After 40 years, Democrats assume complete control of Lansing in January and say they want to tackle climate policy. The experience of accepting wind and solar farms in Gratiot County could be a model for the state.
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 inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP official: Shut down ‘by force’ public library with LGBTQ books
The Ottawa County Sheriff is investigating Facebook comments by a GOP congressional committee chair who called for the Patmos Library to be shut by “force” after the library refused to remove books with LGBTQ content.
Posted inMichigan Government
After LGBT book spat, Michigan family gives $100K to library they haven’t seen
The donation keeps the Patmos Library in Jamestown Township open longer after residents defeated tax requests over objections to sexually charged books. But the library’s fate is uncertain without public funding.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
A Texas lawsuit could stifle Michigan access to the abortion pill
Just when Michigan voters thought abortion rights were secure, a federal lawsuit filed in Texas by an anti-abortion coalition could curtail, at least temporarily, a medication used in 50 percent of procedures.
Posted inMichigan Government
Hate the flood of political texts? Here’s what Michigan can and can’t do.
Political campaign texting is annoying for those on the receiving end, but they’re a cheap way to reach potential voters. Michigan can’t eliminate them, but lawmakers and others can take steps to limit unwanted texts.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Mid-Michigan smacks down wind energy. Will it harm the state’s green plan?
Montcalm County voters rejected five renewable energy referendums and recalled several local officials who supported the plans. There is growing opposition to wind and solar farms as Michigan attempts to chart a green energy path.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan town library defunded over LGBTQ books loses vote again, may close
The Patmos Library in Ottawa County’s Jamestown Township wants to keep LGBTQ-themed books on its shelves. Not with our tax money, voters said again on Tuesday.
Posted inMichigan Government
Why LGBTQ books may imperil west Michigan library: ‘This isn’t New York’
The Patmos Library in Ottawa County is trying again Tuesday with a tax request to keep the doors open. Residents though are still upset that some books remain on shelves.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Wind wars: Wind turbines put green energy on the ballot in mid-Michigan
Resistance to wind and solar farms is growing across the farmlands of Michigan, where locals, not the state, control site approval. Nowhere is that fight more intense than Montcalm County.
Posted inMichigan Government
As Michigan election nears, some apprehension over strife at polls
Will more poll observers and challengers increase trust in the election process, or foster conflict? Michigan is about to find out.