A Sears comes down, apartments go up at Briarwood. Is this the future?
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) ANN ARBOR — A closed department store surrounded by rays of faded parking-striped concrete can inspire redevelopment dreams anywhere in the United States. “Malls are dying,” some say. “Scrape it to the pavement and start over,” others might advise. Simon Property Group, the largest mall owner in the U.S., this […]
Buck up, Michigan. Prices remain a bummer but there are positive signs
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan residents seem angry. On the eve of a presidential election year, the economy is bumming us out and pollsters are saying that sour mood is making Michigan a toss-up state that will be crucial in November’s elections. But what’s the reality? Does the data lend support to the harsh vibes? We […]
Michigan has a new way to fight climate change: Energy from cow poop and urine
by Keith Schneider (Circle of Blue/Bridge Michigan) HARTFORD – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to generate all of Michigan’s energy from renewable sources by 2040 is meant to limit climate change gases. It also has consequences for improving or damaging the state’s waters. Replacing polluting fossil fuel plants with cleaner energy sources would limit oil pipeline […]
‘Forever chemicals’ found in freshwater fish, yet most states don’t warn residents
by Hannah Norman, KFF Health News (Bridge Michigan) Bill Eisenman has always fished. “Growing up, we ate whatever we caught — catfish, carp, freshwater drum,” he said. “That was the only real source of fish in our diet as a family, and we ate a lot of it.” Today, a branch of the Rouge River […]
Michigan state parks system leads the nation in accessible recreation
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A steady push to expand off-road mobility chairs in state parks and recreation areas has made Michigan a national leader in accessible outdoor recreation. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced last week that it now has more track chairs — rugged mobility devices that have tracks like a snowmobile […]
Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate: 2023 ‘the most productive year’ ever
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — The state Legislature adjourned early this year, but not before passing a suite of laws that House Speaker Joe Tate says rank among the most consequential “in Michigan’s history.” The Detroit Democrat started the year by making history himself, as the first African American to serve in the […]
Warmer temperatures force Michigan ski resorts to make more snow
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) The lack of snowfall and unusually warm temperatures have ski resorts across the state working overtime this winter to ensure they have enough snow for people to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and other cold-weather activities. The conditions have forced resorts to pause operations, close some slopes or make dramatic changes […]
Why it’s so hard this year to find a Michigan Christmas tree
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Real Christmas trees have become so popular this year that some farmers have already shut down before the holiday, forcing tree-buyers to travel farther away or break tradition and settle for an artificial tree. Demand for real trees has been high since the pandemic when Christmas tree farms were […]
Our fight against Lake Erie pollution isn’t working
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) The director of Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has bad news about Michigan’s efforts to curb the farm pollution that fuels Lake Erie’s toxic green algae. “We’re not seeing progress in the way we want to see it,” Tim Boring, a sixth-generation farmer who took the helm at […]
U.S. Supreme Court to weigh limits on pill used in most Michigan abortions
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether to limit access to the abortion drug mifepristone, which is relied upon by patients in more than half the abortions performed nationally. The decision puts abortion before the nation’s highest court for the first time since June, 2022, when in Dobbs […]
