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Michigan reports more than 56K COVID-19 cases, 5,372 deaths
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports Thursday that 56,014 Michiganders have tested positive for COVID-19 and 5,372 have died from the virus — an additional 406 cases and 38 deaths since Wednesday. The outbreak has reached all but four of Michigan’s 83 counties. The state also notes that 17 of Thursday’s […]
Gaps identified in Line 5 protective coating, Enbridge says pipeline remains safe
Canadian oil company Enbridge is once again defending the integrity of its controversial Line 5 pipeline, which lies beneath the environmentally sensitive Straits of Mackinac and is approaching 70 years old. Enbridge revealed Tuesday that during seasonal maintenance work on the pipeline this month, workers found four spots on Line 5’s east segment where the […]
Gov. directs state environmental dept. to probe Midland dam failures, review statewide safety
A week out from the rainy Tuesday night in mid-Michigan that saw the collapse of at least two dams, widespread flooding and evacuations, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has announced that an investigation will be done to determine what caused the failures. In a letter to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Wednesday, […]
UWash COVID-19 Mich. forecast adjusts once again — this time, for the better
The data model from the University of Washington, known as the most optimistic forecast of the COVID-19 outbreak, has seen some major updates over the course of the past few months and at least three in May alone. The latest two UWash updates for Michigan this week come with relatively good news — although, given […]
Whitmer expands medical personnel who can order COVID-19 tests
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during a Tuesday news conference announced an executive order that expands community COVID-19 testing sites in Michigan, allowing additional types of medical personnel to conduct such tests. “One of the most powerful tools we have in the fight of this virus is widespread testing,” she said. The order, EO 2020-104, widens the […]
Michigan reports more than 55K COVID-19 cases, 5,266 deaths
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports Tuesday that 55,104 Michiganders have tested positive for COVID-19 and 5,266 have died from the virus — an additional 223 cases and 26 deaths since Monday. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office also announced the rollout of a new online dashboard for COVID-19 risk and trend data […]
State completes testing all prisoners for COVID-19
The Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) also issued an update on its large-scale COVID-19 testing efforts. Starting mid-April, the DOC partnered with the Michigan National Guard to test every prisoner at the state’s six prisons in the Upper Peninsula. After concluding that process in just five days, the department turned to Michigan’s lower peninsula on […]
Whitmer extends stay-home order, emergency declaration to mid-June
Fresh off a win in court, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a slew of executive orders Friday evening extending Michigan’s stay-home order and more. The stay-home measure will now continue an additional two weeks through June 12. The temporary closure of certain places of public accommodation such as theaters, gyms, and casinos has also been extended. […]
AG argues in court to shut down Line 5, oil company accuses her of pushing political agenda
The most prominent Michigan lawsuit filed against controversial Canadian oil company Enbridge is moving along once again. Oral arguments were heard Friday morning in the case of People of Michigan v Enbridge, the lawsuit brought by Attorney General Dana Nessel last summer that challenges the legality of Enbridge’s continued operation of the Line 5 oil […]
How many Michiganders are still without clean water during COVID-19? Not even the state knows.
Updated, 12:23 p.m. 5/22/20 Even when we’re not living through a pandemic, access to clean water can mean the difference between life and death for some of the most vulnerable populations. During the COVID-19 crisis, that access becomes even more vital. With that in mind, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on March 28 ordered public water utilities […]
Michigan reports more than 53K COVID-19 cases, 5,129 deaths
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reports Thursday that 53,510 Michiganders have tested positive for COVID-19 and 5,129 have died from the virus. This is an additional 501 cases and 69 deaths since Wednesday. The state also notes that 31 of Thursday’s additional deaths come from its most recent review of vital […]
After Midland, enviros urge funding for climate change preparedness, infrastructure
After heavy rain prompted the collapse of Midland’s Edenville dam on Tuesday, which has since caused at least two more dams on the Tittabawassee River to overflow, environmental advocacy groups in Michigan are sounding the alarm that the state needs to prepare for more catastrophic weather events as climate change worsens. Statements from the groups […]