| May 28, 2021 
 The first stimulus check was spent quickly. The next two went toward debt and into savings accounts. That’s how Michiganders handled their three pandemic stimulus payments, according to survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The shift mirrors nationwide trends, as the money was needed more for immediate purchases just after the pandemic hit as unemployment skyrocketed. About 71% of Michiganders “mostly spent” the first check, while 13% put it toward debt and 17% put it into savings. For the most recent stimulus, only 15% of recipients “mostly spent” it, while 51% put it toward debt and 34% mostly saved it. In total, Michiganders received a combined $13.1 billion in stimulus checks, per the Peterson Foundation. READ MORE ►Michigan Medicine giving employees $1,500 bonus for work during pandemic  There’s a relatively new kind of tick showing up in greater numbers in parts of Michigan and, for some people, it could cause a strange meat allergy if it bites you. While the lone star tick has been found in big numbers in Indiana, until a few years ago Michigan typically would only get a few reports of this type of tick each year. But all that’s changed in the last three years, researchers say. More lone star ticks have been found moving into Michigan. What do they look like? Only the lone star female is distinctive, with a white spot on its back that some say is similar to the shape of the state of Texas. READ  Some parents are expressing concerns about what the loosened mask guidelines now mean for their young children. Under new federal guidance, fully vaccinated Michiganders no longer have to wear masks in most indoor and outdoor settings, but children 12 and under are not yet eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine. A pediatric infectious disease specialist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and division chief of medical specialties at Spectrum Health, Dr. Rosemary Olivero said that parents' worries are valid. MORE
 To get an appointment at a Michigan Secretary of State office, one needs to book a spot online at 8 a.m. sharp on the day they hope to visit. If that doesn’t work, more spots are released at noon. If those get snatched too quickly, you start the process the next day, or book service months in advance. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says this improves efficiency of service, while lawmakers countered this hinders access during a Thursday hearing in the House Oversight Committee. READ  Drivers heading in and out of Muskegon will now see colorful murals being painted on a railroad overpass. Artists recently started work on the first two of four murals planned for bridges over Seaway Drive between Laketon and Hackley avenues. The MuskegonCity Public Art Initiative led the effort with the cities of Muskegon, Norton Shores and Muskegon Heights to beautify the rusty eyesores. We talked to the artists about their work on the project. Check it out: WATCH HERE Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive
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