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 Wednesday in the state Senate. More

Obama: 'Lives have been saved' by NSA programs

Berlin — Trying to tamp down concerns about government over-reach, President Barack Obama on Wednesday defended U.S. Internet and phone surveillance programs as narrowly targeted efforts that have saved lives and thwarted at least 50 terror threats. More

House to consider $2B in cuts to food stamps

Washington — A wide-ranging farm bill the House is considering would cut food stamps by $2 billion a year and make it more difficult for some people to qualify for the domestic food aid program. More

Senator: IRS to pay $70M in employee bonuses

Washington — Already reeling from a pair of scandals, the Internal Revenue Service is drawing new criticism over plans to hand out millions of dollars in employee bonuses. More

Schuette: Ex-SOS Land still viable GOP candidate for Levin's seat

Former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land may not have a multimillion-dollar congressional war chest at her disposal like Republican members of Michigan's congressional delegation who have passed on running next year for the U.S. Senate. More

Newly signed law guarantees revenue for DIA, Detroit Zoo

Lansing — Legislation guaranteeing the Detroit Zoo and Detroit Institute of Arts can collect all of the revenue generated by special millages was signed into law Tuesday by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley. More

Michigan Senate fails to vote on Medicaid bill

Lansing — The Michigan Senate postponed a vote Tuesday on expanding the Medicaid health insurance program for the poor as supporters continued trying to drum up votes. More

NSA director: Surveillance programs foiled about 50 terrorist plots

Washington — The National Security Agency director on Tuesday vigorously defended two formerly secret surveillance programs as having foiled more than 50 terrorist plots, including a plan to blow up the New York Stock Exchange. More

Michigan Senate fails to pass changes to hunting, fishing license fees

The state Senate failed Tuesday to approve general increases and revisions in hunting and fishing license fees proposed by Gov. Rick Snyder as part of the 2013-2014 fiscal year state budget. More

Military plans would put women in most combat jobs

Washington — Military leaders are ready to begin tearing down the remaining walls that have prevented women from holding thousands of combat and special operations jobs near the front lines. More

Obama: NSA secret data gathering 'transparent'

Washington — President Barack Obama defended top secret National Security Agency spying programs as legal in a lengthy interview Monday, and called them transparent — even though they are authorized in secret. More

Obama hints Bernanke likely to leave Fed in January

Washington — President Barack Obama has given the clearest signal yet that Chairman Ben Bernanke will likely leave the Federal Reserve when his term ends in January. More

House to take up anti-abortion bill

Washington — The abortion wars return to Congress in a big way with House legislation to ban almost all abortions after a fetus reaches the age of 20 weeks. More

Fight over surveillance efforts blurs party lines in Michigan

Revelations the government has amassed Americans' phone, email and Internet records has split Michigan lawmakers on whether the surveillance programs are violating civil liberties or necessary tools in fighting terrorism. More

High Court strikes down Arizona's proof of citizenship law for voters

Washington — The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states cannot on their own require would-be voters to prove they are U.S. citizens before using a federal registration system designed to make signing up easier. More

Immigration enforcement official resigning

Washington — The head of Homeland Security's immigration enforcement agency is leaving his job after more than four years. More

Immigration bill could decide 2016, senator says

Washington — Republicans' hopes to reclaim the White House in the 2016 elections hinge on whether they support — or sabotage — the immigration overhaul being debated in the Senate, two lawmakers who helped write the proposal warn. More

MSU law professor officially launches AG bid

— Michigan State University law professor Mark Totten officially launched a campaign for attorney general Monday, hoping to be the Democratic challenger next year to incumbent Republican Bill Schuette. More

Christie maintains a political balancing act

— Republican Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey is walking a political tightrope as he charts his future, trying to balance his re-election campaign in a Democratic-leaning state with a potential presidential bid aimed at winning over Republicans. More

Bills to stop siphoning of zoo, DIA tax advance

State lawmakers are a step closer to preventing municipal tax increment authorities from skimming funds from the Detroit Zoo and Detroit Institute of Arts millages, even as a Wayne County judge ruled it is legal for the agencies to do so. More

• Schuette: Detroit can't sell DIA assets
• $500,000 DIA donation is group's largest
• No way, Van Gogh stays in Detroit
• State Senate to consider bill to block DIA art from Detroit creditors
• DIA board briefed on bankruptcy
• Like DIA, smaller museums fear their assets are in peril
• No easy answers in threat to DIA assets

From roads to schools, Mich. budget touches you

Schoolchildren, drivers, hunters and others will face changes when the new state budget takes effect in 3 ½ months. More

Mike Rogers not running for Levin's U.S. Senate seat

— U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, considered a top candidate by Michigan Republicans to win the 2014 U.S. Senate seat, announced Friday he will seek re-election in the U.S. More

• Senate Dem leader accuses GOP of leaking discussions to media
• State House passes Medicaid expansion

Senate Dem leader accuses GOP of leaking discussions to media

Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer said she is walking away from negotiations on raising taxes to fund road repairs, and accused Republicans leaders of leaking confidential discussions to the media. More

• Mike Rogers not running for Levin's U.S. Senate seat
• State House passes Medicaid expansion

NSA leaker Snowden not welcome in UK

Bangkok — The British government has warned airlines around the world not to allow Edward Snowden, who leaked information on top-secret U.S. government surveillance programs, to fly to the United Kingdom. More

House passes sweeping $638B defense bill imposing jail term for military sex crimes

Washington — The House has passed a sweeping $638 billion defense bill imposing new punishments on military members found guilty of rape or sexual assault. More

Washington honors Dingell, longest-serving member of Congress

— U.S. John Dingell was showered with warm words, Motown songs, a room naming and even a self-portrait Thursday during a celebration honoring him as the longest-serving member of Congress. More

Snyder signs $49B budget with few line-item vetoes

— Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a nearly $49 billion state budget that sets aside more money to fix deteriorating roads and provides preschool to low-income children. More

Leaker Snowden accuses NSA of hacking in China

Hong Kong — For months, China has tried to turn the tables on the U.S. to counter accusations that it hacks America's computers and networks. More

GOP House Speaker Bolger open to debate on civil rights protections for gays

— House Speaker Jase Bolger said Thursday he's 'very open' to having the GOP-controlled Legislature debate whether to extend civil rights protections to gays and lesbians if lawmakers can strike a balance between individual liberties and religious beliefs More

Amash, Conyers to present bill to stop NSA data collection programs

— A conservative rising star and liberal icon have teamed up in opposition to the National Security Agency's phone and data collection programs and will introduce legislation Friday to stop what they call 'indiscriminate surveillance of innocent Americans More