The first day of college was also a bit chaotic at U-M after the university shut down internet service due to a ‘security concern,’ leaving many students confused about class locations.
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 inTalent & Education
University of Michigan graduate student workers poised to end long strike
U-M grad student instructors and staff assistants would win significant pay raises under the tentative deal following a bitter strike. Leaders hope to finalize the deal by Friday before the fall semester begins.
Posted inTalent & Education
Angst in Ann Arbor as school board poised to oust longtime superintendent
Some Ann Arbor Public Schools board members say it is time for a change in leadership, as teachers’ groups defend Superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift. Both sides accuse the other of lacking transparency.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan school tutoring funds not likely until spring state officials say
Michigan’s record education budget includes $150 million set aside for tutoring to help students recover from pandemic learning loss. But the state’s strict approval process means a wait until possibly March for the money.
Posted inTalent & Education
The future of student loan forgiveness: What to know in Michigan
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Biden’s plan for widespread loan forgiveness in June. But there are other ways to get federal student loans forgiven. Plus, Michigan has a new program to help teachers pay back their loans.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan State approves alcohol sales at Spartan Stadium this fall
MSU officials hope they can sell alcohol at home football games and other sporting venues this season. One MSU official estimates the school will sell about $250,000 in alcohol sales per home football game.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan back-to-school COVID, flu vaccine requirements, and RSV too
A flurry of news about vaccines and boosters adds to family to-do lists as schools prepare to reopen for a new year. Bridge turned to four medical experts to help parents (and college students) sort through it.
Posted inTalent & Education
As school returns, Flint and Grand Rapids rethink their backpack bans
The two city districts made national news this spring by banning backpacks to prevent guns or contraband from entering schools. After a summer of reflection, they tweaked their policies and are hoping for the best.
Posted inTalent & Education
What to know about Michigan’s universal free school meals program
Michigan lawmakers approved funding for public schools this year to offer free meals to all students, pre-K through 12th grade, regardless of income. Child nutrition experts are pushing to make the funding permanent.
Posted inTalent & Education
In Las Vegas, firms pitch mass-shooter security to schools. Does it work?
Michigan has invested $335 million in school security since the 2021 Oxford High School shootings. Concern over shootings has yielded a gold-rush of security vendors offering schools everything from robotic dogs to bulletproof whiteboards.