A day after apology, Mike Shirkey doubles down on claims D.C. riot ‘staged’
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Magazine) LANSING — A day after apologizing for crude and conspiratorial comments caught on a hidden camera video, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey was caught on a live microphone Wednesday morning defending his original sentiment. “I frankly don’t take back any of the points I was trying to make,” Shirkey, R-Clarklake, said […]
Michigan redistricting panel on track, despite census delays, director says
By Madeline Halpert (Bridge Magazine) Michigan’s independent redistricting commission is facing some challenges in its first year because of the pandemic and census delays, but its newly elected director says it will finish the job on time. In January, the U.S Census Bureau pushed back the release of data that states use to draw district […]
Whitmer’s budget would give more Michigan families state-funded child care
By Ron French (Bridge Magazine) Another 150,000 Michigan families would be eligible for free or reduced-price child care under a $67 billion state budget proposed Thursday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The Democratic governor wants to use $370 million in state and federal funds to increase the income limit for families to be eligible for state […]
Michigan can’t fill mental health jobs amid COVID. These ideas could help.
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Magazine) In metro Detroit, mental health administrator Susan Kozak said she sometimes lies awake at night over the jobs her agency just can’t fill. Adult case manager. Child case manager. Child therapist. Substance abuse clinician. Nurse practitioner. Peer support specialist. The agency she runs, Community Care Services — which provides outpatient […]
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 […]
