Plus, the Michigan legislature will meet for the first time since July.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 |
|
|
In today's newsletter, the Michigan House and Senate return to their chambers for the first time in months, we answer questions about the new COVID-19 vaccine boosters and some things we learned about the Detroit Lions this weekend. |
When will you turn on your furnace? If you are like me, it might be this week. |
We all know that person who likes to brag about how long they wait to turn on their furnace when the temperatures start to cool. If you are that person, how long have you gone? As for me, I let the furnace do its thing as soon as I get too chilly. And, for me, that is EARLY in the season. After seeing the forecast for the end of this week, I'm pretty sure my heat will be coming on before we reach the weekend. I am also going to go fish my onesie pajamas out of the closet to have them on stand by. You can always keep an eye on the forecast on our weather page or join our Michigan Weather group on Facebook. If you are someone who battles against turning on the furnace, I'm sure you'll find a few like-minded folks there.
|
|
|
Jack O Lantern World is putting thousands of hand-carved pumpkins on display as part of its first event in Michigan this fall. Read about it here. (Photo contributed by Jack O Lantern World) |
|
|
A look at the latest bacon prices offers a sign of hope when it comes to inflation. |
An update on inflation: Annual inflation is slowing. Prices ticked up last month. Food costs are starting to level. Housing costs remain high. And economists say there’s some good and bad news. The good news: Bacon is getting cheaper — at least a little bit. In July, a pound of bacon cost $7.42. A month later, it’s five cents less. Although marginal (and still 5.7% higher than a year ago), the slight drop is a sign rampant food inflation could be cooling.
Want an explainer on food inflation? One of our economy writers lays it out for you using a chocolate chip cookie recipe. |
|
|
The Michigan House and Senate are scheduled to meet for the first time since July. |
First session day in months: Members of the Michigan House and Senate are scheduled to convene this week for the first time since July 1, though the possibility of further session dates remain unclear. Who makes the decisions? Given that the majority party in power sets the legislative agenda in either chamber, and that Republicans control both the House and the Senate, only they may call for legislators to return to their chambers for work.
Other public interest news: When people in southeastern Michigan can’t easily get to a Michigan Secretary of State office, the agency can bring those services to them. Now, that assistance expands to western and central Michigan, too. |
|
|
Answering questions about the new COVID-19 vaccine boosters. |
Are the boosters free? Yes, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says COVID-19 vaccines remain available with no out-of-pocket costs. Read more here.
Who is eligible? Pfizer’s bivalent COVID vaccine is available for people ages 12 and older as a single-dose administered at least two months after a previous COVID vaccine. Moderna’s latest booster follows a similar timeline, but is only available to those 18 and older. The latest on monkeypox:The first probable case of the monkeypox virus was found in Kalamazoo County. There are 246 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Michigan. |
|
|
What we learned this weekend about the Detroit Lions. |
3 things:It was an educational day for Lions fans on Sunday. And a happy day too. Among the things we learned? That Amon-Ra St. Brown was the absolute steal of the 2021 NFL draft. He caught nine passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns against Washington. What else did we learn?
Are the Lions actually good? Signs point to "yes." The number of teams who have scored more points than the Lions this season: Zero. The number of teams who are averaging more yards per carry: Zero. And they’re doing it while dumping their entire bench and part of the practice squad onto the field. Breaking an 11-year streak: The Detroit Lions, New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars all won on the same day. According to Fox Sports, that last happened in 2011.
|
|
|
Michigan doctors may empower pharmaciststo prescribe birth control pills, agency says. |
New info from the state licensing agency: Michigan pharmacists may be empowered to prescribe women self-administered hormonal birth control, including oral contraceptives, the skin patch and the vaginal ring, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday. Whitmer said in a statement:"Access to birth control is critical to a woman’s ability to plan her family and chart her own destiny. We are taking action to guarantee that Michigan women have the right to easily make reproductive health care decisions that are best for them." More news of statewide significance: Misinformation surrounding LGBTQ training for educators ‘deliberately divisive’, state department says
|
|
|
Thanks for exploring our Tuesday newsletter. You can always find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. And have you taken a moment to become an MLive subscriber? I'll be back here in your inbox tomorrow morning. See you then!
— Jessica Shepherd |
|
|
WANT TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH A FRIEND? |
Did someone share this newsletter with you? Click here to never miss a day! |
|
|
To contact the newsrooms for any of our publications regarding technical support, news tips, classified ads and other inquiries, please click here. |
|
|
Your news. Your way. New Custom Email Alerts let you select your favorite topics happening in your town. Choose the topics you love, we'll do the rest! |
|
|
INTERESTED IN ADVERTISING OR SPONSORING OUR NEWSLETTERS? |
|
|
You received this email because you opted in to the newsletter. To ensure receipt of our emails, please add newsletters@update.mlive.com to your address book or safe sender list. MLive Media Group 169 Monroe NW #100Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Contact us | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy |
|
|
|