'We weren't a healthy population coming into this:' How COVID shed light on Michigan's weight problem

If you were to visit the intensive care unit at a Spectrum Health hospital at any point over the last two years, you would likely find the sickest COVID-19 patients had one or more of the same three common factors. “(Advanced) age, obesity and diabetes,” said Dr. Stephen Fitch, a pulmonary and critical care physician. “Those are far and away the biggest risk factors for severe COVID-19.” Health officials have long known that adults with obesity are at an increased risk for many serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, as well as poorer mental health. So it wasn’t a shock when obesity climbed to the top of the list of underlying conditions that factored into severe illness from coronavirus infection. However, the pandemic has reminded us of the importance of prioritizing healthy life choices. READ MORE
►Michigan man drops 100 pounds, kicks diabetes after fight with COVID

Whitmer to sign $4.8B spending plan, wants to tackle gas tax relief next

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer celebrated the passage of a $4.8 billion spending plan as a bipartisan success story that will benefit a wide range of Michigan residents. Whitmer intends to sign into law supplemental spending bills largely paid for by federal coronavirus relief funds and an infrastructure law passed by Congress last year. The “Building Michigan Together Plan” funds a long list of projects, from clean water infrastructure, storm and wastewater improvements, road repairs, high-speed internet expansion and a big investment in state parks to rent and foreclosure assistance, public safety funding and unemployment insurance improvements. READ MORE

►Permanent oversight committee would ensure transparency 'during times of extreme partisan attitudes,' Michigan senator says

City of Detroit picked to host the 2024 NFL draft

Detroit had a big day on Monday. The city itself was picked to host the 2024 NFL draft after years of campaigning for the gig. Michigan's biggest city beat out Green Bay and Washington D.C. to host the major national event. The news on the draft came just hours after HBO announced it will feature the Detroit Lions on the next season of their "Hard Knocks" series that peels back the curtains on an NFL training camp every season. The first of five episodes is scheduled to air on HBO Max on Aug. 9, and the finale is slated for Sept. 6. READ MORE

►Detroit Lions picked to star on HBO's 'Hard Knocks'
►What's being said nationally after Detroit gets 2024 NFL draft, Lions land HBO's 'Hard Knocks'

See how much Michigan communities will receive from $172 million in 2021 recreational marijuana tax

Michigan towns are seeing vacant storefronts renovated, job rolls boosted and perpetually diminishing budgets suddenly injected with newfound marijuana money. More than $42 million tax dollars from Michigan’s recreational marijuana industry are expected to be doled out to 163 counties, cities, villages and townships this week, according to the state Treasurer’s Office. “This means each eligible municipality and county will receive more than $56,400 for every licensed retail store and microbusiness located within its jurisdiction,” the state Treasury said. READ MORE

►Township trustee flips off audience at contentious meeting about Michigan marijuana ordinance

Large storm system will bring 1-2-3 punch across Michigan

It's storm time, Michigan. And MLive Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa has all the info: "March is going to go out like a lion. A large, potent storm system will bring a one-two-three punch of changeable weather across Michigan. The reason for the big swings in weather with storm systems at this time of year is the storm center is wrapped in very warm air, and occasionally has winter-level cold air behind the storm. That’s why we will experience a cold-to-warm-to-cold pattern between Tuesday night and Thursday afternoon." READ MORE

►Enjoy spring's cute baby animals from a distance, even if they appear abandoned, DNR says

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