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Nightside Report Dec. 18, 2020: Michigan revises COVID-19 order, Rare ‘Christmas Star’ to be visible for first time in 800 years on Dec. 21

Here are tonight’s top stories

View of Detroit from the Windsor sky camera on Dec. 18, 2020 at 9:47 p.m. (WDIV)

Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venues

DETROIT – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the state is revising its COVID-19 order to resume in-person high school classes, reopen certain indoor entertainment venues and allow non-contact outdoor sports and fitness classes.

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The state is currently under a “pause” that placed stricter COVID-19 regulations on restaurants, schools and more, but that order was scheduled to expire Sunday (Dec. 20).

Michigan coronavirus cases up to 454,956; Death toll now at 11,274

Metro Detroit weather: Sloppy weekend ahead

Parts of this last holiday shopping weekend will be sloppy. But temperatures will continue to inch up toward the Christmas holidays next week. And there’s no shortage of weather excitement for the days leading up to Christmas.

Click here to read the full forecast.

4 Fast Facts

  • With this year’s winter solstice comes more than just confirmation of our already-cold weather and ever-fleeting daylight: The rare “Christmas Star” will be visible for the first time in 800 years. Click here to read more.
  • A Detroit nonprofit helped share the Christmas spirit with kindergarten students at Catherine C. Blackwell Institute, donating bikes and other toys. Click here to read more.
  • Seasons Hospice in Metro Detroit went above and beyond the call of duty to grant a young father’s wish. Click here to read more.
  • A pair of young entrepreneurs in Rochester launched a catering business earlier this year, not anticipating we’d be mired in a pandemic soon after. Click here to read more.

Be Informed

Here’s everything that’s reopening under Michigan’s revised COVID-19 order

Michigan updated its COVID-19 restrictions Friday, reopening certain parts of the state as metrics across the state improve. The new order goes into effect Monday (Dec. 21) and is scheduled to last until Jan. 15, though Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the state would consider lifting protocols sooner if the state makes substantial progress toward slowing the spread of COVID-19.

A look back at the legacy of Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon

Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon had a unique place in Wayne County politics. All one had to hear was the name Benny and they immediately knew who someone was talking about. Napoleon served in one of the most difficult jobs anywhere as jailer, and yet his legacy goes far beyond that.


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Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 --


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About the Author
DeJanay Booth headshot

DeJanay Booth joined WDIV as a web producer in July 2020. She previously worked as a news reporter in New Mexico before moving back to Michigan.

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