Violence against Asian Americans prompts calls for vigilance in Michigan
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) After a spate of high-profile acts of violence against people of Asian descent across the United States, Laura Misumi says she’s found herself feeling anxious about venturing out in public. The Hamtramck woman said she runs through scenarios in her mind. “What would it mean for me if I went […]
Michigan ranks second in COVID variant cases as state hits ‘tipping point’
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) The latest outbreak of a more contagious coronavirus variant — one linked to middle- and high school basketball games in February in Grand Ledge — has now grown to 47 suspected cases. And while just two of the 47 cases were genetically sequenced to confirm the B.1.1.7. variant in this community northwest […]
Canadian officials to Michigan Senate: Line 5 shutdown would wreck economy
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Keeping petroleum flowing through the Line 5 pipeline is imperative to the economy and energy security of Canada and the U.S., Canadian government, business and union representatives told a Michigan Senate panel on Tuesday. During a 90-minute hearing that environmentalists decried as “political theater” meant to undermine Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s […]
Michigan communities turn to wetlands to prevent damage during floods
by Lester Graham (Bridge Michigan) Midland and other cities were hit hard by a flood caused by the failure of a weak dam. More than 2,500 homes were damaged. There was an estimated $245 million in property damage. If that flood happened a few years ago, the damage could have been worse. But there’s been […]
Beverage companies want cut of Michigan bottle bill windfall during COVID
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s government may receive tens of millions of dollars in extra revenue from the COVID-19 backlog of unreturned bottles and cans. The beverage distributors who handle those containers say they should get some of that cash to reinvest in bottle recycling infrastructure. For the second legislative session running, beverage industry […]
Michigan residents 16 and older eligible for COVID vaccine by April 5
by Robin Erb (Bridge) All Michiganders 16 and older, regardless of health status, will be eligible for a COVID vaccine beginning April 5, the state announced Friday. Some places have moved ahead already, in fact. Less than an hour after the state made its announcement, the LMAS District Health Department in the eastern Upper Peninsula […]
Too few farmers are curbing pollution in Lake Erie
by Kelly House (Bridge) WALDRON—The greenery peeked through a fresh blanket of snow on Jay Williams’ farm. Over the past few winters, Williams has added a variety of cover crops across his 1,350-acre operation near the Ohio border. There are peas, oats and radishes rising from soil that used to lay fallow through the cold-weather months. […]
Michigan GOP: No transgender athletes in girls’ sports. Critics: Shame on you.
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Republicans in Michigan and other states are pushing to limit transgender students from joining high school sports teams, making the minority group the latest target in a national fight against expanding LGBT rights. Legislation introduced this week by Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, would require Michigan districts to only allow […]
Michigan COVID cases rising, but vaccines make surge in deaths less likely
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Even with coronavirus cases rising again in Michigan, the rollout of the vaccines appears to be paying off, as fewer older residents contract COVID-19, a Bridge Michigan analysis shows. That could result in far fewer deaths because those 60 and older have far higher mortality rates from COVID-19. “No doubt, we’re seeing […]
Michigan moves to allow first-time drunk drivers to expunge conviction
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) Many first-time drunk or drugged drivers would have the chance to clear the conviction from their criminal record under bipartisan expungement legislation approved Wednesday by the Michigan House. It’s the latest in a criminal justice reform movement that has united Republicans and Democrats in Lansing. “People seeking this second chance have […]
