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The collapsing pastor pipeline in Michigan

Denominations have fewer priests and pastors, but they're also seeing youth interest grow.

Religion

Fewer people want to become <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pastors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/09/christian-pastors-democrats-elections" data-vars-content-id="136c1647-00e4-4001-8990-4daf0d1c07b0" data-vars-headline="The collapsing pastor pipeline in Michigan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/09/christian-pastors-democrats-elections" target="_self">pastors</a>, accelerating a leadership vacuum inside one of the country&#x27;s oldest civic institutions.Why it matters: As the pastor role becomes lower-paid, higher-risk and less trusted, the U.S. isn&#x27;t just losing clergy — it&#x27;s losing a key layer of local leadership.

Duggan exits governor race

The independent candidate's supporters are now up for grabs in one of the country's marquee governor's races.

News

Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="independent campaign for governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/09/duggan-2026-michigan-election-chaos" data-vars-content-id="63917611-abb7-401f-bc2f-1e2d570534a9" data-vars-headline="Duggan exits governor race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/01/09/duggan-2026-michigan-election-chaos" target="_self">independent campaign for governor</a> Thursday, telling supporters he no longer sees a viable path to victory as national political forces reshape Michigan&#x27;s race.Why it matters: Duggan built a broad coalition of labor groups, business leaders and elected officials from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="both parties" data-vars-click-url="https://mikeduggan.com/more-than-200-current-and-former-elected-officials-from-across-michigan-and-party-lines-endorse-mike-duggans-independent-bid-for-governor/" data-vars-content-id="63917611-abb7-401f-bc2f-1e2d570534a9" data-vars-headline="Duggan exits governor race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mikeduggan.com/more-than-200-current-and-former-elected-officials-from-across-michigan-and-party-lines-endorse-mike-duggans-independent-bid-for-governor/" target="_blank">both parties</a> around his anti-partisanship message. Those supporters are now up for grabs in one of the country&#x27;s marquee governor&#x27;s races.

Detroit watches World Cup from sidelines

Years ago, the city passed on hosting as costs and demands loomed.

Detroit has built a reputation for landing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major sports events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/04/26/scenes-from-a-sports-centric-celebration-of-detroit-during-the-nfl-draft" data-vars-content-id="993bb656-32f7-47f3-8816-823feea51ce8" data-vars-headline="Detroit watches World Cup from sidelines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2024/04/26/scenes-from-a-sports-centric-celebration-of-detroit-during-the-nfl-draft" target="_self">major sports events</a>, but the city will be watching from the sidelines when the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/world-cup-us-soccer-growth" data-vars-content-id="993bb656-32f7-47f3-8816-823feea51ce8" data-vars-headline="Detroit watches World Cup from sidelines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/09/world-cup-us-soccer-growth" target="_self">World Cup</a> kicks off next month.The big picture: Detroit declined to pursue becoming a host city during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2017 bidding process" data-vars-click-url="https://detroitsports.org/news/2017/10/4/general-united-bid-committee-announces-detroit-as-potential-host-city-for-2026-fifa-world-cup.aspx" data-vars-content-id="993bb656-32f7-47f3-8816-823feea51ce8" data-vars-headline="Detroit watches World Cup from sidelines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://detroitsports.org/news/2017/10/4/general-united-bid-committee-announces-detroit-as-potential-host-city-for-2026-fifa-world-cup.aspx" target="_blank">2017 bidding process</a>. One obstacle was FIFA&#x27;s requirement that Ford Field install natural grass, along with an irrigation and drainage system, local tourism officials say.

Family Dollar on Eight Mile in Warren is closing

The closure comes as the chain shrinks its U.S. footprint.

A Family Dollar store on Eight Mile Road in Warren is preparing to close, with liquidation signs now posted outside the store.Why it matters: The closure comes as Family Dollar continues shrinking its footprint after announcing plans to close <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of stores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mlive.com/news/2024/03/dollar-tree-family-dollar-set-to-close-1000-stores-in-coming-years-shuttering-600-locations-this-year.html" data-vars-content-id="a03533ee-0eb6-4466-b826-29ba855cfcf0" data-vars-headline="Family Dollar on Eight Mile in Warren is closing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mlive.com/news/2024/03/dollar-tree-family-dollar-set-to-close-1000-stores-in-coming-years-shuttering-600-locations-this-year.html" target="_blank">hundreds of stores</a> nationwide.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines roll out in Metro Detroit

Modern and Pfizer-BioNTech's  2024-25 COVID vaccines have become available at CVS and Walgreens locations.

COVID

Updated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 vaccines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/31/new-covid-vaccine-booster-shots-available" data-vars-content-id="5cc23646-0eaa-4f36-88ae-b6a46585711a" data-vars-headline="Updated COVID-19 vaccines roll out in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/31/new-covid-vaccine-booster-shots-available" target="_self">COVID-19 vaccines</a> are hitting the shelves across Metro Detroit.Why it matters: Much of the country has been hit by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID spike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wxyz.com/news/coronavirus/cdc-reports-highest-covid-spike-in-two-years-just-as-kids-head-back-to-school" data-vars-content-id="5cc23646-0eaa-4f36-88ae-b6a46585711a" data-vars-headline="Updated COVID-19 vaccines roll out in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wxyz.com/news/coronavirus/cdc-reports-highest-covid-spike-in-two-years-just-as-kids-head-back-to-school" target="_blank">COVID spike</a> this summer.

Tracking kindergarten vaccine exemptions in Michigan

The rate has ticked up and down over the years but is still lower than a decade ago.

Health

In Michigan, 4.5% of kindergartners were granted exemptions to required vaccines as of the end of last school year. That&#x27;s down from 5.5% in 2012.Why it matters: Michigan is bucking the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national trend of higher exemption rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/24/vaccine-exemption-kindergarten-states-map" data-vars-content-id="3aad22c7-8e01-4d31-9d2e-f2da80986276" data-vars-headline="Tracking kindergarten vaccine exemptions in Michigan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/24/vaccine-exemption-kindergarten-states-map" target="_self">national trend of higher exemption rates</a>, ticking up and down over the years but still lower than a decade ago.

Michigan's falling COVID-19 hospitalizations

The state's rate is down 88% from this time last year.

Statewide COVID-19 hospitalization rates fell 32% between June and July despite <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signs of a late summer wave" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/covid-19-cases-2023-uptick-where-why" data-vars-content-id="6920ccbe-847e-4dc7-997c-c5c830d87fe3" data-vars-headline="Michigan&#x27;s falling COVID-19 hospitalizations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/17/covid-19-cases-2023-uptick-where-why" target="_self">signs of a late summer wave</a> in other parts of the country.By the numbers: The average COVID-19 hospitalization rate nationwide rose about 17% between June and July, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest available CDC data" data-vars-click-url="https://data.cdc.gov/Public-Health-Surveillance/Weekly-United-States-COVID-19-Hospitalization-Metr/7dk4-g6vg" data-vars-content-id="6920ccbe-847e-4dc7-997c-c5c830d87fe3" data-vars-headline="Michigan&#x27;s falling COVID-19 hospitalizations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.cdc.gov/Public-Health-Surveillance/Weekly-United-States-COVID-19-Hospitalization-Metr/7dk4-g6vg" target="_blank">latest available CDC data</a>.

Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud

The state overpaid more than $6 billion in potentially fraudulent unemployment benefits.

The state is cracking down on unemployment fraudsters after a disastrous performance handling a surge of claims during the pandemic.Why it matters: The state overpaid more than $6 billion in unemployment benefits after March 2020 for claims that should&#x27;ve been flagged for review as potentially fraudulent, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an audit found" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/01/06/michigan-unemployment-insurance-agency-not-effective-state-audit-fraud-covid-pandemic-jobless-aid/69783165007/" data-vars-content-id="4f98aa7d-fb92-42e5-9bed-c4570069ce0a" data-vars-headline="Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/01/06/michigan-unemployment-insurance-agency-not-effective-state-audit-fraud-covid-pandemic-jobless-aid/69783165007/" target="_blank">an audit found</a>.<ul><li>Mistakes during the pandemic led to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a costly leadership shake-up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/03/02/unemployment-director-steve-gray-separation-agreement/6896428002/" data-vars-content-id="4f98aa7d-fb92-42e5-9bed-c4570069ce0a" data-vars-headline="Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/03/02/unemployment-director-steve-gray-separation-agreement/6896428002/" target="_blank">a costly leadership shake-up</a>, new technology investments and a beefed-up fraud detection unit at the state&#x27;s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA).</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: &quot;If you are a bad actor, if you are seeking to defraud public monies, Michigan is not the place for you because we will come after you,&quot; Julia Dale, who has been UIA director since October 2021, tells Axios in an exclusive interview.The other side: Michigan House Republican Leader Matt Hall, who chaired the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020, tells Axios he remains skeptical of the agency&#x27;s improvements because past directors have made similar promises.<ul><li>&quot;These failed bureaucrats haven&#x27;t earned our trust, and we should all watch any changes they make with a skeptical eye,&quot; Hall says.</li></ul>🔭 Zoom in: Claims for unemployment assistance overwhelmed the agency&#x27;s fraud detectors in spring 2020, peaking with more than 388,000 claims in a single week from a pre-pandemic volume of about 5,000.<ul><li>Investigators are still tracking fraudsters down. A Detroit man <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pleaded guilty in April" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/04/21/detroit-man-pleads-guilty-in-pandemic-unemployment-insurance-fraud-scheme/70137200007/" data-vars-content-id="4f98aa7d-fb92-42e5-9bed-c4570069ce0a" data-vars-headline="Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/04/21/detroit-man-pleads-guilty-in-pandemic-unemployment-insurance-fraud-scheme/70137200007/" target="_blank">pleaded guilty in April</a> to submitting false UIA claims as part of a $297,000 scheme. Others in-state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have been caught" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/03/22/center-line-woman-sentenced-in-unemployment-fraud-scheme/70039862007/" data-vars-content-id="4f98aa7d-fb92-42e5-9bed-c4570069ce0a" data-vars-headline="Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/03/22/center-line-woman-sentenced-in-unemployment-fraud-scheme/70039862007/" target="_blank">have been caught</a> for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="similar scams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/02/09/detroit-man-sentenced-for-2-2m-unemployment-fraud-scheme/69890706007/" data-vars-content-id="4f98aa7d-fb92-42e5-9bed-c4570069ce0a" data-vars-headline="Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/02/09/detroit-man-sentenced-for-2-2m-unemployment-fraud-scheme/69890706007/" target="_blank">similar scams</a>.</li></ul>🖼️ The big picture: Michigan&#x27;s mishandling of unemployment claims is not unique. Nationally, COVID-19 relief money <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="topped $5 trillion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/stimulus-package-pandemic-surpass-great-recession-fiscal-plans-recovery-2021-3" data-vars-content-id="4f98aa7d-fb92-42e5-9bed-c4570069ce0a" data-vars-headline="Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stimulus-package-pandemic-surpass-great-recession-fiscal-plans-recovery-2021-3" target="_blank">topped $5 trillion</a>, opening the door to a historic level of fraud.<ul><li>The potential theft nationwide of $280 billion in pandemic relief funding is part of &quot;the greatest grift in U.S. history,&quot; an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AP analysis found this month" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/pandemic-fraud-waste-billions-small-business-labor-fb1d9a9eb24857efbe4611344311ae78" data-vars-content-id="4f98aa7d-fb92-42e5-9bed-c4570069ce0a" data-vars-headline="Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/pandemic-fraud-waste-billions-small-business-labor-fb1d9a9eb24857efbe4611344311ae78" target="_blank">AP analysis found this month</a>.</li></ul>State of play: The state is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="installing a new Deloitte computer program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.michigan.gov/leo/news/2023/04/28/new-modern-computer-system-coming-to-uia-with-deloitte-contract-signing" data-vars-content-id="4f98aa7d-fb92-42e5-9bed-c4570069ce0a" data-vars-headline="Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.michigan.gov/leo/news/2023/04/28/new-modern-computer-system-coming-to-uia-with-deloitte-contract-signing" target="_blank">installing a new Deloitte computer program</a> to expedite claims, prevent fraud and adjust more nimbly to changing economic conditions.<ul><li>It&#x27;ll be fully implemented by 2025.</li><li>The price tag is $78 million over 10 years.</li></ul>Between the lines: State fraud investigators received national recognition this year for helping take down a Florida fraud ring known as the &quot;Broward County Bunch.&quot;<ul><li>State investigators traced Michigan unemployment benefits to bank deposits in Florida with surveillance that identified suspects through a facial scar, a Pizza Hut uniform and a partial license plate number.</li><li>Three Florida men involved in the scheme were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sentenced to prison" data-vars-click-url="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/three-men-sentenced-federal-prison-stealing-unemployment-insurance-benefits#:~:text=Mervin%20Mompremier%2C%2029%2C%20of%20Fort,months%20and%2016%20months%2C%20respectively." data-vars-content-id="4f98aa7d-fb92-42e5-9bed-c4570069ce0a" data-vars-headline="Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/three-men-sentenced-federal-prison-stealing-unemployment-insurance-benefits#:~:text=Mervin%20Mompremier%2C%2029%2C%20of%20Fort,months%20and%2016%20months%2C%20respectively." target="_blank">sentenced to prison</a> in late 2021 and early last year. The sentences were for 16, 21 and 65 months, respectively.</li></ul>Yes, but: The state&#x27;s Office of the Auditor General is still reviewing the UIA&#x27;s effectiveness in processing pandemic assistance claims.<ul><li>The fifth in a series of five audits is expected in October.</li></ul>Editor&#x27;s note: This story was updated to note Dale was named UIA director in October 2021.

How the end of the public health emergency affects Wayne County

More than 400,000 Michiganders are at risk of losing their health insurance through Medicaid.

Health care changes that both providers and patients <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have grown used to" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/01/what-goes-what-doesnt-end-public-health-emergency" data-vars-content-id="c55baba7-6f1c-43fe-9964-51a28bf70c51" data-vars-headline="How the end of the public health emergency affects Wayne County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/01/what-goes-what-doesnt-end-public-health-emergency" target="_self">have grown used to</a> during the pandemic end tomorrow with the expiration of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 public health emergency" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/08/end-covid-public-health-emergency" data-vars-content-id="c55baba7-6f1c-43fe-9964-51a28bf70c51" data-vars-headline="How the end of the public health emergency affects Wayne County" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/05/08/end-covid-public-health-emergency" target="_self">COVID-19 public health emergency</a>.Why it matters: The expiration marks the end of more than three years of additional spending to combat the pandemic.

Downtown Detroit still less active than pre-COVID

Recorded cell phone activity is still just half what it was pre-pandemic.

Recorded cell phone activity in downtown Detroit is still just half what it was pre-pandemic, Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick and Alice Feng report.<ul><li>That&#x27;s according to anonymized mobile device connectivity data <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analyzed" data-vars-click-url="http://downtownrecovery.com/dashboards/recovery_ranking.html" data-vars-content-id="f4f2db0e-f154-4e59-90b3-023f546176d2" data-vars-headline="Downtown Detroit still less active than pre-COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://downtownrecovery.com/dashboards/recovery_ranking.html" target="_blank">analyzed</a> by researchers at the University of Toronto&#x27;s School of Cities.</li></ul>

Low bivalent booster turnout

Why it matters: COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths tend to rise in the winter.

Interest is lagging in COVID-19 vaccines — particularly this fall&#x27;s new bivalent booster shot.Why it matters: The latest booster from Pfizer and Moderna that rolled out starting in September for those 5 and up targets newer strains of the virus.

CDC: Most Michigan children have had COVID-19

More than eight in 10 have likely already had the infection.

More than eight in 10 Michigan children have likely already been infected with COVID-19, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Centers for Disease Control estimates" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/28806355.66647/aHR0cHM6Ly9jb3ZpZC5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkLWRhdGEtdHJhY2tlci8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9taW5uZWFwb2xpcyZzdHJlYW09dG9wI3BlZGlhdHJpYy1zZXJvcHJldmFsZW5jZQ/624b3d49c20b4a1ab40d6314Cb062ebf8" data-vars-content-id="b97d39ec-9f25-43c5-ac2b-2c37f8825270" data-vars-headline="CDC: Most Michigan children have had COVID-19" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/28806355.66647/aHR0cHM6Ly9jb3ZpZC5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkLWRhdGEtdHJhY2tlci8_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXJfYXhpb3Nsb2NhbF9taW5uZWFwb2xpcyZzdHJlYW09dG9wI3BlZGlhdHJpYy1zZXJvcHJldmFsZW5jZQ/624b3d49c20b4a1ab40d6314Cb062ebf8" target="_self">Centers for Disease Control estimates</a>. Driving the news: The agency released its latest pediatric antibody seroprevalence survey results last week.

Public schools to start without masking, distancing mandates

The change comes as schools across the country work to regroup.

Detroit Public Schools Community District is prepping for a new school year without a mask mandate.Driving the news: The change comes as schools across the country work to regroup after two-plus years of interrupted learning, Axios&#x27; Erin Doherty <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/01/schools-pandemic-students-learning-loss" data-vars-content-id="25e90689-a851-46d2-8c5d-33eb002e32e4" data-vars-headline="Public schools to start without masking, distancing mandates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/08/01/schools-pandemic-students-learning-loss" target="_self">reports</a>.

Pandemic beliefs charted: Feeling left behind

More and more people are returning to their pre-pandemic lives.

More Americans are returning to their pre-pandemic lives.<ul><li>Nearly a third believe the pandemic is over, according to the latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/axios-ipsos-coronavirus-index" data-vars-content-id="f14ff0b0-6467-4b6a-9b20-e8a67f63ec1d" data-vars-headline="Pandemic beliefs charted: Feeling left behind" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/axios-ipsos-coronavirus-index" target="_blank">Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index</a>.</li></ul>

A map showing COVID-19 wastewater viral activity levels by U.S. state. As of August 29, 2024, 48 states are showing high or very high levels of activity, one is showing low levels, and two are not reporting data.

COVID-19 wastewater viral activity levels

Axios What's Next

Change in COVID-19 hospitalization rate

Data: CDC; Note: Change in average weekly rate at a sample of 6,000 hospitals from June 4 to July 1 and July 2-29, 2023; Map: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

COVID 🦠

Updated COVID-19 vaccines roll out in Metro Detroit

Tracking kindergarten vaccine exemptions in Michigan

Michigan's falling COVID-19 hospitalizations

Michigan cracks down on unemployment fraud

How the end of the public health emergency affects Wayne County