15 questions raised during Lou Anna Simon's preliminary hearing   Former Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon's preliminary hearing for allegedly lying to police officers during the Larry Nassar investigation began in February. Courtroom testimony finally concluded this week and closing arguments were delivered. However, it will be a minimum of nine weeks before the presiding judge can make a decision about whether the case should go to trial. MORE

38 Michigan Coney dogs you'll want to try   Yesterday was National Chili Dog Day, so we decided to check out some of the best dogs to eat in Michigan. In our great state, the Coney is king. We have plenty of experience sampling Jackson, Flint and Detroit Coneys, along with crazy variations that can't quite be pinned down. If you didn't chow down on dogs yesterday, you can always make up for it today, thanks to the help of this handy list. MORE ►Michigan's Best Coney Dog 2019 top 10 list

10 things to watch as the Detroit Lions open training camp hat  What Detroit Lions fan doesn't love this time of year? The heavy smell of optimism in the air is as lovely as a gentle summer breeze carrying the pleasant aroma of swaying dune grass to your olfactories. Anything can happen. Anything is possible. All is right with the world as you gaze across the Big Lake at the expanse of possibility. For now, all those national prognosticators who say our Lions will struggle to reach last year's six-game win total are but an annoying fly that can be shooed away with the flick of a wrist. MORE ►Photos gallery: The Lions kick off camp Thursday morning

  

Letter from the Editor: When news breaks - or explodes - we are there   Here's an excerpt from our new weekly column from John Hiner: "There are certain days when a newsroom can feel trouble in the air. Friday, July 19, was one of those days. The temperature was soaring toward 100 degrees, and storms were forming quickly in super cells high above Michigan. ... One thing about journalists: We don't ask, 'What could go wrong?' We're just ready when it does."  MORE -- John Hiner is the vice president of content for MLive Media Group. You can share your thoughts with him at editor@mlive.com