In Case You Missed It: Top Stories from The Week (Feb. 8-12)

Matthew and Kelly Stafford pledge to build an education center in Detroit, Gov. Whitmer reveals a $67 billion budget for the state, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun is appointed to the White House’s task force on the coronavirus, and a local chef will compete on the latest season of “Top Chef”
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Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, pictured above at a Dec. 15 press conference, will work with the Biden administration. // Photograph courtesy of Office of Gov. Whitmer

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun has been appointed to the White House task force on COVID-19.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive who also works as an emergency room physician at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, will advise the Biden administration on addressing health and social inequities during the pandemic.

It’s man versus robot — who can achieve the world’s longest field goal? 

Youtuber, engineer, and inventor Mark Rober traveled to Detroit to see if his robot could kick a football farther than the NFL’s longest field goal record holder, Lions’ kicker Matt Prater. Watch Rober’s latest YouTube video to see who reigned supreme.

Detroit Zoo officials say they followed guidelines in a deadly polar bear breeding attempt.

Anana, a 20-year-old polar bear, died Monday when the zoo’s 16-year-old male bear, Nuka, attempted to breed with her. A representative from the Detroit Zoological Society says the animals lived together for almost a year with no aggression.

Republican Mike Shirkey says he stands by his points on the Capitol attack being a “hoax.”

During a session at the Michigan Senate on Wednesday morning, microphones caught the Senate Majority Leader standing by his recent statements that aspects of the Jan. 6 insurrection were a “hoax” and “staged.” This afternoon, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II released a statement condemning Shirkey’s comments.

Detroit rapper Trick Trick stars in the new FX series Hip Hop Uncovered.

Christian Mathis — better known as Trick Trick and leader of the rap group Goon Squad — is featured in a six-part series examining the foundation and impact of hip-hop music and culture. The series premieres on Feb. 12.

Top Chef - kiki louya
Kiki Louya will compete in the latest season of Top Chef. // Photograph by Stephanie Diani/Bravo

A local chef will compete on the new season of Top Chef.

Kiki Louya — a founding partner of Corktown’s Folk and hospitality group Nest Egg — is one of 15 contestants on the series’ 18th season, set in Portland. It premieres on April 1 on Bravo.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reveals a $67 billion budget for Michigan.

Whitmer says this budget is aimed at ensuring statewide recovery from the economic devastation created by the pandemic. Among other plans, the budget proposes $15.9 billion for K-12 spending, $3.1 billion on roads and infrastructure, $225 million for small businesses, $92.4 million to support criminal justice reforms, and more than $90 million toward vaccinations.

Guy Fieri launches a ghost kitchen at the Mall at Partridge Greek

The celebrity chef’s delivery-only restaurant, Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen, is serving up cheesesteak egg rolls, chicken parm-eroni pasta, burgers, wings, and more.

The Staffords pledge $1 million to build an education center in Detroit.

The donation will go toward The Kelly and Matthew Stafford & Friends Education Center. The space will be located at the nonprofit SAY Detroit and allow the organization to expand its offerings for local kids, teens, and adults.

Diane von Fürstenberg is the keynote speaker for the Michigan Fashion Media Summit.

The iconic designer, philanthropist, and author will speak during the University of Michigan’s fourth annual MFMS event, taking place virtually this year from March 8-10.


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