By AP

ANN ARBOR, MI – University of Michigan economists say the state's hard times will stick around for the rest of the year and into 2010.

Economic forecaster George Fulton says he and colleague Joan Crary "see some improvement, but it will continue to be slow and difficult."

They predict unemployment will average 15.8% in 2010, the highest rate since the current counting system began in 1970.

By AP

DETROIT – DETROIT (AP) - Mayor Dave Bing says he is bringing in one-time political opponent and Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans as Detroit's third police chief in less than a year.

At a news conference Monday morning, Bing says the 60-year-old Evans will replace James Barren, who was fired Friday. Barren was brought out of retirement and appointed chief in September by then-Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. after Ella Bully-Cummings retired.

By Mark Bashore, WKAR News

LANSING, MI – For decades, Michigan's community colleges have been centers of vocational education. Now, during a debilitating recession, a collaborative new program promises to expand that role. Participants, which include Lansing Community College, say the Michigan New Jobs Training Program could breathe life into the state's shattered manufacturing economy. But as WKAR's Mark Bashore reports, planners want to avoid the problems of a similar Iowa program.

By Associated Press

Detroit, MI – (AP) - Two Boston newspapers are reporting the Celtics
have reached an agreement with free agent Rasheed Wallace. Wallace,
who played the last six seasons in Detroit, has averaged 15 points
and 6.9 rebounds in 14 NBA seasons and averaged 12 points and 7.4
rebounds last season in Motown.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

EAST LANSING, MI – The federal government has released the first round of funding for Michigan to hire and train workers to help low-income families save money on their heating bills.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – A new law allows homeowners to freeze foreclosure proceedings for 90 days while they try to work out new payment arrangements with their lenders. The law took effect yesterday.

AUDIO: Homeowners who freeze their foreclosures have to contact credit counselors who, in turn, will help them negotiate new terms with their lenders. Lenders are required to cooperate.

By AP

DETROIT – DETROIT (AP) - A city fund intended to cover emergencies was used for expenses that included a publicist hired by ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick during the text-message scandal that drove him from office last year.

Records obtained by the Detroit Free Press under the Freedom of Information Act show the city issued 900 so-called quick checks from the fund to cover routine or questionable expenses.

By AP

DETROIT – DETROIT (AP) - Detroit's police chief says he feels like he's been kicked in the stomach after learning he was being fired by the mayor.

James Barren told WXYZ-TV for a Saturday report no reason for the firing was given, and he didn't ask.

Assistant Chief Ronald Fleming told reporters Saturday that Barren told him Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans would take over as chief starting today. Fleming said he also was leaving the department.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Most state government offices are shut down Monday as Michigan has its second of six unpaid furlough days for most employees.

The furlough days are an effort to cut $22 million from the budget.

State police road patrols will continue and prisons and veterans' homes will be staffed. Unemployment call centers also will be open.

State government operations will be similar to those observed on public holidays.

By AP

NEW YORK – A bankruptcy judge says General Motors can sell the bulk of its assets to a new company, clearing the way for the automaker to quickly emerge from bankruptcy.

U.S. Judge Robert Gerber ruled late Sunday that the sale is needed to avoid "immediate and irreparable harm" to GM.

GM's government-backed plan for a quick exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection hinges on the sale, which will allow the automaker to leave behind many of its costs and liabilities.