More doctors but fewer insurance options for the needy? Tax credits for private schools, but not EVs? Here’s what residents can expect in 2025 under President-elect Donald Trump.
Ron French
Ron French is the senior enterprise reporter at Bridge Michigan, covering a wide range of topics including rural communities, federal policy impacts, education and public health. Born and raised in Indiana, Ron came to Bridge in 2011 from The Detroit News, where he was a project reporter, and previously reported for newspapers across Indiana. He graduated from Purdue University.
Rooted in Okemos, Ron has become a true Michigander — complete with a family cabin Up North.
Posted inTalent & Education
Broadband internet still lags in rural Michigan; new program links 30k homes
Michigan is 31st nationwide for broadband access, with 1 in 10 residents lacking access. Slowly but surely, though, it is spreading across rural Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Government
How nuclear plant, teacher layoffs inform Michigan’s ‘dark store’ tax debate
When big box stores receive lowered tax assessments, the impact is felt in schools and township halls. The tax policy may be debated in the upcoming ‘lame duck’ session.
Posted inMichigan Government
Democratic bills aim to rein in library book challenges in Michigan
The bills would set statewide standards, requiring books and movies to be declared obscene by courts before they are challenged. Democrats have six weeks to pass the legislation before losing the majority in the House.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Online betting increases Michigan revenue — and gambling addiction
Calls to Michigan’s problem gambling helpline tripled after gambling on phones and laptops was legalized in 2021.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
A UP community may lose EMS service in state prison payment dispute
The state and a national health care provider are squabbling over a contract, and the losers are Michigan ambulance services
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Farmington Hills’ use of opioid funds to backfill budget prompts AG complaint
The money coming into Michigan communities is intended to help with the drug epidemic. The Oakland County suburb is using it to pay itself back for old costs.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
GOP blasts Democrats’ plan to close panel critical of Whitmer opioid efforts
A group that has called for more transparency in how the state fights opioid addiction is the focus of a fight between Republicans and Democrats.
Posted inQuality of Life
In Michigan’s north woods, a search for Bigfoot and political common ground
At a Sasquatch conference in northern Michigan, experts preach tolerance, a willingness to engage with skeptics and keep an open mind — all lessons that could help in the leadup to Nov. 5 as easily as in the woods.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan needs doctors more than ever. More medical schools haven’t helped
Universities have aggressively expanded medical schools with the hope that could curb a looming doctor shortage. Instead, the shortage worsened as newly licensed doctors left Michigan.