Michigan News & Current Events | Public News Service

At this year's U.S. Conference of Mayors, the 2025 Police Reform and Equitable Justice Grant Program honored cities such as Cincinnati for innovative reforms. (Bryan J. Kelly/Adobe Stock)

Michigan mayor shares highlights from national meeting of city leaders

A Michigan mayor is back from Tampa, Florida, after attending a national gathering of nearly 200 city leaders. The 93rd Annual meeting of the U.S…

Around 67% of Medicaid beneficiaries in Michigan are enrolled in one of nine managed care plans.<br />(Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

League of Women Voters: Proposed federal cuts threaten MI health

CORRECTION: It was the Senate parliamentarian who decided part of the budget reconciliation bill violates rules for being able to pass it with a simpl…

Around 58% of U.S. school districts have cut back on instructional programs due to budget constraints. <br />(Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Michigan education bills disregard students' needs, says policy group

The Michigan League for Public Policy is warning recently passed education budget bills may appear to boost funding but ultimately fall short…

About 77% of adults over 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they grow older but fewer than half believe their current home will actually meet their needs as they age. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

AARP invests $73,000 in Michigan communities

Six Michigan projects have been awarded funding through AARP's largest-ever Community Challenge grant, aimed at making communities more livable…

According to Cox Automotive, U.S. electric vehicle sales hit 1.3 million in 2024, a 7.3% increase over 2023, accounting for roughly 8.1% of new car sales. (skyNext/Adobe Stock)

MI nonprofits help roll out plan to close EV equity gap

As Michigan aims to support 2 million electric vehicles by 2030, the new "Equitable EV Action Plan Framework" could help local leaders with the …

Across the U.S., solar capacity jumped 51% in 2023, reaching a record 32.4 gigawatts added, making up 53% of new grid capacity. (wjarek/Adobe Stock)

Federal bill would dim rooftop solar’s future, says Michigan CEO

A federal proposal moving through Congress could stall Michigan's booming rooftop solar industry by ending key tax credits that have fueled clean ener…

The Environmental Protection Agency said in 2021, U.S. landfills released 3.7 million metric tons of methane. It is the equivalent of 295 million metric tons of greenhouse gases when you count how strong methane is over 20 years. (kaliantye/Adobe Stock)

Methane detection study could aid Michigan’s landfill challenges

As Michigan faces growing concerns over landfill emissions, researchers have launched the third phase of a major methane detection study which could …

If the House budget reconciliation bill becomes law, annual cuts to Medicaid would average more than $70 billion in coming years, the same amount people earning $1 million or more per year would gain in tax cuts each year. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Michigan hospitals at risk under ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’

As Congress considers cuts to safety-net programs for what's known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," new analysis from the nonpartisan Congressiona…

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2025 Kids Count Data Book shows education is lacking nationwide. Nearly three quarters of fourth graders are not proficient in reading, and 73% of eighth graders are not proficient in math.

Report: Michigan kids improve in finances and family, lag in education

Michigan kids are making progress when it comes to family life and finances but they are still struggling in school. The Annie E. Casey Foundation's …

Buried food and yard waste break down without oxygen and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas (likstudio/Adobe Stock)

County leader working to change the way Michigan handles trash

By Nina Misuraca Ignaczak for Planet Detroit.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Michigan News Connection for the Planet Detroit-Public News Servi…

According to the US Energy Information Administration, Michigan ranks 10th among the states in total population and total energy consumption. (Adobe Stock)

Expert: Michiganders could pay millions to support outdated coal plant

Michigan taxpayers may end up footing the bill to keep an aging coal plant open. The J.H. Campbell plant was scheduled to close on May 31, but a …

Violence against clinics decreased significantly after the 1994 Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act was enacted. (Your Hand Please/Adobe Stock)

Michigan legislation targets violence against patients, abortion providers

By Alyssa Burr for the Michigan Independent.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Michigan News Connection reporting for the Michigan Independent-Pu…

Nationally, more than 117,000 children in the U.S. foster-care system are waiting to be adopted. The children range in age from infants to 21 years old, with the average age being older than 8. <br />(Photo courtesy the Wright family)

Michigan family shines in national adoption spotlight

A new public service announcement spotlights a Michigan teen, in and out of foster homes, who was adopted after a holiday visit turned into a …

Some college students reported their campus is more tolerant of certain viewpoints, usually liberal, while conservative perspectives often face more pushback. (Lomb/Adobe Stock)

Michigan college bucks national trend in free-speech rankings

A new study revealed free speech is increasingly under assault on college campuses but one Michigan school stands out for protecting it. The …

Research reveals that petting a dog can lower a child's heart rate and blood pressure.<br />(Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Study: Therapy dogs help kids in ER skip anxiety meds

A new study from Wayne State University finds that therapy dogs may be just what the doctor ordered for kids experiencing anxiety in the emergency roo…

According to a 2024 report from the Center for American Women and Politics, 44 members of the Michigan House and 14 members of the state Senate are women. (Adobe Stock)

MI senator sponsors tax credit, cash allowance bills to help families

As families in Michigan and elsewhere struggle with daily living expenses, bills introduced this month could alleviate their financial burden…

Nothing to party about: More than 11 million women, or about 8.7% of those 18 or older, had alcohol use disorder in 2023. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

The female face of alcohol misuse in Michigan

As Women's Health Month wraps up, the focus shifts to the rising concern of alcohol misuse among women, in Michigan and nationwide. According to …

The U.S. biogas industry grew quickly in 2023, adding 96 new projects, reaching a total of more than 2,251 active sites. (Wolfgang Jargstorff/Adobe Stock)

Battle brews in Michigan over methane deregulation bills

More than 20 groups are urging Michigan lawmakers to reject two bills they say would turn the state's farmland and rural towns into dumping grounds fo…

The EPA oversees and enforces federal water-quality standards across the Great Lakes basin, helping limit industrial discharges and sewage overflows. (Paul Retherford/Adobe Stock)

EPA on pause: Who’s policing polluters in the Great Lakes State and beyond?

As the Environmental Protection Agency scales back enforcement because of staff shortages and new federal rollbacks, concerns are growing in Michigan …

Between 2010 and 2024, hackers were behind most health care data breaches, affecting 88% of the 732 million exposed patient records. (ryanking999/Adobe Stock)

New MSU study: Ransomware a leading cause of U.S. health data breaches

According to researchers from Michigan State University, Yale and Johns Hopkins, ransomware is now the leading culprit behind U.S. health data …

As of July 2022, about 36.8 million U.S. adults younger than 65 had some college but no degree. In the following academic year, more than 943,000 re-enrolled. (Beaunitta V W/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

Michigan expands partnership to help adults return to college

Michiganders who left college early might now have a shot at finishing. The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential's …

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. <br />(Studio Romantic/Adobe Stock)

Stroke ranks in top five leading causes of death in MI

May is American Stroke Month and the American Heart Association wants Michiganders to know the signs of a stroke so they can take action if needed…

The Federal Bureau of Prisons is grappling with more than 4,000 unfilled positions, leading to a staffing level of 85% or below for correctional officers. (jzehnder/Adobe Stock)

Corrections officers in Michigan rally over stalled pension bills

Corrections officers and their supporters are rallying in Lansing today, urging lawmakers to stop stalling and act on bills to give them the same …

Many municipalities are now testing drinking water for PFAS but contamination is often widespread and difficult to remove. (show999/Adobe Stock)

MSU study highlights long-term impact of PFAS in drinking water

A new study from Michigan State University researchers revealed lasting PFAS effects in a Michigan community's drinking water near an old paper mill l…

Michigan plans to build 100,000 vehicle charging stations for 2 million electric vehicles by 2030. (Mike Mareen/Adobe Stock)

MI 'clean fuels' backers speak out as Congress could end EV tax credits

A Michigan group is speaking out after a top congressional leader's comment that lawmakers will most likely scrap the $7,500 federal tax credit for bu…

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, passenger vehicles emit about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, on average. (Chris Ahern Photo/Adobe Stock)

Detroit area pollution worsens, as 'clean vehicle' debate rolls on

Air pollution in the Motor City area is getting worse, according to a new report citing transportation emissions as the primary culprit. The …

The National Institute for Early Education Research conducts studies to strengthen the early childhood care workforce through evidence-based recommendations. (bernardbodo/Adobe Stock)

Federal funding uncertainty puts preschool pressure on Michigan

Michigan's Great Start School Readiness Program enrolled more than 41,000 preschoolers in the 2023-24 school year, almost 3,000 more than the year …

Executive orders and legislative pushes are common in the first 100 days of a new term, as presidents try to act quickly while political capital is at its peak. (kropic/Adobe Stock)

MI policy expert analyzes Trump’s executive orders after 100-day milestone

As President Donald Trump crosses the 100-day mark of his second term, a Michigan political expert is taking a closer look, especially at the …

New clean energy manufacturing plants, including for EV batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines, are being built across states like Michigan, Georgia, and Ohio. (Steve/Adobe Stock)

Policy changes could derail Michigan’s clean energy goals

By Alyssa Burr for the Michigan Independent.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Michigan News Connection reporting for the Michigan Independent-Pu…

Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has 60 legislative days to disapprove of new regulations. If no disapproval occurs, regulations remain in effect. (Herr Loeffler/Adobe Stock)

MI clean fuels expert speaks out as Congress aims to scrap EPA waivers

A Michigan clean fuels expert is weighing in as three Congressional resolutions introduced last week take aim at Environmental Protection Agency waive…

Originally operated by Entergy, Palisades was acquired by Holtec International in June 2022. <br />(JHVEPhoto/Adobe Stock)

DOE invests millions to revive MI nuclear plant, amid growing criticism

The owner of Michigan's Palisades Nuclear Plant is getting another $47 million to restart the facility. It is the third installment of a $1.5 …

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that between 2022-23, Detroit-area households spent $6,000 or 67% of their household budget on groceries and nearly $3,000 or 33% on eating out. (Adobe Stock)

MI residents can benefit from an upgraded spending plan

As Financial Literacy Awareness Month winds down, Michiganians who are worried about inflation, or watching their retirement account on the stock-…

From 2021 to 2022, the Department of Energy tripled its funding for agrivoltaics, including $8 million for a new program studying how solar panels can benefit farmers and rural areas. (pkproject/Adobe Stock)

Michigan State University study: Crops and solar panels can coexist

Results of a new study from Michigan State University suggest farmers no longer have to choose between growing crops and harnessing solar power…

The National Library of Medicine reports that many schools are incorporating mental health awareness into their curricula to reduce stigma and help students recognize and manage emotions. (Rido/Adobe Stock)

School mental health report card highlights Michigan’s strengths and gaps

A national report card finds that even with a $150 million budget threat last year, Michigan still made solid progress in staffing up its school …

At the Straits of Mackinac, Line 5 splits into two 20-inch pipelines, running along the lake bed for about 4.5 miles, connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. (CoastalSkyCaptures/Adobe Stock)

MI environmental groups, Tribes decry fast-tracking Line 5 tunnel

Environmental groups across Michigan are pushing back after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed it will fast-track Enbridge's Line 5 tunnel …

As of October 2024, approximately 37 million children in the United States were enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This represents about 49% of all U.S. children.<br />(Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Michigan policy expert unpacks impact of proposed Medicaid cuts

According to state data, as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, face cuts, Michigan's most vulnerable stand to lose …

Research for school-based asthma therapy shows the practice reduced emergency department visits by 49%, urgent care visits by 41%, hospitalizations by 50% and pediatric intensive care unit admissions by 71%. (Seventyfour/Adobe Stock)

MSU study: School asthma care boosts health, cuts costs

About 200,000 kids in Michigan have asthma, and nearly five million suffer from the condition nationwide. Research from Michigan State University …

Rural libraries often serve populations with limited access to transportation and lower incomes, making library services an essential lifeline for these communities. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Library groups fight cuts, warning rural areas in MI and nation will suffer most

Plans to slash funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services have drawn swift opposition from library and union leaders, as cuts threaten …

Some 18% of farms operated by beginning farmers report sales of $50,000 or more, compared to 26% of farms run by established producers. (DisobeyArt/Adobe Stock)

Lawmakers unite to address farmland access 'crisis,' in MI and beyond

Michigan ranks 15th in the nation for its number of farms, with 44,000, a slight decrease from 2023 and reflects a national decline. Now, beginning …

The DTE Trenton Channel Energy Center is expected to store 220 megawatts, or 880 megawatt hours, of energy. (DTE Energy)

MI clean energy projects await clarity on federal tax credits

Trenton is set to become home to the region's largest battery storage facility but federal policy changes might change how it's funded. The DTE …

In addition to gut health benefits, many researchers say reducing meat consumption and increasing plant-based foods can help lower greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water and reduce the environmental footprint of food production. (NDABCREATIVITY/Adobe Stock)<br />

Studies highlight gut health benefits of plant-forward diets in MI

By Dawn Attride for Sentient.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Michigan News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

According to an analysis by Energy Innovation, energy consumption could more than double by 2030. (vchalup/Adobe Stock)

Analysis: Repealing clean energy tax credits could raise energy costs in MI, U.S.

A new analysis from the think tank Energy Innovation warned repealing clean energy tax credits could significantly increase energy costs in Michigan a…

Financial pressures play a big role in resident physicians' unionization and strikes. A survey by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) found that 14% of medical residents reported educational debt exceeding $300,000. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Doctors, WMed reach agreement, avert potential strike

A strike set to begin today has been averted at Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, known as WMed. Its resident …

The Clean Fuel Tax Credit can increase up to $1 per gallon if producers meet wage and apprenticeship requirements. (Kirill Gorlov/Adobe Stock)

What’s next for MI's clean fuels tax credit?

As Congress debates cuts to offset tax-cut extensions, the future of the Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit remains uncertain, with potential impacts …

Nuclear energy experts said a pledge to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 signals a major corporate push toward nuclear energy, with an emphasis on advanced technologies. (ververidis/Adobe Stock)

Big tech backs nuclear expansion: What does it mean for Michigan?

In the wake of plans to reopen the Palisades Nuclear Plant in Covert Township after three years of inactivity, major tech companies have pledged to …

The initiative to build the Line 5 tunnel arose after incidents like a 2018 anchor strike that caused minor damage to the existing pipeline, highlighting vulnerabilities in its current configuration. <br />(Les Palenik/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Conflict of interest? MI groups question Trump, Line 5 contractor link

A Michigan nonprofit is among the groups raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest between President Donald Trump and the Line 5 tunnel …

President Donald Trump's executive order firing half the employees at the U.S. Department of Education is expected to lead some states to prioritize charter schools and private school vouchers over public schools. (wavebreak3/Adobe Stock)

MI expert analyzes Trump's Department of Education executive order

With the stroke of a pen Thursday, President Donald Trump's executive order officially fired 1,300 U.S. Department of Education employees. The move …

Lawmakers remain divided on how to address the U.S. Postal Service's financial crisis, with some advocating for government aid and others pushing for structural reforms. (Red Lemon/Adobe Stock)

MI postal workers join national 'Day of Action' to fight USPS privatization

Today, Michigan postal workers join colleagues nationwide, rallying to protect union jobs, and oppose postal privatization. With the theme "U.S. Mail…

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