State News

If you’ve ever thought you felt a cellphone buzz in your pocket, but nothing is there, it may be what’s known as “phantom communication experiences.” University of Michigan researcher Daniel Kruger has linked the frequency of feeling these “phantom” vibrations to a person’s cell phone dependency. Kruger recruited hundreds of …

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources warns that during this current stretch of warmer weather, riders using trails in many locations throughout the state may encounter poor conditions in low-lying areas and some areas exposed to the sun. Any trails with marginal snow and wet areas could become impassible. The …

It’s officially tax time as the IRS has begun taking electronically-filed federal returns. And a new presidential administration means tax planning uncertainty, according to Karen Cady with Plante Moran. Taxes 1 You will get three extra days to file as the deadline is April 18th this year. Not only is …

House Democrats may be looking at their own plan to change the income tax in Michigan. Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick. DEM TAX PLAN-MNN  

The CEO’s of Ford, Fiat Chrysler and GM will sit down for breakfast with President Trump this morning. Auto Beat Reporter Jeff Gilbert has a preview. MEETINGPREV2-W-GILBERT(MNN) The Michigan auto executives who were part of a meeting with the President Monday came away encouraged. Dow CEO Andrew Liveress says their …

Last year was not a good year behind the wheel in Michigan, with the highest number fatalities from crashes since 2007. Over a thousand fatalities, 1,021, were recorded from over 300,000 crashes, according to preliminary figures. While distracted driving was a factor, analysts say a better economy, with more people driving to …

Governor Rick Snyder took college courses while in high school and he’s on a mission to provide that same opportunity, especially in the skilled trades. Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick with more. AM SKU-SKILLED

Tax filers can send in their 2016 tax returns electronically starting today. And the tax code is getting tougher to decipher. CPA Jim Jenkins says with a new president and Congress just settling into Washington, D.C., the tricky part is trying to map out 2017 tax planning: TAX TIME2-A-JENKINS 0123 …

President Donald Trump blocked an Obama administration policy that would have reduced the cost of mortgages for millions of home buyers. MORTGAGES-A-THOMAS Marla Thomas, mortgage loan officer for Inland Home Mortgage, says the action will affect millions of homeowners with an FHA backed mortgage. FHA backs about 16-percent of the …

Seventy-nine Michigan schools identified as “needing improvement” were released from the priority school list after meeting three exit criteria, according to the Michigan School Reform Office: MI SCHOOL REFORM3-A-BAKER mnn State School Reform Officer Natasha Baker says on the other hand, 38 schools were in the bottom five percent for three …