New rules, imposed after Flint, forced public water providers to look harder for lead leaching into drinking water. Violations of state lead standards are up nearly 50 percent, with new urgency to remove lead from water lines.

The Republican-led House passes legislation that sponsors say protects property rights and one critic says will ‘pour lighter fluid on an already red-hot housing market.'

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.

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.

Tampons are taxed like other goods in Michigan, which can cost women thousands of dollars over their lives. Since Michigan began debating the issue, five states have exempted feminine hygiene products from taxation.

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.

The Michigan governor has a $12 million war chest, in part because she’s used a controversial loophole that allows candidates facing recalls to exceed donor limits. The top Republican candidate has $1 million.

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.

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.

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.

Experts fear prosperity is breeding paralysis, as local governments wait on Lansing before spending a windfall from the American Rescue Plan Act.

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.