Michigan has changed since Bernie Sanders won the presidential primary in 2016. The economy is far better. But many remain left behind, and could be a receptive audience to Sanders’ calls for massive change.
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 Bernie Sanders won Michigan in 2016, and what to watch for on Tuesday
Bernie Sanders stunned pollsters in 2016 when he narrowly topped Hillary Clinton in Michigan’s Democratic presidential primary. How did he do it?Could he do it again?
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan districts make millions teaching home-schoolers karate and crafts
Michigan school districts are profiting from taxpayer-funded online academies that teach home-schoolers electives like ice skating and animal husbandry. The programs are legal, but the state is cracking down, alleging some districts are overcharging taxpayers.
Posted inTalent & Education
Growth of nontraditional school programs costs Michigan $260M, study finds
As enrollment declines, Michigan districts are turning to two-year kindergarten programs, placing teachers in private schools and academies for home-schoolers.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
I hate to complain, but I haven’t had water in a year. A Detroit story.
After two years of decline, Detroit water shutoffs jumped 44 percent last year, as the city stopped water to 1 in 9 homes. Most stayed off a month or more, and nearly 10,000 homes still don’t have service.
Posted inSpecial report
Michigan could decide presidency. These are the facts that shape our state.
With the Michigan primary just weeks away, Bridge Magazine is unveiling its 2020 Fact Guide to help frame the debate and separate rhetoric from facts.
Posted inSpecial report
Michigan K-12 test scores slowly improving but remain mediocre at best
Education funding in Michigan hasn’t kept up with other states, and lawmakers are trying a host of reforms to boost outcomes that, while improving, lag much of the nation.
Posted inSpecial report
Early childhood education is key to success. Michigan still has work to do.
Michigan has vastly improved access to state-funded preschool, but gaps remain. Should the state spend another $400 million to make its Great Start Readiness Program universal?
Posted inSpecial report
Michigan college tuition hikes leave average graduate with $35K in debt
More Michigan graduates than ever have college degrees. But disinvestment in higher education has prompted skyrocketing tuition, leaving graduates with big debts.
Posted inSpecial report
Jobs up, poverty declines as Michigan emerges from Great Recession hangover
In the past five years, total employment and personal income have grown by double-digits in Michigan, while poverty has plunged. But not all news is good.