Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

The CDC director pushed Wednesday for “stronger mitigation strategies” in Michigan, including shutting down contact sports, as the state’s positive test rates and hospitalizations continue to surge. The governor is resisting another clamp down.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration has sidestepped questions on whether the state would back vaccination mandates. Republican lawmakers see it as the next front in the cultural wars, while commerce groups want to leave such decisions to individual businesses.

These “breakthrough” cases, though rare out of 1.8 million completed vaccinations, are a reminder to continue taking safety precautions even after being vaccinated. Eleven vaccinated people have been hospitalized, according to the state.

Whitmer said Friday the tools to solving the COVID crisis are vaccines and personal responsibility — masks, distancing, avoiding crowds — not state-imposed restrictions on businesses or gatherings, even though Michigan has the nation’s highest infection rate.

“I pledge to be part of a respectful dialogue going forward and challenge my colleagues and others to do the same,” Regent Ron Weiser said at a board meeting Friday. The group censured his harsh words about Democratic and GOP leaders.

Coronavirus outbreaks in schools increased after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer allowed winter sports like basketball and wrestling to resume. Was it worth it?

A vote to censure is one of the few actions the body can take, since members are elected. Weiser’s comments have renewed debate over a longstanding culture of misogyny in state political circles.

Michigan now has the highest rate of new coronavirus infections in the nation and a surge that mirrors the deadly one from the fall. But so much is different this spring — from vaccination levels to warming temps.

Despite gains, women lawmakers who ‘lean in’ take more ‘heat, ugliness and threats,’ Whitmer says. Lansing is roiling from GOP chair calling women ‘witches’ and harassment claims against Democratic consultant.

In a speech to Oakland County activists, state Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser also announced plans for a petition drive to tighten voting laws to give the GOP an edge.

The GOP wants openings, closings tied to specific coronavirus case rates. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has resisted, saying she needs to be ‘nimble’ during a pandemic.

A Republican proposal would restrict confidential separation agreements such as the deal $155,000 to Gov. Whitmer’s former health director that some call ‘hush money.’

As coronavirus cases surge in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is moving to mandate student athlete testing while expanding capacity at Comerica Park. That has some worried.

In a letter to the House Oversight Committee Thursday, Robert Gordon didn’t detail the reasons for his abrupt departure in January but alluded to “robust conversations about policy issues where reasonable people could disagree and did.

If Opening Day were today, only 1,000 fans would be allowed in Comerica Park to watch the Detroit Tigers. That may change soon.

Local health officials in some counties welcomed the news that anyone over 16 could soon get the vaccine, saying they can get to more people sooner. But there was also concern seniors and other groups could be pushed behind the more computer savvy.

Facing criticism over a $155,000 payout to her former health director and other severances, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issues an executive order saying the deals can continue but must be based on a “reasonable” belief they’ll save taxpayers money.

The plan, which comes two months before the day Whitmer has said Enbridge Energy must stop transporting petroleum through Line 5, outlines investing in rail and storage, incentivizing energy efficiency, and taking other steps to offset the loss of Line 5.

Some $1 billion in federal funding remains unspent, as Whitmer vetoes funding for small firms as well as Republicans’ efforts to weaken her pandemic powers.

In stunning testimony, a militia member-turned-informant says the only thing keeping militia members from storming the Michigan Capitol last year is their realization they could just walk in with their guns.