Michigan parks are popular, but underfunded. They want some COVID money.
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) MACKINAC ISLAND—As the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools, stores, offices and restaurants, Michigan’s parks were among the few destinations that remained open. In fact, they welcomed more patrons than ever before, as Michiganders and out-of-state visitors grasped for a safe way to recreate, exercise, and mollify the […]
Michigan Republicans aim to restrict school discussion of systemic racism
by Tracie Mauriello, Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan) LANSING—Republican legislators marched headlong into the culture wars Tuesday, holding a hearing on legislation that critics say threatens to limit how race and racism are taught in Michigan public schools. Under the House measure, schools would be banned from teaching students that racism and sexism are inherent or that […]
Pfizer COVID vaccine booster approved for Michiganders. Now what?
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots will be available to hundreds of thousands of Michiganders as early as next week, after a startling, post-midnight decision by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention early Friday. A CDC advisory panel had recommended the boosters on Thursday for older people and those with higher […]
Michigan top doc Khaldun leaves state COVID role for private sector
by Kelly House, Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan’s chief medical executive and one of the most visible faces of the state’s emergency pandemic response, will leave state government next week to take a job in the private sector. “I will be moving on to a new opportunity in the private sector (details forthcoming […]
Another respiratory virus, RSV, is surging in Michigan children
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Michigan children have been spared for the most part from the very worst of COVID. But another kind of respiratory illness, which usually doesn’t peak until the winter, is now sending young children to doctor’s offices and hospital intensive care units. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, made an early comeback […]
Few incumbents are safe in Michigan’s draft congressional district maps
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s congressional delegation could face sweeping changes in 2022 that have nothing to do with shifting political winds. The first draft maps designed by a nonpartisan citizens redistricting commission appear to pit seven of Michigan’s 14 incumbents against one another, which could force them to square off in primaries, move or run […]
Michigan officials agree to budget deal to avoid government shutdown
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration and leaders in Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature have reached a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown, officials announced Wednesday. While details of the likely $50 billion to $60 billion spending plan will not be public until next week, negotiators described the handshake deal […]
ERs nearly full; Beaumont asks patients to go elsewhere if possible
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Worsening staff shortages, coupled with a surge in patients with a litany of medical needs, prompted Beaumont Health last Wednesday to begin asking the public to seek emergency care elsewhere when possible. The Southfield-based system also temporarily closed down 180 beds throughout its eight-hospital system, stepped up a call for blood […]
5 things on the minds of Michigan businesses eyeing Biden vaccine mandate
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s large employers join businesses across the U.S. in awaiting details on President Joseph Biden’s plan to set COVID-19 vaccination mandates that would affect about half of the state’s workers. The vaccine requirement — which also allows employees to submit to weekly testing if they are unwilling to get a […]
Republicans advance bills to bar Michigan school mask mandates
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — A tense clash over school masking and COVID-19 testing policies continued last Tuesday at the Michigan Capitol, where a Republican-led Senate panel advanced bills to bar local mandates after a Democratic lawmaker walked out in frustration. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has encouraged school masking and is likely to […]
