We read all Michigan election reform bills. Many would add hurdles to voting.
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan Republicans say they want to make it “easier to vote and harder to cheat” with a sweeping election reform package. In fact, many of the bills would make it harder to vote and address “fraud” that experts say is incredibly rare. Bridge […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer indicates no new MI COVID restrictions are coming
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday that the solution to Michigan’s highest-in-the-nation COVID-19 spike rests with the state’s residents, not leaders in Lansing. Whitmer made clear, at a mass vaccination event in Oakland County, that she has no intention of ordering new restrictions on the state’s businesses and people, as she […]
Weiser: ‘I won’t be canceled,’ after U-M regents call for his resignation
The University of Michigan Board of Regents passed a resolution Friday censuring Regent Ron Weiser and calling for his resignation after comments he made against the state’s top three female politicians and two GOP congressmen. Board Chair Denise Ilitch said the decision was made after listening to students, community members, and others from all across […]
COVID vaccine for kids edges closer to reality, as cases surge in Michigan
by Robin Erb (Bridge) In the race against COVID’s spread, a vaccine for adolescents might offer an opportunity to sprint toward herd immunity — especially as COVID cases surge among the youngest Michiganders. In a little more than five weeks, cases involving Michigan residents 19 and younger jumped from 1,526 on Feb. 20 to 6,783 […]
Michigan schools cheered when sports came back. Then came COVID outbreaks.
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) The most stressful game of Matt Seidl’s career as a high school basketball coach was spent on his couch. The 2020-21 season had been delayed for months because of state coronavirus restrictions. Then on Feb. 9, the Olivet Eagles finally played their first game, one day after those restrictions were […]
Michigan Capitol rife with sexism, Gov. Whitmer says. And that’s ‘depressing’
by Paula Gardner, Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Lansing has a long-standing culture of misogyny and power imbalances which hasn’t changed as more women come to office. “It’s really depressing, honestly,” Whitmer told Bridge Michigan on Monday. “This culture hasn’t changed. This isn’t new. “What is new is that there’s a bold […]
Amid high teacher turnover in MI, audit finds failings in teacher support systems
This article was originally published by Chalkbeat, a nonprofit news organization covering public education. by Koby Levin, Chalkbeat (via Bridge Michigan) Key policies designed to support Michigan teachers aren’t being adequately enforced, according to a recent by the state’s Office of the Auditor General. Districts spotlighted in the audit couldn’t prove that new teachers had […]
Over 45,000 residents signed up to join the Flint water crisis settlement
by Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (Bridge Michigan) Over 45,000 Flint residents have signed up to receive part of the money in what may be the largest settlement in Michigan’s history. Last Monday was the last day for those exposed to the city’s lead-tainted waters to register to receive some financial relief. The amount — $641.25 million — […]
Report: Lake Michigan is ‘running a fever.’ More storms, less fish possible.
by Kelly House (Bridge) Diminished surface ice is just the beginning: Climate change is warming Lake Michigan and other big lakes all the way down to their chilly depths, according to new federal research. In a first-of-its kind study, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory have used the […]
Report: 38 percent of Michigan households don’t earn enough for basic needs
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Even before the coronavirus struck last year, Michigan faced headwinds in bringing better-paying jobs to the state. The industry promising the most new jobs in the years ahead in Michigan will be fast food: about 24,000 of them are expected every year through 2028. And few fields pay less. About […]
