The historic ice storm that clobbered northern Michigan in late March destroyed at least 150,000 maple trees, meaning a loss of some as much as a third of the state’s output of the sweet stuff.
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 inQuality of Life
Days after storms, thousands still without power. That’s the norm in Michigan
Michigan has some of the longest power outages in the US, but state officials and utility leaders say recent rate hikes will lead to investments that should help.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan drug recovery, worker housing in limbo after Trump funding freeze
Desperately needed housing for those recovering from drug addiction is on hold in a fight over ‘green’ federal grants.
Posted inMichigan Government
A push to stop drivers from crashing into horse-drawn buggies in SW Michigan
An 8-year-old girl and a 27-year-old man are dead after vehicles collided with their horse-drawn buggies. A state-funded effort in southwest Michigan aims to stop the kinds of behaviors that lead to such crashes.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan food banks hit by Trump funding freeze to local farmers
A Biden-era program that pays local farmers to supply food for the needy is one of dozens of programs that Donald Trump has temporarily halted amid efforts to examine government spending.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Meet Rosie, the robot helping a west Michigan pharmacy after Rite Aid closures
The loss of chain pharmacies has sent many to neighborhood pharmacies. Many are adding staff to handle the crunch and at least one invested in a robot.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
'I just did surgery on myself.' Michigan dentist shortage leaves some in lurch
Michigan needs at least 400 new dentists and even more dental hygienists to overcome a shortage that has some Michiganders waiting weeks or months to get care.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Are Mackinac Island ferries a monopoly? Lawsuit claims island got it wrong
Mackinac Island rejected planned price hikes for the two passenger ferries servicing the island. Both are owned by the same Florida company that is now suing the city, claiming officials overstepped their authority.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Northern Michigan to tourists: Yes, it’s winter. Come anyway. It’s fun
Seeking to boost tourism year-around, communities from Alpena to Gaylord and into the Upper Peninsula are adding winter events to lure visitors during the slow season. Is it working? Kind of.
Posted inQuality of Life
Iron Mountain eyes novel plan to cut iconic deer park: castration
Iron Mountain may castrate bucks to spur closure of its historic deer park, which has lost its luster as herds now roam local yards.