Michigan federal courts OK for a while under shutdown, official says

DETROIT (AP) -- Federal courthouses in Michigan will keep the doors open for a while as the budget impasse forces a government shutdown. In eastern Michigan, court spokesman Rod Hansen says it would be "pretty much business as usual" for approximately 10 days. The message is the same in western Michigan. There are some major court hearings in early October, especially the sentencing of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick on Oct. 10. Detroit's bankruptcy case is ongoing, too. A trial to determine if the city is eligible to restructure its debts is set for Oct. 23. There are federal courts in Bay City, Detroit, Flint, Port Huron, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo and Marquette. Published: Wed, Oct 2, 2013