Mystery Hill defies gravity — and the demise of roadside attractions
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan Growing up about 20 miles south of the Irish Hills, Nathan Wakefield was a regular visitor to “southern Michigan’s vacation land.” The region along US 12 was filled with roadside attractions, where kids like Wakefield could climb towers, traverse a prehistoric forest and see blacksmiths and saloons in scenes […]
Excessive rainfall in Michigan may affect nutrients in soil amid fertilizer price increases
By ANNA BARNES, Capital News Service LANSING — Michigan’s supply of nitrogen and phosphorus-based fertilizers has taken a hit from shipping disruptions caused by the U.S. war with Iran. Bill Knudson, an agricultural economist at Michigan State University, said about 20% to 30% percent of the world’s fertilizer exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, […]
Michigan bars big investors from buying more homes. Will it work?
by Jordyn Hermani, Bridge Michigan LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed a new law to bar large private investors from buying single-family homes in Michigan if they already own 100 or more in the state. It’s part of a broad push to address an ongoing housing crisis by limiting the ability of private […]
Report: Michigan’s budget much bigger than ‘on paper,’ likely tops $86B
by Jordyn Hermani, Bridge Michigan LANSING — Michigan’s new state budget is larger than it appears, according to a new analysis that claims the spending plan signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is also out of balance by at least $600 million. The nonpartisan Citizens Research Council of Michigan contends state lawmakers shifted large sums of […]
Who’s funding Michigan governor candidates? New filings reveal top donors
by Simon D. Schuster, Bridge Michigan Businessman Perry Johnson has poured nearly $30 million of his own money into his quest to become Michigan’s next governor. But will it be enough? In the heated Republican primary against Trump-endorsed US Rep. John James, Johnson has spent $23 million this year bombarding Michigan’s airwaves with a series […]
‘Money out of politics’ proposal cleared for Michigan ballot
by Jordyn Hermani, Bridge Michigan LANSING — Voters will likely have the chance to decide this fall whether to ban political spending in state elections by Michigan’s regulated utilities and large government contractors. In a 3-1 vote, the bipartisan Board of State Canvassers certified petition signatures filed by Michiganders for Money Out of Politics. The […]
Michigan teens face tougher job market as technology reshapes entry-level work
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan For generations, landing a first job often meant walking into a restaurant, movie theater or retail store, asking for an application and leaving with an interview. Today, many Michigan teenagers say they’re sending dozens of online applications into automated hiring systems with little or no response as competition for […]
Canada celebrates Gordie Howe bridge opening — without Michigan — amid tariff riff
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan WINDSOR — As dozens of guests looked across the Detroit River from Windsor on Friday, Canadian leaders celebrated the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge as a once-in-a-generation project connecting two countries through trade, travel and a shared history. The ceremony honored the late Detroit Red Wings legend […]
Massive data center wins local tax break — but 9 times smaller than requested
by Paula Gardner, Bridge Michigan A Washtenaw County community on Tuesday OK’d a controversial tax break for a giant data center project valued today at $43 billion, but cut the dollar value of the subsidy nine-fold from the developer’s latest request. A tax break that would have been worth $147 million a year now appears […]
Mike Cox drops out of Michigan governor race, endorses John James
by Simon D. Schuster, Bridge Michigan Former attorney general Mike Cox is ending his campaign for Michigan governor and backing US Rep. John James, his campaign announced Friday evening. Cox said President Donald Trump’s endorsement of James in late June closed the door on any hope of victory. “While I did not fully appreciate it […]
