Almost every state in the nation is growing faster, causing economic hardship for Michigan residents and businesses. State leaders are looking to reverse the trend. If we can’t be Florida, can we at least be Indiana?
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
Michigan State shooting update: John Hao attends 76ers game as guest of star James Harden
The latest reliable news about the Feb. 13 shooting that killed three students and injured five others before the suspected gunman killed himself.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s pitch to lure new residents: nature, high tech, abortion rights
The state’s affordable housing, beautiful lakes and reproductive rights are some of the selling points Michigan may use in a new ad campaign hoping to convince young professionals to put down roots in the state.
Posted inTalent & Education
Ann Arbor Schools orders ‘Oklahoma!’ production to go easy on the guns
Administrators stepped in just days before the school musical was to open to rein in all those dancing, pistol-waving cowboys. The district cites an ‘ongoing epidemic of gun violence.’ But a school board member fears the district will become a ‘laughingstock.’
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan county eyed criminal ordinance for books. Librarians fought back
The first-of-its-kind ordinance would have escalated the culture wars over books in public and school libraries. But a network of fast-responding librarians went to work raising opposition. By Tuesday evening, the draft law was shelved.
Posted inMichigan Government
No criminal charge? No problem! Michigan police can still take your car
Civil forfeiture is meant to hit criminals in the pocketbook. But loopholes allow police to seize vehicles even when no charges result. Many are forced to pay $900 to get their cars back. Authorities collect millions in revenues.
Posted inMichigan Government
Democratic gun safety laws met with a shrug in Michigan gun country
In some Michigan counties, one in six adults have a license to carry a concealed handgun. The reason they carry guns is the same explanation Democratic legislators give for new weapon restrictions — safety.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan AG Dana Nessel keeps Chatfield, Whitmer kidnapping records secret
Attorney General Dana Nessel has repeatedly called for greater government transparency. But in high-profile criminal cases in her own office she has successfully fought to keep records on government searches hidden, even after they are introduced in court.
Posted inMichigan Government
Experts cast doubt that Lapeer librarian can be charged over LGBTQ book
In what would be a highly unusual move, a county prosecutor is considering criminally charging library officials if they do not remove an LGBTQ book that contains drawings of sex acts. Lawyers interviewed were skeptical such an action would be constitutional.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan prosecutor mulls charging Lapeer library over LGBTQ book
In an escalation of Michigan’s library wars, the Lapeer County prosecutor is threatening criminal charges if a public library doesn’t remove a controversial book.