Many school districts have closed Thursday, Jan. 23, as snowfall continues - particularly along the lakeshore - in a weeklong winter storm.

After every public school district in West Michigan cancelled school on Tuesday due to extreme cold and hazardous road conditions, over 50 school districts will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

With widespread school closings in West Michigan this week, some districts have now seen a half dozen or more snow days this school year.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — As an Arctic blast continues to freeze West Michigan, schools have started to announce closures for Tuesday. This is the second day in a row that some schools have closed with several closing on Monday due to the weather or in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Here's a growing list of schools closing ahead of frigid temperatures and blowing snow across West Michigan Tuesday.

With nine Grand Rapids-area boys basketball teams included in the latest Michigan Sports Writers rankings, West Michigan is well-represented on the statewide hoops scene. RELATED: Michigan Sports Writers high school boys basketball state rankings for Jan.

The first week of Michigan Sports Writers girls high school basketball rankings have been released. Check out who is gaining attention around the state:

We’re into the eighth week of Michigan’s girls high school basketball season, and by now, the state’s top teams have established themselves. But it’s not too late for some struggling teams to turn it around,

Some West Michigan districts have canceled classes for Wednesday even as Arctic blast is expected to begin easing its grip on the region.

The top 10 teams in the Michigan high school basketball poll, with records in parentheses. Totals are based on 15 points for a first-place vote, 14 for second, etc.:

The Michigan Sports Writers All-State (Formerly known as Associated Press All-State) poll is out this week for boys basketball in all four divisions. The panel of voters includes the Tribune.

Happy birthday, Michigan! The Mitten State was granted statehood on Jan. 26, 1837 — 188 years ago today. But many chapters of Michigan’s rich history predates statehood.