Kalamazoo Times

School formulas could increase the educational gap between economic groups in Michigan

By Benjamin Kibbey | Feb 4, 2021

As federal relief reaches Michigan school districts, some are raising concerns over whether the formulas used will ultimately lead to low-income students being left in the lurch, and funding proposals from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer may only make the situation worse.

Whitmer inauguration photo raises questions over Michigan's outdoor gathering restrictions

By Benjamin Kibbey | Jan 25, 2021

Leading up to the 2020 election, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer warned Michiganders against attending large rallies for former President Donald Trump, saying that the size of the rallies can and has led to the spread of COVID-19.

Seventy-four percent of requested absentee ballots for Kalamazoo County have already been cast

By Benjamin Kibbey | Oct 27, 2020

With less than a week before Election Day, states across the U.S. are seeing record voter turnout in early and absentee voting, and ballots cast, as of Oct. 27, were already approaching half of the total voter turnout in 2016.

COVID-19 safety efforts spark new hazards for children as calls to poison control calls spike

By Benjamin Kibbey | Oct 6, 2020

A recent spike in calls to poison control centers may be tied to people, concerned about COVID-19, stocking up on cleaning products they wouldn’t normally keep around their homes, including a 70% increase in calls related to hand sanitizer.

Eckhart CEO says COVID-19 should be taken seriously but fearmongering has gone too far

By Benjamin Kibbey | Oct 6, 2020

With the economic crisis created by restrictions related to COVID-19 hammering on the doors of the nation’s manufacturers, some business leaders are saying it’s time to get back to work.

Vines' book lambastes foolish responses from both sides of the aisle

By Benjamin Kibbey | Sep 21, 2020

As the author of a newly released book that sharply criticizes much of the recent response to the COVID-19 pandemic, author Jason Vines remains a supporter of President Donald Trump and said that the response to the two parties’ conventions demonstrates that Republicans are much more enthusiastic about the upcoming election than Democrats.

From Shiawassee Times

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

By Benjamin Kibbey | 3 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.

Michigan drivers have new insurance options with the end of no-fault law

By Benjamin Kibbey | Aug 14, 2020

Recent changes to state law passed by the Michigan Legislature have ended the state’s longstanding no-fault car insurance law.

Legislators question Whitmer's motives for killing whistleblower protections

By Benjamin Kibbey | Jul 20, 2020

Two Republican state legislators are questioning whether Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent veto of whistleblower protections indicates she does not want those who see mismanagement in government to come forward.

Death of teen at Lakeside for Children will lead to loss of facility's license

By Benjamin Kibbey | Jun 30, 2020

After a child recently died while in restraints at the Lakeside for Children facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon said the state will ban the use of the type of restraints involved.