Michigan leaders gather on Mackinac amid deep divides, economic apathy
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Organizers of an annual conference that draws many of Michigan top business executives and political power players say they aim to tackle deep partisan divides they view as impediments to progress. The 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference kicks off Tuesday and will focus on attracting business and new jobs to Michigan, […]
Return of bald eagles to the Great Lakes could hold lessons for humans
by Emma McIntosh, The Narwhal (Bridge Michigan) Growing up in a shiny Toronto-area suburb lined with concrete and puny trees, the only bald eagles Sheetal Rawal saw in the 1980s were in her imagination or on TV. It wasn鈥檛 for lack of trying. Inspired by a聽particularly stirring episode聽of 鈥淎lvin and the Chipmunks鈥 鈥斅爐he gang goes […]
Cruising the Great Lakes: 20,000 passengers expected to set sail in ’24
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) While the Michigan cruise industry may not offer the same attractions as those that operate out of the Caribbean, Mediterranean and other well-known destinations, tourism officials expect a robust season. Cruise The Great Lakes,聽an organization that promotes cruising in the region, predicts that there will be more than 140,000 […]
Michigan farmworker is 2nd known human case of bird flu in nation this year
A Michigan dairy worker has become only the second person in the nation this year known to have contracted聽highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu. The pathogen 鈥 influenza A (H5) 鈥 already has infected cattle herds, turkeys and millions of chickens in Michigan as part of a聽national outbreak. In March, a Texas farmworker was […]
As Michigan becomes abortion destination, foes and advocates expand services
by Robin Erb (Bridge Michigan) GRAND RAPIDS 鈥斅燩erhaps nowhere in the state of Michigan is the expanding divide in Michigan abortion politics more literal now than on both sides of two thick strips of asphalt. To the east of these side-by-side driveways is the聽Irwin/Martin Health Center, a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic which in February聽began offering聽procedural […]
Michigan elections FAQ: How to find information about local candidates
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) This month, Bridge Michigan launched its聽Ask Bridge Anything聽feature in its聽Voter Guide聽that invites readers to ask questions that are promptly answered. The latest question comes from a reader who asks: 鈥淗ow do I find out more about candidates for county and township elections in southeast Michigan?鈥 It a good question, and […]
More students graduating in four years from Michigan public universities
by Isabel Lohman (Bridge Michigan) More Michigan public university students are earning a degree within four years, according to聽new data聽that is good news for graduates and schools struggling to promote themselves amid enrollment declines. For students who started in the fall 2019, 58.3% completed a bachelor degree 鈥 or in a small number of cases, […]
Michigan Democrats target income discrimination in affordable housing push
by Lauren Gibbons聽 (Bridge Michigan) A plan from Michigan Democrats would bar most landlords from turning away tenants based on the source of income they use to pay rent, a concept that has gained traction in other states but faces stiff opposition from conservatives here. Advocates for the change say low-income residents who qualify for […]
Michigan expert: 鈥楴o Mow May鈥 not all it cracked up to be
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) It that time of year again: 鈥淣o Mow May,鈥 the annual initiative that discourages residents in Michigan and around the globe from mowing their lawns to promote a diverse habitat for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. The idea is that, by letting clovers, dandelions and other weeds grow, pollinators […]
Michigan largest egg farm lays off 400 workers amid bird flu outbreak
by Paula Gardner聽 (Bridge Michigan) Michigan largest egg producer is laying off 40% of its staff as the company and state agriculture officials grapple with the spread of聽avian flu. Herbruck Poultry Ranch聽told the state on Wednesday that it launched a mass layoff affecting 400 workers across five of its facilities in Ionia County. The layoffs […]
