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Michigan elections FAQ: Are noncitizens registered to vote when obtaining state ID?
A reader asks Bridge if noncitizens acquiring a driver’s license are automatically registered to vote. U.S. citizens who apply for a driver’s license in Michigan are automatically registered to vote, enhancing access to elections. According to the Michigan Secretary of State, noncitizens can apply for a driver’s license...
Audit: Michigan child welfare system slow, leaving kids at risk
A report by Michigan’s auditor general blasts the state’s child welfare system, saying staff move too slowly on investigations. The head of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services called the auditor general’s work “deceitful and dishonest”. The audit was released Tuesday, just a week after...
2024 Michigan elections: Democratic legislator calls for Biden withdraw
Last updated: Tuesday, July 9, at 11:15 a.m. This post will be continuously updated with political and campaign news through the Nov. 5 general election. State Rep. Phil Skaggs of Grand Rapids has become Michigan’s first Democratic legislator to publicly call for President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid.
As Biden reassures Democrats, cracks emerge in Michigan’s united front
Some Michigan Democrats voicing concern over President Joe Biden’s candidacy but stopping short of calling for him to drop out. The president visits Detroit Friday in a crucial week to prove his vitality and viability following a poor debate performance. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she’s not interested in...
Bridge elections FAQ video: Biden weaknesses, Slotkin strengths and more
LANSING — Some Democrats are calling on President Joe Biden to end his re-election bid, but officials in Michigan have largely been hesitant to enter the national debate, Bridge reporters said Monday during an election FAQ live show. Watch the full episode in the player below to hear reporters...
Consumers, DTE to expand EV charger network in Michigan
Consumers Energy will help install 1,500 public fast-chargers by 2030. That’s a 44% increase in the number of public chargers in Michigan. The state remains far behind its goal of installing 100,000 public chargers by 2030. Michigan utilities say they’re stepping up efforts to expand the state’s electric vehicle...
What is Project 2025? And what would it mean for Michigan?
Former President Donald Trump has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025 in recent days, writing on social media that he has “nothing to do” with the effort that calls for a massive overhaul of the federal government should a Republican president be elected in November. (Bridge photo by Dale Young)
As Ford downsizes battery plant, Michigan slashes over $600M in incentives
State officials have agreed to trim over $625 million in incentives from the $1 billion package it offered Ford to encourage its BlueOval Battery Park in Calhoun County. Once planned for over 700 acres, with 2,500 jobs, Ford now will develop roughly 500 acres and add 1,700 jobs. . (Bridge photo by David Ruck)
Hurricane Beryl could bring nasty weather, floods to Michigan this week
Michigan could be hit with severe weather this week as Hurricane Beryl approaches Texas. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in Michigan between Tuesday and Wednesday. The storm could also affect weather in states from Louisiana to Illinois. Hurricane Beryl, which has swept through several Caribbean islands, has slowed to...
How to protect pets during Michigan’s blue-green algae season
Harmful blue-green algae fouls Michigan lakes, kills dogs and sickens humans. The algae is caused by heat and excess nutrients, typically blooming from July to October. If you visit Michigan beaches this summer, keep your dogs, kids and yourself out of green scum. July in Michigan is prime time for...
To stop bird flu, Michigan must protect farmworkers
Experts are sounding the alarm: Michigan is “ground zero” for the bird flu crisis in the United States. H5N1, as the strain is officially known, is a highly contagious form of avian influenza that has been spreading in chickens and turkeys for years and recently made the jump to cows and other mammals –– including humans.
Bridge Michigan News Quiz: July 6, 2024. Holiday happenings
We’re blessed to live in a land of freedom and free news quizzes. So light a sparkler, toast Uncle Sam, shake a fist at England and test your smarts about the week that was in Michigan. If you get a perfect score, don’t forget to open the window and...
4 issues to watch as U.S. auto industry changes affect Michigan
• The U.S. auto industry is adapting to slower than anticipated electric vehicle sales, which in turn is slowing EV job growth. EV sales data for the first half of the year shows fluctuations. Uncertainty is a growing theme for the year, experts said. Auto manufacturing remains a cornerstone of...
Q&A: Michigan Teacher of the Year fears ‘mass exodus’ of instructors
Kelley Cusmano is Michigan’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. The Rochester High School English teacher said the pressure placed on educators today leads too many good teachers to leave the profession. She hopes to advocate for teacher retention. Kelley Cusmano says she’s always had the heart of a teacher....
Where are the Michigan men? College increasingly a female dominated pursuit
The gap between male and female students is rising at Michigan colleges and universities. Women who graduated in 2023 made up nearly 58% of those attending four-year schools, up from 55% for the class of 2013. Men appear to be choosing work over school, lured by plentiful jobs and rising...
Michigan police agencies are cracking down on speeding in July
The Michigan State Police and local law enforcement agencies will be enforcing speed limits during July. More officers will be stationed on the road to look out for speeding and other dangerous driving behaviors. The statewide campaign is aimed at reducing the number of speed-related crashes. Lead-footed drivers beware: The...
In Obamacare health coverage, could — and should — Michigan go it alone?
Michiganders who need health insurance can turn to the online federal marketplace to buy individual coverage. More than 400,000 Michiganders are covered that way. A proposed law would wrest control from Washington, enabling the state to set up its own exchange. Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders could see savings in...
Once solidly red, northwest Michigan offers fighting chance for Democrats
TRAVERSE CITY, MI — Less than a decade ago, northwest Michigan Democrats considered themselves lucky if they found people willing to run for offices, let alone win them. Demographic shifts, local organizing efforts and friendlier legislative maps have since opened doors for Democrats: the once reliably conservative counties of Grand Traverse and Benzie joined neighboring Leelanau County in becoming more competitive.
Michigan HOAs can’t ban solar panels under newly passed bill
The Homeowners’ Energy Policy Act would prohibit homeowners associations from banning rooftop solar panels and other green improvements. It passed on party lines and awaits Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature. Proponents applaud the bill for removing barriers to renewable energy, while opponents fear the bill undermines neighborhoods’ authority.
Michigan opens first public EV charging network for off-road vehicles
The nation’s first public EV charging network for off-road vehicles is now open in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Proponents say they hope for continued expansion, but it may be a while before the average trail-rider goes electric. Michigan’s nascent electric transportation sector is expanding to the trail-riding crowd, with...
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Bridge Magazine is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that provides passionate and rooted Michigan readers with honest, fact-driven journalism on the state’s diverse people, politics, and economy. We serve as your watchdog on the biggest issues impacting your daily life, giving you insightful coverage you can’t get anywhere else.
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