‘Ghost riders’ on the lookout for distracted drivers in Michigan
by Jenelle D James (Bridge Michigan) Michigan law enforcement agencies have partnered with the Transportation Improvement Association to crack down on distracted driving. The initiative, called Operation Ghost Rider, uses officers in unmarked vehicles to spot distracted drivers then radio another officer in a marked vehicle to conduct a traffic stop. Operation Ghost Rider started […]
Michigan bill would increase fines for drivers with loud cars
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) State Rep. Natalie Price, D-Berkley, introduced a bill in the state House on Thursday that would significantly increase fines for motorists who intentionally modify their vehicles’ exhaust systems resulting in excessively loud noise. “This is definitely beyond just being inconvenienced. This is the No. 1 thing I hear from my constituents […]
Lawsuit accuses EPA of failing to prevent harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie
by Tracy Samilton, Michigan Radio Lucas County in Ohio, the city of Toledo, and the Environmental Law and Policy Center are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over harmful algal blooms in western Lake Erie. The lawsuit alleges that the EPA’s consent order with the state of Ohio does not measure the actual amount of phosphorus from […]
Proposal would keep tractor-trailers out of the left lane on Michigan freeways
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is one of several states considering legislation that would limit which lanes large trucks and tractor-trailers can travel in. A bill put forth by State Rep. William Bruck, R-Erie, would prohibit large trucks and tractor-trailers from using the far-left lane on freeways with three or more lanes. If one […]
As cleanup efforts target Michigan lakes, debate follows about who benefits
Theo Scheer, Capital News Service (for Bridge Magazine) LANSING — It’s taken over 30 years and $80 million to restore Muskegon Lake and a few nearby smaller bodies of water. Decades of pollution and rapid urbanization created ecological problems so severe that the lake was designated a “Great Lakes Area of Concern” by the U.S. […]
Probe of wolf shot in south Michigan, far from habitat, focuses on trap wounds
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) MARSHALL — The criminal investigation into the January killing of a wolf in southern Michigan — far from its known habitat —includes evidence suggesting it may have been injured by a foothold trap in the weeks before it was shot. The death of the endangered animal near Marshall has puzzled investigators, who question whether […]
Who is running against Debbie Dingell in Michigan’s 6th Congressional District?
Editor’s note: This story was corrected June 22, 2024, to accurately reflect information about Heather Smiley. A previous version incorrectly attributed to her some details about a different political candidate with the same name. by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell is the favorite for a sixth term in Congress. The Ann Arbor […]
Pro-Palestinian protests spread to Michigan State amid nationwide arrests
by Jordyn Hermani and Isabel Lohman (Bridge Magazine) Pro-Palestinian demonstrations spread to a second Michigan campus Thursday, as students at Michigan State University set up a tent encampment to demand the school end any support for Israel. A similar encampment at the University of Michigan, which began Monday, has emerged as a test between the school’s free […]
Michigan fishers are warned about harmful algae ahead of trout season
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s trout fishing season opens on Saturday, and the state is advising people to avoid picking up “aquatic hitchhikers” as they head for the waters. Various trout species, from rainbow to brown trout, can be found in the Great Lakes. But an invasive species of algae found in streams continues to […]
Salt level rising in Michigan groundwaters, endangering crops, homes
by Alex Walters, Capital News Service (Bridge Michigan) A worrisome environmental issue is bubbling up from deep below Michigan’s ground with little public awareness, experts say. The salinity of the state’s groundwater is on the rise, raising concerns about killed crops and corroded pipes. The problem is increasingly severe and requires action, but Michigan residents […]
