As medical marijuana shrinks, Michigan mulls ‘clean merge’ with recreational
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Al Williams opened DaCut dispensaries in Detroit and Flint to exclusively serve medical marijuana patients — his only legal option at the time. But last year, his company expanded to become the first in Detroit to open its doors to anyone over the age of 21, ushering recreational marijuana into […]
Lifesaving doula services expanding for Michigan moms with help of Medicaid
by Daniel Schoenherr (Bridge Michigan) Every expectant parent should have access to a doula, Michigan’s maternal care experts say. But the parents who need those childbirth companions the most have historically had the least access. It’s the sort of service that medical leaders believe could save lives in Detroit. Doulas provide information and support to […]
As University of Michigan classes resume, so do pro-Palestinian demonstrations
by Isabel L0hman (Bridge Michigan) As the school year begins, pro-Palestinian demonstrators are continuing their calls for the University of Michigan to “divest” from financial investments that demonstrators say benefit Israel and its military. On Wednesday, demonstrators held a “die-in” at a university welcome event where students can meet different student groups. It was the third day […]
Michigan plots ‘drone zone’ to test package delivery tech of the future
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan aims to establish a “drone zone” running from Alpena to Camp Grayling in early 2025, creating a six-mile wide airspace to test technology it hopes ultimately will help make large-scale drone deliveries routine. The new drone corridor — the first in the state — will allow unmanned aircraft to […]
Michigan can expect warmer-than-normal temps in early fall, forecaster says
by Ruth Thornton, Capital News Service (Bridge Michigan) LANSING – Early fall temperatures in Michigan will likely be higher than average, according to the National Weather Service, but are predicted to return to normal for the winter if long-term predictions hold up. Cort Scholten, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, said […]
Businesses fear worst from Michigan’s new sick time law. Will lawmakers act?
by Paula Gardner & Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is readying an expanded paid sick time law that will cover nearly all employees in the state and become one of the most sweeping in the nation when it takes effect early next year. To worker advocates, the changes resulting from a recent court ruling are long overdue and will help the […]
A tiny, rare butterfly gets a chance to thrive again in Michigan
by Ruth Thornton, Capital News Service (Bridge Michigan) GRAND RAPIDS – Standing next to a converted hoop house in one of the back areas of John Ball Zoo, David Pavlik points to a line of small cloth-covered cages filled with yellow black-eyed Susans and small orange butterflies. “These cages out here are females that have […]
Michigan Democratic convention marked by Israel protest
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan Democrats voted to finalize their general election ticket Saturday, stressing party unity and support for Vice President Kamala Harris heading into November to delegates at their annual state party convention. But the messages of unity were at least partially undercut by protesters who interrupted the National Anthem […]
A vexing to-do list for Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer
by Anna Clark, ProPublica (Bridge Michigan) With a conspicuous presence this week at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and a bestselling new memoir, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is celebrated as an ascending leader — someone who won over a decidedly purple state in 2018 by promoting commonsense solutions to issues affecting millions of people. Former House […]
Karamo tossed out, DePerno bows out of chaotic Michigan GOP convention
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) FLINT — Michigan Republicans on Saturday nominated Bill O’Grady and state Rep. Andrew Fink for the state Supreme Court after prominent election denier Matthew DePerno dropped his bid on the eve of the party’s state convention. The delegate votes capped a convention that couldn’t fully shake off the turmoil and infighting […]
