For now, Michigan is a success story in flattening the pandemic curve
By Robin Erb (Bridge) Once one of the hardest-hit states, Michigan has – at least for now – managed to flatten the coronavirus curve in a way that is drawing national attention. And while health officials warn that the deadly virus could come roaring back if residents let their guard down, the trends are encouraging. […]
Pandemic may mean big profit to Michigan insurers, tiny rebates for drivers
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) In the past few months, Sean Bertolino has made the occasional trip to the hardware store, but leaving home has been “exceedingly rare” amid the pandemic. Like many Michiganders, the Williamston resident is working from home, virtually eliminating personal travel since late March and, in the process, eliminating almost all risk […]
400K unemployment claims now flagged in Michigan fraud investigation
by Paula Gardner (Bridge) Michigan’s fraud investigation into unemployment benefits has restored payments to 41 percent of the people initially affected — and it’s turned up at least 200,000 new potential cases. That leaves at least 400,000 accounts going unpaid while the state’s Unemployment Insurance Agency continues to seek accounts that may have been set up […]
Coronavirus lays bare health disparities amid Michigan protests
By Robin Erb (Bridge) George Floyd’s death under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer set off global protests against police violence. But in places like Detroit, still reeling from the devastation of COVID-19, Floyd’s death is a piece of larger, systemic inequities that leave African Americans to suffer and die at greater rates than whites. […]
Michigan gay rights proposal off fall ballot; ruling opens door for 2022
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) A gay rights group trying to put a non-discrimination proposal before Michigan voters won’t qualify for the 2020 ballot, but is now aiming for 2022 after a judge said it deserves more time to collect signatures because of government restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens […]
Crises collide: Flood recovery workers carried COVID-19 to Michigan
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Contract workers who came to Michigan to help the state recover from a major flood brought COVID-19 with them and may have inadvertently contributed to the ongoing public health crisis, according to state and local officials. Nineteen employees of a contract renovation company who stayed at a hotel in Bay […]
Ann Arbor restaurant pioneer takes time reopening: ‘Everyone is anxious’
By Paula Gardner (Bridge) ANN ARBOR—When Adam Baru first opened Mani Osteria restaurant in Ann Arbor nine years ago, he invigorated the city’s dining scene. Now he’s reopening the same restaurant in the same location, hoping that by next week servers will once again be delivering wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas and craft cocktails to diners […]
Reaching out to black people to discuss race? There’s a good and bad way.
by Louis Aguilar (Bridge) There is a global, vocal recognition of black life happening right now, sparked by George Floyd’s death two weeks ago. Now, black Americans say they are seeing a surge in support from white peers who previously may have been silent on issues of racism and white supremacy. That’s a positive move, […]
Appeals court sides with Enbridge over Dana Nessel in Line 5 tunnel dispute
By Kelly House (Bridge) The legal battle between Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Canadian energy giant Enbridge over the Line 5 tunnel agreement may be headed to the Michigan Supreme Court, after Enbridge won the latest round in a dispute over the 2018 law that made way for the tunnel. In an opinion issued […]
What police have learned, or not, about how to defuse mass protests
by Ted Roelofs (Bridge) At protests this week from Grand Rapids to Lansing to Detroit, and across much of the nation, unrest has often followed a pattern. Marches begin peacefully, spurred by a quest for justice for the May 25 death of George Floyd, an African American who died while a white officer applied a knee to Floyd’s […]
