Michigan’s new House speaker: We’ll fight Whitmer until she works with GOP
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — New Michigan House Speaker Jason Wentworth says he’s ready to “lock arms and compromise” with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer but is prepared to fight her in an attempt to restore the “checks and balances in government that people want.” Weeks into his new role, Wentworth is leading House Republicans […]
Michigan: 90 percent need COVID vaccine for herd immunity. That’s unlikely.
By Robin Erb (Bridge) With a new, faster-moving coronavirus variant now confirmed in Michigan, the state is boosting its vaccination goal. The state’s lead epidemiologist Wednesday estimated that at least 90 percent of Michiganders 16 and older may need to be vaccinated against COVID to effectively beat back the spread of the coronavirus. That is […]
Michigan man accused of beating police with hockey stick at U.S. Capitol
By Jonathan Oosting, Madeline Halpert (Bridge) LANSING — Federal authorities have arrested a Wixom man they contend beat police with a hockey stick during the deadly U.S. Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6. Michael Joseph Foy is accused of attacking officers near an entrance to the Capitol during a violent clash caught on camera. He’s the […]
A Michigan prosecutor says no thanks to cash bail. Will others follow?
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge) On any given day in jails across Michigan, thousands of inmates sit behind bars as they await a criminal trial for a simple reason: They didn’t have the money to post bail. Many are in for a variety of non-violent crimes, ranging from traffic offenses to theft to possession of drugs. […]
Robert Gordon out as Michigan health director, as COVID cases plummet
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Robert Gordon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, abruptly resigned Friday — the same day he ordered that restaurants could reopen to 25 percent capacity on Feb. 1. It’s unclear why Gordon resigned, with the former Obama administration official making the announcement on Twitter. “Today, I am resigning […]
New Buffalo officials worked through COVID election. One died, 3 infected
by Madeline Halpert (Bridge Michigan) Blair Connin-Richards said her three-year-old daughter Kinslee loved to sing “happy birthday” to her grandfather, David Richards, every time she saw him. Richards loved to listen. With a big smile, he would laugh and say “thank you,” like he was hearing it for the first time, said Connin-Richards, Richards’ daughter. […]
Gov. Whitmer unveils $5.6B COVID plan for Michigan, as GOP eyes fight
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last Tuesday unveiled a $5.6 billion COVID-19 “recovery plan” to expand vaccine distribution, help schools resume in-person instruction, and aid businesses and residents across Michigan. The plan, which relies almost exclusively on federal funding, sets up a potential showdown with Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature, where House […]
Joe Biden vowed to guard Michigan waters, create auto jobs. Can he deliver?
by Madeline Halpert (Bridge Michigan) Three days before the Nov. 3 election, President-elect Joe Biden arrived in Flint, alongside former President Barack Obama with a message for Michiganders. “We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he told the crowd at the drive-in event. “If I’m elected your president, we’re going to do it. We’re […]
Michigan to allow indoor dining at 25 percent capacity as COVID eases
By Mike Wilkinson, Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s indoor dining industry will be able to resume serving customers Feb. 1, although capacity will be capped at 25 percent — with a limit of 100 people — and doors will have to close at 10 p.m. The news was greeted with relief by the struggling industry, though […]
Michigan economy keeps beating predictions, thanks largely to stimulus
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Federal stimulus spending has limited economic damage in Michigan, online sales have exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines are going into arms, vehicle sales are rebounding and the state is climbing its way out of a “deep jobs hole.” That’s the word from leading economists, who told lawmakers that tax […]
