Judge sides with Whitmer in emergency powers standoff with Legislature
By Riley Beggin (Bridge) Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is legally allowed to extend a statewide state of emergency without the Legislature approval, a Court of Claims judge ruled Thursday. The ruling is likely not the end of the legal battle between Whitmer and GOP leaders in the House and Senate, as the case is expected […]
Dana Nessel and Enbridge argue Line 5 pipeline shutdown to Michigan judge
By Kelly House (Bridge) Should the Line 5 pipelines under the Straits of Mackinac ever have been built? That was the central question Friday as lawyers for the state of Michigan and Canadian petroleum giant Enbridge faced off in oral arguments in Ingham County Circuit Court stemming from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel lawsuit challenging […]
Midland flooding highlights Michigan aging stockpile of neglected dams
By Paula Gardner,聽Meghanlata Gupta (Bridge) The rushing waters out of two failed dams near Midland highlight a flood risk that extends beyond the聽mid-Michigan city. In fact, the breaches聽are a wake-up call for the entire state as climate change,聽long-neglected infrastructure systems聽and a lack of funding all raise concerns about the condition (and investment into) Michigan dams. […]
When will Gov. Whitmer reopen Michigan? It complicated. And a bit vague.
by Riley Beggin,聽Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Just over the Michigan border in聽Ohio聽and聽Wisconsin, shoppers again are going to stores after coronavirus stay-home orders ended. In Georgia, residents are not only eating out, but hitting the gym and swimming in public pools. Not so in Michigan, which is joined by just three other states, Washington D.C. and Puerto […]
Michigan $6.2B coronavirus budget gap 鈥榓s bad or worse鈥 than Great Recession
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING 鈥 Michigan lawmakers need to dramatically slash spending, raise taxes or hope for a federal bailout to offset a projected $3.2 billion shortfall and balance next year budget despite what could be another $3 billion loss because of the coronavirus pandemic. That the word from state budget officials, who on […]
Coronavirus came to Michigan earlier than thought, records show
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer first learned the coronavirus had come to Michigan shortly after 8:49 p.m. March 10, with the confirmation of two cases in metro Detroit, internal emails show. Since then, state officials have learned there already were likely 500 infections in Michigan at that time. And nearly 10,000 people […]
Lots of rain, few fireworks at latest protest of Michigan stay-at-home rules
LANSING 鈥 Renea Knight stood behind cardboard prison bars on a sidewalk in front of the Michigan Capitol on Thursday to protest what she called the 鈥渢yranny鈥 of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stay-at-home order. Knute Hill formed a counterprotest on the Capitol lawn, offering a lonely voice of support for Whitmer from inside a circular safe […]
Coronavirus is isolating children. How to help them thrive.
by Brie Zeltner聽 (Bridge) In the Sterling Heights condominium complex where Mary Johnson lives with her 9-year-old son and husband, kids began playing together outdoors as soon as the weather improved. The sounds of shouting and giggling drift in through Johnson windows, a siren call to play that is nearly impossible for a child to […]
Gretchen Whitmer, GOP square off in court over Michigan emergency powers
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) Is Gretchen Whitmer using her just authority as governor to protect Michigan amid a once-in-a-century crisis or setting a dangerous precedent by illegally ignoring the Legislature? That was the question聽before Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens on Friday morning in a showdown between Whitmer and the GOP-led Legislature that could determine […]
Inflammatory syndrome tied to coronavirus sickens two dozen Michigan kids
by Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press (for Bridge) At first, they might not seem that sick. A child might have a fever and a rash that lasts a few days, or cracked lips, red, irritated eyes and a bright red tongue. There might be swollen lymph nodes or stomach pain, gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea […]
