A $10,000 a year pay raise may help with recruitment, but it may not be enough to keep officers working at Upper Peninsula prisons, where former corrections officers say vacant positions contribute to assaults on prison staffers.
Upper Peninsula
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan loves a ‘river story.’ But happy ending isn’t guaranteed
Michigan’s rivers are back from the brink — and play a pivotal role in state life. From dams to fish and pollution to development, they face a host of challenges that Bridge is exploring in a summerlong series.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Whitefish waning. Should Michigan have commercial trout, walleye catches?
Bills under consideration in the House aim to expand commercial access to walleye and trout as whitefish catch rates plummet. Recreational fishing advocates and state fishing regulators object.
Posted inQuality of Life
Detroit fuels Michigan population gain. See new Census numbers for your town
Detroit added more than 5,000 residents for the second year in a row, but some other communities lost ground, according to new US Census estimates. Use our searchable database to look up your town.
Posted inTalent & Education
More Michigan students pursue trades, but access disparities persist
Career and technical education is growing across Michigan as more complete programs tied to in-demand skilled trades. Access differs by district, however, and some are asking voters to approve related bonds this week.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Wolves thriving on Michigan’s Isle Royale as packs prey on moose, researchers say
Researchers estimate the island’s wolf population has grown to 37, up from 30 in 2024. They estimate that the island’s moose population has dropped 75% since reaching a high of 2,000 in 2019. They attribute the decline to wolf depredation.
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 inMichigan Government
Michigan not alone in prison crisis: ‘There’s no one silver bullet’
Michigan has tried raises, bonuses, and prison safety initiatives, but nothing has moved the needle on corrections officers vacancies. No state has found a lasting solution.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Feds order immediate inspection of Cheboygan Dam powerhouse
Potential damage to the dams during last week’s high waters means the risk of dam failure could still exist.
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.