Two laws in 90 days: Michigan’s new divided Legislature off to slow start
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s newly divided Legislature is so far introducing fewer bills, meeting fewer times and finalizing less legislation than the last time Republicans and Democrats began split control in 2007. All told, the GOP-led House and Democratic-led Senate approved just two bills for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to sign into law during […]
Trump announces sweeping new tariffs: What they mean for Michigan
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) In a significant escalation of his administration’s aggressive trade strategy, President Donald Trump unveiled plans for 10% tariffs on nearly all foreign imports — as well as higher levies on products from dozens of countries — hours before 25% tariffs on vehicle imports are set to take effect. Calling Wednesday […]
Days after storms, thousands still without power. That’s the norm in Michigan
by Justin A. Hinkley (Bridge Michigan) More than 70,000 Michigan utility customers remained without power on Friday, six days after a massive ice storm in the north and 10 tornadoes to the south downed scores of power lines and knocked out electricity for more than 300,000 customers. While the state’s top energy regulator said he’d never seen such a storm, long […]
Trump reverses cuts to Great Lakes lamprey program, but uncertainty remains
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Efforts to quell the Great Lakes sea lamprey invasion will continue this year — albeit more than a month behind schedule — after the Trump administration reversed a spate of firings that had imperiled the program. The news came as a relief to Great Lakes fish advocates, who say annually […]
Mallory McMorrow on Michigan US Senate run: ‘New leaders’ need to fix ‘mess’
by Simon D.Schuster (Bridge Michigan) Michigan Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow became the first high-profile candidate to enter next year’s race to replace retiring US Senator Gary Peters, announcing her campaign Wednesday. “I know there’s a lot of fear and anger and uncertainty about people in power who frankly have no business being there,” McMorrow […]
Yes, allergy season is starting earlier in Michigan
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) As the weather warms up and the seasons shift, people tend to enjoy outdoor activities they couldn’t partake in during the colder months. However, one thing most people don’t look forward to is seasonal allergies. Not that they have a choice. In some parts of the US, allergy sufferers […]
Michigan farmers facing ‘uncertain future’ amid funding freezes, tariff tensions
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Fourth-generation farm owner Jim May doesn’t need a casino. In his chosen profession, he says, “I gamble every day.” As planting season approaches, the Sparta farmer is dealing with the usual concerns of weather, crop health, soil quality and profit margins. But life is even less predictable this year as […]
Old buildings, new ideas: Michiganders fight housing shortage with innovation
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — When the Capital Area Housing Partnership acquired the long-defunct Walter French Junior High School just outside of downtown Lansing in 2017, few believed in the vision. But today, there’s new life within the three-story building — 76 units’ worth — as officials recently christened the apartment complex The Residences […]
DOGE lays out $394M in Michigan health cuts. But what does it mean?
by Kelly House, Robin Erb, and Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) A federal website this week laid out about $394 million in cuts to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, leaving local health leaders and providers on edge. As the week closed, state and federal officials had offered little to no guidance to local […]
Third time’s the charm for Oxford-inspired school safety bills?
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) When a shooting at Oxford High School claimed the lives of four students in 2021, Michigan lawmakers vowed action on a handful of bills they said would increase and streamline school safety efforts statewide. More than three years later, those same bills are back again before legislators in the hope […]
