Leftover child care money gives a boost to cash-strapped Michigan providers
By Koby Levin (Chalkbeat for Bridge Magazine) Michigan child care providers who serve low-income communities are set to receive an influx of federal child care dollars that went unused during the pandemic. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill this week that will send $105 million to child care centers and homes, effectively giving them […]
CDC recommends indoor mask use. But don’t expect mandates in Michigan
By Robin Erb, Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (Bridge Michigan) Americans once again should wear masks indoors in schools and areas with high rates of COVID — even those who are fully vaccinated, according to recommendations Tuesday from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the new guidance, which targets counties of “substantial or high transmission,” unleashed plenty […]
From empty offices to housing? Michigan leaders support bill to fund shift
By Paula Gardner (Bridge Magazine) Lansing is home to about 118,000 people, but just a fraction of them — roughly 2,500 — live downtown. Boosting that number was a goal of Mayor Andy Schor before the pandemic. Now, facing climbing office vacancy rates as the state of Michigan contracts its leased space, it’s a big priority once again. “It […]
5 things to know about buying a house in Michigan in real estate ‘crisis’
By Paula Gardner (Bridge Magazine) Jordan Falby is still living out of cardboard boxes after her July 4 weekend move, but the shelves filled with plants near her living room window already make her house feel like home. She’s thrilled with her three-bedroom ranch in Southfield that has a finished basement, deck, lots of updates […]
Emergencies surge at northern Michigan parks, lakes. Time for a rescue tax?
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Staff and rescue crews at some of Michigan’s most rugged and popular natural areas are pleading with visitors to heed safety warnings — and mulling tax increases — as a rise in emergencies has stretched resources thin. In the latest incident, a 21-year-old man fell to his death at Pictured Rocks National […]
Up to 400K COVID vaccines set to expire in Michigan. Few want them.
By Robin Erb (Bridge Magazine) Three months after a desperate scramble for COVID vaccines — and even some line-cutting — Michigan’s demand for the life-saving shots is so low that some 400,000 vaccines are set to expire if not used in the next four weeks, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Though officials […]
Used car prices are through the sunroof. Here’s why
By Sophia Kalakailo (Bridge Magazine) Cheap used cars are hard to come by these days. The average price of a used car has jumped dramatically in Michigan and across the country due to numerous factors, including the pandemic, driving high demand and low supply. How high are prices? Some used cars are now more expensive than […]
Michigan tourism sector fumes at new delay in opening border to Canadians
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Michigan) As the clock ticks down on the summer travel season, Michigan tourist venues will have to wait at least another month before they see visitors from Canada who are vital to their bottom line. Angering lawmakers from New York to Michigan, the U.S. ban on nonessential travel from Canada will […]
Donkeys and yoga, tree houses with TVs at alternative Michigan campsites
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Magazine) IONIA COUNTY—For those inclined toward camping, yoga and small donkeys and horses, Rachael Devroy has just the place. About 20 miles east of Grand Rapids, perched above the Grand River valley on five rural acres, Devroy hosts a campsite appropriately called Miniature Horse & Donkey Oasis. Opened just a couple months ago, […]
Full-time virtual schools expand in Michigan in wake of COVID
Koby Levin, Chalkbeat, Tracie Mauriello (for Bridge Magazine) Most students are expected back in classrooms this fall, but the number of students learning via computer will likely remain well above pre-pandemic levels. There will be at least 18 new, full-time virtual school options available to Michigan students this coming school year, most operated by traditional school […]
