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News Roundup: Wednesday, September 8th

State Lawmakers Make Progress on Budget

It appears there is a deal to balance the state's budget for this fiscal year and next. Legislative leaders must still run the plans past their caucuses today. State lawmakers will meet this morning at 10 AM. Not all of the plan's details have been made public but we do know that the budget deals for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 fiscal years include no new general tax increases.

New High School Requirements

The class of 2011 will be the first group of students to graduate under the state's new high school requirements. Michigan students must now take four years of math and English, and three years of science and social studies. Meanwhile, Governor Granholm says students should spend more time in the classroom. The governor visited a Lansing elementary school yesterday and said she would like students to spend more than 180 days a year in the classroom. Right now, schools must be in session for at least 165 days a year. That will increase to 170 days in the 2012-13 school year.

Candidates: Coming to a TV Screen Near You

Get ready to get-to-know the candidates who want your vote. As Michigan Radio's Steve Carmody reports, as the temperatures cool down, political ads are heating up. Michigan's 7th and 9th Congressional districts are seen as key races by both parties. One analyst says more than $10 million could be spent in these races alone.

Zoe Clark is Michigan Public's Political Director. In this role, Clark guides coverage of the state Capitol, elections, and policy debates.