Quote of the Day: “I couldn’t be happier for our student-athletes and fans to know that Juwan will continue to lead Michigan into the future. His great character is second to none, and he is a wonderful teammate—demonstrated through his commitment to proactive communication and collaboration across the department. Juwan’s love for this university is evident in all that he does, as is the joy he takes in the accomplishments of his student-athletes.” U of M athletic director, Warde Manuel after signing men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard to a 5-year contract extension.
Per the Detroit News, the Rolling Stones honored Detroit with spirited show at Ford Field Monday night. The legendary rock band covered the Temptations and Mick Jagger talked coney dogs, the Detroit Lions and more during Monday night’s show. Mick Jagger was a nonstop source of energy and entertainment, a bouncing, strutting, preening figure with more pep in his step than a Peloton instructor. He’s always been unbelievable to watch, but to be doing what he’s doing at 78 years of age makes him nothing short of superhuman. Jagger’s so good he isn’t even fair. Certainly not to the other members of the band, for any time spent looking at them is time you’re not watching Jagger, and who knows what kind of hand-waving, finger-pointing, shoulder-shimmying, head-nodding move you may miss from him. He zooms around the stage like a 5-year-old buzzed up on sugar, dancing to his own rhythm and without a care in the world, brandishing a blazing sense of self-confidence more powerful than the sun. He’s hands down the greatest rock and roll performer of all-time, and Bruce Springsteen will probably tell you the same thing. He’s more than a force of nature; Mother Nature herself wishes she had moves like Jagger. And that is a perfect description of what is like to watch Jagger in concert.
Sixteen Western Michigan athletes won a small victory in court today regarding their suit against the university’s vaccination mandate. The athletes have settled with the university and received assurances their legal fees would be paid. The stipulated agreement between the 16 athletes and the university would allow U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney to enter a permanent injunction against Western’s vaccination requirements for the athletes, according to a statement from the athlete’s attorney. Under the agreement, which Maloney signed Tuesday afternoon, the students would have to continue complying with testing and masking requirements. The university also agreed to pay the athletes’ $34,617 in legal fees in the agreement filed in court Monday.
Michigan State (7) and Michigan (6) football teams will need to win out to have a chance to make the football playoffs. If both teams win out MSU will be the B1G East champion and will play in the B1G championship game. Michigan however is currently ranked higher so both teams winning out will create a dilemma for the pollsters. With both teams having to play Ohio State, I don’t see both teams winning out. I cannot imagine OSU losing to MSU and U of M in back to back games.
Once again, the State of Michigan is number one in covid-19 cases. Michigan again leads the country in new COVID-19 cases per population over the last seven days, according to tracking data Tuesday from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state has reported a seven-day new case rate of 504 per 100,000 residents, the highest number nationally, the CDC found. Minnesota followed in second at 490. The figures are another setback in the state’s 20-month fight against the virus and came amid spikes in new infections that are testing the capacity of Michigan’s hospitals. Michigan last led the nation in new cases per population in the spring during a surge that peaked in April. It remains unclear how long the latest surge will last and how it will affect health care workers who’ve been dealing with the pandemic since March 2020. With only a 54% of the population fully vaccinated, it is going to be a long time before we are out of the woods.
Per Bridge Magazine, Michigan voters next year could decide whether the state should eventually award its Electoral College votes to the presidential candidate who receives the most votes nationwide. On Monday, the Michigan Board of Canvassers approved the petition language of the bipartisan “Yes on National Popular Vote” campaign. If the group collects 340,047 valid voter signatures within 180 days, the proposal would go on the 2022 ballot. The main backers of the petition are Mark Brewer, former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, and Saul Anuzis, the former chair of the Michigan Republican Party. The ballot measure would ask Michigan, which has 15 electoral votes, to become the 16th state to join an interstate compact that would take effect if more states pledge to award delegates based on the popular vote. I will have to think long and hard before deciding if this is something I can support.
Stay safe. Wash your hands regularly. Schedule your vaccine and booster. Wear your mask. Social distance.
Orchid of the Day: Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. Why not.
Onion of the Day: The Archdiocese of New Orleans. It has agreed to pay more than $1 million to the federal government to resolve allegations that it filed false claims for disaster relief money after Hurricane Katrina. This is so wrong for so many reasons.