Morning 4: Detroit Lions still have several chances to secure spot in playoffs -- and other news

Here are the top stories for the morning of Dec. 22, 2023

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates his 12-yard rushing touchdown with a teammate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/David Dermer) (David Dermer, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.


Detroit Lions still don’t clinch playoff spot -- 9 more chances remain

The Detroit Lions still did not clinch a playoff spot on Thursday night, but they have nine more chances before the end of the season.

Detroit would have secured its first postseason appearance in seven years if the New Orleans Saints had defeated the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football. But the Rams had no trouble at home, coasting to a 30-22 victory.

Read more here.


I-275 construction pauses for winter in Wayne County: What to know

All lanes of I-275 in Wayne County will be open to traffic on Friday as the revitalization project takes a winter pause before officially wrapping up next year.

Learn more here.


Finally! A Michigan license plate a Spartan can get behind

For someone who’s so sick of the plain white and blue Michigan license plate, it was cool when the state re-released the 1960s inspired “Water-Winter Wonderland” plate a few years ago.

But, as a Spartan, there’s just one problem: It’s maize and blue.

Thankfully, the state of Michigan has decided to appease us Michigan State University fans, after all.

See more here.


Gaza death toll surpasses 20,000 and Israel expands ground offensive despite pressure to scale back

More than 20,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza during Israel’s war against Hamas, health officials said Friday, the latest indication of the staggering cost of the conflict as Israel expands its ground offensive and orders tens of thousands more people to leave their homes.

The deaths, amounting to nearly 1% of the territory’s prewar population, are just one measure of the devastation wrought by the conflict that over 11 weeks has displaced nearly 85% of Gaza’s people and leveled wide swaths of the tiny coastal enclave.

Learn more here.


Weather: Tracking weekend, Christmas rain: What to know in Metro Detroit




About the Author

Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.

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