New rules, imposed after Flint, forced public water providers to look harder for lead leaching into drinking water. Violations of state lead standards are up nearly 50 percent, with new urgency to remove lead from water lines.
Rural Michigan
Posted inTalent & Education
They disagreed, but both caught hell. Welcome to Michigan’s mask mandate wars
In mid-Michigan, a health officer and a Republican who tried to talk her out of a school mandate are both under fire. His sin was calling for civility in uncivil times.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As Michigan lawmakers ponder septic repair funds, Ohio offers a model
Unlike Michigan, the buckeye state regulates septic systems and provides money to fix the ones leaking sewage into waterways. Could such a program in Michigan address the pollution that fouls our lakes and streams?
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | I was threatened, bullied after ordering masks in Michigan schools
Masking is an issue today, but it will end soon enough. Political manipulation is a far more lasting ill.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Lethal, highly addictive methamphetamine again stalking rural Michigan
Law enforcement and treatment experts chart a rising toll from meth, from overdose deaths to families ripped apart. Cheaper and more pure versions now come from Mexican labs, and there are not enough treatment resources in rural counties.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As drought grips American West, irrigation becomes a Michigan selling point
Michigan farmers irrigate with 187 billion gallons of groundwater a year, double what was used a decade earlier. Is the state prepared for more?
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Watch Bridge Book Club discussion of collaborative memoir ‘Wounds’
Authors Razel Jones and Daniel Abbott joined Bridge Michigan on Friday to discuss their collaborative memoir about growing up in rural west Michigan.
Posted inTalent & Education
A northern Michigan school was ordered to mandate masks. 100 students left.
Families are pulling their kids out of class and moving to neighboring districts as they shop for schools that match the face mask policies they prefer.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Let’s not pit rural against urban voters in Michigan redistricting
It would be healthy for our democracy and for the voices of all citizens to see a blend of urban and rural people in legislative districts. Then elected officials would really need to consider everyone’s needs more evenly.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Required COVID vaccines put Michigan hospital worker hesitancy to the test
Hospitals lauded federal vaccine requirements that cover virtually all Michigan healthcare workers as a win for patient safety. But workers’ unions warned the regulations could force a worker exodus from an already short-staffed industry.
