Michigan’s drug fight relies on harm reduction. RFK Jr. says it doesn’t work
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan CLINTON TOWNSHIP — The nation’s fight against substance use addiction is getting an infusion of federal funds as well as a shift in priorities — away from harm reduction and toward more options that offer faith and spirituality. Harm reduction efforts, including needle exchange programs, is one of four pillars […]
Bloody red shrimp found in Lake Superior; invader now in all 5 Great Lakes
by Eric Freedman, Capital News Service, Bridge Michigan LANSING — Scientists now have evidence that yet another invasive the aquatic species — the bloody red shrimp — is established in all five Great Lakes. Using traps and nets, researchers last summer collected dozens of adult and juvenile specimens, including pregnant females, at Wisconsin Point and […]
E-motos, sometimes mistaken for e-bikes, causing trouble on Michigan trails
by Laura Herberg, Bridge Michigan There is a growing cry from mountain bikers like Steve Vigneau of Royal Oak: No e-motos — high-powered electric motorcycles and dirtbikes — on Michigan trails. “You’ll hear gravel throwing and you’ll see someone ride by throwing a rooster tail of dirt,” he said. “I’ve had some close calls myself […]
Michigan prisons leader defends oversight of women’s prison after 3 deaths
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan The embattled director of the Michigan Department of Corrections is defending conditions inside the state prisons. Heidi Washington, who is facing calls for removal over treatment of female prisoners, on Thursday wrote a letter to US Rep. Debbie Dingell claiming that her department “has established itself as a national […]
Michigan Blue Cross to limit mental health benefit. Will thousands lose care?
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan Thousands of Michiganders could lose access to their mental health providers under a new Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan policy. Effective March 1, the state’s largest insurer will no longer cover limited-license therapists who practice in private offices. Michigan has about 13,000 social workers, counselors, psychologists, and family and […]
House Speaker Matt Hall threatens budget stall over impasse with Senate Dems
by Simon D. Schuster, Bridge Michigan LANSING — GOP House Speaker Matt Hall is threatening to hold up Michigan’s state budget unless Democrats in the state Senate start passing some of his caucus’ priorities, raising the specter of the second straight year of protracted budget negotiations. Hall’s priorities are far from Democrat’s interests: They include […]
Abdul El-Sayed calls for public ownership of AI, citing risk of ‘human demise’
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Artificial intelligence amounts to a “tidal wave” or “tsunami” that will reshape society, according to Michigan US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. And that calls for drastic action to protect humanity, the progressive Democrat has argued, saying in recent forums that “we’re going to have to get to public ownership” of […]
More people are using AI for medical advice. Here’s what to know
by Nate Miller, Bridge Michigan Type health symptoms into your phone or laptop, and one of numerous artificial intelligence models will spit out potential diagnoses and treatments in seconds. But Dr. ChatGPT isn’t ready to replace your family physician just yet. Nearly 1 out of every 3 adults reported asking artificial intelligence for health advice, […]
Deaths at Michigan women’s prison spur calls for Whitmer to act, director to resign
by Janelle D. James, (Bridge Michigan) Federal and state lawmakers are calling on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to intervene at Michigan’s only women’s prison after a third inmate in less than a month died Saturday, intensifying scrutiny over conditions and medical care at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility. Ashley Hoath of Hillsdale County was rushed to Trinity Health […]
Gov. Whitmer has vowed to boost literacy in Michigan. Here’s where we stand
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Magazine) In a packed auditorium on a cold day in December, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said literacy would be her top priority in her last year. Now, as students break for the summer and we’re halfway through that last year, Bridge Michigan is taking a look at what progress Whitmer has made on […]
