By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

EAST LANSING, MI – As the state struggles to balance its budget with declining revenues, old arguments are revisited - such as whether to extend the state's sales tax to soda pop.

Bill Lobenherz is with the Michigan Soft Drink Association. He says the Michigan Constitution does not allow the state to tax soda because soft drinks are food.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

Washington, D.C. – (WKAR) - Michigan's congressional delegation is praising House passage of a bill that extends funding to the popular "Cash for Clunkers" program. Now, they say they're gearing up for some resistance in the Senate.

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The Cash for Clunkers trade-in program proved so popular it ran out of federal funding after just one week. The House today approved an additional $2 billion to keep it afloat.

By AP

LANSING, MI – The Michigan secretary of state's office is offering consumers buying a new vehicle through the "Cash for Clunkers" program help with their vehicle history.

To qualify for a trade-in discount, consumers must provide car dealers with documentation that a vehicle has been continuously insured and registered to the same owner for at least one year before trade-in. But many drivers don't keep their previous year's registration.

By AP

WASHINGTON – The House has voted to rush an additional $2 billion into the popular but financially strapped "cash for clunkers" car purchase program.

The bill was approved on a vote of 316-109. House members acted within hours of learning from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the program was running out of money.

Detroit, MI – The Seattle Mariners have traded starting pitcher
Jarrod Washburn to the Detroit Tigers for left-hander Luke French
and a minor-league pitcher.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

Washington, D.C. – WASHINGTON (WKAR) - The Michigan congressional delegation met with the Obama administration today to talk about keeping the federal "Cash for Clunkers" program alive. The meeting came as the U.S. House prepared to approve more funding to keep it going. WKAR's Kevin Lavery reports.

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By Rob South, WKAR News

Lansing, MI – Next Tuesday is Lansing's primary election. It's a crowded field this year, with all but one of the open seats on the ballot. Changes could be in store for the city council. WKAR's Rob South and Scott Pohl talk about the city's second ward race.

By AP

LANSING, MI – The state unemployment agency has notified thousands of Chrysler Group LLC hourly workers they are eligible for unemployment benefits during the automaker's summer 2-week shutdown, despite a contract provision that states otherwise.

The Detroit Free Press reports Thursday the workers were notified last week they were entitled for benefits during the July 13-24 shutdown.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

EAST LANSING, MI – Governor Granholm had another meeting Thursday with the Legislature's Republican and Democratic leaders. But it appears little progress was made toward a deal to retire a $1.8 billion shortfall in the budget for the coming fiscal year.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

Grand Ledge, MI – GRAND LEDGE, MI (WKAR) - A regional environmental group is getting more than one million dollars from the federal government to reduce school bus emissions.

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