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State House committee approves bill prohibiting vaccine passports

Republicans in the Michigan House Oversight Committee approved a bill that would prevent government entities from requiring a COVID-19 vaccine passport. So far, no Michigan agencies have indicated that they would pursue the use of a vaccine passport.

Northern Michigan couple saw the worst of COVID-19 among elderly

Fully Vaccinated People Can Stop Wearing Masks Indoors And Outdoors, CDC Says

NPR News Headlines

Fuel Shortages Should Ease Over Coming Days As Colonial Fully Restarts Pipelines

By Camila Domonoske • 23 minutes ago

It will take several days for the supply chain of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to fully normalize even after the restart of full operations at a critical pipeline that was shut down this month.

Colonial Pipeline said late on Thursday it had brought its entire pipeline system back into operation, noting that "product delivery has commenced to all markets we serve."

The company had to shut down its pipelines after suffering a cyberattack earlier this month, sparking a wave of panic buying that emptied many gas stations across the country's Southeast.

Opposition To Olympics In Japan Becomes More Organized, Vehement

By Anthony Kuhn • 57 minutes ago

Japan's government moved Friday to put more of the country under a coronavirus state of emergency, as opposition to the Tokyo Olympics becomes more organized and vehement with only 70 days left to go until the opening ceremony.

Americans Are Spending Less On Things But More On Eating Out Or Getting A Drink

By David Gura • 1 hour ago

Retail sales stalled in April as Americans ventured out more to bars and restaurants but spent less on things like clothes or sporting goods.

Data from the Commerce Department on Friday showed retail sales were flat in April from a month earlier.

That's less than the 1% economists had forecast, but the number is still strong given the high level of spending seen in March, which was revised up to show a 10.7% surge in spending compared to the 9.8% increase initially announced.

Northern Michigan couple saw the worst of COVID-19 among elderly

By Noelle Riley • 5 hours ago

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5:20

As COVID-19 spread it devastated the older generation especially at nursing homes and the veteran community. Today Noelle Riley talks with a nurse and her husband who works with tribal elders and veterans. They say they’re glad things are opening up, but they warn, it’s not over, and we must stay strong and on guard, in our final episode of Not Forgotten.

As COVID-19 spread, it devastated the older generation, especially at nursing homes and the veteran community.

Some people say they will never unsee what they experienced, as they lost friends and held family members who passed from the virus.

Environmental groups lead protest of Line 5 oil pipeline in Lansing

By Michelle Jokisch Polo • 5 hours ago

Protesters met at the Michigan Capitol Thursday in opposition to Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline.

The gathering takes place a day after a shutdown deadline ordered by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Anishinaabe Tribal members protest Line 5 in Mackinaw City

By Patrick Shea • 5 hours ago

Anishinaabe Tribal members led a protest of Line 5 today in Mackinaw City.

It comes as Enbridge Energy continues to operate the oil and gas pipeline a day after Governor Whitmer ordered it to be shut down.

State House committee approves bill prohibiting vaccine passports

By Caroline Llanes • 6 hours ago

Republicans in the Michigan House Oversight Committee approved a bill that would prevent government entities from requiring a COVID-19 vaccine passport.

So far, no Michigan agencies have indicated that they would pursue the use of a vaccine passport.

Study finds more than half of Mason County unsatisfied with internet connection

By Kendra Carr • 6 hours ago

According to a new study by Connecting Mason County, more than half of Mason County residents are unsatisfied with their internet connection, and 12 percent of Mason county households can’t get internet

The non-profit says geography plays a large part in the lack of internet access.

Study finds that diverse bee populations are healthier overall

By Maya Reter • 6 hours ago

According to a recent study from the University of Michigan, areas with more species of bees have healthier bees.

The study comes as the number of bees and other pollinators around the world continue to decline.

Northern Michigan health departments encourage youth vaccinations

By Brett Dahlberg • 17 hours ago

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0:46

Health leaders in Northern Michigan say vaccinating youths ages 12 and up will help end the COVID-19 pandemic and protect families and communities from the disease. Brett Dahlberg reports.

Health leaders in Northern Michigan said Thursday that they are ready to vaccinate youths ages 12 and up against COVID-19.

The federal Centers for Disease Control gave the go-ahead for the Pfizer vaccine to be used for that age group earlier this week.

Senate panel sends subpoena to MDHHS

By Rick Pluta • 19 hours ago

A state Senate committee has issued a subpoena to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for documents related to its COVID-19 response.

Specifically, the Senate Oversight Committee wants documents dealing with the management of COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and other congregate care facilities.

Not Forgotten: Cadillac Senior Center brings lunch, line dancing to members coming out of quarantine

By Noelle Riley • 21 hours ago

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Our elderly population is finally starting to engage in togetherness after months of isolation due to the coronavirus. Noelle Riley reports how meeting at an outside venue brought light to what was a dark time during the COVID-19 lockdown, in episode three of Not Forgotten.

Our elderly population is finally starting to engage in togetherness after months of isolation due to the coronavirus.

Last week, members of the Senior Center in Cadillac were thrilled to laugh, have lunch and even line dance again.