MSU Introduces New Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald as Major Michigan News Unfolds

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Michigan State University formally introduced Pat Fitzgerald as its new head football coach Tuesday, one day after announcing his hiring following the dismissal of former coach Jonathan Smith.

Fitzgerald, visibly emotional during his remarks on campus, said taking the helm at MSU is something he has “been dreaming about … for a long time.”

“I’m just so grateful and I’m so thankful,” Fitzgerald said. “There’ll be no more motivated coach to get this program where it needs to be than I will be compared to anywhere else in the country.”

MSU also released details of Fitzgerald’s five-year contract, which includes a $4 million base salary.

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Lansing Planning Commission Rejects $120 Million Data Center Proposal

A proposed $120 million data center in Lansing encountered a major setback Tuesday night after the city’s planning commission voted 4–3 to recommend denying a zoning request from developer Deep Green.

Critics argued the facility could drive up electric and utility rates for Lansing Board of Water & Light customers. Supporters countered that the center’s excess heat would be recycled to produce carbon-neutral hot water through BWL, while generating new tax revenue and investment.

The zoning request now heads to the Lansing City Council for a final decision.

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Lansing Double Murder Suspect Sentenced to More Than 35 Years

An Ingham County judge on Tuesday sentenced Dennis Joshua Whaley to over 35 years in prison for the April 2024 shooting deaths of Christine Cambric and Jason McKenzie, cousins who were killed inside a home on Woodrow Avenue in Lansing.

Whaley testified that the shootings were accidental, but prosecutors argued he planned the killings in advance and had initially sought first-degree murder convictions.

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Lansing Police Search for Missing Woman

Lansing Police are asking for the public’s help locating 28-year-old Jolee Walser, who was last seen on November 17.

She was spotted getting into a blue Chrysler sedan near the 4900 block of Cedar Street. Walser is described as 5'4", 150 pounds, and was wearing a maroon puffy coat and gray sweatpants.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

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Road Rage Incident Turns Deadly in Jackson County

Michigan State Police are revealing new details about a fatal incident last Friday in Concord Township that investigators describe as a road rage confrontation.

Two men in their 20s exited their vehicles near M-60 and North Main Street and began fighting in the roadway when a passing truck struck both.

One man died; the other suffered injuries.
The truck driver was not hurt, and authorities say neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be factors. The investigation continues.

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Former Township Clerk, Attorney Headed to Trial in 2020 Data Breach Case

A Hillsdale County judge has ordered former Adams Township clerk Stephanie Scott and her attorney Stephanie Lambert to stand trial for an alleged breach of non-public voter data tied to the 2020 election.

Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office says the pair allowed an unauthorized examiner to access restricted voting systems.

Charges include:

• Using a computer to commit a crime

• Unauthorized computer access

• Conspiracy to commit unauthorized access

Scott also faces an additional misconduct-in-office charge.

Lambert could face up to 17 years in prison; Scott up to 22 years.

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New Polling Shows Tight Races in Michigan for 2025

Fresh polling from Mitchell Research and Communications shows closely contested matchups in several key 2025 Michigan races:

Governor

• Republican John James and Democrat Jocelyn Benson are virtually tied in a head-to-head race.

• When independent candidate Mike Duggan is included, James holds a six-point lead.

U.S. Senate

• Republican Mike Rogers leads narrowly against each of three Democratic contenders.

The statewide poll carries a margin of error of nearly 4 percent.