Obama alters birth control policy

Washington — Under fierce election year fire, President Barack Obama on Friday abruptly abandoned his stand that religious organizations must pay for birth control for workers, scrambling to end a furor raging from the Catholic Church to Congress to his re-election foes. He demanded that insurance companies step in to provide the coverage instead.

Snyder, Schuette jockey on crime

Lansing — Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette are in a tug-of-war over who has the upper hand in fighting crime.

Q&A: Obama and the birth control dispute

Washington — What birth control debate? A half-century after the introduction of the pill, acceptance of birth control by American women is virtually universal.

Federal budget predicts drop in debt

Washington — President Barack Obama’s new budget predicts a $1.3 trillion deficit for the ongoing fiscal year but that would drop to $575 billion in 2018 if the president gets his wish to raise taxes and if policymakers can live within tight restraints on the Pentagon and other Cabinet agency budgets, the White House said on Friday.

Rivals make appeal to conservatives

Washington — GOP presidential rivals made contrasting appeals to conservatives Friday, with Mitt Romney saying he proved his mettle as Massachusetts governor and Rick Santorum saying Romney is so moderate that electing him would be a “hollow victory.”

Romney and Paul: Not allies but not foes, either

Portland, Maine — Mitt Romney and Ron Paul rarely even acknowledge each other in the Republican presidential race, focusing their attention and attacks on rivals Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum instead.

GOP candidates host Metro events

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum will speak at the Detroit Economic Club on Thursday. The appearance is the second public event scheduled for the former Pennsylvania senator leading up to the Feb. 28 GOP primary.

Romney, Santorum schedule new Metro Detroit appearances

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is expected to make a stop in Oakland County next week.

Obama endorses Conyers in 13th District race

President Barack Obama has endorsed Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, for re-election in the newly drawn 13th Congressional District.

Snyder’s budget provides more for schools, police and roads

Lansing — Gov. Rick Snyder unveiled his second budget Thursday that includes a modest 2.4 percent overall increase and more money for schools, public safety and transportation.

Stabenow raises more than $150K on Hoekstra ad

Donors have poured more than $150,000 into Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s campaign in response to an ad run this week by GOP rival Pete Hoekstra.

Santorum, Romney sell selves to conservatives

Washington — GOP presidential rivals made contrasting appeals to conservatives Friday, with Mitt Romney saying he proved his mettle as Massachusetts governor and Rick Santorum saying Romney is so moderate that electing him would be a "hollow victory."

Santorum amplifies faith in way GOP rivals don’t

Tulsa, Okla.— Rick Santorum stirs his ever-growing crowds when he promises to right a country awash in "immoral debt" and to replace an administration he argues has "callousness toward life and family and faith."

Romney aides to speak at super PAC events

Ethics panel looking at House financial chairman’s stock trades

$50M raise for public safety

Democrats split on Obama birth control rule

Critics: Education funding is only ‘bare minimum’

Gingrich seeks to ease fundraising woes as big donations slow

Hoekstra backs off Super Bowl ad

Obama call for manufacturing revival a tough goal

Michigan awaits GOP rivals

10 states allowed to scrap No Child Left Behind

Romney braces for tough battle in Maine

Budget plan details

Santorum’s sudden rise raises status of Michigan primary

Snyder holds Facebook town hall meeting on budget

Giffords aide to run for seat in special election