Record-breaking Great Lakes water levels already wreak havoc on Michigan’s coastline. Now, they’re creating a new problem: How to maintain social distance at beaches reduced to a sliver of sand?
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
Poop sleuths: MSU studies Detroit wastewater for next coronavirus outbreak
By analyzing the prevalence of COVID-19 in Detroit’s sewage, researchers hope to create an early warning system capable of detecting new outbreaks before patients start showing up at area hospitals.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan launches coronavirus contact tracing. Here’s what you need to know.
Contact tracers are a key to reopening Michigan safely. With some setbacks, the state is on track to meet the need. On Saturday, state officials announced a contract with a company affiliated with billionaire Dan Gilbert to help the effort.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Part nurse, part detective: A day in the life of a Michigan contact tracer
Since the coronavirus pandemic hit Michigan, Christina Zilke has been on a mission to make sure COVID-19 carriers don’t spread the disease. Soon, there will be thousands of others like her tracing the movements and staying in touch with those infected by the illness.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Treatment and trials go on, but Michigan doctors split on coronavirus drug
Hydroxychloroquine was touted early on as possible treatment for COVID-19 patients, but a growing body of research points to possibly deadly side effects
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan to Enbridge: Line 5 tunnel permit application is incomplete
In a letter to the Canadian oil company, state officials said Enbridge must fix omissions in its application to build the Line 5 tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac before they can review the application.
Posted inMichigan Government
Violating Michigan social distancing orders? Big Brother may be watching.
Government agencies are using drones, cameras and other technology to keep tabs on the coronavirus pandemic, and more is on the way. That begs the question: How much individual freedom should Michiganders trade in exchange for increased public safety?
Posted inMichigan Government
Few coronavirus cases, lots of land. Should northern Michigan reopen?
Northern Michigan has more than half of the state’s land mass and 2 percent of its coronavirus cases. As Gov. Whitmer says she’ll take geography into account to reopen the economy, Bridge examines regional differences in cases, hospital capacity, testing and unemployment.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan tribes losing police, health budgets as coronavirus shuts casinos
Casinos insulate Michigan tribal budgets against a chronic shortage of federal funding. But with casinos shuttered to prevent COVID-19 spread, tribal leaders now find themselves wondering how to fund key programs.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Detroit’s Henry Ford joins coronavirus red ink, furloughs 2,800 workers
The Detroit-based hospital system is the latest in a string of medical providers to announce deep staff cuts as the coronavirus pandemic dries up revenue streams.