Michigan News

“I've had the perfect transition into a new career. To my surprise, I even discovered that I like to go to hockey games.”

It was the perfect night to honor a man that made his living on ice. On a frigid Detroit evening, Steve Yzerman was the star of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame's 2008 induction class. via Port Clinton News Herald

“Consumers are pulling back on spending and consumer sentiment continues to nosedive”

The nation's industrial output posted a modest increase in January but all of the strength came from a weather-related jump in output at utility companies. Analysts said the poor performance was the latest sign that the economy has slowed significantly in recent weeks.

The Federal Reserve reported Friday that industrial production rose by 0.1 percent in January, a weak showing which matched the December increase and was in line with expectations.

But all of the strength came from a big 2.2 percent rise in output to heat homes and businesses as cold weather returned following a milder-than-normal December when utility output had fallen by 0.2 percent. In contrast, manufacturing output was flat _ the poorest showing in three months as factories were feeling the effects of a slowdown that has raised worries the country is slipping into a recession. Read more

“I can't believe it. This is incredible news.”

Gov. Jennifer Granholm today commuted the sentences of two convicted drug offenders, including a man with close ties to the Lapeer area. via News Now - The Flint Journal - MLive.com

“With this policy, the state is sending mixed messages to me and other registered nurses who are moving here from other countries to fill a nursing shortage plaguing Michigan”

When Michigan officials recently reinterpreted state law to stop nonresidents from getting driver's licenses, critics said it had an unintended consequence.

The crackdown _ intended to target illegal immigrants _ also affected legal immigrants who are not permanent residents, including employees from other countries temporarily working in Michigan.

Businesses and universities have complained, saying Michigan's reputation is suffering. The American Civil Liberties Union sued Wednesday on behalf of legal immigrants. Read more

Michigan Republicans will meet Friday and Saturday at the Lansing Center to choose 60 delegates to the Republican National Convention. via WZZM-TV Grand Rapids

“Now, when they believe it serves their political interests, they're trying to rewrite the rules”

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton desperately wants meaningless wins in Florida and Michigan to turn into votes she can count on. via The Oregonian

A bill that would allow legal immigrants temporarily living in Michigan to resume getting driver's licenses is headed to Governor Jennifer Granholm. via WSBT

The Lowell Police say it was Vince Heinze, a Supervisor at Michigan Wire the last 8 months who died in an industrial accident before noon Friday. via WSNX-FM Grand Rapids

“To raise that claim now smacks of politics in its form most raw and undercuts the moral authority behind such an argument.”

Seating delegates from Florida and Michigan at the Democratic National Convention would be a grave injustice, the Rev. via Baltimore Sun

“This is just the first step in the legislative process, and we need to get moving immediately”

The state Senate took a step Wednesday toward allowing legal immigrants to resume getting driver's licenses in Michigan. via MLive.com

“It's clear that no one thought the race would be this competitive at this point”

With Democrats locked in a tight race for their party's presidential nomination, Michigan activists hope their delegates will play an election role after all. via Political Gateway

Michigan remained in a deep freeze Monday after an Arctic weather system dropped temperatures as low as minus 13. via MLive.com

“Life really does come full circle”

'Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!' 'Thank you, God!' 'I really hope the crown doesn't fall off my head.' Those were the first three thoughts that ran through Kirsten Haglund's mind after the Michigan ... via Detroit Free Press

“In fact, it is hard to imagine a high prosperity Michigan without an even higher prosperity metropolitan Detroit.”

If having an abundance of knowledge-based jobs and vibrant metro areas is a key to economic prosperity, then Michigan's future is in doubt, a new study says. via MLive.com

Michigan has suffered through a one-state recession since 2006 -- the only state in America to experience negative gross domestic product over that period. via Detroit News

“I did have one person interested in coming out today, which is why it's even harder to cancel, but with the predicted extreme winds and cold I want to make sure the volunteers are all safe”

Bitter cold weather moving across Michigan was accompanied by high winds and snow, creating hazardous driving conditions Sunday and forcing road closures, and was blamed in at least one death. via Ann Arbor News

“But more time without structure and intervention would not be productive.”

A century-old law lets Michigan students drop out of high school anytime after their 16th birthday. via ClickOnDetroit

“It's (run for presidency) obviously an uphill struggle because he's (Vaclav Klaus) the incumbent, but on the other hand quite a lot of people find my candidacy attractive. There is a chance.”

Czech President Vaclav Klaus fell one vote short of gaining re-election by the country's lawmakers Saturday, a parliamentary speaker said. via The Detroit News

State caseworkers did not make required face-to-face visits with children in foster care and failed to conduct background checks before placing children with relatives, court-appointed experts said in a report ... via Detroit Free Press