By AP

DETROIT – DETROIT (AP) - Magglio Ordonez ended a career-long, 40-game drought without a home run by connecting for the go-ahead shot, leading the Detroit Tigers over the Chicago Cubs 6-5 for their seventh straight victory.

Ordonez connected for a two-run homer in the fourth inning. The AL Central leaders held on to complete the sweep, and matched their longest winning streak of the season.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – The state Legislature wrapped late night budget discussions by sending disputes to House and Senate conference committees. That set up the next stage of negotiations between Governor Granholm and legislative leaders while the Legislature takes a two week summer break.

Lawmakers will reconvene in mid-July to debate cuts to Medicaid and K-12 schools, and the elimination of Michigan Promise college scholarships.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Michigan says seasonally unadjusted regional unemployment rates jumped sharply in all major labor markets except for the tourism-dependent North.

The state Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth said Thursday joblessness rose in 14 of the 17 markets between April and May.

Regional unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate led the nation at 14.1% in May.

By AP

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land says she won't run for governor in 2010 and is backing Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard for the job.

Land, a Republican from the Grand Rapids area, has been secretary of state since 2003. She can't run again in 2010 because of term limits.

Earlier in the year, she filed paperwork setting up an exploratory committee for governor.

By AP

HADLEY, MI – Severe thunderstorms have moved out of southeast Michigan, but high winds that toppled trees and power lines left some 100,000 electrical customers without service.

The National Weather Service canceled severe thunderstorm warnings for a half-dozen counties in the region after several hours Thursday afternoon. Tornado warnings were briefly in effect for Lapeer and Monroe counties, although forecasters did not confirm any tornadoes had touched down.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – The state Legislature is expected to work into Thursday night to move budget discussions forward before the House and Senate break for two weeks.

Legislative leaders set a goal of July to reach consensus on budget discussions. That won't happen. The House and Senate are working to meet in conference committees during the break, which begins next week. Budget disputes include cuts to K-12 schools, Medicaid and financial aid, as well as the elimination of Michigan Promise college scholarships.

By WKAR/AP

UNDATED – The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect until 10 p.m. tonight for the entire WKAR listening area. Large hail, dangerous lightning, and damaging thunderstorm winds are possible. Stay tuned to 90.5 WKAR for further updates and possible warnings.

Counties include: CALHOUN, CLINTON, EATON, GRATIOT, INGHAM, JACKSON.

By AP

DETROIT, MI – A person briefed on the decision says General Motors will build its new subcompact car at a factory in Orion Township, Mich.

The person says the automaker is scheduled to announce the move Friday. The person did not want to be identified because the plan has not been made public.

GM spokeswoman Sherrie Childers Arb declined to comment.

The Orion plant was competing with factories in Spring Hill, Tenn., and Janesville, Wis., for the tiny car.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

Lansing, MI – Auto industry analysts in Michigan are predicting stronger vehicle sales for the month of June. But that news may be tempered by how consumers respond to General Motors' bankruptcy restructuring.

AUDIO: Sean McAlinden is the chief economist with the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. He says between January and May, General Motors reduced its inventory by more than half clearing the way for a burst of production this summer.

By AP

DETROIT – DETROIT (AP) - The four-day Detroit Windsor International Film Festival takes place this week.

The festival begins Thursday and features events in Detroit and across the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario. Highlights include a Friday showing of "Dear Mr. Fidrych," a coming-of-age story set in Detroit in 1976.

The film features a performance by Mark Fidrych, the former All-Star pitcher who died in an accident in April in Northborough, Mass.