Experts predict moderate Lake Erie toxic algae bloom
by Gabrielle Nelson (Bridge Michigan) Lake Erie’s annual algae bloom has begun to form weeks ahead of schedule off the coast of southeast Michigan, but scientists say they expect only a moderate bloom this year. “There was scum off Monroe,” said Richard Stumpf, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration oceanographer who leads the federal government’s […]
Michigan students fell behind during COVID. Their recovery lags other states
by Mike Wilkinson & Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s public school children have barely begun recovering what they lost academically during the pandemic and are well behind most states, according to a national analysis of state proficiency data. Despite modest gains last year, the studies show Michigan students remained nearly half a grade behind in […]
Michigan House votes to expand unemployment benefits to 26 weeks. GOP fumes.
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Eligibility for unemployment benefits in Michigan would be expanded from 20 to 26 weeks under legislation that cleared the state House Wednesday over objections from Republicans and business groups. The Democratic-majority House voted 56-54 to approve the legislation, which would permanently reverse a 2011 law signed by then-Republican Gov. […]
As crisis rages, Michigan speeds up opioid spending in new budget
by Ron French & Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Michigan lawmakers have approved $48.2 million to fight the opioid epidemic, more than doubling the amount the state’s health department had planned to spend in the coming budget year. The funds will go to prevention, treatment and recovery services around the state, including $10 million to regional community […]
A tsunami-like wave on Lake Michigan? What to know about a ‘meteotsunami’
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Severe rain and thunderstorms in West Michigan this week caused a rare weather event — a meteotsunami in Lake Michigan. Meteotsunamis are large waves typically triggered by disturbances in the air pressure like severe thunderstorms, unlike tsunamis, which are caused by seismic activity like earthquakes, according to the National […]
In Michigan, ‘fixing the damn roads’ got really darned expensive
by Lauren Gibbons, Bridge Michigan Don’t let the road crews, traffic cones and long commutes of summer construction season fool you — Michigan’s struggle to fix the roads is far from over. Despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s $3.5 billion highway bonding program, experts say record construction costs caused by inflation, worker shortages and more expensive reconstruction repairs […]
What farmers want from Michigan’s next U.S. senator
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) A big shift is coming for Michigan’s farming industry at the federal level as U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, the longtime chair of the Senate’s agriculture committee, prepares to retire. As she winds down her final term and campaigns ramp up in a competitive race for her soon-to-be open seat, farmers and […]
The $670 million question blocking a Michigan budget deal
by Simon D. Schuster & Isabel Lohman (Bridge Magazine) LANSING — After Michigan spent years setting aside money for teacher retiree health care, majority Democrats are now at odds over who should benefit from $670 million in payments they contend are no longer necessary. The debate has delayed efforts to finalize a roughly $20 billion […]
In Michigan, cases of whooping cough hint at post-pandemic comeback
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Michigan health officials are noting an increase in cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, in several counties — an increase that may tick back cases to pre-pandemic levels. As of June 15, 113 cases had been detected statewide — three more than the 110 cases seen for all of last […]
Rite Aid sends mixed messages as Michigan braces for more closures
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Communities across Michigan are bracing for the impact of a wave of Rite Aid closings — which may affect all 185 stores in the state — as one of the largest pharmacies in the U.S. cuts costs in a fight for survival. The drugstore chain this week disclosed 12 Michigan stores slated to close as […]
