State agencies said the pipeline tunnel construction would affect Native American burial sites, wetlands and threatened and endangered species but concluded the benefits of the tunnel outweigh the damages. The project remains tied up in court.
State issues Line 5 permits despite conceding its ‘significant impacts’
Posted inBusiness Watch
Massive data center wins local tax break — but 9 times smaller than requested
‘The Barn’ asked Saline Township for a $147M tax break, after boosting the data center’s value by 9 times from the original request. The township OK’d a cut — but dialed back the amount.
Posted inMichigan Government
As racial wealth gaps persist, bills would have Michigan study reparations
Supporters say the proposal is aimed at identifying solutions to issues such as the Black-white homeownership gap, while critics question whether creating new commissions and offices is the best use of state resources.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fact check: Where does Barack Obama stand on Michigan’s Senate race?
Ads show the former president praising Haley Stevens, but he’s not endorsed anyone in the Democratic primary. Is that misleading?
Posted inMichigan Government
Jocelyn Benson: ‘None of my family is profiting from data centers’
Democrat Jocelyn Benson is talking affordability as she runs for governor. But voters keep asking about data centers — and her husband’s role at a company working to bring a massive one to Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fact check: El-Sayed, Stevens trade jabs on party loyalty, Kamala Harris
While Abdul El-Sayed released a video overstating his speed to endorse Kamala Harris, Haley Stevens falsely suggested he led a 2024 movement to withhold primary votes from former President Joe Biden.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Michigan bill legalizing backyard deer feeding passes, but bans could remain
Deer baiting and feeding has been banned in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula since 2018 to prevent disease spread. A new bill aims to change that, but even if it’s signed by the governor, feeding deer may not be allowed everywhere.
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter joins Bridge Michigan
Matt Mencarini, a decorated investigative journalist, began this week as Bridge’s accountability and data reporter.
Posted inBusiness Watch
As data centers grow in Michigan, officials ask: How many tax breaks are enough?
Local tax abatements were created for manufacturers that create tons of jobs. As Saline Township is set to approve a local break worth $147 million a year, some ask if local breaks are appropriate for data centers.
Posted inMichigan Government
Outside spending floods Michigan’s US Senate race — most for Haley Stevens
Outside groups have already spent more than $41 million in Michigan’s US Senate race, including $15 million from an AIPAC offshoot to benefit Democrat Haley Stevens over Abdul El-Sayed