Michigan approves $50M for Upper Peninsula copper mine — but with conditions
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) The state of Michigan has agreed to spend $50 million to support a plan for a new copper mine near the shore of Lake Superior — despite disagreements on whether the economic benefits are worth the environmental risks. After hearing dozens of speakers and two committee reports during the Michigan Strategic Fund meeting in […]
Granholm, Whitmer tout pilot training program for electric auto jobs
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan and federal officials unveiled a pilot program to train workers for battery manufacturing jobs Tuesday, touting the potential to “define the future” as the auto industry shifts to electric vehicle manufacturing. At the United Auto Workers Local 652 union hall in Lansing, U.S. Secretary of Energy and […]
U-M eyes ‘disruptive activity’ crackdown amid Israel-Hamas war protests
by Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) ANN ARBOR — Amid growing campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war, the University of Michigan is considering a new policy to punish students, employees and visitors who disrupt school operations. U-M announced the draft policy Wednesday after pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupted a weekend honors convocation, forcing President Santa Ono to cut short a speech amid shouting. […]
Michigan's first early in-person vote a hit with some Republicans
Tom Perkins for Votebeat (Bridge Michigan) In Michigan’s first statewide test of early in-person voting, and the first presidential primary since Donald Trump and his allies spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, trust appeared to be a big factor in how voters decided to cast their ballots, a Votebeat analysis shows. The results show […]
Michigan targets prosperity in plan to boost training and wages for workers
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is rolling out a plan to boost prosperity in the state by aligning initiatives, currently scattered among various state departments, that seek new and higher-paying jobs and better-trained workers. The new Michigan Statewide Workforce Plan is the first time the state has laid out a formal vision to increase its […]
Michigan’s auto industry awaits an EV revolution in flux
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) A critical shift in Michigan's dominant industry remains in flux as automakers spend billions of dollars to ramp up electric vehicle production with a hope that consumer demand will eventually catch up. Historic environmental rules finalized this week by the Biden administration will be followed by emissions standards for automakers […]
Michigan shortens coyote hunting season, irking some hunters
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) State wildlife regulators have shortened Michigan’s public coyote hunting season by three months, a move designed to prevent hunters from orphaning pups that depend upon their parents for survival. Starting this year, hunters are not allowed to target the animals between mid-April and mid-July. As the state Natural Resources Commission […]
Michigan works to improve pay, as state inches toward universal pre-K
by Hannah Dellinger/Chalkbeat Detroit (for Bridge Michigan) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s goal to make preschool free and available to all families is a big task. The biggest hurdles for the state to overcome are shortages of qualified staff and too few affordable, quality child care spots for 4-year-olds. To create a universal prekindergarten program, the governor plans to improve pay for early […]
In drug-ravaged northern Michigan, there’s money for help. But few counselors
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) GAYLORD — The phone alarm buzzes at 4am on weekdays in Brian Warsow’s room at an East Jordan addiction recovery home. He makes coffee and watches an episode of “Reacher” on TV to help wake up. Then, he embarks on the 52-minute drive to Gaylord for a 6am meeting with […]
Solar eclipse 2024: What will Michigan see? How to get glasses, other answers
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) The good news: Excitement is building for the first visible solar eclipse in Michigan since 1954. The bad news: Most of the state doesn’t fall in the path of the April 8 eclipse, with just a slice of Monroe County in southeast Michigan getting the full effect. So many […]
