Not everyone in Traverse City and other coastal vacation hubs are geeked at the arrival of tourists on Memorial Day weekend, days after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lifted restrictions on northern Michigan businesses.
Alexandra Schmidt
Former Public Engagement Reporter
Alexandra Schmidt is the Public Engagement Reporter at Bridge Magazine. From 2017 to 2019, she worked in the Public Engagement Team at the Center for Michigan, Bridge’s publisher, where she spoke with thousands of Michiganders to identify resident priorities for the state legislature. She amplified those views straight to state leaders by writing, delivering, and promoting the Center’s annual Citizen’s Agenda. Previously, she worked with HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, the Big 10 Network, TBS, and Comedy Central. She holds a bachelor’s degree with high honors in Urban Studies from the University of Michigan.
Posted inUrban Affairs
Hit hard by coronavirus, Detroit gets creative to boost census counts
Detroit had marshaled huge resources to boost census participation. Then came COVID-19. Now, as cases decline, the city is trying to play catchup because millions of dollars are at stake from an accurate count.
Posted inMichigan Government
How Democratic presidential candidates would reform immigration
Democrats campaigning in Michigan’s March 10 primary want to reverse most of President Trump’s immigration policies, advocating for a path to citizenship, new types of visas and more help for refugees.
Posted inMichigan Government
Citizenship question is gone. Michigan immigrants still distrust the Census
Fears persist that census data will be used to target minority populations for deportation, shaping outreach efforts and likely reducing the number of people that will respond to the census.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michiganders accept climate change but say others more likely to suffer
Yale polling data find most Michigan residents believe in climate change, are worried about it, and think it’ll harm people in the United States. But they also believe they won’t be impacted personally.
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Bridge membership director honored for leadership by Oakland County
Amber DeLind was recognized as one of Oakland County’s Elite 40 under 40 for her work helping spark policy changes in Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Wary of water safety, Michigan residents want stronger regulation
Polling by The Center for Michigan of more than 3,100 residents shows broad support for increased regulations to protect waterways and heightened anxieties about their safety.
Posted inMichigan Government
How Democratic presidential candidates want to change higher education
Lower (or free) college tuition? Erasing student loan debt? Democrats running for president have big ideas about cutting the cost of higher education. Here’s a primer on where each candidate stands.
Posted inMichigan Government
Detroit has a lot riding on 2020 Census. Can enlisting neighbors boost count?
Detroit is considered one of the hardest cities in the nation to count in the Census, and is working hard to increase participation in some neighborhoods. Plenty of distrust remains, though, as evidenced by efforts in the small east side neighborhood of Yorkshire Woods.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Loving this mild Michigan winter? Outdoor enthusiasts sure aren’t.
Michigan’s tepid winter is stressing ski hills, snowmobile clubs, sporting good stores and restaurants alike. Get used to it. This could be the new normal with climate change, experts say.