Michigan nears tornado record
by Jenelle D. Jamesn(Bridge Michigan) A tornado that touched down in Macomb County on Wednesday afternoon was the 29th in Michigan this year, the highest number since 2001. The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado struck Fraser just after 1 pm Wednesday near Kelly Road between 14 Mile and 15 Mile. The 29 tornadoes recorded so […]
Back from DC, Michigan GOP leader backs Medicaid, food assistance cuts
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall is “very supportive” of proposed federal spending cuts on Medicaid and food assistance despite the potential budget implications for the state, he said Wednesday following meetings in Washington with members of the Trump administration. “I’m not convinced that the Whitmer administration is doing all of […]
Michigan recipients fear food assistance cuts that could cost state $890M
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Residents and state officials are sounding the alarm over potential cuts to a food assistance program that aids around 1.5 million Michiganders, saying a federal proposal could hurt needy families and cost the state nearly $900 million a year in the process. “Trying to make ends meet from […]
Should refusing vaccines be a civil right in Michigan? Some lawmakers say yes
by Eli Newman & Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Some lawmakers in Lansing are pushing legislation that would prevent Michigan from enforcing vaccine mandates for school children and force the state to extend civil rights protections to residents who reject immunizations. A GOP-led bill in the House would amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on “vaccination […]
Michigan awards $1M for history projects ahead of nation’s 250th birthday
by Jenelle D. James Dozens of Michigan history projects are getting a fresh infusion of cash ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday — from a shipwreck exhibit in Grand Traverse to efforts to digitize WWII-era newspapers in Monroe County and create a bronze statue of “Big Annie,” an early 20th-century workers’ rights advocate, in Calumet. […]
Michigan GOP budget takes aim unisex school bathrooms, ‘woke’ universities, email pronouns
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan schools could face a 20% funding penalty if they maintain diversity initiatives, allow transgender girls to play girls sports or have unisex bathrooms for LGBTQ students under a controversial new state House budget proposal unveiled and approved Wednesday. The $21.9 billion bill, which passed the Republican-led House […]
Mackinac Island fears ‘economic strangulation’ by ferry. Will Lansing step in?
by Paula Gardner & Justin A. Hinkley (Bridge Michigan) MACKINAC ISLAND — Over 1 million travelers are spending more this summer to reach Michigan’s iconic vacation destination, and the officials fear price increases on the only ferries to the island could be devastating. New fees could push the cost of a family day trip to the […]
Michigan lawmakers want to ban synthetic dyes, additives in school meals
by Astrid Code, (Bridge Michigan) Should ultraprocessed foods be in Michigan’s school lunches? Some lawmakers say no, and are moving to ban a list of synthetic ingredients from schools. House Bill 4369, introduced by State Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles, would prohibit food distributors from providing schools with food that contain certain additives. The list of […]
When will smoke clear in Michigan? What you need to know
by Astrid Code (Bridge Michigan) Canadian wildfires have led to smoky skies and air quality alerts throughout Michigan this week. As of late afternoon Thursday, Detroit and Chicago were among the top five most polluted cities in the world, with air quality alerts for much of Michigan continuing through at least Friday. Here’s what you need to […]
Michigan lawmakers seeking stronger antisemitism ban: We’ve been threatened too
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Following a series of attacks across the country, Jewish members of the Michigan Legislature on Tuesday announced a new proposal that would make antisemitism a specific form of illegal ethnic discrimination in the state. They know the stakes well, said Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D-Farmington Hills: All three […]
