The number of children attending school in buildings with vaccination rates less than 90 percent has doubled since 2015. Check out the rate of elementary schools statewide.
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 inMichigan Environment Watch
Pentagon to address PFAS at Wurtsmith base near Oscoda
Military officials announced they will install groundwater treatment systems around the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base to clean up chemical compounds linked to serious health issues.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
COVID cases jump in one week in Michigan. Experts downplay mini surge
Cases are increasing nationwide, and Michigan has followed suit. But hospitalizations remain low, and doctors say the uptick is still a far cry from the worst days of the pandemic.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s records law delayed public disclosures about Clare grant
Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services initially denied an open records request by Bridge Michigan for emails and documents regarding a $25 million state grant but ultimately agreed to release them after a successful challenge.
Posted inMichigan Government
Emails: Michigan moved fast on ‘well connected politically’ $25M Clare grant
Emails obtained by Bridge show Michigan officials pressed to expedite a grant to the former aide of ex-House Speaker Jason Wentworth; asked few questions before approving the project.
Posted inMichigan Government
Records: Wentworth secured $6.8M grant to dredge lake where former aide lives
The former House speaker bypassed projects with greater need to secure money for a dam and repairs to Lake Shamrock. Wentworth also secured $25M for a Clare health campus led by the same aide.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan: Double payment concerns suspended $25M Clare health campus grant
A former legislative aide to onetime House Speaker Jason Wentworth led both a nonprofit that secured the grant and a for-profit firm that was paid more than $820,000 days after it went into effect.
Posted inMichigan Government
Records: Firm of ex-aide to Michigan speaker paid $820K within days of grant
Contrary to earlier statements, Michigan didn’t suspend a $25 million health campus project overseen by a former aide to onetime House Speaker Jason Wentworth until one day after Bridge wrote about the deal.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fatal crashes remain high in post-pandemic Michigan, risky driving blamed
The rise in deadly crashes was highest in northern Michigan, but metro Detroit and the Thumb also saw jumps. Experts cite faster and more reckless driving. Look up deadly driving statistics in your area.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan reports new lows (the good kind) on COVID
Hospitalization, death and even sewage surveillance records suggest COVID has lost a good part of its deadly edge in Michigan, but cautions remain.