| May 12, 2021 
 Younger Michigan residents are expected to soon be eligible to receive Pfizer’s two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. On Monday, U.S. regulators announced plans to expand use of the vaccine to individuals 12 to 15 years old. The news came after clinical trials involving more than 2,000 volunteers proved the vaccine to be both safe and effective at protecting against COVID-19. Dr. Rosemary Olivero, pediatric infectious disease physician for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, said Pfizer’s clinical trial data was “astoundingly good.” Additionally, she noted the importance of getting younger children vaccinated in order to slow the spread and evolution of coronavirus. READ MORE ►Michigan State University removes mask requirements for outdoor settings  Every community in Michigan is about to get a hefty stimulus check. And the money can be spent on a wide variety of uses, the U.S. Treasury announced this week. Michigan is getting nearly $11 billion in stimulus funding via the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan – which sends $350 billion to governments across the nation. The first half of the funding will be sent this month, per the Treasury. The second half of the funds will be sent in May 2022, and all the money must be spent by Dec. 31, 2024. But how exactly are they allowed to spend it? MORE  As employers struggle to find workers, Michigan could make it easier by canceling the extra $300 in jobless benefits and getting rid of federal unemployment programs, a state business group says. At least four states already decided to stop accepting federal unemployment benefits in mid-to-late June – Montana, South Carolina, North Dakota and Iowa. Michigan should join them, says the Michigan chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business. Nationwide, 44% of small business owners report having job openings they can’t fill. MORE
 Matt Houseman has seen just about everything in his 26 years coaching and instructing softball, but he was not quite prepared for what he heard during his North Muskegon team’s home opener this season. “I’ve always coached everybody else’s kids, so it kind of caught me off-guard at our first home game when they announced the three (his daughters) in the starting lineup and it kind of choked me up a little bit,” he said. “But it’s just a true blessing to be able to do this this year.” The fun-loving Houseman sisters – senior Emma, 18; junior Megan, 17; and freshman Mattie, 15 – make up one-third of the Norse varsity softball team’s starting lineup. For the first time, they’re all teammates. MORE  When you’ve got one of the biggest and best backyards on Mackinac Island, you have the room to get a little creative. After getting rave reviews for its open-air concept restaurant last year, the Inn at Stonecliffe has come back this season to debut The Lawn. This sprawling outdoor space along the island’s western edge has jaw-dropping views of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. Island insiders know it as a picturesque spot to soak up some late afternoon sun or catch the perfect vacation sunset. Check it out: MORE Get your local news 24/7 Connect with MLive
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