Minimum-Wage Laws: Good Intentions, Bad Results

ON "CARPE DIEM," his lively economics blog, University of Michigan professor Mark J. Perry likes to use Venn diagrams to needle those who "do not have a strong need for intellectual consistency." On topics ranging from drug prices to campus diversity to imports from China, he shows how common it is for people to simultaneously hold contradictory positions, oblivious to the fact that they are logically irreconcilable.

Flint resident seeks grand jury probe of Michigan governor

A Flint resident is asking for a grand jury investigation of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's decision to use at least $2 million in state funds for his legal representation related to criminal probes of the... A Flint resident is asking for a grand jury investigation of Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's decision to use at least $2 million in state funds for his legal representation related to criminal probes of the city's... By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press For a storm that inflicted less damage than many had feared, Hurricane Matthew nevertheless impaired or destroyed more than 1 million... By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press For a storm that inflicted less damage than many had feared, Hurricane Matthew nevertheless impaired or destroyed more than 1 million structures,... The fiasco of Samsung's fire-prone Galaxy Note 7 smartphones - and Samsung's ... (more)

Court rules man treated for mental illness can have a gun

A Michigan man who can't buy a gun because he was briefly treated for mental health problems in the 1980s has won a key decision from a federal appeals court, which says the burden is on the government to justify a lifetime ban against him. The Second Amendment case was significant enough for 16 judges on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to participate.

Michigan Supreme Court blocks marijuana ballota

The Michigan Supreme Court denied leave to appeal Wednesday to attorneys for the MI Legalize group, making it all but certain that November ballots in Michigan won't include a marijuana question. Michigan Supreme Court blocks marijuana ballot group The Michigan Supreme Court denied leave to appeal Wednesday to attorneys for the MI Legalize group, making it all but certain that November ballots in Michigan won't include a marijuana question.

The Latest: Lavrov, Kerry to meet again on Syria

Starbucks is venturing into the world of "content creation" with stories it says will help balance the "cynicism" fueling media coverage of the presidential election. Starbucks wants to tell stories about inspiring Americans, marking the coffee chain's latest push to deepen its relationship with customers and cast itself as a positive force on social issues.

Attorney General Schuette continues fight to end straight-ticket voting in Michigan

There is a saying in politics that three-quarters of what you do in a campaign doesn't matter -- you just don't know which three quarters until after the campaign is over. That's because there are so many variables that can make a difference once the voting starts, so candidates, campaigns, and political parties do all they can to gain every marginal advantage.

Ex-Maryland Gov. Martin Oa Malley: Trumpa s pitch to black voters only reinforced stereotypes

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley on Sunday said that Donald Trump's attempt to rally black voters and make the GOP the "party of Lincoln once more" probably has the 16th president rolling in his grave. Mr. Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, recently asked black voters in Michigan whether they had anything to lose by bucking their historical support for the Democratic Party.

Great Lakes no help for a struggling Trump on road to 270

Hillary Clinton is starting to spend a little money in Georgia and Arizona, states that any Republican running for president ought to be able to count on. The road to 270 electoral votes - the threshold to clinch the presidency - increasingly looks to be a series of uphill climbs and dead ends for Trump in the usual collection of most competitive states.

Nation-Now 20 mins ago 11:47 p.m.Muslim group accuses Republicans of intolerance

As the Republican National Convention got underway in Cleveland, delegates faced increasing questions Monday about their party's positions toward Muslims in America and abroad, with a leading Islamic group accusing the GOP of intolerance. "For too long the Republican Party has been using fear as a political tool to drive a wedge between Islamic Americans and other Americans," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, speaking not far from the hall where the convention began Monday.

AP news guide: 2 US House races spotlight Michigan primary

Two open U.S. House seats highlight the primary election in Michigan, where the Republican winner of a Thumb-area seat will have a clear path to Congress while the victors in the state's expansive northern district will contend in a competitive race in November. The Aug. 2 primary also will set the stage this fall for control of the state House, which Democrats are eager to win after years of GOP rule.