Bridge Staff, Author at Bridge Michigan

Study: Ann Arbor council most divided in nation — and that’s a good thing

Bridge Staff — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:21:23 +0000

Among 142 municipal governments studied nationwide, the Ann Arbor City Council had the highest rate of non-unanimous votes in the past decade-plus, according to data company Hamlet. (Photo via Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2025_annarbor_shutterstock.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2025_annarbor_shutterstock.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />A data company scoured 8 million meeting minutes nationwide over 17 years and concluded that Ann Arbor has the most dissent on its City Council. That makes for long meetings but good government

Watch, read Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s final State of the State address

Bridge Staff — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:34:46 +0000

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered her 2026 State of the State address in Lansing. (Lauren Gibbons/Bridge Michigan)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C224&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/260225-whitmer-hall-sots-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C583&ssl=1" />

Watch Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's final 2026 State of the State address, or read the full speech, as prepared for delivery.

Bridge Lunch Break recap: What issues matter most to Michigan voters?

Bridge Staff — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:07:27 +0000

A Bridge Lunch Break on Wednesday focused on the issues that Bridge Michigan readers have told us are the most important ones affecting the state this election year.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Lunch-Break-headers-web-dimensions-26-1.png?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Lunch-Break-headers-web-dimensions-26-1.png?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />

During a Wednesday virtual discussion, our Capitol team broke down where the candidates stand on a number of the issues on the minds of Bridge Michigan readers.

Trump vows temporary 10% global tariff after justices nix earlier effort

Associated Press — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:26:38 +0000

The US Supreme Court on Friday ruled against President Donald Trump’s far-reaching tariffs. (Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26037083228655-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AP26037083228655-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />

The Supreme Court has struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs, a decision with major implications for Michigan.

Bridge Lunch Break recap: Experts call for tougher nursing home regulations

Bridge Staff — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:01:07 +0000

A Bridge Lunch Break Wednesday followed a months-long examination of thousands of pages of inspection reports of Michigan’s nursing homes.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Lunch-Break-headers-web-dimensions-1120-1.png?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Lunch-Break-headers-web-dimensions-1120-1.png?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />

During a discussion Wednesday with Bridge readers, two experts called for tougher regulations and laws around nursing homes.

Who’s running for Michigan governor: Perry Johnson jumps into GOP race

Bridge Staff — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:16:58 +0000

FILE – Republican presidential candidate author Perry Johnson speaks at the Republican Party of Iowa’s 2023 Lincoln Dinner in Des Moines, Iowa, July 28, 2023. Republican businessman Perry Johnson has suspended his long-shot bid for president after failing to gain traction in the race. Johnson said Friday, Oct. 20, that his inability to participate in the debates contributed to his decision, though he said he would keep a small political team on staff in case the trajectory of the race changed. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

" data-image-caption="

Businessman Perry Johnson announced Monday he’s running for governor for the second time. (Charlie Neibergall / Associated Press)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AP23293730257647-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AP23293730257647-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />

Michigan voters will elect a new governor in 2026. See which candidates are already lining up to run.

Full video: President Donald Trump addresses Detroit Economic Club

Bridge Staff — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:01:00 +0000

The Detroit Economic Club will host President Donald Trump on Tuesday for a 2 p.m. speech at the MotorCity Casino Sound Board theatre. (Paula Gardner/Bridge Michigan)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/jan-13-2026-detroit-economic-club-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/jan-13-2026-detroit-economic-club-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C585&ssl=1" />

President Donald Trump is scheduled to address members of the Detroit Economic Club at 2 p.m. Watch the speech here.

Trump accuses Slotkin, other Dems of sedition ‘punishable by death’

Associated Press — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 21:15:01 +0000

President Donald Trump is criticizing Democrats like Michigan US Sen. Elissa Slotkin over a video urging military members to defy ‘illegal orders.’ (Evan Vucci and Kevin Wolf/Associated Press)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/trump-slotkin-ap-split.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/trump-slotkin-ap-split.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />

In a video, Michigan US Sen. Elissa Slotkin and other Democrats called on military members to uphold constitution and defy 'illegal orders.' President Donald Trump called it 'sedition.'

Historic government shutdown ends. Michigan lawmakers divided on deal

Associated Press — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:01:17 +0000

The U.S. House voted Wednesday to reopen the government after an historic shutdown.(Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press)

" data-image-caption="

The U.S. Capitol is seen on a sunset a day before the House prepares to vote on a bill to reopen the government at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25316007344145-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AP25316007344145-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />

Michigan's US House delegation votes along party lines on bill to end historic 43-day government shutdown.

$13B Stellantis expansion plan includes new jobs for Michigan

Associated Press — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:30:17 +0000

A transport carrying new cars arrives at a Stellantis facility July 10, 2023, in Belvidere. Ill. (Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AP25287817810752-scaled.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AP25287817810752-scaled.jpg?fit=780%2C520&ssl=1" />

Stellantis plans to invest $13 billion over four years to expand manufacturing in the US. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expects 900 jobs for Michigan as a result.