Holland Reporter

Michigan's federal COVID-19 school funding could exacerbate economic inequality

By Benjamin Kibbey | Feb 4, 2021

As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature take on funding for Michigan’s schools, critics of the formulas used to distribute federal COVID-19 relief are raising concerns that the state could make the current situation worse.

Whitmer inauguration photo raises questions over outdoor gathering restrictions in Michigan

By Benjamin Kibbey | Jan 25, 2021

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent attendance at the inauguration of President Joe Biden has some critics crying foul, as the inauguration may have been restricted to a much smaller crowd if Washington D.C. were under the same restrictions on outdoor gatherings as Michigan is.

Duggan: Going into flu season, COVID-19 recommendations more important than ever

By Benjamin Kibbey | Oct 16, 2020

After the Michigan Supreme Court recently voted 4-3 to declare a 1945 law, under which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued most of her executive orders, to be unconstitutional, much of the discussion that followed has centered on what that ruling means in a practical sense for residents.

COVID-19 forces internships online, but companies and interns alike see benefits

By Benjamin Kibbey | Oct 6, 2020

Despite the economic crisis created by restrictions related to COVID-19 and the challenges of working effectively during a pandemic, many businesses still have opportunities for interns, and the success of virtual internships may make them a permanent fixture.

O'Malley urges fellow lawmakers to take action on steady decline of child care providers

By Benjamin Kibbey | Sep 30, 2020

Rep. Jack O’Malley (R-Lake Ann) is calling for the Legislature to take action to avert a major child care crisis in Michigan that is being brought on, in part, through burdensome regulations that have limited the number of providers in the state.

As U.S. focuses on COVID-19, opioid epidemic grows while no one is watching

By Benjamin Kibbey | Sep 25, 2020

Even as the nation struggles to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s still another health crisis that has long been stalking Michigan residents and their loved ones: the opioid epidemic.

From Shiawassee Times

Michigan school districts opt for a variety of options for fall reopening

By Benjamin Kibbey | 4 years ago

Bridge Michigan recently published a list detailing not only the reopening plans for local school districts across the state, but how those plans will progress into the coming year, with the promise to continue updating the information as it changes.

Slagh introduces legislation to protect Emergency Alert System from becoming ineffective due to overuse

By Benjamin Kibbey | Aug 15, 2020

State Rep. Bradley Slagh has introduced a bill to protect the Michigan Emergency Alert System from overuse and devaluation.

Whiteford's bill to provide emergency mental health services moves to Senate

By Benjamin Kibbey | Jul 20, 2020

Rep. Mary Whiteford’s (R-Casco Township) bill to establish crisis stabilization units in Michigan has moved onto the state Senate after passing through the state House.

Nesbitt praises resolution denouncing Whitmer's nursing home policy

By Benjamin Kibbey | Jun 30, 2020

State Sen. Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) recently added his support to Senate Resolution 125, which denounces Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s policy requiring nursing homes to take in nonresident patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Sen. Victory urges support for local businesses and health care workers

By Benjamin Kibbey | Mar 28, 2020

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, state Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville) has issued calls for community support of local businesses and health care professionals, and noted the importance of a bipartisan, supplemental budget bill intended to reduce the impact of the restrictions.