Coronavirus Michigan

Some low-income households will see a loss of more than $500 in monthly benefits beginning March 1.

Detroit and other districts face some tough decisions about which programs and employees they can afford to keep once federal support is gone, and they’re under pressure to map out their spending quickly.

The board chair of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association says the healthcare system is in crisis after COVID due to higher costs, including for labor. Hospitals need proper funding to ensure they can continue to provide the best care to the communities they serve.

Overall, enrollment fell by less than 1 percent, and data suggests students who left for private schools during COVID aren’t coming back.

Beginning April 1, Michiganders must once again prove Medicaid eligibility, following years of protection from cutoffs during the pandemic. Many will likely lose coverage even though they qualify because they don’t fill out the right form.

A once-in-a-generation influx of money is allowing education advocates to debate reforms to a school system that has underperformed for decades

East Lansing Public Schools was among several Michigan districts that reduced security years ago to address other budget concerns. But this year has been marked by reports of guns, fights and intimidation, leading school officials to change direction.

Inflation may be moderating, but there still aren’t enough hourly workers to fill open restaurant, retail and other lower-paid hourly jobs. In Michigan, businesses that depend on such workers are still raising pay to attract employees, a trend they say can’t keep doing.

A spokesperson says the lawmaker adhered to social distancing, but the arrangement is drawing criticism weeks after Democrats took control of the Legislature.

Behavioral problems are increasing in post-pandemic Michigan schools. In East Lansing, students and parents say enough is enough.

Community colleges sustain the biggest drop, but the percentage of recent high school graduates at four-year schools remains well below pre-COVID levels.

Camping and hiking at state, national, local and metroparks has increased significantly since before the pandemic. Parks are already taking reservations for visitors and job applications for the summer season.

In her fifth State of the State address, set for Wednesday, Whitmer will make the case for more tutors in schools before spring break to help students recover from pandemic learning loss.

Twelve states have passed their own state child tax credits that are independent of the federal credit, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Michigan is not one of them.

The ‘most transmissible variant’ yet has hit the Northeast and appears headed to Michigan. Doctors say it evades immunity, but much remains unknown about the latest strain.

District students masked for all of last school year. Now, they are to wear masks for the next two weeks. Some parents are skeptical the mandate will end then.

Among the lessons of the pandemic is the need for a fully funded public health infrastructure and workforce that is prepared to respond to new challenges and allowed to make real-time decisions that protect communities.

The latest review of the state’s dysfunctional unemployment office found that problems with oversight and fraud investigation persist. The agency’s director accused the auditor of rehashing old issues and not giving the agency enough credit for reforms.

The 39-year-old Hudsonville resident has a history of promoting unfounded theories about COVID-19 and protesting pandemic regulations. Critics question his qualifications as health officer.

The virus, now a part of daily life, kills far fewer in Michigan in 2022 but remains the No. 3 cause of death in the state.