O’Neil Swanson was the man to call for decades for stately funerals in Detroit. But his own death shows how grieving has changed in the age of the coronavirus.
Ron French
Ron reports on a variety of subjects across the state. Ron came to Bridge in 2011 from The Detroit News, where he was a project reporter. Born and raised in Indiana, Ron graduated from Purdue University. He reported for newspapers across Indiana before moving to Michigan in 1995. Ron lives in Okemos, and like the true Michigander he’s become, he now has a family cabin Up North. You can reach him at rfrench@bridgemi.com or 517-214-3636.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan scrambles to salvage school year in wake of coronavirus
School and legislative leaders are meeting to determine how best to continue education if the coronavirus keeps classrooms closed for months.
Posted inQuality of Life
Michigan adjusts to strange, empty world of coronavirus lockdown
From empty streets to locked stores, Michigan residents awoke Tuesday morning to a state desperately trying to slow the spread of a potentially deadly virus.
Posted inTalent & Education
Coronavirus extends Michigan school closures until at least April 14
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Monday order to stay home through midnight April 13 means an extension of at least eight days to the already ordered three-week school closure.
Posted inMichigan Government
What Michigan’s coronavirus stay-at-home order means for residents
You can still take a walk and get a pizza delivered, but Monday’s order means many Michigan residents will be at home the majority of the next three weeks.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Stay at home, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says as coronavirus cases soar
Residents are to stay at home except for workers in essential service sectors. Such orders in other states make allowances for hospitals, groceries, gas stations, take-out restaurants, pharmacies and the like to stay open.
Posted inTalent & Education
Will Michigan classes stay closed, and other coronavirus impact on schools
Parents are flooding Bridge with questions about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Michigan schools. We have some answers.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
University of Michigan Hospital has one-day blood supply due to coronavirus
U-M hospital is one of several across the state in critical need of donated blood for vulnerable patients. The spread of COVID-19 cases has resulted in Red Cross blood drive cancellations.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools asked to open emergency child care centers for ‘essential workers’
In the latest sign of how bad things could get, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asks schools to set up emergency child care centers for the children of “essential workers,” from doctors to grocery stockers, needed in the pandemic fight.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Here’s a map of where Michigan kids can get meals during school closure
The interactive map will be updated twice daily by state officials, to help families find locations to pick up free meals during the statewide school closure