As Michigan battle rages on Line 5, Enbridge quietly buys land for tunnel
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge) WAWATAM TOWNSHIP—As court battles persist over Enbridge Energy Inc.’s plan to build an underground tunnel for its Line 5 oil pipeline, Enbridge is quietly shelling out millions for modest properties on the south shore of the Straits of Mackinac. According to local property records, an Enbridge subsidiary has scooped up 16 residential […]
Five Michigan DNR workers contracted tuberculosis, likely from testing deer
by John Barnes (Bridge) Five workers at Michigan’s Wildlife Disease Laboratory have been diagnosed with tuberculosis, possibly linked to “human error” as the lab struggled to test thousands of deer for chronic wasting disease, a Bridge Magazine investigation found. The Department of Natural Resources — which has made no public announcement — confirmed the TB […]
Growth of nontraditional school programs costs Michigan $260M, study finds
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Declining enrollment in Michigan schools has led traditional districts and charters to create programs to offset the loss of students and funding, according to a report by the nonprofit Citizens Research Council of Michigan. The programs include offering two years of kindergarten, placing teachers in private schools, and creating online academies […]
Michigan districts make millions teaching home-schoolers karate and crafts
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Michigan is paying tens of millions of dollars each year for home-schoolers to take classes in dance, karate, ice skating and other electives that critics say not only lack academic rigor but often amount to taxpayer-subsidized private lessons. State law allows public schools to offer elective classes to home-school students, which […]
Michigan primary 2020: Expect heavy turnout, long wait for winner
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) The nation will watch Tuesday to see whether Bernie Sanders can mount a comeback by winning the Democratic primary in Michigan, a crucial swing state. Buckle in for a long wait. Results will come later than usual, as local clerks juggle a surge in absentee ballots, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson […]
For weary Michigan seniors, a retirement in name only
by Robin Erb (Bridge) At age 62, Linda Braden felt like someone had wrenched her life from her — her home, her career as an accountant, and her circle of friends. Forced to retire years before she’d planned, Braden returned to the home where she was raised in Waterford to care for her aging parents […]
Michigan adopts new PFAS standards over industry, farmer objections
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) LANSING — A decade after PFAS chemicals were first discovered in Michigan’s waters, the state has approved rules dictating the highest levels of the contaminant allowed in drinking water systems. It’s the first time in the state’s history it has set its own enforceable maximum contaminant levels that regulate chemicals in […]
Michigan’s big bet on small tech fell flat. Now the $250M bill is due
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — A decade has passed since Michigan borrowed the last $250 million for a $450 million venture capital initiative that hoped to spur the creation of futuristic, high-tech startup businesses. Now, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been handed the bill, even though some of those companies have since left Michigan. The […]
Michigan schools scramble to plan for a potential coronavirus outbreak
By Ron French & Robin Erb (Bridge) Michigan schools are scrambling to build plans for what to do if a student or community member is diagnosed with the potentially deadly new coronavirus. School districts around the state are meeting with county health departments and preparing protocols that address everything from potential school closures to continuing […]
Michigan group rushes to get graduated income tax on 2020 ballot
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — A new group led by Democratic activists wants voters in November to decide whether Michigan should switch to a graduated income tax, a measure that would likely face opposition from conservatives and business groups. The proposal from Fair Tax Michigan would amend the state constitution and direct officials to replace the […]
