Lansing's mayor, Virg Benero, announced he has started an exploratory committee to run for governor. He stated that he's been encouraged to run by business, labor, government and community leaders. Bernero, a former state lawmaker, has been Lansing's mayor since 2006. Bernero says he'll make a final decision on entering the gubernatorial race early next year.

Other Democrats running for governor are Lt. Gov. John Cherry, state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith and former state Rep. John Freeman.

More information and a his exploratory statement can be found on his website.

President Barack Obama ordered an additional 30,000 U.S. troops into the war in Afghanistan on Tuesday night, in a prime-time speech at the U.S. Military Academy, the president told the nation his new policy was designed to “bring this war to a successful conclusion.”