Every Michigan firefighter tested had PFAS in their blood, per new state data. The chemicals are linked to firefighting foam and gear. Blood levels weren't dramatically higher than the average American's.

Nurses allege gender-based discrimination, a toxic workplace and retaliation. A county HR investigation called his behavior untenable. Now a state labor board is weighing in on St. Clair County's controversial medical director. My story for @BridgeMi.com bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

I’ve covered a lot of stories about cracks in Michigan’s mental health system: underfunded providers, workforce shortages, gaps in rural care. The Bergmann Center story feels like all of those threads at once. My latest for @BridgeMi.com. bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

I’m hosting an event tonight on health care in Michigan. I hope you can make it!  bridgemi.com/events/bridg...

There's been 139 flu-related pediatric deaths in the U.S. so far this season — 6 have occurred in Michigan.

More than 61,000 utility customers in Michigan have a power outage after recent storms. In Barry County, 1 in 4 are without power.

Ownership disputes, aging design add to Cheboygan dam’s failure threat by @kellyhouse.bsky.social / @bridgemi.com

I joined @wdet.bsky.social to discuss my reporting about MAHA in Michigan. Take a listen: 

I've been digging into why Michigan kids in mental health crisis are increasingly ending up in out-of-state facilities — sometimes thousands of miles from home. Talked about it on WJR 760's All Talk with Kevin Dietz.

Michigan has recorded its 5th pediatric flu death this season, even as flu activity returns to regional baseline. MDHHS officials tell me cause of death is determined by a medical examiner, which can take time to confirm.

Tune in today 📻 — I joined @michiganpublic.bsky.social to talk about Michigan kids being sent out of state for mental health treatment, and what's driving the collapse of in-state psychiatric bed capacity. 3pm on Stateside.

About 158,000 Michigan residents are in the criminal legal system, with the majority on community supervision like probation (via @PrisonPolicy.org).

Monroe County has confirmed its first measles case and two exposure locations. That brings Michigan to 8 confirmed cases. State health officials say they haven't been able to "definitively" link the Monroe case to the Washtenaw County outbreak.

Michigan has more than doubled the number of youth sent to out-of-state facilities in just the last three years. With costs surging and in-state beds disappearing, families are left navigating a map with no local route to recovery.

As in-state mental health facilities shutter due to staffing crises and policy shifts, more Michigan children and teens are being sent thousands of miles away for life-saving treatment. My latest with @jordynhermani.bsky.social for @bridgemi.com

It's been a week since Washtenaw County reported a new case in its measles outbreak. As of March 30, confirmed cases remain at 7, with one hospitalization.

A 4th Michigan child has died from the flu this season — the first death reported in the Up North/Upper Peninsula region.

Michigan has 500+ vacancies for paramedics and EMTs. The jobs regularly handle the state’s worst medical traumas and receive wages similar to fast-food workers. The state spent $30M on workforce development, but shortages persist. More on rural EMS for @bridgemi.com bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

Nearly 70% of Michigan counties have ambulance "deserts" where response times top 25 minutes. The average advanced life support call costs $1,500, but insurers often pay less than $500. My story on the challenges facing rural EMS for @bridgemi.com bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

A Michigan law protecting LGBTQ+ youth from discredited "conversion therapy" practices is facing more legal challenges after a recent SCOTUS decision. AG Dana Nessel said her office is preparing to update a federal court on a related lawsuit soon. @bridgemi.com bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

Michigan is recording its first measles case in a child under 5. The Washtenaw County outbreak has now reached 7 cases, all in unvaccinated individuals. One person has been hospitalized.

Doctors say ICE enforcement is rising at Michigan's hospitals and clinics. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and the ACLU of Michigan have new guidance on how to respond. @BridgeMi.com bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

Washtenaw County measles outbreak now has five confirmed cases. All occurred in unvaccinated individuals.

Michigan is confirming a measles outbreak in Washtenaw County. All 3 cases are connected to several high-trafficked areas in Ypsilanti and Canton. That includes a mall, urgent care clinics, a pharmacy, cell phone stores and a restaurant. @BridgeMi.com bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

Michigan is confirming a measles outbreak in Washtenaw County with 3 confirmed cases reported. The county has listed the following public exposure locations:

I’m a Jewish journalist. At Temple Israel, the news came to my community. It was a reminder of the naked truth of our profession: though reporters may try their best to remove themselves, the stories we cover are never as far away as they seem. Full essay for @bridgemi.com here: tinyurl.com/yj7j97wa

St. Clair County's medical director says comparisons to RFK Jr. are a "great compliment and honor." He wants to ban fluoride and has made it easier to skip childhood vaccines. So who is he? My profile of Dr. Remington Nevin for @bridgemi.com bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

A Michigan county medical director has called the state health department "full of degenerates" with an "evil" agenda — and local officials keep agreeing with him. My story for @bridgemi.com on how St. Clair County's public health system is being taken over: bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

"To expect hospital emergency departments to be ready to assume responsibility for an unknown number of additional individuals that are brought to hospitals by law enforcement is unfair and impractical." bridgemi.com/michigan-hea...

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports 965 public and nonpublic schools in the state currently hold active MI HEARTSafe School Award status.

A 2024 state law required schools to adopt a cardiac emergency response plan for the current school year — if the Legislature appropriates “sufficient funds.” No dedicated money was included in the current state education budget’s school safety fund.

I joined @michiganpublic.bsky.social’s Stateside yesterday to discuss recent trends in Michigan’s health insurance enrollment. We explored why fewer Michiganders are signing up for coverage through the ACA marketplace in 2026. Listen to the full segment: www.michiganpublic.org/stateside/20...

Michigan flu cases continue to taper, with fewer hospitalizations and outbreaks since peak activity a few weeks ago. About 4.3% of outpatient visits are reporting influenza-like illness.

Any updates on the Puppy Bowl?

If you haven’t had a Vernors Boston Cooler in a can, what are you doing with your life??

Applications for Rx Kids, the program that provides cash for expectant mothers and infants, are expected to go live in Detroit on Feb. 9. It will be the largest city in Michigan to join. rxkids.org

Perspective from a 7th grader: “Our generation never had to worry about getting sick from polio or smallpox, but today as I sit in my classroom, I realize how much our safety depends on the collective action of our society.”

There have been 5,369 hospitalizations for flu in Michigan this season. Cases are declining, but still elevated.

Local health officials are championing a “new era of vaccine choice in St. Clair County.”

Wondering where Michigan's candidates for governor stand on data centers? Look no further bridgemi.com/michigan-gov...

Some stellar reporting from @outliermedia.org that shows how Fraser police worked with federal immigration enforcement to send a 17-year-old Venezuelan asylum seeker and his mother to a Texas detention center. youtu.be/3gnl68bRdxw

Michigan has quietly halted efforts to shake up the way public funds for mental health care in the state are managed. The retreat ends a months-long effort to introduce “consumer choice” reforms to a Medicaid-supported system that serves 300,000.

Faced with severe worker shortages of doctors, dentists and other health care professionals, Michigan is considering filling the gap by expanding roles for some workers, like nurse practitioners, and even creating entirely new health care job categories.

Michigan’s population gain is more about fewer people leaving than more people moving in, according to a state demographer.​​​​​​​​​​

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services stripped subsidies for 48,608 Michigan enrollees on the health care exchange last year who were concurrently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.