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Citizens cannot do their job of running their government if they don’t know what their public servants are doing. Bridge will take you beyond the political food fights into the policy decisions that affect everyday life.
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Database: How many cops has your town lost?
Plenty of Michigan towns and cities lost 30, 40 or even 50 percent of its police force in the past decade
In Wayne, passing the hat for a fire hose
Out of money, the city of Wayne depends on public generosity to maintain public safety. Is this any way to run a government
In Battle Creek, a starving Cereal City
The “breakfast capital of the world” is having its lunch eaten by a fraying municipal infrastructure.
In Saginaw, parks and wreck
Saginaw’s recreation department was eliminated following cuts to state revenue sharing money, which used to be the city’s biggest funding sourc
Not waiting for government, philanthropy steps up to help Flint
In an echo of Detroit’s “grand bargain,” 10 Michigan foundations, led by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, are combining to inject up to $125 million into Flint’s recovery.
Are tampons as essential as toilet paper? Menstruation goes mainstream
The Michigan Legislature has yet to hold hearings on a measure that would require that tampons be provided free in public schools and state buildings. Other bills would exempt menstrual products from the state sales tax
Why on earth is Candice Miller running for county drain commissioner?
The popular congresswoman is turning from Washington to pursue an obscure post that few people ever cared about. Until Flint.
Not so fast: A bill to raise state speed limits veers off track
A measure to raise speed limits on Michigan highways is intended to align speed laws with how fast people actually drive. It’s not working out that way.
U.S. Education Secretary criticizes Legislature for inaction on DPS
The failure to come up with more than short-term fixes shows “a lack of concern for people,” says John B. King Jr., who urged a permanent resolution
Flint 101: In business schools and seminars, a tough grade for Snyder
Michigan’s CEO governor is the subject of case studies and forums in which the culture in his administration is being compared with oil spills and the Challenger explosion.
Felony charges filed against state, city employees in Flint water crisis
The state attorney general promises more will be held responsible for the city’s lead-tainted water, while singling out two DEQ employees, as well as Flint’s water-quality supervisor.
24 Michigan hospitals were penalized for patient safety gaps. Is there a better measure?
A national ranking system financially punishes hospitals for high rates of hospital-acquired conditions, such as infections. But large, big-city hospitals say their poor scores can be misleading because they deal with patients more susceptible to complications.
Citizens Research Council marks 100 years of putting government under its microscope
It’s one of the most influential groups you’ve never heard of. Born a century ago, its independent research still drives much of state policymaking.
Candidates are gone, but economic woes remain for Trump, Sanders supporters
What happens when opposites attract? Many supporters of outsider candidates Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders find themselves agreeing on issues, but from very different directions.
The governor and the mayor: Perceived snubs strain Flint recovery
As city and state officials race to resolve the lead poisoning crisis in Flint, communication problems cause headaches and hard feelings
How Lansing can reduce crowding at state’s lone women’s prison
An epidemic of drug addiction has swollen the state’s sole women’s prison to near-capacity, leading to overcrowding complaints. Is there a better way?
Flint report offers damning verdict on state emergency manager law
In a blunt report putting the blame for Flint’s water crisis squarely on state government, a task force finds that Michigan gives too much power to emergency managers and not enough voice to local residents in distressed communities
Flint’s switch to river water left residents holding the tab
Beset by financial woes, Flint’s state-appointed leaders kept charging high rates to the city’s impoverished residents even though the switch to the Flint River sharply reduced city expenses
Breaking: Report finds ‘environmental injustice’ in Flint water crisis; poor, majority-black population given inferior protection
The task force, appointed by Gov. Snyder, finds state agencies, including Snyder’s office, were "indifferent" to residents’ concerns. The report is also scathing on impact of emergency management law. Read the full report here.