September 11, 2020 Thinking back to January or February of this year is a nebulous memory. And if someone told you it had been six months since everything changed, would that feel right? Or would it seem more like years? Six months ago, spring break was ending at U-M and MSU and thousands of students were returning to Ann Arbor and East Lansing. Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden and their surrogates were barnstorming the state in advance of the presidential primary. Hundreds attended a Sandi Patty concert in Berrien County. We were planning birthday parties and sleepovers. Then, two and a half hours after the primary polls closed, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer convened a hastily scheduled press briefing. Michigan had confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus. Whitmer immediately declared a state of emergency. Within days, Michiganders' lives were thrown into upheaval. For some Michiganders, life will never be the same. MORE President Donald Trump touted the large number of supporters who came out to see him in Michigan on Thursday as evidence of his strength in this key battleground state. “This is not the crowd of a person who comes in second place, you know that right?" Trump said. “Fifty-four days from now, we’re going to win Michigan.” An estimated 5,500 people packed into a warehouse structure at the MBS International Airport in Freeland to see Trump speak. Trump’s visit brought supporters from across Michigan and other states, and hundreds more remained outside the venue after it reached capacity shortly after 5 p.m., two hours before the president was scheduled to speak. We have full coverage from the event, HERE ►President Donald Trump says he’s running for reelection to ‘keep jobs in Michigan’ When it comes to naming the sounds of fall in Michigan, you may think of crunching leaves underfoot, or the calls of migrating Canada geese overhead. The wild, impressive bugle of a bull elk might not immediately come to mind -- but for a century, it’s been a song belonging to the sounds of this season. Fall is breeding time for Michigan’s wild elk herd, making it one of the best points in the year to hear and see these impressive beasts that have roamed in part of the Northern Lower Peninsula since 1918. Fascinating! GO SEE THEM ►Best fall color drives in Michigan's U.P., when to hit the road Michigan’s economy is 88% back to normal – at least according to a business index created by Moody’s Analytics and CNN Business. The index takes a variety of economic factors into account, like new home postings, unemployment claims, business confidence numbers and railroad traffic. In fact, Michigan ranks fifth of the 50 U.S. states in the “back-to-normal index.” And this isn’t the only data point showing Michigan might be recovering faster than most states from the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic downtown.CHECK THIS OUT Talk about getting away from it all. This luxury retreat is located “off the grid” in the middle of a forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This 5,000-square-foot family or hunting retreat is located on 320 acres of groomed land at 8103 County 503 CC in Ensign Township in the Upper Peninsula, about a half hour northeast from Escanaba. Built in 1997, the rustic-themed home has three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and one half bath. There’s a 900-square-foot bar and lounge featuring a circular stainless steel fireplace, which overlooks a three-quarter acre pond. It has a sauna. Oh, and if you've ever wanted your own own meat processing facility, you're in luck! MORE ►This isn’t a chateau in France, it’s a 100-year old Michigan home on the market for $995K Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive to your address book or safe sender list. |