Battle over Medicaid boils over in DC; what it means for Michigan
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) ANN ARBOR — Pressure continues to mount in Congress and from the White House to shave billions of dollars from Medicaid, leaving Michigan’s health care leaders to grapple with the “what ifs” in a battle that’s likely to continue. In a stunning setback Friday, House Republicans failed to push their […]
Keeping the $5.5 billion Michigan fishery afloat
by Lester Graham, Michigan Public (Bridge Michigan) The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station is based in a building that was constructed in 1917, originally as a federal fish hatchery. It wasn’t the first on this site. An earlier hatchery was built in 1894. The U.S. government was trying to replenish the fish population. Lake […]
EPA weakens PFAS drinking water limits. What it means for Michigan
by Kelly House, (Bridge Michigan) The Trump administration has announced plans to rescind drinking-water limits on four PFAS “forever chemical” compounds while extending the compliance deadline for two others, in a move that outraged victims of Michigan’s widespread PFAS contamination. Nationwide regulations limiting allowable levels of PFOA and PFOS — two of the most common […]
As farmers wait on government ice storm relief, nonprofits take charge
by Emilio Perez Ibarguen (Bridge Michigan) After a once-in-a-lifetime ice storm tore through northern Michigan weeks ago, David Coveyou woke up to discover trees strewn across his 330-acre Petoskey vegetable farm and fencing ripped from the ground. Nearly two months later, he’s still working to rebuild while preparing for a busy planting season. “We’ve spent […]
Amid public outcry, Michigan pauses goose-killing program
by Emilio Perez Ibarguen (Bridge Michigan) State officials have indefinitely paused a controversial program that allowed landowners to combat nuisance geese by hiring crews to kill them. In a letter sent Friday to Democratic lawmakers who had objected to the state issuing permits to send problem geese to chambers where they would be gassed with […]
As lawmakers prep budget, economists warn tariffs may cost Michigan 13,000 jobs
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) Michigan could lose out on 13,000 jobs across the next five years due to auto, steel and aluminum tariffs, economists warned Friday, predicting the state economy may grow nonetheless. Despite the projected tariff impact, which is expected to hit the state’s auto industry particularly hard, Michigan is still on track […]
‘Gutted.’ Michigan losing $200M in fed research funding, with more in limbo
by Ron French & Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) At Michigan State University, researcher Jamie Bernard is trying to prevent some of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of breast cancer. But in recent months, she wonders if the federal government wants her to continue that work. With each passing day, the associate professor feels more “gutted” about […]
Michigan Republicans aim to ban gender-affirming medication, surgery for minors
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Minors in Michigan would no longer be able to receive gender-affirming care under legislation introduced Wednesday by Republicans in the state House and Senate. The bills would prevent minors from receiving puberty blockers, hormone therapy or anatomy-alternating surgeries. The proposal would prohibit medical professionals from providing such care […]
Michigan voters reject half of school bond requests. Blame the economy?
by Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Michigan approved nearly $900 million in school bonds Tuesday, while rejecting half of the school bond proposals statewide. Statewide, voters approved 22 of 45 requests, a success rate of 49%, below the 60% passage rate in the May 2024 election and the 62% passage rate in the November election, according to […]
Michigan drops charges against pro-Palestinian protesters at U-M
by The Associated Press (via Bridge Michigan) State prosecutors dropped felony charges Monday against seven people accused of trespassing and resisting police a year ago during the break-up of a pro-Palestinian camp at the University of Michigan. Attorney General Dana Nessel said she believed the cases were strong but suggested her office was worn down by criticism and other […]
