Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday she will allow commercial and residential construction to restart in Michigan within a week or two and is taking a “hard look” at whether to let industrial sectors like manufacturing reopen in the next phase of loosening her stay-at-home restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.The Democratic governor also said she will ask the Republican-led Legislature to lengthen her emergency declaration by 28 days before it expires late Thursday. A lawmaker-approved extension, she said, would...…Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Monday she will allow commercial and residential construction to restart in Michigan within a week or two and is taking a “hard look” at whether to let industrial sectors like manufacturing reopen in the next phase of loosening her stay-at-home restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.The Democratic governor also said she will ask the Republican-led Legislature to lengthen her emergency declaration by 28 days before it expires late Thursday. A lawmaker-approved extension, she said, would...WW…

Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: LASNING, Mich. – More than $3.3 million in financial relief is going to 657 bar and restaurant owners across the state – a financial lifeline averaging over $5,000 for hard-hit hospitality businesses, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission is administrator of the governor’s spirits buyback program.“I know the financial losses have been incredibly devastating to business owners in the hospitality industry during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Whitmer. “I am pleased that through this innovative program, we...…Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: LASNING, Mich. – More than $3.3 million in financial relief is going to 657 bar and restaurant owners across the state – a financial lifeline averaging over $5,000 for hard-hit hospitality businesses, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday. The Michigan Liquor Control Commission is administrator of the governor’s spirits buyback program.“I know the financial losses have been incredibly devastating to business owners in the hospitality industry during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Whitmer. “I am pleased that through this innovative program, we...WW…

Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: GREAT FALLS, Mont. – For patrons at a Montana tiki bar that has a back wall of a window into a motel swimming pool, it's typical to see mermaids in the water five nights a week. So as the owner of the O'Haire Motor Inn and the Sip 'n Dip Lounge in Great Falls began preparing to reopen the bar after eights weeks of coronavirus-related restrictions, she wanted things to be as close to normal as possible — and that included the underwater entertainment.Sandra Thares said she emailed regulators for guidance on whether mermaid shows could...…Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: GREAT FALLS, Mont. – For patrons at a Montana tiki bar that has a back wall of a window into a motel swimming pool, it's typical to see mermaids in the water five nights a week. So as the owner of the O'Haire Motor Inn and the Sip 'n Dip Lounge in Great Falls began preparing to reopen the bar after eights weeks of coronavirus-related restrictions, she wanted things to be as close to normal as possible — and that included the underwater entertainment.Sandra Thares said she emailed regulators for guidance on whether mermaid shows could...WW…

Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: DETROIT – Beaumont Health announced Tuesday morning that due to the “financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic” it is temporarily laying off 2,475 employees, permanently eliminating 450 positions and cutting executive pay. CEO John Fox will take a 70% temporary pay cut to his base salary. The other members of Beaumont’s executive leadership will take temporary pay cuts up to 45% of their total compensation, according to Beaumont.Beaumont said of the 2,475 temporary layoffs, most involve hospital administrative staff and others who are...…Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: DETROIT – Beaumont Health announced Tuesday morning that due to the “financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic” it is temporarily laying off 2,475 employees, permanently eliminating 450 positions and cutting executive pay. CEO John Fox will take a 70% temporary pay cut to his base salary. The other members of Beaumont’s executive leadership will take temporary pay cuts up to 45% of their total compensation, according to Beaumont.Beaumont said of the 2,475 temporary layoffs, most involve hospital administrative staff and others who are...WW…

LIVETags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: DETROIT – Michigan has a diverse array of energy sources -- and it’s changing., Michigan does not operate on its own, independent power grid. It is part of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) grid, but wait -- it gets more complicated.There are two major grids in the U.S. -- the Eastern and Western Interconnection. Michigan is on the Eastern. But inside of the Eastern are regional entities. Stay with me.Michigan is included in the regional entity ReliabilityFirst (RFC) grid. This is all part of the NERC grid.On top...…LIVETags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: DETROIT – Michigan has a diverse array of energy sources -- and it’s changing., Michigan does not operate on its own, independent power grid. It is part of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) grid, but wait -- it gets more complicated.There are two major grids in the U.S. -- the Eastern and Western Interconnection. Michigan is on the Eastern. But inside of the Eastern are regional entities. Stay with me.Michigan is included in the regional entity ReliabilityFirst (RFC) grid. This is all part of the NERC grid.On top...WW…

Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will hold a coronavirus news briefing Thursday afternoon.Gov. Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun will provide an update regarding the state’s response efforts to COVID-19.Watch the briefing live at 3 p.m. in the video player above. (Or follow the live chat below)Last week, Gov. Whitmer announced the She also extended the state’s emergency period through May 28. Whitmer said she would offer more details on the next “wave” of reopening...…Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will hold a coronavirus news briefing Thursday afternoon.Gov. Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun will provide an update regarding the state’s response efforts to COVID-19.Watch the briefing live at 3 p.m. in the video player above. (Or follow the live chat below)Last week, Gov. Whitmer announced the She also extended the state’s emergency period through May 28. Whitmer said she would offer more details on the next “wave” of reopening...WW…

, Digital Content ManagerPublished: June 23, 2020, 10:53 amTags: , , , , , , , , , , Sign up for our Newsletters, Digital Content ManagerPublished: June 23, 2020, 10:53 amTags: , , , , , , , , , , DETROIT – Michigan could soon have a new addition to its invasive species list: spotted lanternfly.The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is asking the public to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect with the potential to seriously affect Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources. This insect could damage or kill more than...…, Digital Content ManagerPublished: June 23, 2020, 10:53 amTags: , , , , , , , , , , Sign up for our Newsletters, Digital Content ManagerPublished: June 23, 2020, 10:53 amTags: , , , , , , , , , , DETROIT – Michigan could soon have a new addition to its invasive species list: spotted lanternfly.The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is asking the public to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect with the potential to seriously affect Michigan’s agriculture and natural resources. This insect could damage or kill more than...WW…

LIVETags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said a state commission has the authority to prohibit firearms in the Capitol, if it chooses to do so.Nessel said that authority is “consistent with the current state of the law regarding firearms in public buildings” and an informational letter sent to Speaker Chatfield in 2018.“The Capitol is a place for free expression of thought and debate, but the freedom of civil discourse does not imply the right to threaten others with harm or violence,” Nessel said. “In our current...…LIVETags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said a state commission has the authority to prohibit firearms in the Capitol, if it chooses to do so.Nessel said that authority is “consistent with the current state of the law regarding firearms in public buildings” and an informational letter sent to Speaker Chatfield in 2018.“The Capitol is a place for free expression of thought and debate, but the freedom of civil discourse does not imply the right to threaten others with harm or violence,” Nessel said. “In our current...WW…

LIVETags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: DETROIT – Local 4 spoke exclusively to a Detroit homeowner who is suing firefighters for taking a viral photo in front of his burning home on New Year’s Eve.When Detroit firefighters took a photo in front of Deonte Higginbotham’s burning house, it went viral. It’s still being seen around the world.The photo showed firefighters posing in front of the home.Higginbotham, who was rehabbing the house, told the Local 4 Defenders that it still takes his breath away when he sees the picture.Six months after the incident, Higginbotham said he’s...…LIVETags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: DETROIT – Local 4 spoke exclusively to a Detroit homeowner who is suing firefighters for taking a viral photo in front of his burning home on New Year’s Eve.When Detroit firefighters took a photo in front of Deonte Higginbotham’s burning house, it went viral. It’s still being seen around the world.The photo showed firefighters posing in front of the home.Higginbotham, who was rehabbing the house, told the Local 4 Defenders that it still takes his breath away when he sees the picture.Six months after the incident, Higginbotham said he’s...WW…

Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-71 Saturday, May 2. The order extends existing safety measures to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies until May 29. It also extends temporary relief from licensing requirements for food sellers and pharmacies. Read: The executive order extends to May 29 conditions in , which established the following health and safety guidelines: “We must continue protecting the health and safety of both consumers and employees at our grocery stores and...…Tags: Sign up for our NewslettersTags: LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-71 Saturday, May 2. The order extends existing safety measures to protect consumers and employees at grocery stores and pharmacies until May 29. It also extends temporary relief from licensing requirements for food sellers and pharmacies. Read: The executive order extends to May 29 conditions in , which established the following health and safety guidelines: “We must continue protecting the health and safety of both consumers and employees at our grocery stores and...WW…