The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unanimously approved vaccines for very young children on Saturday, clearing the way for likely dose availability early this week.
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 Government
How one firm in a ‘Wild West’ industry upended the Michigan GOP governor race
Petition gathering is largely unregulated, often relies on people off the street and, this year, one firm is accused of a forgery ring that toppled five gubernatorial campaigns. Is it time for reform?
Posted inMichigan Government
What to know about forgery scandal: Michigan rules toughest in nation
No state requires candidates for statewide office to gather as many signatures as the 15,000 Michigan wants. Nearly 20 years ago, it was three times harder.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan suspends contact tracing contract as COVID cases surge
In another sign that messaging around the pandemic has changed, 67 contact tracers hired in 2020 are being laid off.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
‘Implicit bias’ training deadline looms for 420,000 Michigan health workers
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered the requirement in an effort to reduce health care disparities.
Posted inQuality of Life
Report: Going off script, decisive action saved lives during 2020 dam disaster
A new report on flooding that caused $200 million in damages singles out the actions of Midland County’s emergency services coordinator, who called for an early evacuation.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Abortion in Michigan: State bucks trend; rate increases as access dwindles
Michigan has the fifth-highest rate in the nation, even though there are no clinics in most counties. Maps, charts explain who is getting the procedure and where.
Posted inTalent & Education
Low-income Michigan students fare far better at some colleges than others
The majority of Michigan’s public universities, and half its private colleges, are below the national average in the percentage of their low-income students who earn a degree. Some do far better than others in ensuring these students graduate.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan stuck with $200M tab to fix Midland dams neglected by owners
Taxpayers will pay to repair dams that caused historic flooding. The investment works out to $32,000 for each property owner around recreational lakes.
Posted inMichigan Government
Jury: Two not guilty of Whitmer kidnapping; mistrial for other two
Observers say the case was tough to prove because the defendants never set in motion a specific plot to kidnap the governor. Feds say they’ll retrial two who weren’t acquitted.