The coronavirus child care crunch is falling hardest on low-income families of color, many of whom work in-person jobs in sanitation, grocery, and health care that the state has defined as “essential.” When these families have young students learning online, many parents find that they have no safe place to send their children during the work day.

In a new TV ad, Peter Meijer says hospitals will close with Hillary Scholten’s health care plan. Studies suggest that may be true. But Meijer also fudges his own stance.

Once-weekly reporting of coronavirus outbreaks in schools is the most local public health workers can handle, state health officials argued Wednesday.

Months after dire predictions that COVID-19 would force massive state spending cuts, rebounding revenue and federal assistance helped Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders strike a deal to avoid major service cuts. They even managed to find enough money for 33 “pork barrel” spending projects.

Seen as a rising star and the GOP’s best chance at flipping a Senate seat, John James opens up about his mistreatment at the hands of police and sympathies for protesters. But he’s less candid about the president he once said he supports “2,000 percent.”

Ingham County health officer Linda Vail said Michigan State has more than double the number of coronavirus cases listed on the school’s website. She said if case counts don’t drop, she would advise MSU to call off its opening game against Rutgers.

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State lawmakers could vote as soon as Wednesday on a roughly $60 billion budget bill that few have seen. It’s the latest development involving Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who campaigned on a pledge of transparency but has been slow to release information during the pandemic.

Early voting begins on Thursday, when clerks begin sending out absentee ballots to regular voters. Here’s how to cast your absentee ballot before Election Day.

Health care, abortion and even the presidential election could be impacted by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death on Friday evening.

There is a surge in cases in K-12 schools and on college campuses, but, so far, there’s no sign of increased hospitalizations.

Environment reporter Kelly House moderates an online Lunch Break discussion with environmental and municipal experts preparing for the impact of high water levels and coastal erosion on Michigan lakefronts. Bridge readers are invited to join the conversation.