News@noon: Fraser failure; losing Lions; final goodbye
Today is Dec. 27, 2016, and for those of you who didn't stay up to watch the massacre, good on you. But, in case you were wondering, the Lions were completely destroyed by the Cowboys, 42-21. That's despite keeping up with them and being tied going into the second half.
Some of you will undoubtedly wish to put this disgraceful episode behind you. But if not, you can check out Justin Rogers and John Niyo breaking down exactly what went wrong here. And there's so much to talk about! Aside from the running game, everything was pretty awful for the big cats.
So what now? Niyo seems to think this team can redeem itself with a win vs. the Packers on Sunday. (Psst! There is a way the Lions can lose to the Pack and still make the playoffs, although they are going to need some help).
Get more Lions coverage here. Otherwise, check out what else we are following today:
Fraser failure
- Things just continue to get worse for homeowners in a certain part of Fraser, where a sinkhole opened up on Christmas Eve and forced a dozen or so evacuations. Then this morning, crews from Macomb County Public Works hit a gas line.
- Area residents are being allowed to return to gather possessions but cannot live in the homes for now, and 15 Mile near the 100-foot wide, 250-foot long sinkhole will be closed for several months.
- Speaking of failure: Almost 9,000 DTE Energy Co. customers started the day without power due to high winds in the Metro Detroit and Thumb areas.
'Survivor' child porn scandal
Former “Survivor” TV show contestant Michael Skupin will spend up to four years in prison on child pornography possession charges. Skupin, 54, of White Lake Township was convicted Nov. 18 on four of six counts of possession following a two-day trial. An Oakland County jury of eight women and four men deliberated only two and a half hours before returning their verdict.
Celebrating the holiday
- Christmas has come and gone, Hanukkah is underway and now Kwanzaa has begun. Not sure what it's about? Educate yourself.
WSU PD's expanded role
The WSU Police Department, positioned in the heart of Detroit, could be known as the Midtown Detroit Police because its officers patrol the campus and several miles beyond. Its expanded presence comes after campus police made an unusual move eight years ago to collaborate with the WSU Center for Urban Studies, Detroit Police Department and public safety officials from several Midtown institutions for combined crime prevention with data-driven policing.
As a result, Midtown crime has plummeted while development has exploded and many residents and businesses look first to Wayne State Police when they need protection.
The final goodbye
- With the way 2016 has been shaping up, this might be a little premature, but here's The List. That would be the list of notable deaths throughout the year. And we've had a few doozies: From Cuban leader Fidel Castro, pop music giants David Bowie and Prince, and sports legends Muhammad Ali and Gordie Howe, right up to the singer George Michael who died on Christmas Day.
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