Bridge readers say health care is a big concern, with rising costs, limited access and federal policy changes straining the state’s system. We break down the facts, trends and possible solutions.
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Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan prisons ‘in a death spiral’ as officer vacancies, overtime pile up
Things are especially dire in the Upper Peninsula, where a quarter of prisoners are housed but nearly three-fourths of staff assaults happen and as many as 1 in 3 positions are open.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Trying to get outdoors in Michigan? After floods, still many places to avoid
When the weather warms in Michigan, many people start spending more time outside. But right now, more than 60 recreation spots for hiking, camping, boating and more are closed due to severe flooding.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan schools get creative, competitive, to curb high absenteeism
Michigan schools want to boost the number of students regularly showing up for class. Can competitions help boost attendance?
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 Democrats push party left. Will voters follow?
Big progressive wins at the Michigan Democratic Party’s April convention have some weighing the party’s chances in November.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Mental health advocates optimistic about Michigan reforms
Bipartisan support for early intervention legislation and newly outlined recommendations on bed capacity have renewed faith in revamping the state’s behavioral health system.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Floods, tornadoes, rains ravage Michigan: ‘My hot tub was floating away’
Amid fears of dam collapses, roads wash away, tornadoes touch down and emergency crews try to protect life and property throughout Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As floodwaters rise, Michigan infrastructure on brink: Dams need $1B in repairs
Climate change and delayed improvements to the state’s infrastructure could come to roost, as rivers threaten to overtop century-old dams.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Ownership disputes, aging design add to Cheboygan dam’s failure threat
Federal officials have repeatedly told the owner of a nonfunctioning hydro plant connected to the dam to bring it back online, but the company has not done so. Now, state officials are scrambling to restart the plant in hopes of staving off dam failure.