Paula Gardner

World turmoil following the Russian invasion in Ukraine is skewing the international oil market, and the new U.S. ban on Russian oil could raise prices even higher. There’s no quick fix, but using less energy could help.

Haab’s, opened in the Great Depression, joins a list of landmark Michigan restaurants that are closing as the industry continues to struggle during COVID-19.

Ann Arbor is looking at removing building limits around a large shopping mall to boost population density — and, it hopes, encourage less reliance on cars. Such efforts are seen as a possible solution as popular Michigan cities struggle with housing shortages.

Genemarkers is one of at least a dozen companies in the state that rapidly switched to pandemic testing in 2020. After a 10-fold revenue gain, the Kalamazoo company is using what it learned in the pandemic to fuel more growth.

The state’s unemployment agency says it’s on target for sending IRS tax forms to workers by the end of February. But some workers face the prospect of having to declare benefits as reportable income even though they may later have to return the money.

Jobless workers received notices they have to repay benefits, sometimes $20,000 or more. But many applied in good faith, and now won’t face restitution due to federal waivers.

Michigan cheered news in January that it will get a $2.5 billion battery plant in Lansing to supply electric vehicles made by General Motors. A similar plant nearly ready to open in Lordstown gives a glimpse into what that could mean.

The state is giving the automaker about $800 million in incentives for the projects. GM says thousands of jobs will follow as it builds capacity to make electric vehicle batteries and EV trucks in its home state.

State officials are expected to vote on an incentive package for General Motors as it plans to add capacity in the state for its electric vehicle production. The move could create 4,000 jobs.

The South Korean manufacturer seeks $525 million in incentives for an expansion that will create 1,000 jobs. It’s one of the first projects seeking to tap the state’s SOAR fund.

Once ranked 49th in growth, the state is now 29th. If Michigan wants to crack the top 10, it needs to address vehicle electrification and ongoing labor shortages, a report finds.

Gwen Frostic created a business around her wildlife art that survives 21 years after her death. A new owner will get a chance to own this piece of the state’s history near the Lake Michigan shore.

The pace of fraud has slowed, officials were told on Thursday. However, it remains unclear to what extent the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency has fixed its problems or identified which cases amounted to crimes.

The U.S. Supreme Court said the Biden order overreached in covering every large business, regardless of risk. Healthcare workers are a different matter, the court decided.

Soon, the applications will be ready, and businesses or property owners can start to apply for the money. State leaders say it’s a way to lure ‘transformational projects’ to the state.

As the virus races through Michigan, the state’s restaurants are struggling — yet again. This time, survival may be at stake.

The areas are struggling economically because of population losses and other issues. State officials hope a new office of rural development will stem the decline.

Some businesses are operating with as many as one-fifth fewer workers as the state battles a wave of the omicron variant, due to staff illness or quarantine after exposure.

The fast-tracked plan is part of a broader effort to boost the state’s chances of attracting about $64.8 billion in new advanced manufacturing investments. Among them: A GM battery plant near Lansing.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin vows to vote against the Build Back Better bill, but Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell says that will hurt the state and its efforts to lead EV transformation — and attract jobs.