The coronavirus struck hard in November, closing schools, cutting off incomes and putting an end to the notion that this mid-Michigan town could somehow elude a pandemic.

A relatively tame lame duck produces a $465 million COVID relief plan. Lawmakers extended unemployment, passed criminal justice reform and extended a water shutoff moratorium. But efforts to make records of the government more available to the public failed once again.

With vaccines still scarce, hospital and emergency workers are first in line. But as more get vaccinated, local health officials must make tough choices among essential workers and other, more vulnerable groups.

Grand Valley State University medical ethicist Jeffrey Byrnes addresses some of the moral questions involved in dispensing scarce supplies of vaccines.

No indoor dining at restaurants until Jan. 15, but casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, stadiums and in-school learning can reopen Monday with some limitations, according to the new order from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

He'd look at me, pleadingly, the reality of the situation dawning anew each time. And then he would wink or mouth the words "I love you" and his eyes would close again.

State health officials are tracking the recipients of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and Bridge Michigan has incorporated the information into its coronavirus dashboard.

On Oct. 8, the FBI claims that a Michigan militia group tried to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. This continuously updated post includes details of the case, the suspects and what's next.

Congressional leaders are nearing a $900 billion stimulus that would extend include $600 checks and an eviction moratorium, but no relief to municipalities stung by lost income taxes.

Energy and political experts expect Granholm to borrow a page from her playbook as governor, using grant programs and financial incentives to fund research and attract industry investment in a carbon-free economy.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson refused an invitation to speak before a House oversight committee that hosted Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, saying it amplified “conspiracy theories.” The GOP chair said Benson’s playing “cheap political games.”

Michigan utilities are reaching caps on private renewable energy which means that, without new laws, they may no longer have to reimburse some homeowners for solar energy returned to the grid.