This Election Day is likely to be a bit different from those of years past: State election officials have been warning voters that it’s possible we won’t know the outcome of the presidential election and all the down-ballot races by Election Night. That’s because there’s been an increase in absentee voting, which is allowed for all Michigan voters and offers a safe alternative to voting in person during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some environmental groups are criticizing the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for a planned carbon offset program.

The DNR is planning a pilot program that would stop logging in the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Allowing the forest to grow would absorb carbon dioxide. That has value on a voluntary carbon market. Polluters can buy that carbon value as a way of offsetting their greenhouse gas emissions.

Michigan philanthropist and entrepreneur, Peter Secchia, died Wednesday morning. A spokeswoman for the family confirmed COVID-19 "was a contributing factor in his death."

Secchia had an enormous influence in the Republican Party, at the state and national level. He once served as vice chair of the Republican National Commitee and was the U.S. Ambassador to Italy during George H. W. Bush’s presidency.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued an order to allow more in-person visits with people in nursing homes.

The order applies to facilities in counties the state has identified as “low risk.”