Wanted: Michigan blood samples 鈥 lots of them 鈥 in fight against COVID-19
by Robin Erb (Bridge) ANN ARBOR 鈥 The secrets of COVID-19 鈥 why it kills some and goes unnoticed in others, how it spreads, and even how to stop it once and for all 鈥 may lie deep in liquid nitrogen in this basement laboratory of the University of Michigan聽Central Repository. Already stocked with more […]
Michigan stores are reopening. Masks are required. Who鈥檒l enforce it?
by Paula Gardner (Bridge) When Twelve Oaks Mall opens Thursday for the first time since late March, differences will be visible at the Novi shopping center. There won鈥檛 be seating in the food court. Maybe one-third of the stores will be ready for customers. And shoppers will be told to wear face masks. 鈥淲e will […]
Michigan should have protected public from unsafe Edenville Dam, experts say
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) When the Edenville Dam failed this month, sending a torrent of water into Midland, Michigan officials were waiting for an overdue report to prove a dam deemed dangerous for decades didn鈥檛 meet state standards. Michigan officials say they had no choice because they started at 鈥済round zero鈥 after inheriting oversight of […]
Feds back Michigan businesses in suit against Whitmer coronavirus orders
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) The U.S. Department of Justice announced late Friday that it is聽backing a lawsuit聽against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, arguing she 鈥渋mposed arbitrary and irrational limits鈥 on businesses to fight COVID-19. The move comes one month after U.S. Attorney General William Barr directed federal prosecutors to review state and local policies 鈥渢o ensure […]
Small gatherings, non-essential doctors’ visits now allowed, Gov. Whitmer says
By Riley Beggin, Meghanlata Gupta (Bridge) Small gatherings, doctor and dental visits,聽retail by appointment and shopping for cars in person will soon be allowed in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday after signing聽a revised executive order聽to expand business openings. Gatherings of 10 people or fewer can begin immediately. Auto showrooms and retail by appointment can […]
It a long weekend. Can you hug Grandma under Michigan stay-home rules?
By Riley Beggin (Bridge One day, Michigan聽Gov. Gretchen Whitmer聽relaxed restrictions that were put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus that has killed more than 5,100 residents. The next, she extended her stay-at-home order until June 12. Confused? There’s a lot to digest over this long Memorial Day weekend, but Bridge has you […]
Michigan regulators moved fast on dangerous dam–to protect mussels.
By Mike Wilkinson,聽Kelly House,聽Robin Erb,聽Riley Beggin (Bridge) For decades, federal regulators demanded changes to the design of the Edenville Dam to make it more likely to withstand heavy rains and avoid flooding. So when Michigan regulators assumed oversight of the dam in late 2018 after its owners lost their federal license to generate energy, they […]
Michigan appeals court sides with vape shop, against flavored vaping ban
By Robin Erb (Bridge) A court ruling Thursday has cast into further doubt Michigan 2019 emergency rules against flavored vaping products. A three-judge panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld a Court of Claims preliminary injunction against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer September聽public emergency聽that banned flavored vaping products 鈥 products that Whitmer and the state health […]
Backlogged surgeries from coronavirus shutdown could take months to reschedule
By Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press (For Bridge) Henry Ford Health System has a backlog of about 8,000 surgical procedures that were postponed when COVID-19 began to surge in metro Detroit. The University of Michigan Health System estimates it has 12,000 such surgeries waiting to be scheduled. At Beaumont Health, about 8,500 surgical procedures […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extends Michigan stay-at-home order through June 12
By Riley Beggin (Bridge) One day after loosening social and business restrictions, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday afternoon extended the state stay-at-home order聽to curb the coronavirus pandemic through June 12. She also extended the state of emergency that enables the executive orders, including the stay-at-home order, through June 19, citing聽a recent Court of Claims […]
