FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2019, file photo, Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford warms up before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif. Ross Cameron, File)DETROIT – The Detroit Lions announced they will be moving from WJR back to 97.1 “The Ticket” as their official radio broadcast partner. The deal between the Lions and Entercom will begin in 2021 and last for multiple years, the team announced. READ: Detroit Lions come up short vs. Packers, but look much more tolerable under Darrell Bevell“As we enter a new era of Detroit Lions football, we’re excited to establish a strategic partnership with Entercom whose Detroit family of stations are market leaders in radio and multimedia,” Detroit Lions Senior Vice President of Business Development Kelly Kozole said. Entercom will also manage the Lions Radio Network -- an extensive radio network with more than 30 stations across Michigan and in northern Ohio, according to the team.

Gretchen Whitmer will lead a news conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday to provide an update on the states response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Michigan has been experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 cases throughout July, prompting new face mask regulations and some uncertainty over how -- and if -- the state will continue to reopen. Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 78,507; Death toll now at 6,154The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 78,507 as of Monday, including 6,154 deaths, state officials report. New cases have increased moderately in recent weeks, while deaths remain flat in Michigan. The state also reports active cases, which were listed at 15,000 as of Monday.

DETROIT Sports talk radio station 97.1 The Ticket announced a new co-host to join Mike Valenti on the stations top rated show. Rico Beard, a longtime Detroit sports broadcast veteran, will join Valenti on The Mike Valenti Show with Rico, weekdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00, beginning August 3. I am extremely blessed and honored in becoming a host on The Mike Valenti Show on 97.1 The Ticket, said Beard. I was flattered when Mike Valenti himself asked me to join his show. Before joining The Ticket, Mike co-hosted The Sports Inferno with Terry Foster on Sports Radio 1270 (WXYT-AM) in Detroit.