With the state still roughly five weeks from hitting its peak in cases of the coronavirus, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the threat to human life remains too perilous to loosen restrictions anytime soon.
Jonathan Oosting
Jonathan is a deputy editor for Bridge Michigan. He helps plan and execute in-depth reporting and campaign coverage. As a longtime political reporter, Jonathan was named 2021 Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Press Association. He and a colleague shared that honor again in 2023, when they were also named Journalists of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists – Detroit Chapter. Jonathan covered the state Capitol for The Detroit News and MLive before joining Bridge in September of 2019. He's from Grand Rapids, lives in Lansing and loves spending time Up North.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan unemployment surges; record 1 in 10 workers have filed claims
More than 300,000 Michigan residents filed unemployment insurance claims last week, an unprecedented surge amid the coronavirus pandemic that has forced business closures, prompted mass layoffs and overwhelmed the state filing system.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Gov. Whitmer asks Legislature to extend emergency powers 70 days
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is asking Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature to extend her emergency authority by 70 days amid the deadly coronavirus pandemic. The House is developing a plan to hold a session next week without violating social distancing guidelines.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Facing shortages, Michigan asks feds for experimental coronavirus drugs
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration is “pursuing a request” for hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine from the federal government’s Strategic National Stockpile
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan axes $80M in pork spending, shifts spending to fight coronavirus
Bracing for what could be a multibillion dollar loss in state revenue, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders on Monday agreed to cancel $80 million in special project spending as they focus dwindling state resources on the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan, United States set records for weekly unemployment claims
Nationally, more than 3.2 million Americans filed for unemployment insurance benefits last week. That was more than four times the previous recorded high of 695,000 initial claims in October 1982.
Posted inMichigan Government
Coronavirus complaints overwhelm Michigan unemployment, law enforcement
Attorney General Dana Nessel says she’s overrun with complaints about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, while unemployment claims burden state systems. The confusion is even causing suburban police to investigate clothing stores to ensure they’re closed.
Posted inMichigan Government
Police: Don’t expect us to enforce Michigan’s confusing coronavirus lockdown
Flouting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order is a misdemeanor. But some police say they’re unlikely to wade into the confusion of who is an essential worker. ‘Good luck with that,’ one lawyer says.
Posted inMichigan Government
What jobs are exempt from Michigan coronavirus lockdown? You may be surprised.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered Michigan to stay home, but allowed ‘essential’ employees to keep working. Her exemptions include more than a dozen industries employing 1 million workers.
Posted inQuality of Life
How to survive coronavirus lockdown: Tips for Michigan from San Francisco
Life under a stay-home order is new to Michigan, but San Francisco residents have been living under similar orders since March 17. Read how one resident is coping.