Michigan hotline provides support for domestic violence victims, survivors and their loved ones
Michiganโs Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week to provide one-on-one crisis support for domestic violence victims, survivors, support people and the professionals who serve them.
Whitmer admin disputes pending report on Michigan nursing home deaths
Gov. Gretchen Whitmerโs administration is disputing the methodology and conclusions in a pending report that is expected to say there were nearly 30% more coronavirus-related deaths tied to long-term care facilities in Michigan than reported by the state.
Surge of COVID cases prompts Rep. Debbie Dingell to hold virtual town hall
This was the chance for viewers to have a pretty intimate discussion with State Rep. Debbie Dingell and other leaders about COVID-19.Everyone involved had the chance to really speak their minds on where we are in the pandemic.
11 takeaways from Whitmerโs first COVID briefing since June: Mandates, omicron, โcritical pointโ
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a COVID briefing Tuesday for the first time since June, answering questions about whether this surge warrants new mandates and delivering specific messages for both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents.
Nightside Report March 31, 2021: Michigan officials focus on COVID vaccinations, less on restrictions; Detroit Tigers prepare for Opening Day amid pandemic
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Michigan officials focus on vaccinations, less on restrictionsDETROIT โ Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Elizabeth Hertel visited a new drive-thru COVID vaccination site Wednesday in Sterling Heights. The new vaccination site is located in the former Sears automotive center at Lakeside Mall. Hertel said itโs shots, not shut-downs that are needed to put a dent in the skyrocketing cases of COVID. Itโs important for everyone to understand where the hot spots are within the state -- particularly in Metro Detroit. Pfizer vaccine safe, effective for young teens, company saysNew information suggests the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12.
Michigan officials focus on vaccinations, less on restrictions
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. โ Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Elizabeth Hertel visited a new drive-thru COVID vaccination site Wednesday in Sterling Heights. The new vaccination site is located in the former Sears automotive center at Lakeside Mall. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesHertel said itโs shots, not shut-downs that are needed to put a dent in the skyrocketing cases of COVID. โWe have seen an increase of 118% of cases,โ said Macomb County health director Andrew Cox. With no restrictions being put back into place, how high do county health officials think cases need to go before more action is taken?
Michiganโs top health official says no new restrictions coming amid COVID surge
โIt is a race against time with vaccines right now,โ said Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Elizabeth Hertel. โEspecially with the variant in Michigan.โREAD: Whitmer says Michigan plans to combat rising COVID cases with masks, vaccines -- not new restrictionsAdA race against time to vaccinate, but no restrictions coming from the state. How high do cases need to go before the state takes action again?โโWe loosened restrictions March 5,โ Hertel said. Gretchen Whitmer wants residents to know that restrictions are still in place, even as more and more are vaccinated. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesAdLooking for COVID-19 vaccines in Metro Detroit: Track openings, clinics, appointments
Michiganโs top health official visits new Sterling Heights vaccination site as COVID cases surge
DETROIT โ Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Elizabeth Hertel visited a new drive-thru COVID vaccination site Wednesday in Sterling Heights. She was joined by Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor and members of the City Council. The new vaccination site is located in the former Sears automotive center at Lakeside Mall. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesAs Michigan endures another alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, Gov. AdLooking for COVID-19 vaccines in Metro Detroit: Track openings, clinics, appointments
Michigan GOP consider whether to block Whitmerโs health chief
LANSING, Mich. โ Republican senators critical of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's handling of the coronavirus pandemic are weighing whether to reject her appointee to run the state health department, which has issued orders restricting business capacity and gatherings to limit COVID-19's spread. Elizabeth Hertel took over the Department of Health and Human Services on Jan. 22, the day Robert Gordon abruptly resigned. But Republicans would need to be in near lockstep โ which appears unlikely โ because Democrats support her. โI understand that this is an enormous responsibility โ to try to balance the safety and health of the residents of the state of Michigan with the livelihood of the residents of the state of Michigan,โ Hertel said.
Why Michigan officials felt now was right time to loosen COVID-19 restrictions
LANSING, Mich. โ On Friday, COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants, entertainment venues, nursing homes, gatherings and much more will be loosened across Michigan. Those metrics -- the stateโs case, positivity and hospitalization rates -- are still mostly heading in the right direction, but officials are a bit concerned that theyโre beginning to plateau. โWe are now seeing a plateau in our case rates,โ Khaldun said. The Saginaw and Traverse City regions have seen a small growth in their case rates, according to Khaldun. Hertel said the continuing trends in positivity, hospitalization and case rates allowed further re-engagement.
12 takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID briefing: Michigan restrictions loosened
Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Tuesday on the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan -- loosening restrictions on restaurants and several other parts of the economy. AdWhy restrictions were loosenedNew MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel spoke about why Michigan decided to loosen these COVID-19 restrictions. That means there is likely โundetected spread occurring in the community.โLast week, Michigan had confirmed 314 cases of the variant across 19 counties. She said Gordon and his team were instrumental in the way Michigan battled COVID-19, saving thousands of lives. AdโRobert Gordon and his team were an incredible important part of our response, and I appreciated his service to our state,โ Whitmer said.
Watch: Gov. Whitmerโs (March 2, 2021) update on COVID-19 in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Tuesday, loosening many of the stateโs COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants, businesses, entertainment venues and more. You can watch the full replay of the briefing above. Whitmer was joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as well as MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. READ: Michigan loosens COVID restrictions on restaurants -- here are all the details
Michigan health department issues Interim Guidance for Athletics
LANSING, Mich. โ The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued Interim Guidance for Athletics following its epidemic order announced last week to allow contact sports to resume starting Monday. If masks cannot be worn, participants must be regularly tested for COVID-19 consistent with guidelines issued by MDHHS. Sports organizers are encouraged to administer a testing program even if it is not required. Even when not required, we urge teams to implement a testing program to protect athletes, coaches and their families.โAdIt is recommended that spectators are limited to two per athlete. Additional recommendations included in the MDHHS guidance include:
Michigan can vaccinate 80,000 a day, but supply limited
LANSING, Mich. โ State health officials said Friday that Michigan has capacity to vaccinate up to 80,000 people a day but the supply of COVID-19 doses, while higher in recent weeks, remains limited. It โcorrelates extremely closely with the communities that were hardest hit by COVID-19 in the spring,โ said Elizabeth Hertel, director of the state health department. Read: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesAdThe city of Detroit, for instance, was an early hot spot. Gretchen Whitmer has targeted getting 50,000 shots into arms per day, Khaldun said 80,000 would be achievable with enough supply. Related: Michigan health director says to call 211 for vaccine appointments, but callers say itโs not working
211 lines tied up after MDHHS recommends calling for vaccine help
LANSING, Mich. โ Friday brought even more confusion for Michiganders attempting to schedule a coronavirus vaccination appointment -- particularly over the phone. Original Story: Michigan health director says to call 211 for vaccine appointments, but callers say itโs not workingMultiple viewers said they called in and were unable to get through. One viewer said 211 gave them a recorded message that 211 was not scheduling vaccinations and another said the phone rang for 25 minutes with no answer. Michigan senior residents have been struggling to receive their vaccines. People 60-years-old and older account for 24% of the confirmed cases in Michigan but are 90% of the confirmed deaths.
Michigan health director says to call 211 for vaccine appointments, but callers say itโs not working
LANSING, Mich. โ The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is strategizing on how to make sure every resident is vaccinated quickly. Johnson & Johnson asked U.S. regulators Thursday for emergency approval of its vaccine -- the worldโs first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, an easier-to-use option that could boost scarce supplies. If approved, there would be a third vaccine option and more doses available to residents. Please be patient as we work with local health departments and hospital systems to deliver tje vaccine to every community in the state. Lynn Sutfin, MDHHS Public Information OfficerREAD: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phases
Top health official asks Michiganders to avoid gathering for Super Bowl parties
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs top health official is asking residents to avoid gathering with others for Super Bowl parties due to the threat of spreading COVID-19. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said during Gov. Gretchen Whitmerโs Thursday (Feb. 4) that Michiganders should not let their guard down for Super Bowl Sunday. AdโThis Super Bowl Sunday, please avoid gatherings, and if you do gather, please keep it limited to only one other household, and make sure youโre wearing a mask, socially distancing and washing your hands frequently,โ Khaldun said. But Khaldun said itโs important not to let the Super Bowl cause a spike in cases that could make the state move backwards.
28 cases of COVID-19 B117 variant confirmed in Washtenaw, Wayne counties, officials say
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan has confirmed 28 total cases of the COVID-19 B117 variant in Washtenaw and Wayne counties, according to state officials. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said during Gov. โThis variant is more easily spread from person to person,โ Khaldun said. โIf this variant becomes more common, as national experts predict it could, then we could see a very rapid rise in cases and more hospitalizations and deaths.โSo far, 28 cases of the B117 variant have been identified in Michigan, all in Washtenaw and Wayne counties, Khaldun said. The B117 variant, which was traced back to the United Kingdom, has already shut down the entire University of Michigan athletic department.
Michiganโs most important COVID-19 numbers trending in right direction
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs most important COVID-19 numbers are once again trending in the right direction, according to the stateโs top doctor. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, provided updated numbers Thursday (Feb. 4) during Gov. The Detroit, Traverse City and Upper Peninsula regions all have case rates below 150 cases per million people, according to Khaldun. AdRight now, 6.6% of the stateโs hospital beds are filled with COVID-19 patients, according to Khaldun. โMichiganders are doing their part by wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and socially distancing.โOn Thursday, state officials announced 1,358 new COVID-19 cases and 74 additional deaths.
Gov. Whitmer says 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revealed Thursday that more than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the state. By the end of Wednesday, the state had administered exactly 1,076,545 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the governor. โThat number is going up as we speak,โ Whitmer said. AdOfficials wanted to make teachers eligible for vaccination after setting a goal of offering in-person learning to all students by March 1.
Will Michigan shut down youth sports if COVID outbreaks threaten in-person learning?
Basketball is among the sports allowed to resume Monday at the youth level in Michigan. LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials announced Thursday that youth contact sports will be allowed to resume next week. They were asked whether a COVID-19 outbreak among sports teams could lead to a shutdown if it threatens in-person learning. She reiterated that MDHHS will watch the COVID-19 numbers and monitor potential outbreaks closely. For contact sports to resume, masks must be worn during practices and competition, Whitmer said.
7 takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID update: Michigan sports, variant spread, metrics
Gretchen Whitmer provided an update on the stateโs COVID-19 situation, addressing high school contact sports, the spread of a COVID variant, vaccinations and the latest virus trends. Khaldun and Whitmer were asked about balancing the resumption of sports and the risk of COVID-19 spread that could lead to students not being able to go to school. Michigan COVID metricsKhaldun revealed promising movement with Michiganโs three most important COVID-19 metrics. AdOn Thursday, state officials announced 1,358 new COVID-19 cases and 74 additional deaths. B117 variantThe new variant of COVID-19, B117, which shut down the University of Michigan athletic department for two weeks, is still a concern for officials.
Michigan youth contact sports can resume Monday -- here are all the rules, specifics and details
Basketball is among the contact sports allowed to resume under the new order. LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan youth contact sports will be allowed to resume practices and games starting on Monday (Feb. 8), with certain COVID-19 safety rules in place, Gov. For contact sports to resume, masks must be worn at all times during practices and competition, Whitmer said. Hertel said additional guidances will be released by Monday to help teams and parents prepare to resume under the new rules. โLet Them Playโ respondsThe attorney for the Let Them Play Michigan coalition released the following statement following the announcement that contact sports will resume:โLet Them Play Michigan appreciates Director Hertelโs efforts to move this important issue forward in a timely manner.
Live Stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 in Michigan
Gretchen Whitmer will provide an update Thursday on the handling of COVID-19 in the state. This live stream has ended. AdA new variant of COVID-19 -- B117 -- has also been confirmed in Washtenaw and Wayne counties. On Wednesday, state officials announced 1,383 new COVID-19 cases and 32 additional deaths. Michigan has now confirmed 563,893 cases and 14,704 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Michigan health department launches program offering weekly COVID testing to educators
LANSING, Mich. โ The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said it is moving forward with offering a voluntary COVID-19 testing program to educators. Officials said the MI Safe Schools Testing Program, which began Tuesday, will provide weekly tests for educators at private and public schools. Approximately 300 schools and 9,000 staff members have signed up for testing so far. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for schools to resume in-person learning by March 1. Everyone has a role to play in ending this pandemic.โThe state paused high school in-person learning in November.
Lawsuit suggests stoppage in Michigan high school sports may have led to teenโs death
A lawsuit against the state of Michiganโs health director claims the stateโs stoppage of high school sports amid the pandemic may have directly led to the tragic death of a teen hockey player. The suit filed in the Michigan Court of Claims is on behalf of a list of Michigan high school athletes and their families -- collectively โLet Them Play Michigan, Inc.โ -- and the Michigan Amateur Youth Hockey League (MAYHL). They want high school sports including basketball, wrestling, hockey and competitive cheer to resume immediately. Specifically, MDHSS offers no data โ nor can it โ to support the lines itโs drawn prohibiting high school athletics but permitting collegiate and professional athletics.โRight now, only certain sports, including football, are allowed to compete at Michigan high schools. Let Them Play, Inc. had been threatening the lawsuit unless winter high school sports were resumed by Monday, Feb. 1, the same say the MHSAA says winter contact sports started in 38 other states.
Parents push for start of winter sports in Lansing
LANSING, Mich. โ Parents and student athletes rallied in Lansing Saturday to urge state officials to resume winter sports sooner than the Feb. 21 deadline. โThe kids need to play. โGoing forward, these kids need something. โThe opportunities that these kids are missing out on are building relationships with their friends and community,โ Hutson said. Itโs absolutely terrible.โMore: Michigan parents set to file lawsuit demanding restart of high school sports
Michigan officials considering resuming high school winter sports sooner than planned
LANSING, Mich. โ The Michigan High School Athletic Association is pushing for high school sports to resume before the current Feb. 21 deadline. There was a legislative hearing Thursday that resulted in an unanimous senate resolution that said high school sports should start earlier. The Michigan High School Athletic Associationโs executive director, Mark Uyl, held a press conference Friday where he said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. AdMark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports
Will sports resume? MHSAA clashes with MDHHS over winter contact sports ban
LANSING, Mich. โ The Michigan High School Athletic Association spoke out Friday on the hiatus of winter sports in the state. They are asking for the state to resume practice and competition in the four main contact sports sooner than the Feb. 21 deadline. Let Them Play, Inc. has been threatening a lawsuit unless winter high school sports are resumed by Monday. Mark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports
New Michigan health director Elizabeth Hertel discusses COVID vaccine rollout
Shortly after former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon abruptly resigned on Jan. 22, Elizabeth Hertel was named the new director. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Hertel minutes after Gordon tweeted his resignation. โOur real challenge, the real barrier right now, is the number of vaccines we have actually coming in to the state. We have a lot of the infrastructure, the providers to be able to do the vaccine administration all over the state. โWeโve been working actively with both the local health departments and the hospital systems across the state to bring them together for that sort of coordination between the health systems and the local health departments,โ Hertel said.
Michigan parents set to file lawsuit demanding restart of high school sports
LANSING, Mich. โ A group of high school parents is preparing to sue the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director, demanding indoor sports be reinstated by next week. The health department has not indicated itโs interested in reinstating indoor sports. READ: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sportsThe group, Let Them Play, Inc. sent a letter to new MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel. Itโs promising a lawsuit unless winter high school sports are reopened by next Monday. Kampe tweeted that he wanted to see high school sports opened back up.
Gov. Whitmer insists every Michigan resident who wants COVID vaccine will get one
Gretchen Whitmer is assuring residents that everyone in the state who wants to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to do so. Distribution of the vaccine has been a struggle around the country, but Whitmer reported progress Monday in the stateโs process. Whitmerโs update on COVID-19 in MichiganShe said while only 44% of Michiganโs controlled vaccine supply had been administered two weeks ago, that number has risen to 67%, as of Monday. State officials said theyโre still working to get enough vaccines for everyone in phases 1A and 1B to get their first doses. โOnce we have the vaccines that we need, every eligible Michigander who wants a vaccine will get the vaccine,โ Whitmer said.
Whitmer on COVID-19 in Michigan: โThereโs light at the end of the tunnel, but weโre still in the tunnelโ
LANSING, Mich. โ During an update on Michiganโs COVID-19 situation Monday, state officials provided some promising signs and some causes for concern. Whitmerโs update on COVID-19 in MichiganMichiganโs case rate is at 203 cases per million people, she said. New COVID variant in Michigan: 13 cases in Washtenaw County, 4 cases in Wayne CountyKhaldun thinks this is just the beginning of the spread. Gretchen Whitmer reported progress on the stateโs vaccine distribution, saying 67% of the state-controlled supply has been administered, while the rest is scheduled. โThere is light at the end of the tunnel, however, we are still in the tunnel,โ Whitmer said.
โA good signโ: Here are the updated statewide COVID-19 metrics for Michigan
LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs top doctor reported mostly positive news Monday when she updated the stateโs most important COVID-19 metrics. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the stateโs metrics are showing signs of improvement. Whitmerโs update on COVID-19 in MichiganMichiganโs case rate is at 203 cases per million people, she said. New COVID variant in Michigan: 13 cases in Washtenaw County, 4 cases in Wayne CountyOne cause of concern is the new variant of the virus. Khaldun is worried about how the spread of the variant will affect the case, positivity and hospitalization rates.
Michigan officials โdonโt want to have to go backwardsโ due to spread of new COVID variant
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials said they hope the state wonโt have to move backward in the reopening process due to the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, but they have to continue monitoring the numbers. Whitmerโs update on COVID-19 in MichiganAs of Monday afternoon, Michigan officials had confirmed 17 cases of the new variant -- 13 in Washtenaw County and four in Wayne County. The spread of the B.1.1.7 variant of the virus has already caused a two-week shutdown of the University of Michigan athletic department. State officials are hoping more restrictions arenโt necessary. Michigan restaurants are set to resume indoor dining Feb. 1 for the first time since an MDHHS order went into effect in mid-November.
What Michigan Gov. Whitmer said about health director Robert Gordonโs abrupt resignation
LANSING, Mich. โ When Michigan health director Robert Gordon abruptly resigned last week, Gov. Whitmerโs update on COVID-19 in MichiganNew MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel joined Whitmer for the briefing, but most of the questions were about Gordon. โI donโt think I have anything to add with regard to my comments about the former director,โ Whitmer said. I wish Robert Gordon the very best. It has been a long, impossible-to-imagine experience, and Iโm grateful that we had his leadership for two years and Iโm wishing him very best-of-luck as he moves forward.โ
Michigan high school contact sports ban: What Whitmer said about possibility of resuming
Gretchen Whitmer was asked Monday about the ban on certain Michigan high school contact sports and whether they might be allowed to resume in the near future. Right now, only certain sports, including football, are allowed to compete at Michigan high schools. This has become a controversial topic across the state as the governor urges all schools to resume in-person learning by March 1. On Monday, during a COVID-19 briefing, Whitmer was asked about contact sports resuming. โI was wondering if thereโs any way you could set a date certain for contact sports to resume,โ a reporter said.
New COVID variant in Michigan: 13 cases in Washtenaw County, 4 cases in Wayne County
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials have identified a total of 17 confirmed cases of the new COVID-19 variant in the state. On Monday afternoon, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said 13 cases have been identified in Washtenaw County and four cases have been identified in Wayne County. The new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, is more easily spread from person to person, but it doesnโt appear to cause more severe disease, Khaldun said. An outbreak in the variant has caused a two-week shutdown of the University of Michigan athletic department. The variant, first identified in the United Kingdom, was confirmed in a resident who returned to Michigan from the UK, health officials said.
8 takeaways from Whitmerโs briefing: Michigan health director resigns, contact sports, COVID variant
โOnce we have the vaccines that we need, every eligible Michigander who wants a vaccine will get the vaccine,โ Whitmer said. New health director speaksMDHHS Director Robert Gordon abruptly resigned Friday, and Whitmer quickly appointed Elizabeth Hertel to fill the role. Hertel joined Whitmer for Mondayโs briefing, and offered her first comments since taking over as Michiganโs health director. โI donโt think I have anything to add with regard to my comments about the former director,โ Whitmer said. โI think itโs important to point out (the variant) and the seriousness and the high contagious aspects of this variant,โ Whitmer said.
Watch: Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 in Michigan (Jan. 25)
Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Monday on the stateโs handling of COVID-19. The state is one week away from a new version of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services order going into effect. On Feb. 1, the revised restrictions will allow restaurants to reopen for indoor dining, stadiums to welcome more fans and more. Click here to read the full details of the revised MDHHS order. On Monday, Whitmer was joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive of MDHHS, and new MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel.
Local 4 News at 4 -- Jan. 22, 2021
Hereโs what you missed on Local 4 News at 4:Michigan health director abruptly resigns -- Hereโs whoโs replacing himElizabeth Hertel has been named the new director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, replacing Robert Gordon, who resigned Friday. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Hertel as the new Michigan health director minutes after Gordon tweeted his resignation.
Elizabeth Hertel named new Michigan health director, Gov. Whitmer announces
Elizabeth Hertel has been named the new director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, replacing Robert Gordon, who resigned Friday. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Hertel as the new Michigan health director minutes after Gordon tweeted his resignation. I look forward to the next chapter.โLATEST: Michigan health director Robert Gordon announces resignationโRobert Gordon has resigned from his position, and the governor has accepted his resignation,โ the state release says. She earned a bachelorโs degree at Grand Valley State University and an MBA at Michigan State University. โEnding the COVID-19 pandemic is going to take hard work and partnership between state, government, businesses and organizations across the state,โ Whitmer said.