In her second year as a full-time professional journalist, Beggin snags a major award from the Detroit chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Local governments across Michigan are beginning to lay off and furlough workers as they brace for a “perfect storm” of increased spending demands and revenue shortfalls resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic that has ground the economy to a halt. The state — facing its own projected $7 billion hole — is in no position to help.

From torched cell towers to black helicopters, conspiracy theories can run as rampant as the virus itself. In response, spreading real news is one small act in which we might find more togetherness in this time.

First-term Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s national profile is rising, along with criticisms about her stay-at-home order and handling of the coronavirus. Internal documents show state workers spent weekends preparing but Whitmer acknowledges some regret: “If I could go back in time, would I have started stockpiling N-95 masks? Absolutely.”

From metropolitan health systems to independent rural hospitals, hospital budgets are taking big financial hits as surgeries and other money making medical procedures are put on hold.

Despite adding capacity, food banks throughout Michigan are running out of food, crushed by the hunger created by the pandemic’s economic strain.

A panel of three federal judges determined two GOP challenges to the state’s redistricting commission don’t stand a chance.

The CEO said the pandemic has significantly affected operations but did not say how many employees would face shortened hours.

Oakland County is scouting ice rinks to store bodies during the coronavirus pandemic if its morgue runs out of space, county officials said Wednesday.

SLIDESHOW: Hundreds of cars descend on downtown Lansing to protest Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-home order. Protesters say the new limits go too far and infringe on liberties. Whitmer says they’re necessary to save lives.

The eight-hospital system, like others, blames the cancellation of more lucrative non-emergency procedures during the COVID-19 surge for its cash-flow problems. It did not say what workers are affected.

MiOSHA inspectors are reviewing whether faulty masks or other safety hazards were present at the wildlife lab, where five workers contracted bovine tuberculosis. The review was spurred by Bridge reporting on the outbreak.