The state education official in charge of the five-year odyssey to update school social studies standards is tired of her department being used as a political punching bag

From Detroit to Clare, poor choices and limited access to health care have added up to lower lifetimes for many state residents, making health a gnawing but significant concern to those who live in Michigan and those leading it.

From Escanaba to Adrian, Michigan’s health challenges are similar yet different. Use this map to explore a variety of metrics, from infant mortality and obesity to life expectancy.

Bridge Magazine is launching three monthly newsletters, two dealing with healthcare and a third specifically focused on mental health.

Senate Republicans adopted a state transportation budget without any new long-term funding for roads. That proposal will come this summer, Republicans said.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposal to boost gas taxes by 45 cents would also make Michigan’s electric vehicle fees the highest in the nation. Critics say that comes atop other state policies that have discouraged sales of cleaner cars.

The energy company is accelerating its goal of cutting emissions by 80 percent. CEO Gerry Anderson says the company is ramping up solar and wind energy.

A nonprofit known as Michigan Saves helps with financing and other efforts to cut sometimes exorbitant costs of becoming energy efficient.

A task force is considering whether farmers enrolled in a preservation program should be allowed to add solar panels.

The latest can’t-miss journalism about Michigan’s natural resources.

The attorney general, who received heavy union support in her campaign, said Monday she will go after Michigan companies that don’t pay full wages and benefits to employees through a new payroll fraud unit

Michigan is among a dozen states that don’t provide funding to build or maintain buildings. That’s left districts like Whitmore Lake facing debt after trying to finance capital projects. How many more Michigan districts are in trouble?