Farmington Hills’ use of opioid funds to backfill budget prompts AG complaint
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) The Michigan Attorney General office is looking into a complaint that an Oakland County suburb is misusing money intended for drug prevention and treatment. Farmington Hills used $120,000 from its share of the national opioid settlement to backfill its budget for past costs associated with addiction. That’s something not being done in 118 other […]
Time to ban cellphones in Michigan schools? Lawmaker proposes statewide plan
by Hannah Dellinger, Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan) Autumn Thomas can see the benefits of a ban on using cellphones during class for some students. But Thomas, a freshman at Detroit’s Martin Luther King Jr. High School, doesn’t think every student needs to adhere to the same restriction. “Not all schools need that rule,” she said. […]
Michigan winter may be warm — and wet
by Jenelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Michiganders wary of bitter cold winters may be in luck this year, because temperatures in parts of the state are expected to be warmer than average. But heavier precipitation could still bring snow. Much of the eastern part of the state, including the Thumb, has a 33%-40% chance of […]
Michigan Supreme Court majority up for grabs as 4 candidates seek 2 seats
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) The power dynamic of the state’s highest court is on the line in the 2024 general election as four candidates with diverse legal and political backgrounds compete for two open Michigan Supreme Court seats. State Supreme Court seats are technically nonpartisan, and candidates are not included in a straight-party ticket […]
Fire danger remains high in Michigan, dry conditions continue
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Fire danger remains high across Michigan, prompting state officials to urge residents not to burn leaves or start campfires this weekend. There were several fires over the weekend, including one over more than 100 acres in the McCormick Wilderness, a federally managed wilderness part of the Ottawa National Forest in the […]
Women run Michigan but remain outnumbered in Lansing. Parity may wait
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Women candidates in Michigan have made historic gains in recent election cycles, sweeping statewide offices and boosting numbers in the state Legislature. But with the Nov. 5 election fast approaching, advocates say their hopes for a women-majority Legislature may have to wait as they instead seek to hold ground this cycle. “Unless […]
Michigan sounds alarm as syphilis spikes among women, infants
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is stepping up prevention and awareness efforts amid an increase in syphilis, especially among pregnant women. Among the goals of the Stop Syph campaign are protection for a surprising slice of the state’s population: newborns who contract the infection in the womb. Mirroring a national trend, cases in Michigan have surged among […]
Michigan per-capita income lags again; ‘it’s the lowest we’ve ever been’
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan continues to lag the nation in per capita income, ranking toward the bottom of states in the measure of prosperity, according to new figures compiled by the federal government. The state’s per capita income increased to $61,144 in 2023 from $58,009. Michigan remains 12.4% below the national rate, which rose to $69,815 from $66,220 […]
Universities must work together to keep graduates in Michigan, leaders say
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Leaders of Michigan’s three largest universities say they must work together to help create jobs and keep students from fleeing the state once they graduate. The presidents of the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University agreed Tuesday that collaboration is key and will help grow […]
Mussels, alewives lead list of 10 worst invasive species in Great Lakes
by Shealyn Paulis, Great Lakes Echo (Bridge Michigan) LANSING – Researchers have revealed the Great Lakes’ 10 worst aquatic invasive species, spotlighting the plants and animals that pose the greatest threat to the region’s delicate ecosystems, fisheries and recreational waters. Their recent study in the Journal of Great Lakes Research is the first to compare […]
