Ted Roelofs of Kentwood, has been a general assignment reporter at Bridge since 2012 and has written extensively on health care in that time as well as prison and juvenile justice reform. Roelofs spent nearly three decades at the Grand Rapids Press where he covered politics, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, rural poverty and mental illness among the homeless. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. Reach Ted at ted.roelofs@gmail.com
A DACA recipient volunteered briefly last year in House Speaker Tom Leonard’s office. Does that turn the deeply conservative Leonard into a liberal ally of former President Obama?
A Republican group is using the progressive’s fiery, anti-Trump rhetoric against her in online ads. Is Nessel too extreme to win a general election? Or has she seized on a winning formula in a polarized era?
News reports that beagles and monkeys were left behind at a New Jersey testing lab that went bankrupt have put Democratic candidate for Michigan governor Shri Thanedar on the defensive. He blames a creditor for any problems.
A street version of fentanyl is now responsible for more overdose deaths in Michigan than prescription medications. And white, working-class communities surrounding Detroit have been hit hardest of all.
A clinic in Ann Arbor tackles opioid addiction with the help of the Internet
Southeast of Grand Rapids, Hastings is battling opioid addiction and other challenges as it maintains its easy-going character. Bridge pays a visit during its 2018 Truth Tour.
A pre-K program supported by the Kellogg Foundation is getting 3- and 4-year-olds ready to start kindergarten. Expansion across Michigan would have a steep price tag, but high returns.
The state is a pioneer in state-funded early education for 4-year-olds. It’s now reaping the benefits.
PAC for Lt. Gov. Brian Calley lambastes GOP governor frontrunner Bill Schuette in cartoonish ad that stretches truth.
Michigan lieutenant governor points to tax cuts that he says grew the economy, but his latest ad omits large swaths of his legislative history on taxes.
Attorney General Bill Schuette releases ad blasting Lt. Gov. Brian Calley for his votes as the Republican race for governor heats up.
Upbeat TV ad urges Republicans to vote for lieutenant governor to “continue the comeback” in Michigan.
Michigan attorney general candidate Tonya Schuitmaker is attacking Republican rival Tom Leonard for not sufficiently opposing the Common Core education standards. A classic pot/kettle moment.
The former U.S. Attorney comes under fire from a left-leaning publication for his apparent transformation from a centrist Democrat to a progressive this election cycle. Hit job or truth telling?
Experts in Grand Rapids offer potential answers for a troubled public school system at the "Michigan Solutions Summit: An Educated Michigan," put on by The Center For Michigan/Bridge Magazine and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.
The state, hard hit by opioid deaths, has a shortage of doctors trained to prescribe medication that’s critical to recovery.
Expected bills aimed at skyrocketing drug costs face an uncertain fate in the Michigan Legislature
From pressuring drug manufacturers to offer bigger discounts to seeking bulk sales from Canada, other states are taking aggressive steps to help consumers.
The candidate for governor and tea party favorite tries to connect his early support for RTW to Michigan’s post-recession economic recovery. Did he go too far?
Graying populations in regions across Michigan can benefit from grassroots membership networks that help with rides, nursing visits, and other challenges for older residents who want to remain independent.
