As holiday hugs and coughs await, only 1 in 4 Michiganders has taken flu shot
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) About 1 in 4 Michiganders has had a flu vaccination this season, the lowest number since coverage by flu shots spiked during the first full winter of the COVID pandemic. That’s a concern to health officials as the time nears for the close-quarters sneezing, coughing and hugging of holiday parties […]
Facing DEI scrutiny, University of Michigan abandons ‘diversity statements’ in hiring
by Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) ANN ARBOR — Amid a national debate over diversity, equity and inclusion programs, the University of Michigan announced Thursday it would no longer solicit “diversity statements” as part of faculty hiring, promotion and tenure. It’s the first step in what could be a broader effort to scale back DEI at […]
Citing COVID sticker shock, Michigan Dems push emergency price gouging cap
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michgan) LANSING — Michiganders seeking toilet paper, cleaning supplies, masks and other essentials early in the COVID-19 pandemic faced serious sticker shock as demand outpaced supply – prompting a surge in price gouging complaints. Four years later, Attorney General Dana Nessel and legislative Democrats are renewing efforts to create price caps […]
Michigan House battle was most expensive ever. Dems spent big, GOP won anyway
by Simon D. Schuster (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — The 2024 battle for the Michigan House smashed spending records to become the most expensive legislative election in state history, costing a minimum of $67 million, according to an analysis by Bridge Michigan. The total includes campaign finance records and ad spending data from the firm AdImpact […]
Michigan ski resorts see surge in reservations after two years of little snow
by Janelle D James (BridgeMichigan) After two years of dealing with unusually warm weather and very little snow, Michigan ski resorts are finally starting to see things turn around. “As soon as the snow starts falling, the phone starts ringing,” said Brittany Primeau, communications director for Crystal Mountain Resort, near Traverse City. The ski resort […]
Michigan farms must provide milk samples on request to test for bird flu virus
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) The US Department of Agriculture is ordering dairy farms in Michigan and five other states to begin providing samples of raw milk upon request so they can be tested for bird flu virus. The mandate is part of an effort to combat the national outbreak of the H5N1 virus, […]
Marijuana sales near $10 billion in Michigan, a few years after legalization
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) This month or next, someone is going to walk into a Michigan dispensary, buy marijuana and trigger a big moment for the industry: $10 billion in cumulative sales of recreational cannabis. Crossing that threshold cements Michigan as one of the top states for marijuana sales, even amid a steep drop […]
Michigan’s controversial wind, solar energy law is in effect. What to know
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A controversial law that allows the state to approve large wind and solar farms over local objections is now in effect. The law, Public Act 233, went into effect Friday, Nov. 29, and was among the more contentious aspects of a suite of reforms enacted last year to speed Michigan’s clean energy transition. […]
As Michigan minimum wage fight rages, bipartisan plan would keep tipped rate
by Jordyn Hermani (Bridge Michigan) As calls grow to modify pending changes to Michigan’s minimum wage and sick leave laws, a bipartisan team of lawmakers say they may have the solution: Legislation to keep lower tipped wages for workers but still raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour before the end of the decade. […]
Michigan is spending big to hire and retain teachers. Experts see positive signs
by Isobel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is betting big on efforts to recruit, train and retain educators across the state. There are incentives for current college students to stay in Michigan to teach. There are nonprofits working to link adults with bachelor’s degrees to teacher training programs. Plus, there have been some changes with state […]
