Whitmer walks away from budget negotiations, GOP claims hat  The top Republican in the Michigan Senate says Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has stopped negotiating with legislative Republicans on the budget. Once again, road funding is the problem. The deadline to pass a budget for the next fiscal year is Sept.30. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, and if a funding plan isn't in place the state would go into shutdown. Wednesday proves the two sides are from compromising. MORE ►Whitmer losing political leverage

  

Storm rips through West Michigan Wednesday night   More than 50,000 homes and businesses lost electricity last night as storms that produced a handful of tornadoes, gusty winds and even ping-pong-sized hail rolled across Michigan. Kent County saw the worst of it, with people rushing to their basements as sirens blared. Storms left some extensive damage there, sending trees into homes and sparking some house fires. MORE ►Wind tears roof off apartment building, houses in Grand Rapids

Stevie Y's first training camp as Red Wings GM should be competitive hat  Football is in full swing. (We know this because, well, the Detroit  Lions already are doing Lions things!) But, holy Toledo! Hockey season is almost upon us. The return of Steve Yzerman as the new general manager certainly brings hope to Hockeytown this year. Training camp gets going Friday and Stevie Y is predicting a competitive one. MORE ►Red Wings win NHL Prospects Tournament

  

Thousands came out for 'American Idol' in Detroit. Hear three contestants.   If you spotted a really long line in downtown Detroit earlier this week, you probably stumbled upon the "American Idol" auditions. The show, a singing competition on ABC, came to the Motor City in search of contestants for the first time in years. People were clearly ready for the show's return. We chatted with some of those who waited in line for a chance to belt one out for show producers. We even captured video of a few of those who got a 'yes' to move on to the next round. MORE ►You be the judge of these 'American Idol' hopefuls who auditioned in Michigan