For the first time in decades, Kent County is luring more residents from Chicago than it is losing. That helps explain why it’s one of few areas of Michigan that is gaining population.
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 Health Watch
Is the Michigan vaccine lottery working? Depends how you define success.
Since Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a $5 million lottery pool for those getting the COVID-19 vaccine, she’s touted that 1 million have signed up for the lottery — but the state cannot say if it’s luring more people to the shots. Several local health officials say it hasn’t.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan hopes $5 million vaccine lottery inspires more people to get shots
Prizes like a college scholarship and $2 million jackpot will be awarded by Aug. 4 to anyone vaccinated, as long as they register for the chance to win. It’s an attempt to spur more vaccinations, which have slowed since spring.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan to announce $5 million lottery for COVID vaccine as rates lag
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer partners with Meijer, other agencies to follow the lead of Ohio, California, Illinois, Maryland and several other states that offer cash lotteries and scholarships to those that get vaccinated.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Delta variant is increasing in Michigan, prompting coronavirus surge fears
The Delta variant that has spiked cases in India, the United Kingdom and Asia is spreading in Michigan, detected this week in 15 counties, up from six counties just two weeks ago.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Detroit-area floods mean sewage backups. Fed dollars won’t fix issue soon.
A bipartisan federal deal on infrastructure is welcome, but experts say it won’t meet Michigan’s long-term needs for modernized, updated stormwater systems in an era of climate change.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan nears 1 million COVID cases. These numbers define the pandemic.
Michigan should hit the milestone this week or early next month. These maps and data points demonstrate the toll of the virus.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s mask and capacity restrictions end Tuesday. What you need to know.
After 15 months, major restrictions are coming to a close. Because of a drop in cases, Michigan also has stopped reporting COVID data on Saturdays.
Posted inMichigan Government
This is it: Michigan to end gathering, mask restrictions on Tuesday
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says restaurants and venues can return to 100 percent capacity on Tuesday. Businesses say restrictions should have been lifted weeks ago.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Are your neighbors vaccinated? Michigan map shows rates by census tracts
A look at 2,700 neighborhoods reveals wide discrepancies by race, income level, education — but perhaps not political affiliation. The map comes as vaccination rates slow in Michigan.
