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Whitmer quashes shelter-in-place rumors, suspends evictions during COVID-19 crisis
At a COVID-19 press conference Friday afternoon, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shut down rumors about whether or not state leadership will issue a stay-at-home order in Michigan as other states have done. A statewide coronavirus hotline is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-888-535-6136. Information can be found on the […]
Nobody can gather petition signatures right now. What does that mean for 2020 candidates, ballot questions?
As more people stay at home to slow the spread of COVID-19 and flatten the curve, face-to-face petition gathering for 2020 elections has ground to a halt. This is a big problem for ballot question committees, which have to gather at least 425,059 valid signatures for constitutional amendments, 340,047 for state statutes and 212,529 for […]
New: 334 cases of COVID-19 reported in Michigan, 3 deaths*
Updated, 6:15 p.m. 3/19/20 with updated numbers from the state The number of known positive cases of COVID-19 in Michigan skyrocketed to 334* cases by Thursday evening, according to adjusted figures released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). There have been three deaths. On Wednesday, the state reported 80 known cases […]
Unemployed need to file online for benefits during outbreak. Here’s how.
To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Unemployment Insurance Agency, starting at 3 p.m. Wednesday, is closing its statewide lobbies to the public, except for customers with appointments, and asking people to use UIA online resources for unemployment assistance. “Michigan is doing all it can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We are asking residents […]
Michigan Legislature OKs $125M for COVID-19, schools left out
The Michigan Legislature on Tuesday night approved an additional $125 million to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. House Bill 4729, which passed through the Senate and House with unanimous support, allocates $50 million for hospital services and medical supplies and $40 million will go toward general efforts. The bill also sets aside […]
Ed leaders to DeVos: Waive standardized tests due to Michigan school closures
After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order to close all K-12 schools for three weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic, she and state education leaders are calling on U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to waive the national requirement of standardized student assessment tests. State Superintendent Michael Rice and state Board of Education President Casandra […]
‘COVID-19 is a virus that does not discriminate’: Advocates want help for marginalized people
A coalition of 49 community-based groups sent a letter Tuesday to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asking that she take immediate action to protect marginalized Michiganders during the COVID-19 outbreak in the state. At the time of publication, the state has 65 positive cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus, but health officials believe […]
Trump attacks Whitmer on Twitter after she asks feds for more support
President Donald Trump targeted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Twitter Tuesday morning after the governor called on the president for more federal support to stop the spread of COVID-19, a disease caused by a new coronavirus. Whitmer told MSNBC that the federal government was unprepared for the pandemic and that the president has not taken the […]
COVID-19 scrambles census plan, leaders stress online option
Michigan kicked off the largest census campaign in state history with bipartisan leaders in February, allocating a record $16 million for outreach and preparation and setting a goal for 82% participation this year. But now the COVID-19 outbreak and a number of statewide closures ordered by the governor might put a wrench in that plan. […]
Price gouging could cost you $500 during coronavirus outbreak, AG cracking down on large gatherings
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Sunday to impose restrictions on price gouging in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Michigan that has risen to 33 positive cases of the coronavirus as of this story’s publication. Executive Order 2020-8 restricts businesses or individuals from reselling products at prices grossly higher than the original cost […]
Updated: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 25, SOS stops walk-in appts.
Updated, 9:06 p.m., 3/13/20 with nine new cases There are new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus, reported in Michigan as of Friday evening. That has brought the total of presumptive positive cases up to 25, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).* Coronavirus information can be […]
Whitmer bans all gatherings of 250+ people to limit coronavirus spread
Starting Friday evening, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is prohibiting all events and assemblages over 250 people until April 6 to limit the spread of COVID-19. Executive Order 2020-5 also closes all K-12 school buildings to students from Monday until April 5. Childcare facilities will remain open during the statewide shutdown, whether they are attached to schools […]