Michigan has the third-lowest score for the overall well-being of black children, only slightly better than Mississippi and Wisconsin – Annie E. Casey Foundation “Kids Count” report. Recent findings from the Kids Count report have been hard to accept. The report titled, “Race for Results: Building a Path to Opportunity for All Children,” by the Annie […]
Barriers facing African-American children are a community issue
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan roads now among nation’s worst
Michigan spends less per capita on roads and bridges than any other state in the nation, and it shows. Experts say the state needs even more than the $1.3 billion requested by Gov. Snyder to make long-term improvements. Legislative leaders aren’t convinced.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Engler’s (political) road not taken
Gov. John Engler was urged by the business community to raise fuel taxes up to 12 cents a gallon to fix Michigan roads and bridges. He agreed to a 4-cent raise. It wasn’t enough over the long haul. Today, MDOT pays $240 million a year on a $2.5 billion debt to repair roads.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Grand Rapids is addressing legacy costs
A remarkable transformation has taken place in Grand Rapids, with the city cutting costs and controlling pension and health-care obligations
Posted inGuest Commentary
To combat child obesity, Michigan needs more phys ed
Michigan schools have no minimum requirement for for K-8 physical education. A pending bill would require younger children to receive at least 90 minutes of phys ed a week.
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Will ‘Holland, Michigan’ be fed into the ‘Fargo’ wood chipper?
This local isn’t popping popcorn for a movie set in west Michigan, given how other towns have fared at the hands of Hollywood.
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Fratricide at Fort Hood brings veteran mental health back to forefront
Soldiers so often suffer far after their deployments end. Congress and the president are in rare agreement that more money is needed for veterans' mental health services.
Posted inBrunch with Bridge
Foundations open wallets to improve Detroit’s fortunes
The Kresge and Stillman foundations are investing in neighborhoods and education, in a city that badly needs help with both.
Posted inTalent & Education
My school’s great, it’s Detroit that’s failing – and other myths
Detroit, Flint and other poor, mostly African-American school districts get the bulk of the blame for the state’s declining test scores. But the latest research shows Michigan students of all stripes are falling behind their peers nationally – yes, even white, middle-class students. A Bridge Special Report.
Posted inEditorial
March gradness: An NCAA bracket built on grad rates, not victories
Yes, we know, your March Madness bracket is a mess. So let’s blow it up and start over. Let’s play “March Gradness” instead… Check out what happens to the NCAA Tournament Bracket when the winners are based on college graduation rates instead of basketball scores. Check out your team’s fortune’s in March Gradness.