Northern Michigan, after years of struggle, is gaining residents again
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) The population of rural and northern Michigan counties are slowly rising, even as residents continue to leave metro Detroit, according to U.S. census estimates released this week. The data shows Michigan added nearly 4,000 residents in 2023, but the exodus from Wayne County continued: It lost 7,773 residents last year […]
Michigan has 9 months to figure out new energy law. Some say time is wasting
by Kelly House, Bridge Michigan A new law takes effect in less than nine months giving Michigan power to approve or deny large wind and solar projects, and state regulators face the hefty task of figuring out how to enforce it. During the first in a series of meetings Thursday to gather feedback, experts, advocates […]
Diet drugs are bigger than ever, and in Michigan, Medicaid picks up the tab
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) That big bag of Lay’s potato chips — her “addiction,” Sharon Bracey says, chuckling — just didn’t have the same pull as it once had, even though they remain an occasional delight. “But when you look at food, you want it but you don’t want as much. I just don’t […]
Michigan high schoolers may be next to profit from name, image, likeness deals
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — A Michigan proposal to allow high school athletes to profit from their name, image or likeness is facing scrutiny in the state Senate amid concerns that parents or other adults could abuse the process. The House-approved legislation would allow high school student athletes with parental consent to earn unlimited compensation […]
Michigan makes paid surrogate pregnancies a crime. That could change
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — For more than three decades, Michigan has made it a crime for prospective parents to hire paid surrogates, but that may soon change under a major proposal making its way through the state Senate. A series of bills already approved by the House would amend Michigan law to establish the […]
Time for toll roads in Michigan? Lawmakers revive debate
by Lauren Gibbons, Bridge Michigan As the projected price for fixing Michigan’s crumbling roads and bridges grows, lawmakers are reviving debates over charging drivers by the mile or adding tolls to some of the state’s busiest highways. A state House budget committee over the past two weeks has invited testimony from advocates of alternative road […]
Spring has already sprung for mosquitoes in Michigan
by Janelle D James, Bridge Michigan Although spring isn’t official for another two weeks, record-high temperatures in February have prompted mosquitoes to emerge early. The warm weather has made for great days to go outside and play or sit around a fire, but it also makes people more susceptible to bites from the nuisance insects. Mosquitoes […]
Climate change is erasing Michigan winters, taking our heritage with them
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Most snowmobile trails aren’t groomed until there’s at least 8 inches of snow on the ground. It’s 6 inches for a cross-country ski trail. Walking on a frozen lake requires 4 inches of clear ice. And it’s hard to control a dogsled when daily thaws turn the trail into a sheet […]
Donald Trump dominates Michigan GOP caucuses, builds on delegate lead
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) GRAND RAPIDS — Delegates in the fractured Michigan Republican Party rallied behind a common goal Saturday, voting in overwhelming numbers to make Donald Trump the party’s presidential nominee. Trump won all 39 delegates at stake in 13 separate congressional district caucus meetings at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand […]
Michigan’s black bear population is booming
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) The chances of finding a black bear picking at a bird feeder or rummaging through trash is increasing in Michigan, especially in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula. Michigan’s black bear population grew 25% between 2012 and 2022, and as the population increases so do complaints of […]
