Michigan women score big, poised for key leadership in Legislature
LANSING — In 2018, Michigan made history by electing three women to statewide offices. On Tuesday, they were not only re-elected, but women are poised to assume key leadership roles in the Legislature. A handful of state legislative races are still too close to call, which could impact the final count, but a Bridge Michigan analysis of […]
With wolf plan complete, Michiganders lobby state on possibility of a hunt
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) After the latest change to gray wolves’ status under the federal Endangered Species Act, it’s illegal to hunt the iconic predators in Michigan. But following the release of a state plan that opens the door to the possibility of future hunts, the animal’s friends and foes are already lobbying state […]
What Democratic control of Lansing will mean for Michigan schools
by Tracie Mauriello (Chalkbeat Detroit, for Bridge Michigan) In the days after Democrats swept the Michigan governor’s office and the state Legislature, a reality began to set in for public school advocates: Newfound power means they’ll be able to accomplish key initiatives that have stalled during decades of Republican control. Democrats now have a chance […]
Mid-Michigan smacks down wind energy. Will it harm the state’s green plan?
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) Renewable energy had a bad election day in Michigan, and it could lead to discussions of the state taking a more active role in the siting of wind turbine and other projects. Four referendums that would have established guidelines for wind turbine installation were defeated Tuesday in townships in mid-Michigan’s […]
Parents rights school board campaigns lost most Michigan races
by Koby Levin, Chalkbeat & Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Conservative school board candidates who attacked public schools as incubators of “woke” ideology made inroads in local Michigan elections on Tuesday, but still lost far more races than they won. Of 121 candidates statewide recommended by two major Michigan parental rights groups, 48 won office, according to analysis […]
Michigan Legislature: Redistricting paves way for Democrats to seize control
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) In 2018, Gretchen Whitmer won the governor’s office by just over 400,000 votes and 9 percentage points. When she took office, she was welcomed by a Legislature that was elected by the same voters but controlled by Republicans, 19-17 in the Senate and 58-52 in the House. On Tuesday, Whitmer […]
Michigan election: What to know about poll challengers, ID, canvassers, more
by Yue Stella Yu (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — On Tuesday, Michigan voters will decide the next governor and everything from who controls the state Legislature and Supreme Court to the future of voting and abortion rights. But a lot needs to happen between the moment polls open on Election Day and when the election results […]
Michigan logs 1st RSV child death as virus fills ERs and doctors’ offices
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) A 6-year-old Michigan child has died of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a virus that has been filling doctors’ offices and emergency rooms in recent weeks, along with other respiratory viruses. It is the first publicly confirmed RSV child death in the state this season. The mounting cases have pushed pediatric […]
DTE wants to quit coal by 2035. Some in Michigan say that’s not fast enough
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) DTE Energy wants to shut down its coal plants by 2035 and triple its renewable energy output over the next two decades, making it the latest major Michigan utility to plan a major shift from fossil fuels. Shutting its Belle River and Monroe coal plants, which provide a combined 40% […]
Amazon cost-cutting hits Detroit. New facility hiring delayed until 2023.
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) The massive Amazon fulfillment center built on the former state fairgrounds in Detroit will fully open at least a half-year later than originally planned, company officials say, a move that puts an estimated 1,100 warehouse jobs in the city on hold until 2023. The delay from the planned opening this […]
