EMS providers battle money, staffing woes in rural Michigan’s ambulance ‘deserts’
Rural emergency medical services in Michigan are burdened by the high cost of keeping crews ready and insurance payouts that fail to cover calls. Hospital closures and mergers and a lack of local dollars aren’t helping matters, leaving local residents in a bind to keep services afloat.
US Education Secretary McMahon urges Whitmer to join schools tax credit plan
US Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Michigan should join 27 other states in a program that lets taxpayers pour money into scholarships for students to attend public or private schools.
Providers face ‘extreme shortage’ of paramedics, EMTs in rural Michigan
Paramedics and EMTs regularly handle the state’s worst medical traumas and receive wages similar to fast-food workers. Even with state assistance to promote workforce development, gaps remain.
Michigan United Conservation Clubs to pause camp, magazines amid financial woes
The group claims to be the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation. Its board president said, ‘It’s tight right now.’
Q&A: Tariff uncertainty far from over for Michigan businesses
‘We’re in another period of great uncertainty, whether one supports the tariffs or not,’ said Christopher Padilla, former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade under President George W. Bush.
Watch: Schools, literacy in focus as Bridge Listens joins WJR
Readers have spoken and education is a top concern in the 2026 election. In the first of a regular collaboration, Bridge Michigan joined WJR’s Kevin Dietz to discuss school funding, local control and unions.
Bridge Michigan News Quiz, March 27: The hills are alive
Have you paid attention to the Michigan news? Then these 10 questions should be easy-peasy
John James: Give governor more say on Michigan schools. ‘The buck stops here’
Republican gubernatorial hopeful John James wants the power to hire and fire the state superintendent. He’s willing to change the Michigan Constitution to get it.
Bridge Listens Issues Watch recap: What do Michigan voters think of education?
Reporters answered reader questions about early childhood access, standardized testing and student engagement.
Political parties, not voters, to pick key Michigan candidates
Michigan is one just three states where political party conventions — rather than primary elections — decide nominees for consequential statewide posts like secretary of state and attorney general.
Looking for a native plant sale? Here are 30+ in Michigan
Native plants provide benefits to the environment and to gardeners.
In Senate race, Mallory McMorrow pitches plan to do data centers ‘right’
Democratic US Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow is stepping into the data center debate, proposing to ban nondisclosure agreements and require developers to cover related infrastructure costs.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer pushes for subsidies, as $261M megasite awaits deal
In her final year in office, the Michigan governor seeks another $150 million for land development. Boosters say that’s necessary to lure jobs. Critics say Michigan’s efforts ignored residents’ wishes.
Inside Michigan’s secret $261M plan to raze homes for megafactory that never came
Documents obtained by Bridge tell the story of one of the biggest gambles of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s tenure. The taxpayer-funded project to lure a major employer to mid-Michigan kept residents and some lawmakers in the dark, demolished neighborhoods and so far has come up empty.
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