In mid-Michigan, economic worries persist. So does disgust of politics
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) FLINT — At 78, Daniel Spaniola still mans the counter at Paul’s Pipe Shop, the business his father started 96 years ago. The walls of the tobacconist are lined with display cases for pipes and are mostly empty these days. “I’ve burned up most of my savings, but we’re struggling,” […]
As election nears, Michigan, other states confront intimidation of clerks
by Peggy Dodd , Pierce Gentry , Shelby Rickert , & Olivia Talkington, News21 (Bridge Michigan) Editor’s Note: This story contains graphic language from threatening voicemails and emails sent to election officials across the U.S. ROCHESTER HILLS – Exactly seven days had passed since the 2020 presidential election when Tina Barton sat down at her desk and saw the blinking light […]
Report: Michigan’s weak pollution cleanups are costing future generations
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) By polluting the state’s groundwater and choosing not to clean it up, Michigan industries are saddling future generations with untold financial, social and health risks. That’s according to a new report from researchers at Michigan State University and the nonprofit FLOW (For Love of Water) that recommends changing Michigan law to make […]
Restoring Michigan rivers by cleaning up, removing crumbling dams
by Lester Graham (Bridge Michigan via Michigan Public Radio) In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, building dams for electricity generation was the big new thing. Those hydroelectric dams provided power to nearby cities. But big companies found centralized coal-burning power plants could provide power to larger areas and make more money. Many of […]
Michiganders get nine new ‘I Voted’ stickers for the November election
by Jenelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) In an election year filled with memes and “vibes,” even the traditional “I Voted” sticker is getting a makeover. Michigan has approved nine new stickers that voters can wear after casting their ballots. The winning entries in the state’s first “I Voted” design contest range from funny and cute […]
Executive order signed in Michigan prioritizing grants for high-wage projects
by Josh Boak, Associated Press (via Bridge Michigan) President Joe Biden on Friday signed an executive order for federal grants that will prioritize projects with labor agreements, wage standards, and benefits such as access to child care and apprenticeship programs. Biden said the ideas in his order “are common sense.” “Economists have long believed that these good […]
Free COVID shots program ends for uninsured. In Michigan, what now?
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) A federal program that has provided free vaccines to uninsured and underinsured Americans has come to an end, but it appears that at least some doses are heading to Michigan this fall. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has requested 12,000 doses of the updated vaccine, Ryan Malosh, […]
M-STEP results reveal struggles for Michigan kids who began school in COVID
by Hannah Dellinger, Chalkbeat Detroit , Isabel Lohman, & Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) More Michigan third and fourth graders are behind in reading and writing compared to students in the same grades before the pandemic started and last year, newly released state standardized test results show. The results, which provide the first look at state proficiency scores […]
As medical marijuana shrinks, Michigan mulls ‘clean merge’ with recreational
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Al Williams opened DaCut dispensaries in Detroit and Flint to exclusively serve medical marijuana patients — his only legal option at the time. But last year, his company expanded to become the first in Detroit to open its doors to anyone over the age of 21, ushering recreational marijuana into […]
Lifesaving doula services expanding for Michigan moms with help of Medicaid
by Daniel Schoenherr (Bridge Michigan) Every expectant parent should have access to a doula, Michigan’s maternal care experts say. But the parents who need those childbirth companions the most have historically had the least access. It’s the sort of service that medical leaders believe could save lives in Detroit. Doulas provide information and support to […]
