Emma Winowiecki

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. Do you have a question? Send it our way!

If you're on social media, you've probably seen some sort of crafting video that involves making a homemade facemask. With the supply of N95 respirators rapidly shrinking, people are turning to other options to try and protect themselves from coronavirus.

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. 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday night that there are two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Michigan. The cases are in Wayne and Oakland counties. They have not yet been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

Whitmer also declared a state of emergency, saying, "We are taking every step that we can to mitigate the virus spread, and keep Michiganders safe."

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has endosered for Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination. The endorsement comes five days before Michigan's primary.

Whitmer announced her endorsement Thursday on MSNBC's Morning Joe. "He's got my enthusiastic support and my vote on Tuesday," she said, adding, "When Michigan needed help ... Barack Obama and Joe Biden had our backs."

After months (years? decades?) of campaigning, the 2020 presidential primary is finally coming to Michigan. Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, March 10 to decide which Democratic candidate will take the majority of Michigan’s 125 pledged delegates.

This primary season, absentee ballots are all the rage.

Michigan voters passed a ballot measure in 2018 that allows for no-reason absentee voting, and the March 10 primary will be a major test for the new policy.

The Secretary of State says absentee ballot requests are up more than 70% from the same time in 2016.

The disease COVID-19, which is caused by the novel coronavirus, continues to spread throughout the world. 

At the moment, the World Health Organization says it appears to be deadlier than the flu, although it may not spread as easily.

It is a fact universally acknowledged that Michigan has terrible roads.

Well, unless you are state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake), who said this month that he is not convinced there is a need for new road spending.

While there are a lot of arguments to be had about how to actually fix the roads by politicians and policy advisors and opinion columnists, there are some facts about Michigan’s roads that are indisputable.

CBD, the non-psychoactive compound of marijuana, is becoming popular for people and pets alike. You can find CBD oil in cookies, gummies, teas, lotions, and, yes, pet treats. These products claim to treat stress, anxiety, pain, and more — although research on the subject is still undecided.

But if you were to go to a veterinarian in Michigan and ask about the possible benefits or side effects of marijuana for your pet, they legally could not discuss it with you.

On December 20, a neon green slime was discovered leaking onto I-696 in Madison Heights. 

The National Weather Service is predicting a massive storm across the Midwest this weekend. 

In Michigan, a variety of snow, freezing rain, and flood warnings have been issued, and are in place from 10 p.m. Friday until 10 p.m. Sunday. That could mean widespread power outages, downed trees and wires, and difficult traveling conditions throughout the state.

Former Michigan State University head football coach George Perles has died. He was 85.

At MSU, Perles was a player, coach, athletic director, and university trustee. 

After a years-long battle, two class-action lawsuits against the Michigan Department of Corrections have reached a settlement. The lawsuits were brought by hundreds of juvenile prisoners who allege the MDOC failed to protect them against sexual abuse while serving time in adult prisons.

These are the stories only Michigan Radio reporters could bring you. 

When it's a big year for news, political cartoonists have plenty of material. Michigan Radio cartoonist John Auchter definitely took advantage of this year's chaotic news cycle.

2019 was such a big year for news, we couldn’t fit it all in a single round-up. But here are some of the biggest stories that has Michigan talking this year.

2019 was one of the hottest, wettest years on record.