By AP

LANSING, MI – Former Michigan congressman Bill Schuette is officially jumping into the 2010 state attorney general's race.

The Republican is announcing his candidacy Monday at stops in Midland, Southfield, Lansing and Grand Rapids.

The Midland resident has served in the U.S. House and Michigan Senate. He also has directed the state Agriculture Department and been a judge on the state appeals court.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

Lansing, MI – Lansing mayor Virg Bernero is blasting state lawmakers for not resolving a state budget that he fears could bring huge cuts in shared revenue payments to the city.

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If the legislature approves proposed revenue sharing cuts, Lansing officials say the city could lose more than $2 million this fiscal year. That's nearly two percent of its entire budget.

By AP

DETROIT, MI – Records show a trucker charged with fatally shooting two people in Owosso, including an anti-abortion activist, was in a crash that killed two teens in Iowa nearly five years ago.

Harlan Drake was not ticketed in the 2004 wreck in Ottumwa, Iowa. State police records say his truck was northbound on U.S. 63 when it hit a southbound car turning left off the highway.

The crash report says the teen driver didn't yield to Drake. Two passengers, ages 16 and 15, were killed.

By Scott Pohl, WKAR News

MASON, MI – Democrats on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners have picked Shelby Bupp to fill a vacancy on the panel.

Candidates for the post were interviewed at a party caucus meeting Thursday, and Bupp reportedly was a consensus choice. Democrats hold a large majority of seats on the Board.

A formal vote is expected at next Tuesday's commission meeting.

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.