Residents of Niles Township and Menominee voted Tuesday to limit cannabis stores in their towns. Shops elsewhere along Michigan’s borders have reshaped small communities — and not everyone thinks for the better.
Justin A. Hinkley
Justin Hinkley is regional editor at Bridge Michigan, overseeing coverage of northern and western Michigan and working to reach communities in news deserts left by the decline of local papers. He has worked in journalism for two decades, beginning as a cub reporter at his hometown paper, the Battle Creek Enquirer, before working as an investigative journalist at the Lansing State Journal and then serving as managing editor and publisher of the Alpena News.
Born and raised in Battle Creek, Justin now lives in Alpena with his wife and son.
Posted inMichigan Government
FBI: Grand Blanc shooting was ‘targeted’ attack on Mormons: What we know
Check here for the latest developments from the church attack in Grand Blanc Township.
Posted inEvents
Watch Bridge Lunch Break on the ultimate Michigan winter bucket list
Bridge Michigan Outdoors Life reporter Laura Herberg unveiled the Winter Dreaming Michigan Bucket List and talked with experts and a reader about having fun in the snow and cold. Watch a recap of the virtual discussion here.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s rural flights to continue despite federal shutdown — for now
Michigan’s rural essential air service airports and the airlines that serve them say flights will continue even if funding expires in early November. An extended shutdown could change things.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers reject money for Gretchen Whitmer’s population growth office
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sought $10 million for her Michigan Growth Office. Lawmakers said no.
Posted inQuality of Life
Southwest Michigan: We’ll pay you to move here. Will incentives work this time?
A similar effort failed just a few years ago, but leaders are optimistic about a new program that pays out-of-staters $5,000 in housing down payment assistance and free college tuition to move to Berrien, Cass or Van Buren counties.
Posted inTalent & Education
West Michigan has tech hub dreams and buzz. It just needs the jobs
Four years ago, leaders pledged to make west Michigan a tech hub and add 20,000 tech jobs to the region within 10 years. They’re behind schedule, but this week’s Tech Week is a big part of their goal.
Posted inQuality of Life
Baby killed in west Michigan horse buggy crash, as state seeks to limit wrecks
A truck slammed into a horse-drawn carriage on Tuesday. With a sizable Amish community, Michigan is amid efforts to raise awareness of the vehicles to improve safety.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan’s island schools desperate for teachers. Is building homes the answer?
As the school year nears, some schools face a familiar dread: Tourism has spiked housing prices higher than most teachers can afford. Now, some want to allow districts to use tax dollars to build teacher housing.
Posted inEvents
Watch Bridge Lunch Break discussion on Michigan’s whitefish crisis
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.