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 […]
After possible Ice Age discovery, group urges halt to Line 5 tunnel
by Kelly House (Bridge) As Michigan considers allowing Enbridge Energy to build a tunnel for its oil pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac, a group wants to halt the process, citing the possible discovery of archaeological artifacts near the pipeline. The recent discovery, first reported by Detroit Free Press, was made by a group, most […]
Proposal 1 ballot measure would change rules on Michigan parks fund
by Kelly House (Bridge) Lansing Parks and Recreation Director Brett Kaschinske is proud to oversee a system that boasts more parks per capita than almost every major U.S. city. But with 111 parks in the city’s ownership, he said, finding money to update and improve them has become a bigger priority than adding more land […]
