Levin, Stabenow support Peters for U.S. Senate seat

Michigan’s two U.S. senators today endorsed U.S. Rep. Gary Peters’ bid to replace the state’s longest-serving senator, the latest sign he has largely locked up the Democratic nomination.

Concerns about pet coke piled along Detroit River remain

Detroit — New testing on samples of the petroleum coke piling up along the Detroit River show results similar to those produced by state officials.

Birth control coverage up for federal appeal

Denver — In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. is asking a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health coverage that includes access to the morning-after pill.

Between economy and trouble, Obama approval steady

Washington — The economy is recovering, the White House is dealing with multiple controversies, and President Barack Obama appears generally unaffected either way.

Michigan Senate honors 9 fallen service members

Lansing — A Michigan soldier who lost all four limbs in Afghanistan addressed the state Senate on Thursday during a ceremony honoring the nine state residents who died while serving in the armed forces over the last year.

Michigan lawmaker seeks to make small business office

Lansing — A Michigan lawmaker wants to create a new state office with the goal of helping small businesses get started and thrive.

Group seeks to block insurance coverage of abortion in Michigan

Lansing — Political powerhouse Right to Life of Michigan is seeking a voter-initiated ban on health insurers covering elective abortion procedures in basic insurance plans in an attempt to bypass a Gov. Rick Snyder veto.

Activists consider second Mich. wolf referendum to target game animal designation

Lansing — Animal rights activists are considering putting two questions before voters in 2014 about whether wolf hunting should be legal after the Legislature effectively rendered their first referendum meaningless.

Former aide sues Harper Woods lawmaker Brian Banks, claims sex harassment

Detroit — A former aide for a state lawmaker says the representative forced him to have sex and gave him a raise in an attempt to forge a romantic relationship.

Political insider: Gov’s staff emails have scent of ‘skunk works’

Under state law, the only time the public gets to peek inside the inner workings of the Governor’s Office is when its staffers send emails to employees of other state agencies, which are subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

Pakistan arrested American who was killed by drone

Peshawar, Pakistan — An American citizen killed in a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan in 2011 was arrested by Pakistani authorities three years earlier but escaped after being released on bail, officials said Thursday.

IRS supervisor denies wrongdoing

Washington — At the center of a political storm, an Internal Revenue Service supervisor whose agents targeted conservative groups swore Wednesday she did nothing wrong, broke no laws and never lied to Congress.

State Senate committee moves to shorten foreclosure redemption period

Lansing — A Senate committee approved legislation Thursday significantly shortening the redemption period for homeowners in foreclosure.

Trump: Immigrants won’t vote for GOP

Donald Trump, the billionaire real-estate developer who flirted with running for president last year told Oakland County Republicans Tuesday if immigrants in ...

Judge won’t allow hearing in lawsuit to void Detroit EM Orr’s appointment

Ingham County Judge William Collette refused Wednesday to allow an evidentiary hearing to compel testimony from top state officials in a lawsuit seeking to ...

Gov, GOP reach deal on surplus

Gov. Rick Snyder and Republican legislative leaders reached an agreement Tuesday on how to divvy up nearly $702 million in surplus revenue as lawmakers race to ...

Automakers, dealers object to rental recall bill

Automakers came under harsh criticism for opposing a bill that would require rental car companies to park all recalled vehicles until they are repaired.

Anthony Weiner launches bid to become New York City mayor

New York — Anthony Weiner's run for a renaissance is officially on.

House panel to vote on changes to curb military sexual assaults

Washington — Determined to check the growing epidemic of sexual assaults in the armed forces, a House panel is poised to approve a series of revisions to ...

Michigan officials to develop school violence hotline

Lansing — Attorney General Bill Schuette and other state officials said Tuesday they want to develop a new statewide hotline for students, parents and other ...

Republican divisions may hinder party's momentum

Washington — A string of unrelated events is highlighting divisions among Republicans just when they'd like to show a united front and take full ...

EM opponent accuses Michigan Treasurer of perjury

Lansing — A union activist trying to get Detroit’s emergency manager’s appointment voided alleged the state treasurer lied under oath about correspondence he ...

Senate rejects bid to let states run food stamp program

Washington — The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Republican bid to turn the federal food stamp program over to the states.

House Republicans promote 20-week abortion ban

Washington — House Republican who oppose abortion promoted legislation Wednesday that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Eric Garcetti elected mayor of Los Angeles

Los Angeles — City Councilman Eric Garcetti defeated Controller Wendy Greuel to become next mayor of Los Angeles after a campaign in which he depicted ...

Will Senate bid lure Rogers from his House seat?

Washington — Republican Rep. Mike Rogers has pulled off a rare feat in a bitterly divided Congress — a working, productive relationship with ...

Peters urges probe of Detroit waste storage

U.S. Rep. Gary Peters has taken to the House floor to criticize the storage of piles of an oil-refining byproduct known as petroleum coke along the Detroit ...

Michigan senators seek answers on Ontario nuclear storage project

Michigan senators approved a resolution Wednesday calling on Ontario power officials to answer questions before proceeding with a controversial nuclear waste ...