Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions to sign former Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates

Published

2 years ago

June 15, 2024

Press Room

Detroit Lions to sign former Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates

The Detroit Lions are bringing in more competition at kicker, and it’s a name some fans have been pining for.

The Lions are expected to sign former Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates to a two-year-deal on Tuesday, the first day he’s eligible after playoffs.

Bates made 21 of 28 field goals this season and finished second in the UFL with 51 kicking points. He visited the Lions on Thursday. And he also visited Washington and Green Bay.

Bates, who played his home games at Ford Field this spring, made a game-winning 64-yard field goal in the Panthers’ season-opening win over the St. Louis Battlehawks and had two other 60-plus-yard field goals this season.

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But as good as he was early in the season, Bates made just 6 of 11 field goals in the Panthers’ final four games and missed a would-be game-winning 53-yarder in the Panthers’ regular season-ending loss to the Birmingham Stallions.

The Stallions beat the Panthers the following week in the UFL playoffs.

The Lions return veteran kicker Michael Badgley and signed former Michigan kicker James Turner as an undrafted free agent.

Badgley made 27 of 31 field goals in parts of the past two seasons for the Lions, but has just three makes of 50-plus yards in that span.

Turner showed massive leg strength and good accuracy in spring workouts, but is not as refined on kickoffs as Badgley.

Bates played as a kickoff specialist in college and before the UFL season had not made a field goal in a game since high school.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes told the Free Press this spring he would consider keeping three kickers, including two on practice squad, because of the NFL’s new kickoff rules that could make kickers more involved in tackling on kickoffs.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on X and Instagram at @davebirkett.

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Detroit, MI

What big announcement at DPSCD Hall of Fame Gala could mean for Detroit students

Published

4 hours ago

May 14, 2026

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What big announcement at DPSCD Hall of Fame Gala could mean for Detroit students

Detroit Public Schools Community District hosting 5th annual alumni event

DETROIT – Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) will host their fifth annual alumni event.

On May 16, the foundation will host their Tyrone E. Winfrey Hall of Fame Alumni Gala.

The Gala honors distinguished DPSCD alumni who have made a major impact in our community and beyond.

The night is a celebration of Detroit’s success stories and a fundraiser to create new opportunities for the next generation of students.

Organizers say there will be a major live announcement aimed at helping Detroit High School students build brighter futures.

Kerrie Mitchell, the president and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation, joined Local 4 Live to talk more about the gala, the foundation’s mission and what the announcement could mean for students across the city.

You can watch the full interview in the video at the beginning of this article.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Zoo welcomes Nguvu the giraffe from Utah

Published

16 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Detroit Zoo welcomes Nguvu the giraffe from Utah

The Detroit Zoo welcomed a new giraffe, Nguvu, to the herd, officials announced on Wednesday.

Officials say 1-year-old Nguvu came from Utah’s Hogle Zoo as part of the zoo’s “long-term plan for the giraffe herd.”

“This move was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Giraffe Species Survival Plan, which promotes the health, genetic diversity and overall sustainability of giraffe populations in zoos – and we’re eager to support Nguvu as he adjusts to his new home,” the Detroit Zoo says.

Detroit Zoo

Officials say Nguvu has been working with the animal care teams for several days and will be introduced to the herd soon.

According to Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Nguvu was born in February 2025. His name means “strength” in Swahili.

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Detroit, MI

Lions-Patriots scheduled for Week 10 in Munich

Published

1 day ago

May 13, 2026

Press Room

Lions-Patriots scheduled for Week 10 in Munich

The Detroit Lions are taking part in the NFL’s International series for the first time since 2015 by hosting the AFC Champion New England Patriots Week 10 in Munich at Allianz Arena on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 9:30 a.m. ET (3:30 p.m. local time in Germany) on FOX.

The Patriots represented the AFC in the Super Bowl this past February after a 14-3 season and their 22nd AFC East title. They beat the Los Angeles Chargers (16-3), Houston Texans (28-16) and Denver Broncos (10-7) in the playoffs to earn their 12th Super Bowl appearance, which they lost to Seattle (29-13).

Patriots QB Drake Maye is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL entering his third season and New England’s defense is coming off a 2025 season in which they ranked fourth in points allowed (18.8) and eighth in total defense (295.2).

This is the second of Detroit’s 2026 matchups to be announced early (Week 2 TNF in Buffalo). The rest of the Lions schedule will be revealed Thursday evening.

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