Alexandra Schmidt

Not everyone in Traverse City and other coastal vacation hubs are geeked at the arrival of tourists on Memorial Day weekend, days after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lifted restrictions on northern Michigan businesses.

Detroit had marshaled huge resources to boost census participation. Then came COVID-19. Now, as cases decline, the city is trying to play catchup because millions of dollars are at stake from an accurate count.

Democrats campaigning in Michigan’s March 10 primary want to reverse most of President Trump’s immigration policies, advocating for a path to citizenship, new types of visas and more help for refugees.

Fears persist that census data will be used to target minority populations for deportation, shaping outreach efforts and likely reducing the number of people that will respond to the census.

Yale polling data find most Michigan residents believe in climate change, are worried about it, and think it’ll harm people in the United States. But they also believe they won’t be impacted personally.

Amber DeLind was recognized as one of Oakland County’s Elite 40 under 40 for her work helping spark policy changes in Michigan.

Polling by The Center for Michigan of more than 3,100 residents shows broad support for increased regulations to protect waterways and heightened anxieties about their safety.

Lower (or free) college tuition? Erasing student loan debt? Democrats running for president have big ideas about cutting the cost of higher education. Here’s a primer on where each candidate stands.

Detroit is considered one of the hardest cities in the nation to count in the Census, and is working hard to increase participation in some neighborhoods. Plenty of distrust remains, though, as evidenced by efforts in the small east side neighborhood of Yorkshire Woods.

Michigan’s tepid winter is stressing ski hills, snowmobile clubs, sporting good stores and restaurants alike. Get used to it. This could be the new normal with climate change, experts say.

A strong majority of Michiganders say the state must reduce the number of schools relying on long-term substitutes and find ways to ensure trained teachers are educating students, Bridge Magazine polling shows.

The state has proposed maximum contaminant limits for seven PFAS compounds in Michigan drinking water. Here’s what they are, and how you can weigh in on the limits.

Amid tensions on water diversions, Democrats propose legislation that would limit Nestlé’s ability to pump Michigan groundwater and export it out of the state. But farmers say such a law threatens their groundwater rights.

So many changes in next year’s census, from online and phone options to new doubts about issues of confidentiality, particularly among undocumented residents. Bridge answers some of the most commonly asked questions.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s first State of Education report bemoans high dropout rates in postsecondary education, leaving students with debt but not the credentials to get solid jobs with local employers.

Fourteen towns heavily burdened by marijuana convictions voted to legalize recreational pot last year. But city officials put the brakes on opening a marijuana business, at least for now.

Bridge Magazine uncovered that up to 50,000 K-12 students in Michigan are being taught by long-term (often uncertified) substitute teachers. You can weigh in and hear experts talk about this troubling trend, and how to fix it.

Bridge spoke with 29 Michigan teachers in a Facebook group about the read or flunk law that hits third-graders this year. They’re dubious the law will improve literacy but have plenty of other ideas.

The Center for Michigan is hitting the road to find out how residents view management of the state’s waters. Here’s how to have your voice included in our Citizens Water Agenda, which will be delivered to every state leader.

Michigan’s high court will hear oral arguments Wednesday on whether Republican efforts to pass the ballot measure, then gut it, violated the constitution. That does not mean the court will decide the matter, at least right now.