economy reopening
Stateside: Racism lawsuit at Ann Arbor high school; some businesses still closed; future of Big 3
By Stateside Staff • Aug 25, 2020
Dwight Burdette / Wikimedia Commons CC BY 3.0
Stateside for Monday, August 24, 2020
Today on Stateside, the summer of calls for racial justice continues into the school year. A Black student at Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School has filed a civil rights complaint against the school, alleging racial discrimination and an overall hostile environment for Black students. Also, an interview with the editor-in-chief of Car and Driver magazine as she works to create a more inclusive car culture and dealing with a changing auto industry.
How close-contact businesses like dance studios and massage therapy are faring during the pandemic
Stateside's conversations with Susan Byrd and Heidi Johnson
Some Michigan businesses have been able to retool and reopen this summer under Governor Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19 "Safe Start" plan. But for businesses that usually rely on close physical contact with clients, adapting to life under the pandemic is uniquely complicated. One example? Dance studios.
Stateside: Latest on auto sales; artist explores Queerness; Knight Foundation on equitability
Elishia Jayye / Unsplash
Stateside for Friday, July 31, 2020
Today on Stateside, what big funders and foundations can do to make sure arts groups are welcoming to everyone. Plus, an update on how the auto industry is faring during the pandemic.
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Michigan's fine dining industry in a pressure cooker during COVID
Stateside interviews with Mark Kurlyandchik and Eve Aronoff Fernandez
The COVID-19 pandemic has proved challenging for restaurants, with operators struggling to navigate continuously shifting questions about staff support, finances, safety, and retooling to meet consumer needs. A restaurant's return to patio or indoor service might look different depending on its business model, and for fine dining, where the high-end menu is just one part of the overall experience, the path to reopening is uniquely complex.
Coaster with caution: Cedar Point to reopen July 11 with reduced capacity
Coasterman1234 / Creative Commons http://j.mp/1SPGCl0
Ah, to spend a hot summer day at the theme park. Roller coasters, funnel cakes and… face masks? For Cedar Point, an Ohio amusement park long beloved by Michiganders, that's a hard yes—starting this weekend.
Venues and bands get back to live, and masked, performances
Mark Samano
Many clubs and bars opened last weekend since stay-at-home orders have gone into effect, and musicians are eager to return to work and play for an audience. One of the venues to open last weekend for the first time was The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor.
The Blind Pig reduced its occupancy to 100 people, giving concert-goers more room in the small space. Masks are also required for entry.
On stage at the club last weekend was Sabbatical Bob, a local funk band.
What it's like to be a retail business owner, and employee, in the age of COVID-19
By Sarah Cwiek & Dustin Dwyer • Jun 8, 2020
Paulette Parker / Michigan Radio
As retail businesses re-open throughout Michigan, small business owners are being asked to walk a fine line: Attracting as many customers as they can, while also enforcing new state and local rules meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We talked to two small business owners about how they're navigating this new world. We also spoke to a number of grocery store workers from across the state, all of them union members in UFCW Local 951.
Here's what they had to say.
Two small business owners and three grocery store workers reflect on dealing with the public during the coronavirus pandemic.
Small groups, sanitizing, and s'mores: How summer camps are preparing for kids amid pandemic
By Stateside Staff • Jun 3, 2020
Stateside's conversations with Dave Morgan and Jeff "Jake" Jacobs
Some parents and guardians staring down the prospect of a long summer with young kids cooped up at home are breathing a sigh of relief. When Governor Gretchen Whitmer lifted the COVID-19 stay home order, she loosened the restrictions on many businesses and programs. That includes children's day camps, which will be allowed to reopen starting June 8.
Dentists say re-opening will be slow, safe, and expensive
By Tyler Scott • May 28, 2020
Tyler Scott
Listen to the full story.
Debra Hibbeln and her partner found ways to get by when their Dental practice was closed because of the pandemic. Now they've re-hired their employees, and spent a lot of time and money putting new equipment and safety measures in place.
But instead of re-opening as soon as they can on Friday, they're taking things slow. A lot has changed after all.
Stateside: COVID-19 data from nursing homes; drive-thru graduation; hair salons still closed
By Stateside Staff • May 27, 2020
Stateside for Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Today on Stateside, as Northern Michigan and the UP reopened restaurants this past weekend, other businesses stayed closed. We speak with a hair stylist who wants to find a safe way to reopen. Plus, the difficulty of tracking the number of COVID-19 cases in elder care facilities.
Stateside: Restaurants and bars reopen Up North; goodbye high school and hello uncertainty
Andrew Seaman / Unsplash
Stateside for Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Today on Stateside, restaurants in the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula were allowed to open for sit down dining. We spoke with two restaurateurs; one who opened and one who stuck to take-out orders. Plus, how one high school senior is preparing for his future amid uncertainty.
As Northern Michigan reopens, restaurateurs weigh risks and refigure business plans
Courtesy of the State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay in Traverse City
Stateside's conversations with Skip Telgard and Amanda Danielson
After being shut down for nearly two months, restaurants in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan received permission from the governor to allow sit-down dining at limited capacity just in time for Memorial Day. Some welcomed the flood of tourists for the busy holiday weekend, but others erred on the side of caution and are sticking to takeout-only service for a while longer.
Duggan: Detroit will enforce health and safety rules as retail re-opens
By Sarah Cwiek • May 25, 2020
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said he's excited that some Michigan retail businesses will be able to re-open on Tuesday, but warns the city will be vigilant about enforcing health and safety standards meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer laid out those rules in an executive order that allows businesses "engaged in the selling of goods and the rendering of services incidental to the sale of the goods" to re-open. Sit-down restaurants, bars, gyms and fitness centers, and salons remain closed for now.
Stateside: Detroit stories from reporters of color; COVID-19 restrictions loosen; UM Pres. Schlissel
Stateside for Friday, May 22, 2020
Today on Stateside, University of Michigan president Mark Schlissel talks about plans to restart on-campus instruction in the fall. Plus, an epidemiologist's advice for navigating reopened public spaces.
Stateside: COVID-19 restrictions eased; Detroit native wins Pulitzer; environmental impact of floods
Stateside for Thursday, May 21, 2020
Today on Stateside, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces loosened restrictions on some Michigan businesses and small gatherings just in time for the holiday weekend. Plus, we'll hear about the environmental threats posed by massive flooding in Midland County this week.
Detroit expands COVID-19 testing to all city residents, eyes reopening city businesses
Starting Wednesday, any Detroit resident will be able to make an appointment to get tested for COVID-19.
Previously, free testing in Detroit was restricted to people with a doctor's note, symptoms, essential workers and people over the age of 60.
Rep. Dingell on reopening the economy, weird flights to DC, and phone calls from her constituents
By Stateside Staff • May 8, 2020
Atlantic Council / Flickr - http://j.mp/1SPGCl0
Stateside's conversation with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on Thursday that Michigan factories will soon be allowed to resume operations. This is good news for the thousands of auto workers who will now be brought back on the line. But as we've heard this week, it's not a simple process. There are two equally critical aspects of reopening the economy—public health and financial stability.