Michigan business leaders mildly hopeful despite lagging GDP, income
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan business leaders are expressing a bit less pessimism this spring than last year, even as concerns remain about inflation, a potential recession and the ability to hire enough workers. Recent surveys representing the viewpoints of retailers, commercial borrowers and executives at Michigan’s largest companies show that fewer think the state will […]
Michigan brine brouhaha: Proposed limits for unpaved roads prompt dustup
by Lauren Gibbons & Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A salty solution sprayed onto many of Michigan’s unpaved roads each summer is causing a major dust-up between the state’s environmental agency and local road commissions. Michigan has some 36,000 miles of unpaved roads, which are treated with brine to tamp down on dust. But like the rock […]
Lawmakers aim to phase out dry-cleaning chemical with a dirty reputation
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Some of the dirtiest sites in Michigan are connected to businesses that pride themselves on getting your clothes sparkling clean. Now, a bill in the Legislature aims to phase out a dry-cleaning solvent that gets stains out of sport coats, but has caused contamination that poses a health threat and […]
After passing three gun bills, Michigan Democrats say they’re not done
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s Democratic Legislature quickly passed a trio of gun measures, with only the red flag law — intended to remove weapons from people who pose a danger to themselves or others — still to be signed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Democratic leaders and advocates for greater gun restrictions […]
Michigan county eyed criminal ordinance for books. Librarians fought back
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) A statewide network of librarians thwarted a proposed ordinance in Cass County on Tuesday that sought to criminalize the distribution of sexually “explicit” library books to children. In a 24-hour political blitzkrieg, librarians and library supporters forced the board of commissioners in this conservative Southwest Michigan county to — at […]
U.S. Supreme Court ensures broad access to abortion pill in Michigan for now
by David Zeman (Bridge Michigan) The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order Friday evening preserving, at least for now, broad access to the abortion pill mifepristone. In its first abortion decision since overturning Roe v. Wade last summer, the high court’s short but eagerly awaited order provided continued availability to so-called abortion pills, which are used in […]
Seduction, train drunkenness and more still illegal in Michigan
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Maybe you’ve been tipsy on a train, or opted for a topless tan. Maybe you’ve taken the Lord’s name in vain, or disturbed someone “in the quiet and peaceable pursuit of his lawful occupation.” Even Michigan’s most stand-up citizens have probably run afoul of an archaic state law at one […]
Change Michigan’s Nov. 15 deer season opener? No way, DNR says
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) The Nov. 15 firearm opener is a tradition so deeply-entrenched in Michigan deer hunting culture, some communities treat it as a de-facto public holiday. And after studying the issue, Michigan hunting regulators say they see no reason to change that. Acting on a request from former DNR Director Dan Eichinger, […]
Dexter schools sue social media giants, citing child mental health crisis
by Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) What can school districts do to change how social media companies interact with children and teens? It’s a question that may be answered in a federal lawsuit targeting the most popular and ubiquitous social media platforms used by children and adolescents. On Monday, the Dexter Community Schools board unanimously approved a […]
No criminal charge? No problem! Michigan police can still take your car
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) TAYLOR — Stephanie Wilson was driving on a service lane in Detroit in June 2019 when unmarked police cars swooped in and surrounded her Saturn Ion. Within minutes, she said, the car had been seized, leaving the nursing student and her ex-boyfriend on the side of the road wondering what […]
