| December 22, 2021 
 Michigan’s race to vaccination continues as the omicron variant of COVID-19 chases close behind. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, in Grand Rapids to emphasize the strain on the state’s hospitals and a grim outlook for the next four to six weeks as the latest variant spreads even more rapidly than Delta. “We’re seeing familiar scenes play out all across Michigan — long lines at testing sites and rising case numbers,” Whitmer said. “Nurses and doctors and respiratory therapists are pushed to the brink. They have been breaking their backs for almost two years to take care of people, and they’re still being inundated.” As of Tuesday, there were eight reported cases of the variant in Michigan. The best precaution is vaccination, Whitmer said. READ MORE ►If employers require vaccination, 48% of Michiganders say they'll support it and get the shot  Kellogg’s union workers have reached an agreement with the cereal company after 11 weeks of striking. The Bakery Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union announced on Tuesday that the union voted to approve the five-year collective bargaining agreement. The strike began Oct. 5 when 1,400 workers walked out of four Kellogg’s plants across the country. Union President Anthony Shelton said the ratified contract has no concessions. He highlighted there will not be a permanent two-tier system, a clear path to full-time employment, a $9 pension multiplier over five years and no plant closures through October 2026. READ MORE  Where to take lantern-lit snowshoe hikes at Michigan state parks in January The post-holiday blues can be real. One method for beating them? Schedule out your January with fun adventures. Throughout the winter, a handful of Michigan’s state parks and recreation areas are offering group snowshoe, ski and hiking events: from guided jaunts to lantern-lit strolls, and even a couple of outings timed to the full and new moons. Many offer equipment on a first-come, first-served basis, plus post-hike campfires, hot cocoa, s’mores and other treats. Check out when and where all the fun is happening: READ MORE ►Winter-themed laser show to light up Marquette's historic ore dock  Islanders throw wrench into company's Line 5 camera surveillance plans Township officials on two Lake Huron islands denied Enbridge permission to install cameras to keep tabs on shipping traffic through the Straits of Mackinac and across the path of its underwater Line 5 dual pipelines – in one case at least partly because of controversy surrounding the company itself. Planning commissioners for Bois Blanc Township this year refused a zoning variance and special land use permit for the Canadian oil pipeline company to install a temporary tower with high-grade camera equipment atop. The move blocked the company’s plan to install on their island one of up to a half-dozen cameras throughout the straits. READ MORE ►Video: Your questions about Michigan's redistricting process answered  While Michigan’s football team is preparing for the College Football Playoff, another Wolverine squad is prepping to defend its own national championship next month. A year ago, the dance team had plenty of time to prepare for the national dance championship but this year’s Michigan football playoff run and the potential for a spot in the national championship game has put the dance team in a bit of time crunch. If the football team advances to the national title game on Jan. 10 in Indianapolis, the dance team will have to perform and then depart to Orlando on Jan. 12 – two days before the Nationals are set to begin. READ MORE ►Michigan women's basketball ranked in top 10 for the first time Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive
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