A strong majority of Michiganders say the state must reduce the number of schools relying on long-term substitutes and find ways to ensure trained teachers are educating students, Bridge Magazine polling shows.
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 inMichigan Environment Watch
How to weigh in on Michigan’s proposed limits on PFAS in drinking water
The state has proposed maximum contaminant limits for seven PFAS compounds in Michigan drinking water. Here’s what they are, and how you can weigh in on the limits.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan Democrats take aim at Nestlé. Farmers urge caution.
Amid tensions on water diversions, Democrats propose legislation that would limit Nestlé’s ability to pump Michigan groundwater and export it out of the state. But farmers say such a law threatens their groundwater rights.
Posted inMichigan Government
A guide to Michigan’s 2020 Census: jobs, scams, citizen issues
So many changes in next year’s census, from online and phone options to new doubts about issues of confidentiality, particularly among undocumented residents. Bridge answers some of the most commonly asked questions.
Posted inTalent & Education
Detroit Chamber: Metro students must finish degrees to find good jobs
The Detroit Regional Chamber’s first State of Education report bemoans high dropout rates in postsecondary education, leaving students with debt but not the credentials to get solid jobs with local employers.
Posted inMichigan Government
Residents in these Michigan cities said yes to pot. Their leaders said no.
Fourteen towns heavily burdened by marijuana convictions voted to legalize recreational pot last year. But city officials put the brakes on opening a marijuana business, at least for now.
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Get tickets for Lansing event on growth of long-term substitute teachers
Bridge Magazine uncovered that up to 50,000 K-12 students in Michigan are being taught by long-term (often uncertified) substitute teachers. You can weigh in and hear experts talk about this troubling trend, and how to fix it.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan teachers: Flunking won’t help kids read. We have better ideas.
Bridge spoke with 29 Michigan teachers in a Facebook group about the read or flunk law that hits third-graders this year. They’re dubious the law will improve literacy but have plenty of other ideas.
Posted inSpecial report
How to have your voice heard during the Your Water, Your Voice campaign
The Center for Michigan is hitting the road to find out how residents view management of the state’s waters. Here’s how to have your voice included in our Citizens Water Agenda, which will be delivered to every state leader.
Posted inMichigan Government
What to know about the Michigan minimum wage law before the Supreme Court
Michigan’s high court will hear oral arguments Wednesday on whether Republican efforts to pass the ballot measure, then gut it, violated the constitution. That does not mean the court will decide the matter, at least right now.