Lawmakers look to offer school districts relief as snow days pile up   Snowstorms, ice storms, a polar vortex. This year's extreme winter weather has proven challenging for Michigan school districts. Already, a number of schools have reached or exceeded their allotted number of weather-related closure days. However, there is growing bipartisan support in Lansing to alleviate some of the strain. By the by, schools get six snow days per year and can apply for a waiver that grants three more. MORE ►Mid-Michigan schools rearrange calendars as snow days pile up ►Accumulating snow days have schools watching their calendars

Alcohol ban on parts of three Michigan rivers on hold until 2020   Well, that was a rather quick turnaround. Last week, the Huron-Manistee National Forests announced a ban on alcohol along portions of the Au Sable, Manistee and Pine rivers. On Tuesday, forestry officials were walking that ban back, shelving it until 2020 in order to gather feedback from local communities, businesses and individuals that would be affected by such a ban.  MORE ►Try your hand at the 'magical experience' of winter river rafting ►Parade of ducks navigate icy river

Judge orders EMU to reinstate pair of women's sports by fall 2019 hat Eastern Michigan University will have to bring back women's tennis and softball in the second ruling against the school since it cancelled the sports programs 11 months ago in a budget move. U.S. District Judge Caram Steeh ruled that EMU was in violation of of Title IX. Steeh also mentioned that bringing back the two sports might not even be enough for the university to be in compliance. MORE ►EMU suggests starting a women's lacrosse program instead of softball

  

Michigan's Best Diner search continues this week, even in the snow   As Michigan is getting hit with winter weather (again), our Michigan's Best team is hitting up the most delightful diners across the state on their continued journey to find the very best one. Yes, our king and queen of food exploration, John "Gonzo" Gonzalez and Amy Sherman, are visiting Ann Arbor, Jackson, Roscommon, Sault Ste. Marie and more this week before crowning the diner champion later this month. Keep following along with the search, particularly if you like drool-inducing photos and food descriptions. MORE ►Follow along with the search on our Michigan's Best blog ►Like the Michigan's Best Facebook page to enjoy John and Amy's adventures