| November 9, 2021 
 Billions for fixing roads, bridges, water distribution systems and expanding high-speed internet access and electric vehicle charging networks are headed to Michigan upon signing of a major federal infrastructure bill. More than $10 billion is anticipated as Michigan’s share from the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill represents a win for the agenda of President Joe Biden, who plans to sign the massive spending measure once legislators return from a recess. According to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, Michigan would receive $7.3 billion to fix roads and $563 million for bridge replacement or repairs, $1 billion to improve public transportation, $1.3 billion to improve water infrastructure, $100 million to expand high-speed internet access and $110 million to boost the state’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. READ MORE  Loss of smell, also known as anosmia, is a common side-effect from COVID-19, occurring in up to 85% of patients, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. The loss of smell isn’t unique to coronavirus, though it appears to be a more common symptom in COVID-19 than other respiratory infections. More research is needed to determine who is more susceptible to anosmia following a coronavirus infection. Dr. Mark Zacharek, an otolaryngologist at Michigan Medicine, said about 80% will see their sense of smell return to them within the first six weeks. For others it could take longer, or even be permanent in some cases. READ MORE  Michigan’s independent redistricting commission is prepared to move into the next phase of the state’s political mapmaking process. Following a Monday meeting intended to settle a legal question on when commissioners were allowed to put forward individual map suggestions for consideration, commissioners had a noon deadline to submit any personal proposals they want to be considered if the 13-member panel can’t agree on any of the collaborative House, Senate and Congressional maps that advanced to the final round. Any individual maps submitted before that deadline are expected to be made public soon and published next week alongside the nine collaborative maps commissioners approved last week. READ MORE  The Detroit Lions were expected to lose a lot of games this year. According to the sportsbooks, they were expected to lose ‘em all. And through eight games, they’ve lost ‘em all. The Lions have made valiant runs at much better teams, including taking Minnesota and Baltimore all the way to the horn before losing on buzzer-beating field goals, one of which came from an NFL-record 66 yards. That’s a tough beat. Then they went to L.A. and used two fake punts and an onside kick to hang with the mighty Rams. But they lost that game too. Is there any way for them to avoid a historically bad record this season? READ MORE  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed several Republican-sponsored bills Friday that would have granted tax credits for contributions to scholarship programs that could be used for nonpublic schooling. The governor had promised last month to veto the proposed scholarship program that Democratic critics said would have incentivized sending kids to private schools. Republican supporters of the bills say they want Michigan parents to be able to use money from wealthy donors to help meet the educational needs of their children, including the use of alternative and nonpublic programs. READ MORE
Fall Price Drop
MLive's most trusted local news, at a price you'll fall for.
$60 for 1 year (cancel anytime) 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
