Wayne Co. faces Medicaid fraud probe

Bill Schuette is investigating the county for Medicaid fraud, including whether money intended to help those with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses was spent on spokespeople for Executive Robert Ficano.

Bashara denies murder motive, says he had ‘good, open relationship’ with wife

In a national interview aired this morning, Robert Bashara said he had no motive to kill Jane Bashara, his wife of 26 years.

• Photos: Bashara case continues to unfold

Moroun spared further jail time after judge updated on Gateway plans

The threat of jail for Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun and one of his top executives was erased this morning.

Woman, 58, dies in Springfield Twp. school bus crash

One person is dead following a crash between a school bus and a minivan, Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies report.

Oakland County Executive Patterson touts budget surplus, jobs in speech

Pontiac — Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson touted economic development efforts, a budget surplus and technology initiatives in his 18th annual State of the County address Wednesday evening.

• Text of Patterson's State of the County address

Train blocks traffic for hours on Detroit’s east side

A freight train blocked Van Dyke between Grinnell Avenue and Lynch Road for roughly six hours before it was moved, according to WWJ radio.

Ficano to issue ethics reforms

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano will unveil ethics reforms today in hopes of stemming a corruption scandal that’s engulfed him for five months and prompted an FBI investigation.

DPS to close 16 schools, offer 4 others for charters

Saying Detroit Public Schools must discard its outdated educational model to lead the city’s comeback, district officials announced plans Wednesday to close 16 schools and offer four others as candidates to be turned into charter schools.

Pizzeria fire closes stretch of Grand River in Detroit

Detroit— Eastbound Grand River Avenue (M-5) is closed at Greenfield Road because of a fire at Pappa's Pizza, according to Traffic.com.

AJ’s Music Cafe in Ferndale will be leaving with a legacy of headlines and good will

The mournful high school kids left a few minutes ago, and now AJ O’Neil is hearing condolences from a homeless guy named Lucky.

Salvation Army drive raises record $8.2M

Detroit — The Salvation Army announced Wednesday it raised a record $8.2 million during its holiday Red Kettle Campaign in Metro Detroit.

Hackel, Macomb board in power struggle

Mount Clemens — Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said he has vetoed a contracting policy and a procurement ordinance written and adopted by the county’s board of commissioners last month.

Meeting debates class use of ‘vulgar’ book

Plymouth— Two parents of a Plymouth-Canton high school student made their case Wednesday night for banning a controversial novel from district classrooms, arguing that the work is "vulgar and offensive."

Michigan, Pennsylvania put limits on families seeking food aid

Howell — The 2010 Buick Enclave parked in her garage kept Michigan resident Renee Moore from getting food stamps for two months last year, even though her family’s income had dropped to below the poverty level, her husband’s Ford Explorer had 300,000 miles on it and her family had less than $1,000 in the bank.

No clarity in twists and turns of Bashara case

Moroun buckles on bridge work

Parents struggle to adjust to deaths of daughter and son in car accident

CMU medical school, to open in ’13, takes accreditation step

New, quicker screening program expands to more airports

Snyder proposes adding $45M to fight crime in 2013 budget

Briefs: Pastor Jones to return to protest at mosque

Officer being honored for Grand Rapids shooting spree response

4 people stuck for hour in Kalamazoo elevator

Detroit redistricting hearing postponed

Bing, county execs play up parks to boost quality of life in Metro Detroit

Lawsuit accuses Detroit council of violating Open Meetings Act

Sterling Heights man arraigned on Craigslist diamond ring theft

First-year start-up costs pegged at $24.7M for recovery school district

Handyman questioned in Bashara murder allowed visits with daughter