Morning Briefing Nov. 18, 2021: Gov. Whitmer urges Michigan adults to get COVID booster; New Downriver councilman charged for drunk driving

Here are this morning’s top stories

Governor Gretchen Whitmer received a second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on April 29, 2021. (State of Michigan)

Michigan Gov. Whitmer urges all adults to get COVID-19 booster 6 months out

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday urged all adults to schedule a booster shot of the coronavirus vaccine if they are at least six months from when they were fully vaccinated, as Michigan confronted surging infections and hospitalizations.

Read more here.


Prosecutor: Newly-elected Riverview city councilman drove drunk, crashed car into tree

A newly-elected Downriver city councilman is facing charges in a car crash that occurred less than 24 hours after he was elected.

See the report here.


Lunar eclipse visible in Michigan tonight: When and how to see it

A lunar eclipse only happens a couple of times each year, if we’re lucky.

Well, call us lucky: A partial lunar eclipse will be visible in Michigan overnight Thursday into Friday morning.

Here’s how and when to view the eclipse.


Person of interest in Detroit mother’s shooting death was free on bond

A 40-year-old mother of two was fatally shot in her own driveway on Wednesday just after dropping her children off at school. Police say the person of interest was free on bond when the shooting occurred.

See the story here.


Why is COVID so bad in Michigan right now?

Michigan’s fourth wave has reached a new height. Our 7-day moving new case average is now 7,353 -- the highest we’ve recorded for the entire pandemic. But why? Why is Michigan experiencing this large and extended surge now?

Learn more here.


Weather forecast: Light afternoon snow showers possible ❄️


COVID in Michigan 🦠

Michigan reported 14,561 new cases of COVID-19 and 242 virus-related deaths Wednesday -- a daily average of 7,280.5 cases over a two-day period. Of the 242 deaths announced Wednesday, 177 were identified during a review of records.

Wednesday’s update brings the total number of confirmed COVID cases in Michigan to 1,224,273, including 23,104 deaths. These numbers are up from 1,209,712 cases and 22,862 deaths, as of Monday.

Read the latest COVID report here.




About the Author:

Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.