Coronavirus closed nonessential stores across the state, but now retailers can start to reopen. The return to in-person sales could be the start of a rebound for the struggling sector — and more jobs for unemployed residents.
Coronavirus Michigan
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Wanted: Michigan blood samples — lots of them — in fight against COVID-19
A biobank at University of Michigan is collecting blood samples from both sick and healthy people as researchers search for clues to treatment and a vaccine.
Posted inMichigan Education Watch
A tale of two states: Ohio and New York take different paths to budget cuts for schools
“I am certainly encouraged to see a state leader deciding to shield its high-poverty districts from the bulk of these cuts,” said one expert.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Gov. Whitmer: I didn’t OK Dem firm for coronavirus project, despite emails
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday disputed a health department official’s characterization that her office gave a “green light” for the state to hire a Democratic campaign consultant’s firm to lead a volunteer COVID-19 contact tracing program.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Big cuts coming if feds don’t bail out Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says
The coronavirus pandemic and state lockdown have prompted a budget shortfall estimated at $6.2 billion, and Gov. Whitmer says Michigan and other states desperately need help from the federal government.
Posted inBusiness Watch
‘Unusual situation’ pushes 50-year bookstore owner to make survival decisions
Some of Michigan’s retailers will still wait weeks to reopen, as they align staffing, their finances and how they’ll follow state guidelines. This is one story among them, as the owner of Curious and Archives in East Lansing grapples with coronavirus impacts.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Q&A with Rich Studley: Michigan hurt by ‘arbitrary’ coronavirus shutdown
“Are we heading toward another lost decade?” CEO Rich Studley recently tweeted.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan nursing homes linked to 1 in 4 coronavirus deaths. Tally will grow.
As questions swirl about transparency of Michigan nursing home data, a Democratic lawmaker slams Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s policies that required homes to accept COVID-19 patients as an ‘epic fail.’
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan stores are reopening. Masks are required. Who’ll enforce it?
The state’s retailers can reopen by following coronavirus safety guidelines, but that may cause new problems. Now they’re caught between customers who won’t wear masks – and those who expect it.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Despite Whitmer stay-at-home order, Michigan tribes to reopen casinos
At least four Michigan tribes plan to reopen facilities by Friday or Monday and a fifth on June 8, following a two-month closure that has drained funds in tribal communities.