Michigan to allow indoor dining at 25 percent capacity as COVID eases
By Mike Wilkinson, Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s indoor dining industry will be able to resume serving customers Feb. 1, although capacity will be capped at 25 percent — with a limit of 100 people — and doors will have to close at 10 p.m. The news was greeted with relief by the struggling industry, though […]
Michigan economy keeps beating predictions, thanks largely to stimulus
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Federal stimulus spending has limited economic damage in Michigan, online sales have exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines are going into arms, vehicle sales are rebounding and the state is climbing its way out of a “deep jobs hole.” That’s the word from leading economists, who told lawmakers that tax […]
Michigan cities must begin replacing lead pipes. But who has the cash?
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) It’s the first month of a 20-year effort to replace every lead service line connecting a Michigan home to a public water supply. Already, Jeff Lampi is predicting his city won’t meet the deadline. “I requested an additional 10 years, so that we don’t hit the ratepayers as hard as […]
Michigan defends COVID vaccine rollout; says it’s not as bad as data suggest
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) A top Michigan public health official defended the state’s vaccination rollout on Wednesday and said many more vaccines have been administered than reported. State epidemiologist Sarah Lyon-Callo told Bridge Michigan that the state is doing far better administering the vaccine and blamed reports to the contrary on its data system. […]
Michigan is divided. These 7 reforms can curb partisanship, fix government
By Jonathan Oosting, Madeline Halpert (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Riots at the U.S. Capitol as the president refused to accept an election loss. Another impeachment. More arguments over COVID-19 regulations. An open carry gun ban and erection of security fences at the Michigan Capitol. Fresh off one of the most partisan years ever, 2021 is […]
Michigan restaurants frustrated by tentative Feb. 1 reopen date
By Paula Gardner, Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Rosie Gunville looked ahead on Tuesday to the end of the state-ordered “pause” on indoor dining a few days later and placed a food order for her bar. Burger buns, produce, fresh meat and french fries all arrived Wednesday, within hours of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announcing that Michigan’s […]
Enbridge to Michigan: We won’t shut down Line 5
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Enbridge Energy will not comply with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order to shut down the controversial Line 5 pipeline by May, a company executive told state officials Tuesday. In a letter to Whitmer and Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichinger, Vern Yu, Enbridge’s executive vice president and president of liquids […]
After weeks of positive COVID news, Michigan faces more peril
by Robin Erb, Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Following weeks of hope with a downshift in cases and a rollout of COVID vaccines, Michigan’s gains against the virus appear to have stalled. Coronavirus infections and hospitalization levels have been mostly positive in recent weeks. But the latest state data suggest these trends may have reached a […]
Michigan teachers tackle Wednesday’s insurrection: ‘I don’t want my students to be alone’
by Lori Higgins, Chalkbeat Detroit, Eleanore Catolico, Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan) Owen Bondono’s language arts classes were supposed to focus on text structures Thursday, but there was no way the Oak Park teacher was going to ignore the insurrection that took place in the nation’s capital the day before. “I think about me at age […]
Michigan Republicans who pushed false fraud claims: Don’t blame us for riots
by Madeline Halpert, Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Michigan Republicans who spent months pushing false claims of voter fraud condemned violence that erupted Wednesday at the U.S. Capitol, but denied their actions influenced rioters who supported President Donald Trump. “Are we not allowed to look into election concerns?” said Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Potterville, one of 11 […]
