Rice’s departure comes at a crucial time for Michigan education, where some state education chiefs are embracing President Trump’s education agenda and others like Rice are fighting it.
Ron French
Ron reports on a variety of subjects across the state. Ron came to Bridge in 2011 from The Detroit News, where he was a project reporter. Born and raised in Indiana, Ron graduated from Purdue University. He reported for newspapers across Indiana before moving to Michigan in 1995. Ron lives in Okemos, and like the true Michigander he’s become, he now has a family cabin Up North. You can reach him at rfrench@bridgemi.com or 517-214-3636.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan drug recovery, worker housing in limbo after Trump funding freeze
Desperately needed housing for those recovering from drug addiction is on hold in a fight over ‘green’ federal grants.
Posted inTalent & Education
U-M, Grand Valley targeted for civil rights probes by Trump administration
The Trump administration announced new civil rights investigations into two universities in Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
What Trump’s pledge to repeal EV, climate regulations means to Michigan
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called the flurry of directives the ‘most consequential day of deregulation in American history.’ Michigan environmentalists agree — but they don’t think it’s a good thing.
Posted inTalent & Education
How Michigan may be impacted by Trump plan to gut Department of Education
The president intends to slash in half the number of employees in the department starting March 21. What cutting the agency does — and doesn’t — mean for states, college loans and services to disabled students.
Posted inTalent & Education
Trump admin to University of Michigan: Stop antisemitism, or face 'enforcement'
Trump administration warns 60 schools — including University of Michigan — they must do more to protect Jewish students from discrimination after pro-Palestinian protests over the Israel-Hamas war.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan food banks hit by Trump funding freeze to local farmers
A Biden-era program that pays local farmers to supply food for the needy is one of dozens of programs that Donald Trump has temporarily halted amid efforts to examine government spending.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan automakers get break on Trump tariffs — for now
Facing supply chain chaos and higher costs for consumers, Michigan auto leaders convinced President Donald Trump to give them a temporary exemption to 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump tariffs spark ‘trade war’ with Michigan’s biggest trade partners
Trump argues tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China will ultimately benefit states like Michigan and its dominant auto industry. But foreign leaders are fighting back with retaliatory tariffs.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Fentanyl came to a tiny UP town. Then the funerals began
One after another, Rapid River’s young people died of overdoses, as a small town learned it can’t escape Michigan’s opioid crisis.