Michigan ski resorts see surge in reservations after two years of little snow
by Janelle D James (BridgeMichigan) After two years of dealing with unusually warm weather and very little snow, Michigan ski resorts are finally starting to see things turn around. “As soon as the snow starts falling, the phone starts ringing,” said Brittany Primeau, communications director for Crystal Mountain Resort, near Traverse City. The ski resort […]
Michigan farms must provide milk samples on request to test for bird flu virus
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) The US Department of Agriculture is ordering dairy farms in Michigan and five other states to begin providing samples of raw milk upon request so they can be tested for bird flu virus. The mandate is part of an effort to combat the national outbreak of the H5N1 virus, […]
Marijuana sales near $10 billion in Michigan, a few years after legalization
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) This month or next, someone is going to walk into a Michigan dispensary, buy marijuana and trigger a big moment for the industry: $10 billion in cumulative sales of recreational cannabis. Crossing that threshold cements Michigan as one of the top states for marijuana sales, even amid a steep drop […]
Michigan’s controversial wind, solar energy law is in effect. What to know
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A controversial law that allows the state to approve large wind and solar farms over local objections is now in effect. The law, Public Act 233, went into effect Friday, Nov. 29, and was among the more contentious aspects of a suite of reforms enacted last year to speed Michigan’s clean energy transition. […]
As Michigan minimum wage fight rages, bipartisan plan would keep tipped rate
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) As calls grow to modify pending changes to Michigan’s minimum wage and sick leave laws, a bipartisan team of lawmakers say they may have the solution: Legislation to keep lower tipped wages for workers but still raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour before the end of the decade. […]
Michigan is spending big to hire and retain teachers. Experts see positive signs
by Isobel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is betting big on efforts to recruit, train and retain educators across the state. There are incentives for current college students to stay in Michigan to teach. There are nonprofits working to link adults with bachelor’s degrees to teacher training programs. Plus, there have been some changes with state […]
How nuclear plant, teacher layoffs inform Michigan’s ‘dark store’ tax debate
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) Shane Peters has a nuclear headache. The superintendent of tiny Bridgman Public Schools in the southwest corner of Michigan must cut 12% from the district’s budget by next school year. That could include the elimination of two administrators and up to a dozen teachers — more than 1 in 7 of the […]
Michigan transit agencies try thermal imaging to prevent pedestrian crashes
by Anna Rossow, Capital News Service (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Federal grant money will help Michigan’s Department of Transportation implement increased safety measures for public transit drivers and pedestrians. MDOT will receive over $500,000 in funding to install thermal imaging cameras on public transit vehicles to help prevent collisions with people and animals in a […]
Once near extinction, lake trout are officially recovered in Lake Superior
by Kelly House (BridgeMichigan) Seven decades after overfishing and invasive species nearly wiped them off the map, Lake Superior’s lake trout population has finally recovered. That’s the conclusion of a binational group of tribal, US and Canadian species managers, who announced the milestone Wednesday in light of data that shows the self-sustaining population today is […]
Local governments take aim at Michigan’s wind, solar law in new lawsuit
by Izzy Ross, IPR (Bridge Michigan) This reporting is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization. A lawsuit is challenging how Michigan plans to approve big renewable energy projects. More than 70 townships and several counties are suing the Michigan Public Service Commission, challenging whether the commission went through the right […]
