DETROIT – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is mandating COVID-19 testing for student athletes. The health department believes the latest spike in coronavirus cases might be related to the reopening of high school sports. READ: Michigan increases outdoor stadium capacity, requires COVID testing for youth sportsSchool districts and the Michigan High School Athletic Association said the changes aren’t ideal, but they will do what they have to get to sports up and running again. The mandate for testing of student athletes sent a shockwave through the sports community statewide. Initially believed to require daily testing, further clarification put the testing on a weekly basis.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Athletic Association is pushing for high school sports to resume before the current Feb. 21 deadline. There was a legislative hearing Thursday that resulted in an unanimous senate resolution that said high school sports should start earlier. The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s executive director, Mark Uyl, held a press conference Friday where he said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. AdMark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Athletic Association spoke out Friday on the hiatus of winter sports in the state. They are asking for the state to resume practice and competition in the four main contact sports sooner than the Feb. 21 deadline. Let Them Play, Inc. has been threatening a lawsuit unless winter high school sports are resumed by Monday. Mark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

DETROIT – Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at Noon. Michigan House Oversight Committee to hear testimony on winter sports banCommittee members including Chairman Steve Johnson (R-Wayland), Michigan High School Athletic Association Director Mark Uyl, Let Them Play Michigan Director Jayme McElvany, Olivet High School Athletic Director Matt Seidl, and concerned parents and athletes are expected to testify during the session Thursday morning.

The Michigan House Oversight Committee will hear testimony Thursday about the state’s ban on high school sports due to the coronavirus pandemic. Committee members including Chairman Steve Johnson (R-Wayland), Michigan High School Athletic Association Director Mark Uyl, Let Them Play Michigan Director Jayme McElvany, Olivet High School Athletic Director Matt Seidl, and concerned parents and athletes are expected to testify during the session Thursday morning. Gretchen Whitmer delivered a 24-minute speech in her office with no pomp and circumstance, and no Legislature and guests in attendance. New COVID-19 cases have plateaued and deaths are starting to slow. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 75,100 on Tuesday -- near the lowest it’s been since November.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan House Oversight Committee will hear testimony Thursday about the state’s ban on high school sports due to the coronavirus pandemic. Committee members including Chairman Steve Johnson (R-Wayland), Michigan High School Athletic Association Director Mark Uyl, Let Them Play Michigan Director Jayme McElvany, Olivet High School Athletic Director Matt Seidl, and concerned parents and athletes are expected to testify during the session Thursday morning. “Families throughout the state have reached out to their elected legislators about the governor’s abrupt decision to extend the ban on certain high school winter sports,” reads a statement from the House committee. “The House Oversight Committee will listen to testimony in an effort to provide answers to concerned residents regarding the extension.”AdLate last week, Gov. Michigan House Republicans on Wednesday proposed a $3.5 billion coronavirus recovery plan but threatened to withhold billions to K-12 schools unless Whitmer cedes her administration’s power to prohibit in-person instruction and sports to local health departments.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Many student-athletes are disappointed with the new COVID-19 restrictions, especially the Marian Mustang volleyball team. READ: Here are 14 changes going into effect under Michigan’s new COVID-19 restrictionsThey thought they might play the quarterfinal round on Tuesday night, but the decision was made by the Michigan High School Athletic Association to suspend all tournaments immediately. Watch the video above for the full reportMichigan high school sports put on hold as part of new COVID-19 restrictionsHigh School volleyball, swimming and football have all been put on hold in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19. High school football teams were just three wins away from becoming state champions, but the games are now in question as COVID-19 restrictions postpone the season. “I think this is much different than where we were at last March and April,” Michigan High School Athletic Association Executive Director Mark Uyl said.

DETROIT – High School volleyball, swimming and football have all been put on hold in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19. High school football teams were just three wins away from becoming state champions, but the games are now in question as COVID-19 restrictions postpone the season. READ: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools“I think this is much different than where we were at last March and April,” Michigan High School Athletic Association Executive Director Mark Uyl said. But I also have to step back and look at the bigger picture,” Saline High School Head football coach Joe Palka said. You know, I don’t know how good it looks for, you know, high school athletics to just continue down that road when everybody else is sacrificing like crazy.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) has suspended its fall tournaments in response to a new public health order issued by state health officials on Sunday. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the restrictions Sunday evening, and Michigan Gov. “We understand the need for action, and we will explore all options to complete our Fall tournaments when restrictions are lifted," reads a statement from Uyl. However, now all high schools in the state of Michigan cannot offer in-person classes under the order. At an event with 100 people, risk levels in pretty much every Michigan county surpasses 80%, including some at 99%, like Kent and Calhoun counties.

EAST LANSING, Mich. The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) announced Friday that the fall football season has been moved to the spring amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The association elected to postpone the 2020 football season due to a high risk for COVID-19 spread among athletes. Officials say football is specifically considered a high-risk sport due to the level of player-to-player contact.At the end of the day, we did everything we could to find a path forward for football this fall, MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said. Officials say volleyball and soccer are considered moderate-risk for the spread of COVID-19. The MHSAAs football postponement comes after a number of college-level conferences have announced cancelations of fall sports competitions due to COVID-19.