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13abc Action News Morning News Digest

MORNING NEWS DIGEST – February 16, 2012

"NEW" LOCAL

1. ROMNEY IN MONROE

Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is making a trip to Monroe today. He'll be speaking at the "National Galvanizing" plant ahead of the February 28th primary. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is expected to announce his endorsement for Romney. Meanwhile, Rick Santorum is scheduled to appear before the Detroit Economic Club today.

2. TOLEDO FIRE UNION CONTRACT

Toledo's Fire Union goes to fact finding today and could vote on a new deal some times next week. This after city leaders agreed on a contract with Toledo Police command officers.

3. DEWINE IN TOLEDO

Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine is scheduled to spend some time in the glass city today. Dewine will be the featured speaker during an event at the Hilton Hotel this afternoon. He'll focus on consumer laws and resources for businesses.

4. JED'S DOWNTOWN CLOSING (TOLEDO BLADE)

Jed's at the Yard in downtown Toledo will close its doors today after two years of business. The Toledo Blade reports that sales lagged over the winter when the Mud Hens weren't playing. The other Jed's locations in Maumee, Perrysburg and Bowling Green will remain open.

 "NEW" State News

5. MI:GM SAVING AND PROFIT

General Motors says it will freeze its pension plan and offer bonuses to salaried workers instead of giving raises. About 19,000 salaried workers hired before 2001 will move from a traditional pension with guaranteed payments to a 401K-type plan. The changes take effect October 1st. Also, General Motors is announcing it earned its highest profit ever in 2011. The automaker made a reported $7.6 billion last year.

6. MI: TARGETING SUPER DRUNK DRIVERS

Drunk drivers in Michigan could face stiffer penalties. Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation increasing enforcement against so-called "super drunk" drivers. The measure gives communities the ability to enforce harsher punishments for drivers with a blood alcohol level at or above .17.  The legal limit in Michigan is .08.

7. MI: UNDERWEAR BOMBER SENTENCING

The Nigerian man who admitted to trying to blow up a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas 2009 will be sentenced today. Officials expect at least five passengers who were on board that flight to speak during the hearing. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab faces a mandatory life sentence for that attempt.

 "NEW" NATIONAL/INTERNAT'L. News

8. WHITNEY HOUSTON FUNERAL

Days after learning that Whitney Houston's family decided on a private funeral instead of a huge arena memorial - we have learned that the service will be broadcast live on the internet ... and possibly on television. Meanwhile, in LA, investigators for the coroner's office subpoenaed records from the singer's doctors and pharmacies trying to figure out who prescribed and dispensed the medication that was found near her body.