Michigan News Digest

Here's a look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up today in Michigan. Questions about today's coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP-Detroit bureau at 800-642-4125 or 313-259-0650 or [email protected]. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories, digests and digest advisories will keep you up to date. All times are Eastern.

Some TV and radio stations will receive broadcast versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

TOP STORIES:

XGR--MICHIGAN BUDGET

LANSING, Mich. — The Whitmer administration and legislative economists meet to agree on tax revenue estimates that will shape decisions about the next budget and whether lawmakers can fund some programs. By David Eggert. SENT: 150 words. UPCOMING: 400 words by 5 p.m., more on merits, photo.

WRONGLY CONVICTED-TEEN

DETROIT — Blood on the shoe of a Detroit teenager who was convicted but subsequently cleared of four murders reveals DNA from one of the victims, state police said after a high-tech analysis by a private company. State police cautioned, however, that it's "preliminary information.” The company, Cybergenetics, also said the “preliminary unconfirmed results” shouldn't be used for civil or criminal justice purposes until more work is done. By Ed White. SENT: 390 words.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:

LAWMAKER CHARGED-RECALL

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan elections bureau determined that a group trying to recall an indicted lawmaker from office fell short on submitting enough voter signatures. By David Eggert. SENT: 200 words.

AROUND THE STATE:

WOMEN KILLED-DETROIT

DETROIT — A hearing is scheduled to determine if a 34-year-old man is competent to stand trial in the slayings of four women in Detroit whose deaths authorities have characterized as the work of a serial killer. Deangelo Martin is due to appear in 36th District court. Developing from a 9 a.m. hearing. Story on merits.

AP POLL-AMERICAN OUTLOOK

WASHINGTON — At home and in their own lives, Americans by and large have an upbeat view of the year to come. When it comes to how the country will fare in 2020, well, that's another matter. A new poll released Friday by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that close to 4 in 10 Americans expect a better year ahead for them personally, while another half expect things to stay about the same. Only about 1 in 10 expect a downturn in their own lives in 2020. By Nicholas Riccardi and Hannah Fingerhut. SENT: 950 words, photo. Note Michigan respondent.

DETROIT RIVER-SPILL

DETROIT — Tests the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency performed after construction aggregate material spilled into the Detroit River late last year found lead and several chemicals at the site where the limestone entered the waterway, state officials said. The EPA’s testing of soil and water detected "many heavy metals including uranium," which was "not unexpected,” the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy said in a statement Thursday. The state agency said that lead in only a single soil sample exceeded EPA removal management levels. EGLE noted that its previous testing there "showed no radiation above background levels at each of more than 1,000 locations on the site, nor in river water upstream and downstream." UPCOMING: 300 words.

IN BRIEF:

— STORMS-OUTAGE WARNING: Consumers Energy is warning customers that freezing rain forecast for Saturday “will likely lead to downed wires and power outages that could last several days.”

SPORTS:

HKN--SENATORS-RED WINGS

DETROIT — The Ottawa Senators, who are trying to avoid losing a season-high sixth game in a row, visit the Detroit Red Wings. UPCOMING: 600 words, photos. Game starts 7:30 p.m.

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