| October 26, 2020 
 The state of Michigan, which operates a dozen state parks with beaches along the Lake Michigan lakeshore, pulled lifeguards in 1993. A rash of Lake Michigan drownings in recent years, including 19 in Michigan this year, has renewed calls for beach lifeguards. But it's not a simple solution and there are many different opinions on whether Lake Michigan is a safe place for lifeguards. This is a vital story for anyone who swims and has children who swim in Lake Michigan. MORE  Mackinac Island dodged what health department officials predicted would be a hotbed for coronavirus spread during its peak summer tourism months. But in the weeks leading up to the end of season, new cases have been popping up daily on the island and some businesses have closed their doors ahead of one of their biggest weekends of the season to protect their already-reduced staffs from further spread. MORE ►Michigan reports a record 3,338 new coronavirus cases in one day  The following story is part of a project that was created through a collaboration with The New York Times and 11 other local newspapers across the country to highlight how the coronavirus pandemic affected the employment of Americans across the country. MLive first interviewed Ronda Garmon, 50, of Grand Rapids in August. Married with six children and five grandchildren, she has struggled with addiction and incarceration in her past. If you read one thing today, make it this one, told in her owns. READ HERE ►Michigan sees largest drop in unemployment since extra $600 in federal funds ended
 After the strangest regular season anyone can remember, the Michigan High School Athletic Association has launched its biggest playoff season ever. Every 11-player football team invited to participate. Here is a look at the high school football playoff pairings and brackets for the eight divisions of 11-player football and the two divisions of eight-player football for 2020. MORE  The guns on both sides were plentiful. But two opposing groups managed to both rally at the same Allendale-area park without any skirmishes. The American Patriot Council and Justice for Black Lives held rallies just a few hundred yards apart Saturday, Oct. 24, as Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies kept a close watch and made sure the groups did not intermingle. WATCH HERE Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive
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