West Michigan library defunded over LGBTQ books wins tax support on 3rd try
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) A west Michigan library that drew international attention after it was defunded twice by voters over LGBTQ-themed books has finally won the taxpayer support needed to stay open. Voters in Ottawa County’s Jamestown Township approved an operating millage Tuesday for the Patmos Library by a 63 percent to 37 percent […]
Michigan House will soon be divided between Dems, GOP. Gridlock coming?
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) A year after securing majority control of the Legislature for the first time in decades, Michigan Democrats are scrambling to pass what priorities they can before they lose it again. With Tuesday’s election wins of Reps. Lori Stone, D-Warren, and Kevin Coleman, D-Westland, for mayor in their respective cities, the […]
Concerns about Michigan steelhead populations prompt new catch limits
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Anglers will be allowed to keep fewer steelhead trout in a handful of Michigan rivers, after state regulators tightened regulations over fears of population declines. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission unanimously approved the change Thursday, after lengthy testimony from anglers who are divided on the issue. The changes will take […]
Michigan House votes to restrict local permitting of solar, wind farms
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — The Michigan House voted along party lines late Wednesday to give the state permitting authority over large-scale renewable energy projects, wresting control from local governments that are often hostile to them. The legislation is a key part of a broader suite of energy reform bills passed by the Legislature that would […]
How Michigan schools are trying to attract 1,000 or more new bus drivers
by Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Michigan school districts are getting creative with how to get students to school even when there aren’t enough school bus drivers to drive big yellow buses. In Lansing, the district is giving out gas cards and public transportation passes. In the Detroit area, some districts are contracting with a ridesharing […]
Shortage of new RSV shots could endanger Michigan babies
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) A national shortage of a new shot that protects against a deadly respiratory virus could put Michigan babies at risk. Public health officials had cheered the arrival of the new nirsevimab shot, a monoclonal antibody immunization, when it was approved in July, for babies up to 8 months old. The […]
Donald Trump sues to stay on Michigan ballot as opponents seek disqualification
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Former President Donald Trump is suing Michigan to ensure he can appear on state primary and general election ballots next year as he seeks a return to the White House. Attorneys for the Florida Republican filed a complaint Tuesday in the Michigan Court of Claims seeking to bar Secretary of […]
Drunk driving penalties in Michigan vary depending on where you live
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Two courtrooms on opposite sides of Michigan look the same — seven chairs, desks for defendants and black-robed judges deciding punishments for drunk drivers. But the district courts in Westland in Wayne County and Grand Haven in Ottawa County are home to considerably different outcomes for those who stand before the […]
Like it or not, Michigan: Clocks changed Sunday to standard time
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) It’s that time of year, when people look forward to extra sleep — or dread the loss of sunlight — as clocks “fell back” an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday. Here’s what to know: History Daylight saving time runs from March 12 to Nov. 5, when it switches back […]
Michigan Senate approves 2040 deadline for carbon-neutral energy
by Lauren Gibbons LANSING — The Democratic-led Michigan Senate on Thursday approved a plan to wean state-regulated utilities off fossil fuels and fully transition to clean energy by a 2040, over Republican objections the plan would raise consumer rates. Approved along party lines, the package (Senate bills 271, 273, 502 and 519) would ramp up requirements for efficiency and set new […]
