How to enjoy Black Friday 2020 safely amid a pandemic: officials weigh in

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CITY

EL Public Library closes temporarily due to rise in COVID-19 cases

Lucy VanRegenmorter

November 20, 2020

East Lansing Public Library announced Monday that it would be temporarily closing its building beginning Friday, Nov.20, leaving residents disappointed, but understanding. 

CITY

Whitmer urges bipartisan small business aid as COVID-19 cases surge

Emily Bevard

November 19, 2020

Since the start of the pandemic, nearly 3 million Michigan workers have applied for unemployment benefits, Whitmer said. Currently, more than 600,000 individuals are still receiving benefits and nearly 80% of those workers rely on the soon-to-expire CARES Act programs for support.

CITY

SOS announces post-election audits, Wayne County Canvassers trying to rescind certification

Hannah Brock

November 19, 2020

Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson announced post-election audits Thursday morning after all 83 counties voted to certify the Nov. 3 election results. However, Wayne County Republican Canvassers signed affidavits to rescind their votes following Benson's statement. 

CITY

EL City Council discusses resolution declaring racism as a public health crisis

Maddie Monroe

November 18, 2020

The drafted resolution was done in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and Council Member Dana Watson. 

CITY

Midwest governors urge safety ahead of the holidays

Griffin Wiles

November 18, 2020

As coronavirus cases are reaching record-high numbers, a bipartisan group of governors — including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — released a video urging residents to mask up and stay safe ahead of the holiday season.

CITY

Michigan Restaurants file lawsuit against MDHHS to reverse ban on indoor dining

Jack Armstrong

November 18, 2020

A group of restaurant and hospitality associations filed on Tuesday to remove restrictions imposed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Nov. 15 emergency order banning indoor dining for the next three weeks, seeking a preliminary injunction.

CITY

Widespread community transmission prompts changes to COVID-19 case investigation

Emily Bevard

November 18, 2020

In the past week alone, COVID-19 cases in Ingham County have risen by 1,173, daily case counts are nearly twice as high as they were a month ago and the percent of people positive for COVID-19 has more than doubled in the past month. 

CITY

EL offices, facilities to close for 3 weeks due to COVID-19

Griffin Wiles

November 17, 2020

While all office closures will initially be in place for three weeks, they may be extended based on the status of coronavirus cases and public health directives, according to a press release.

CITY

NextGen Michigan mobilized youth vote in 2020 election

Griffin Wiles

November 17, 2020

“Our word for today is unprecedented,” NextGen Michigan Press Secretary Lateshia Parker said in an email. “This year has been unprecedented for us all, but the turnout of young voters has been unprecedented to the state and country.” 

CITY

Health officials respond to new MDHHS '3-week pause' order

Emily Bevard

November 17, 2020

In a release sent Monday, Sparrow Health System expressed a strong support for the newly issued emergency order, stating adhering to it is critical in addressing the surge of positive COVID-19 cases.

CITY

AG office responds to elections bureau subpoena as 1,100 documents are released

Emily Bevard

November 17, 2020

The letter issued on behalf of the Michigan Bureau of Elections said the short timeframe given for a reply is “unduly burdensome." 

CITY

The development of COVID-19 in Ingham County through fall semester

Sara Tidwell

November 17, 2020

Michigan is currently labeled as high risk, along with 42 of 50 states, according to a map by COVID Act Now. This means  the states are either facing an active outbreak or could be in the future — the preparedness level has dipped under standards, while the cases have not.

CITY

Election results certified in Ingham County, plaintiffs dismiss invalidation lawsuit

Sara Tidwell

November 16, 2020

Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum announced Monday that the results of Nov. 3 general election have been certified in Ingham County.

CITY

Michigan closes bars, indoor dining, high schools in new epidemic order

Maddie Monroe

November 15, 2020

The orders come alongside skyrocketing increases in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.