Actor James Gandolfini dies in Italy at age 51

James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally delicate mob boss in HBO's 'The Sopranos' helped create one of TV's greatest drama series and turned the mobster stereotype on its head, died Wednesday in Italy. He was 51.

$650M hockey arena plan moves forward

Calling it a 'starting point,' plans for a state-of-the-art $650 million Red Wings hockey arena and entertainment district were unveiled Wednesday before the city's development arm. The plan involving Olympia Development, which officials say would be supported by 56 percent in private money and 44 percent in public funding, features an 18,000-seat arena along Woodard Avenue just north of the Fox Theatre between Interstate 75 and Temple Street as part of the 650,000 square-foot project.

Tigers pitchers, including Jose Valverde, rocked by Orioles

The uncertain can of worms that has been open ever since Jose Valverde returned to the Tigers was pried apart even wider in a 13-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

• Photos: Orioles 13, Tigers 3

Michigan high court removes Wayne County Judge Ross Adams from bench

The Michigan Supreme Court Wednesday ordered the removal of Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Deborah Ross Adams from the bench on charges of judicial misconduct.

Mobster's lawyer rips FBI's failed Jimmy Hoffa dig

A mobster's lawyer ripped the FBI over its failed search for missing Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa —and even mocked the cadaver dog that sniffed for clues.

Crew removes Lake Michigan beam that may be from Griffin shipwreck

A wooden beam that has long been the focus of the search for a 17th century shipwreck in northern Lake Michigan was not attached to a buried vessel as searchers had suspected, but still may have come from the elusive Griffin or some other ship, archaeologists said Wednesday.

Kwame Kenyatta quitting Detroit council

After months away from the City Council table, member Kwame Kenyatta is expected to formally quit his post on Friday.

Trial for man in Farmington Hills fatal baseball attack begins

—The trial of a 21-year-old man charged in the fatal beating of a Farmington Hills man began Wednesday afternoon with an assistant prosecuting attorney delivering a chilling account to jurors in Oakland Circuit Court of the events leading up to the murder

Wayne Co. begins process of downsizing over-budget jail

— Wayne County officials are simultaneously trying to salvage and sell a seriously over-budget jail project.

Hoffa search ends in Oakland Township; no evidence found

Oakland Township — The third day of a search for the remains of missing Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa ended Wednesday the same way all of the digs before had: no body.

• Interactive timeline: The life and legacy of Jimmy Hoffa

Kid Rock adds record eighth show at DTE

Kid Rock has added an eighth concert to his August run at DTE Energy Music Theatre, setting a venue record in the process.

Mullin's $113K request up to judge

Turkia Mullin's former bosses at the Wayne County Airport Authority want a judge to dismiss her claim for another $113,000, arguing in a legal filing that she wants a do-over on arbitration issues that didn't go her way.

Incoming Michigan State QB Damion Terry has chance to start, coach Mark Dantonio says

True freshman Terry will join a quarterback battle that included senior Andrew Maxwell, sophomore Connor Cook and redshirt freshman Tyler O'Connor in the spring.

Michigan lawmakers pass measure to help indigent criminal defendants

— Legislation designed to fix the uneven defense of indigent criminal defendants in Michigan is headed for Gov. Rick Snyder's signature following passage ...

Michigan State proposes bigger tuition hike for upperclassmen

For the first time at Michigan State University, upperclassmen could face a higher tuition increase than freshmen and sophomores.

Photo shoot for Colts cheerleaders is made in Michigan

Where do the Indianapolis Colts cheerleaders go for a photo shoot for their swimsuit calendar? Michigan, of course. This week the cheerleaders have set up shop ...

Tigers' Matt Tuiasosopo has been 'terrific' when he gets his chances

Is there more playing time for Matt Tuiasosopo in the offing for the Tigers? Judging by how many times manager Jim Leyland complimented him a pre-game question ...

GM, Chrysler boost positions in J.D. Power quality study

Three of General Motors Co.'s four U.S. brands improved their quality in 2013, and all but two domestic auto brands boosted or maintained their positions in ...

C.J. McCollum, Michael Carter-Williams visiting Pistons today

Guards C.J. McCollum and Michael Carter-Williams are visiting the Pistons at their practice facility; they are candidates for Detroit's eighth selection in ...

Despite crisis, Gilbert upbeat on Detroit

Quicken Loans Inc. Chairman Dan Gilbert isn't letting the real prospect of Chapter 9 bankruptcy for Detroit cloud his vision for downtown.

Snyder shortens Israel trade trip to push Mich. legislators on Medicaid expansion

Gov. Rick Snyder decided Wednesday to cut short a trip to Israel and return home in an effort to lobby for expanding the Medicaid health care program for the ...

Tigers' Avisail Garcia sent down to make room for Jose Alvarez

Jose Alvarez was named Thursday's starter earlier this week when Anibal Sanchez went on the 15-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain.

Tesla to recall 1,200 EVs for seating issue

Washington — Electric vehicle startup Tesla Motors Inc. said Wednesday it is recalling more than 1,200 2013 Model S cars that may have weak second-row seat ...

Michigan RB Derrick Green among ESPN's top-10 future stars

In keeping with its theme this week of projecting college football success over the next three seasons, ESPN has published a top-10 list of individual players ...

GM says its EcoTec3 V-6 engine in 2014 Silverado, Sierra pickups will get 18/24 mpg

General Motors Co. said Wednesday that its EcoTec3 V-6 engine, one of three engines that will power its revamped 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra ...

Awards help students begin 'time to shine'

Allante Moon wants to solve crimes. The aspiring forensic scientist is one of 42 recipients of the one-year, $2,000 Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation award.

Nissan's price-cutting strategy to gain share worries competitors

Nissan Motor Co.'s take-no-prisoners approach to gaining U.S. market share has the auto industry worried that a price war is brewing that will erode the profit ...

Kars Nuts of Madison Heights puts premium on innovation in 80th year

Inspiration can come in many forms. For Nick Nicolay, it starts with dark chocolate, Greek yogurt and Japanese horseradish.