Emma Winowiecki

Fourth of July is going to look a little different this year.

The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t slowing down in the United States. But in Michigan, things are starting to look up. Hospitalizations are down, the rate of case increase is slowing, and the state has been able to slowly reopen the economy over the past few weeks.

After cancelling face-to-face classes this spring due to COVID-19, universities across Michigan are gearing up to bring students back to campus this fall.

Although the state of Michigan is doing relatively well with containing the outbreak, the epidemic is still far from over. Universities are trying to balance public health risks with the massive financial costs that would result from not reopening.

Everyone learned about Independence Day in school: on July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the United States to be a free nation.

But not everyone was free. Nearly a century later, Black people remained enslaved throughout the country.

And many Americans still haven't learned about the day that celebrates their freedom: Juneteenth.

More than a thousand people gathered in Ann Arbor Monday for another day of protests against police brutality.

The protest began on the University of Michigan campus, where a number of speakers addressed the crowd, including Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI 12), state Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D-53), and state Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-18).

Michiganders are getting back on the move.

An analysis of anonymous cell phone mobility data from the Cuebiq Mobility Index shows that movement dropped significantly in the state ahead of Gov. Whitmer’s stay-at-home order that went into effect March 24, and managed to maintain that low level of movement for approximately four weeks.

But the average amount of movement has increased since April 12, despite the stay-at-home order remaining in place.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is continuing to slowly re-open Michigan's economy.

Her latest order will allow retail stores and auto dealerships to re-open Tuesday, May 26. It also authorizes non-essential medical, dental, and veterinary procedures to begin Friday, May 29.

Small gatherings of groups of ten people or fewer, are allowed immediately, as long as participants practice social distancing.

President Donald Trump says he wants to hold up coronavirus funding for Michigan, saying erroneously that the state had mailed absentee ballots to millions of voters. Michigan used federal coronavirus relief funding to mail applications for absentee ballots, not the ballots themselves.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says she will send absentee ballot applications to all registered voters in Michigan for the August and November elections this year.

The decision was made so Michigan voters might avoid crowded polling places during the coronavirus pandemic.

Retail, restaurants, and offices that cannot operate remotely can reopen in parts of Michigan starting Friday, May 22.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order Monday that allows two regions outlined in the state's Safe Start Plan to reopen certain parts of the economy in time for Memorial Day weekend. Region 6 includes Traverse City, Alpena, Charlevoix, and other northern Michigan cities. Region 8 includes the entire Upper Peninsula.

A judge has dismissed criminal charges against former Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon arising from the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal.

Simon was ordered to trial last year on charges that she lied to police about her knowledge of a sexual misconduct complaint against Nassar. 

Eight weeks ago, only Wayne and Oakland counties had confirmed cases of COVID-19. Now, there are cases in all but five counties.

And while some counties have taken a harder hit than others, it’s difficult to understand the scale of the outbreak in each county solely based on case number. So, we broke it down by the number of cases per 10,000 people.

In addition to cancelling sports, movie premieres, and the Olympics, the COVID-19 outbreak has caused a number of notable events in Michigan to cancel.

Here is a list of major festivals and events that have been forced to cancel or postpone due to the outbreak.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has lengthened her stay-at-home order through May 15, while relaxing restrictions so some businesses can reopen and the public can participate in more outdoor activities like golf and motorized boating.

The measure is designed to help combat the coronavirus pandemic. It immediately replaces one that was scheduled to expire May 1.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed life for Michiganders. But some have needed more help than others.

Gov. Whitmer has been encouraging those in need to call 2-1-1 for assistance. Now, Michigan 2-1-1 has released a dashboard showing the needs that are being met, and unmet, throughout the state.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is extending her statewide "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order through April 30. The order also enacts stricter social distancing requirements in stores and workplaces.

The original order was set to expire April 13, but the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to climb in Michigan.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order went into effect on Tuesday, March 24. But it appears many Michiganders had already started staying home the week before, as it became clear that the COVID-19 outbreak had reached the state.

Update, April 6, 2020:

The Centers for Disease Control issued new guidance on facemasks for the general public Friday, recommending that people consider wearing cloth face coverings in public.

The guidance is based on growing evidence that presymptomatic and asymptomatic people can spread the virus. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Thursday morning that ends all face-to-face K-12 schooling for the 2019-20 academic year. 

Instead of meeting in person, the order establishes guidelines for distance learning, which will continue.

For weeks, we've been hearing all about "flattening the curve." 

The idea is if everyone stays home and practices social distancing, the number of COVID-19 cases will increase at a rate that won't overwhelm the health care system. 

COVID-19 has changed life in Michigan. The disease is spreading quickly, and the news is changing right along with it.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer's "Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives" order remains in effect til April 13. But what does that mean? There are a lot of questions surrounding COVID-19 and what we're supposed to do to stay safe. 

We've gathered some answers for you below.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a "stay at home" order during an 11 a.m. press conference Monday as an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday morning, and will remain in place for at least the next three weeks.

The first person in Michigan has died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. 

Beaumont Health announced Wednesday that a man in his 50s who tested positive for COVID-19 and had other underlying medical conditions died at Beaumont Hospital in Wayne County.

The White House coronavirus task force is briefing reporters on the latest on the pandemic. Watch the update live starting at 11:30 a.m.

As the nation begins to cope with the coronavirus pandamic, Michiganders are doing their part by staying home. Social distancing is key to slowing the spread of the virus, but being stuck at home can be, well, a bit boring after a while.

To help cope with the monotony, we put together a list of Michigan books and authors for you to check out while you practice social distancing. Peruse the list below, and if you see anything you like, consider ordering it online from your local bookstore.

Starting at 3 p.m. Monday, many businesses in Michigan will temporarily close.

A number of universities in Michigan are suspending face-to-face classes now that there are known cases of COVID-19 in the state.

The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Michigan Tech, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Northern Michigan University, and Oakland University all announced Wednesday that they will be moving to online classes.