A deepening debate in the nation on systemic racial inequities has inspired Michigan activities to seize this societal moment to achieve reforms for communities of color that too often bare the burden of pollution in their communities.
Kelly House
Kelly House covers Michigan's environment for Bridge Michigan, with a focus on the Great Lakes, climate change, industrial pollution, water quality and wildlife. She joined Bridge in March 2020 after reporting for the Oregonian, where her coverage earned national honors and sparked efforts to better protect Oregon's natural resources. Kelly holds a master's degree in environmental law from Lewis & Clark Law School and a bachelor's in journalism from Michigan State University.
Kelly grew up in Harrison and is based in Lansing.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Pandemic brings record crowds to Michigan parks. (And trash and trouble)
Parks, harbors, campgrounds and beaches are seeing big upticks in visitors this summer, as COVID-19 restricts summer travel options and vacationers embrace outdoor recreation for its built-in social distancing.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As Michigan makes PFAS strides, Oscoda residents say Air Force is stalling
Residents of Michigan’s first known PFAS site say 10 years after the toxic “forever chemicals” were discovered at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base, the Air Force is deliberately delaying cleanup and balking at the state’s new PFAS standards.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan’s new PFAS rules: 5 things to know
With new standards in place, state regulators will now set about identifying new violators and initiating treatment or cleanups. Here’s what you need to know.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan businesses want cut of millions from uncollected pop returnables
The beverage industry is pushing for legislation that would give it a piece of the $40 million-plus from Michigan’s unclaimed bottle deposit money, diverting it away from state environmental cleanups.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Edenville Dam owners file for bankruptcy, blaming regulators for floods
Facing a host of lawsuits, companies that operated the dams that failed during historic flooding seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, using the filing to list a litany of grievances against federal regulators and neighbors.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Edenville Dam inspector: ‘People want to point fingers,’ but I did my best
Michigan is adding a third dam inspector as part of reforms following the failure of the Edenville Dam that caused $200 million in damages. One inspector who oversaw the dam defends the state’s actions, saying “There’s no ‘Easy’ button, or we would have pushed it.”
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
COVID-19 hinders Michigan’s efforts to track mosquito-borne illnesses
Testing delays and lab shutdowns tied to the novel coronavirus have stymied public health officials’ efforts to track and contain mosquito-borne illnesses after a deadly outbreak of diseases in 2019.
Posted inMichigan Government
Supreme Court: Flint residents can seek damages from state in lead crisis
Michigan’s highest court ruled that residents can proceed with a case seeking financial damages from the state and emergency managers for their role in the Flint water crisis.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
10 years later, Kalamazoo River spill still colors Enbridge pipeline debate
A decade since oil spewed into the Kalamazoo River from Enbridge’s Line 6B, the cleanup effort is ending. But the spill’s legacy lives on in the debate it sparked over Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac.