Michigan Democrats push to open police disciplinary files, limit immunity
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) Democratic lawmakers plan to introduce a sweeping set of police reforms to increase accountability and transparency in the state’s law enforcement agencies, members of Michigan’s Black and Detroit Caucuses announced Wednesday during a press conference. The package aims to change policing in Michigan to address racial inequities and police violence, which […]
On Mackinac Island, Lake Huron’s waves are destroying an iconic highway
By Kelly House (Bridge) On a typical sunny summer day, Mackinac Island’s car-free highway would be teeming with walkers, bicyclists, and horseback riders taking in virtually unbroken views of Lake Huron’s crystalline waters along the iconic 8.2-mile loop. But at the height of the island’s summer tourism season, much of M-185 is deserted. Large barricades […]
Whitmer: Michigan school reopening threatened by rising coronavirus cases
by Ron French, Riley Beggin (Bridge) Nine days after releasing a school reopening plan that would allow Michigan students to return to classrooms in the fall, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tapped the brakes Thursday, saying that if a recent increase in coronavirus cases continues, students might have to stay home. “We want to be in a position where we […]
Whitmer orders Michigan stores to refuse entry to those not wearing masks
by Ron French, Paula Gardner (Bridge) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Michigan businesses to refuse entry to customers not wearing face masks, in an executive order issued Friday. The order, which goes into effect immediately for indivuals and Monday for businesses, also requires Michigan residents to wear face masks outdoors if they cannot maintain six feet of distance […]
Federal judge dismisses GOP case against Michigan redistricting commission
By Riley Beggin A federal judge Monday dismissed a lawsuit by Michigan Republican groups seeking to block a new state redistricting commission. The ruling is the latest legal setback for Republicans, who earlier this year failed to win an injunction that would prevent the formation of the commission, which they contend is unconstitutional. The July 6 […]
Large jump in Michigan deaths outside hospitals as coronavirus raged
by Robin Erb (Bridge) Deaths recorded by emergency personnel outside Michigan hospitals jumped 62 percent this spring as the coronavirus first raged through the state, according to the state health department. The stark increase lends support to the notion that residents, including many with cardiac issues, decided to ride out chest pains or other serious […]
Michigan study: Hydroxychloroquine saved lives among coronavirus patients
by Robin Erb (Bridge) Early treatment with hydroxychloroquine cut the death rate significantly in certain sick patients hospitalized with COVID-19 — and without heart-related side-effects, according to a new study published by Henry Ford Health System. The study, published Thursday in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, is another curve in the continued research — […]
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer closes most bars as coronavirus cases spike
by Riley Beggin, Paula Gardner (Bridge) Indoor service at bars in most of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula must close starting at 11 p.m. last Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced just hours before the deadline. Whitmer’s latest emergency order comes as the rate of new coronavirus cases increases across the state, significantly spiking in areas like Lansing, […]
Trinity Health Michigan lays off, furloughs another 1,000 employees
by Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press (Bridge) A second wave of job cuts and layoffs have hit a Michigan health care system as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the economy. Layoffs and schedule reductions for 1,000 full-time workers or their equivalents will begin this week and continue through the end of July at Trinity […]
Michigan hospitals hardest hit by coronavirus get $850M, say they need more
Seven large Michigan health systems hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak have received more than $850 million in federal funds, according to federal data. The funds are meant to patch budget holes suffered by providers in “high-impact” areas. But hospitals — some of which have laid off thousands of workers in recent months — maintain […]
