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.

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.

The health system’s announcement Thursday follows similar action taken by Henry Ford Health System for workers’ failure to abide by a COVID vaccine mandate. Other hospitals will likely follow suit once federal vaccine rules are finalized.

School choice advocates are battling in the courts and Legislature to get taxpayer funding for private school tuition.

Republican lawmakers decried the Whitmer administration’s response to Benton Harbor’s lead-in-water crisis as a failure while state officials defended their actions Thursday. National Republicans are also entering the fray.