Legislative Republicans are accusing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services of intentionally minimizing the number of COVID-19 deaths in Michigan’s long-term care facilities. There’s no evidence that’s true — and there’s no indication in an Auditor General’s report that a Whitmer executive order to have some nursing homes take in COVID-positive patients led to more deaths. For the long-term care facility related deaths or linked deaths, we knew the..
Michigan health officials warn state is headed toward ‘very sharp crest’ in omicron surge
Fueled by the omicron variant, infections during Michigan’s sustained fourth wave of COVID-19 continue to rise. Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Elizabeth Hertel says they’re expecting the number of new infections to drop quickly after a sharp peak. We're heading toward what will likely be a very sharp crest in this wave..
Rep. Brenda Lawrence’s Retirement Announcement Shakes Up Michigan Congressional Races
Rep. Brenda Lawrence, Michigan’s only Black member of Congress, will not seek re-election, and her retirement announcement has shaken up the races for the 12th and 13th Congressional Districts. In a video statement posted Tuesday night, Lawrence says she knows her retirement from Congress will leave a void in African American representation in the state. “It is not lost on me that I'm currently the only Black member of..
Michigan Fire Marshal Offers Safety Tips During the Holidays
Michigan safety officials are warning residents about at-home fire risks over the holiday season. State fire marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer says dried-out Christmas trees are a potential hazard. He says keeping trees watered is key to making them last through New Year's Day. “If your tree is losing a lot of needles, that tree is definitely drying out and..
Whitmer Urges Residents to Get Vaccinated and Booster Shots “Before Omicron Is Everywhere”
Get vaccinated, then get boosted against the coronavirus – that’s the message from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as the state deals with an extended fourth wave of the pandemic and the state’s health care system -- and its workers -- have been pushed to their limits. “We all see the stories playing out of people who have not been vaccinated who desperately ask to be vaccinated..
Detroit Police Fatally Shoot Woman Seen Threatening Customers with Airsoft Gun at Gas Station
33-year-old Nakita Williams was killed by Detroit police officers after threatening customers at a gas station over the weekend. It’s the fifth fatal shooting by city police against civilians this year. Detroit Police Department Police Chief James White said on Monday the investigation is ongoing but showed members of the media images taken by Project Greenlight, the police’s video surveillance program. He says..
COVID-19 in Michigan Is “Critical Right Now” as Cases and Hospitalizations Hit All-Time Highs
Michigan is still leading the country in new coronavirus infections, and now over 21% of all people hospitalized in the state have COVID-19 -- a new record. “Michigan continues to trend in a deeply concerning direction,” Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel said Friday at a news conference. Chief Medical Executive..
Detroit Launches Workforce Program Skills for Life
Detroit is launching a three-year initiative funded by federal pandemic relief dollars. The Skills for Life job placement and training program aims to put 2,200 Detroiters to work at various city jobs like cleaning up commercial corridors and landscaping public properties. City officials say the program will help Detroiters overcome barriers to work or school. Candidates can get assistance with child care and transportation as they get certified in various skilled trades. ..
Parents of Oxford High School Shooter Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter
This is a developing story. Come back to WDET.org and tune into WDET 101.9 FM for the latest updates. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald has filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the parents of a 15-year-old sophomore charged in Tuesday’s Oxford High School shooting that killed four students and wounded seven others. Speaking at a news conference..
Metro Detroit Schools and Parents Are on High Alert After Oxford High School Shooting
Scores of Metro Detroit schools shut down early or were closed Thursday due to unspecified threats on social media following this week’s mass shooting at Oxford High School. Some of the pictures being shared on social media are from prior shootings and threats. Law enforcement officials have urged people -- and some media outlets -- to not feed into a..