The latest COVID-19 vaccine is rolling out. Here’s what you need to know
by Daniel Schoenherr (Bridge Michigan) Michigan residents will have access to a new COVID-19 vaccine soon. The new vaccine more effectively fights the newest variants of the virus, said Lori Schrader, Washtenaw County’s immunization coordinator. The newest jabs will be available ahead of the relaunch of a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services free […]
Amid ‘green burial’ dispute, judge rejects Michigan township’s cemetery ban
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A west Michigan couple seeking to perform “green burials” near Newaygo declared victory on Thursday, after a judge rejected a township’s attempt to ban all cemeteries in hopes of keeping the green cemetery out. “Michigan law does not allow a municipality to completely ban a land use, especially a land use that […]
What a peek into 150 Michigan bank accounts reveals about memory loss
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) A Michigan study may offer a new understanding of the earliest stages of memory loss — revealed by the most mundane of everyday spending decisions over things like groceries and grandkids’ gifts. It’s the culmination of a lifetime of work by a nationally recognized gerontologist, Peter Lichtenberg, who doesn’t mind […]
Cheaper Medicare drugs bound for Michigan. But it’s complicated
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Federal negotiations with drugmakers on 10 life-saving medications will save the nation’s Medicare program about $6 billion a year, with one drug being slashed to about one-fifth of its list price and another to a quarter of the list price. The White House this week announced the new prices on medications taken by […]
Feds: Michigan trying to ‘brush aside’ school discrimination complaint
by Hannah Dellinger, Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan) Federal officials accused the Michigan Department of Education of seeking to “shield itself from any scrutiny” in its violation of the rights of students with disabilities during COVID-era school closures, according to a recent court filing. In the court filing last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil […]
Whitmer touts free community college. It’s not true for all Michigan kids
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and fellow Democrats are touting a new state-funded Michigan “guarantee” she says will grant “tuition-free community college for every high school graduate,” beginning this fall. But there’s a catch: Roughly one in five Michigan students won’t get the full benefit — they’ll only get a discount — because they don’t […]
Rite Aid confirms exit from Michigan market with latest store closings
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) The final Rite Aid locations are officially slated for closing in a new set of bankruptcy documents. Notices of intent to close 38 Michigan stores were filed Aug. 2, 5, and 9, wrapping up the final list of Rite Aids locations in Michigan. “All stores in Michigan have been submitted on the […]
Worn-out caregiver? Not alone. 1 in 3 Michigan women aged 50+ care for others
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) More than 1 in 3 Michigan women 50 and older are caregiving for at least one person with a health condition or disability, according to state data extracted from a national survey. It’s a responsibility that — while it offers rewards and moments of joy and laughter — can exact […]
MSU has audacious goal: Cattle production that actually helps water quality
by Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue (for Bridge Michigan) LAKE CITY, MI – Two facts about Michigan agriculture are scarcely recognized outside the fences and beyond the drainage ditches of the state’s 45,000 farms. The first: farming is among the most technologically sophisticated industrial sectors in Michigan and every other state. Second: livestock farms are […]
Michigan primary results: Elissa Slotkin, Mike Rogers win U.S. Senate races
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Mike Rogers won Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primaries in Michigan, setting the stage for a high-stakes general election showdown between the current and former members of congress. With both candidates out to commanding leads in partial results, The Associated Press called the races at 9 p.m. […]
