Michigan teens face tougher job market as technology reshapes entry-level work
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan For generations, landing a first job often meant walking into a restaurant, movie theater or retail store, asking for an application and leaving with an interview. Today, many Michigan teenagers say they’re sending dozens of online applications into automated hiring systems with little or no response as competition for […]
Canada celebrates Gordie Howe bridge opening — without Michigan — amid tariff riff
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan WINDSOR — As dozens of guests looked across the Detroit River from Windsor on Friday, Canadian leaders celebrated the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge as a once-in-a-generation project connecting two countries through trade, travel and a shared history. The ceremony honored the late Detroit Red Wings legend […]
Massive data center wins local tax break — but 9 times smaller than requested
by Paula Gardner, Bridge Michigan A Washtenaw County community on Tuesday OK’d a controversial tax break for a giant data center project valued today at $43 billion, but cut the dollar value of the subsidy nine-fold from the developer’s latest request. A tax break that would have been worth $147 million a year now appears […]
Mike Cox drops out of Michigan governor race, endorses John James
by Simon D. Schuster, Bridge Michigan Former attorney general Mike Cox is ending his campaign for Michigan governor and backing US Rep. John James, his campaign announced Friday evening. Cox said President Donald Trump’s endorsement of James in late June closed the door on any hope of victory. “While I did not fully appreciate it […]
Death at Michigan women’s prison ruled suicide. Autopsy points to aspirin
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan An autopsy report released Thursday determined that the third of four Michigan women to die this year at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility took her own life by acute aspirin poisoning. The report, completed at the Michigan Medicine Pathology and Clinical Laboratories in Ann Arbor, concluded that Ashley Hoath […]
Michigan bill legalizing backyard deer feeding passes, but bans could remain
by Laura Herberg, Bridge Michigan A bill that would allow Michiganders to feed deer in their backyards is sitting on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk, but, even if she signs it, the state may still prohibit some people from feeding. Deer feeding is currently banned in the Lower Peninsula to prevent the spread of diseases such […]
New unemployment job-search rules take effect in Michigan. What to know
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan Beginning Sunday, Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits will need to report three work search activities for each week instead of one to remain eligible for benefits. The requirement is part of bipartisan legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last year that overhauled Michigan’s unemployment system, including increasing the maximum number […]
What to know as wildfires envelop Michigan in smoke (again)
by Kelly House, Bridge Michigan Like clockwork, Michigan and much of the surrounding region are once again engulfed in summer smoke as wind pushes air south from wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota. Detroit had the worst air quality of any major city in America Thursday morning, with an index of 698 – well above […]
Gretchen Whitmer vetoes Democratic bills that Michigan House had blocked
by Simon D. Schuster, Bridge Michigan LANSING — Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday vetoed nine long-stalled bills, just hours after a Michigan Supreme Court decision had ended a nearly two-year legal fight over their fate. Michigan’s Democratic-led Senate had sued the House over a refusal to send Whitmer the bills that Democrats approved […]
How Detroit ceded a historically Black neighborhood to a billionaire-owned concrete facility
by Jena Brooker, Bridge Michigan This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with BridgeDetroit. Sign up for Dispatches to get our stories in your inbox every week. The abandoned house next door meant a lot to Christina Kary. For years, she tended to it, planting purple flowers, removing weeds and picking up trash. […]
