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350K Mich. families will get additional SNAP benefits during pandemic
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Monday announced about 350,000 Michigan families will continue to have access to additional food assistance benefits in May in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 350,000 households that are receiving additional benefits represent about 50% of Michigan households that previously received […]
500-year flood event causes devastation in Midland County
City and state officials are calling flooding and failures of two dams on the Tittabawassee River in Midland County a 500-year event. Whitmer issued a state of emergency in the area Tuesday night. The Tittabawassee River reached a record level of 35 feet Wednesday afternoon, according to a tweet from the National Weather Service (NWS) […]
U of M resident doctors ‘frustrated’ after 5 months without wage deal
More than 1,300 resident physicians at the University of Michigan Hospital are fighting for fair wages as they risk their own health to provide care for COVID-19 patients. They’ve spent the past five months negotiating with hospital administrators to get a raise, and now they’ll have to wait a little longer. A meeting Monday night […]
Democratic Jewish Caucus slams Shirkey for speaking at rally with anti-Semitic themes
State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) was criticized by the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus after he spoke at what was billed as the “Michigan Patriots Rally” held at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids Monday night. A woman dressed like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with a penciled-on Adolf Hitler mustache was among the estimated 350 […]
Michigan surpasses 5K COVID-19 deaths
Michigan now has more than 52,000 cases of COVID-19 and 5,017 deaths as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), although state officials believe the actual number of cases is much higher. The state also notes that 43 of Tuesday’s additional deaths come from its most recent […]
Whitmer enacts new worker protections as businesses reopen
Businesses like manufacturing facilities and real estate offices resuming in-person operations are now required to develop a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan under a new order signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday. “I’m expanding worker protections today because people’s health and safety are my No. 1 priority,” said Whitmer. Businesses will be required to […]
U.P., parts of northern Mich. will be back in business before Memorial Day
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday announced the partial reopening of the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan as the rate of new cases of COVID-19 continues to slow. Whitmer’s plan allows retail businesses and offices to reopen, but bars and restaurants will be required to operate at 50% capacity in time for Memorial Day weekend, usually […]
Trump heading to Ypsilanti Thursday
President Donald Trump will be coming to Michigan on Thursday to tour the Ford Motor Co. Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti. The plant currently produces ventilators, and the tour is meant to highlight the importance of companies producing personal protection equipment (PPE) and other medical equipment during the pandemic, according to a report from the […]
Tough times on the farm: Why Midwest agriculture was on the ropes before coronavirus
All in all, 2019 was a terrible year for farmers across the Midwest. And 2020 doesn’t look much better. Bad weather, trade wars and low prices due to oversupply all contributed to the grim economic news, even before the COVID-19 pandemic began wreaking havoc with export markets. “Agriculture has been in a pretty strong downturn […]
Whitmer notes Michigan COVID-19 deaths could fill Fox Theatre
Michigan Health and Human Services (DHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said doctors across the state should be on high alert for children who exhibit symptoms of a COVID-19-related disease called pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome, or MISC. Symptoms of MISC include fever, low blood pressure or evidence of organ damage. Khaldun added children may […]
Detroit man could get 20 years in prison after alleged threat to kill Whitmer, Nessel
Robert Tesh, 32, of Detroit has been charged with false report of threat of terrorism after he allegedly made on April 14 “credible threats to kill” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel. Tesh allegedly made the threat while he was speaking with an acquaintance on a social media messenger app, according to a […]
Local governments turn to furloughs to get through COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 is severely impacting the budgets of local governments in Michigan, and that’s led to widespread furloughs throughout the state. During a conference call with leaders of the Michigan Municipal League (MML) on Thursday, mayors and a city manager from different parts of the state described the drastic cuts they’re making because of COVID-19. “I’ve […]