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Statewide COVID-19 rates continue to rise with 13,102 new cases in the last week
After last week brought an end to a five-week decline in cases, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported another increase in cases in its weekly report released Tuesday. The department reports a total of 2,619,533 Michiganders tested positive for COVID-19, an additional 13,102 cases compared to the previous week’s increase of 14,353 […]
DHHS announces probable case of monkeypox in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Wednesday announced Michigan’s first probable case of monkeypox was detected in an Oakland County resident. Preliminary testing at the DHHS Bureau of Laboratories returned a presumed positive result for Orthopoxvirus. Monkeypox is part of the Orthopox family of viruses and confirmatory testing at the Centers […]
Whitmer urges insurance companies to ensure coverage for reproductive health care
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called on Michigan health insurance companies to ensure women have coverage for reproductive health care. On Wednesday, the governor sent letters to every major health insurance provider in the state, urging them to take every action possible to […]
Doctors call for abortion to remain legal in Michigan
Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday, health care advocates and lawmakers are pushing to ensure abortion access is protected by the Michigan state constitution. On Monday, physicians from across Michigan discussed the medical uncertainties presented by the state’s own abortion ban that’s not currently being enforced, as well as […]
Experts discuss importance of COVID-19 vaccines for children under 5
Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved COVID-19 vaccines for young children, ranging from 5 years to 6 months old. This new recommendation means nearly 20 million additional children in the United States are now eligible for the vaccine. According to the CDC, distribution […]
Coalition challenges Michigan Senate panel opposition to protection for U.P. wilderness areas
A collective of more than 350 groups are speaking against a Michigan Senate panel’s efforts to prevent four areas in the Ottawa National Forest from becoming national wilderness areas. Keep the U.P. Wild, a coalition of environmental, religious, business, academic and community leaders, submitted its written opposition to Senate Resolution 150 on June 15. If […]
Advocates encourage voting accessibility and engagement with young voters
Activists, educators and nonprofit organizers on Wednesday discussed efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 elections, restrictions on voting rights and methods for promoting civic engagement. The panel was held as part of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights’ 2022 Civil Rights Summit at the Lansing Center. The discussion opened with Democratic Secretary of […]
Michigan communities host Juneteenth events celebrating culture, education and activism
As Juneteenth approaches, communities and institutions throughout Michigan are hosting parades, festivals and educational events to commemorate the holiday. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day or Emancipation Day, is celebrated annually on June 19, marking the anniversary of Union soldiers arriving in Galveston, Texas, and informing enslaved African Americans of their freedom, more […]
State reports 13 new COVID-19 outbreaks in schools during the last week
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports that 141 pre-kindergarten-12 schools are reporting new or ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks as of Tuesday. Of those, 13 K-12 schools in five counties are experiencing new outbreaks or clusters as of Monday that total 64 COVID-19 cases. The state reports school-and-sports-related COVID-19 outbreaks on a weekly […]
Hundreds gather on Michigan Capitol steps Saturday demanding action to end gun violence
Hundreds of students, parents and education professionals filled the capitol lawn Saturday morning calling for solutions to gun violence in response to a spate of mass shootings across the nation. The protest was organized by March For Our Lives, a youth-led movement focused on civic engagement, education and direct action by youth to eliminate gun […]
Officer will be charged in death of Patrick Lyoya, Kent County prosecutor announces
On Thursday afternoon, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced Officer Christopher Schurr will be charged with one count of second degree murder for shooting and killing 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop. Schurr has reportedly turned himself in and will be arraigned in the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids tomorrow, Becker said. Benjamin […]
Experts: Loss of COVID relief could lead to increased hardship for low-income families
The pandemic has been marked by economic hardship, as tens of millions of people lost work due to the uncertain and changing circumstances of COVID-19. As Americans have coped with the effects of the pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau began conducting a survey to measure how households were impacted. Part of the data included whether […]