Michigan schools find creative ways to nudge receptive students to read more
by Janelle D. James Reading levels for Michigan students are far below the national average, but schools across the state have implemented initiatives to encourage students to read more and at their grade level. About 45% of third grade students scored proficient or higher in English language arts during the 2018-2019 school year, according to […]
DTE, Consumers Energy to Michigan lawmakers: We need to do better
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Elouise Garley says she never imagined she’d have to use lanterns to light her home after leaving war-torn Liberia more than 20 years ago for Detroit. “As a teenager, we used (lanterns) as electricity, and I got traumatized by darkness. Whenever it’s dark, I think of the days of […]
Michigan moves to end threat of jail to hunters who fail to report deer kills
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Michigan lawmakers are moving to reform a controversial law that threatens hunters with 90 days in jail for failing to notify state regulators of deer kills. Fresh off the first season under a mandatory reporting policy that was never fully enforced, momentum is building to ease penalties to a simple […]
Whitmer signs anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ residents in Michigan into law
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s LGBTQ residents will be covered by the state’s anti-discrimination law under legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday. The legislation, dubbed historic by supporters and LGBTQ rights advocates, means that employers won’t be able to fire or refuse to hire a person because of their sexual orientation or gender […]
From migrant worker to Michigan teacher: ‘Just keep fighting for your dreams’
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) KALAMAZOO – It’s 3pm on a rainy February day at Arcadia Elementary, part of Kalamazoo Public Schools, and the 20 kindergarteners in Alfredo Aleman’s classroom are squirming in their seats. Ninety percent are what the Michigan Department of Education calls economically disadvantaged. Eight are from homes where English isn’t spoken. […]
Michigan voter roll maintenance means removing nearly 100,000 registrations
Oralandar Brand-Williams, Votebeat (for Bridge Michigan) As Michigan election officials prepare to remove nearly 100,000 potentially ineligible voters as part of a periodic cleanup, they are turning to local clerks and community groups to check their work and ensure no eligible voters are improperly removed. Clerks and other election officials have scoured Social Security death […]
Michigan lags nation in government transparency. Lawmakers promise change
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — As of March 14, Michigan remains one of two states in the country where lawmakers and the governor are wholly exempt from public records requests. Last week, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle vowed that that won’t be the case for much longer. Along with Massachusetts, Michigan […]
Few good options for shrinking Michigan’s problem deer herds
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Few creatures look more harmless while doing more destruction than the urban deer. They spread disease and dash in front of cars, sometimes resulting in accidents. They devour farm fields, gardens and forests, killing off songbirds while allowing invasive species to spread. But it’s not all their fault: Humans have […]
GM offers buyouts to ‘majority’ of 35,000 salaried workers in Michigan
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Most of the 58,000 salaried workers at General Motors learned Thursday that they will be offered voluntary buyouts as the automaker hopes to reach $2 billion in savings this year and avoid layoffs. The company is Michigan’s largest automaker and one of its top employers, with 35,000 salaried workers in the state. […]
What is Michigan Right-to-Work: How law impacted wages, jobs, unions
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan Democrats are moving fast to repeal the state’s Right-to-Work law that allows workers to opt out of paying dues in union-represented jobs but still receive benefits. Along party lines, the state House voted on Thursday to repeal the 2012 law. The state Senate could follow suit next week, sending legislation to […]
