Michigan teachers got COVID vaccines early, students now stand to benefit
By Mike Wilkinson, Ron French (Bridge Magazine) Michigan’s decision to move educators near the front of the vaccine line is appearing to pay off: Nearly two-thirds of teachers have already received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, or are on schedule to get it, according to an informal survey of over 22,000 Michigan […]
As Michigan ages, a shortage in health care workers explodes into a crisis
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Magazine) GRAND RAPIDS — Living alone in a Grand Rapids apartment, 84-year-old Nancy Klomparens clings to her independence — and has the injuries to show for it. Poor eyesight contributed to a series of falls, as she said she’s fractured her back five times in the past four years. Once a […]
Michigan’s free community college offer isn’t free in parts of the state
By Ron French (Bridge Magazine) Community college will be free for some Michigan residents but not for others, under the guidelines for a highly anticipated program announced Tuesday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan Reconnect promises free tuition and mandatory fees at the state’s community colleges and many professional training centers for residents ages 25 and older. The […]
Game on. Michigan contact sports may resume Monday as COVID cases wane.
By Robin Erb, Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Magazine) Contact sports in Michigan can resume Monday, but only with cautionary measures to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. The announcement Thursday by state officials represents a victory for high school winter sports athletes and families — among them, several who had filed suit earlier this week. But […]
Michigan unemployment system surprised by so many COVID claims. Again.
By Paula Gardner (Bridge Magazine) Tell us if you’ve heard this one before. The reason Michigan’s website for unemployment payments crashed Monday: too many users. That conclusion was announced after analysis of the computer glitch by the Department of Management and Budget. This marks at least the second time since the COVID pandemic struck that state computers […]
Despite dueling plans, Benson, GOP election reforms offer some common ground
By Madeline Halpert (Bridge Magazine) After a tumultuous election and months of unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, Michigan’s Democratic Secretary of State and Republican lawmakers are unveiling proposals to improve Michigan’s voting process. Speaking to reporters Monday, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson called on lawmakers to pass reforms that she’s championed for months — including […]
Michigan isn’t sure who’s getting the COVID vaccine. That’s a big problem
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Magazine) In less than a month, Michigan has gone from having one of the worst coronavirus vaccination rates to one of the best, with over 1 million doses administered. But who’s getting the doses? New data shows those 65 and older comprise over half of all vaccines in the last two […]
Michigan restaurants still likely to struggle after reopening amid COVID
By Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Travelers to Ohio haven’t had far to go if they want to eat inside a restaurant while dining rooms were closed in Michigan. About three-fourths of a mile along US-23 separates the Wolverine State from Italian fare at Ciao! In Sylvania, located “literally right over the border at the first exit,” said […]
Michigan getting better at vaccine distribution. It’s still not good enough.
By Mike Wilkinson, Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) After a slow start, Michigan has ramped up its coronavirus vaccinations and now is one of the better states at getting shots into arms. Michigan now ranks 20th in the rate at which it is vaccinating its residents, up from 45th just weeks ago. But despite the improvement, […]
Michigan Dominican Sisters find ‘grace to carry forth’ as 9 die of COVID
By Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) The 130-acre, red-brick campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters remained COVID-free through most of 2020. But in the end, the coronavirus that arrived Christmas week would kill with swift efficiency. In all, nine sisters — among them, local teachers and educators — have died so far in January after contracting […]
