The state of Michigan has frozen 340,000 unemployment accounts, blocking cash assistance for jobless residents while it investigates suspected fraud by imposters seeking to take advantage of enhanced benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said Friday.
Jonathan Oosting
Jonathan is a deputy editor for Bridge Michigan. He helps plan and execute in-depth reporting and campaign coverage. As a longtime political reporter, Jonathan was named 2021 Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Press Association. He and a colleague shared that honor again in 2023, when they were also named Journalists of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists – Detroit Chapter. Jonathan covered the state Capitol for The Detroit News and MLive before joining Bridge in September of 2019. He's from Grand Rapids, lives in Lansing and loves spending time Up North.
Posted inMichigan Government
From coronavirus to unrest, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shaped by crises
Her agenda waylaid by one emergency after another, Gretchen Whitmer now faces civil unrest in Michigan’s biggest cities. Add in a huge deficit and she could spend her term in reaction mode — provided she doesn’t leave for D.C.
Posted inMichigan Government
What Whitmer’s new coronavirus order means for Michigan summer plans
Bottle returns can resume June 15. Drive-ins, immediately. Ditto for housekeeping services. But you have to wait until next week for restaurants and bars. And still no word on when tattoo shops, hairdressers and trampoline parks can reopen.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Gov. Whitmer: Trump ‘determined to sow the seeds of hatred’
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer blasted President Donald Trump after he reportedly lashed out at governors, telling them to “dominate” protesters or “you’re going to look like a bunch of jerks.”
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer lifts stay-at-home order, will allow bars and restaurants to open statewide
Gretchen Whitmer will allow the rest of the state to follow the lead of northern Michigan next week as she lifts coronavirus restrictions, sources tell Bridge Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan continues to stumble in tracking coronavirus in nursing homes
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services acknowledges its count of nursing home COVID-19 cases is likely inaccurate. And the agency still cannot accurately list how many senior residents have died from virus complications.
Posted inMichigan Government
How Michigan can save $80M and give state workers a raise amid coronavirus
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is utilizing a federal “work share” program to furlough state employees one day per week. Because of federal benefits, many state workers will earn more than they would have working five days per week.
Posted inMichigan Government
Feds back Michigan businesses in suit against Whitmer’s coronavirus orders
The U.S. Department of Justice announced late Friday that it is backing a lawsuit against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, arguing she “imposed arbitrary and irrational limits” on businesses to fight COVID-19.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Whitmer: I didn’t OK Dem firm for coronavirus project, despite emails
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday disputed a health department official’s characterization that her office gave a “green light” for the state to hire a Democratic campaign consultant’s firm to lead a volunteer COVID-19 contact tracing program.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan nursing homes linked to 1 in 4 coronavirus deaths. Tally will grow.
As questions swirl about transparency of Michigan nursing home data, a Democratic lawmaker slams Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s policies that required homes to accept COVID-19 patients as an ‘epic fail.’