The international link between Detroit and Windsor is the busiest trade route between the U.S. and Canada. The protests halted auto production as essential supplies — from auto parts to food — languished, prompting concerns by Michigan officials.
Ted Roelofs
Ted Roelofs of Kentwood, has written extensively on healthcare as well as prison and juvenile justice reform. Roelofs spent nearly three decades at the Grand Rapids Press where he covered politics, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, rural poverty and mental illness among the homeless. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. Reach Ted at ted.roelofs@gmail.com
Posted inMichigan Government
Canadian judge OKs police removal of truckers blocking Ambassador Bridge
Michigan suffered as bridge traffic was halted all week, with auto industry shutdowns resulting from shipping delays. The truckers were protesting mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for them to cross the border.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan officials call for trucker protest to end 'immediately and safely'
Auto production slowed this week as the so-called ‘Freedom Caravan’ continued its blockade of the Ambassador and Blue Water bridge crossings to Canada over COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Truckers protesting vaccine mandate block two Michigan bridges to Canada
Traffic slowdowns started Monday at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, then the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests expanded to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. Now Michigan officials worry about further supply chain tightening and potential economic impact.
Posted inMichigan Government
A year into online gambling, Michigan problems multiply as Super Bowl nears
While most people can wager safely, calls to a state problem gambling hotline nearly tripled since Michigan approved online betting. And referrals by the state to receive counseling rose 42 percent, though many counties don’t have specialists trained in gambling addiction.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As Michigan DNR camping reservations soar, parks want COVID funds soon
State lawmakers have proposed spending close to $1 billion in federal COVID stimulus funds to help state and local parks upgrade deteriorated facilities. With record crowds during the pandemic, park officials want Lansing to step up plans to put that money to work.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Updating Michigan energy rules on new homes faces pushback from builders
State officials will consider raising minimum energy standards for newly constructed homes. Environmental groups back the tougher standards, noting a federal study showing savings in utility costs. Home builders object that it will raise the cost of new construction.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Feds earmark $226 million for Great Lakes invasive carp project
The project near Chicago is estimated to cost $858 million and take six to eight years to complete.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
As omicron rages, rural Michigan shrugs shoulders and resists vaccine
Inside the effort to change people’s minds in Cass County, which has the lowest vaccination rate in Michigan. ‘People just don’t want to deal with COVID.’
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan has an obesity problem. That could make COVID even worse
With Michigan’s obesity rate climbing, a Stanford University study details how infected fat cells add risk to the coronavirus