News

By AP

AUBURN HILLS, MI – Reserves Ivory Latta and Angel McCoughtry combined for 42 points as the Atlanta Dream beat Detroit 98-95 in overtime Wednesday, the latest loss for the defending WNBA champion.

Another reserve, Michelle Snow, added 16 points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta.

Kara Braxton had 25 points and 12 rebounds for Detroit (5-9), which went to overtime for the fourth time in six games and is mired at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

By AP

DETROIT – Russell Branyan hit a two-out, two-run homer in the eighth inning to give Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

Branyan drove a 1-0 pitch from Bobby Seay (1-2) into the stands in right-center for his 24th homer.

Hernandez (11-3) struck out eight in seven innings, allowing one run and six hits. Mark Lowe pitched a perfect eighth and David Aardsma finished for his 23rd save in 25 chances.

By Noah Ovshinsky, Michigan Public Radio Network

DETROIT, MI – Michigan's largest air carrier released its second quarter results Wednesday. Delta officials say the airline lost $257 million in the first three months of this year.

AUDIO:
Delta's balance sheet was hit hard by fuel-related costs and expenses associated with its merger with Northwest. Excluding those costs, the airline would have made a $191 million net profit.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – A state House committee met Wednesday to discuss Michigan's tax structure. The rest of the Legislature is in recess this week.

The House Tax Policy committee has been taking testimony from interest groups over the past few weeks. The committee chair hopes to hear from a couple dozen groups before the fiscal year ends in the Fall.

On Wednesday, the committee heard from the Michigan Municipal League. Robin Beltramini is president of the league, and a councilwoman in Troy.

By Gretchen Millich

Lansing, MI – Students from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan will hold a joint news conference at the Capital in Lansing Thursday. They're concerned about budget proposals that call for the elimination of the state scholarships and cuts to college funding.

State legislators haven't passed a budget yet, but they're looking to cut the Michigan Promise scholarship program and general appropriations for colleges and universities.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – State House Republicans unveiled their plan Wednesday to balance the state's budget by cutting spending by $1.4 billion. That number matches the Republican-controlled state Senate's target for cuts.

House Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer says deep program cuts are necessary to avoid raising taxes.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Republicans in the Michigan House are detailing a state budget proposal that includes using more federal stimulus money to fix roads and make loans available to small businesses.

Republicans were scheduled to discuss the plan Wednesday.

Michigan faces potential budget shortfalls of $2.7 billion in the fiscal year starting in October. Republicans want to balance the budget without tax or fee increases.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – The state Democratic Party has a list of prospective questions that voters could decide in next year's elections.

AUDIO:
Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer's list includes boosting the minimum wage and unemployment benefits, cutting utility rates, a one-year moratorium on home foreclosures, and requiring employers to offer health benefits.

Brewer says these issues could also help Democratic candidates next year.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

St. Johns, MI – The Crosby Mint Farm near St. Johns bills itself as the oldest continuously operating mint farm in the country. It first planted roots back in 1912. Jim Crosby and his sister Linette are preparing for the farm's 98th harvest - and they're fighting to keep it from becoming their last. The farm is in foreclosure, and the siblings are trying to sell enough mint oil to stave off an auction.

By AP

WASHINGTON – General Motors and Chrysler are defending their plans to eliminate about 3,000 dealerships across the nation during the second day of congressional hearings on the auto industry.

Under criticism in Congress, lawyers for the two auto companies say the dealer reductions were needed as part of a larger plan to help them rebound from bankruptcy. The automakers say the alternative was liquidation and massive job losses.

By AP

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Democratic Party is considering asking voters to raise the state's minimum wage to $10 an hour.

The minimum wage currently is $7.40 an hour.

The potential 2010 ballot initiative was among a few discussed Wednesday by party chairman Mark Brewer.

The Democratic Party also is researching ballot proposals to reduce utility bills, require employers to provide health care and impose a one-year moratorium on home foreclosures.

By AP

DETROIT – About 2,600 Detroit Public Schools employees have been told to reapply for their jobs - or risk losing them.

The district on Tuesday declared the positions vacant and said staff had until Friday to interview with their principals or request an interview. Employees from at least 40 affected schools who don't respond may be reassigned.

The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press report the schools are being "reconstituted" in response to a failure to meet state annual yearly progress standards.

By Rob South, WKAR News

EAST LANSING, MI – The union that represents Lansing firefighters has endorsed Mayor Virg Bernero in his reelection bid. International Association of Firefighters local 421 made the announcement today. Local president Bryan Epling says Bernero has been committed to supporting the fire department, even through difficult budget years.

"It is comforting to know that our mayor will continue to be an outspoken advocate for the public safety needs of our community and for the men and women of our department," he said.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Republicans in the Michigan House are detailing a state budget proposal that includes using more federal stimulus money to fix roads and make loans available to small businesses.

Republicans are scheduled to discuss the plan later Wednesday.

Michigan faces potential budget shortfalls of $2.7 billion in the fiscal year starting in October. Republicans want to balance the budget without tax or fee increases.

By AP

NASHVILLE, TN – The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on a multiyear contract with rookie running back Javon Ringer.

Ringer was a fifth-round draft pick earlier this year out of Michigan State. He will compete with Chris Johnson and LenDale White for playing time this season.

The Titans have now agreed to terms with nine of their 11 draft choices, with only top pick wide receiver Kenny Britt and second-round defensive lineman Sen'Derrick Marks unsigned.

The team opens training camp Friday, July 31.

By AP

DETROIT – Magglio Ordonez hit a grand slam in a five-run first inning and the Detroit Tigers held on for a 9-7 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.

Detroit scored just five runs while being swept in a three-game series at Yankee Stadium last weekend, but matched that total before making their first out against Seattle.

Rookie Rick Porcello (9-6) got the win despite allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk in five innings.

By AP

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that counties can put more stringent anti-smoking rules in place than state lawmakers.

Courts have said only the Legislature can ban smoking in restaurants and bars. But local governments are prohibiting smoking inside other businesses because of secondhand smoke risks.

All seven justices on the high court said Tuesday that local officials can adopt stricter smoking regulations than the state to safeguard public health.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Governor Granholm and members of her administration say they need more tax credits to lure businesses to the state. The Michigan Economic Growth Authority has reached the limit of how many tax breaks it can give out this year.

Greg Main is the president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. He says that Michigan will lose business to other states without more credits.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Gov. Jennifer Granholm and economic development officials want lawmakers to let the state offer more tax incentives to businesses that create or retain jobs.

Michigan is about to run out of tax credits it can grant in 2009.

The Democratic-led House has voted to raise the cap on the amount of tax incentives. The legislation is pending in a Republican-controlled Senate committee.

By AP

DEARBORN, MI – Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder is the latest candidate to reveal plans to run for governor in Michigan in 2010.

The Republican announced his candidacy for governor at a press conference today at Dearborn's Greenfield Village and has scheduled a five-day statewide tour. He plans to visit Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids later in the day.