Prisoner tracking, tree planting: Lesser-known programs in Whitmer's budget plan

Boosted spending for schools, infrastructure and targeted tax relief were the top proposals Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration highlighted when unveiling her budget this week. The $74.1 billion plan also contains plenty of funding proposals for other interesting programs and projects that didn’t immediately make headlines. Things like planting trees in Northern Michigan, building a new psychiatric hospital or studying gun violence prevention efforts. MLive pulled out a few interesting proposals from the massive budget which might fly under the radar: READ MORE
►Didn't read Whitmer's budget plan? Here are 7 things you should know

Ann Arbor subdivision reckoning with its racist past, repealing 1947 whites-only policy

Yard signs throughout the Hannah subdivision in Ann Arbor broadcast a radically different message than the property records on file for the homes. “Black Lives Matter” and “Hate Has No Home Here” are among the values proudly declared by residents along Arbana Drive and Mark Hannah Place west of downtown. But restrictive covenants for the subdivision from 1947 spell out another message: whites only. The subdivision’s covenants, historically used to enforce segregation and keep Blacks and other people of color out, are like thousands of others still attached to properties throughout Ann Arbor and across the United States. READ MORE

►Researchers map Ann Arbor's racist history of housing discrimination

Why you shouldn't rely on monoclonal antibodies or anti-viral pills as a substitute for vaccination

Monoclonal antibody therapy and anti-viral pills have become important tools in reducing hospitalizations from COVID-19. But their availability shouldn’t be used as a reason to forego vaccination, health experts say. “We sometimes hear ‘I’m not going to get vaccinated. I’ll just get the monoclonal antibody (if I catch COVID)’” said Dr. Christine Nefcy, chief medical officer at Munson Healthcare in Traverse City. Bad strategy for a number of reasons, say Nefcy and others. And the current Omicron surge is proving that point.

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►Most Michigan health departments rescinding school mask requirements
►Michigan family has hours to comprehend father's COVID death before daughter is hospitalized

Michigan ski resort chiefs call for climate action, reduce own emissions

Leaders at two up north ski resorts recently called for faster climate action – even federal carbon taxes – to stave off the effects of the escalating climate crisis on Michigan’s signature four seasons. Chief executives at both Crystal Mountain and Boyne Mountain resorts in northern Lower Michigan said sustainability efforts at the all-seasons resorts may help offset their operational carbon footprints, but argued bigger, systems-wide actions are needed to prevent an irreparable intensification of the effects of climate change – effects that will impact not just resort operations, but everyone on the planet. READ MORE

►Michigan regulators extend comment period for draft climate plan by a month