A Michigan prosecutor says no thanks to cash bail. Will others follow?
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge) On any given day in jails across Michigan, thousands of inmates sit behind bars as they await a criminal trial for a simple reason: They didn鈥檛 have the money to post bail. Many are in for a variety of non-violent crimes, ranging from traffic offenses to theft to possession of drugs. […]
Robert Gordon out as Michigan health director, as COVID cases plummet
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Robert Gordon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, abruptly resigned Friday 鈥 the same day he ordered that聽restaurants could reopen聽to 25 percent capacity on Feb. 1. It unclear why Gordon resigned, with the former Obama administration official making the announcement on Twitter. 鈥淭oday, I am resigning […]
New Buffalo officials worked through COVID election. One died, 3 infected
by Madeline Halpert (Bridge Michigan) Blair Connin-Richards said her three-year-old daughter Kinslee loved to sing 鈥渉appy birthday鈥 to her grandfather, David Richards, every time she saw him. Richards loved to listen. With a big smile, he would laugh and say 鈥渢hank you,鈥 like he was hearing it for the first time, said Connin-Richards, Richards鈥 daughter. […]
Gov. Whitmer unveils $5.6B COVID plan for Michigan, as GOP eyes fight
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING 鈥 Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last Tuesday unveiled a $5.6 billion COVID-19 鈥渞ecovery plan鈥 to expand vaccine distribution, help schools resume in-person instruction, and aid businesses and residents across Michigan. The plan, which relies almost exclusively on federal funding, sets up a potential showdown with Michigan Republican-led Legislature, where House […]
Joe Biden vowed to guard Michigan waters, create auto jobs. Can he deliver?
by Madeline Halpert (Bridge Michigan) Three days before the Nov. 3 election, President-elect Joe Biden arrived in Flint, alongside former President Barack Obama with a message for Michiganders. “We鈥檝e got a lot of work to do,鈥 he told the crowd at the drive-in event. “If I鈥檓 elected your president, we鈥檙e going to do it. We鈥檙e […]
Michigan to allow indoor dining at 25 percent capacity as COVID eases
By Mike Wilkinson, Paula Gardner (Bridge Michigan) Michigan indoor dining industry will be able to resume serving customers Feb. 1, although capacity will be capped at 25 percent 鈥 with a limit of聽100 people 鈥斅 and doors will have to close at 10 p.m. The news was greeted with relief by the struggling industry, though […]
Michigan economy keeps beating predictions, thanks largely to stimulus
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Federal stimulus spending has limited economic damage in Michigan, online sales have exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines are going into arms, vehicle sales are rebounding and the state is climbing its way out of a 鈥渄eep jobs hole.鈥 That the word from leading economists, who told lawmakers that tax […]
Michigan cities must begin replacing lead pipes. But who has the cash?
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) It the first month of a 20-year effort to replace every lead service line connecting a Michigan home to a public water supply. Already, Jeff Lampi is predicting his city won鈥檛 meet the deadline. 鈥淚 requested an additional 10 years, so that we don鈥檛 hit the ratepayers as hard as […]
Michigan defends COVID vaccine rollout; says it not as bad as data suggest
By Mike Wilkinson (Bridge Michigan) A top Michigan public health official defended the state vaccination rollout on Wednesday and said many more vaccines have been administered than reported. State epidemiologist Sarah Lyon-Callo told Bridge Michigan that the state is doing far better administering the vaccine and blamed reports to the contrary on its data system. […]
Michigan is divided. These 7 reforms can curb partisanship, fix government
By Jonathan Oosting, Madeline Halpert (Bridge Michigan) LANSING 鈥 Riots at the U.S. Capitol as the president refused to accept an election loss. Another impeachment. More arguments over COVID-19 regulations. An open carry gun ban and erection of security fences at the Michigan Capitol. Fresh off one of the most partisan years ever, 2021 is […]
