Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Northern Michigan

Friday, April 12, 2013  Democratic lawmakers have introduced more legislation to raise Michigan's minimum wage to $10 an hour over three years.

Thursday, March 07, 2013  The democratic senator says he wants to do his job as Senate Armed Services chairman and as an advocate for his home state "without the distraction of campaigning for re-election."

Monday, February 25, 2013  Johnson, D-Kalkaska, was elected as the Michigan Democratic Party's chairman at the party's mid-term convention in Detroit.

Tuesday, February 05, 2013  After a series of "democratic defeats" in Lansing, the Michigan Democratic Party is looking for new leadership.

Monday, January 07, 2013  The tough talk on the Sunday morning talk shows doesn't bode well for voters who are frustrated by the political gridlock.

Tuesday, January 01, 2013  The measure cleared the Senate on an 89-8 vote early Tuesday, hours after Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky sealed a deal.

Monday, December 31, 2012  House Republicans notified lawmakers that the chamber will vote Monday evening on other bills. They say that will be their only votes of the day.

Monday, December 31, 2012  The White House and Senate Republicans sorted through stubborn disputes over taxing the wealthy and cutting the budget to pay for Democratic spending proposals as Monday's midnight deadline for an accord avoiding the "fiscal cliff" drew to within hours.

Friday, December 28, 2012  Top members of Congress and President Barack Obama are holding out slim hopes for a limited fiscal deal before the new year.

Thursday, December 13, 2012  Republicans still aren't budging on Obama's demands for higher tax rates on upper bracket earners, despite the president's convincing election victory and opinion polls showing support for the idea.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012  UPDATED WITH VIDEO: The Michigan House is debating a bitterly contested right-to-work bill as pro-union demonstrators continue their noisy protest in Lansing.

Friday, December 07, 2012  A few dozen people protesting Michigan's right-to-work legislation chanted inside the Lansing building housing Gov. Rick Snyder's office.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012  Senate Democrats divided over cuts to benefit programs, raising roadblock to any fiscal deal

Wednesday, November 07, 2012  Democrats hold narrow majority in Senate, ensures divided Congress with GOP House

Wednesday, November 07, 2012  UPDATE: President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from Republican Mitt Romney, prevailing in the face of a weak economy.