Whitmer still mum on health director's resignation

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is refusing to discuss the circumstances surrounding the abrupt departure of Michigan's health director during the coronavirus pandemic, not saying if she had asked for his resignation. The Democratic governor also declined Monday to set a date for the return of youth contact sports, amid growing pressure after her administration extended the ban through Feb. 21. Robert Gordon, who issued COVID-19 restrictions after Whitmer's powers were upended by an October court ruling, resigned Friday as director of the state Department of Health and Human Services. The governor named Elizabeth Hertel to succeed him.