6+ min ago (304+ words) The Michigan State Spartans will go on their third coaching search in the past six years after firing coach Jonathan Smith on Sunday after a 4-8 season in just his second year with the program Calls for a change in leadership grew loud as the Spartans went on an eight-game losing streak and the team required a win in their season-finale to avoid going winless in Big Ten play. As the clock ticks on MSU finding his replacement, current players have taken to social media to express gratitude for Smith in his short tenure with the program. MSU defensive lineman Ben Roberts took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, posting a picture with the caption "Forever steppin behind you coach. (expletive) THE REST." Ivan Milivojevic, the father of MSU quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, also shared his thoughts saying…...

36+ min ago (276+ words) Two years and five days after formally agreeing to be Michigan State's next football coach, Jonathan Smith is out. Smith was fired on Sunday after posting a 9-15 record in two seasons leading the Spartans. While new athletic director J Batt works on finding a replacement, the university is responsible for the financial cost of moving on from Smith so quicky. The seven-year, $52.85 million contract Smith signed in November 2023 calls for an 85 percent buyout if he's fired without cause. That number works out to approximately $33 million in monthly payments over the remainder of the term but doesn't include paying what's left on deals with other assistants and staff members. If fired without cause, Smith is required to use his "best efforts to actively seek and obtain comparable employment as an NFL or Division I coach" in a reasonable amount of time…...

59+ min ago (538+ words) On Sunday at 3:10 p.m. EST the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch valid from Monday noon EST until Tuesday 7 a.m. EST for Oceana, Muskegon and Ottawa counties. Winter storm watch in place for West Michigan for Monday and Tuesday On Sunday at 3:10 p.m. EST the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch valid from Monday noon EST until Tuesday 7 a.m. EST for Oceana, Muskegon and Ottawa counties. "Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 6+ inches are possible, with very localized heavy amounts possible," says the weather service. "Snow showers will diminish in coverage and intensity this evening and overnight. Snow showers are expected to intensify late Monday. afternoon and evening." "Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are possible and may make travel…...

1+ hour, 46+ min ago (749+ words) Jonathan Smith's tenure leading Michigan State football is apparently over. Smith is expected to be fired Sunday, according to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel. The university hasn't announced a decision and the move would come a day after the Spartans snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 38-28 win against Maryland at Ford Field to close the season with a 4-8 record. Smith is only two seasons into a seven-year deal with a 9-15 record overall and athletic director J Batt has remained silent about the future of the program. The decision brings closure to more than a month of speculation about Smith's job status. Following Saturday night's win in Detroit, Smith said he didn't know if he would be back and expected to talk soon again with Batt, who left without speaking to the media. Cutting ties with Smith this early…...

1+ hour, 53+ min ago (298+ words) WEST MICHIGAN - Another snow system is forecast to move into Michigan on Monday and into Tuesday, and it could bring several more inches of snow to a three-county area along the Lakeshore. This will be lake-effect snow, being blown in across the Lake Michigan shoreline. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids says this lake effect band could develop Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning. Some areas of West Michigan could see 4 inches of snow or more during this timeframe. The counties with the best chances of seeing the highest snowfall include Ottawa, Muskegon and Oceana counties. If this lake effect band of snow ends up sitting over a specific area, the snow totals could push past 4 inches. This snow action means there could be lower visibilities on roads, and slick travel conditions. The Detroit area and it suburbs could also…...

2+ hour, 7+ min ago (1083+ words) Schoolcraft, Menominee face of in MHSAA D7 football state championship DETROIT " Clayton Miller isn't the most vocal player in the Menominee locker room; he lets his play speak for itself. The senior running back was a sophomore on Menominee's' 2023 Division 7 state runner-up team which fell short in a 34-30 loss to Jackson Lumen Christi. Miller didn't register a single carry but was the team's kicker. Now the go-to ballcarrier, Miller was the loudest player on the field on Sunday at Ford Field in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 7 state finals, leading Menominee (14-0) to a 34-6 win over Schoolcraft (11-3). The 5-foot-11, 190-pound workhorse led the team with 25 carries for 119 yards and three touchdowns, including a 31-yard score. He also added a 32-yard catch on a wheel route, setting up Menominee's final score of the game on a 2-yard pass from senior quarterback…...

2+ hour, 11+ min ago (195+ words) The Buffalo Bills will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon in an AFC clash. Fans can catch the action on CBS at 4:25 p.m. ET, with streaming options available through Fubo, DirecTV Stream and Paramount+. All three streaming services offer free trials and both Fubo and DirecTV Stream offer first-month discounts for new customers. The Steelers are currently at the top of the AFC North leaderboard with a 6-5 record but face mounting pressure from the second-place Baltimore Ravens. According to ESPN, starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers will return from a wrist fracture today. Rodgers missed last week's contest, a 31-28 loss against the Chicago Bears, in which backup quarterback Mason Rudolph took his place. The Bills are 7-4 and are fighting to catch the 10-2 New England Patriots who currently lead the AFC East division. They'll be looking to bounce back from a 23-19 loss against…...

2+ hour, 12+ min ago (226+ words) The Minnesota Vikings will head to the West Coast this afternoon for a showdown with the Seattle Seahawks. The game will be broadcast on Fox at 4:05 p.m. ET, with streaming options available through Fubo, DirecTV and Sling. New customers can score free trials and first-month discounts through both Fubo and DirecTV Stream. Game availability will vary by region. The Vikings will face their former quarterback Sam Darnold for the first time since he signed with the Seahawks as a free agent. Darnold led Minnesota to the wild card round of the playoffs last season but signed with Seattle in the offseason, leading Minnesota to name J.J. McCarthy as their starter. McCarthy is currently out with a concussion and rookie quarterback Max Brosmer will start in his place today. At 4-7, the Vikings will need to get back into the win column as soon…...

3+ hour, 41+ min ago (282+ words) GRAND RAPIDS, MI - With the most intense period of snow from our Saturday-Sunday winter storm now in our rearview mirror, the National Weather Service maps are showing us which areas across the state received the most snow in the last 24 hours. First, here's the national look, which shows both peninsulas. This is a National Snowfall Analysis map showing 24 hours of snowfall accumulation, from roughly noon on Saturday through today. So, this map captures the heaviest snowfall window for our weekend storm. The yellow and orange-shaded areas on this color-coded map show the heaviest snowfall, in the 6 to 12-inch range. For Michigan, that heavy snow accumulation covered all of West Michigan. Now let's drill down a little. The NWS meteorologists in Grand Rapids today have put together a map showing where the heaviest snow fell across Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Zeeland, Spring…...

3+ hour, 48+ min ago (133+ words) FLINT, MI " A 30-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition after a shooting in Flint, according to Michigan State Police. An 18-year-old man and 15-year-old boy were taken into custody in connection with the incident, police said. Troopers responded to a 1:20 a.m. report of a shooting on Sunday, Nov. 30, in the 500 block of Parkway Avenue. At the scene, police found the injured woman who was shot multiple times. She was taken by ambulance to an area hospital for treatment. Investigators served a search warrant at a nearby residence and seized evidence from the home. Anyone with any information about the shooting is asked to call Michigan State Police Det. Andrew Ager at 810-280-0063 or Crime Stoppers at 800-422-5245....