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Bridge Michigan

@bridgemi.com

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We're a nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan news site focused on facts. Our free newsletter is more consistent and complete. Subscribe: http://bridgemi.com/signup

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Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 18h

What to know about Michigan whitefish crisis, from limits to solutions

Invasive mussels that blanket the depths of lakes Huron and Michigan have pushed whitefish to the brink of extinction. What to know about possible solutions and why Lake Superior so far is spared.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 19h

Whitefish crash has Michigan fishers on the brink: ‘It makes you want to cry’

Only a few dozen commercial fishing operations remain on the Great Lakes, as invasive species have decimated the industry. It’s a collapse unlike any in the world, and solutions are few.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 22h

Bridge Michigan News Quiz: Oct. 10, 2025: Prepare to be amazed

Paying attention to the news? Prove it by answering these 10 questions and win some prizes.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 22h

Michigan budget bans financial incentives to boost attendance on Count Day

School budget also requires transparency on reading curricula, eliminates virtual instruction days and includes more money for schools to lower class sizes.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 1d

Michigan taxes on tips, overtime, Social Security to end for three years

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law an exemption on income taxes for tips, overtime and social security income this week. The tax cut will be in place from 2026 through 2028.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 1d

Michigan deer hunting season off to strong start despite disease concerns

Michigan’s deer hunting season is underway. State officials expect a strong year despite lingering effects from a March ice storm in northern Michigan and continued reports of deer disease in the southern Lower Peninsula.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 2d

New Wayne State program aims to remove college barriers for Detroit students

Warriors on the Rise, a new enrollment program announced in September, offers guaranteed enrollment to qualified high school juniors at Detroit Public Schools Community District.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 2d

Fate of health care tax credits for 484K Michiganders in limbo amid shutdown

Republicans and Democrats in Congress are divided on a government spending plan, while a decision to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits remains in limbo. Here’s what that means for Michigan.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 2d

Michigan Marijuana group sues to block new tax central to road funding deal

An industry group wants to block implementation of a 24% wholesale tax that is central to lawmaker’s $2 billion road funding plan.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 2d

Goats help Michigan farmers battle invasive species naturally

Some Michigan landowners are turning to goats to clear invasive plants instead of using pesticides or machinery. The animals naturally graze on tough vegetation, offering an eco-friendly way to manage overgrown land.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 2d

Officials: West Michigan sewer expansion to spur growth, but they’re $7M short

The need for a redesigned pump station and inflation drove up the price tag for the project that already got $60 million from the state.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 2d

Opinion | Protect Michigan families’ health care not tax breaks for the wealthy

Small business owners, self-employed workers and middle-income families across Michigan would face impossible choices. Some would be forced to drop coverage altogether.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 2d

Bridge Culture Club returns to discuss ‘The Invisible Mammal’ documentary film

Kristin Tièche joins Bridge Culture Club on Oct. 22 to answer questions about her documentary about bats, their struggle and the humans who help them.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 2d

Labradoodle’s special mission: Helping a Michigan tribe save rare turtles

Mooz the labradoodle is helping scientists from the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians study the threatened wood turtles. The work may lead to the use of dogs to help conserve other rare species.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 2d

How one Detroit school is using free bikes to combat chronic absenteeism

Davis Aerospace students say the bikes have helped address some systemic barriers in getting to school.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 3d

Michigan budget takes IT from Jocelyn Benson after transparency portal flop

Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will lose oversight of IT systems under a budget provision championed by House Republicans. ‘Benson has failed miserably with these public websites,’ said one lawmaker.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 3d

Michigan students lag in reading. Will mandatory teacher training help?

Michigan leaders agree student literacy scores need to improve. One idea some are pushing is to mandate a specific ‘science of reading’ training called LETRS.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 3d

Bathroom wars hit MSU: This time, it’s unisex showers, toilets in honors dorm

MSU has opened its first unisex community dorm bathroom as part of $37 million in renovations to Campbell Hall. While showers are private, public spaces aren’t — and not all parents are on board.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 3d

Gretchen Whitmer signs $81B Michigan budget, roads deal. What to know

Michigan’s new budget has more money for roads, more taxes on pot and some new spending cuts. What to know about the $81B spending law.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 4d

Michigan lawmakers reject money for Gretchen Whitmer’s population growth office

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sought $10 million for her Michigan Growth Office. Lawmakers said no.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 4d

Call it Cadillac Rock City: Michigan town fetes 50 years after visit from KISS

Fifty years ago, the band KISS made a surprise visit to Cadillac to celebrate the high school football team's winning season, which was inspired by KISS tunes. Through this month, Cadillac will host several events commemorating the occasion.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 4d

Michigan corn mazes come to life with GPS, drones and creative inspiration

From the Grateful Dead to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Michigan farms are getting creative with corn mazes. Here’s how they’re made.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 4d

Michigan cash aid program for moms and babies gets $270 million in new budget

The additional funding will allow Rx Kids to expand in more low-income communities and reach about 100,000 babies over the next few years.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 5d

‘The Gales of November’ excerpt: Edmund Fitzgerald built for luxury, not safety

In this excerpt of “The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” author John U. Bacon explains that the mighty freighter was constructed to hold as much cargo as possible and impress captains of industry.

Bridge Michigan @bridgemi.com · 6d

10-digit dialing required in Detroit as 679 joins iconic 313 area code

Starting Tuesday, anyone within Detroit’s 313 area code will be required to use 10-digit dialing for all local calls as a new 679 area code is introduced.