Michigan recipients fear food assistance cuts that could cost state $890M
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Residents and state officials are sounding the alarm over potential cuts to a food assistance program that aids around 1.5 million Michiganders, saying a federal proposal could hurt needy families and cost the state nearly $900 million a year in the process. “Trying to make ends meet from […]
Should refusing vaccines be a civil right in Michigan? Some lawmakers say yes
by Eli Newman & Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Some lawmakers in Lansing are pushing legislation that would prevent Michigan from enforcing vaccine mandates for school children and force the state to extend civil rights protections to residents who reject immunizations. A GOP-led bill in the House would amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on “vaccination […]
Michigan awards $1M for history projects ahead of nation’s 250th birthday
by Jenelle D. James Dozens of Michigan history projects are getting a fresh infusion of cash ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday — from a shipwreck exhibit in Grand Traverse to efforts to digitize WWII-era newspapers in Monroe County and create a bronze statue of “Big Annie,” an early 20th-century workers’ rights advocate, in Calumet. […]
Michigan GOP budget takes aim unisex school bathrooms, ‘woke’ universities, email pronouns
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan schools could face a 20% funding penalty if they maintain diversity initiatives, allow transgender girls to play girls sports or have unisex bathrooms for LGBTQ students under a controversial new state House budget proposal unveiled and approved Wednesday. The $21.9 billion bill, which passed the Republican-led House […]
Mackinac Island fears ‘economic strangulation’ by ferry. Will Lansing step in?
by Paula Gardner & Justin A. Hinkley (Bridge Michigan) MACKINAC ISLAND — Over 1 million travelers are spending more this summer to reach Michigan’s iconic vacation destination, and the officials fear price increases on the only ferries to the island could be devastating. New fees could push the cost of a family day trip to the […]
Michigan lawmakers want to ban synthetic dyes, additives in school meals
by Astrid Code, (Bridge Michigan) Should ultraprocessed foods be in Michigan’s school lunches? Some lawmakers say no, and are moving to ban a list of synthetic ingredients from schools. House Bill 4369, introduced by State Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles, would prohibit food distributors from providing schools with food that contain certain additives. The list of […]
When will smoke clear in Michigan? What you need to know
by Astrid Code (Bridge Michigan) Canadian wildfires have led to smoky skies and air quality alerts throughout Michigan this week. As of late afternoon Thursday, Detroit and Chicago were among the top five most polluted cities in the world, with air quality alerts for much of Michigan continuing through at least Friday. Here’s what you need to […]
Michigan lawmakers seeking stronger antisemitism ban: We’ve been threatened too
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Following a series of attacks across the country, Jewish members of the Michigan Legislature on Tuesday announced a new proposal that would make antisemitism a specific form of illegal ethnic discrimination in the state. They know the stakes well, said Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D-Farmington Hills: All three […]
New PFAS guidelines spark more ‘do not eat’ warnings for Michigan fish
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Michigan health officials have dramatically reduced the amount of PFAS-tainted fish they consider safe to eat, tripling the number of waterbodies where anglers are warned against eating their catch. Ninety-eight water bodies are now subject to “do not eat” advisories because fish are contaminated with the so-called “forever chemicals,” up […]
Michigan’s bottle return rates keep falling. Is it time for change?
by Emilio Perez Ibarguen (Bridge Michigan) Michigan beer and pop buyers increasingly aren’t bothering to return their bottles and cans to get their deposit back, and in the process left more than $116 million dollars on the table last year. Records released this month indicate that 70.4% of 10-cent deposits put down at grocery store checkout […]
