By Mark Bashore, WKAR Radio

LANSING, MI – A mid-Michigan coalition of labor, faith and civil-rights leaders is getting behind comprehensive federal immigration reform.

Organizers of the Michigan coalition of Reform Immigration for America say an earned path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants is the centerpiece of its agenda. Chris Michaelakis is with the United Food and Commercial Workers of Michigan:

By WKAR

DAYTON, OH – The Dayton Dragons handed the Lansing Lugnuts an 8-2 defeat on Sunday night at Fifth Third Field. The teams play the finale of their four-game series tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Field.

By AP

DETROIT – Placido Polanco hit a three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning, lifting the Detroit Tigers to a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.

Third baseman Brandon Inge sealed the victory, leaping to snag B.J. Upton's high hopper down the line with a runner on first and throwing across the diamond for the final out.

Justin Verlander (15-7) gave up three runs, six hits and four walks over eight innings and struck out four, matching a season low. Fernando Rodney pitched the ninth for his 29th save in 30 chances.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has given state employee unions a required 30-day notice of layoffs in case a budget deal is not reached by Oct. 1.

The layoff notices were sent to the unions Friday.

Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd says the governor does not expect a government shutdown and plans to have a budget in place on time.

The 30-day notice is required under collective bargaining contracts because money has not been appropriated for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – House Speaker Andy Dillon has released a draft bill outlining his plan to save money by putting all public employees into a single insurance pool. The top Democrat in the state House says he expects hearings to begin on the plan next week.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – A state lawmaker says Michigan could bring in a lot of revenue if it re-taps closed gas and oil wells.

Representative Mike Simpson says the state could work with oil companies that pump CO-2 into reserves to draw out the remaining fuel. One site he'd like to see tapped is beneath Pigeon River in the northern Lower Peninsula.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – A bill approved this week by the state Senate would require Michigan boaters to clean their boats before putting them in the state's waterways.

AUDIO:
The bill would threaten boat owners with a fine if they launch watercrafts with aquatic plants or animals attached. Lawmakers say the point of the legislation is to curb the threat of invasive species in Michigan's lakes and streams.

State Senator Patty Birkholz:

By AP

LANSING, MI – A 13-member board appointed mostly by the governor would play a key role in developing a statewide health care coverage plan for public employees pitched by the top Democrat in the Michigan Legislature.

House Speaker Andy Dillon introduced a draft version of a key part of his proposal Friday. It could be introduced and assigned to a special legislative committee as early as next week.

Dillon says up to $900 million a year could be saved with the
plan.

By Scott Pohl, WKAR News

EAST LANSING, MI – Author Steve Lopez will be in East Lansing Sunday and Monday to talk about his book "The Soloist". The book is the selected title for this year's "One Book, One Community" program, with East Lansing residents encouraged to join incoming Michigan State University freshmen in reading and discussion.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – The state Senate has rejected Governor Granholm's plan to disband the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. The governor's plan would divvy the functions of the department among other state departments. She says it could save the state as much as $2 million.

But Senate Republicans say Michigan's historical perspective would be in jeopardy if museums such as the Michigan Historical Center were handed over to the Department of Natural Resources. State Senator Cameron Brown.