MSU Football Fires Jonathan Smith; Lansing Extends Code Blue Alert Amid Winter Storm

Michigan State University has fired head football coach Jonathan Smith after two seasons, according to the university. Reports indicate MSU is preparing to hire former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald as Smith’s replacement. The coaching shake-up marks one of the most significant moves for the program in recent years.

Meanwhile, the city of Lansing has extended its Code Blue cold weather alert. Originally set to expire Monday morning, the alert will now remain in effect until Saturday morning as temperatures continue to drop. Local shelters are expanding their operating hours to ensure residents have warm, safe spaces during the prolonged cold spell.

The winter storm that swept through Michigan over the weekend left many Mid-Michigan communities, including Lansing, with roughly half a foot of snow. West Michigan saw even heavier totals—up to a foot in some locations—with additional lake-effect snow expected later today and tonight along parts of the Lake Michigan shoreline.

In Ionia County, a piece of Civil War history has returned home. A newly restored battle flag, which hung in the county courthouse for 159 years, is back on display after spending the past year in North Carolina for preservation work. The artifact is once again available for public viewing.

Retail changes are also underway in the region. The Value City Furniture store on Saginaw Highway in Delta Township is set to close after its parent company filed for bankruptcy. The store is one of seven Michigan locations slated to shut down, with closures expected in early January.

Today marks Cyber Monday, bringing another wave of holiday deals for shoppers across Michigan. The state attorney general’s office is urging consumers to remain vigilant for online scams and digital fraud attempts, which typically surge during major shopping events.

Drivers in the Lansing area will see some relief at the pump. AAA Michigan reports the average price for regular gas is $2.97 per gallon—down about 20 cents from a week ago. The statewide average has dropped as well, now at $2.95 after a 14-cent decline.