By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Governor Granholm and the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Legislature met for most of the day to try and come closer to a budget deal. They are trying to retire an almost $3 billion deficit, which represents almost 15% of the budget.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Governor Granholm and the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Legislature met for most of the day to try and come closer to a budget deal. They are trying to retire an almost $3 billion deficit, which represents almost 15 percent of the budget.

ROCHESTER, MI – ROCHESTER, Mich. (AP) - Oakland University has canceled classes indefinitely because of a professors strike.

Thursday was supposed to be the opening of the fall semester for
about 18,000 students at the southeastern Michigan school. But the
Oakland University chapter of the American Association of
University Professors authorized a strike Wednesday night.

Contract talks under way for months have failed to produce a
deal.

By AP

DETROIT – The Detroit Public Schools' emergency financial manager has filed a lawsuit to void the appointment of a district general superintendent.

The Detroit News reports that Robert Bobb filed the suit against the Board of Education Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court. Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced later Wednesday that his office will represent Bobb.

By AP

DETROIT – Magglio Ordonez had three hits and Placido Polanco scored twice to help the Detroit Tigers beat the sloppy Cleveland Indians 4-2 on Wednesday night.

The Tigers, who now lead the Twins by 4 1-2 games in the AL Central, were aided by five Cleveland errors, the most they had committed in a game since 1998.

By WKAR

LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps romped past the Lansing Lugnuts 10-2 last night at Oldsmobile Park. With the loss, Lansing's elimination number was reduced to one. The two teams play the second game of the three-game series tonight at 7:05.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – A case before the state Court of Appeals asks the question whether the Secretary of State has the final word in handling elections violations.

The Secretary of State's office fined Meijer Incorporated 190 thousand dollars for manipulating elections in Grand Traverse County. County prosecutors said a fine did not go far enough and Meijer should face criminal charges as well. But a judge ruled last year the Secretary of State had the final authority and had handled the issue.

By Mark Bashore, WKAR News

LANSING, MI – The Lansing Public Schools begin a new school year Wednesday evening with their annual Round-Up Rally. The gathering offers students and families the chance to celebrate with music and games as well as take care of important business.

By AP

LANSING, MI – A coalition of social service, education and labor groups wants the state to change its tax structure to raise more revenue and prevent deep cuts in the budget year that starts Oct. 1.

The plan released Wednesday includes expanding the sales tax to "non-essential" items such as entertainment and landscaping services to raise nearly $1.7 billion.

The partnership also wants to change the flat income tax rate to a graduated one, raising about $400 million, and end tax exemptions to generate $600 million.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

SAGINAW, MI – Governor Granholm led an invitation-only town meeting in Saginaw on Wednesday. She was joined by Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and White House officials to try and generate support for President Obama's energy plan.

AUDIO:
The president's proposal for cap-and-trade credits as part of an energy policy overhaul has been controversial in manufacturing states, where big utility bills can stifle job growth.