Michigan braces for higher interest rates after latest Fed hike
by Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) The Federal Reserve approved its fourth consecutive 0.75% point interest rate hike on Wednesday, a sign that inflation continues well above levels the U.S. central bank considers healthy. The move means the short-term borrowing rate between banks will go to 4%, its highest level since January 2008. Longer-term interest rates […]
As Michigan election nears, some apprehension over strife at polls
by Ron French & Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) No one knows what to expect on Election Day in Michigan. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson recently warned of possible “violence and disruption” on Nov. 8 and beyond. Her Republican opponent, Kristina Karamo, claimed Benson and Democrats will spend Election Day trying to “suppress” Republican poll […]
Nonprofit buys 31,000 forested acres by Copper Harbor to keep land public
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Tens of thousands of acres of beloved Upper Peninsula forest will remain undeveloped and open to the public, after an environmental nonprofit bought the property from its hedge-fund owners. The Nature Conservancy announced Thursday it had struck a deal to purchase more than 31,000 acres in the forests of Michigan’s […]
More Michigan parents opt to skip school vaccines for their children
by Robin Erb & Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) The number of Michigan parents seeking school vaccination waivers for their children continues to grow — with rates nearly as high by the end of 2021 as they were in 2014, the year before the state began mandating “education” sessions with vaccine-reluctant parents. In four Michigan counties […]
Tudor Dixon and Gretchen Whitmer polar opposites on Michigan environment
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Year after year, water quality ranks high among Michigan voters’ concerns. And research shows most Americans are concerned about climate change. But you wouldn’t know it by watching Michigan’s first gubernatorial debate or studying the campaign websites of incumbent Democrat Gretchen Whitmer and Republican challenger Tudor Dixon. With the exception of a […]
Michigan to require schools to post parents’ rights in buildings, offices
by Tracie Mauriello, Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan) It’s been 45 years since Michigan lawmakers passed a law guaranteeing parents the right to direct the education of their children. Now lawmakers want to make sure parents know about it. A new law enacted last week requires school districts and the Michigan Department of Education to prominently post excerpts […]
1-in-10 people in U.S. over 65 has dementia, U-M study finds
by Robin Erb One in ten people aged 65 and older has dementia, according to a new national study that builds on long-time research at the University of Michigan. Another 22% of study subjects had a mild cognitive impairment, according to the study, published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association’s Neurology publication. […]
Michigan warns absentee ballots deluge may delay Nov. 8 election results
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Michigan officials are warning the results of the Nov. 8 election may not be known for a full day because of a huge volume of absentee ballots. Jack Rollow, chief external affairs officer for the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, said Tuesday the volume will make it hard for all […]
Michigan students made slow progress last year after pandemic disruptions
Tracie Mauriello, Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan) Michigan students are making academic progress, but not fast enough to fully make up for losses over the past two years. Students who learned remotely in 2020-21 because of the pandemic continued to learn more slowly than their peers in the 2021-22 school year that ended in June, even after they […]
Democrats vs. Republicans: Who will win control of the Michigan Legislature?
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) There are a lot of political contests to keep tabs on in Michigan, but don’t sleep on state legislative races. Michigan has had a Republican trifecta over 14 of the last 30 years, controlling the executive branch and both legislative chambers. Democrats never controlled all branches over that time. Although […]
