A shortage of early childhood educators and the lack of child care options in some areas have inspired innovative solutions in Michigan. They include a free housing program in Battle Creek and converting space in a Grand Rapids transit facility into a child-care center.
Child care in Michigan
Stories about what happens to kids with care before kindergarten begins.
Posted inTalent & Education
Gov. Whitmer has vowed to boost literacy in Michigan. Here’s where we stand
As Michigan struggles with reading on national rankings, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the state must focus on literacy. What to know.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan’s PreK for All program helps our state’s small businesses thrive
Every parent deserves the opportunity to work, every child deserves the support to learn and grow, and Michigan’s small business community depends on a strong, resilient workforce.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan tests expanding free ‘pre-K for all’ to home child-care providers
A new program tests no-cost pre-K in home child care settings. Up until now, students had to attend a school or child care center to qualify for the free option.
Posted inMichigan Government
Small grants made a big difference in rural Michigan. Then the money stopped
Rural Readiness grants helped kickstart projects to address housing, health and child care shortages until state funding dried up. Their future remains uncertain in a tight budget.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan synagogue attack: FBI investigating as ‘targeted act of violence’
The suspect is dead and no congregants were injured after an attacker drove a vehicle into a metro Detroit synagogue and was confronted by security officers on Thursday afternoon, according to authorities.
Posted inTalent & Education
New Michigan program aims to train, retain more early childhood teachers
Finding and keeping enough child care workers is a challenge. A new state-funded effort aims to raise wages, train workers and keep them in Michigan classrooms.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan can protect children, families from immigration enforcement excesses
Michigan needs state laws so that we’re not at the mercy of federal decisions and shifting tides. The time is now.
Posted inMichigan Government
Hey, Gov. Whitmer: Here’s what Michigan says is real State of the State
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will discuss the State of the State on Wednesday. Here are what the facts — and Bridge readers — say.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fact check: How Gretchen Whitmer delivered — and didn’t — on her promises
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made 14 promises during her 2025 State of the State address. Here’s how she did.