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Some Michiganders are still waiting for their unemployment checks more than a month into the coronavirus crisis
On March 16, when Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered the state’s schools to close at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in Michigan, Tarissa King was faced with a choice: She could bring her 10-year-old daughter with her to the Wendy’s restaurant where she worked, or quit her job to take care of her. To get…
Coronavirus curve bends in metro Detroit, but west side of state experiences outbreaks
The coronavirus claimed the lives of 36 Michigan residents over the past day, one of the lowest one-day increases in more than a month. The state now has 4,179 deaths and more than 44,000 positive cases. Michigan has seen a steady decline in coronavirus deaths for two straight weeks. From April 21-27, 847 residents died…
Pfizer announces clinical trials for potential COVID-19 vaccine made in Michigan
Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE announced Tuesday the first participants had been dosed in the United States clinical trial for a BNT162 vaccine program aimed to prevent COVID-19. The first group was tested in Germany last week. Pfizer will manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine in Kalamazoo, Mich., Andover, Mass., and Chesterfield, Mo. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer celebrated…
Michigan weighs banning guns inside state Capitol Building after protests
The days of carrying guns into the Michigan Capitol may be numbered after armed protesters stormed the building to rally against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order. The Michigan State Capitol Commission is exploring whether it has the authority to ban guns inside the Lansing building. At least one gun-owning Republican on the six-member commission said…
Throwing a party at Detroit Airbnbs could get you banned — or worse
Don’t plan on throwing a rager at a Detroit Airbnb any time soon. The lodging site issued a stern warning Tuesday against throwing parties or events at their listed properties, even those that were previously labeled as “event-friendly,” a search filter that has since been disabled. Normally, Airbnb allows its registered hosts to make the…
Detroit will no longer host the Green Party 2020 National Convention due to the coronavirus
This is kind of old news, but we think it deserves a post because we’re not seeing any reference to it in the mainstream media. The 2020 Green National Convention, which was originally supposed to be held in Detroit at Wayne State University, has been canceled due to the coronavirus. It was to be held…
Hungry folks rejoice — Dearborn’s Bangkok 96 reopens for carryout
You can now add award-winning Thai food takeout to your quarantine dinner rotation. As of Monday, metro Detroit chef and 2019 James Beard Award semi-finalist Genevieve Vang’s beloved flagship eatery Bangkok 96 in Dearborn has reopened with its full menu for walk-up and carryout service. The reopening comes nearly six weeks after making the decision…
Wayne County Jail inmates sue over conditions during COVID-19 outbreak
Several attorneys and civil rights groups have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Sheriff Benny Napoleon and others on behalf of seven inmates, seeking to remove more detainees from the Wayne County Jail over the coronavirus outbreak. The lawsuit says the roughly 850 inmates are at a high risk of getting infected with COVID-19 because…
Could curbside marijuana pickup continue after the coronavirus pandemic ends?
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, marijuana dispensaries in Michigan were deemed an essential industry and switched to curbside delivery to continue to serve customers while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Could this new convenience continue after the pandemic ends? David Harns, a spokesman for Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, says curbside weed delivery…
‘GQ’ named this downtown Detroit restaurant one of the best new eateries in America
Despite temporarily closing in the mid-March in accordance with state-wide closures of restaurant and bar dining rooms amid the coronavirus pandemic, Detroit’s Leila has been named as one of GQ magazine’s best new restaurants in America. GQ’s Brett Martin traveled to 23 cities, dining at 93 restaurants — back when you could safely do so…
Marijuana might reduce opioid dependence for pain relief, new study finds
A new study shared by High Times supports the case for cannabis as a pain-relief alternative for those dependent on opioids. Researchers published their findings in the Journal of Psychopharmacology last month after conducting an online survey that evaluated a sample of adults who regularly use opioids for pain management. The subjects took part in…
Cellphone data shows protesters dispersed across Michigan, raising concerns of spreading coronavirus
At “Operation Gridlock,” last month’s right-wing protest in Lansing over Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s coronavirus executive orders, many participants rebelled against social distancing guidelines by standing close together and not wearing face masks. Afterward, Whitmer chided the protesters, saying they could have spread the virus. That fear is backed up by newly released cellphone data, which…
Beaumont begins studying two common drugs’ potential to treat COVID-19
Researchers at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak have received approval to launch a clinical trial to determine whether two common drugs — naltrexone and ketamine — are an effective treatment for COVID-19. The randomized trial will involve adult patients hospitalized at Beaumont in Royal Oak. Researchers are hoping the two drugs, taken together, will lessen…
There’s now a GoFundMe to get a pair of Buffs for Gov. ‘Big Gretch’ Whitmer
It looks like Big Gretch might get buffed out after all. Following the release of “Big Gretch” this weekend — self-proclaimed “King of Parody Rap” Gmac Cash’s tribute to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s aggressive coronavirus efforts, which earned her a new affectionate and protective nickname — Cash is now taking his appreciation a bit further with…
Whitmer blasts ‘racism’ of protesters, defends Biden over sexual assault claims
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Sunday denounced the armed protesters who rallied against her stay-at-home order last week, saying they exhibited “some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country.” “The Confederate flags and nooses, the swastikas, the behavior that you’ve seen in all the clips is not representative of who…
The Greenhouse of Walled Lake is selling a ‘Mother’s Day Marijuana Quarantine Kit’
Here’s an offbeat gift for Mother’s Day. The Greenhouse of Walled Lake is selling a “Mother’s Day Marijuana Quarantine Kit.” The kit includes marijuana flower, gummies, infused caramels, infused bath bombs, and Godiva chocolates (for when your mom gets the munchies). Considering we live in “uncertain times,” it also comes with a face mask and…
Jane Goodall partners with Canadian CBD company for line of natural products
Wildlife conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall announced a partnership with Canadian CBD company Neptune Wellness Solutions Inc. to develop a line of wellness products. A percentage of proceeds will support environmental protection efforts through the Jane Goodall Institute. The Quebec-based company is set to produce a line of plant-based hand sanitizers, hemp-derived products, and essential oils…
Belle Isle closed twice Sunday over large crowds, but not because of social-distancing
So many cars packed onto Belle Isle on Sunday that the state temporarily closed the island park twice to new traffic. But it wasn’t because people were defying social-distancing measures, state officials say. “We were overwhelmed with cars,” Ron Olson, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Recreation Division, tells Metro…
Detroit rapper GMac Cash drops ode to governor ‘Big Gretch’
Well that was fast, even for the standards of Detroit’s prolific Gmac Cash. The rapper dropped “Big Gretch,” named after Detroit’s affectionate new nickname for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer amid the coronavirus crisis, on Saturday. In the track, Cash imagines presenting Whitmer with Cartier Buffs, praises her swag and style, and takes swipes at critics President…
Vegan restaurant Chive Kitchen pivots to carryout due to the coronavirus — possibly forever
Farmington’s Chive Kitchen, one of metro Detroit’s most beloved vegan spots, has been forced to adapt due to the economic toll of the coronavirus crisis. The restaurant is now carry-out only, and owner Suzy Silvestre says it might never return as a sit-down spot. Silvestre told The Free Press that she switched to carry-out when…
Michigan man spells ‘F U’ with plane in response to Whitmer’s coronavirus lockdown
A Grand Rapids-area man vented his frustrations over Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s coronavirus executive orders by spending an hour flying his airplane in a path to spell out the letters “F U.” According to The New York Post, his design also includes an arrow pointing to the governor’s mansion, but to us it kind of looks…
Whitmer calls for unity as Michigan’s coronavirus death toll nears 4,000
Michigan reported 77 new coronavirus deaths on Friday, one of the lowest one-day increases in a month, as the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 declined for the 15th straight day. The state’s death toll reached 3,866 on the 39th day of the state’s stay-at-home order. Michigan has the third-highest number of deaths in the…
Here’s how Libertarian presidential candidate Justin Amash says he would have handled Michigan’s coronavirus crisis
Days after announcing he was seeking the Libertarian Party nomination for president, Michigan’s U.S. Rep. Justin Amash sat down with Reason magazine for a freewheeling conversation for their podcast. One of the questions Amash was asked was how he would have handled Michigan’s coronavirus crisis. Amash said he would have given local municipalities flexibility over…
Republican Sen. Mike Shirkey calls Lansing protesters ‘a bunch of jackasses’
Though Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey sides with those who believe Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s coronavirus pandemic executive orders go too far, he distanced himself from Thursday’s protests, which included some people entering the State Capitol Building while brandishing guns. Shirkey, a Clarklake Republican, issued a statement on Friday condemning the protesters for using “intimidation…
Detroit reports lowest one-day increase in coronavirus deaths in more than a month
Detroit reported just nine new coronavirus deaths on Friday, the lowest one-day increase in more than a month. City officials attributed the decline to social distancing measures. “The numbers are coming down extremely fast,” Mayor Mike Duggan said at a news conference Friday. “We’ve brought this down probably faster than any city in the country.…
Coronavirus outbreak spreads from metro Detroit to Trump country in Michigan
The coronavirus outbreak that has infected tens of thousands of metro Detroit residents is increasingly spreading to less populated areas of the state, where hospitals and intensive care units are in short supply. Ten days ago, 81% of the coronavirus cases were in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. That dropped Thursday to 71% as a…
Rent strike gains traction, including in Michigan
You know things are bad when the fucking Cheesecake Factory is leading #TheResistance. In March, as the coronavirus crisis took hold in the U.S., the restaurant chain told its landlords that it would not be able to pay its rent in April due to the economic shutdown caused by the response to the pandemic. “We’ve…
Trump calls armed protesters in Michigan ‘very good people,’ says Gov. Whitmer should ‘make a deal’
On Thursday, armed protesters stormed the State Capitol in opposition to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders, which have kept much of Michigan’s economy closed since March to stop the spread of the coronavirus. It’s easy to understand why many Michiganders would be frustrated with the governor. The economic shutdown has put more than 1.3 million…
Coronavirus claims 3,789 lives in Michigan as state ramps up testing
Michigan’s coronavirus death toll rose to 3,789 on Thursday, up 119 in the past day. Of those, 40 were older cases found in a review of backlogged death certificates. Michigan also reported 980 new positive cases, bringing the total to more than 41,000. For 15 straight days, the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients has dropped,…
Nearly half of the inmates tested in Michigan prisons have coronavirus
The coronavirus is rapidly spreading inside Michigan prisons as officials struggle to contain the outbreak. The number of positive cases in state-run prisons has more than quadrupled since April 12, from 335 to 1,412. During the same period, coronavirus deaths have increased eight-fold, from eight to 41. The crisis is likely far worse than testing…
Uh, Eminem faced off with a home intruder earlier this month, TMZ reports
In an event that could absolutely inspire an existential follow-up to 2017’s “Walk on Water,” Detroit “Rap God” Eminem found himself face to face with a home intruder earlier this month when a stan broke into his Clinton Township estate. According to a TMZ report, Matthew David Hughes, 27, snuck past Eminem’s security around 4…
‘Weird Al’ to play Motor City turd Ted Nugent in Quibi’s ‘Reno 911!’ reboot
Eleven years after the bumbling, incompetent, new boot goofin’ sheriffs of Reno 911! turned in their badges, the gang is returning for a seventh season, which will include an appearance by “Weird Al” Yankovic as Ted Nugent. The Comedy Central mockumentary-style series, which was canceled in 2009 after six seasons of debauchery, mishandled crime scenes,…
7 TSA screeners at Detroit Metro Airport have tested positive for COVID-19
Seven Transportation Security Administration screeners at Detroit Metro Airport have tested positive for the coronavirus since the outbreak began. At least two of the confirmed infections were reported this week. TSA screeners have a lot of contact with travelers, posing the risk of spreading the disease to a lot of people. Public health experts and…
Coronavirus death toll in Michigan reaches 3,670, with 40,000+ positive cases
The coronavirus death toll in Michigan rose to 3,670 on Wednesday, up 103 in the past day. In 18 of the past 24 days, the state recorded more than 100 new deaths. Michigan also reported 1,137 new positive cases, bringing the total to more than 40,000. “We’re continuing to see an overall plateau in cases…
The Kentucky Derby is going digital due to the coronavirus
This year’s Kentucky Derby has been postponed until September due to the coronavirus, but Woodward Reserve and Churchill Downs have announced a series of digital events on Saturday, May 2, the original date of the race. Throughout the day, the Kentucky Derby Museum will offer interactive virtual tours and Derby-inspired recipes on the Kentucky Derby’s…
Whitmer proposes free college for essential workers in program modeled after the G.I. Bill
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced a first-of-its kind program that would provide tuition-free college education for essential employees working through the coronavirus pandemic. Modeled after the G.I. Bill that offered soldiers education opportunities after World War II, Whitmer’s “Futures for Frontliners” program would provide a pathway to college degrees or technical certificates to essential workers without…
Detroit tops 1,000 coronavirus deaths, surpasses New York City in fatalities per capita
Deaths from the coronavirus topped 1,000 in Detroit on Wednesday, a grim milestone for the nation’s most impoverished big city. The city reported 20 new deaths Wednesday, bringing its total to 1,008. “It’s a total that is unimaginable,” Mayor Mike Duggan said at a news conference on Wednesday. “We’re pretty comparable to New York in…
Report: Michigan law allows for income-based water rates
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified water-access issues for low-income families in Michigan, and a new report reveals that a hotly debated remedy is possible under state law. In response to years of ever-increasing water rates and shutoffs, consumer advocates in Michigan have called for income-based water rates. Report co-author Oday Salim, a National Wildlife Federation…
Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Flint water ‘wall’ dividing criminal and civil cases may have some cracks
On Saturday, the Flint water crisis turned six without new charges being filed on the day that AG Dana Nessel’s lead criminal prosecutors previously told Flint residents served as the statute of limitations for new felony misconduct in office charges related to the water crisis. Before the deadline passed, AG Nessel’s office responded to a…
Paxahau to stream marathon of Movement sets by late Detroit DJ Mike Huckaby
The organizers of Movement — Detroit’s annual celebration of electronic music — will stream Movement sets from Detroit techno pioneer Mike Huckaby, who died last week at the age of 54. The six-hour online tribute event is billed as “A Mike Huckaby Marathon” will feature Huckaby’s Movement sets from 2006-2018. It starts at 4 p.m.…
Whitmer to reopen the construction sector as Michigan bends the coronavirus curve
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to lift restrictions on the construction industry, allowing employees to get back to work on May 7, the governor’s office confirmed Wednesday. “It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the governor would open a lower-risk field, like she has said at previous press conferences,” spokeswoman Tiffany Brown told Metro Times. Whitmer…
Owner of Avalon International Breads warns of instability of payment protection program in ‘New York Times’ op-ed
In an op-ed published by The New York Times on Tuesday, Jackie Victor — founder and owner of Detroit’s Avalon International Breads — addressed glaring issues with the Small Business Administration’s Payment Protection Program, a loan forgiveness program designed to keep businesses afloat by keeping workers on the payroll. Victor co-founded the flagship Cass Corridor…
Donald Trump and the Death Cult are putting people in danger to own the libs
At 6:41 a.m. on Tuesday, an ornery Donald Trump hopped on Twitter to hate on MSNBC’s Morning Joe and beat his chest about how much Republicans love him and how that proved how well he was handling the coronavirus pandemic, how he got better ratings than Monday Night Football and The Bachelor, and, most of…
Savage Love: Aroused state
I’m a 31-year-old female. Last week I suddenly started to experience an overwhelming, compulsive, and near-constant state of physical arousal. I’ve masturbated so much looking for relief that my entire lower region is super sore and swollen and still. It’s like my whole body is pulsating with this electric arousal telling me to ignore the…
Horoscopes (April 29-May 5)
ARIES: March 21 – April 20: At a certain point, you’re going to say, “Enough of this.” How long will it take? I can’t tell you, but you know as well as I do that you don’t want to get stuck here. For the next few weeks, instead of talking about it, it would be…
