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.
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 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.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Primary-care doctor shortages cut deep in Michigan's underserved areas
More than 1 in 4 Michiganders live in an area with a shortage of health providers. Primary care is among the worst hit.
Posted inMichigan Government
Alpena backs away from firing library board after sex-themed books are moved
The culture wars have led to compromise in northern Michigan, with a library moving books and county commissioners rescinding a threat to fire library board members.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan Democrats may dissolve panel critical of Whitmer opioid efforts
An internal email lays out plans to dissolve a legislative commission that has pushed for transparency and accountability in how the state spends $1.6 billion in opioid settlement funds.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Dems blast Mike Rogers over opioid stance in Congress
Democrats are trying to throw part of the blame for the opioid crisis on U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers, who advocated for greater pain med access two decades ago.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Amid drug crisis, one Michigan city is using money to help backfill budget
Farmington Hills has used about $120,000 from an opioid lawsuit settlement to repay itself for past drug-fighting costs. Almost all other cities are using the money to help current users or future drug-fighting efforts.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
How is your Michigan community spending opioid settlement money? Look it up
Use Bridge’s database to search how opioid settlement funds are being allocated by community in Michigan. Most of the money is being spent on recovery, drug courts, defibrillators and the like.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan communities sit on $90M meant to help drug users, Bridge finds
Michigan doesn’t track how cities are spending their share of a landmark lawsuit settlement with opioid manufacturers. A Bridge investigation finds 4 in 10 haven’t spent money yet on the crisis that has upended thousands of lives.