Coronavirus

Chasing COVID-19 Up North

By Taylor Wizner • Jun 3, 2020

There continues to be few new COVID-19 cases reported in northwest lower Michigan. No positive diagnoses were added to the region Tuesday. This weekend, the state only revealed a new diagnosis in Wexford County and two in Otsego County.

Parts of Front Street in downtown TC to be closed to vehicles, pedestrian traffic only this summer

By Max Johnston • Jun 2, 2020

Parts of Traverse City's Front Street will be closed to vehicles to make more room for pedestrian foot traffic this summer. The City Commission approved the proposal at a virtual meeting Monday night.

Inmate death reported at North Lake Correctional Facility

By Taylor Wizner • Jun 1, 2020

Taylor Wizner / Interlochen Public Radio

An inmate at North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin has died after contracting COVID-19.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons indicated the death on its website, Friday.

The site shows 27 inmates are currently confirmed sick with COVID-19, while 56 inmates have recovered from the disease.

The prison holds 1,560 immigrants who have been convicted of federal crimes and will be deported following their sentence.

Free coronavirus testing in northern Michigan this weekend

By Kendra Carr • May 29, 2020

The Michigan National Guard will be on site at two Northern Michigan locations this weekend to assist health departments in administering free COVID-19 tests.

The coronavirus testing will be available to any Michigan resident, regardless of symptoms. No appointment is necessary.

Grand Traverse Mall reopens to the public

By Kendra Carr • May 28, 2020

The Grand Traverse Mall is welcoming customers for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down businesses across the nation.

Safety measures have been added, including hand sanitizing stations and frequent cleaning of “high touch areas” by janitorial staff.

Markings on the floor have been added to help customers keep the six foot distance while in line at the food court. But that's not the only change at the food court, according to the Grand Traverse Mall general manager Jonathan Pittman.

Senator Vanderwall criticizes Governor's choice to omit rural counties from re-opening

By Kendra Carr • May 27, 2020

Much of northern Michigan reopened Memorial Day weekend as rates of COVID-19 infections continued to decrease in Michigan. However, some communities Up North were left out of reopening in Governor Grethchen Whitmer's recent order.

Locals and tourists head to downtown Traverse City on first day of partial reopening

By Max Johnston • May 22, 2020

Some businesses in northern Michigan reopened Friday, with restrictions, under an executive order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

While many welcomed the news, some businesses are playing it safe.

Mackinac Island closed for Memorial Weekend

By Cassidy Hough • May 21, 2020

While most northern Michigan businesses are busy preparing for their grand re-opening this weekend, Mackinac Island will remain closed.

“Mackinac Island will not be open for business for Memorial Day this year,” said Tim Hygh, executive director of Mackinac Island Tourism. “There will be no ferry service at all Memorial Day, Saturday and Sunday.”

Owners of private campgrounds Up North eager to reopen

By Cassidy Hough • May 19, 2020

Ahead of the partial reopening of restaurants, bars and retail businesses in northern Michigan, some private campground owners feel that Governor Gretchen Whitmer doesn’t understand the safety of camping.

"Camping is an extremely safe way to travel and get around, and there’s no reason we shouldn’t be out there enjoying the sunshine and the fresh air,” said Cathy Kuebler, owner of Traverse City Kampgrounds of America. “It should totally be allowed."

Recreational camping for individuals who otherwise have a primary residence is not permitted at this time.

Stateside: Counties plan for reopening; rethinking schools; recovery lessons from Great Recession

By Stateside Staff • May 18, 2020

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Stateside for Monday, May 18, 2020

Today on Stateside, what will the impending re-opening of Michigan’s economy mean for public health. Plus, how the pandemic could allow districts to reshape learning in the fall.

Parts of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to re-open Friday

By Max Johnston & Russell McNamara • May 18, 2020

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says some rural regions of the state can partially re-open Friday, May 22 due to low COVID-19 infection rates. Restaurants and bars will be able operate at 50 percent seating capacity in the Upper Peninsula and 17 counties in the northern Lower Peninsula.

Michigan National Guard tests all UP prisoners for COVID-19, now focused on rest of state prisons

By Taylor Wizner • May 15, 2020

Michigan is working with the National Guard to test all inmates in state prisons. It’s one of the first states in the country to do widespread coronavirus testing in prisons, which have become hot spots for the virus.

Bay Mills Indian Community moves to oppose tunnel for Line 5

By Ben Thorp • May 13, 2020

The Bay Mills Indian Community announced Tuesday it will intervene in Enbridge’s application to build a tunnel underneath the straits of Mackinac.

Immigrant prison in Baldwin gets California inmates, some prisoners go on COVID-19 hunger strike

By Taylor Wizner • May 12, 2020

Update 5/14/20: IPR has learned the inmate hunger strike mentioned in the following story ended on May 13.

As several hundred prisoners from California saturate North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, more than 100 inmates started a hunger strike, refusing food until they’re tested for COVID-19.

All of this is happening as cases of coronavirus double at the immigrant prison.

Northern Michigan patients can now get tested for COVID-19 without symptoms

By Kendra Carr • May 12, 2020

Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc.

Correction: In a previous version of this story IPR inaccurately reported that 22 people tested positive for COVID-19 and 14 were asymptomatic, as earlier reported to IPR by the Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc. Please read the following story for the accurate information.

More COVID-19 testing is available in Northwest Lower Michigan, even for those without symptoms.

Mackinac Island likely won’t reopen until late June, business officials say

By Max Johnston • May 11, 2020

Mackinac Island, one of Michigan’s largest tourist destinations, is still over a month away from opening for business due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials say.

Traverse City Film Festival canceled — will resume summer of 2021

By Noelle Riley • May 11, 2020

The Traverse City Film Festival is officially canceled.

Film Festival Founder and President Michael Moore made the announcement Monday, saying there was no way around it amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m very, very sorry to announce that we cannot come together this summer to participate in our 16th Traverse City Film Festival,” Moore said in a statement. “We doubt the governor’s order closing our theaters and the festival will be lifted any time soon — and we agree it shouldn’t.”

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