ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 19 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: Living rooms around the world can become places to learn how to start a business for social impact or to peek inside a museum to see homemade ancient wooden toy horses from Roman Egypt. The University of Michigan is providing multiple opportunities to learn and explore online while staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic. U-M's art and performance organizations and its libraries have many ex more PR

DETROIT, Michigan, March 17 -- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan issued the following news release: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will provide $500,000 to support the efforts of community-based organizations across Michigan to provide meals to vulnerable kids as schools across Michigan close in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and support other efforts to protect seniors and other populations in need. BCBSM joins many other organizations in this effort. "Blue Cross has been ac more PR

DETROIT, Michigan, March 18 -- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan issued the following news release: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will provide no-cost telehealth medical services to members with an existing telehealth benefit through at least April 30, to help people consult with physicians from home using their computers, smartphones, tablets and telephones. BCBSM hopes the no-cost access to "virtual" doctor visits will encourage members with manageable flu-like symptoms to have more PR

MOUNT PLEASANT, Michigan, March 17 -- Central Michigan University issued the following news: * * * - Stay up-to-date on campus operations and health advisories * * * The coronavirus outbreak is changing rapidly. Central Michigan University continues to monitor developments and update this webpage frequently as information becomes available. There have been no identified cases of coronavirus at CMU. For more information on the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Pre more PR

MOUNT PLEASANT, Michigan, March 21 -- Central Michigan University issued the following news on March 19: The coronavirus outbreak is changing rapidly. Central Michigan University continues to monitor developments and update this webpage frequently as information becomes available. There have been no identified cases of coronavirus at CMU. For more information on the coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. CORONAVIRUS: WHAT YO more PR

BIRMINGHAM, Michigan, March 18 -- Clark Hill, a law firm, issued the following news: Clark Hill Member Steven Richman will be co-presenting a one-hour webinar, Force Majeure and Coronavirus, at Noon on March 23. The webinar, which will be hosted by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, offers one substantive CLE credit. The event will cover the following topics: * Force majeure * Impossibility of performance * Frustration of purpose * Other legal theories as affected by coronavirus. Richman is  more PR

JACKSON, Michigan, March 20 -- Consumers Energy issued the following news release: The Consumers Energy Foundation is supporting two statewide organizations with a $500,000 contribution to help enhance critical services for Michigan children, vulnerable seniors and those who may need assistance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. "For many, the coronavirus pandemic is more than just a disruption to daily life. Families with kids who are food insecure, the elderly and those who live paycheck  more PR

JACKSON, Michigan, March 17 -- Consumers Energy issued the following news release: Consumers Energy is committed to the health and safety of our co-workers, customers and communities. The COVID-19 virus has created unprecedented circumstances around the world, and we have a responsibility to help slow the spread of this illness. Recognizing that many of our customers are in a position where they are unable to work, we are suspending shutoffs for non-pay for low-income and senior customers begi more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 20 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its march across the globe, a wide variety of University of Michigan research projects are feeling the effects, both at home and abroad. Though these disruptions pale when compared with the human suffering caused by the disease, they are significant to the individual researchers involved. Here are a few of the U-M researchers who have been affected. Evolutionary bi more PR

YPSILANTI, Michigan, March 17 -- Eastern Michigan University issued the following news: To the Eastern Michigan University community: These are challenging times filled with uncertainty and stress. This evening, Governor Whitmer announced 12 new cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, bringing the total number of people infected in the state to 45, with many more tests currently underway. The days and weeks ahead are going to be difficult as we all navigate this global pandemic and declarations of eme more PR

YPSILANTI, Michigan, March 17 -- Eastern Michigan University issued the following news on March 16: To the Eastern Michigan University community: With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan now up to 53, Governor Whitmer hours ago issued several important executive orders that directly affect our operations. These include the closure of restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, and libraries. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has revised its guidance regarding large c more PR

YPSILANTI, Michigan, March 19 -- Eastern Michigan University issued the following news on March 18: To the Eastern Michigan University community: Due to the continuing spread of COVID-19 and based on declarations of emergency and guidance from federal, state, and local government and public health officials, the University has made the important decision to extend online/virtual class program delivery through the end of the winter semester, April 27. This decision was made after discussion and more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 17 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: * * * - The kits help researchers understand where the virus came from and how it operates * * * As doctors, scientists and governments try to get a grip on COVID-19, the University of Michigan startup Arbor Biosciences is providing free kits to capture the genetic code of virus samples. Variations in that code reveal how the virus has morphed over time--for instance, enabling it to change from an more PR

ALLENDALE, Michigan, March 20 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news: As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase locally and across the country, a GVSU public health expert said social distancing needs to be taken seriously, especially by the younger population. Ranelle Brew, chair and associate professor of public health, said there is a misunderstanding that the virus is only a problem for the older population. "Sometimes those who are younger tend to think, ' more PR

ALLENDALE, Michigan, March 17 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news: With more than half of U.S. states suspending K-12 education for varying periods of time, millions of parents are looking for resources to help bridge the education gap between coronavirus-related stoppages and the time when schools resume. With this concern in mind, Grand Valley's Charter Schools Office has created a helpful resource website with prompts for activities and educational work based on grade more PR

ALLENDALE, Michigan, March 19 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news: In the scramble to enact the best public health and medical measures for responding to the COVID-19 threat, ethical considerations are always part of the fabric for public health decisions, a Grand Valley ethics expert said. What the pandemic is laying bare, however, is how stark some of those ethical considerations are, particularly when it comes to scarcity of medical resources, said Jeffrey Byrnes, ass more PR

ALLENDALE, Michigan, March 17 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news: There is now enough data and information on the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus)to understand and better define where the local economy is headed, said Paul Isely, associate dean and professor of economics in the Seidman College of Business. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered restaurants, bars and other businesses to close dine-in services beginning March 16. Isely said the entertainment and food services ind more PR

FORT WAYNE, Indiana, March 18 -- Indiana Michigan Power, a unit of the American Electric Power, issued the following news release: At Indiana Michigan Power, we're committed to the health and safety of our customers, communities and employees. We're closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and have taken a number of necessary steps, including: * Temporarily suspending customer disconnections for non-payment. * Asking employees to work from home if they are able to do so. * Instructing our c more PR

FORT WAYNE, Indiana, March 20 -- Indiana Michigan Power, a unit of the American Electric Power, issued the following news release: The American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation, on behalf of Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), will donate $240,000 in emergency funds to help our communities in Indiana and Michigan amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The funds will be available to local not-for-profits that support basic human needs like food, shelter and housing assistance across I&M's service territory.  more PR

FORT WAYNE, Indiana, March 18 -- Indiana Michigan Power, a unit of the American Electric Power, issued the following news release: High above Fort Wayne rests a sure sign of spring: The peregrine falcon nest on the roof of the city's tallest building has new additions. Two eggs were recently viewed in the nest atop Indiana Michigan Power Center via I&M's Falcon Cam at www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/FalconCam The identity of the parents has yet to be confirmed by a reading of the ID bands on the more PR

SOUTHFIELD, Michigan, March 19 -- Lawrence Technological University issued the following news release: Lawrence Technological University will move to online education for the balance of the Spring 2020 semester and has postponed its scheduled May 9 Commencement ceremony to December. Lawrence Tech President Virinder Moudgil announced the moves in an e-mail to students, faculty, and staff Tuesday night, in response to growing concerns over the Coronavirus pandemic. The actions affecting LTU's S more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 20 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on March 19: * * * - SBA Disaster Declaration requested by Whitmer Approved * * * Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved her request for a statewide Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) declaration, opening the opportunity to small businesses to access low-interest loans from the SBA. "This designation unlocks critical financial resources more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 21 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, March 21, 2020, to honor the life and service of Forsyth Township Fire Fighter Benjamen "Ben" Lauren, who was killed in the line of duty. "As an up-and-coming leader in his community, the death of Fire Fighter Ben Lauren is a tragic loss for our state," Whitmer said. "The flags will be lowered more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 19 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Michigan Board of Architects, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board "Children's Trust Fund", Elevator Safety Board, Michigan Board of Professional Engineers, Michigan Board of Professional Surveyors, Michigan Truck Safety Commission, Michigan Veterans' Facility Authority Board of Directors, Michigan Committee on Juvenile Ju more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 17 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Order follows new CDC guidance on large events and mass gatherings * * * Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-11, to prohibit all events over 50 people or assemblages in shared indoor spaces over 50 people beginning Tuesday, March 17 at 9:00am. Executive Order 2020-11 changes the temporary restrictions imposed on events and assemblages by Executive Order 2020-5, to c more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 21 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-17, which imposes temporary restrictions on non-essential medical and dental procedures beginning as soon as possible but no later than March 21, 2020 at 5:00pm. Executive Order 2020-17 states that hospitals, freestanding surgical outpatient facilities, and dental facilities, and all state-operated outpatient facilities, must implement a pla more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 20 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - National Guard may be used to help Michigan families and businesses access food, supplies * * * Yesterday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer wrote a letter to President Trump requesting federal funding for the use of Michigan's National Guard to be dedicated to COVID-19 response and support. Under the Governor's command and control, the Michigan National Guard would be used to aid in the dist more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 16 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-7 clarifying the restrictions on entry into care facilities and juvenile justice facilities she issued in Executive Order 2020-6, signed on March 13. Under Executive Order 2020-7, effective immediately, all health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities must prohibit any visi more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 21 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-18, which included minor clarifications of her executive order that temporarily imposed enhanced restrictions on the excessive pricing of goods, materials, emergency supplies, and consumer food items. Since the onset of this public health crisis, some businesses and individuals have continued to sell face masks, hand sanitizers, cleaning sup more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 18 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-13, to temporarily lift regulatory requirements on hospitals and care facilities and help ensure an adequate number of health care providers available to patients during the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Under the executive order, effective immediately and until Wednesday, April 15 at 11:59pm, The Michigan Departments of Health and  more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 19 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-16 to expand the capacity for child care services for health care workers, first responders, and other members of the essential workforce providing critical infrastructure to Michiganders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The order provides temporary and limited relief from certain regulatory restrictions regarding child care services more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 17 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Limiting Restaurants to Delivery and Carry-Out Orders * * * Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-9, which temporarily closes theaters, bars, and casinos, and limits restaurants to carry-out and delivery orders. Under Executive Order 2020-9, effective Monday, March 16 at 3:00pm, the following places of public accommodation will be closed; restaurants, cafes, coffee ho more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 21 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-19, which allows tenants and mobile home owners to remain in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic even if they are unable to stay current on their rent. The order also relieves courts from certain statutory restrictions to enable them to stay eviction-related proceedings until after the COVID-19 emergency has passed. The executive order t more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 16 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-8, which temporarily imposes enhanced restrictions on the excessive pricing of goods, materials, emergency supplies, and consumer food items. Executive Order 2020-8 states that if a business or individual has acquired any product from a retailer, the business or individual must not resell that product in Michigan at a price that is grossly i more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 21 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following statement regarding instructional time during school closure: "Earlier the Michigan Department of Education issued a memo regarding Instructional Time During School Closure. I know it caused a lot of confusion and panic among schools, teachers, students, and families. I wanted to provide some clarification from the perspective of the Governor's Office. "The memo does not mean that school work done during the more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 19 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release: * * * - Requests Statewide SBA Disaster Declaration to Unlock Access to Emergency Loans for Michigan Businesses * * * Following through on her commitment to find solutions to support small businesses across Michigan impacted by COVID-19, Governor Gretchen Whitmer formally requested the U.S. Small Business Administration to issue an Economic Injury Disaster declaration for the state. "I under more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 21 -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on March 20: * * * - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine joins Michigan in request * * * Governors Gretchen Whitmer and Mike DeWine (R-OH) called on President Trump and Congress to ensure the automotive industry and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports are able to weather the rapid economic deceleration brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. "As we work through this crisis a more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 16 -- The Michigan Supreme Court issued the following news release: The Michigan Supreme Court has unanimously entered an order to authorize trial courts "to implement emergency measures to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus and provide the greatest protection possible to those who work and have business in our courts." Based on recommendations from Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack early last week, courts statewide have already implemented a wide range of st more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 16 -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release: * * * - Total of 53 cases in the state to date * * * The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced 20 positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This brings the state total of COVID-19 cases to 53. The cases include: * Washtenaw County, three adult males, all with a history of international travel. * Detroit, adult female with unknown  more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 16 -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release: * * * - Total of 33 cases in the state to date * * * The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced eight positive cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This brings the state total of COVID-19 cases to 33. The cases include: * Detroit, adult male with history of domestic travel and contact with someone with a confirmed case. * Oakland Count more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 16 -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release: * * * - Total of 25 cases in the state to date * * * The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced nine adults tested presumptive positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This brings the state total of COVID-19 cases to 25. The specimens will be sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation testing. The cases incl more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 16 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation issued the following news release: The Michigan Department of Transportation announced that the department will exempt from seasonal weight restrictions motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance in support of relief efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreaks. "Knowing the importance of getting food and other supplies to retailers during this time, we are taking steps to ensure carriers can make deliveries as q more PR

EAST LANSING, Michigan, March 20 [TNSsociologyresearch] -- Michigan State University issued the following news release: In a time where many are practicing "social distancing" from the outside world, people are relying on their immediate social circles more than usual. Does a sense of obligation - from checking on parents to running an errand for an elderly neighbor - benefit or harm a relationship? A Michigan State University study found the sweet spot between keeping people together and doomi more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 18 -- The Michigan Supreme Court issued the following news release: In order to avoid additional risk of exposure to COVID-19, the planned March 25 Justice for All Task Force town hall at Alpena Community College has been cancelled. The Task Force invites local residents to provide comments in writing to justiceforall@courts.mi.gov and Justice Brian Zahra hopes to visit the area later in the year. More information about the Task Force is available at www.courts.mi.gov/j more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 20 -- The Michigan Supreme Court issued the following news release on March 19: * * * - Questions to change from "diagnosis-based" to "conduct-based" * * * In an order released today, the Michigan Supreme Court has directed the Board of Law Examiners to remove questions from the Michigan Bar Examination application that ask about the applicant's mental health history, effective for the February 2021 Michigan Bar Exam. Currently, applicants must disclose any treatment more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 20 -- The Michigan Supreme Court issued the following news release: * * * - Courts also ordered to limit access to courtrooms to no more than 10 persons * * * In Administrative Order 2020-2, the Michigan Supreme Court has ordered all trial courts statewide "to limit access to courtrooms and other spaces to no more than 10 persons, including staff, and to practice social distancing and limit court activity to only essential functions." Previously, Administrative Order more PR

HOUGHTON, Michigan, March 17 -- Michigan Technological University issued the following news: If necessity is the mother of invention, then rapidly shifting to remote instruction to slow the spread of COVID-19 is the mother of all classroom flips. Flipped classrooms, online courses, livestreamed lectures, technology for take-home tests. A week ago, these were innovative ways to push, blend and reframe the blurring boundaries of college classrooms that have moved into digital and real-world spac more PR

HARRISON, Michigan, March 14 -- Mid Michigan Community College issued the following news: Dear Mid Students, Your health, and the health of our surrounding communities, are top priorities as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are monitoring information about the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) and following the cautious advice outlined by the State of Michigan, CDC, World Health Organization and others. Based on federal and state recommendations, we will be taking proactive measures to redu more PR

DETROIT, Michigan, March 17 -- Quicken Loans, a subsidiary of Rock Holdings, issued the following news release on March 16: * * * - Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation investing combined $500,000 into United Way for Southeastern Michigan COVID-19 Community Response Fund - Fundraising campaign will match team member donations to local nonprofits in Quicken Loans' home cities of Detroit, Cleveland, Phoenix and Charlotte * * * The Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert more PR

LANSING, Michigan, March 18 -- The Michigan Supreme Court issued the following statement on matters concerning children: With schools closed and courthouses limiting operations to reduce exposure to COVID-19, parents who live apart might be confused about changing family situations and their court orders. Things to Remember The Supreme Court wants to remind parents that all court orders for a child's custody, parenting time and support are still in force. Only a new court order can change t more PR

DURHAM, North Carolina, March 20 [TNSenergyresearch] -- Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering issued the following news: * * * - Researchers demonstrate robust supercapacitors that still work when stretched to eight times their original size * * * Researchers at Duke University and Michigan State University have engineered a novel type of supercapacitor that remains fully functional even when stretched to eight times its original size. It does not exhibit any wear and tear from being more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 20 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: University of Michigan economists now expect a U.S. recession caused by the coronavirus, though a rapidly evolving, uncertain situation makes drawing firm conclusions difficult. In an interim update (PDF) (https://lsa.umich.edu/content/dam/econ-assets/Econdocs/RSQE%20PDFs/RSQE_Forecast_Update_(2020.03).pdf) to the U.S. and Michigan Economic Outlook for 2020-2022 released Thursday, the economists say  more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 17 [TNSenvironmentresearch] -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: In order to combat the effect of light, noise and chemical pollution on animals, researchers first must understand how animals are impacted. A new paper including research from a University of Michigan scientist provides a framework for understanding how this kind of sensory pollution affects animals. The framework is the product of an effort among worldwide experts in ecolog more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 21 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: * * * - Deaths in China reflect a slower expansion of the new coronavirus, suggesting a fractal network. * * * The actions many communities are taking to slow the spread of COVID-19 may be shrinking deaths in a pattern that brings together nature, art and math, according to a new study from the University of Michigan. The findings, described in a preprint paper that has not yet been peer-reviewed, more PR

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, March 18 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news release: Sue Anne Bell, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, is a disaster expert. She serves on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Disaster Medical System and is currently deployed as part of the national COVID-19 response. She is prohibited from discussing specifics, but can relate general lessons from this and other disasters. What are you seeing as the greatest need for hea more PR

KALAMAZOO, Michigan, March 19 -- Western Michigan University issued the following news: Distance education has begun for all Western Michigan University students. The transition to online forms of learning is an effort to flatten the curve and mitigate risk associated with the global COVID-19 pandemic, and it's new territory for many students and faculty. For Lucinda Stinson, a part-time instructor in the College of Health and Human Services, it means that her dining room has transformed into  more PR

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, March 20 -- Western National Insurance Group, a property and casualty insurance company, issued the following news release: Western National Mutual Insurance Company, parent company of the Western National Insurance Group, announced the appointment of Richard E. Long as President, effective immediately. Mr. Long has served as Senior Vice President of Claims for Western National Mutual Insurance Company since joining the company in 2010, and as President of affiliate Mic more PR