AP-MI--Michigan News Digest, MI

Michigan at 9:25 p.m. EDT.

Sports editors note: This deletes the story BKC--NCAA-MICHIGAN ST that was listed on earlier versions of the digest. The story will not be moving today.

David N. Goodman is on the desk in Detroit and can be reached at 800-642-4125 or 313-259-0650. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact AP Customer Support at apcustomersupport@ap.org or 877-836-9477.

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

TOP STORIES:

GAY MARRIAGE-MICHIGAN

DETROIT— Bethany Joy Rozeboom and Mary Winn couldn't have been much happier after receiving their long-awaited marriage license this weekend after a judge's ruling that Michigan's ban on such same-sex unions was illegal. But the Grand Rapids couple and others across Michigan were still in a waiting game Monday to be recognized as legally married on state driver's licenses, voter registration records, Social Security cards and other documents because the ruling has been put on hold while the state appeals. By Corey Williams and Jeff Karoub. SENT: 1,030 words, photo MIMUS103.

GAY MARRIAGE-MICHIGAN-COST

DETROIT — Michigan has spent about $40,000 so far on experts whose testimony at a trial over gay marriage was panned as a "fringe viewpoint" by the judge. The attorney general's office went outside the state, and even to Canada, to find conservative social scientists and economists who could defend Michigan's ban on gay marriage. By Ed White. SENT: 295 words.

STATE GOVERNMENT & POLITICS:

EXOTIC SWINE-MICHIGAN

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Michigan ban on Eurasian boars and similar exotic swine breeds is unconstitutional because it denies equal protection to owners of the animals and is so vague that it's hard to tell which the policy covers and which are exempt, a circuit judge said in a decision released Monday. Judge Thomas Solka's ruling applies only to sections of the Upper Peninsula that are home to three hog owners who fought the regulation, but courts elsewhere in Michigan could look to it if others challenge the ban. By Environmental Writer John Flesher. SENT: 610 words.

Also:

— ICE STORM-POWER-MICHIGAN — Michigan regulators say two large utilities had emergency procedures in place and responded effectively to restore power after a December ice storm. Public Service Commission staff made the conclusion about Consumers Energy and DTE Energy in a report released this month. SENT: 130 words.

— SCHUETTE-RE-ELECTION— Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has kicked off his re-election campaign. The Republican is seeking a second term as the state's lawyer. Schuette launched his campaign Monday with an event in his hometown of Midland. SENT: 130 words.

— SENATE-HEALTH CARE — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Terri Lynn Land says the federal health insurance law is hurting Michigan families by driving up costs. The ex-Michigan secretary of state offered guidelines for her alternative plan in a rare telephone news conference Monday. SENT: 130 words.

— SEX OFFENDERS— Registered sex offenders in Michigan are required to pay an annual fee starting April 1. Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation in November requiring Michigan's more than 40,000 registered sex offenders to pay an annual $50 fee. SENT: 130 words.

— BILL CLINTON-MICHIGAN — Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to headline a fundraiser for Michigan Democrats next month. The Michigan Democratic Party announced Sunday that Clinton will speak at the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner, which is scheduled for April 26 at Cobo Center in Detroit. SENT: 90 words.

AROUND THE STATE:

GAS STATION-ABDUCTION

NORTON SHORES, Mich. — Police investigating the disappearance of a mother from her job at a western Michigan gas station 11 months ago are actively following up on leads, tips and other information in the case, officials said. Norton Shores police Chief Dan Shaw gave an update on the search for Jessica Heeringa and he said the case is the department's "top priority." SENT: 300 words.

EXCHANGE-WELLNESS AP

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Can a smartphone app help students feel less isolated and depressed? University of Michigan thinks so. In January the Ann Arbor college released an app to promote student wellness and linking students to health-centric events on campus. An AP Member Exchange by Kellie Woodhouse. The Ann Arbor News. SENT: 300 words.

TUGBOAT SINKS-SOUTH HAVEN — A tugboat that sunk last month behind the Michigan Maritime Museum has been lifted from the water, and its owners are trying to determine why it went down. The Wilhelm Baum was removed Sunday using a crane, several barges and small boats. SENT: 225 words.

PIZZA-911 CALLS — Emergency dispatch employees in Flint will get additional training after officers weren't sent to a Domino's Pizza location when a manager called 911 to report that an employee was being assaulted, officials said. Training is scheduled to start April 24. SENT: 215 words.

WAYWARD STEER-SANCTUARY — A steer that made a break for it while on the way to slaughter in North Dakota has been adopted by a Michigan farm animal sanctuary and spared from the butcher knife. The 1,800-pound steer kicked out a gate at a meat processing plant in Casselton on March 6. SENT: 200 words.

SPORTS:

BKN--PISTONS-JAZZ

SALT LAKE CITY — The Detroit Pistons will be trying to avoid a season high-tying sixth consecutive loss when they face the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Game starts at 9 p.m. UPCOMING: 700 words, photos.

BKW--NCAA-MICHIGAN STATE-NORTH CAROLINA

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina star freshman Diamond DeShields struggled for much of her NCAA women's basketball tournament debut. It was a much different story for Michigan State's Aerial Powers. Their teams meet Tuesday in the NCAA tournament's second round, with each all-conference rookie knowing she'll play a big factor in determining whether her team reaches the round of 16 in the Stanford Regional. Michigan State coach Suzy Merchant says a long season full of tough games has prepared both freshmen for this moment. By Aaron Beard. SENT: 130 words, photos NCEO105, 109, 119, 123. UPCOMING: 600 words.

BBA--ORIOLES-TIGERS TRADE

BRADENTON, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers think Alex Gonzalez is not too old to be a solution to their shortstop problem. In need of a replacement for injured Jose Iglesias, Detroit acquired the 37-year-old from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday for infielder Steve Lombardozzi. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said Gonzalez could get the bulk of the playing time, sharing the position with Andrew Romine, who was acquired Friday from the Los Angeles Angels. SENT: 320 words.

BBO--TIGERS-PIRATES CCD

BRADENTON, Fla. — The spring training game between the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates was rained out Monday. The Tigers say Alex Gonzalez is not too old to be a solution to their shortstop problem. In need of a replacement for injured Jose Iglesias, Detroit acquired the 37-year-old from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday for infielder Steve Lombardozzi. SENT: 540 words.

Also:

— BBA--TIGERS-SECURITY — Tigers fans will pass through metal detectors while entering Comerica Park this season, part of a new set of security measures the team is putting in place. Major League Baseball has told its 30 teams they must implement security screening for fans by 2015. SENT: 110 words.

RED WINGS-OLD ARENA — The Detroit City Council has scheduled a special meeting March 31 to vote on a new lease for Joe Louis Arena, which is slated to be replaced as venue for the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings. SENT: 130 words.

MICHIGAN-PHYSICAL EDUCATION — The University of Michigan is discontinuing its physical education degree and shifting its focus toward a new health and fitness major. The Board of Regents approved plans for the School of Kinesiology to end the major during its meeting last week. SENT: 130 words.

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If you have stories of regional or statewide interest, please email them to apmichigan@ap.org. If you have photos of regional or statewide interest, please send them to the AP state photo center in New York, 888-273-6867. If you have questions about the Michigan AP news report, please contact News Editor Roger Schneider at 800-642-4125 or rschneider@ap.org.

MARKETPLACE: Calling your attention to the Marketplace in AP Exchange, where you can find member-contributed content from Michigan and other states. The Marketplace is accessible on the left navigational pane of the AP Exchange home page, near the bottom. For both national and state, you can click "All" or search for content by topics such as education, politics and business.

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