
By Robin Erb, Carter Barrett (Bridge Michigan, Side Effects Public Media) In most ways, Symone is like any other 17-year-old looking forward to her senior year in high school and what life may bring after — college and a career in music therapy or entertainment law, she hopes. Her teenage years have included some notable […]
GOP, Democrats agree: Return walk-ins at Michigan Secretary of State branches
By Sergio Martínez-Beltràn (Bridge Michigan) LANSING— Besides Republican lawmakers, who else wants the Secretary of State to bring back the walk-in options for services? Democrats. On Wednesday, they reached across the aisle to join Republican lawmakers in passing a trio of bills that would require the Secretary of State to re-open the branches to walk-in services. The […]
Can Michigan become a climate haven? Duluth is already planning.
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) DULUTH, Minn. — When Mayor Emily Larson first heard the hype about her city’s potential as a so-called climate haven — a place people will flock to as rising seas, drought, heat and wildfire make other regions less hospitable — “I thought it was bananas.” But in the years since, […]
Michigan hopes $5 million vaccine lottery inspires more people to get shots
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s vaccinated residents will get the chance to win up to $2 million under details of a vaccine lottery rolled out Thursday. The “MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes” will include a $2 million grand prize, a $1 million prize and 30 separate $50,000 daily prizes to those who have gotten […]
Michigan lawmakers leave for summer break without passing budget
By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Despite agreeing to a historic spending plan for schools, Michigan lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on the state budget before their self-imposed deadline Wednesday. On Wednesday, the Michigan Senate opted for passage of a narrow spending plan that only allocated funding for the Department of Health and Human Services and the […]
For Michigan’s long-haul COVID survivors, pandemic is far from over
by Olivia Tucker (Bridge Michigan) As much as a year or more after they survived COVID, they still have trouble thinking straight or tasting their food. Some struggle to work like they did in the past. Some have headaches, stomach aches and joint swelling — and they are the lucky ones, compared to others who have […]
Army Corps decision could tack years onto Enbridge Line 5 tunnel timeline
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Tack another delay onto the Line 5 tunnel construction timeline. Federal regulators this week announced they will thoroughly examine the potential environmental impacts of Enbridge Energy’s plan to encase the petroleum pipeline inside a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac, a review that could take years. The decision by the U.S. […]
GOP investigation finds no Michigan vote fraud, deems many claims ‘ludicrous’
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) A months-long Republican investigation into Michigan’s 2020 election uncovered no evidence of widespread fraud and concluded Wednesday with a recommendation the attorney general investigate those who made false claims for “personal gain.” The 35-page report prepared by Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, dives deep to debunk conspiracy theories perpetuated by former President […]
Michigan schools in line for ‘historic’ spending increase under new budget
The Michigan House on Thursday approved a nearly $70 billion plan to fund state government, boost K-12 schools, close a decades-long funding gap between districts and send them a collective $4.4 billion in one-time COVID-19 relief funds. The series of current-year and fiscal year 2022 budget bills were negotiated with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and […]
Michigan unemployment agency resumes in-person office visits
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s jobless workers once again have a chance to talk to an unemployment agency worker in person, more than a year after the Legislature and workers rights advocates started pushing for the change. The offices will reopen on Wednesday, June 30, but only for people who make appointments online starting […]
