Trump reverses Biden-era drug pricing order. What it means for Michigan
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Michiganders aren’t likely to pay more at the pharmacy counter any time soon, despite President Donald Trump’s reversal Monday of his predecessor’s executive order to reduce drug prices for those covered by Medicare and Medicaid. That’s because sweeping cost-cutting provisions that were already enshrined into law through the Inflation Reduction Act […]
A million Michigan workers may lose sick leave guarantee under House plan
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — More than 260,000 companies collectively employing 1.2 million Michigan workers would be exempt from a pending paid sick leave mandate under legislation set for a likely vote this week in the state House. A court-ordered law, set to take effect Feb. 21, would require all Michigan companies to provide […]
As Trump threatens ‘sanctuary cities,’ Michigan officials ask: Who, us?
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) Kalamazoo County Administrator Kevin Catlin questions why his community is often listed as a “sanctuary” for immigrants. He suggests checking with the city of Kalamazoo — perhaps that’s the Kalamazoo some refer to as a sanctuary. But the city says it’s nothing of the sort. It’s the same story in Ingham County […]
Michigan’s EV transition in limbo as climate spending halted
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) President Donald Trump has ordered a freeze on all unspent funds from federal climate programs that have funneled billions of dollars to Michigan, sparking uncertainty about impacts to the state’s EV and energy transitions. As part of a wide-ranging effort to dismantle former President Joe Biden’s climate and environmental policies, […]
Report: Michigan teacher workforce ‘less experienced’ than before pandemic
by Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) The workforce in Michigan’s public schools “remains less stable and less experienced” than it was before the pandemic, and many of the instructors leading classrooms are people with temporary teaching credentials who are learning on the job. Those are some of the conclusions of a new Michigan State University report assessing […]
Amid Michigan overdose epidemic, push is on to support kids whose parents died
by Michele Cohen Marill, MindSite News This story is excerpted from a longer one produced by MindSite News, the nation’s only news site focused on mental health reporting. Sign up for the MindSite News newsletter here. Michigan is teaming with academic researchers to identify children whose parents died of drug overdoses to give them the help they need. […]
What furor over drab Gaylord land says about Michigan’s energy transition
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) GAYLORD — For generations, few paid much attention to the unremarkable plots of trees and grasslands on the edge of town. Over the years, red pines were planted, logged and replanted. Utility transmission lines sprung up, along with oil and gas wells and the occasional human visitor. So it went for […]
Who funds Michigan lawmakers? Most get cash from PACs, not voters they represent
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Local voters send representatives to the Michigan Capitol, but outside donors are far more likely to send those lawmakers checks. A new Bridge Michigan analysis of campaign finance disclosures shows most lawmakers elected to the state House last year received only a small fraction of their political […]
Snow days, cold days: How Michigan schools decide it’s time to cancel classes
by Isabel Lohman As Michigan braces for another cold snap, superintendents across the state may have to make the call that some parents dread but students await: Is it too cold or too snowy to hold classes? An arctic blast headed our way started Saturday night. It is sending wind chills well below zero in […]
Planet parade 2025 and other celestial delights to keep your eyes on the sky
by Janelle D. James (BridgeMichigan) Are you ready for the big parade, Michigan? Not just the one on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. This one’s taking place right above us. Six planets are visible in the sky this month, some with the naked eye, in a so-called planet parade. If that’s not enough to keep astronomy […]
