Trump says he’ll close the Department of Education and crack down on ‘Marxist maniacs infecting’ colleges. Will he follow through?
Isabel Lohman
Isabel Lohman reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan, tracking how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. She has closely reported on literacy, absenteeism and special education. Isabel was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit's 2026 Young Journalist of the Year award. Before joining Bridge, she covered children's issues for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee, reporting on COVID-19 in schools and communities coping with gun violence.
Isabel grew up outside of Chicago and has a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2022.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan Dems want to overhaul sex ed, allow schools to distribute condoms
The plan would require sex ed instruction to include consent, contraceptives and ‘all legally available pregnancy outcomes,’ including abortion.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan voters OK $640M in school bonds but reject nearly 4 in 10 requests
Voters approved 62% of local tax requests for school bonds. Conservative regions were much more likely to reject them.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Republicans win most open seats on Michigan education, university boards
Michigan voters mostly selected Republicans to fill open seats on the State Board of Education and the boards of three universities.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Trans rights fight returns as wedge in Michigan elections
Biden changed Title IX rules to protect LGBTQ kids in schools. Now, conservatives are running to change it back.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Who’s running for Michigan university boards? Get to know the candidates
Did you know you have a say in who leads Michigan’s public universities?
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
Michigan made school meals free for all. Students ate it up
More than 140,000 more students ate free lunch last year. It cost $190 million, but experts say it’s good for learning.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
First-year student enrollment down at Michigan universities
As financial aid delays racked up this spring, officials worried enrollment would suffer. Now, state numbers show some schools saw steeper declines than others.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
From TikTok to tailgates, Trump and Harris woo young Michigan voters
Young voters could make or break the election. But in Michigan, low turnout is the norm.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
In Michigan, voters sour on school bonds. Once an easy sell, half now fail
Some 10% of Michigan districts are going to voters with tax requests in November. Taxes for roads and public safety still overwhelmingly pass, but the success rate of school bonds has plummeted in recent years.
