State-themed puzzles started as a ‘history side hustle,’ but now staff and volunteers at the Michigan History Center are riding increased sales as interest in the hobby takes off.
Paula Gardner
Paula directs the business reporting on Bridge, writing much of it and setting the strategy for how statewide business coverage fits into Bridge’s nonpartisan policy-driven editorial mix. Paula came to Bridge in 2020 after several years at MLive.com, where she covered the state on both business and environmental teams. Prior to that, she was editor of the Ann Arbor News and news director of online startup AnnArbor,com, and also focused on business news as an editor and reporter at Michigan Business Review. Born and raised in metro Detroit, Paula moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan, and has lived in the city for 20 years with her husband, who grew up in their neighborhood. Paula also regularly visits East Lansing and Grand Rapids to visit her college-aged children. She can be reached at pgardner@bridgemi.com
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan may have lost millions to over 100,000 fake unemployment claims
The state’s investigation into international fraud found 1 in 5 frozen accounts are still considered suspicious.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan legislators want unemployment offices reopened
Jobless workers continue to say they’re struggling to reach Unemployment Insurance Agency employees to resolve issues with unpaid claims that in some cases may go back months
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan manufacturers want incentives, eye automation in pandemic
John Walsh, CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, says the sector is ramping up amid softer global demand after coronavirus. Now it’s evaluating what it needs to gain ground, including ensuring worker safety and perhaps more automated jobs.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan jobs go unfilled when workers make more from unemployment
‘How do we get people back to work when there’s really no incentive for them to?’ asked one employer about not being able to compete for workers earning generous jobless benefits.
Posted inBusiness Watch
400K unemployment claims now flagged in Michigan fraud investigation
Benefits have been restored to 140,000 people, but an additional 200,000 new claims now require verification as the state confronts identity theft.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Order extending halt in Michigan evictions may create 75,000 case backlog
Landlords in many areas are working to reduce evictions. With coronavirus, ‘the last thing we need is to increase our homeless population,’ said one tenant attorney in Flint.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Ann Arbor restaurant pioneer takes time reopening: ‘Everyone is anxious’
Mani Osteria was groundbreaking when it opened 9 years ago. Now, founder Adam Baru joins restaurateurs across Michigan in plotting how to safely reopen after a coronavirus shutdown and restore lost sales.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Frustrations rise over 340K frozen jobless claims, Michigan’s lack of answers
About 340,000 accounts in the state’s jobless benefit system received ‘stop payment’ alerts in May when officials launched an investigation into identity fraud. Now, lawmakers and the jobless are becoming frustrated over the agency’s lack of answers about the probe.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan restaurants can now reopen.That doesn’t mean most will.
The state’s dining industry is allowed to reopen with some restrictions Monday, but about half won’t open right away. Some still see financial risks and others are sorting out their health precautions after COVID-19.