• Toyota outsells GM worldwide in first half 7/23/2008, 7:32 p.m. EDT
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Corp., pummeled by falling U.S. sales and high gas prices, lost the global sales lead to Toyota Motor Corp. in the first half of this year, but the churning market makes it difficult to predict which automaker will end the year on top.

• Toyota outsells GM worldwide in first half 7/23/2008, 7:32 p.m. EDT
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Corp., pummeled by falling U.S. sales and high gas prices, lost the global sales lead to Toyota Motor Corp. in the first half of this year, but the churning market makes it difficult to predict which automaker will end the year on top.

• Whirlpool reports 27 percent dip in 2Q profit 7/23/2008, 7:27 p.m. EDT
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Household appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. said Wednesday its second-quarter profit fell 27 percent because of higher material and oil-related costs, and lower U.S. demand.

• Whirlpool reports 27 percent dip in 2Q profit 7/23/2008, 7:27 p.m. EDT
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Household appliance maker Whirlpool Corp. said Wednesday its second-quarter profit fell 27 percent because of higher material and oil-related costs, and lower U.S. demand.

• WNBA reviewing fight between Detroit, LA players 7/23/2008, 7:25 p.m. EDT
(AP) — The WNBA always seems to crave more attention.

• Abraham to face trial on drug possession charge 7/23/2008, 7:15 p.m. EDT
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — A man released from state custody 16 months ago for a murder he committed when he was 11 learned Wednesday he again will stand trial — this time on a drug charge stemming from a May arrest.

• McCain, Obama spend nearly $6M on Michigan TV ads 7/23/2008, 7:11 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama have appealed to Michigan voters with nearly $6 million in campaign ads so far.

• McCain, Obama spend nearly $6M on Michigan TV ads 7/23/2008, 7:11 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama have appealed to Michigan voters with nearly $6 million in campaign ads so far.

• Michigan court ruling affects habitual offenders 7/23/2008, 7:02 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A divided Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down years of precedent and ruled that criminals can be sentenced as habitual offenders if their felonies stem from the same criminal act.

• Michigan court rules against firefighter unions 7/23/2008, 6:59 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled against two firefighter unions seeking to prevent layoffs in Pontiac and Detroit.

• Shock's Ford to miss rest of season, playoffs 7/23/2008, 6:51 p.m. EDT
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Detroit Shock forward Cheryl Ford will miss the rest of the WNBA regular season and playoffs after injuring her right knee.

• Mich. mother confirms son's death in B-52 crash 7/23/2008, 6:48 p.m. EDT
HONOLULU (AP) — All six crew members aboard a B-52 bomber that crashed off Guam were killed, the Air Force said Wednesday.

• K-12 spending plan headed to Michigan governor 7/23/2008, 6:44 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's K-12 public schools would get between $56 and $112 more per pupil next budget year under a spending plan headed to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her signature.

• K-12 spending plan headed to Michigan governor 7/23/2008, 6:44 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's K-12 public schools would get between $56 and $112 more per pupil next budget year under a spending plan headed to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her signature.

• Galarraga perfect into seventh, Tigers roll 7/23/2008, 6:38 p.m. EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Armando Galarraga was nearly perfect.

• Pulte narrows 2Q loss on inventory, land charges 7/23/2008, 6:28 p.m. EDT
(AP) — Pulte Homes Inc. said Wednesday its second-quarter loss narrowed from a year ago as the home builder booked fewer charges on land and unsold inventory despite a worsening housing market.

• Pulte narrows 2Q loss on inventory, land charges 7/23/2008, 6:28 p.m. EDT
(AP) — Pulte Homes Inc. said Wednesday its second-quarter loss narrowed from a year ago as the home builder booked fewer charges on land and unsold inventory despite a worsening housing market.

• AP Source: Over 2,000 workers taking Axle buyouts 7/23/2008, 6:26 p.m. EDT
DETROIT (AP) — More than 2,000 U.S. hourly workers are expected to take buyout offers from auto supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc., a United Auto Workers official said Wednesday.

• AP Source: Over 2,000 workers taking Axle buyouts 7/23/2008, 6:26 p.m. EDT
DETROIT (AP) — More than 2,000 U.S. hourly workers are expected to take buyout offers from auto supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc., a United Auto Workers official said Wednesday.

• Housing bill offers potential GM, Ford tax breaks 7/23/2008, 6:25 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Companies such as General Motors, Ford and Northwest Airlines would benefit from tax incentives included in a housing bill expected to be signed by President Bush.

• Housing bill offers potential GM, Ford tax breaks 7/23/2008, 6:25 p.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (AP) — Companies such as General Motors, Ford and Northwest Airlines would benefit from tax incentives included in a housing bill expected to be signed by President Bush.

• Tournament of Champions scores 7/23/2008, 6:15 p.m. EDT
BOYNE FALLS, Mich. (AP) —

• Roth wins fourth Tournament of Champions title 7/23/2008, 6:14 p.m. EDT
BOYNE FALLS, Mich. (AP) — J.R. Roth has won the Michigan PGA Boyne Tournament of Champions for the fourth time, rallying with an 8-under-par 64 to defeat Korey Mahoney by two strokes.

• DNR: Gr. Lakes anglers taking chinook, coho, trout 7/23/2008, 6:03 p.m. EDT
(AP) — Excellent walleye fishing continues in and around Saginaw Bay, and boat anglers on the Great Lakes are taking chinook, coho, lake trout and some steelhead, the Michigan Department of Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report. Weather in the Upper Peninsula has been too unstable to support any extended bite.

• Army orders Lions draft pick Campbell to withdraw 7/23/2008, 5:52 p.m. EDT
DETROIT (AP) — Caleb Campbell will not get a chance to play for the Detroit Lions because of a change in military policy.

• Winning Mega Millions ticket sold in NJ 7/23/2008, 5:41 p.m. EDT
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The Garden State has a new millionaire.

• Seizure of dogs legal, Livingston Cty. judge rules 7/23/2008, 5:29 p.m. EDT
HOWELL, Mich. (AP) — A judge has ruled officers did not violate a Livingston County woman's rights when they seized her 10 bulldogs after the animals fatally mauled two people.

• Titans waive DE Fisher 7/23/2008, 5:23 p.m. EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans are a player away from wrapping up contracts with all of their 2008 draft class after agreeing on terms with second-round pick Jason Jones.

• Ford worker dies at Michigan stamping plant 7/23/2008, 5:22 p.m. EDT
WOODHAVEN, Mich. (AP) — A Ford Motor Co. employee died Wednesday in an accident at the company's Woodhaven Stamping Plant, the automaker said.

• Ford worker dies at Michigan stamping plant 7/23/2008, 5:22 p.m. EDT
WOODHAVEN, Mich. (AP) — A Ford Motor Co. employee died Wednesday in an accident at the company's Woodhaven Stamping Plant, the automaker said.

• Failed Dillon recall effort tries again 7/23/2008, 5:13 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A taxpayer who wants to recall Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon is trying to revive the failed effort in federal court.

• Failed Dillon recall effort tries again 7/23/2008, 5:13 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A taxpayer who wants to recall Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon is trying to revive the failed effort in federal court.

• Underdog relishes U.S. Senate campaign challenge 7/23/2008, 5:11 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — As he drives across Michigan in a 1997 Dodge minivan, Jack Hoogendyk has time to ponder the long, difficult road ahead in his U.S. Senate campaign against longtime incumbent Carl Levin.

• Underdog relishes U.S. Senate campaign challenge 7/23/2008, 5:11 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — As he drives across Michigan in a 1997 Dodge minivan, Jack Hoogendyk has time to ponder the long, difficult road ahead in his U.S. Senate campaign against longtime incumbent Carl Levin.

• Michigan Chamber files complaint against measure 7/23/2008, 5:08 p.m. EDT
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has filed a campaign finance complaint against organizers of a sweeping constitutional amendment that would cut the size of the Legislature and appellate courts.

• Tigers 7, Royals 1 7/23/2008, 4:56 p.m. EDT
(AP) —

• Man gets life sentence for student's 1975 murder 7/23/2008, 4:50 p.m. EDT
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 1975 murder of a college student in Grand Rapids.

• Spending in Mich. TV markets for Obama, McCain ads 7/23/2008, 4:47 p.m. EDT
(AP) — Spending by the Barack Obama and John McCain presidential campaigns in Michigan markets, according to the nonpartisan Michigan Campaign Finance Network:

• Spending in Mich. TV markets for Obama, McCain ads 7/23/2008, 4:47 p.m. EDT
(AP) — Spending by the Barack Obama and John McCain presidential campaigns in Michigan markets, according to the nonpartisan Michigan Campaign Finance Network:

• States win court fight with EPA on ship discharges 7/23/2008, 4:42 p.m. EDT
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Environmental groups and several states say they have a won court battle over a federal rule that allowed some dumping of ballast contaminated with invasive species by large commercial ships in coastal ports and the Great Lakes.

• States win court fight with EPA on ship discharges 7/23/2008, 4:42 p.m. EDT
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Environmental groups and several states say they have a won court battle over a federal rule that allowed some dumping of ballast contaminated with invasive species by large commercial ships in coastal ports and the Great Lakes.

• Northwest Airlines posts $377 million 2Q loss 7/23/2008, 4:34 p.m. EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Northwest Airlines, which already plans to reduce flying from now through the end of the year, could shrink more and keep raising fares if fuel prices don't come down, Chief Executive Doug Steenland said on Wednesday.

• Northwest Airlines posts $377 million 2Q loss 7/23/2008, 4:34 p.m. EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Northwest Airlines, which already plans to reduce flying from now through the end of the year, could shrink more and keep raising fares if fuel prices don't come down, Chief Executive Doug Steenland said on Wednesday.

• Edwards overcomes flying fears to pilot App State 7/23/2008, 4:26 p.m. EDT
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — For Appalachian State quarterback Armanti Edwards, the toughest part of beating Michigan last season wasn't maneuvering through the Wolverines' mammoth defensive line or overcoming more than 100,000 maize and blue-clad fans.

• Continental boards snub Schaeffler's $17.6B offer 7/23/2008, 4:25 p.m. EDT
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Continental AG on Wednesday roundly rejected a takeover offer worth more than 11.2 billion euros ($17.6 billion) from smaller auto parts maker Schaeffler KG, but indicated that it might be interested if Schaeffler ups its offer.

• Continental boards snub Schaeffler's $17.6B offer 7/23/2008, 4:25 p.m. EDT
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Continental AG on Wednesday roundly rejected a takeover offer worth more than 11.2 billion euros ($17.6 billion) from smaller auto parts maker Schaeffler KG, but indicated that it might be interested if Schaeffler ups its offer.

• Porsche gets clearance for VW stake 7/23/2008, 4:21 p.m. EDT
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — Porsche SE won European antitrust clearance Wednesday to take control of Europe's biggest car maker, Volkswagen AG. The decision may add pressure on the German state of Lower Saxony to relinquish its veto rights over VW decisions.

• Porsche gets clearance for VW stake 7/23/2008, 4:21 p.m. EDT
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — Porsche SE won European antitrust clearance Wednesday to take control of Europe's biggest car maker, Volkswagen AG. The decision may add pressure on the German state of Lower Saxony to relinquish its veto rights over VW decisions.

• Retired general named new president of AM General 7/23/2008, 4:20 p.m. EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A retired Army general will take over as president and chief operating officer of AM General, the South Bend-based company that produces the Humvee for the military and its civilian version, the Hummer H2.

• Retired general named new president of AM General 7/23/2008, 4:20 p.m. EDT
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A retired Army general will take over as president and chief operating officer of AM General, the South Bend-based company that produces the Humvee for the military and its civilian version, the Hummer H2.