Michigan college enrollment decline among worst in the nation
by Isabel Lohman & Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s colleges and universities suffered enrollment drops four times steeper than the nation as a whole this year, according to new data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. And the decline was not a one-year aberration. Since 2019, the year before COVID-19 hit the U.S., only Alaska and Mississippi […]
Inside the Michigan lab where scientists raise killer bugs to save trees
by Ashley Zhou (Bridge Michigan) The squat, green-roofed office building just off the highway in Brighton doesn’t look like much, tucked away in an industrial park next to a dehumidifier company and machine shops. But inside, scientists are hunched over lab tables, studying buzzing wasps that could be saviors for North America’s disappearing ash trees. Staff […]
Whitmer taps GOP businessman to tackle Michigan population crisis
by Jonathan Oosting & Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) A Republican businessman and a Democratic education leader will lead Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s new group focused on developing strategies to reverse decades of Michigan’s stagnant population growth. Whitmer formally announced the effort Thursday at the Mackinac Policy Conference, naming John Rakolta and Shirley Stancato as co-chairs of […]
Michigan Democrats: We will deliver transparency reform. GOP dubious
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Michigan Democrats say they’re planning long-promised ethics and transparency reforms as lawmakers face a year-end deadline to finalize new personal financial disclosure rules for themselves. And a leading Republican legislator is calling for reforms to a budget earmark process that both parties have used to fund pet projects, including a $25 […]
BB gun bill requires minors to have adult around when shooting off property
by Riley Hodder (Bridge Michigan) Deven Free, a 12-year-old boy from Galesburg, was playing with BB guns with friends outside two years ago when he was shot in the head. The BB entered just above his right eye and lodged in his brain. Deven was in and out of hospitals for more than a year before […]
Michigan gas prices rise as summer approachs
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Michiganders felt some relief at the pumps over the last year as gas prices declined. But fuel prices, which moved up in April, are expected to trend up again this summer. As many people plan weekend trips ahead of Memorial Day, they may notice they’re spending more money at […]
Whitmer signs ‘red flag’ law, allowing Michigan judges to confiscate guns
by Yue Stella Yu (Bridge Michigan) Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed “red flag” legislation into law, making Michigan the 21st state to enact a law designed to prevent people posing a risk to themselves or others from possessing a gun. The law, expected to take effect next spring, is of three gun reform […]
Michigan Supreme Court justices in line for 7% raise to $208K per year by 2026
by Yue Stella Yu (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — A state panel voted 5-2 Wednesday to give Michigan Supreme Court Justices a 7% pay raise and $10,000 in expense allowances each, arguing their wages have not kept up with inflation. If legislators sign on to the recommendation, the annual salary for the seven justices on the […]
Michigan is the king of potato chips. But a disease is killing state spuds
by Ashley Zhou (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is the nation’s leading producer of potatoes for potato chips, and potato farmers across the state harvest 1.7 billion pounds annually. So it’s concerning that, by July of any given summer, up to half of the state’s potato leaves begin to wilt, their stems harden, and they slowly die. These […]
Democrats’ push to cut inmate sentences draws fierce pushback in Michigan
by Yue Stella Yu (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Democratic-backed bills that could allow inmates to serve less time in prison are prompting opposition from prosecutors, victim groups and law enforcement. The bills would allow prison inmates to petition for a lighter sentencing after serving a decade of their sentences and earn productivity credits toward early release. The legislation aims […]
