Feds: Michigan trying to ‘brush aside’ school discrimination complaint
by Hannah Dellinger, Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan) Federal officials accused the Michigan Department of Education of seeking to “shield itself from any scrutiny” in its violation of the rights of students with disabilities during COVID-era school closures, according to a recent court filing. In the court filing last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil […]
Whitmer touts free community college. It’s not true for all Michigan kids
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and fellow Democrats are touting a new state-funded Michigan “guarantee” she says will grant “tuition-free community college for every high school graduate,” beginning this fall. But there’s a catch: Roughly one in five Michigan students won’t get the full benefit — they’ll only get a discount — because they don’t […]
Rite Aid confirms exit from Michigan market with latest store closings
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) The final Rite Aid locations are officially slated for closing in a new set of bankruptcy documents. Notices of intent to close 38 Michigan stores were filed Aug. 2, 5, and 9, wrapping up the final list of Rite Aids locations in Michigan. “All stores in Michigan have been submitted on the […]
Worn-out caregiver? Not alone. 1 in 3 Michigan women aged 50+ care for others
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) More than 1 in 3 Michigan women 50 and older are caregiving for at least one person with a health condition or disability, according to state data extracted from a national survey. It’s a responsibility that — while it offers rewards and moments of joy and laughter — can exact […]
MSU has audacious goal: Cattle production that actually helps water quality
by Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue (for Bridge Michigan) LAKE CITY, MI – Two facts about Michigan agriculture are scarcely recognized outside the fences and beyond the drainage ditches of the state’s 45,000 farms. The first: farming is among the most technologically sophisticated industrial sectors in Michigan and every other state. Second: livestock farms are […]
Michigan primary results: Elissa Slotkin, Mike Rogers win U.S. Senate races
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Mike Rogers won Tuesday’s U.S. Senate primaries in Michigan, setting the stage for a high-stakes general election showdown between the current and former members of congress. With both candidates out to commanding leads in partial results, The Associated Press called the races at 9 p.m. […]
Michigan opens thousands of miles of trails to e-bikes with new policy
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) E-bike riders just gained access to thousands of miles of trials across Michigan. During a meeting of the state Natural Resources Commission on Thursday, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Scott Bowen signed a land use order dramatically expanding e-bike access on state-managed trails. DNR officials touted the new policy as a […]
In Michigan, criminal charges and election denying no barrier to ballot victory
by Hayley Harding, Votebeat (for Bridge Michigan) A self-proclaimed “constitutional sheriff,” a township clerk facing felony charges, and a county clerk candidate who wants to “hand count every ballot cast at the end of each voting day” sailed through their Republican primaries Tuesday, earning themselves spots on November’s ballot and likely victory. The results are […]
Michigan officials ask for federal disaster declaration for cherry industry
by Jenelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Michigan is one of the top cherry producers in the world but state officials say crop production has been a “disaster” this year because of extreme weather patterns. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Aug. 2 requesting a federal disaster declaration, which could provide businesses in […]
What to know about Michigan’s pending minimum wage changes
by Paula Gardner, Jordyn Hermani, & Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Massive changes to the state’s minimum wage and paid-time-off laws will likely take effect in early 2025 following a ruling issued Wednesday by the Michigan Supreme Court. The ruling means more money in the hands of the lowest-wage workers, but business owners warn it could lead to business […]
