Budget battle still looms for state lawmakers hat  We are now into December and the 2020 state budget remains a growing concern. Lawmakers returned this week from a two-week hiatus with plenty on the agenda, including some unfinished budget business. Other topics of note in Lansing include online gambling, regional transit and removing age limits for judges. MORE ►Group behind lawmaker's recall effort not ready to give up ►Slotkin undecided on Trump impeachment, censure ►Whitmer supports Medicare for all 'in concept'

  

Michigan's 53 most crash-prone highway stretches on icy/snowy roads   Winter weather created havoc across the U.S. for millions of holiday travelers the past few days. Most of Michigan was spared from the worst of it. However, we know poor road conditions are coming. Here's the roughest patches of roadway in the state when the weather turns cold and snowy. We've compiled a database and an interactive map, too. MORE ►Mapping out Michigan most crash-prone highways in winter weather ►15 things you should stash in your car for winter ►Get the latest from MLive chief meteorologist Mark Torregrossa

F Welcome to the top 25, ahem, top 5 Wolverines hat  Michigan entered the season without its top three scorers from a year ago and having had its all-time winningest coach bolt to the NBA. Needless to say, most figured this would be a bit of a rebuilding year. Is it too early to suggest this team is already built? An impressive holiday showing in the Bahamas saw U-M dismantle a pair of top 10 teams on the way to improving to 7-0. Poll voters took notice. MORE ►How to watch No. 4 Michigan vs. No. 1 Louisville ►No. 11 Michigan State turns focus to No. 10 Duke in B1G-ACC Challenge

  

You oughta know... about these upcoming concerts     Did you see what we did there? Of course you did! MLive concert watch beat writer Ed Pevos has a trio of concert announcements for us. And, yup, you guessed it, Alanis Morissette is bringing her 'Jagged Little Pill' 25th anniversary tour to Michigan. But, wait, there's more! Rick Springfield and Chicago are teaming up for a tour. Then there's an upcoming show featuring Five Finger Death Punch and Papa Roach. MORE ►Doobie Brothers add Michigan stops ►Garth Brooks breaks Ford Field record ►Biggest remaining concerts of 2019