Bridge Michigan senior environment reporter Kelly House led a virtual panel discussion about the collapsing whitefish population in the lower Great Lakes. Missed the discussion? Watch a recap here.
Justin A. Hinkley
Justin A. Hinkley has worked in journalism for two decades, beginning as a cub reporter at his hometown paper, the Battle Creek Enquirer, where he covered everything from local government to cops and courts to education and everything in between. He then worked as an investigative journalist at the Lansing State Journal, focusing on state government, before moving to the Alpena News, where he served as managing editor and then publisher. He joined Bridge in February 2025. He lives in Alpena with his wife and son and was born and raised in Battle Creek.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan marijuana market cratering, amid oversupply, ‘difficult market’
After years of steady growth, marijuana sales are down, while the number of dispensaries and plants in the ground are increasing. The industry is at a ‘saturation point,’ one says.
Posted inBusiness Watch
On Michigan’s border, marijuana shops spark battle for communities’ soul
Small towns near Indiana and Wisconsin are home to an outsized number of pot dispensaries. That’s helped prop up some community budgets but some wonder at what cost.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Crypto mines a noisy nuisance to some. Should Michigan regulate them?
Pending legislation would make it easier to build crypto mines in Michigan. One Upper Peninsula community knows the mines don’t always make good neighbors.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Crypto mining comes to Michigan. How does it work?
Crypto’s gone increasingly mainstream, but many still don’t understand how the financial technology works. We’re here to help.
Posted inEvents
Watch Bridge Lunch Break on the impact of Trump policies on Michigan
Bridge reporters broke down the impact President Donald Trump has had on Michigan since returning to the White House. You can watch their discussion here.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Mackinac Island fears ‘economic strangulation’ by ferry. Will Lansing step in?
A Florida company has acquired all the ferry operations to the island and raised prices to the tourism Mecca. An Up North legislator wants to give the island more control.
Posted inQuality of Life
Battle Creek seeks to right history, remove channel that moved Black residents
Decades ago, Battle Creek and the federal government destroyed a thriving neighborhood by building a concrete channel through downtown. Now, the city wants to put the river back to its natural state.
Posted inTalent & Education
Kalamazoo learns even free tuition isn’t enough to get kids into college
Twenty years into the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program, officials say they’re having to work harder to help kids succeed and even graduate from high school.
Posted inTalent & Education
Think your homework was tough? In the UP, students had to build a house
Career tech students in Houghton needed hands-on experience. So they spent a year building a house. It went up for sale last weekend.