Michigan at noon.

PAGE 1/SECTION FRONT RECOMMENDATIONS:
— MICHIGAN-DEATH PENALTY
— FAKE PSYCHOLOGIST-SEX ABUSE
PHOTO RECOMMENDATIONS:
— MIFLI101-102, SERIAL STABBING VICTIM REMEMBERED, stand-alone photos from memorial event held in Flint.
TOP STORIES:
MICHIGAN-DEATH PENALTY
DETROIT — A federal appeals court on Wednesday overturned a death sentence for a western Michigan man who was convicted of drowning a young woman in a remote lake to prevent her from pursuing a rape case against him. The court upheld Marvin Gabrion’s conviction, but said the sentencing phase of his extraordinary 2002 trial in Grand Rapids federal court must start from scratch. By Ed White.
FAKE PSYCHOLOGIST-SEX ABUSE
DETROIT — Federal prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for a Detroit-area man who went online to persuade mothers to sexually abuse their children. The government says seven mothers sexually assaulted 12 children at the direction of Steven Demink of Redford Township, an ex- car salesman. He returns to federal court Wednesday for sentencing, five months after pleading guilty to charges related to sexual exploitation. By Corey Williams.
Eds: Developing from 1 p.m. hearing.
UAW-KING
TRAVERSE CITY — United Auto Workers President Bob King is calling on industry leaders to reject what he says is a multi-billion-dollar campaign to destroy organized labor. Speaking to a conference of vehicle and parts manufacturers Thursday in Traverse City, Mich., King said the union is sincere in its push for a more cooperative relationship with management. He said workers realize that the only way they’ll get job security and better pay is if their companies become more profitable. By John Flesher.
AP Photo.
CHRYSLER-FUEL ECONOMY
TRAVERSE CITY — Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says the auto industry will meet higher government gas mileage standards mainly by improving gasoline and diesel engines. He says electric vehicles are being over-hyped as the solution to getting better mileage.
AP Photo.
OFFICERS SHOT-SOUTH DAKOTA
PIERRE — One police officer was killed and two others seriously wounded during a routine stop Tuesday in Rapid City, a town on the edge of the Black Hills in western South Dakota, authorities said. One of the wounded officers was in critical condition and the other was in fair condition, a hospital official said Wednesday.
AP Photos.
Also:
— OFFICERS SHOT-SOUTH DAKOTA-FAMILY — A South Dakota police officer who died after a shootout grew up in Michigan and was the son of a former law enforcement official. Rapid City police officer James Ryan McCandless was the son of retired Midland County Undersheriff James McCandless.
SPORTS:
BKN--PISTONS-COACH
AUBURN HILLS — The Detroit Pistons are set to introduce Lawrence Frank as their new coach.
AP Photos.
Eds: Developing from noon news conference.

FOOTBALL:
FBN--LIONS-FOLLETT
ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions confirmed the release of linebacker Zack Follett on Wednesday, less than 12 hours after he tweeted he was finished. Lions President Tom Lewand said the team released Follett on Tuesday night.
AP Photos NY152-153.
BASEBALL:
BBA--RANGERS-TIGERS
DETROIT — Doug Fister makes his first start as a Tiger against Josh Hamilton and the Rangers. Game starts at 7:05 p.m.
AP Photos.
OUTDOORS:
FISH
LANSING — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday releases its weekly fishing report.