As news deserts grow and the media landscape shifts, Bridge is growing to better serve all of Michigan.
West Michigan
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Sturgis closure may be ‘first of more’ for Michigan rural hospitals
After more than 100 years, Michigan’s only federally recognized rural emergency hospital closed its doors citing ‘years of ongoing financial challenges.’ Experts say more could follow given the current health care landscape.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers OK $125M in earmarks, from Tulip Time to eviction aid
Michigan lawmakers added $125 million in funding for projects in their district to the new state budget. See what made the cut, including funding for Tulip Time and the Detroit Auto Show.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Amid dam sale critiques, Consumers offers to send profits to safety fund
As it urges regulators to approve a dam sale plan that a judge called “not in the public interest,” Consumers has offered to funnel $270 million in ratepayer dollars into the special fund. Critics say the company shouldn’t be entitled to those profits in the first place.
Posted inMichigan Government
Mystery group circulates health petitions — and attacks Republicans
As it circulates petitions to create citizen health care committees in six Michigan cities, a new group is also attacking Republican incumbents.
Posted inMichigan Government
Don’t spit! Michigan’s strangest local laws trace back to bygone eras
Spit, swear or read fortunes at your own risk in some Michigan cities, where old — but often unenforced — local laws remain on the books.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Records: Rural Michigan ‘overlooked’ in Michigan’s $6B subsidy spending spree
A Bridge analysis finds that the northeast Lower Peninsula got $71 per person in economic development spending since 2022, compared to $854 in west Michigan. Some question the disparities.
Posted inTalent & Education
Want to earn a bachelor’s degree? This Michigan college has an app for that
A small private college in west Michigan is offering a chance to earn a degree entirely via cell phone, calling it ‘the future of education.’
Posted inTalent & Education
Attracting Michigan preschoolers, teachers with free housing, other innovations
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.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Grand Rapids to ‘restore the rapids.’ But how will it keep out lamprey?
Starting July 1, Grand Rapids will begin removing four downtown dams in a two-year effort to restore the natural rapids that gave the city its name. But officials are still studying how to remove a fifth dam and still keep out invasive sea lamprey.