From poverty and special interests to the lockdown and school choice, theories abound about Michigan’s declining test scores. Other states have the same issues but are doing better.
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
Michigan drunk driving arrests plunge. Impairment remains deadly threat
Arrests for drunk driving are down 28% in Michigan since 2014, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s happening less. Police say staffing issues are limiting their patrols.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan AG executes search warrant of state economic development offices
In a rare move, the attorney general executes a search warrant on the state agency that oversees economic development when its director is in Australia on a trade mission with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Posted inTalent & Education
Chinese student visa revocations would hit Michigan universities hard
The Trump administration intends to revoke visas from Chinese students. More than 6,000 attend Michigan universities, including U-M where 8% of students are from China.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lawsuit: Michigan lawmaker pet project grants violate constitution
Michigan legislators have approved over $3 billion in special grants in the last three years. A new lawsuit claims some grants are illegally directed to specific communities or private groups.
Posted inQuality of Life
Detroit population gain fueled Michigan growth. See Census numbers for your town
Many Michigan cities, townships and villages added population from 2023 to 2024, especially in Detroit and in suburban communities that are still adding housing. Economic uncertainty could slow the gains though.
Posted inMichigan Government
Pet project day in Lansing: Lawmakers seek $3.3B for pools, roads and more
Legislators are jockeying to spend big in their districts, filing 800 requests to spend millions on everything from teachers and museums to youth programs, agriculture and bridges.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan earmark requests in 2025. See what lawmakers asked for
Rx Kids-Michigan State University Sponsor, amount: Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), $20,000,000 Description: Rx Kids is a legislatively directed initiative designed to address one of Michigan’s most pressing public health and economic challenges: the high cost of raising a child and the associated disparities in maternal and infant outcomes. The program provides unconditional cash transfers to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan is evolving politically: Maps show how Trump won, state is changing
Michigan is a tossup state for a reason. New precinct-level data from the 2024 election shows that, while voting preferences in many areas are entrenched, there are pockets of political disagreement.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump returning to Michigan to mark 100 days. About that ‘miracle’ you promised…
President Donald Trump is rallying in Warren on Tuesday to mark his first 100 days of his second term. He’s made bold promises to Michigan, including an economic ‘miracle.’ What he has and hasn’t delivered.