Rapids return means fish returns
by Taylor Haelterman, Great Lakes Echo (Bridge Magazine) The St. Marys River lost over half of its rapids in the last century, mostly due to artificial structures used for navigation. Restoring one of the rapids is helping diverse fish species recover in the river that connects lakes Superior and Huron, according to a recent study. Varied […]
Students in COVID-weary Michigan schools must take M-STEP, feds say
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) Michigan students must take the state’s federally-mandated standardized test, the M-STEP, despite the pandemic. Late Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Education informed the Michigan Department of Education that the state’s plea to shelve the test for the year had been denied. As a result, Michigan students, many of whom have […]
No new restrictions, but Michigan needs help amid COVID surge, Whitmer says
By Mike Wilkinson, Jonathan Oosting, Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) As Michigan is battered by a worst-in-the-nation surge in COVID-19 cases, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer resisted calls to add new restrictions on Friday, but pleaded with residents to be more vigilant and voluntarily limit activities. Whitmer asked school officials to move high school classes online, for youth […]
Lawsuit: Michigan wolf advisory group stacked with hunting advocates
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A wolf advocacy group is suing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, arguing the agency is favoring hunting interests on a group tasked with helping shape Michigan wolf management strategy. The 06 Legacy, a national group based in Michigan, alleges DNR Director Daniel Eichinger broke state law by appointing hunting advocates […]
Michigan colleges rush to get COVID vaccine in student arms amid surge
By Ron French (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s colleges and universities are rushing to get shots in student arms, with COVID vaccine clinics springing up on campuses amid a startling surge in coronavirus cases across the state. Those efforts will get a big boost in coming days, when the state allocates thousands of doses of the one-shot […]
University of Michigan postpones surgical procedures because of COVID-19 surge
By Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press (for Bridge Magazine) Stories from the front Bridge Magazine, Detroit Free Press and Michigan Radio are teaming up to report on Michigan hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic. We will be sharing accounts of the challenges doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel face as they work to treat patients […]
We read all Michigan election reform bills. Many would add hurdles to voting.
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan Republicans say they want to make it “easier to vote and harder to cheat” with a sweeping election reform package. In fact, many of the bills would make it harder to vote and address “fraud” that experts say is incredibly rare. Bridge […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer indicates no new MI COVID restrictions are coming
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Friday that the solution to Michigan’s highest-in-the-nation COVID-19 spike rests with the state’s residents, not leaders in Lansing. Whitmer made clear, at a mass vaccination event in Oakland County, that she has no intention of ordering new restrictions on the state’s businesses and people, as she […]
Weiser: ‘I won’t be canceled,’ after U-M regents call for his resignation
The University of Michigan Board of Regents passed a resolution Friday censuring Regent Ron Weiser and calling for his resignation after comments he made against the state’s top three female politicians and two GOP congressmen. Board Chair Denise Ilitch said the decision was made after listening to students, community members, and others from all across […]
COVID vaccine for kids edges closer to reality, as cases surge in Michigan
by Robin Erb (Bridge) In the race against COVID’s spread, a vaccine for adolescents might offer an opportunity to sprint toward herd immunity — especially as COVID cases surge among the youngest Michiganders. In a little more than five weeks, cases involving Michigan residents 19 and younger jumped from 1,526 on Feb. 20 to 6,783 […]
