Study: Wage gap widens between Black, white workers, especially in Michigan
by Paula Gardner (Bridge) Ricky Jefferson has watched the erosion of the Black middle class in the Ypsilanti area over decades. Today, as a Washtenaw County commissioner, he’s part of the mission to restore economic parity to the part of the county that didn’t thrive during the recovery from the Great Recession. Higher poverty rates, […]
What school restart deal means for Michigan parents, students, and educators
LANSING — With most school restart dates just weeks away, the Michigan Senate on Saturday approved a “return to learn” plan agreed to late Friday by legislative leaders and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The legislation finalizes guidelines for statewide school districts already planning to restart using either online-only, in-person or blended instruction. But the deal provides little funding […]
Michigan colleges ‘nervous’ about COVID as students return, ready to party
by Paula Gardner (Bridge) Students returning to Michigan’s college campuses might come ready to party, but the pandemic will make it harder this year. State agencies and local officials are working with bar, restaurant, and store owners in college towns to line up strategies to limit crowds and encourage safety precautions. While the initiative started […]
Michigan’s new coronavirus order: masks for little kids at camp, child care
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday ordered staffers and most children at camps and child care centers in much of Michigan to wear face masks beginning Monday. The announcement came shortly after public health officials linked a central Michigan summer camp to an outbreak of more than 50 cases of coronavirus in […]
Michigan passes absentee ballot voting test. November could be another story.
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) When Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown left her house to work the August primary on Tuesday morning, she bid her husband farewell until the next day and perhaps longer. She barely slept, leading election workers to tabulate results throughout the night until they were complete around 10:20 am Wednesday. That’s later […]
Michigan schools already planning for likely ‘rolling closures’ from COVID
by Ron French (Bridge) Even before Michigan schools reopen, education leaders are preparing for re-closings — discussing when and how to quarantine entire classrooms of children and how to shutter buildings where there are coronavirus outbreaks. Despite unprecedented precautions, ranging from face masks for all adults and students in middle and high school, to beefed-up […]
Michigan school leaders: We need answers from Lansing now to open
by Ron French (Bridge) Frustrated by inaction in Lansing and with the opening of school just weeks away, Michigan education leaders Thursday gave legislators an ultimatum: Cut a deal with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to make schools safe and financially sound during the pandemic, or we’ll ask the governor to take action on her own. Four […]
Poll: 3 in 10 in Michigan reluctant to take a free COVID-19 vaccine
by Robin Erb (Bridge) If a COVID-19 vaccine were approved and available for free, 3 in 10 Michiganders would probably take a pass, according to a new survey. That’s a concern for health officials who say Michigan can’t beat the potentially deadly virus until the state develops herd immunity against it. Residents surveyed who said […]
Edenville Dam owners file for bankruptcy, blaming regulators for floods
by Mike Wilkinson, Kelly House (Bridge) Companies that operate a mid-Michigan dam that failed in May have filed for bankruptcy protection, blaming the regulators for the tragedy and nearby homeowners for failing to help pay for repairs. Facing a host of class-action lawsuits after massive floods damaged 2,500 homes around Midland, Boyce Hydro LLC and […]
Voter fraud? Here’s the reality in Michigan.
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) On the eve of the most contentious election in decades, millions of Michigan voters will have the chance to vote by mail. But Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s decision to send ballot applications to 7.7 million registered voters ahead of Tuesday’s primary has prompted partisan discord, with backers hailing it as […]
