Results for “rural communities”
21 stories
- politics
Michigan Gubernatorial Candidates Clash Over Data Center Regulation as Rural Communities Demand Local Control
Michigan's five gubernatorial candidates offered competing solutions to the data center boom, from local moratoriums to state regulations on energy costs, as rural communities demand greater say over these massive facilities.
April 24, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - policy
Michigan Rural Health Care Crisis Ignored as State Diverts Federal Funding Away from Communities That Need It Most
Michigan's $173 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding is being distributed in a way that allows major urban areas with robust health care systems to compete for resources meant for rural communities facing genuine challenges, according to state Sen. Jim Runestad.
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - policy
Michigan Lawmakers Propose Year-Long Data Center Moratorium Amid Rural Community Backlash
Bipartisan Michigan lawmakers introduced House Bills 5594-5596 to halt data center construction statewide for one year, giving communities time to assess impacts before approving new facilities.
April 19, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - politics
Michigan Solar Farm Pushback: Rural Communities Challenge State Approval Process as EDF Project Advances in Genesee County
Residents in northern Genesee County are gathering to fight a 2,021-acre solar project proposed by EDF Renewables, part of a broader trend of opposition to large-scale solar farms across Michigan as state law shifts approval power from local townships to the MPSC.
April 20, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan Communities Push Back Against Data Centers as State Lawmakers Consider Moratorium and Tax Repeal
Michigan communities are rallying against data centers while state lawmakers consider repealing tax breaks for the facilities. A ballot initiative to ban utility political donations has 81 percent support. Deep Green withdrew its $120 million Lansing proposal amid community opposition.
April 10, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan State Police Opens Federal BRIC Grant Program to Help Communities Prepare for Natural Disasters
Michigan State Police opens FEMA BRIC grant program to help communities prepare for natural disasters following federal court order restoring congressionally mandated funding program.
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - legislature
Michigan's School Funding System Leaves Rural Districts Behind as Administrators Write Grants Between Teaching Duties
Michigan rural school superintendents describe spending grant-writing hours between teaching duties, leaving small districts to miss out on millions in state funding that larger districts can access more easily.
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - courts
Michigan Opioid Settlement Funds Remain Unspent in Many Communities Three Years Later
Michigan communities have received millions in opioid settlement funds since 2023, but more than 40% of communities haven't spent any of it three years later, with approximately $90 million sitting in bank accounts statewide.
April 3, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - courts
Michigan Communities Still Sitting on Millions in Opioid Settlement Funds Three Years Later
More than three years after Michigan communities began receiving millions from an opioid lawsuit settlement, some local governments are only now preparing to begin disbursing funds, with nearly $90 million still unspent according to a recent investigation.
April 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·5 sources - policy
Michigan Communities Push Data Center Moratoriums Amid AI Boom Concerns
Michigan communities are increasingly pushing back against data center development, with 19 communities proposing or voting on moratoriums amid concerns about energy use, water resources, and environmental impact.
April 1, 2026·Michigan Capitol·7 sources - policy
Michigan Competitive Grant System Disadvantages Small Rural School Districts, Leaving Students Behind
Michigan's competitive grant system disadvantages small rural school districts, leaving students without access to essential programs like career tech and advanced placement courses. Administrators in small districts must complete grant applications between their regular duties, while larger districts have dedicated staff for the process.
March 31, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - governor
Michigan Requests Federal Aid After Deadly March Tornadoes Hit Southwest Communities
Governor Whitmer requests federal disaster aid following deadly March 6 tornado outbreak in southwest Michigan that killed four people and caused widespread destruction across Branch, Cass, and St. Joseph counties.
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Traverse City Cannabis Shops Face Squeeze as Michigan Supreme Court Fast-Tracks 24% Tax Battle
A 24% state wholesale tax on cannabis is squeezing Traverse City dispensaries and rural Michigan operators. The Michigan Supreme Court has ordered an expedited review of lawsuits challenging the tax.
May 25, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Traverse City Dispensaries Face Squeeze as Michigan’s 24% Wholesale Weed Tax Revenue Falls Short
Michigan's 24 percent wholesale marijuana tax is falling short of revenue projections, raising concerns for Traverse City dispensaries and rural communities that depend on cannabis tax revenue.
11h ago·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
Michigan House Budget Would Shift Childcare Billing From Enrollment to Attendance, Putting Muskegon Families at Risk
The Michigan House budget would shift childcare subsidy billing from enrollment to attendance. Providers warn the change could cost Muskegon and rural families $50 to $100 a month and push children out of subsidized care.
May 25, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - infrastructure
State of Emergency Declared as Major Water Main Break Affects Pontiac and Northern Oakland County
A massive water main break in northern Oakland County has led to a state of emergency declaration by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The 42-inch waterline rupture affects multiple communities including Pontiac, where residents face boil water advisories and school closures.
May 11, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - state government
Michigan Restores Federal Disaster Mitigation Funding After Court Victory
Michigan restores federal disaster mitigation funding after court victory. The BRIC grant program provides communities with $19 million in federal funding to reduce disaster risks from floods, tornadoes and severe storms.
April 13, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - courts
Three Years Later, Opioid Settlement Funds Still Sitting in Bank Accounts Across Michigan Counties
More than three years after Michigan communities began receiving millions from a national opioid lawsuit settlement, some have yet to spend any of the funds. A new report from the Attorney General's office will provide details on how communities across the state are handling the critical funding meant to help those battling addiction.
April 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - policy
Michigan Attorney General Wins Legal Battle to Restore Federal Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel secures federal court order restoring the BRIC disaster mitigation grant program, enabling communities to prepare for future tornadoes and severe weather after devastating March tornadoes killed four people in southwest Michigan.
April 3, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - governor
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Hosts Town Hall on Data Center Transparency in Howell
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel hosted a town hall in Howell addressing concerns about data center transparency, costs, and environmental impact as communities grapple with rapid development proposals across the state.
April 1, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - governor
Governor Whitmer Proclaims March 31 Transgender Day of Visibility in Michigan
Governor Whitmer and Lt. Governor Gilchrist signed a proclamation designating March 31 as Transgender Day of Visibility, recognizing Michigan's LGBTQ+ residents and their contributions to communities across the state.
March 31, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source