Nightside Report Jan. 27, 2021: Gov. Whitmer seeks common ground, virus relief in State of State, Southwest Detroit restaurant offers unique ‘luminaria’ outdoor dining experience

Here are tonight’s top stories

FILE - In this Dec. 18, 2020, file photo, provided by the Michigan Office of the Governor, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Mich. Gov. Whitmer will strongly encourage all K-12 schools in Michigan to reopen for in-person instruction by March 1, 2021, as the state starts offering the coronavirus vaccine to teachers. Two education officials briefed on the governor's planned announcement spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity ahead of a Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 afternoon news conference.(Michigan Office of the Governor via AP, File) (Uncredited, Michigan Governors Office)

Michigan Gov. Whitmer seeks common ground, virus relief in State of State

DETROIT – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sought “common ground” with the Republican-led Legislature in her State of the State address Wednesday, calling for quick passage of a multibillion-dollar relief plan that would prioritize coronavirus vaccinations and additional aid to Michigan schools and businesses to end the pandemic.

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The spending proposal, first announced last week, was among several policy initiatives outlined in the Democrat’s third annual speech — a virtual one in which she touted residents’ grit in a crisis that has claimed thousands of lives.

“The state of our state is resilience,” the governor said.

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The latest: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 554,237; Death toll now at 14,411

Metro Detroit weather: Temperatures expected to drop in the teens

Our coldest temperatures of the season…again… arrive tonight. And this weekend’s snowmaker has a lot in common with the one that just left us.

Click here to read the full forecast.

4 Fast Facts

  • Throughout Metro Detroit, several restaurants have adopted igloo structures as a way to offer dining services outside amid the ban on indoor dining. But one restaurant in particular is doing things a bit differently, offering a more unique dining experience that’s specific to southwest Detroit, while still following state orders. Click here to read more.
  • A new program in Detroit aims to end generational poverty by pairing children who have had adverse experiences with a paid, professional mentor for 12 years. Click here to read more.
  • One Metro Detroit woman believes a distance of 20 feet may be keeping her from the opportunity to get the shot. Click here to read more.
  • The human toll of the coronavirus pandemic is going to be felt for years to come and a local church is planning to honor the victims in a special way. Click here to read more.

Be Informed

Michigan GOP threatens to withhold billions in school funding over COVID precautions

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to pitch a multibillion-dollar pandemic relief plan during Wednesday’s State of State speech that would prioritize coronavirus vaccinations and additional aid to schools and businesses amid the crisis.

The legislature has unveiled it’s plan to combat COVID and one of the key points ties $2.1 billion in school funding to a law that would allow local health departments, not the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, to make the call on whether school can resume in-person and whether high school sports can be played.

Click here to read more.

Law clinic at University of Michigan helps residents resolve unemployment claims

Close to one year after the COVID-19 pandemic began, thousands of Michiganders still struggle to receive their unemployment benefits.

There’s a new way people who are battling the Unemployment Insurance Agency can get help to solve these issues.

Click here to read more.

Man agrees to plead guilty to conspiracy in domestic terrorism plot against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Hartland man admitted in federal court Wednesday to training and preparing other in the domestic terrorism plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Ty Gerard Garbin, 24, of Hartland, agreed to plead guilty to an indictment that charges him with kidnapping conspiracy. In return, Garbin has agreed to cooperate with officials as they continue investigating the case.

Click here to read more.


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Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 --


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About the Author:

DeJanay Booth joined WDIV as a web producer in July 2020. She previously worked as a news reporter in New Mexico before moving back to Michigan.