Rick Snyder

Detroit's deteriorating fiscal picture is so dire that Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Friday declared a city financial emergency, paving the way for eventual state oversight and control. The announcement comes after a state team last month reported on Detroit's growing problems, including a $327-million budget deficit and more than $14 billion in long-term debt. The next step would be the appointment of a board and state emergency manager with broad powers to deal with the city's sinking finances.

WASHINGTON -- Michigan Democrat Carl Levin announced Thursday that he would not run for reelection in 2014, adding to an exodus of experience in the chamber.  Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is the sixth sitting senator to decide not to run again. He said his decision would free him to serve both his state and nation best, by "doing my job without the distraction of campaigning. " In a statement, Levin cited four key issues he wanted to focus on in his remaining months in office, including tax reform, boosting American manufacturing, campaign finance and military readiness.

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. - For most governors, an 8.5% unemployment rate would be a source of embarrassment. Not in Michigan, a national symbol of Rust Belt decline where unemployment hit 14.2% in 2009. So when Gov. Rick Snyder joined Mitt Romney on Monday at a rally in this remote central Michigan town built to resemble a medieval village in the Bavarian Alps, he could not resist boasting. “We're the comeback state in the United States,” said Snyder, the latest in a string of Republican governors whose sunny descriptions of a swing state on the rebound clash with Romney's dark portrayal of economic wreckage under President Obama.

Detroit's deteriorating fiscal picture is so dire that Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Friday declared a city financial emergency, paving the way for eventual state oversight and control. The announcement comes after a state team last month reported on Detroit's growing problems, including a $327-million budget deficit and more than $14 billion in long-term debt. The next step would be the appointment of a board and state emergency manager with broad powers to deal with the city's sinking finances.

December festivities at the Hotel del Coronado marked the installation of Rick Snyder as president of the San Diego Board of Realtors, along with other new officers and directors. Serving with Snyder will be Paul Vadnais, president-elect; Susan Brown and Bill DeLeeuw, vice presidents; Larry Quate, treasurer and Arthur D. Aston, executive vice president/secretary. Directors are Ray Baker Jr.

Rick Snyder scored two goals Saturday to lead Chapman College to a 2-1 win over Cal State Chico and a third-place finish in the Far West Classic soccer tournament at Chico.

Controversial "right-to-work" legislation covering public-sector employees passed the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday, bringing it one step closer to being signed into law. The House passed the bill, 58 to 51, as union opponents of the measure booed inside the Capitol and an estimated 12,000 people rallied outside. The state's Senate approved the bill last week. The House is now scheduled to vote on a right-to-work bill for private-sector employees, which would cover Michigan's auto industry.

Chapman College defeated La Verne, 2-1, Wednesday afternoon in a nonconference men's soccer game at La Verne. Senior Moi Garcia broke a 1-1 tie with a goal five minutes into the second half. It was Garcia's third goal of the season. Rick Snyder also scored for the Panthers (3-1). Peter Gonzales scored for La Verne.

Before Chapman's soccer team headed into its Far West Classic championship game against Seattle Pacific Saturday night, Panther Coach Eunice Bobert expressed nothing but respect for the defending Division II champion Falcons. "When you talk about them, you're talking about greatness," Bobert said. "They're just one outstanding club." The Falcons were impressive Saturday, scoring a 1-0 victory at Chapman Stadium to give them the tournament crown for the third straight year.

Michigan isn't exactly Kansas, but anything's possible in the world of Oz — and film tax credits. Walt Disney Studios confirmed Friday that its upcoming film "Oz" — a prequel to the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz" — will be filmed in Michigan after all. The movie, directed by Sam Raimi, has a production budget of more than $150 million and would be the largest feature film to ever shoot in Michigan. The project's fate had been uncertain after Michigan's Republican Gov. Rick Snyder recently proposed a big cut in the state's film tax credit program to balance the budget.

Labor relations in the Midwest reached a new level of acrimony as Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder abruptly signed legislation placing limits on unions, setting up a bitter political battle that could resonate nationwide. It's a stunning development for a blue state that's been known as a place friendly to labor, where autoworkers and their families from Detroit to Saginaw have benefited from generous union contracts. An estimated 15,000 workers descended on the state Capitol in Lansing on Tuesday to protest against the bills, scuffling at times with police and conservatives who also set up shop at the Capitol.

Controversial "right-to-work" legislation covering public-sector employees passed the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday, bringing it one step closer to being signed into law. The House passed the bill, 58 to 51, as union opponents of the measure booed inside the Capitol and an estimated 12,000 people rallied outside. The state's Senate approved the bill last week. The House is now scheduled to vote on a right-to-work bill for private-sector employees, which would cover Michigan's auto industry.

President Obama criticized Michigan's Republican leaders during a visit to a Detroit-area auto plant Monday for advancing a new “right-to-work” bill, saying it would hurt workers' ability to bargain for better wages. Obama had traveled to Daimler's Detroit Diesel facility as the company announced plans for new technology and expanded production at the 74-year-old plant. The $100 million investment will add 115 jobs to the 2,200-member workforce. Obama's remarks included another call on Washington Republicans to act swiftly to prevent an increase in income tax rates for most Americans that would be triggered by the so-called fiscal cliff, the latest example of his post-election plan to rally public support for his plan.

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. - For most governors, an 8.5% unemployment rate would be a source of embarrassment. Not in Michigan, a national symbol of Rust Belt decline where unemployment hit 14.2% in 2009. So when Gov. Rick Snyder joined Mitt Romney on Monday at a rally in this remote central Michigan town built to resemble a medieval village in the Bavarian Alps, he could not resist boasting. “We're the comeback state in the United States,” said Snyder, the latest in a string of Republican governors whose sunny descriptions of a swing state on the rebound clash with Romney's dark portrayal of economic wreckage under President Obama.

Michigan isn't exactly Kansas, but anything's possible in the world of Oz — and film tax credits. Walt Disney Studios confirmed Friday that its upcoming film "Oz" — a prequel to the 1939 classic "The Wizard of Oz" — will be filmed in Michigan after all. The movie, directed by Sam Raimi, has a production budget of more than $150 million and would be the largest feature film to ever shoot in Michigan. The project's fate had been uncertain after Michigan's Republican Gov. Rick Snyder recently proposed a big cut in the state's film tax credit program to balance the budget.

After a successful career at Canyon High School, soccer players Rick Snyder, Doug Neely and Moi Garcia parted ways. Snyder and Neely went to Division I soccer power San Diego State in 1983. Garcia, wanting to stay in a more intimate academic environment near home, chose Chapman. "Those guys wanted to play in the big time," said Garcia, who led Canyon to a Southern Section 4-A No. 1 ranking in 1983. "But I didn't want to be just a number."

WASHINGTON -- Michigan Democrat Carl Levin announced Thursday that he would not run for reelection in 2014, adding to an exodus of experience in the chamber.  Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is the sixth sitting senator to decide not to run again. He said his decision would free him to serve both his state and nation best, by "doing my job without the distraction of campaigning. " In a statement, Levin cited four key issues he wanted to focus on in his remaining months in office, including tax reform, boosting American manufacturing, campaign finance and military readiness.

President Obama criticized Michigan's Republican leaders during a visit to a Detroit-area auto plant Monday for advancing a new “right-to-work” bill, saying it would hurt workers' ability to bargain for better wages. Obama had traveled to Daimler's Detroit Diesel facility as the company announced plans for new technology and expanded production at the 74-year-old plant. The $100 million investment will add 115 jobs to the 2,200-member workforce. Obama's remarks included another call on Washington Republicans to act swiftly to prevent an increase in income tax rates for most Americans that would be triggered by the so-called fiscal cliff, the latest example of his post-election plan to rally public support for his plan.

Chapman College defeated La Verne, 2-1, Wednesday afternoon in a nonconference men's soccer game at La Verne. Senior Moi Garcia broke a 1-1 tie with a goal five minutes into the second half. It was Garcia's third goal of the season. Rick Snyder also scored for the Panthers (3-1). Peter Gonzales scored for La Verne.

Before Chapman's soccer team headed into its Far West Classic championship game against Seattle Pacific Saturday night, Panther Coach Eunice Bobert expressed nothing but respect for the defending Division II champion Falcons. "When you talk about them, you're talking about greatness," Bobert said. "They're just one outstanding club." The Falcons were impressive Saturday, scoring a 1-0 victory at Chapman Stadium to give them the tournament crown for the third straight year.