Science says school masks work. Public opinion is another issue in Michigan
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) The science is clear: Masks in schools can prevent the spread of COVID-19, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has steadfastly resisted growing calls for a statewide mandate. That’s partly because of several other factors — the uneven spread of the virus among Michigan’s two peninsulas, divided public opinion and the belief that local […]
Michigan budget boosts ambulance services slowed by worker shortage
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge Michigan) After years grappling with a shortage of emergency response workers, leaders in the Michigan ambulance industry are applauding a $12.9 million state funding increase they say should help close that gap. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday signed Michigan’s $70 billion budget, which includes the extra revenue for emergency services, which will […]
How Michigan State University helped 77 Afghans escape the Taliban
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) When Sara Qaderi enrolled in a Michigan State University program designed to train Afghan wheat researchers at Kabul University, she thought she was destined for a career helping farmers cope with Afghanistan’s arid climate. It’s important work in a country where wheat shortages are a leading cause of hunger and […]
Michigan Republicans propose ‘fix’ for state unemployment agency
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Describing jobless constituents driven to tears by bureaucracy and miscommunication, Michigan House Republicans on Tuesday outlined plans to improve customer service at the state’s unemployment insurance agency. The six-part proposal, which has not yet been formally introduced, is “just the beginning,” House Oversight Chair Steve Johnson, R-Wayland, promised in […]
Michigan Senate passes bill to help teachers spot student mental illness
By Tracie Mauriello, Chalkbeat Detroit (for Bridge Michigan) Help could soon be on the way for Michigan teachers who want to identify signs of students’ mental health problems before they grow into crises. The state Senate passed a bill Wednesday requiring the Michigan Department of Education to develop standards for educators for recognizing mental health needs […]
What to know about Secure MI Vote initiative: security or suppression?
by Jonathan Oosting, Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) Petitions to tighten Michigan voting and election laws could soon hit the streets after the Board of State Canvassers on Thursday granted tentative approval to an initiative by the Secure MI Vote committee. The Republican group aims to collect at least 340,047 voter signatures to send its initiative to the state […]
Michigan parks are popular, but underfunded. They want some COVID money.
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) MACKINAC ISLAND—As the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered schools, stores, offices and restaurants, Michigan’s parks were among the few destinations that remained open. In fact, they welcomed more patrons than ever before, as Michiganders and out-of-state visitors grasped for a safe way to recreate, exercise, and mollify the […]
Michigan Republicans aim to restrict school discussion of systemic racism
by Tracie Mauriello, Chalkbeat Detroit (Bridge Michigan) LANSING—Republican legislators marched headlong into the culture wars Tuesday, holding a hearing on legislation that critics say threatens to limit how race and racism are taught in Michigan public schools. Under the House measure, schools would be banned from teaching students that racism and sexism are inherent or that […]
Pfizer COVID vaccine booster approved for Michiganders. Now what?
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots will be available to hundreds of thousands of Michiganders as early as next week, after a startling, post-midnight decision by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention early Friday. A CDC advisory panel had recommended the boosters on Thursday for older people and those with higher […]
Michigan top doc Khaldun leaves state COVID role for private sector
by Kelly House, Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Michigan’s chief medical executive and one of the most visible faces of the state’s emergency pandemic response, will leave state government next week to take a job in the private sector. “I will be moving on to a new opportunity in the private sector (details forthcoming […]
