Michigan to weigh red flag bill after Oxford shooting. Gun groups are furious.
By Jonathan Oosting LANSING — Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey is taking heat from gun-rights groups as the top-ranking Republican prepares to hold a public hearing on “red flag” firearm confiscation legislation following last year’s deadly shooting at Oxford High School. Senate Democrats reintroduced the legislation Tuesday, adding it to a growing list of proposals […]
Michigan police probe alleged voting equipment breach in Roscommon County
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan State Police are investigating allegations of unauthorized voting equipment access in Roscommon County that may be related to ongoing attempts to undermine the 2020 presidential election, a spokesperson confirmed Friday. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson requested a probe on Thursday, with her office saying it had received […]
Money headed to Michigan schools to help with COVID testing
By Tracie Mauriello (Bridge Michigan) Michigan lawmakers have approved the release of more than a billion federal dollars they hope will keep school doors open and eliminate the need for districts to revert to virtual learning. The House and Senate voted to disperse $1.2 billion in federal pandemic-relief funds including $150.8 million for COVID-19 tests for […]
A Grand Rapids lake and the consequences of Michigan’s road salt addiction
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) On the surface, Church Lake looks like a shining example of the glacier-carved lakes that are Michigan’s pride, its clear shallows teeming with heron, turtles, frogs and fish. “It’s what’s lurking underneath that’s the issue,” said Ellen Foley, a graduate researcher studying the lake’s chemistry. Meters beneath its vibrant surface, […]
Michigan Supreme Court dismisses redistricting suit over Black representation
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — The Michigan Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against the state’s new independent redistricting commission that alleged new maps illegally dilute the power of Black voters. Plaintiffs, including state lawmakers who are part of the Legislature’s Detroit Caucus, failed to prove a violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, […]
Deaths exceed births in Michigan. Blame COVID, but long-term trends are grim
Mike Wilkinson (Michigan Health Watch, Bridge Michigan) Deaths now exceed births in Michigan. That’s bad news for the economy, and a problem that has been years in the making. The COVID-19 pandemic super-charged a demographic nightmare that’s been brewing for years. In 2019, deaths exceeded births in 55 of 83 counties, and demographers warned that was a […]
Michigan’s $7 million ‘tampon tax’ is officially over
by Zahra Ahmad (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — As of Thursday, Michigan women and their families no longer have to pay the state’s so-called “tampon tax” on feminine hygiene products. In November, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation exempting menstrual products from the state’s 6 percent sales and use tax. The repeal officially took effect this week. […]
Michigan petition seeks 9 days of early voting, funds for absentee ballots
By Sergio Martínez-Beltrán LANSING — A coalition of voting-rights groups is launching a ballot initiative to change the Michigan Constitution to allow early voting and publicly subsidize absentee ballots. The ballot proposal, Promote the Vote 2022, could cancel a different initiative pushed by Republicans that would tighten election laws and require voter IDs. Khalilah Spencer, […]
Michigan DNR camping reservations up 8 percent. Book now for busy sites.
By Zahra Ahmad (Bridge Michigan) Reservations for Michigan state park’s campgrounds are up by 8 percent compared to this time last year, and popular sites are going fast. Campers can reserve overnight stays at state parks six months in advance. Those wishing to spend the summer holidays there should not wait to book a reservation, […]
Virtual learning and the end of Michigan snow days
By Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) Will school snow days soon be a thing of the past? As a winter storm swept through Michigan Wednesday, many schools closed for winter weather, but Detroit Public Schools Community District and Ann Arbor Public Schools pivoted to online learning. Both districts had already used up the number of days the state allotted to cancel […]
