After years of deferred maintenance, big upgrades are coming to Belle Isle and picturesque Tahquamenon Falls. But there are also potholes to fill, toilets and sewers to replace and electrical systems to modernize.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan environmental issues for Bridge. She joined the Bridge staff in March 2020. Previously, Kelly reported for the Oregonian, where her coverage of the environment and other topics garnered national honors and sparked state efforts to better protect Oregon’s natural resources. She has a master’s degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor’s in journalism from Michigan State University. She is from Harrison and lives in Lansing. You can reach her at khouse@bridgemi.com or on Twitter at @Kelly_M_House.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Who’s at fault for Midland dam failures? Pretty much everyone, report says
That’s what an independent panel found in its final report chronicling the physical and human causes of the May 2020 dam failures that flooded out mid-Michigan, forcing thousands to evacuate and leaving widespread damage.
Posted inMichigan Government
Abortion-rights petition drive sees surge in volunteers after leaked Roe draft
12,000 new volunteers in just over a day for Reproductive Freedom for All, a petition drive seeking to write abortion rights into the Michigan Constitutiony Anti-abortion groups said their support has increased steadily.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Water woes loom for Michigan suburbs, towns after decades of disinvestment
Michigan cities rich and poor, big and small have been delaying maintenance on their water systems for decades. Now, even wealthy towns are suffering the consequences of past reluctance to pay for water system upkeep.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan climate plan calls for EV incentives, faster renewable transition
The Whitmer administration just released a roadmap of its effort to wean Michigan off fossil fuels by midcentury. Accomplishing the plan would require big changes at the state and within industries.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Weeks before closure, Whitmer aims to save Michigan Palisades nuclear plant
The governor hopes a new federal funding source can prolong the plant’s life, protecting jobs and preventing the need to burn more fossil fuels for energy. But plant owners say that, for now, they’re sticking with plans to close.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Benton Harbor activists: We need more proof city's drinking water is safe
While crews work to remove lead pipes from the city water system, activists say they worry that violations at the city water treatment plant could further threaten residents. Regulators say there’s no cause for concern.
Posted inChildren & Families
Records: Police searched Lee Chatfield's family school in sex assault probe
After Pastor Rusty Chatfield refused to cooperate with Michigan State Police investigators, officers obtained a warrant to seize “any and all” documents related to Lee Chatfield’s employment at the church and school.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
State praised for vow to remove sources of lead from Benton Harbor homes
The Whitmer administration’s announcement goes beyond lead pipe replacement to include lead found in paint, dust, soil and other elements of older homes. Advocates welcomed the news while pushing for the program to be extended across the state.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan is spending big on infrastructure. Its problems are even bigger.
Michigan is poised to spend nearly $3 billion to upgrade or expand aging water, road and broadband infrastructure. It’s a big deal, but experts contend the state should be spending even more than that every year.