Lions lean on calm, cool, collected Stafford to top Falcons

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Matthew Stafford had the ball and Matt Prater knew it was time to start kicking. Good call. Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley gave one of the NFL's best comeback quarterbacks a shot to lead the Detroit Lions to victory, and Stafford took advantage. Stafford stepped up in a...

No. 13 Michigan's offense was ready for season opener

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Even as Michigan closed the 2019 season with dispiriting losses to Ohio State and Alabama, there were some encouraging signs for the Wolverines on offense. Now Michigan has more evidence that coordinator Josh Gattis is making progress. The Wolverines began this pandemic-delayed 2020...

Detroit girl shot by father as he tries to stop dog attack

DETROIT (AP) — A 2-year-old Detroit girl was mauled by a dog Monday and accidentally shot by her father who was trying to stop the animal, police said. The girl was rushed to surgery because of bites on her head and face. A “huge” dog charged at the girl when someone opened the front door at...

Detroit Schools released from 11 years of state oversight

DETROIT (AP) — A commission on Monday released the 47,000-student Detroit Public Schools from more than a decade of state financial oversight, restoring full control of the district's finances to the city's elected school board. The last time the district was fully in charge was in 2009, before a series of...

Rutgers surprised college ranks with win in Schiano's return

The college football world has no idea what to expect from Rutgers anymore. Heading into the start of Greg Schiano's second stint as coach, no one would have been surprised if the Scarlet Knights went winless in a schedule consisting of nine games against Big Ten Conference opponents. After all, Rutgers had one...

AP FACT CHECK: Trump and his familiar falsehoods

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says Mexico is paying for the wall (it isn’t), health care choice for veterans came from him (it didn’t) and his tax cut stands as the biggest in American history (nowhere close). These are among his touchstones — the falsehoods that span his...

Judge won't upset online system for absentee ballot sign-up

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A judge on Monday rejected a challenge to Michigan's online request system for absentee ballots. Critics claim the online option violates Michigan law, which requires a signed application. Judge Cynthia Stephens said critics waited too long to seek an injunction and “merely...

More time sought to indict in governor kidnapping case

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Federal prosecutors asked a judge Monday to give them an extra 40 days until mid-December to seek a grand jury indictment against six men in an alleged scheme to kidnap Michigan's governor, saying they're sorting through evidence, including explosive-device components. The...

Panel restores control of Detroit Public School’s finances to elected school board after 11 years of state oversight

AP Top 25 Reality Check: Who's best or rewarding success?

The AP Top 25 is embracing diversity. Nine of the 10 FBS conferences have a ranked team this week, including all the leagues currently playing games. Plus, there is an independent. There is something for everyone, but that kind of variety can make some fans question whether those non-Power Five teams really...