Here’s to a Happy New Year for everyone.
Let’s be honest, 2021 was no picnic, and 2022 is an unknown. The things we can expect to come out of that unopened bag are not likely going to be fun — more natural disasters, COVID-19 variants, nasty politics, and global strife.
But I’d like to remind everyone that most of those problems aren’t local. Being present in your local community more than the problems of Washington, D.C. is what will bring joy in 2022.
I don’t want to imply that politics should be ignored in 2022—many of your local leaders are also facing elections. Your local leaders decide things like what construction projects move forward, what companies get tax breaks, and even how your streets are plowed. These are things that have an immediate impact on your community and are often easier to talk about than the deeply-entrenched, party-line issues on the national stage.
If you want to have a real impact on your community, local politics is where you can have that impact. Often these elections can be swayed by just a handful of votes, so listen to your candidates and talk to your neighbors!
For my own part, my New Year’s resolution is the same as every year — be even more awesome than last year. Perhaps it sounds cocky, but keep in mind that it’s also an acknowledgment that there is always room for improvement. It also keeps me from spending time brainstorming better resolutions.
Copper Beacon will also be even more awesome than last year. With local elections to cover this year, I’m going to make an attempt to host some local debates in partnership with other local media. I’ve received word that our paperwork has been bogged down while in the government’s hands, but am still continuing to move forward to find interns to help bring more in-depth local coverage to The Front Page, too.
I’ve seen students write some incredible stories, prepare to be impressed.
Tales from Lansing
November & December legislation
In all the hullabaloo of the holidays, I slipped up and didn’t get November’s Tales From Lansing done, so here are both November and December. Fortunately, both months are fairly short in the Legislature, too.
There were votes on several transparency issues, a Senate Resolution regarding free speech, and “race or gender stereotyping.”
Updated COVID-19 guidelines from WUPHD
The Western U.P. Health Department has issued new guidance on isolation and quarantine periods that align with the CDC’s guidance.
In short, if a person tests positive, they now must isolate for five days, and if symptoms are gone after that they can leave isolation but continue to wear a mask for five more days.
If they’re exposed and unvaccinated, they should also follow that guideline, but if they’re up to date on their vaccination, they are advised to simply wear a mask for ten days.
Jan. 5 Hancock City Council Meeting canceled
Guess I’ll have to find something else to do with my Wednesday evening.
Other News (aggregated, not sponsored)
//Click on the headlines to read the full story.
COVID-19 case counts explode to new highs in Michigan
David Eggert, Associated Press
“Michigan on Wednesday recorded COVID-19 case counts that shattered a previous high, reporting nearly 13,000 a day — almost a third more than the peak set over a year ago.”
Uncounted: The hidden death toll of the COVID-19 pandemic
Ashley White, Andrew Capps, Jake Kincaid, Nada Hassanein, Dillon Bergin, Sarah Haselhorst, Betsy Ladyzhets, Rudi Keller — For MuckRock
A very well-researched and reported look at the difference between deaths reported as COVID-19 deaths, and “excess deaths”. Excess deaths are those above what was statistically expected had the year progressed more normally.
Michigan redistricting panel OKs US House, legislative maps
David Eggert, Associated Press
“The landmark votes capped months of work by the 13-member panel, which voters created to stop partisan gerrymandering.”