A construction company that had contracted to build a health park in Clare has returned nearly $5 million from a nonprofit whose founder is facing related embezzlement charges.
Simon D. Schuster
Simon D. Schuster is a Capitol Reporter for Bridge Michigan. Simon joined Bridge Michigan in 2024 after working as MLive's senior political reporter and later covering politics on their investigative team. He spent three years tracking the influence of political money in Michigan as executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonpartisan nonprofit. A Michigan native, Simon received a bachelor's and a master of public policy from Michigan State University, where he was a policy fellow at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Outside of work you'll find him in Detroit, backpacking northern Michigan or visiting his fiancée in Scandinavia. He lives in Lansing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan gains 28k residents, reversing losses to other states
For the first time in decades, more people moved to Michigan from other states in 2025 than vice versa, according to new US Census Bureau Estimates. International migration was the primary population growth driver.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan AG Nessel sues big oil over ‘cartel’-like plot to kill clean energy
In a lawsuit expected to be filed today, Nessel alleges some of the world’s largest oil companies colluded to suppress the development of EVs and clean energy to keep Americans reliant on fossil fuels.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers: Block kids from AI chatbots, limit social media
Tech companies would have to verify user ages before they could access AI-driven chatbots under a new online safety proposal from Michigan Senate Democrats.
Posted inMichigan Government
‘Thumb on the scale’? Dems fund early launch in battle for Michigan Senate
Early primary spending by Michigan Senate Democrats shows how ‘party elites’ can influence elections, said one expert.
Posted inMichigan Government
Judge: Freeze funding cut by House GOP. Michigan: Most of it already committed
Michigan judge freezes funding House Republicans voted to block. But roughly 70% of it has already been ‘encumbered,’ according to a state attorney.
Posted inMichigan Government
What Garlin Gilchrist’s switch means for Michigan governor, SOS races
Jocelyn Benson is happy Garlin Gilchrist is no longer running for governor. Democrats already running for secretary of state aren’t happy he’s joined their race, arguing the post is ‘not a consolation prize.’
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House GOP sues to try to block $645M restored after Nessel opinion
Michigan House Republicans are again attempting to block $645 million in previously approved state spending. Attorney General Dana Nessel was wrong to call the move unconstitutional, they argue.
Posted inMichigan Government
Before road funding deal, road builder money flowed to Michigan lawmakers
Political donations by road builders doubled in 2025 as Michigan lawmakers negotiated a road funding deal. Much of the money flowed in August, when industry officials spent big at a fundraiser for House Speaker Matt Hall’s political action committee.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Abuse, neglect common in Michigan nursing homes — and no one is coming to help
A Bridge investigation finds 5,900 cases of abuse, neglect or care woes at state nursing homes, including nearly three dozen deaths. Advocates say change is needed, but no reform is pending in Lansing.