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
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 inBusiness Watch
Coronavirus layoffs cascade across Michigan. ‘What will I do?’ workers ask
One day after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shuts down restaurants and bars, workers fear the worst and wonder what bill to skip. One compares it to Russian roulette. Another stocks up on ramen and braces for long haul.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan standardized tests may be put on ice this year due to coronavirus
State education leaders have asked for a waiver to allow Michigan schools to ditch federally mandated testing this spring, due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
The sobering reason Michigan day care centers are not yet shut down
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has closed schools, gyms, theaters and bars. Why not child care centers? The reason: So that medical workers and first responders who need to stay on the job have child care.
Posted inTalent & Education
Coronavirus sends Michigan families scrambling for child care. And more wine.
Monday marks the beginning of a three-week school closure in Michigan because of the coronavirus pandemic. The unprecedented crisis has parents searching for nannies, taking kids to work and throwing away rules on screen time.
Posted inTalent & Education
Questions about Michigan coronavirus school closings? We have (some) answers
Yes, free lunches are available from a lot of Michigan schools even during the break. No, your child won’t fall behind in class work if they don’t have access to high-speed Internet at home. Will the school year be extended? There are no plans — yet.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Coronavirus closed Michigan schools for 3 weeks. CDC says that's not long enough
Proactively closing schools might help, but the three weeks that Michigan schools will be shut down may not be long enough to be effective.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Whitmer closes all Michigan schools for three weeks due to coronavirus
Faced with a growing health crisis, the Michigan governor ordered all public schools closed beginning Monday
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Washtenaw school districts first in Michigan to close due to coronavirus
Seven districts in Washtenaw County are moving to online-only learning beginning Monday, March 16. Districts around the state are wrestling with the pros and cons of closing as Ohio announced it was shutting its public schools.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Coronavirus fears shutter Michigan university classrooms
The state’s public universities have told students not to attend classes in person as schools scramble to convert to virtual learning. Some students were told to go home, others are staying on campus.