Two educational review sites recently released independent lists naming top community colleges across the Mitten State, putting Washtenaw Community College in first place.

There’s only one month left to submit entries for Lake Superior State University’s annual banished words list.

Since 2017, 47 courses at WCC offer the free textbook program saving students hundreds of dollars.

Every year, Lake Superior State University has to make the tough decisions on which words won’t be enjoying the New Year with us.

Every year, Lake Superior State University has to make the tough decisions on which words won’t be enjoying the New Year with us.

The school sent out an alert to students, saying the assault happened back in May but the victim reported it in October.

With rising tuition costs across the nation, it’s no surprise that families want to get a head start on saving for when their children go off to college.

All across the country, college students are getting ready to head back to school in just a few weeks.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University (MSU) announced Thursday that commencements for students graduating this winter will be virtual amid the coronavirus pandemic. Fall 2020 graduation ceremonies for MSU students will be held virtually on Dec. 18 and 19, officials said. Over 2,600 students are expected to be recognized during the virtual ceremonies. All commencement ceremonies will be streamed on MSU’s Commencement website right here. All college campuses in Michigan have been ordered closed, and college classes have had to move online as of Nov. 17 due to a surge in coronavirus spread in the state.

As coronavirus cases are surging around the U.S., some colleges and universities are rethinking some of their plans for next semester. By November, a total of 76 of the roughly 1,400 students on campus had tested positive, the school said. When students come back for the spring semester, St. Michael’s will begin testing them weekly. Schools that are bringing students back are adjusting testing protocols, introducing new screenings, and eliminating spring breaks to discourage students from traveling to help keep campuses open. In the spring semester, Colby College in Maine wants to add some rapid antigen tests to twice-weekly tests for students, faculty and staff.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – A science professor at a Michigan university has been placed on administrative leave and is being investigated after denying the severity of the coronavirus and using racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic slurs on Twitter. David Eisler, president of Ferris State University, said Monday in a statement that Thomas Brennan was placed on leave Thursday for his “offensive" remarks. According to the newspaper's screenshots, Brennan tweeted anti-Semitic language and racist and homophobic slurs. Following the newspaper's report, Brennan said in a statement that he is not racist, anti-Sematic or a science denier. John Smith, a university spokesman, declined to say whether Brennan was placed on administrative leave in response to the professor’s tweets, his comments about COVID-19, or both.

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Officials notified the public Wednesday of a sexual assault reported on the campus of Oakland University. According to notice from the Oakland University Police Department, on Wednesday a female student reported that a male non-student sexually assaulted her on the campus at about 5 p.m. on November 13. The man reportedly assaulted the student in his vehicle in the P-5 parking lot on the northwest side of campus, police said. The Oakland County Police Department is asking people to familiarize themselves with what constitutes sexual assault and to “be vigilant in stopping it,” listing the following actionable steps:"Always seek consent. “If you feel your safety is at risk, or need assistance or an escort on campus, please contact the Oakland University Police Department .”More: Local News

Why is Michigan shutting down indoor dining at restaurants for three weeks even though there aren’t as many outbreaks linked to restaurants compared to other activities? From Wednesday (Nov. 18) through Dec. 8, Michiganders will only be able to order takeout from restaurants, unless outdoor seating is available. Gretchen Whitmer was asked the following question Sunday when she announced the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s new COVID-19 rules. “Restaurants and bars were able at least to mitigate some difficulties earlier in the year with outdoor dining. “That’s why this activity, like the others that are being addressed, fell into this category.”Whitmer said shutting down indoor dining at restaurants is among the actions health experts recommended to slow the spread of COVID-19.

On Wednesday, Michigan will enter a three-week period of heightened COVID-19 restrictions, including no indoor dining at restaurants, remote learning for high school and college students and much more. But what will determine whether three weeks is long enough or if those restrictions need to be extended? We know masks protect the wearer, protect your family who you’re going home to every day, and you don’t want to bring something home. "Three weeks from now and every day in between the three weeks, we will be watching the numbers. We’ll be watching our percent positivity rates.

While announcing the new MDHHS order for three weeks of stricter COVID-19 regulations, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she hopes residents follow the new laws to avoid another stay-at-home order. During Sunday’s announcement, Whitmer mentioned the possibility of another stay-at-home order. Three days and more than 15,000 new COVID-19 cases later, MDHHS announced the three-week pause. Michigan reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 additional deaths Saturday -- one day after reporting a single-day record 8,516 cases.

The state of Michigan could soon see 1,000 COVID-19 deaths per week, according to a model referenced by Gov. “A leading model shows that if we don’t take aggressive action right now, we could soon see 1,000 deaths per week here in Michigan,” Whitmer said. As of Saturday afternoon, the state of Michigan has reported 251,813 COVID-19 cases and 7,994 deaths since the first cases were confirmed March 10. Michigan reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 additional deaths Saturday -- one day after reporting a single-day record 8,516 cases. “By Feb. 15, models predict we could have as many as 20,000 additional deaths due to COVID-19 in Michigan,” Khaldun said.

Michigan officials announced Sunday that in-person learning will be shut down for college and high school classes for three weeks due to COVID-19. “Of the 200 outbreaks that we are currently investigating ... 49% of them are associated with high schools," MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said. "Of the total number of individual cases associated with these outbreaks, almost two-thirds of those are associated with high schools. “We know that in-person instruction is really important for younger students,” Michigan Gov. “We know that the high school students -- it’s easier for them to learn online,” Khaldun said.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Students at Lawrence Technological University will switch to online instruction next week due to increasing coronavirus spread, officials said. Lawrence Tech announced Wednesday that the university will move to remote instruction beginning Nov. 16 as COVID-19 cases climb throughout the state of Michigan. According to the university’s website, Lawrence Tech currently has eight active “residential” COVID-19 cases, 14 overall active cases, 62 “residential” individuals in active quarantine and overall 132 individuals in active quarantine, as of Nov. 11. Regions throughout the state of Michigan are experiencing a surge in coronavirus spread and confirmed COVID-19 cases. On Wednesday, the state reported 6,008 new COVID-19 cases and 42 new deaths since Tuesday.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A sense of normalcy is returning to Michigan college campuses amid the Big Ten’s decision to reinstate the fall football season. College students were more than disappointed in the conference’s August decision to postpone the fall football season due to health and safety concerns amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic -- affecting plans for conference member schools Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. The decision not to play hit especially hard at the University of Michigan, where fall football has been a century-long tradition -- the team even played five games during the 1918 Spanish Flu. Let’s play football," Harbaugh added. Related: What governor said about fans attending Michigan, Michigan State football games this year

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan University shows no signs of shutting down campus as it nears 300 coronavirus (COVID-19) cases associated with it’s university population. The administration is pushing to keep students on campus until it is no longer feasible, but tensions with students are increasing. However, the Central Michigan District Health Department reports it’s identified 260 cases related to CMU’s student population. A group of students participating in a #NotFiredUpForFall campaign put up signs in popular spots on campus Monday calling on the university to suspend in-person classes. CMU President Bob Davies addressed these requests in a letter on Aug. 28.

The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) announced Wednesday that all fall sports are suspended until 2021 amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A number of Michigan colleges and universities are impacted by the conferences suspension: Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Northwood University, Saginaw Valley State University and Wayne State University. Plans to provide fall teams with competition opportunities during the spring semester are a priority for the league. Other GLIAC member schools include: Ashland University, Purdue University Northwest and the University of Wisconsin Parkside. The MAC is among the leagues hoping to play some semblance of a season in the spring, depending on the state of the pandemic.

DETROIT Wayne State University (WSU) released its plan for the upcoming fall semester amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Officials say face masks would have been required for the fall semester regardless of Michigan Gov. Libraries will only be open to WSU students, staff and faculty, officials said. Other campus events and activities will primarily be held online in the fall, Wilson said. READ MORE: Heres which Michigan colleges will have in-person, online fall classes -- or both