The pandemic has produced an outdoors renaissance with huge traffic at state and local parks. It now appears the Democratic governor and GOP legislature largely agree on spending hundreds of millions of dollars to address long-deferred maintenance.
Coronavirus Michigan
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Watch Bridge’s Lunch Break about COVID mandates, K-12 education in Michigan
Bridge Michigan reporters Mike Wilkinson, Ron French, and Tracie Mauriello got readers up-to-date on the latest.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
COVID vaccine for 825,000 Michigan children nearer to federal approval
The Pfizer pediatric vaccine, shown as 91 percent effective for children 5 to 11, cleared an FDA advisory panel Tuesday. Gov. Whitmer is seeking to expedite shipment of the vaccine, which could be approved by next week.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan Senate OKs longshot bills to stop student COVID mandates
The GOP measures blocking mask and vaccine orders are likely DOA if they reach Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Republicans say the bills give parents control over health decisions. Democrats say they ignore science.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan private insurers no longer waiving costs for COVID treatment
Hospitalized patients, who are largely unvaccinated, may now face thousands of dollars in deductibles, copays and other out-of-pocket fees. With vaccines broadly available, nearly all large insurers have ended cost waivers.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Thousands of Michigan firms face Dec. 8 COVID vaccine mandate deadline
Businesses with federal contracts have to show all workers are vaccinated or qualify for limited exemptions. The impact goes into every county in the state, and businesses large and small.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Federal authorities to weigh COVID vaccine for children 5 to 11 Tuesday
More than 800,000 Michigan children are in this age group. Pfizer says its vaccine is 91 percent effective in keeping young children free of COVID-19. If approved, young children may be eligible for vaccines by early November.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s embattled unemployment agency gets third director in 11 months
Amid continued criticism over the state’s jobless claims processing, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday appointed a new director for the embattled Unemployment Insurance Agency.
Posted inTalent & Education
They disagreed, but both caught hell. Welcome to Michigan’s mask mandate wars
In mid-Michigan, a health officer and a Republican who tried to talk her out of a school mandate are both under fire. His sin was calling for civility in uncivil times.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Where to get COVID vaccine boosters in Michigan
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now authorized boosters for all three, U.S.-approved COVID vaccines. Getting one should be a snap for any eligible person seeking added protection against the deadly virus.