Death at Michigan women’s prison ruled suicide. Autopsy points to aspirin
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan An autopsy report released Thursday determined that the third of four Michigan women to die this year at Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility took her own life by acute aspirin poisoning. The report, completed at the Michigan Medicine Pathology and Clinical Laboratories in Ann Arbor, concluded that Ashley Hoath […]
Michigan bill legalizing backyard deer feeding passes, but bans could remain
by Laura Herberg, Bridge Michigan A bill that would allow Michiganders to feed deer in their backyards is sitting on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk, but, even if she signs it, the state may still prohibit some people from feeding. Deer feeding is currently banned in the Lower Peninsula to prevent the spread of diseases such […]
New unemployment job-search rules take effect in Michigan. What to know
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan Beginning Sunday, Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits will need to report three work search activities for each week instead of one to remain eligible for benefits. The requirement is part of bipartisan legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last year that overhauled Michigan’s unemployment system, including increasing the maximum number […]
What to know as wildfires envelop Michigan in smoke (again)
by Kelly House, Bridge Michigan Like clockwork, Michigan and much of the surrounding region are once again engulfed in summer smoke as wind pushes air south from wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota. Detroit had the worst air quality of any major city in America Thursday morning, with an index of 698 – well above […]
Gretchen Whitmer vetoes Democratic bills that Michigan House had blocked
by Simon D. Schuster, Bridge Michigan LANSING — Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday vetoed nine long-stalled bills, just hours after a Michigan Supreme Court decision had ended a nearly two-year legal fight over their fate. Michigan’s Democratic-led Senate had sued the House over a refusal to send Whitmer the bills that Democrats approved […]
How Detroit ceded a historically Black neighborhood to a billionaire-owned concrete facility
by Jena Brooker, Bridge Michigan This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with BridgeDetroit. Sign up for Dispatches to get our stories in your inbox every week. The abandoned house next door meant a lot to Christina Kary. For years, she tended to it, planting purple flowers, removing weeds and picking up trash. […]
Michigan releases prison autopsy, transfers inmate who alleged mold sickness
by Janelle D. James, Bridge Michigan A woman at the center of a controversy over allegations of toxic mold in Michigan’s only women’s prison has been transferred to another facility after seeking relief in federal court, state officials confirmed. Krystal Clark is now at Duane Waters Health Center in Jackson, which houses inmates with unique […]
Fact check: GOP rivals attack John James in gubernatorial debate
by Simon D. Schuster, Bridge Michigan SOUTHFIELD — US Rep. John James attempted to fend off a barrage of attacks Wednesday night in a Republican gubernatorial debate dominated by squabbles over political careers and business records. With recent polling showing James leading the race, former Attorney General Mike Cox and businessman Perry Johnson went on […]
With six months to go, will Michigan be ready for massive Medicaid overhaul?
by Robin Erb, Bridge Michigan ROYAL OAK — With less than six months to go before seismic changes in Medicaid, including new work requirements, nearly 700,000 Michiganders still have few answers about keeping their coverage. And the places they’d normally turn — community based organizations and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services — […]
Michigan could approve a constitutional convention this year. What would that mean?
This article was originally published by Votebeat, a nonprofit news organization covering local election administration and voting access. Hayley Harding, Votebeat As Michigan works out who (and what) will be on ballots this fall, one proposal is already set in stone: Should the state “convene a constitutional convention?” Proposal 1, as it will be known, […]
