Rural Michigan in crisis: Too many governments that too few want to lead
by Ron French, Bridge Michigan PELLSTON — Fresh from retirement from United Airlines in 1996, James Gillett returned to the community where he was born, the quiet northern Michigan village of Pellston. He’d barely moved in when he was asked to join the village board. Within a year, he was village president. It was something […]
Jocelyn Benson, John James race may be eclipsed by interest in Senate campaign
by Simon D. Schuster, Bridge Michigan The gubernatorial contest between Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and US Rep. John James could be dwarfed by Michigan’s high-profile US Senate contest. Although the gubernatorial candidates will be literally on the top of the ticket on November election ballots, voter attention and ad spending likely will be […]
As Michigan ages, are we overlooking a critical type of caregiver – the friend?
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan It never occurred to Mary and Bill Hase not to care for their friend, Ed Niemi, just as they did for his late brother, who had multiple health problems, after the brothers’ mother died. “Maybe that’s why they call me a mother hen,” says Mary Hase, who helps the Munising […]
Michigan is spending $150M on one-time ‘educator’ bonuses. Here’s how it works
by Isabel Lohman, Bridge Michigan As Michigan ranks near the bottom on starting teacher pay, the state is once again providing money schools can use for teacher bonuses. The $150 million bonus pool included in the new $22.9 billion education budget could provide teachers and other school employees with a temporary boost in pay, but […]
Michigan prisons paid millions over inmate deaths, disability discrimination
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan The Michigan Department of Corrections paid out $7 million in legal judgments and settlements in 2025, more than double the prior year, according to a mandated report recently filed with the state Legislature. Most of those payouts stemmed from three cases: a $2.3 million settlement with a former MDOC […]
One-time funding won’t fix financial strain for DNR’s Fisheries Division
By ANNA BARNES, Capital News Service LANSING — Officials from the Fisheries Division of the Department of Natural Resources say further cutbacks on staffing and fish stocking are likely as the costs of operations rise. The division relies on licenses for much of its budget, but the price has remained consistent for more than a […]
Michigan was to be a ‘haven state’ for abortion. It didn’t happen
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan At Michigan’s abortion clinics, phones were ringing, appointment books were full and patients were waiting — sometimes for weeks — to see a doctor. It was 2022. The US Supreme Court had just sent a seismic jolt through the national abortion landscape, leaving patients with unplanned pregnancies scrambling to states […]
Protect yourself: Why ticks are spreading in Michigan
By JULIA ROEDER, Capital News Service LANSING — A walk through the woods is no longer the only place Midwesterners should watch for ticks. Researchers say the tiny parasites are spreading to communities across the region and show no signs of slowing down. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency room visits attributed to […]
Michigan Supreme Court vacates key Line 5 permit
by Kelly House, Bridge Michigan The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Michigan Public Service Commission erred when it granted a key permit for the Line 5 petroleum pipeline tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. Among other findings in its 58-page ruling, the majority found the commission’s permit review was overly narrow, failed […]
Michigan fills free college gap, lowers eligibility to 21 — for now
by Kim Kozlowski, Bridge Michigan Aerik Enfinger recently turned 21 and got an unexpected gift. He learned the state lowered the age of eligibility for its largest free tuition program for adults, Michigan Reconnect, and he just made the threshold. “Whenever you go to buy alcohol on your 21st birthday, they should give you a […]
