The National Championship Game is finally here.

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Morning Briefing

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024

In today's newsletter, your guide to Michigan-Washington football, Kristina Karamo is out as GOP chair and three Michigan cities to visit in 2024.

Enjoying Michigan's great outdoors

Michigan's winter might be warmer than usual, but don't let that deter you from having some outdoor fun this season. 

 

Mackinac Island has three Twilight Turtle Treks lined up until March. These lantern-lit ski and snowshoeing events are designed to take advantage of Mackinac’s winter wonderland vibe, organizers said. Participants can enjoy a bonfire and hot cocoa before the adventure.

 

Before taking in the nature, check out this list of 24 state park campgrounds that are closed or have delayed openings in 2024.

Curated by Cara Hackett

A Michigan football player leaps over three players on the opposing team.

Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) leaps to try to hurdle Washington linebacker Jackson Sirmon (43) and defensive back Dominque Hampton (21) in the third quarter of their college football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, on Saturday, September 11, 2021. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

Your A to Z guide for Michigan-Washington football in the National Championship Game

High stakes: No. 1 Michigan takes on the No. 2 Washington Huskies today in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. For fans making the trek to Houston, here’s all you need to know about the game, traffic, parking and more.

 

Tune in: Jim Harbough is feeling confident about his team's chances of winning the game.MLive’s Wolverine Confidential crew checks in from Houston on the latest episode and offer up their predictions on the outcome. 


How to watch: If you're catching the game locally, here's where you can cheer on the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, mid-Michigan, Flint, Grand Rapids, and other cities in Michigan.

Read more

Breakaway faction of Michigan GOP leaders votes to remove Kristina Karamo as chair

Ousted: The growing schism in the Michigan Republican Party reached a breaking point Saturday afternoon as a breakaway faction of the party’s state committee voted to remove their chair, Kristina Karamo. Co-chair Malinda Pego would be acting chair until another vote is held to elect a successor.

 

Price-gouging: A West Michigan business owner and his companies are being sued by Attorney General Dana Nessel for alleged illegal business practices, including overcharging customers for services.

 

Also in business: The forests of Michigan and the wider Great Lakes region grow enough softwood tree species to support a new mass timber facility, researchers found.

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Two blasts of snow with coming Michigan storm

Here comes the snow: If you have been hoping for more winter weather, you might be in luck. Michigan's next storm will have different personalities for various parts of the state as it brings snow to northern Lower Michigan and snow-rain showers to southern Lower Michigan.

 

Forecast: The snow-rain line for Tuesday's storm continues to solidify.One important note is with the mild weather and temperatures just above freezing, no freezing rain is expected with this storm. It’s either going to be snow falling or rain falling.

 

To help you experience the night sky in 2024, we compiled a list of meteor showers that will be visible in the Northern Hemisphere this year, according to the American Meteor Society. 

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Lions back in prime time for playoff opener against Los Angeles Rams

Game day: The Lions will be back under the lights for their first home playoff game in 30 years on Jan. 14. The team will face off against the Los Angeles Rams, marking their sixth prime-time game of the season and a new franchise record.

 

Familiar territory: The first round of the playoffs also marks the return of Los Angeles quarterback Matthew Stafford to Ford Field. Lions quarterback Jared Goff will also have the chance to play against his previous team during Sunday's game. 


In the history books: Sam LaPorta closed out his rookie season by making history when he set the all-time rookie tight end record. 

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3 Michigan cities to visit in 2024

Next vacation: From city life to a weekend cabin stay, Michigan has something for almost everyone when it comes to taking a vacation. If you need a bit of inspiration for your next trip, David Lorenz, the recently retired vice president of Travel Michigan, shared his top three spots to visit.

 

On the water: The Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority is providing $60,000 to a nonprofit that wants a 92-mile stretch of the Grand River from Ionia County to Grand Haven designated by the state as a recreational water trail.

 

Fun for all: A popular tourist attraction in Michigan’s “Little Bavaria” recently announced new offerings, including an ice cream shop with eye-catching sundaes and dragon-themed laser tag.

Read more

 
 

Let's get the week started.

Thanks for starting your Monday with the Morning Briefing. We'll see you here bright and early tomorrow.

 

All day long, you can find the latest Michigan news at MLive.com. While you're there, consider becoming a subscriber.

 

Make today a great day!

 

— Cara Hackett

 

OTHER TOP STORIES

 

  • Michigan defensive tackle to miss CFP title game vs. Washington

  • 4 storms lined up to track toward Michigan, finally get us into winter messes

  • Sam LaPorta likely will miss the start of the playoffs. Here’s what he’s dealing with.

  • Two Michigan regions saw homelessness increase by roughly 50% in a year

  • Mt. Morris school employee’s accused murderer rejects plea, will go to trial
 

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