| January 27, 2021 
 When Gov. Gretchen Whitmer takes the stage for the State of the State address tonight, it won’t be the usual speech, full of bold policy proposals and a chamber full of lawmakers and guests dressed to impress. Instead, she will deliver the first-ever virtual State of the State speech in Michigan, and the only hint she’s given about the subject matter is that she’ll touch on the economy. “There’s a lot to do. And really, I think our economic resurgence is front and center for all of us. So, I don’t think any one should be surprised if that’s what I talk about,” she told Tim Skubick of Off The Record in a recent interview. But economists say to address the economy she’ll have to address the same thing she’s spoken about in every public appearance since March: the coronavirus pandemic. MORE ►Michigan Senate Republicans outline 2021 goals ahead of Whitmer's State of the State  Michigan now has more people at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19 than the number of diagnosed cases since last March. At least 611,045 Michigan residents have received the first dose of vaccine as of Sunday, Jan. 24, according to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard. The real number is likely larger because of reporting lags, especially for the program vaccinating long-term care residents and staff. By comparison, Michigan has 600,093 coronavirus cases diagnosed since the pandemic began in March. MORE ►Audit finds Michigan needs better financial control over PPE, COVID-19 purchases  No matter where you are in Michigan, we want your vote for the state's best outdoor dining setup. We have 11 regional polls up, just waiting for your voice to be counted in our latest Michigan's Best search. The eateries that were nominated have set up all kinds of creative outdoor dining areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are igloos, yurts, greenhouses, tents and entire blocks shut down to make way for for eating and drinking outside. Find your favorite place in our polls. Don't see it? You can even add your own: MORE
 Faced with a critical need for healthcare workers to fill specific jobs, a group of Michigan community colleges are working together to build a unique educational pipeline. The goal of the partnership is for specific community colleges to identify the healthcare jobs that need to be filled in their respective regions, and then build the curriculum to educate and develop those students for that career. There are five participating community colleges here in Michigan. MORE  Veteran Quarterback Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions have decided to part ways. But even before a trade for Stafford is complete, his family's Bloomfield Hills mansion is back on the market. The 12,000-square-foot estate has more than 400 feet of frontage along Upper Long Lake. The Staffords, who have four young kids, originally listed the home for the same price last summer because they wanted to find a place with less water. You can take a look at their fancy digs here: MORE Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive
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