Rick Pluta

The Michigan House and Senate have passed the legislation in different versions, and may take final action on the bills next week. Michigan could become the 24th state to say workers cannot be forced to pay union dues even if they work for a business or government employer with union representation.

Thaddeus McCotter's campaign fell far short of the number of petition signatures he needs to qualify for the August primary ballot. Compounding his troubles: It appears election fraud may have played a part in the failure.

There is a battle underway on the presidential campaign trail over Michigan's economic recovery. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says President Obama is given too much credit for helping the domestic auto industry. President Obama has made the auto industry's turnaround a central point of his re-election campaign.

The presidential campaign of Rick Santorum is fuming over a decision by Michigan's Republican Party to give both the state's at-large delegates to state-wide winner Mitt Romney. Earlier guidance from the state party suggested that the two delegates would be allocated proportionally.

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney plays up his Michigan roots when he talks to voters in the state. But results have been mixed for other Romneys who have run for office in the state.

As better-known candidates hunt for votes in Michigan's Republican primary, the first openly gay GOP presidential hopeful is plotting a minor upset. Fred Karger is focusing on one congressional district in the hopes of winning a few delegates to the national convention.

Democrats are using next week's GOP presidential primary in Michigan as an opportunity to energize President Obama's core base of support there. The campaign and a superPAC have ads on the air in the state. And the campaign is organizing activities for the president's supporters.