By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – A member of the state House Appropriations Committee says his fellow Democrats have many concerns about big budget-cutting targets set by House Speaker Andy Dillon with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop.

But Representative Fred Durhal says it's time for lawmakers to start trusting each other. And he says that includes trusting that the Senate will be open to vote for new revenue if the House is open to deep cuts.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski delivers Governor Granholm's radio address this week. She says the threat of an H1N1 flu pandemic makes it particularly important for people to get a seasonal flu shot.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

EAST LANSING, MI – Michigan's jobless rate of 15.2% is again the highest in the nation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the state rankings Friday morning.

By WKAR / LSJ

LANSING, MI – Lansing teachers will reportedly start reviewing a new tentative contract this weekend. The Lansing State Journal reports a tentative agreement was reached earlier this week. Teachers are scheduled to review it Sunday and Tuesday at Everett High School.

According to the report, Lansing Schools Education Association President Jerry Swartz says the deal "reflects the current economic climate." He did not disclose any details of the agreement, but said both sides "worked hard to make sure the district was stable."

By AP

DETROIT – Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has struck out in an attempt to stop his monthly restitution payments to the city.

Lawyer Michael Alan Schwartz says Kilpatrick's plea agreement called for $1 million due in five years, not large monthly payments as ordered by a Wayne County judge. He says it's unfair.

But the Michigan Court of Appeals, in a one-sentence order, said Thursday it would not take the case.

By AP

DETROIT – A judge has scheduled a hearing on a lawsuit aimed at forcing the Detroit city clerk to place a proposal to elect council members by district on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court by Detroiters for City Council by Districts. It says Clerk Janice Winfrey "has been hampered" by the current city council, which refuses to draft ballot language for the proposal.

Judge Virgil Smith hears the case at 11 a.m. Friday.

By AP

DETROIT – A federal spending bill includes $18 million for 14 Michigan projects, including $5 million for a commuter rail line serving Detroit, Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Ann Arbor.

The bill for fiscal 2010 covers the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development departments.

Democratic Michigan U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin say the next-largest appropriation is $3 million to replace the bridge carrying Wadhams Road over the Black River in St. Clair County.

By AP

DETROIT – Several city offices are closing with the first of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's 26 budget-mandated unpaid furlough days for nonunion workers and appointees.

Bing's office says Friday's closings include administrative hearings, the Detroit Building Authority, Cable Communications Commission, Environmental Affairs, Targeted Business Development, and Jobs and Business Development.

By AP

ALLEN PARK, MI – The Detroit Lions say the NFL gave them an extension to sell out their home opener against the Minnesota Vikings to avoid a blackout.

The Lions said Thursday they have 1,700 tickets to sell by 1 p.m. Friday for the game to be on TV in the Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw-Flint and Toledo, Ohio, markets.

Detroit had 50 straight sell-outs at Ford Field until Oct. 26, 2008, when it played Washington. The Lions failed to sell out other games later in the season en route to setting an NFL mark with the first 0-16 season.

By AP

DETROIT – Zack Greinke boosted his Cy Young credentials and stalled the Detroit Tigers.

Greinke lowered his major league-leading ERA to 2.14 with five scoreless innings Thursday in the Kansas City Royals' 9-2 victory.

Greinke (14-8) allowed three hits, struck out eight and walked two. He has allowed only one earned run in his past four starts, lowering his ERA from 2.43.