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Bridge Michigan
@bridgemi.com
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We're a nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan news site focused on facts.

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Michigan lawmakers seek $500M to stop mussels, save Great Lakes whitefish
US Reps. Debbie Dingell and Tim Walberg are planning legislation to boost research to control invasive mussels, following Bridge Michigan reporting about the impending collapse of whitefish.
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November 10, 2025 at 10:33 PM
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What shutdown deal means for Michigan food stamps, flight delays, more
As Trump fights full SNAP payments and unpaid air traffic controllers miss work, a tentative deal could soon reopen the federal government. What it means for Michigan.
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November 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
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Opinion | It’s time to eliminate Michigan’s partisan state Board of Education
Eliminating the partisan State Board of Education would restore trust and ensure that education decisions reflect the priorities of Michigan families, not political interest groups.
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November 10, 2025 at 8:22 PM
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Emails: Michigan transparency portal marred by ‘unacceptable’ delays, bugs
Michigan’s public access to key ethics disclosures has been plagued by issues since its launch in early 2025. Emails obtained by Bridge Michigan cast light on the system’s troubled rollout.
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November 10, 2025 at 6:25 PM
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Trump pardons Michigan false electors, allies who challenged his 2020 loss
Calling it a move to avert a ‘grave national injustice,’ President Donald Trump pardoned false electors from Michigan and other states who falsely claimed he won the 2020 election.
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November 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM
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How a dam removal is helping revive Michigan’s wild rice
Follow a manoomin harvest on the Au Sable River, where new rice beds now grow. The wild rice was once abundant across the Great Lakes region. Efforts are underway to bring it back.
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November 10, 2025 at 5:36 PM
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From soybeans to servers: Tensions mount as data centers move into Michigan
A $7 billion data center planned for a rural Washtenaw County community will quadruple the township’s revenue and bring hundreds of jobs, but some residents worry about the environmental impacts and the noise.
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November 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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How a bonus led to Edmund Fitzgerald sinking. And 6 more surprises about ship
The Great Lakes’ most famous shipwreck was 50 years ago. Theories abound, but the Fitzgerald wouldn’t have even been on Lake Superior if not for the medical bills of the captain’s wife.
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November 10, 2025 at 12:03 PM
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Michigan has $321M for school safety. The catch: Districts must waive rights
Michigan public and private schools can opt in to receive school safety and mental health funding. But school groups say they have issues with the funding rules.
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November 7, 2025 at 9:07 PM
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Michigan border towns say ‘enough’ to weed shops
Residents of Niles Township and Menominee voted Tuesday to limit cannabis stores in their towns. Shops elsewhere along Michigan’s borders have reshaped small communities — and not everyone thinks for the better.
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November 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
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Bridge Michigan News Quiz: Nov. 7, 2025: Weekends are made for trivia
Another week, another 10 questions about the week that was in Michigan news and government
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November 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
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Big day for spearfishers in Michigan as state panel expands access
In a huge win for underwater spearfishers, Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission expanded where free divers can fish. 
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November 6, 2025 at 10:38 PM
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Michigan OKs landmark regulations that push up-front costs to data centers
New rules require big data centers in Consumers Energy’s territory to sign long-term power contracts and pay all costs to build transmission lines, substations and other infrastructure needed to serve the energy-hungry facilities.
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November 6, 2025 at 10:24 PM
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Lee Chatfield’s chief of staff will testify against him in corruption probe plea deal
Rob Minard has pleaded guilty after his wife, Anné, pleaded guilty in late October. Both were close associates of the former state House speaker, who is also facing corruption-related charges.
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November 6, 2025 at 10:20 PM
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Michigan House: SNAP help available ‘week to week’ as shutdown continues
Michigan lawmakers aren’t ruling out further food aid dollars as the federal government resumes issuing partial SNAP benefits Saturday.
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November 6, 2025 at 10:02 PM
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Report: Change how Michigan courts are funded, standardize fines and fees
Michigan trial courts cost about $1.2 billion annually to maintain and are primarily funded by local governments and court fees. A new report from the Michigan Judicial Council recommends a centralized state funding system to relieve pressure on local courts and remove possible conflicts of interest.
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November 6, 2025 at 7:33 PM
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Unlike Michigan, Indiana got tough on missing school. It’s already working
Cross the border into Indiana, and chronic absenteeism rates are often half of what they are in Michigan. That’s because Indiana noticed a problem and passed laws demanding accountability.
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November 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
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As Lansing mulls change, Michigan schools face uphill fight against absenteeism
Educators send letters to parents, host meetings and even pick up students to combat absenteeism as lawmakers consider a stronger approach.
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November 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
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Migrant farm work has boomed in Michigan. The feds just cut workers’ pay
The lower minimum wage for migrant farmhands has some farmers celebrating the cost savings and others wondering if they’ll still be able to attract the workers they need.
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November 6, 2025 at 3:43 PM
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Five reasons health insurance rates are rising so much in Michigan
From increasing hospital costs, insurance provider consolidation and inflationary pressures, the answer is as complex as the health care system itself.
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November 5, 2025 at 11:18 PM
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Michigan absenteeism FAQ: Who’s to blame? What are penalties to schools, kids?
Michigan kids miss far more school than their peers. What to know about the crisis, from how many days are required and why the state’s recently retired superintendent is calling for Lansing to intervene.
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November 5, 2025 at 11:10 PM
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Alpena schools get tough on absenteeism. Parents don’t make it easy
Educators are warning parents, scheduling meetings and even threatening charges. Many still miss school: ‘It’s like they’re not afraid of the consequences at this point,’ one says.
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November 5, 2025 at 11:10 PM
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Michigan K-12 crisis: State slow to respond as kids miss school, scores fall
Michigan has some of the highest absenteeism rates in the nation — and worst reading scores. It’s not a coincidence, but unlike other states, Michigan has been slow to pursue reforms.
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November 5, 2025 at 11:10 PM
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Michigan food stamp payments to resume Saturday – but be cut in half
Michiganders who missed food stamp payments are expected to get reduced payments Saturday. Halved benefits from the federal government will be ‘a disappointment,’ a health official acknowledged.
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November 5, 2025 at 10:47 PM
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Michigan lawmakers: Eliminate economic development agency
MEDC spending soared during Whitmer administration, but critics say its results don’t benefit taxpayers or most businesses.
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November 5, 2025 at 9:53 PM