No thanks: 45 conservative Michigan towns decline federal stimulus money
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Small towns in Michigan have plenty of needs — from water infrastructure to broadband access — but officials in 45 communities are saying no thanks to federal stimulus funds intended to help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Rural and conservative, townships like Cambria in south Michigan, Broomfield in Isabella […]
‘Labor shortages are not going away’ in Michigan. Is automation the answer?
By Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan employers got a sign this month that the labor shortage that has left many scrambling to fill positions — and raise wages to attract workers — is improving, just in time for holiday hiring. Still more hires are expected over the next few months, based on the last two months’ […]
Ignore the buzz; here’s why Enbridge Line 5 won’t likely close anytime soon
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan), Lester Graham (Michigan Radio) Anyone following recent national and international news about the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline could be forgiven for believing the pipeline might shutter any day now, with major implications for winter fuel prices. But a year since Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the pipeline shuttered over safety concerns, […]
As hunting wanes, fear of a southern Michigan deer invasion grows
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) On a residential street a mile from the nearest shopping mall, Matt DeLong parks his truck and slips into his hunting camo. Crossbow in arm, he trudges to a hunting blind that affords him a bird’s-eye view of dog-walkers, joggers, and the sizable deer herd that frequents this 34-acre natural […]
Reduce flooding from backed up sewers? There’s an app for that in Michigan
By Lester Graham, Michigan Radio (for Bridge Michigan) In areas where floods were once rare, now some neighborhoods are flooding repeatedly. Stormwater sewers are being overwhelmed by more intense storms. Most of the solutions call for big pipes and expensive construction. A group of researchers is instead helping cities use their current systems better. There’s […]
With billions in the bank, House GOP proposes $250M for Michigan police
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan House Republicans on Wednesday proposed a $250 million plan that aims to boost police recruitment and retention, their opening salvo in long-delayed negotiations on how to spend nearly $6 billion in federal stimulus funds still available to the state. “I think this is something we can start building some […]
Judge approves $626 million settlement in Flint water crisis
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A judge has approved a $626.25 million settlement in the Flint water crisis, but has not yet decided how much money goes to residents and how much lawyers keep. In a Wednesday opinion, U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy rejected all objections to the settlement of claims against the state […]
Michigan to allow two-year vehicle registration
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Beginning next fall, Michigan drivers can renew their vehicle registration every two years — instead of annually — under a new law signed this week by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. In signing the Republican-sponsored bill, the Democratic governor said the policy change will save drivers a trip to the Secretary of […]
Facing COVID vaccine mandates, these Michigan residents just said no
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Michigan) One walked away from a job he loves rather than take a vaccine he hates. Two medical professionals were ready to do the same. Another now travels the state preaching against what he calls the tyranny of mandatory inoculation. These four Michiganders are among those who have risked their jobs […]
Michigan redistricting commission relents, creates majority-Black maps for House
by Sergio Martínez-Beltrán (Bridge Michigan) LANSING— After pushback from African-American leaders over political districts, Michigan’s redistricting panel on Thursday proposed a new state House configuration that creates majority-Black districts in Detroit. The latest map comes after weeks of back and forth between Detroit-area commissioners and the panel, and after hundreds of concerns regarding the commission’s […]
