Michigan News Archives

Gov. Jennifer Granholm says a review team has been appointed to examine Benton Harbor's finances.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm shakes hands as people gather at the Capitol in Lansing, Mich.

An Oakland University student's class project has landed $979,400 to help older laid-off workers find new jobs.

Authorities say six Flint-area party stores and gas stations bought food stamps from people who usually used the cash to buy drugs.

This photo provided by Virginia Tech Department of Entomology, taken in 2008, shows mother and child bed bugs.

HOUGHTON - A Michigan Technological University engineer is leading a $350,000 study of how to keep power-hungry components from crashing smaller electrical grids.

The University of Michigan is starting two studies of chronic lung diseases, trying to discover why some smokers get them and others don't and whether 24-hour oxygen can help treat them.

The Associated Press 1 comment Authorities offering $10,000 reward for man suspected of killing four relatives.

Local fire officials are hailing a new law that will require manufacturers sell only self-extinguishing cigarettes in Michigan as of Jan.

At most colleges, marijuana is very much an extracurricular matter. But at Med Grow Cannabis College, marijuana is the curriculum: the history, the horticulture and the legal how-to's of Michigan's new medical marijuana program.

Lansing -- Every time a Michigan resident begins collecting a pension or turns 65, the nation's most generous tax breaks for seniors kick in.

In an increasingly round-the-clock world, community colleges -- already known for tailoring classes to help train people with the skills needed by local employers -- must now stretch their schedules, too.

DETROIT -- One of Michigan's most successful commercial fishermen is suing the state to try to overcome a decades-old ban on catching walleye in the Great Lakes.

As a relative newcomer in a field of contestants who had been intensely schooled on the intricacies of the pageant circuit from youth, it was only natural for Rima Fakih to feel a bit nervous at the Miss Michigan USA pageant in Port Huron.

Births BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL Jerick and Alaina Cowles, of Kalamazoo, a son.

With Congress home for the Thanksgiving holiday, President Barack Obama's administration provided members of the House and the Senate a little something this week it hopes will make health reform more palatable for their constituencies: new estimates on how many millions of people it says will be helped.

Research into Alzheimer's disease seems an unlikely approach to yield a better way to fight urinary tract infections , but that's what scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St.

New York's apple orchards are being carpeted with red as unpicked apples drop to the ground.

Today, we are thankful for traditions that remind us it's a day designated to be thankful: parades, turkey, a Detroit Lions game .

Births BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL Keith and Lynn Behrens, of Schoolcraft, a daughter.

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox today announced the results of an undercover Internet child predator sting that led to the arrests of three Michigan men.

Wind Chill: 30 F Font Size: Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has ordered that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff to honor a soldier from St.

You know Arizona's economy is in bad shape when it ranks worse than Michigan's. Even after years of mind-numbing hits to its construction industry, it's a jolt to realize Arizona has lost a larger percentage of jobs in this recession than Michigan, even as that state's auto-based economy continued to melt down.

"For more than a decade, the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy has helped young adults turn their lives around, and today these graduates are working in our communities, attending our universities or serving in our military," Granholm said.

A Texas man in the midst of a five-month trip across the country in his RV is doing something on his journey that most people heading out on a road trip don't. Harvey Wells is traveling with a portable hemodialysis machine, which allows the 57-year-old from Euless, Texas, to do treatments himself when and where he wants.

It seems unlikely Michigan will fire Rich Rodriguez after two awful seasons with an NCAA investigation looming, a search for a new athletic director under way and luxury boxes to fill at the Big House.

Births BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL Michael and Sheryl Anchor, of Lawrence, a daughter.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed legislation that exempts babysitting from day care regulations after the state ordered a Barry County woman to stop watching her friend's children before school.

A proposal unveiled today by state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith to revamp Michigan's tax structure to raise $6.5 billion more would: - Extend the sales tax to services and reduce the overall tax rate from 6 percent to 5.5 percent.

Dozens of Thumb-area residents say their lives have been changed for the worse by noisy, energy-producing wind turbines and recommended that future installations be kept far away from homes.

Lansing --With just weeks before the end of the fall semester many college students are unsure if Promise Scholarship money will be available for next term or how they might replace the funding.

A southwest Michigan soldier has been killed in Afghanistan. The U.S. Defense Department announced Monday 25-year-old Army Sgt.

Michigan health officials say influenza has killed 54 people in the state since April 1 and 44 since Sept.

A homebuilder who chairs the state housing authority has been the target of lawsuits seeking more than $100 million in judgments in Michigan and around the country over failed projects.

An estimated 1.7 million Michiganians will travel this week for Thanksgiving -- about the same amount that AAA of Michigan estimated for last year.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Film makers were in West Michigan Friday, hoping to persuade lawmakers that the state's generous film tax incentives are working.

NEW YORK - A minor leaguer in the Detroit Tigers' organization has been suspended for 50 games after testing positive for an amphetamine under baseball's minor league drug program.

Sade Morris scored a a career-high 26 points and became the 21st player in school history to eclipse 1,000 points, lifting No.

Gov. Don Carcieri's administration has failed for months to spend $20 million meant to insulate poor people's homes against the winter chill and put unemployed people to work during one of the worst economic crises since the Great Depression.

The U.S. government resettled Mazen Alsaqa in Massachusetts in February. Within a month, the Iraqi refugee moved to Michigan.

Find great deals from these Grand Rapids Press advertisers online: Visit shopping.mlive.com See all of The Grand Rapids Press Special Sections New on MLive.com: choose your local coverage The first time you view the new MLive.com, you'll see the "Statewide" version of the home page.

The Clinton Police Department has announced that a man arrested and booked on suspicion of drunk driving, believed to be an escaped convicted murderer from Michigan, is not a murderer after all.

Michigan's Thumb area may be better known for sugar beets than Chardonnay, but Steve Velloff and Connie Currie had no problem moving from downtown Chicago to Sanilac County -- to make wine.

PHILADELPHIA - Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia have charged three men with diverting traffic from the Web site of telecom giant Comcast last year.

The ninth ranked Buckeyes have the Rose Bowl in their views but today their eyes are only set on one thing, the on-going rivalry between them and the Michigan Wolverines.

Organizers of the 2010 Michigan Apple Queen pageant are hoping their search for contestants will prove fruitful.

Federal officials confirmed Friday that DNA from Asian carp has been found in water past an electric barrier designed to keep the invasive and destructive fish out of Lake Michigan.

Michigan's official state Christmas tree is being lit during Lansing's Silver Bells in the City celebration.

According to Rich Rodriguez's agent, U-M president Mary Sue Coleman supports Rodriguez '100%.' Mike Brown told the Free Press today that the pair met on Monday -- he said he wasn't sure what the meeting was about or how it arose -- and that's what she told Rodriguez.

The fight over federal funding for abortion moved to the Senate on Thursday as opponents targeted provisions that are not as restrictive as one written by a Michigan lawmaker into the version passed by the House.

A Catholic priest who served churches in western Michigan has been sentenced to six months in jail for sexual misconduct.

Michigan's beleaguered economy will continue shedding jobs for two more years before a recovery starts to take hold in mid-2011, University of Michigan economists predicted today.

University of Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman said during today's Board of Regents meeting that "regardless of the weather, home-field advantage or the records, the Michigan-Ohio State game is always a classic," and she is looking forward to the game.

Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. Read more: Local , State , Economy , Business , Community , 2 1 1 , General Information , United Way of Northwest Michigan , Steven Wade , Herb Lemcool , 2 1 1 Service , Third Level Crisis Center , Traverse City TRAVERSE CITY -- With the state of the economy, more and more people are turning to human service ...

The law firm of a Michigan attorney has agreed to pay a $131,000 fine for campaign finance violations involving donations to former Sen.

Intrepid Ohio State University researchers have learned students don't just party in a campus lake during rituals before the annual Michigan game.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 12:57 a.m. Read more: State , Politics , Local , Huckabee , Grand Rapids , A Simple Christmas , Presidential Campaign , 2012 GRAND RAPIDS -- Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was back in Michigan this time not as a candidate, but as an author with a message from his book a oeA Simple Christmas.a A But other ...

In less than 72 hours, the Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Michigan Wolverines at The Big House in Ann Arbor.The Bucks have won five straight in the series and Ohio State has already wrapped up a BCS Rose Bowl birth.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Labor is providing $4 million for a study of displaced autoworkers in hopes of identifying opportunities to retrain them for work in alternative energy fields.

The poor economy won't stop Michigan residents from traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Hide Video Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm says that the state's unemployment rate dipped slightly in October to 15.1 percent.

Hundreds of people are lining up at a Michigan bookstore for a chance to meet Sarah Palin as she kicks off her national book tour.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is hitting the road -- college campuses in particular -- this week to put the squeeze on lawmakers to reinstate the Promise Scholarship.

It's Ohio State-Michigan week as the Buckeyes get ready to take on the Wolverines in the annual game at The Big House in Ann Arbor.

Three more Michiganders have died from H1N1 flu, bringing the total since April 1, when H1N1 hit the state, to 42.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm wants to consolidate more state government departments.

A Michigan man has won the world Rock Paper Scissors championship in Toronto. Tim Conrad of Taylor clinched the title after five hours of play and nine matches at the Steam Whistle Brewery on Saturday night.

Kent County Sheriff officials are trying to figure out how deputies misplaced three inmates for more than an hour and a half.

Governors in Michigan and California are warning residents that some services may have to go as they wrestle with enormous budget shortfalls.

A federal appeals court is set to consider a lawsuit challenging Michigan's ban against racial preferences in public university admissions and government hiring.

Washington - The University of Michigan released embarassing details of an internal audit Monday that said the beleaguered football program had failed to file monthly forms tracking how much players practice - an issue currently under NCAA investigation.

One frustrated client hurled a piece of concrete through the window of a welfare agency.

AAA Michigan says gasoline prices are down 9.4 cents per gallon over the past week to a statewide average of $2.57. The auto club said Monday the statewide average is 59.5 cents per gallon higher than last year at this time.

The Michigan Public Service Commission says Michigan residents could be in store for a cost-efficient winter.

Births BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL Darren and Lakiea Culpepper, of Kalamazoo, a daughter.

Tags: Earned Income Tax Credit , Gov. Jennifer Granholm , Michigan Promise Scholarship , Michigan State Legislature , state budget , State Rep.

Here are the vital statistics for Wednesday, Nov. 11: Births BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL Michael and Nikki Burgos, of Kalamazoo, a daughter.

A scientist has finished a two-year, 26,000-mile mission to assemble a panoramic photo image of the night sky.

Michigan could add as many as 13,000 new jobs if the state boosted its recycling rate average to equal rates in neighboring Great Lakes states, a new report concludes.

There's always a market for state wear, whether the clothes cater to tourists or homesick ex-Michiganders. In fact, Michigan products range the gamut from cookware to jewelry, and there are several specialty stores dedicated to the Michigan-labeling industry.

Lt. Gov. John Cherry and Michigan Economic Development Corp. officials are heading to the Mideast, hoping to lure businesses with Michigan's abundant water.

Here are vital statistics for Friday, Nov. 13, 2009: Births BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL David and Tiffany Bierlein, of Kalamazoo, a daughter.

A squabble over access to the Pigeon River Country State Forest for horseback riders has spilled into the Michigan Legislature.

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced today that the City of Three Rivers has been ordered to undertake immediate improvements to the city's public water supply to assure that residents and businesses are provided safe drinking water that meets state standards.

Reliance on a shrinking automotive industry, the loss of 1 million jobs, outmoded taxes and lack of government reforms will make Michigan one of the nation's 10 poorest states for the foreseeable future, according to a study released Wednesday.

Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm will visit universities over the next two weeks to campaign for the revival of the Michigan Promise scholarship.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan today will be among the leaders who appear at a state House hearing to refute the disinformation campaign that threatens to deny Michigan schools more than a half-billion dollars in federal stimulus funds.

Eastern Michigan University says it will start letting military veterans from outside the state pay the lower in-state tuition rates.

Michigan schools officials have selected 13 districts that could get new initiatives paid for if the state wins competitive grants from the federal stimulus program.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder said that Michigan needs to lay out its budget for two years at a time and ask citizens what programs they support.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's plan to merge the departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality was voted down in the Senate this morning.

The family of a Michigan toddler who drowned is suing an Ohio water park that calls itself the nation's largest.

Wind Chill: 47 F Font Size: The Michigan Senate has voted to exempt baby-sitting from day care regulations after the state ordered a woman to stop watching her friend's children before school.

Michigan's men's basketball coach John Beilein says the son of five-time NBA All-Star Tim Hardaway has signed a letter of intent to play for the Wolverines.

In Arizona, the budget has grown so gloomy that lawmakers are considering mortgaging Capitol buildings.

An audit shows Detroit Public Schools has cut its budget deficit by nearly $87 million.

Get ready, America. Like her or not, Sarah Palin is coming to a city near you. Last year's Republican vice presidential nominee is starting a book tour next week to promote her memoir, "Going Rogue: An American Life." Is it a thinly-veiled bid to test the waters for a possible 2012 Republican presidential bid, or simply an effort to make money and ...

Lt. Gov. John Cherry is heading to the Mideast to lure businesses with Michigan's abundant water.

The office dedicated to veterans returning to school at the University of Michigan-Flint will get its own dedication today.

MASON - Gov. Jennifer Granholm says school officials and parents must persuade lawmakers more needs to be done to shore up education funding in Michigan.

Michigan's delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives voted along party lines late Saturday night on the bill to overhaul the nation's health care system.

The federal government has agreed to pay $218,500 to settle a lawsuit over the fatal drug overdose of a young Michigan veteran who served as a U.S. Marine in Iraq.

School advocates and Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm are keeping the pressure on Michigan lawmakers to raise more money for education.

Michigan athletic director Bill Martin pushed a student and grabbed the wind breaker of another student during two football games, according to a department of public safety report.

Michigan health officials urge people withasthma to get the seasonal and swine flu shots as soon as possible.

Michigan voters could decide whether to reduce automobile, home and business insurance premiums by 20 percent if a proposal qualifies for the 2010 statewide ballot.

DETROIT - Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm usually picks up the phone if she wants to talk to a member of the Obama administration.

Federal agents say marijuana and ecstasy worth at least $1 million was flown to a small Michigan airport from Canada.

As Michigan faces dramatic declines in road funding, a new analysis finds that the percentage of roads in poor shape increased to 32% in 2008 from 25% the year before.

Michigan lawmakers are weighing in on the House passage of the health care bill.

Sunday, November 08, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. President Barack Obama says it's now up to the Senate to take the baton from the House and pass a bill aimed at overhauling the nation's health care system.

A 21-year-old professional poker player from Michigan hit a lucky king to cap a nearly impossible comeback at the World Series of Poker this morning, setting up a showdown with a self-employed logger for $8.55 million.

The Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing is hosting a tribute to veterans. The group Friends of Michigan History is organizing the event Sunday afternoon.

Michigan is seeking $290 million in federal money to help tear down blighted buildings and revitalize neighborhoods in 12 cities including Detroit, Grand Rapids and Flint.

As Michigan copes with high unemployment, shrinking revenues, insolvent cities, shuttered factories, foreclosed homes and sniping politicians, one thing is clear: Something needs to change.

Western Michigan University has decided to open a recruiting office in Royal Oak and plans to start offering "new academic programming" in the Detroit area as well.

A new $2.8 million research project will look for ways to cut the pollution from diesel exhaust without reducing fuel economy.

In the wake of Tuesday's passage of a gay rights ordinance in Kalamazoo, a state representative today introduced a plan to overturn Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage.

The editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post is addressing the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan at the organization's annual dinner.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm warned Tuesday of a possible 20 percent cut in state spending next year, a draconian step after billions in cuts since 2003 already have dented police and fire services, pushed schools toward insolvency and reduced oversight of prison inmates.

In this Oct. 29, 2009, file photo House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md. speaks during a news conference about health care on Capitol Hill in Washington.

A Michigan man charged with killing an abortion protester and a business owner told police he had guns loaded in his truck when he took two nieces and a friend to school just before the shooting spree.

A former Kalamazoo man who was listed as one of Michigan's most wanted sex offenders turned himself into authorities Tuesday and was arrested.

A state audit says Michigan didn't complete about 10 percent of routine bridge inspections on time between 2006 and 2008.

A panel at the University of Michigan Law School is probing the future of U.S. security as the clock ticks down for the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

The wife of a Michigan soldier stationed at Ford Hood, Texas, says he was one of 31 people wounded during a rampage that left 12 people dead.

LANSING - The Michigan House voted today to tap federal stimulus money set aside for next year to soften a cut in school funding now, but it's unlikely the move is going to win the support of the state Senate.

WASHINGTON - Help is on the way for tens of thousands of Michiganders and their families who have exhausted their unemployment benefits or would have by year's end.

About 55 laid-off state troopers who expected to be recalled now that the state budget is in place will stay off the job a little longer.

Your browser's security settings are preventing some features from appearing. See instructions for fixing the problem.

Aquinas College officials sent a letter to students Wednesday about the loss of the Michigan Promise Scholarship Grant.

The Michigan Security Network is holding its first leadership conference this week.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday named Andy Levin as the state's chief workforce officer, a position from which he will help oversee efforts to streamline state government service and employment levels.

Ohio voters have approved the opening of casinos in Toledo and three other cities, leaving officials and gambling interests in neighboring Indiana and Michigan worried that millions of dollars in gambling revenues - and taxes - are at risk.

Washington -- The Senate voted overwhelmingly today to move forward on additional unemployment benefits, but it is unlikely to wrap up the high-stakes issue for Michigan's jobless workers before Thursday.

After Chris Crane won $42 million in the Mega Millions lottery, his kids were thrilled.

Carroll Fisher does not regularly use marijuana. But he'd like to. The retired 67-year-old Niles factory worker has never smoked a joint - except for trying one in his 20s - until July.

Multiple explosions rocked a Michigan welding supply plant after an acetylene tank burst into flames on Monday, sending an employee to the hospital and prompting many homes and businesses to evacuate, authorities said.

State health officials said Monday that there are fewer than 1 million doses of H1N1 vaccine allocated to Michigan right now, but there are 5 million people -- about half of those in the state -- who are high-risk individuals in need of the vaccine.

NEWS RELEASE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN ************************* Flags to be flown half-staff Wednesday, November 4, for Army Specialist Brandon K. Steffey of Sault Ste.

Michigan agencies are being told they could see up to a 20 percent cut in the next budget year on top of the 10 percent cut they took this year.

A northwest Indiana development official says he hopes a 10-mile stretch of recreation trail along Lake Michigan can be built within five years to complete a series of trails connecting Illinois to Michigan.

Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman said she will be patient with Wolverines football coach Rich Rodriguez, according to an interview Friday with the Wall Street Journal.

Monday, November 02, 2009 at 3:43 p.m. You likely know about Flint's Koegel Meats and Michigan Sugar, but did you know that some of the largest custom wool processing operations in the country are in Frankenmuth? The process starts in old-fashioned bathtubs.

A federal report suggests six of every 10 jobs saved or created by the federal stimulus package in Michigan is tied to education.

Former Michigan State University football coach George Perles says he intends to begin his campaign for governor after New Year's Day.

Health officials are urging Michigan businesses to be ready to be flexible about employee absences.

Fifteen years ago, Michigan changed the way it pays for public education, switching from local property taxes to a mix of sales and property taxes, lottery revenue and other money.

Michigan changed the way it pays for public education in 1994, switching from local property taxes to a mix of sales and property taxes, lottery revenue and other money.

Federal authorities have arrested a Mexican native wanted for sex crimes allegedly committed 15 years ago in Oregon.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm put the 2009-2010 budget to bed Friday, but vowed "the fight is not over" because cuts to priorities are "too painful." The governor vetoed $128 million in spending, including $7 million for the Michigan State Fair, effectively shutting it down.

In 'Macbeth,' William Shakespeare wrote about 'a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.' Too bad the bard isn't around to comment on the goings-on these days in Lansing, where the sound and fury is loud, and maybe we have a balanced budget ... and maybe we don't. The most optimistic scenario I can come up with is that ...