As health costs climb, some care shifts to Michigan’s charity clinics
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan WEST BRANCH — Christine Cunningham sat stock still on a hard-backed chair of a clinic waiting room last week — another datapoint in the state’s growing affordability crisis. When insurance premiums topped $600 two years ago, she said, “we dropped it. It was essentially half his paycheck.” So each day, […]
Michigan budget adds $2 million to wetlands conservation efforts
By AKIA THROWER, Capital News Service LANSING — Michigan’s new annual budget includes $2 million for wetland conservation efforts by the Department of Natural Resources, funding critical work for endangered bird species. “Wetlands serve a lot of different ecological functions and are an important part of the landscape,” said Steve Chadwick, the senior Great Lakes […]
As family farms decline, more Michigan farmers trying to preserve their land
by Vivian La, Interlochen Public Radio, Bridge Michigan John Boyer grew up on his family’s 131 acres of rolling fields of corn, oats and wheat in East Jordan. The farm changed ownership outside the family several times over the decades before being rebought by Boyer, who said he felt an obligation to repurchase and farm […]
Citizenship voting proposal blocked from Michigan ballot. Backers vow fight
by Hayley Harding, Votebeat, Bridge Michigan This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Sign up for Votebeat Michigan’s free newsletter here. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers has denied ballot access to a state constitutional amendment that would require Michigan voters to prove they are U.S. citizens. A […]
Dana Nessel report defends failed Flint water case. Others unready to forgive
by Kelly House, Bridge Michigan Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel released a report Tuesday that defends her office’s handling of the Flint water crisis prosecution, blames its failure on the state Supreme Court and otherwise offers few new revelations. Speaking to reporters, Nessel said her team took the correct approach when it used a one-person grand […]
As crisis looms for Michigan rural townships, bills to help sit idle in Lansing
by Ron French, Bridge Michigan A wave of problems facing Michigan’s rural townships is barely causing a ripple in Lansing. Townships are struggling to find people to serve in the elected and appointed positions and facing increased financial strain from population and business declines. Two bills aimed at easing those struggles are gaining no traction […]
With fewer people drinking these days, Michigan wineries turn to goats
by Mike Kent, The Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative, Bridge Michigan TRAVERSE CITY — Michigan wineries are fighting back against a worldwide decline in wine consumption by leaning into tourism, special events, creative activities — and goats. South of Suttons Bay, on a rolling field at Black Star Farms Winery, the bleating of goats fills the […]
Michigan houses are old and getting older. It’s a ‘huge problem’ for state
by Jordyn Hermani, Bridge Michigan LANSING — When the typical Michigan home was built, Richard Nixon was president, US forces were withdrawing from Vietnam and “The Exorcist” would become the year’s highest-grossing film. While pop culture has changed dramatically since 1973, much of the state’s housing stock has stayed the same. Roughly 60% of occupied […]
Residents and officials feeling powerless in Michigan data center fights
by Isabella Figueroa Nogueira, Bridge Michigan After 18 years on the Mason City Council, Elaine Ferris faces recall in November over a vote she says was intended to protect her city from data center development, not invite it. Mason, in Ingham County near Lansing, began working on its zoning ordinance in late 2025 as state […]
Mike Rogers vs. Abdul El-Sayed: 7 issues defining Michigan’s US Senate race
by Lauren Gibbons, Bridge Michigan As voters consider who should fill Michigan’s open US Senate seat, there are several big policy issues for candidates to address: What is the future of health care? What to do about high costs of living and affordable housing shortages? Should the rules around money in politics be changed? In […]
