The Democrat came into office criticizing lawmakers’ pet projects. Buoyed by a federal windfall, she and fellow lawmakers — including Republicans — have learned to love them.
Mike Wilkinson
Mike has been a reporter for Bridge Michigan since 2013 and focuses on data-assisted reporting, often finding stories by analyzing maps and data sets and has created Bridge's dashboards on COVID-19, the state's economy and Michigan's elections. He held similar positions at The Detroit News and The Blade of Toledo. A native of Michigan, Mike grew up in Macomb County, graduated from the University of Michigan and started his reporting career in New Baltimore before his career took him to Illinois, Tennessee and Ohio. You can reach him at mwilkinson@bridgemi.com
Posted inTalent & Education
School closings in Michigan: See which districts have most snow cancellations
A nasty mix of freezing rain and snow has canceled classes for hundreds of districts. Use this interactive map to see which districts have the most cancellations in the past 10 years.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer State of the State 2024: Did she meet last year's goals?
As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prepares her 2024 State of the State address, did she accomplish her 2023 goals? Bridge Michigan analyzes the success of her priorities over the last year.
Posted inMichigan Government
Study: ‘Informal quota’ fuels racial disparity of Michigan State Police stops
Michigan State Police troopers more likely to patrol urban areas to fill activity logs, report finds. Police say there is no quota but a ‘generalized expectation’ of productivity.
Posted inTalent & Education
Snow days pile up for Michigan schools. Which districts have the most?
Michigan allows school districts to cancel up to six days per year for weather or emergencies. But dozens of districts get permission to cancel far more. Most are up north.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan candidates tell court: ‘No question’ we were duped by signature fraud
Warren court hears testimony against trio facing multiple felonies stemming from fake signature scandal that knocked five GOP gubernatorial candidates off Michigan ballot in 2022.
Posted inMichigan Government
Buck up, Michigan. Prices remain a bummer but there are positive signs
How ya doin’, Michigan? As 2023 ends, we take a look at how the state fared this year, and whether our mood matches what the economic and demographic numbers say. Spoiler alert: It hasn’t been all bad.
Posted inMichigan Government
Experts: ‘Everything up in the air’ now that Michigan districts must be redrawn
A court order that 13 districts must be redrawn creates a host of questions: Can Democrats keep power? Will more districts have to be changed? Is the redistricting panel up to the task?
Posted inTalent & Education
After pandemic dip, Michigan universities see bump in freshman enrollment
College and university enrollment suffered during the pandemic. But numbers from this fall show some schools are starting to turn the tide.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan population inches up as deaths fall and immigration climbs
Michigan’s population grew by nearly 4,000 people in 2023, the first increase since 2018. The state remains 10th most populated in the nation.