Fire danger remains high in Michigan, dry conditions continue
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Fire danger remains high across Michigan, prompting state officials to urge residents not to burn leaves or start campfires this weekend. There were several fires over the weekend, including one over more than 100 acres in the McCormick Wilderness, a federally managed wilderness part of the Ottawa National Forest in the […]
Women run Michigan but remain outnumbered in Lansing. Parity may wait
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Women candidates in Michigan have made historic gains in recent election cycles, sweeping statewide offices and boosting numbers in the state Legislature. But with the Nov. 5 election fast approaching, advocates say their hopes for a women-majority Legislature may have to wait as they instead seek to hold ground this cycle. “Unless […]
Michigan sounds alarm as syphilis spikes among women, infants
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is stepping up prevention and awareness efforts amid an increase in syphilis, especially among pregnant women. Among the goals of the Stop Syph campaign are protection for a surprising slice of the state’s population: newborns who contract the infection in the womb. Mirroring a national trend, cases in Michigan have surged among […]
Michigan per-capita income lags again; ‘it’s the lowest we’ve ever been’
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan continues to lag the nation in per capita income, ranking toward the bottom of states in the measure of prosperity, according to new figures compiled by the federal government. The state’s per capita income increased to $61,144 in 2023 from $58,009. Michigan remains 12.4% below the national rate, which rose to $69,815 from $66,220 […]
Universities must work together to keep graduates in Michigan, leaders say
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Leaders of Michigan’s three largest universities say they must work together to help create jobs and keep students from fleeing the state once they graduate. The presidents of the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Michigan State University agreed Tuesday that collaboration is key and will help grow […]
Mussels, alewives lead list of 10 worst invasive species in Great Lakes
by Shealyn Paulis, Great Lakes Echo (Bridge Michigan) LANSING – Researchers have revealed the Great Lakes’ 10 worst aquatic invasive species, spotlighting the plants and animals that pose the greatest threat to the region’s delicate ecosystems, fisheries and recreational waters. Their recent study in the Journal of Great Lakes Research is the first to compare […]
USDA awards $2 million in grants to help Michigan farms grow specialty crops
by Jenelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) The federal government is shelling out $2 million to make specialty crops produced in Michigan — from Christmas trees to apples and dry beans — more competitive in the marketplace. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded grants of up to $125,000 to support projects from various farm organizations […]
GOP blasts Democrats’ plan to close panel critical of Whitmer opioid efforts
by Ron Freench (Bridge Michigan) Republicans are condemning a behind-the-scenes effort to dismantle a council overseeing the state’s drug-fighting efforts as a “a huge step backward in our fight against addiction and overdose deaths.” Three Republican members of the House and one GOP senator blasted the effort to disband the Opioid Advisory Commission, which Bridge Michigan […]
In Michigan’s north woods, a search for Bigfoot and political common ground
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) OSCODA — Red beams from a dozen head lamps danced across oak, birch and white pine somewhere in a national forest near Oscoda. The exact location for the night hike was closely guarded, to keep away crowds that might scare Sasquatch. Tickets were limited for the event, which was part […]
Stressed about the election? Blame human instincts. Here are tips to cope
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Stressed by the election cycle? Turns out, frayed nerves are rooted in the survival instinct — tribalism — that has kept humans alive for millennia. So says Dr. Arash Javanbakht, founding director at Wayne State University’s Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic. He’s also the author of “AFRAID: Understanding the Purpose […]
