Groups fight to preserve future of Michigan’s indigenous wild rice
by Jena Brooker (Bridge Michigan) An origin story, a teacher of life, a relative, and a source of crucial nutrition, manoomin now has a new protector. Once covering much of Michigan’s inland lakes and streams, the wild rice (also known as mnoomin or mnomen) is indigenous to the Great Lakes region but has largely disappeared […]
What the end of the Department of Education means for Michigan
by Isabel Lohman & Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aimed at further dismantling the US Department of Education, continuing a campaign promise to return education governance to the states. In the order, Trump directs the Secretary of Education to take steps toward closing the department, which has a $268 billion […]
‘Fear, anxiety’ for Michigan Ukrainian refugees as Trump considers deportation
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Thousands of Ukrainians who relocated to Michigan after fleeing from war and violence in their home country are now bracing for the possibility of removal from the United States. Last week, Reuters reported that President Donald Trump’s administration would revoke the legal status of 240,000 Ukrainians currently living in the country under […]
Green Book in Michigan: Inside the mission to preserve Black travel sites
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) WOODLAND PARK, Newaygo County — Locals call it the “four corners.” Travelers driving through the quiet spot near Woodland Lake 40 miles north of Grand Rapids may see few signs that, a century ago, the rural crossroads was the hub of one of Michigan’s most popular Black resorts. But the […]
Great Lakes formed a lot earlier than previously thought, study concludes
by Lisa John Rogers (Great Lakes Now, for Bridge Michigan) It is widely known by lovers of the Great Lakes that their unique shape was caused by glaciers melting and receding northward. That was approximately 20,000 years ago. However, new research published in Geophysical Research Letters suggests these treasured lakes started forming hundreds of millions of years ago, long before, by […]
Whitmer vape tax plan would ban most flavors as ‘contraband’
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) The majority of vaping products in Michigan could be seized as contraband if Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s effort to tax vaping products similar to cigarettes takes effect as currently proposed. The plan is meant to “curb usage and protect public health” by extending Michigan’s 32% wholesale tax on tobacco products to […]
Takeaways: Vance defends tariffs, urges patience in Michigan
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) BANGOR TOWNSHIP —The future success of the United States may depend on a manufacturing resurgence, Vice President JD Vance said Friday, arguing tariffs are necessary to “support the American worker.” Vance spoke for about 20 minutes in Bangor Township at Vantage Plastics, an industrial manufacturer that has received state subsidies to add […]
Oakland County confirms first Michigan measles case this year
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) An Oakland County resident has been infected with the first known case of measles this year in Michigan, and health officials are warning that other people may have been exposed at a Rochester restaurant and a local emergency room. Test results Friday confirmed the case of measles in an adult who […]
Dozens fired from Michigan veteran care facilities as federal cuts continue
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) DETROIT — Dozens of workers at Veterans Affairs medical centers in Michigan have lost their jobs amid President Donald Trump’s attempt to reduce federal government spending, prompting fears of substandard service and longer wait times for military veterans seeking care. Nationally, about 2,400 employees in the US Department of Veterans Affairs have been […]
Trump orders spur fear, anxiety among Michigan LGBTQ+ students
by Hannah Dellinger, Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan) Sebastian Eaton-Ellison doesn’t feel safe in his school. The gender-fluid 12th grader at West Senior High School said other students relentlessly bully him. They call him homophobic slurs on a regular basis. They have thrown rocks at him. Two pushed him up against a wall in a bathroom […]
