Riley Beggin

Riley Beggin is a Capitol reporter covering Michigan politics, including legislative, gubernatorial and other statewide elections. She joined Bridge in January 2018 after working at KPCC, Los Angeles’ NPR member station. Before that, she was a fellow at ABC News’ Washington Bureau and an intern with NPR’s investigative unit. Riley majored in history and international relations at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. She also holds a master’s degree in investigative journalism from the University of Missouri. You can reach Riley at rbeggin@bridgemi.com or call her at 517-657-3580.

Articles

‘We need help’: Coronavirus ‘devastating’ black cities in outstate Michigan

April 9, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Mike Wilkinson, Louis Aguilar

Racial disparities that struck southeast Michigan are repeating in Flint, Saginaw, Lansing and Ypsilanti, highlighting inequities in health care. And even as Detroit cases ebb, the mourning is just beginning: ‘I just feel numb,’ one says.

Coronavirus pandemic extends Michigan stay-at-home order until end of April

April 9, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

Additional restrictions will be put on large stores under extended stay-at-home order and vacation travel is banned.

Despite brutal day, signs of hope in Michigan’s coronavirus curve

April 7, 2020 | Mike Wilkinson, Louis Aguilar, Riley Beggin

COVID-19 cases spiked yet again statewide on Tuesday, but Detroit’s rate is beginning to slow — and Michigan’s curve is looking less like that of New York by the day.

Michigan Gov. Whitmer: I’m trying to be transparent about coronavirus data

April 7, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

Gretchen Whitmer says hospital data are slowly improving about the coronavirus and blames a lack of funding for jammed phone lines for those trying to file for unemployment.

Michigan third in nation for coronavirus, last for data about patients

April 6, 2020 | Mike Wilkinson, Riley Beggin

Unlike other states, Michigan doesn’t release information about coronavirus recoveries, patients on ventilators or in intensive care. Michigan is tied with six other states in releasing the least data, according to the COVID Tracking Project.

Social distancing crackdown coming in Michigan as coronavirus deaths mount

April 3, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Kelly House

As coronavirus cases mount, officials say they’ll charge rule breakers up to $1,000 or lock them up. In Detroit, the city is threatening to close parks, while Flint has imposed a citywide curfew

Are lottery ticket sales next thing to go in Michigan amid coronavirus?

April 3, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Louis Aguilar

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she’s ‘taking a very serious look’ at halting the sale of lottery tickets in stores because people still aren’t getting the message about social distancing.

Black communities hit harder by coronavirus in Michigan, not just Detroit

April 1, 2020 | Mike Wilkinson, Riley Beggin

Communities with higher percentages of African Americans so far have been hit harder by the coronavirus in Michigan. Lawmakers want more data about victims to allocate resources, but some fear a backlash from publicizing the information.

As coronavirus bears down, Detroit enters a grim new phase

March 30, 2020 | Kelly House, Robin Erb, Riley Beggin, Louis Aguilar, Mike Wilkinson

In metro Detroit, the epicenter of Michigan’s outbreak, the pandemic is spreading rapidly as hospitals, government leaders and residents deal with medical shortages and some painful goodbyes.

Michigan may need another 8,000 ventilators as coronavirus outbreak worsens

March 30, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Michigan’s top doctors says the state could need 10,000 ventilators and only has 1,700. The shortage is one of several Michigan officials are confronting as cases spike in southeast Michigan.

White House worried about rapid spike in Detroit coronavirus cases

March 26, 2020 | Louis Aguilar, Mike Wilkinson, Riley Beggin

The White House weighs in as Detroit reels from a spike in cases. The virus has struck a civil rights leader, state lawmaker and police officials, and health experts warn this is the beginning: ‘The people of the state are in serious risk,’ Mayor Duggan says.

As Detroit ICUs fill, officials ask outstate hospitals to share the load

March 26, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Hospitals outside of southeast Michigan are being asked for 10 percent of their beds for coronavirus patients as the state looks for “alternative sites” for field hospitals.

What the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus means for you and Michigan

March 25, 2020 | Riley Beggin

It’s the biggest aid package in American history, pledging help for individuals, businesses and hospitals as much of the nation’s economy shuts down during the ongoing pandemic.

As hospitals fill, Michigan eyes dorms and hotels for coronavirus patients

March 24, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Michigan’s hospitals are becoming so overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients that officials are looking elsewhere for help. Even a Detroit velodrome is undergoing a deep clean in case it is needed.

What jobs are exempt from Michigan coronavirus lockdown? You may be surprised.

March 23, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Michigan to stay home, but allowed ‘essential’ employees to keep working. Her exemptions include more than a dozen industries employing 1 million workers.

Michigan coronavirus cases surge with more testing but shortage remains

March 20, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the state is prioritizing testing for the highest-risk patients as a shortage persists.

Michigan hospitals turn to quilting scraps, DIY videos to fight coronavirus

March 20, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Robin Erb

The state is trying to learn exactly what resources hospitals are working with. In the meantime, health care workers are taking measures into their own hands.

Coronavirus layoffs cascade across Michigan. ‘What will I do?’ workers ask

March 17, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Ron French

One day after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shuts down restaurants and bars, workers fear the worst and wonder what bill to skip. One compares it to Russian roulette. Another stocks up on ramen and braces for long haul.

Coronavirus doesn’t kill the party in Michigan. And that has many worried.

March 15, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Robin Erb

From college towns to big cities, Michiganders are crowding into bars despite warnings from health officials. That has some calling for Michigan to adopt stricter limits.

Coronavirus is here. And Michigan’s public health system is underfunded.

March 12, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Robin Erb

Michigan has the lowest rate of public health funding in the Midwest, and local governments may strain to provide other services in the wake of the coronavirus.

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