By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

EAST LANSING, MI – A ranking Republican in the state House says legislative leaders in budget negotiations with Governor Granholm want to avoid a repeat of 2007's government shutdown.

State Representative Chuck Moss is vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He was in the Legislature during a five-hour shutdown in 2007 that resulted from a budget standoff. And he says it's critical to reach consensus to avoid a repeat predicament.

By Scott Pohl, WKAR News

EAST LANSING, MI – Both Lansing and East Lansing will attract throngs of music lovers starting tonight, with big festivals on the same dates.

WKAR's Scott Pohl reports.

The National Folk Festival began a three-year run in East Lansing in 1999. It became an annual event, known as the Great Lakes Folk Festival, in 2002.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

East Lansing, MI – East Lansing police say they've identified a suspect linked to at least two small explosions in the city in the last two months.

By AP

DETROIT – Detroit Mayor Dave Bing says city unions have ignored a 30-day deadline for wage concessions needed to help reduce a $300 million budget deficit.

Bing said in a release Thursday that "every day that union leaders ignore the fiscal realities of the city is another missed opportunity to stabilize" finances.

He met with union leaders last month at the start of contract negotiations. Bing has said concessions are necessary to prevent layoffs and cuts to city services.

By AP

EAST LANSING, MI – The federal government is sponsoring a three-year effort at Michigan State University to build an online library about Islam and Muslims in West Africa.

The university says the National Endowment for the Humanities grant will underwrite creation of a "digital repository of information for scholars, researchers, teachers and students."

By AP

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI – A proposal to open a new Michigan medical school is advancing with Central Michigan University submitting an application to the national accrediting group for doctor training.

The Mount Pleasant-based university made the request to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education at a Wednesday meeting in Chicago.

Central Michigan's trustees voted in September 2008 to start a medical school. Students would spend the first two years on campus and the next two at area clinical facilities.

By Scott Pohl, WKAR

LANSING, (MI) – Every year, the Michigan State University Museum recognizes artists who sustain traditional arts practices in the state with the Michigan Heritage Awards, given at the Great Lakes Folk Festival.

This year, one of the winners is the state capitol building's master decorative painter and preservationist.

WKAR's Scott Pohl recently spent some time with Bill Finch at the building he's lovingly cared for since the early 1980's.

By WKAR

FORT WAYNE, IN – The Fort Wayne TinCaps scored six runs in the second inning and four runs in the third to blow open the finale of a four-game series, defeating the Lansing Lugnuts 12-6 last night at Parkview Field. The Lugnuts return home tonight to open up a four-game series with the Dayton Dragons at Oldsmobile Park.

By AP

DETROIT – Brandon Inge hit a two-run homer in a four-run second inning and Rick Porcello didn't give up a hit until the fifth, helping the Detroit Tigers coast to a 7-3 win against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.

The Tigers won three of four games in the series to stay atop the AL Central, heading into a matchup with the third-place Minnesota Twins.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has tentatively agreed to raise rates for nearly 200,000 of its health insurance customers by an average of 22%, a significantly lower rate increase than originally sought.

The agreement reached Thursday with Attorney General Mike Cox is subject to approval by state regulators before it could take effect.