Michigan looks to future with R&D tax credits, startup ‘innovation fund’
by Lauren Gibbons (BridgeMichigan) Michigan will be the latest state to offer businesses research and development credits and an “innovation fund” for entrepreneurs and startups under bills signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Monday. The new laws, which earned bipartisan support in the Legislature, are the state’s latest attempt to incentivize current and prospective employers to […]
Are Michigan population woes improving? Moving data offers signs of hope
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s battle with the border is improving, with two national moving companies reporting that fewer people are relocating out of the state. Both United and Atlas van lines, in December and January reports, still show moves out of Michigan still outnumber those coming into the state. But the gap has […]
Study: Climate change means fewer freezing winter days in Michigan
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Tough as it may be to believe as a January chill grips the state, Michigan has lost more than a week annually of freezing weather to climate change. That’s the conclusion of a new report from the climate communication nonprofit Climate Central, which found that Michigan is getting nine fewer days annually […]
1 in 4 older Michiganders lack enough friends. That’s a health concern
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Many have outlived their spouses, siblings and best friends. For others, physical disabilities keep them tethered at home — isolated from the social activities of the past. One in three older Americans feel a lack of companionship “some of the time” or “often,” while 1 in 10 older Americans could […]
Michigan tax revenue up, but economic unknowns loom
by Lauren Gibbons (BridgeMichigan) Michigan is entering the new year with a projected budget surplus — but looming trade policy changes under President-elect Donald Trump, high costs of living and fluctuating inflation rates could be a drag on the state’s economic future, forecasters said Friday. The state is expected to bring in $33.18 billion […]
Amid outcry, solar farm owner says it no longer wants Michigan forest to expand
by Kelly House (BridgeMichigan) A proposal to lease 420 acres of state land near Gaylord for a solar energy development is on shaky ground after attracting criticism from lawmakers, including calls for “mass firings” of state employees involved in the plan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will issue a public notice Tuesday of its intent […]
Michigan House GOP leader on FOIA reform: ‘Don’t get your hopes up’
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan remains one of only two states that fully exempts the governor and lawmakers from public records requests, and new House leadership appears uninterested in immediately changing that. House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, told reporters during a Thursday roundtable that expanding the state’s Freedom of Information Act […]
Sick with norovirus? Do all of Michigan a favor: Stay home
by Robin Erb (BridgeMichigan) Norovirus continues to threaten Michiganders in the new year — with case counts among the highest in five years and no indication that they might fall soon. The highly contagious stomach bug isn’t easy to kill. Hand sanitizer is a poor weapon against it. It lingers on surfaces for days. And […]
Michigan high schools embrace artificial turf, but safety concerns persist
by Donté Smith, Capital News Service (Bridge Michigan) LANSING – Artificial turf fields are becoming a hallmark at high schools across the state with the Michigan High School Athletic Association reporting around 100 high schools now playing on them. AstroTurf, one of the largest artificial turf installers in the state, notes that 14 of the […]
Billionaires, dark money dominate record-setting Michigan election spending
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) So-called dark money organizations and ultrawealthy donors were the largest reported spenders in Michigan state politics during the 2024 election cycle, according to a Bridge Michigan analysis of campaign finance records. Members of the billionaire DeVos family of west Michigan were again the biggest individual spenders, collectively donating nearly […]
