State processes unemployment payments

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan officials say they expect to get unemployment payments to those who are eligible within two weeks now that Congress has voted to extend federal benefits.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency says Thursday it's begun implementing plans to process and pay the benefits to around 70,000 unemployed workers in the state. Those include retroactive payments back to July 10.

President Barack Obama on Thursday signed into law a restoration of benefits for people who have been out of work for six months or more.

The move ended an interruption that cut off payments averaging about $300 a week to 2 1/2 million people who have been unable to find work in the aftermath of the nation's long and deep recession.