President-elect Barack Obama’s term in office will be historic and likely inspirational. But what can the new president offer Americans? Reporter Brian Tumulty of Gannett News Service offered 10 changes that the Obama administration can likely achieve. Here’s our take on them: Link to originating site

EAST LANSING — For the first time since 1999 and just the third time in the past 43 years, the Michigan State football team will play on New Year’s Day. Link to originating site

Livingston County lost a devoted community servant last week when Marty Belser passed away at 73. Link to originating site

It took a couple of overtimes, but the Howell hockey team stayed unbeaten with a 3-2 win over Monroe St. Mary’s in the championship game of the Holiday Tournament at the Onyx in Rochester. Link to originating site

With the end of 2008 drawing near, another sports year comes to an end. Link to originating site

The Hartland Players’ Encore Youth Theater group is holding auditions on Jan. 10 for its spring show, “Alice in Wonderland.” Link to originating site

With just a few days left in the winter break, you might be looking for some fun things for your children to do. Link to originating site

On Dec. 5, the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce had its Christmas open house, between 5-8 p.m. I was one of the guests, and I had a black topcoat. When I went to leave at 7 p.m., my topcoat was missing. If you have it, yours is still at the Howell chamber. Link to originating [...]

I was pleased to see that the auto companies got their bailout, sparing us the tragedy of not just a company, but an entire industry spontaneously collapsing over the holidays. Link to originating site

Do your homework. Kris Kauserud’s letter (“Don’t bail out the Big Three,” Dec. 16) was interesting in that is emulates the ignorance of Congress and of the auto industry. Link to originating site