Central Michigan University will hold in-person commencement ceremonies this spring. CMU President Bob Davies made the announcement on Tuesday. Last week, the school said it would remain open this fall and expand in-person classes. 75% of classes will have a face-to face component and more than half will be entirely face to face. Fall 2021 classes begin in late August.

There’s a scam going around downstate preying on people who want the coronavirus vaccine. The Oakland County Health Department says scammers are calling about vaccine appointments to get people’s financial information. The LMAS District Health Department says they will not ask you for financial information over the phone. If you get a call like this, they say to call police.

President Biden was set to tour the Pfizer Vaccine Production Plant in Kalamazoo on Thursday. That has been put off until Friday due to the winter weather concerns. Inclement weather is expected in the Washington, D.C., area on Thursday. President Biden will be talking with workers at Pfizer who are producing the COVID-19 vaccine. Stick with 9&10 News as we…

On Wednesday, Governor Whitmer also announced the state awarded nearly 6,000 small businesses more than $50 million through the Michigan Small Business Survival Grant program. One of those businesses was Yen Yoga and Fitness in Traverse City. They received a $20,000 survival grant via Networks Northwest. The yoga studio was preparing to close for good but not anymore. The owner…

The state health department allowed bars and restaurants to reopen limited indoor dining Feb. 1 with the order set to expire this Sunday Feb. 21. We learned on Wednesday that the state quietly extended the epidemic order limiting dining room capacity until March 29. The extension was tucked into an epidemic order from the state on Feb. 4 outlining the…

Northern Michigan communities could get even more help in their fight against COVID-19. The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced today it received a $2.5 million federal grant. It will go toward addressing healthcare staffing shortages in rural communities, throughout the state. Over the next four years, the grant will support the addition of more than 430 new…

A judge is expected to rule on a possible punishment on Friday for Gaylord’s Iron Pig Smokehouse for violating a restraining order. The restaurant posted a statement online directed at the health department. The Iron Pig said, “We know how quickly you can act when you feel like it (As in, sending a snitch in 45 minutes after a hearing…

It might be cold, but there’s still plenty of ways to make the most out of your winter weekends. Courtney Sheffer from the West Michigan Tourist Association shares some ideas for you. Shady Lane Cellar’s Expanded Trails Shady Lane Cellars in Suttons Bay invites you out to explore their newly expanded trail system! They have a 3 mile loop of…

Edamame Burger Lettuce Wrap with Peanut Sauce 1C Carrots, julienne 3TB Lime juice divided 2 tsp chili garlic sauce, divided 1.5C edamame shelled 1 C brown rice cooked ½ C peanut butter, divided ¼ C scallions chopped 3 TB oil 1 TB Thai red curry paste 2 TB Tamari ½ tsp ginger root chopped 4 leaves of Bibb lettuce ½…

Burrata, Watermelon, Avocado Salad with Champagne Dressing Dressing: Mix together and set aside 1 TB orange zest 1 TB shallot, minced 1 TB champagne vinegar 2 tsp honey 3 TB Safflower oil Salt to taste 2 C Baby Spinach 1 avocado, sliced 2 balls of Burrata cheese 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves 2-3 slices of seedless watermelon ¼ C toasted…

Counties across the region are working to isolate and identify new cases. Three health departments in 9&10’s viewing area will be offering free tests this weekend, even if you’re symptom free. In Traverse City, the Michigan National Guard is hosting a testing site at Turtle Creek Stadium from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The site is open to…

Our creative team over at Mane Content came up with a pretty great way to thank all those working to keep our communities safe and moving forward during the coronavirus crisis. Check out their video titled “The Essentials.”  

A regional health department says they have created a team to help nursing homes in the area keep patients and staff safe from the coronavirus. On Saturday, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan said the group will work to address needs at congregate and long-term care facilities. In Otsego County, they express they are working closely with the community to…

There are now 23,993 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 1,392 Michigan residents have died. The death toll has increased 111 since the state’s total released on Friday. The state also says 433 people have recovered from the virus. State health officials consider patients to be recovered if they are alive 30 days after the diagnosis. For the full list…

According to Bridge Magazine, Governor Whitmer is expected to sign an executive order that will officially end the K-12 school year due to coronavirus. The order is expected to allow seniors to graduate and younger students to move forward to the next grade level. Current high school juniors will be given an opportunity next fall to take the SAT at…