Ashley Zhou | Bridge Michigan

Jim Bridgforth, one of two river walkers assigned to the Detroit River, hands an "Eat Safe Fish" tote bag to an angler at Mariner Park.

Michigan 'river walker' program warns anglers on eating contaminated fish

Michigan's legacy of industrial pollution continues to taint the flesh of fish in the state's lakes and rivers. Warning signs only do so much. River walkers tell anglers about the risks.

Signs at the Michigan DNR boat launch will be replaced to remove the offensive term. They'll be replaced with signs that read "Paint Lake."

Social Justice

Michigan removes derogatory Native slur from Oxford Township boat launch

Ashley Zhou | Bridge Michigan

After Squaw Lake's name was changed to Paint Lake, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is changing the name of its boat launch as well.

Aluminum cans and bottles are pressed into bricks of recyclable material, waiting to be shipped and formed into new beverage containers.

Environment & Climate Change

Michigan bottle return rate fell after pandemic ban. Would price hike help?

Ashley Zhou | Bridge Michigan

Michigan was a U.S. leader in bottle and can redemption in 2019, with a nearly 90 percent return rate. That rated dropped to 73 percent in 2020, after the state temporarily banned bottle deposit returns in response to COVID. Proponents and critics of the bottle law say changes might be needed.