COVID outbreaks slowing at Michigan K-12 schools, dropping at colleges
By Ron French (Bridge) Coronavirus outbreaks in Michigan K-12 schools continue to rise, but at a slower rate, according to a state report released October 25. On college campuses, active outbreaks dropped this past week, with only the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor recording a significant rise in cases, according to the Michigan Department […]
Months after COVID, 1 in 4 Michiganders studied have yet to recover
By Robin Erb (Bridge) Months after being infected by COVID-19, 1 in 4 Michiganders surveyed reported they had not fully recovered. Rather, COVID survivors report facing lingering illness, heightened anxiety, and economic uncertainty, according to a joint study led by the University of Michigan and made public Wednesday. “We knew that the pandemic has caused a lot […]
Mail delivery delays up in southeast Michigan in weeks before election
By Riley Beggin (Bridge) Mail delays have increased in southeast Michigan for the weeks ahead of the Nov. 3 election, a congressional investigation spearheaded by Michigan Sen. Gary Peters concluded in a report published Tuesday. About 70 percent of mail was delivered on time (within five days) in the Detroit region the week of Oct. 3, […]
Coronavirus sidelines veteran poll workers, adding to Michigan election stress
By Madeline Halpert (Bridge) This article is made possible through Votebeat, a nonpartisan reporting project covering local election integrity and voting access. This article is available for reprint under the terms of our republishing policy. At 17, Tori Johnson is too young to vote, but the high school senior from Romeo in northern Macomb County still […]
Michigan voting 2020: masks, guns, ID, straight ticket, what you should know
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) The polls open in fewer than two weeks, but Michigan’s Nov. 3 general election is already under way. Election officials expect a record-breaking turnout of more than 5 million, nearly two-thirds of all registered voters. More than 1.5 million voters already have cast absentee ballots. As Election Day approaches, Bridge Michigan […]
Some Michigan Republicans propose local opt-out for COVID lockdown orders
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) Seeking to influence Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, House Republicans on Tuesday outlined a plan to allow counties to opt out of statewide mask mandates, business rules, crowd size limitations and other public safety orders if local virus spread is low. Local health officials could relax regulations […]
Why it still matters whether Michigan K-12 students contract COVID
By Ron French When Michigan school districts forged plans this fall to open classrooms to students, there was little question it would lead to some spread of COVID-19. The question was: How much? And would it be manageable? More than six weeks into the school year, the answer, so far, falls somewhere between no problem […]
Coronavirus hits new high in Michigan. Is it a ‘blip’ or ‘surge’?
by Mike Wilkinson, Robin Erb (Bridge) Hospital and health officials increasingly are worried about a sustained surge of the coronavirus, with cases rising this week to their highest levels since April. The pandemic is moving to a new phase in Michigan — less deadly, but more ubiquitous, as it moves quickly throughout the state, from highly […]
Jocelyn Benson bans open carry of guns at Michigan polls on Election Day
by Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting, Ted Roelofs (Bridge) Guns will not be allowed at polling places on Election Day in November, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced Friday. According to new state guidance, openly carrying of guns is banned within 100 feet of a polling place. Concealed carrying of guns for permit-holders is allowed, […]
Michigan lawmakers expand unemployment benefits, pass business COVID liability
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) Michigan’s Legislature worked deep into the morning Wednesday, as Republican leaders announced a deal with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to continue expanded unemployment insurance eligibility and provide businesses with new legal protections against COVID-19 lawsuits. Unemployment insurance was among the most pressing issues of the marathon session, which saw the House work […]
