November 2024

The National Civics Bee will be back and expanding in the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan for 2025, the Michigan Chamber Foundation announced last week. The Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.

Letters to the pastor: • Dear Pastor, I hope to go to heaven someday but later than sooner. Love, Ellen (age 9) • Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team.

Q: I saw my family doctor last week for a routine blood pressure check and, because I’ve had several friends report recently that they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, I asked how best to treat symptoms of suspected COVID-19 virus infection. I have four at-home COVID-19 test kits and have already used one because I regularly drop off needed grocery items to my parents, who are in rather fragile health. (The test was negative.)

You’ve probably seen it plastered all over gym walls or on more motivational fitness content than you can remember, but is the phrase “no pain, no gain” really worth all the hype? I understand that this phrase can serve a motivational purpose in some cases, which is likely why it has become such a popular gymwall adornment. But promoting this mentality can have the opposite effect.

The bipartisan Board of State Canvassers voted unanimously last Friday to certify Michigan’s 2024 General Election results. Prior to the state canvassers’ meeting, bipartisan canvassing boards in each of Michigan’s 83 counties certified the election results in their jurisdictions before the legal deadline.

The Michigan State Police announced this week that it has ended the search for a previously reported missing man. On Sept.