Newly released text messages first reported by TMZ purportedly showed a woman known as Jane Doe speaking with one of the men that she has accused of rape back in 2024 at Cornell University.

The messages appear to show her speaking as though the acts were consensual, saying things like "I really liked being with you and Matt," "our body, our choice," and referencing snorting drugs off of private parts of each other's bodies.

The messages have called her accusation into question.

Scripps News reached out to Jane Doe's attorney, who we had spoken with just hours before the text messages were released.

"They are like the texts that were released earlier," the attorney told Scripps News.

"She still was struggling with what had occurred and was still processing. She was also trying to get information from the defendants. The impact is no different than the prior texts and must be viewed in context."

RELATED STORY | Students protest Cornell's response to gang rape complaint

Cornell has become the focus of broad criticism over its response to the case. Students there have demanded administrative changes, including the resignation of Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff. Faculty members have also presented a motion of no confidence in school administrators.

Two students named in the Jane Doe lawsuit still attend Cornell.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sued the state’s biggest health insurance company in federal court Thursday. She accused Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan of forming an illegal monopoly

The lawsuit argues BCBSM worked with Blue Cross Blue Shield Association companies in other states to keep competition out. The complaint cites license agreements and territorial rights deals as ways BCBSM built influence.

Nessel said that’s illegal under state and federal antitrust laws.

“Competition is good, not just for the quality of care but of course to bring down prices. And that’s the purpose of the antitrust laws in the first place, that it allows us to break up these big monopolies that are so harmful,” Nessel told reporters during a press conference in Lansing Thursday morning.

While the lawsuit names several Blue-branded companies in other states as coconspirators, only BCBSM is listed as a defendant. The attorney general is suing in her capacity as both a representative of the state government and of Michigan residents.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan serves state employees. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Comish said the company’s size and power made it the only realistic option for the state to contract with.

“They’re able to charge us, what we would call in the antitrust world, as supracompetitive fee. That is an unlawfully large amount of money per employee, per head, and with the size of the state workforce, that adds up to a real drain on the state’s resources,” Comish said.

A 2025 American Medical Association study found BCBSM controlled around 65% of the state’s healthcare insurance market. That was among the highest market concentrations in the country.

When asked for a comment on the lawsuit Thursday afternoon, BCBSM said it hadn’t yet been served and could not comment on the “specific merits” of the case. In a written statement, the company sided it was “blindsided.”

“We fundamentally disagree with the Attorney General’s characterization of an uncompetitive insurance market in Michigan. Competition exists everywhere in our state’s insurance markets, with strong local and national insurers competing with us every day. For nearly 90 years, Blue Cross has provided coverage for citizens across Michigan, in every county, without exception. This heritage, and the quality of products and services we provide, is foundational to our success in Michigan,” the company said.

The state alleges BCBSM used its power to negotiate unsustainably low reimbursement rates for care providers. Earlier this year, the company went to battle with Michigan Medicine over those concerns.

The health insurer and the University of Michigan’s health system eventually worked out a deal. But southeast Michigan father Andrew Bashi said the dispute put critical care for his infant son at risk.

“When one company holds all that power, it doesn’t have to worry about what happens to us in a negotiation, we have nowhere else to go, and they know it. Patients stop being customers. We become leverage,” Bashi said.

The lawsuit was filed in District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Federal cases often take months or years to play out.

Nessel, who is term-limited, is leaving office after December. She said she hopes her successor decides to keep pursuing the matter.

Keith Schipper is a campaign spokesperson for Republican Attorney General nominee Doug Lloyd. He said Lloyd would consider it.

"Since the case was just filed, Doug hasn't been privy to all the facts and evidence, but he is committed to protecting Michigan consumers, just as he protected Eaton County consumers as its prosecutor," Schipper said in a statement.

"Under Doug's leadership, the Eaton County Prosecutor's Office started the Eaton County Economic Crimes Unit to go after fraud and other illegal business practices that hurt Eaton County residents. When Doug is Attorney General, he will review this case to understand all the facts and evidence and make a determination,” said Schipper.

Naina Agrawal-Hardin is with Democratic nominee Eli Savit.

“Eli has not yet had an opportunity to review the case or the evidence, but as with any matter he will inherit, he will make a determination based on the facts, the law, and the best interest of the people of Michigan. More broadly, Eli is committed to using every available tool to lower costs for Michiganders who are struggling, just as he has done throughout his career,” Agrawal-Hardin said in an email.

The attorney general's court filing demands a trial by jury. The state is seeking monetary damages and an end to what it described as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's monopoly on the market.

Royal Oak is celebrating Halloween season with a free, self-guided neighborhood tradition that has grown every year since it began.

The Royal Oak Halloween Home Tour features a homemade map shared with the community that highlights homes with elaborate, creative Halloween displays. Visitors can explore the tour by bike, car, or on foot.

"People put so much time and effort into these things and they want people to see it," Kathleen Spangler, creator of the Royal Oak Halloween Home Tour, said.

WATCH JEFFREY'S VIDEO REPORT:

Spangler started the tour six years ago, inspired by her daughter's love of Halloween.

"I don't think there's anything better than hearing pure joy come from a child," Spangler said.

She estimates about 60 homes will be featured on the map this year. Any homeowner can submit to be included, and there are no requirements for participation.

"Everyone knows how expensive things can be and this is just a free community event," Spangler said.

The tour has grown year over year, and Spangler actively scouts homes worthy of a spot on the map.

"And then yes, there are some houses I just drive by and I'm like this needs to be on the map!" Spangler said. "There is no grade, we're just happy to have you on there."

Bob and Jan Livingston are among the homeowners featured on the tour. The couple has spent decades handcrafting their Halloween decorations and says the holiday defines their home's identity in the neighborhood.

"Halloween is our thing. Our house in the neighborhood is called the Halloween house," Jan Livingston said.

Among their handmade highlights is a front-yard graveyard where they playfully personalize gravestones for guests and family members. Their own son is among those included.

"I found out he never did his homework so that's why he's there," the Livingstons said.

The couple, who describe themselves as partners in everything they do, hopes visitors will take in the full tour across Royal Oak's decorated homes.

"To bring joy is a gift that keeps giving," the Livingstons said.

Spangler said the sounds of neighborhood children reacting to the displays are what keeps the tradition going.

"I can hear their little voices out here like look at that spider! Oh, that's scary!" Spangler said.

To find the tour, follow this link.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

LIVONIA, Mich. (WXYZ) New federal regulations set to take effect later this month could significantly impact Americans who rely on prescription medications shipped from Canada and other countries.

For years, some U.S. consumers have turned to Canadian mail-order pharmacies as a way to save money on medications that can cost hundreds of dollars more in the United States. Now, new U.S. Customs requirements scheduled to take effect on Oct. 22 have left some patients and pharmacy operators concerned about what comes next.

Metro Detroit resident Chris Devries says purchasing medication from Canada has been essential to managing her healthcare costs.

Devries relies on a generic version of Eliquis, a blood thinner, and says she has been ordering it from a Canadian pharmacy for more than a decade.

Ive been getting it from Canada for over 10 years, because I couldnt afford it when they prescribed it to me because I have a heart condition, Devries said.She says the price difference remains substantial.

Today if I tried to get it from the U.S. it would cost between $600-$800 every three months. In Canada I pay $222, she said.Devries worries the upcoming changes could make it harder or impossible for her to continue receiving the medication through the mail.

Pharmacy operators are also preparing for the impact.

Rudy Najm, owner of iPharmacy in Livonia, says he expects an increase in calls from patients looking for alternatives if international shipments are halted.

We probably anticipate more calls to try and get alternatives for those prescriptions, Najm said.Najm says lower-cost medications from overseas can be an important option for some patients, adding that certain drugs are not always available domestically.

Also, sometimes the drugs are not available here in the U.S., he said.U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, says she is concerned the policy could create additional financial burdens for patients already struggling with high prescription costs.

I think people arent going to be able to afford medicine they need, and we have to figure out how to help them. For some people this is life and death, Dingell said.Meanwhile, the Canadian International Pharmacy Association (CIPA) says it is hearing concerns from customers and urges patients who depend on cross-border prescriptions to prepare ahead of the new requirements.

Its stressful across the board. Of course we hear the stress at the pharmacy level every day from customers contacting us to express concern and worry about whether they are going to be able to continue with us, said Tim Smith, CIPAs general manager.Najm says he is particularly concerned about older adults who may face challenges if they are forced to seek other ways to obtain their medications, especially those who cannot easily travel to pick up prescriptions.

As Americans continue to wait for promised efforts to lower prescription drug costs domestically, patients who depend on Canadian pharmacies are watching closely to see how the new regulations will affect access to their medications.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

New York residents spent time Thursday talking about how immigration enforcement has affected their lives.

A series of public hearings, called the People's Hearings, are a way to hear from citizens and immigrants from across the country who speak up on the real-life impacts federal immigration enforcement has had on their lives. Today's hearing is the latest stop in a nationwide effort to document the crackdown's effects.

Citizens spoke about experiencing force used by immigration agents. Some speakers had been detained, or had seen the inside of immigration detention centers. Some people spoke anonymously, or directly in front of the cameras.

MORE ON IMMIGRATION | Records show ICE reviewed tens of millions of voter records looking for noncitizen voters

Advocates said the hearings were their way of building a public record and effecting changes.

"The reality of what I heard is the same no matter what city I've been in, from Saint Paul to San Antonio. People are being racially profiled and disappeared," said Rochelle Garza, chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. "The right to protest is under attack and people are being killed. Our communities are not going to have true healing until we have accountability from the systems that are causing the harm. And as the midterm election is on the horizon, our country must see immigration enforcement for what it is: A direct undermining of our democracy."

RELATED STORY | Chicago woman who was shot 5 times by immigration agent files lawsuit alleging he fired from behind

Advocates hope to conclude the hearings by the end of this year, to deliver a full report to the new congress in 2027.

An Arizona man has been criminally charged after allegedly threatening to carry out mass bombings at the White House and other locations in the Washington, D.C., area.

Jacob Hicks, 46, of Tucson, was arrested after authorities received a tip about an email containing threats against the White House on September 23.

According to a criminal complaint, Hicks allegedly emailed a local news station claiming there would be an imminent bomb attack targeting the White House and other locations in Washington, D.C.

Scripps News' KGUN9 received an email that contained threats against the White House, which was shared with the authorities.

The FBI confirmed to KGUN9 that the email the station forwarded prompted law enforcement to launch an investigation. During the investigation, officials identified Hicks as the alleged sender of the email.

Investigators say they also discovered additional unsent email drafts that contained similar language, linked to the same account allegedly used by Hicks.

The draft emails, also dated Sept. 23, were addressed to other news organizations and contained similar threats against the White House.

Hicks has been charged by criminal complain with Making an Interstate Threat to Injure.

Officials are continuing their investigation into the incident.

DETROIT (WXYZ) Detroit is marking Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a new push to support survivors, including the creation of the city's first full-time position dedicated to domestic violence issues.

Mayor Mary Sheffield signed an executive order Thursday establishing new resources for residents and city employees impacted by domestic violence. The directive calls for domestic violence support resources to be posted in all city-owned buildings, the development of a comprehensive support plan for employees and the creation of a citywide training and awareness framework.

The announcement comes as city leaders and advocates work to address the impact of domestic violence across Detroit.

7 News Detroit reporter Demetrios Sanders has the story in the video below:

When discussing public safety priorities earlier this year, Sheffield said addressing domestic violence would be a key part of her crime reduction strategy.

Mena Davis, executive director of All Things Women Inc., said the organization receives frequent calls from women seeking to escape abusive situations.

"We probably get approximately 10-12 calls a day from women fleeing domestic violence, actively looking for a place to go," Davis said.

Davis said access to resources can often determine whether someone is able to leave an abusive environment.

"A lot of times I hear mothers say, 'I need to leave but I can't leave because the kids won't be able to get to and from school,' or 'I can't leave because I don't have a place for my pet. I can't leave because I don't have the financial resources,'" Davis said.

Sheffield said Detroit police data shows domestic violence continues to be a significant contributor to violent crime.

"The Detroit Police Department has indicated that approximately 35% of aggravated assaults were connected to domestic violence," Sheffield said.

The mayor said the city hopes the new initiatives will encourage residents to seek help when they need it.

"We want anyone who may be suffering or in danger or scared to speak up, whatever the situation may be, to know there is support here to help you," Sheffield said.

The city also introduced its first domestic violence liaison, Dr. Kyla Williams.

"Domestic violence does not discriminate, it impacts families and individuals across every neighborhood," Williams said.

Williams served with the Detroit Police Department for more than 26 years, including as sergeant of the department's Domestic Violence Unit. In her new role, she said she hopes to strengthen connections between service providers and those experiencing violence at home.

"I am hopeful that we will strengthen our partnership, improve our responses, and build a more informed, compassionate, and connected community," Williams said.

Sheffield said city officials are also exploring ways to expand shelter access for survivors.

"We just had a meeting today where we possibly have some funding or a mechanism to maybe bring an additional space here to Detroit," Sheffield said.

For survivor and Supreme Transitions Director Ericka Murria, the city's actions represent an important step forward.

"Survivors have fought simply to be seen, heard and believed. And today we are witnessing something incredibly meaningful," Murria said.

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Spirit of Detroit statue will be illuminated in purple throughout October in recognition of the annual awareness campaign.

A Flat Rock detective's instincts helped police catch a man suspected of robbing a Bank of America branch in under 10 minutes Thursday morning.

A teller at the Bank of America on Telegraph Road called 911 at 9:20 a.m. to report a robbery. After grabbing the money, police say the suspect ran from the bank on foot.

"We were on scene within 5 minutes," Chief Steven McInchak said.

7 News Detroit reporter Carli Petrus has the story in the video below:

The first officer on scene quickly broadcast a description of the suspect to other officers in the area. Just one minute later, a Flat Rock detective spotted a man who matched that description nearby.

"Our detective who is a seasoned officer saw one of the police cars with lights and sirens and he didn't really flinch so it raised the hairs on the back of his neck that something just isn't right with this gentleman and so that's when he was able to turn around and follow him," McInchak said.

The detective kept an eye on the suspect as he walked west along Telegraph, then behind Jet's Pizza, and made his way through a hole in a nearby fence. Officers found him in the parking lot of an old butcher's shop.

By 9:30 a.m., officers from Flat Rock, Rockwood and Gibraltar had the suspect surrounded. One minute later, he was on the ground and in custody.

"We did a search of the bag he was carrying and we found a pellet gun that was in the car, the clothing that he was wearing, during the robbery, and the cash," McInchak said.

7 News Detroit asked Bank of America about the robbery. A spokesperson directed all questions to local police. We also found an armed security guard patrolling outside the bank Thursday. We also asked the bank whether that was already part of its security or whether the guard was there because of this robbery. The company declined to comment.

"Good old fashioned police work. There was not a lot of technology used in this. In my career, catching a bank robber is a difficult thing to do because they usually have vehicles and they're ahead of us but the good old fashioned police work and catching a bank robber in this case was just a good team effort from all the agencies that helped us out," McInchak said.

The suspect is currently in custody. The case has been turned over to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

For years, Alberta Compton has watched golf balls land in her yard. Now, she says the problem has become more than an annoyance.

Compton, who lives across from The Links at Crystal Lake in Pontiac, said stray golf balls frequently leave the course and strike homes in her neighborhood, causing damage to siding, windows and vehicles.

"As I mow my grass, I collect golf balls," Compton said, pointing to a growing collection she has gathered from her property.

Watch this story from 7 News Detroit reporter Jolie Sherman in the video below:

Compton has lived in the neighborhood for more than 40 years. She said when she and her husband purchased the home, they were attracted to both the house and its location. But over time, she said, golf balls landing on her property have become a persistent problem.

"I could be in the house, and I'll hear something go 'Boom' like a gunshot," Compton said. "That's how loud it is, and it hits my house that hard."

She showed 7 News Detroit a broken window, damaged siding and dents she says were caused by golf balls. Another nearby homeowner, who asked not to be identified on camera, also shared photographs of property damage she attributed to stray golf balls.

Compton said pursuing insurance claims is not an appealing option.

"When you make a claim, your insurance goes up or they drop you, and I can't do that," she said.

The Links at Crystal Lake declined an on-camera interview but told 7 News Detroit by phone that it is not responsible for golf balls that leave the course.

However, attorney Bobby Raitt, of Raitt Law, PLLC, said liability is not always that straightforward.

"Bottom line here is, any party that acts unreasonably and causes damage because of their unreasonable action could be liable," Raitt said.

According to Raitt, a golf course could potentially face liability if homeowners repeatedly notify management about ongoing problems and the course fails to take reasonable steps to address them.

"That reasonableness does not change just because they parked up next to a golf course," Raitt said. "There are options for the golf course, not just netting and putting up some trees, but flipping the fairway, flipping the hole, doing things to prevent this from repeatedly happening."

Some protective fencing is installed in front of Compton's property, and additional netting can be found farther down the road. The golf course says it will repair holes when possible, but residents say more preventative measures are needed.

Several homeowners told 7 News Detroit they have raised concerns directly with golf course management and want additional barriers installed to keep golf balls from reaching their homes.

The City of Pontiac has also been notified and is looking into residents' complaints.

For Compton, the solution is simple.

"I just want something to block the balls from coming over and hitting my property," she said.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement quietly suspended a rule last summer at a large private lockup in Adelanto, Calif., that requires immigrant detainees receive a comprehensive health assessment within two weeks of arrival, according to a previously undisclosed ICE report obtained by Scripps News.

Since the start of the immigration crackdown, at least four detainees have died while in custody at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center. The attorney representing their families has said medical negligence is a factor in all of the cases.

The Department of Homeland Security says it is longstanding practice to provide immigrants with a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, but the new report says ICE waived the two-week deadline at Adelanto in July 2025 to deal with a backlog of medical cases as the detained population surged.

RELATED STORY | Deaths and medical neglect claims cast scrutiny on California immigration lockup

DHS has not answered questions about the suspended health checks, including whether they remain in place at Adelanto and other ICE detention centers.

The finding is part of a March 2026 mortality review by ICE that examined the death of 39-year-old Ismael Ayala-Uribe who died of a skin infection that worsened at Adelanto, a facility owned at the time by The GEO Group under government contract. The company has since sold the detention center to DHS.

The ICE mortality review says the care Ayala-Uribe received at Adelanto deviated beyond safe limits of practice.

Ayala-Uribe, who came to the U.S. from Mexico with his family at age four, was arrested by ICE last year at the California car wash where he worked for 15 years. He had lost DACA protection after two DUI convictions.

The ICE document outlines a series of failures by Adelanto medical staff, beginning with Ayala-Uribe did not receiving the comprehensive health assessment that should have occurred within 14 days of his arrival at Adelanto.

About a month later, Ayala-Uribe began complaining of pain in his left buttock. An autopsy found it was an abscess.

Medical staff overseen by the GEO Group took two days to diagnose the infection, the report said. A doctor, who diagnosed Ayala-Uribe over the phone, initially mistook the abscess for a hemorrhoid, it said.

Nurses then failed to perform the twice daily wellness checks ordered by the doctor.

By the time medical staff transferred Ayala-Uribe to a hospital, it was too late to save him and he died.

MORE ICE INC. | Inspection finds 49 violations at nation's largest ICE detention center

The mortality review found four violations of national detention standards at Adelanto related to medical care, supporting claims by Ayala-Uribe's family that he did not receive proper care while detained.

Honestly for me it was medical negligence, his mother Lucia Uribe told Scripps News in an interview this past May. He said no one was attending to him. He said mom I cant take it anymore. I cant.

The GEO Group, which owned Adelanto before the U.S. government bought it this month, told Scripps News to send inquiries to ICE.

DHS, which answers questions for ICE, would not respond to questions about the findings in the newly obtained report.

The Adelanto ICE Processing Center had an average daily population of more than 1,800 detainees as of July.

An 11-year-old boy is recovering at Childrens Hospital after undergoing surgery following an accidental shooting inside his fathers home on Detroits west side.

Detroit police report the boys younger brother got hold of an unsecured firearm at the home on Artesian Street near Tireman Avenue and accidentally shot him.

The victim is now in stable condition and improving.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison announced a major development in the investigation, confirming that the boys' father has been taken into police custody.

Following the shooting, the younger brother asked neighbor Norrice Turner for help.

"Well, I was laying in my bed, then I get up playing with my dog. I heard a gunshot," Turner said.

When Turner rushed over to the house, he found the 11-year-old badly injured.

"I go in and the brother is on the floor with a bunch of blood on there," Turner recalled. "So I'm telling him, 'Just be still, be still.' He was like, 'Help me, help me. My mouth hurting.' I said, 'Where did you get shot at?' He's like, 'I got shot in the mouth.'"

Turner immediately called 911 to get emergency medical personnel to the scene.

A source tells 7 News Detroit that there were several firearms inside the home, and all of themexcept for the handgun involved in the shootingwere locked inside a gun safe.

As police continue their investigation, community stakeholders took to the streets. Detroit Police Commissioner Victoria Camille and members of FORCE Detroit canvassed the Artesian Street neighborhood, speaking with residents about responsible firearm storage and handing out free gun locks door-to-door.

Van McSwain, who lives just doors down from where the shooting occurred, welcomed the outreach after a traumatic night for the block.

"I have children, grandchildren, so just to see the parents and the child shook up, it was bad," McSwain said. "I had nightmares last night."

McSwain added that he hopes the outreach effort doesn't stop here. "I hope they keep it going. I dont want them to stop because it dies down, I want it to keep going."

Wednesday's shooting comes just a week after a Detroit Police officer and his wife were charged in Canton after their toddler son brought a loaded, unsecured handgun into a daycare facility in a backpack.

While no one was physically hurt in the daycare incident, community leaders say these back-to-back events highlight an ongoing, urgent crisis.

"Its a reminder to all of us that if youre exercising your right to own firearms, just keep them secure from our young people," Commissioner Camille said.

Once Detroit Police finish their investigation, the case will be presented to the Wayne County Prosecutors Office to determine formal charges against the father.

Free cable gun locks are available to the public with no questions asked at any Detroit Police precinct and most local law enforcement agencies across Metro Detroit.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

The Pentagon says the firing squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan will be livestreamed after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution would be "public."

Hegseth, speaking to the conservative TV outlet Real America's Voice News on Wednesday, said the execution of Hasan will take place at Fort Hood on Dec. 3. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and injuring 32 others in a shooting at the military base in 2009.

RELATED STORY | Trump approves firing squad execution for Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan

"We'll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it's public," Hegseth said.

Hegseth spoke to the outlet aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier while visiting the long-deployed crew, who supported the Iran war, before their arrival at their home port in San Diego.

When asked if Hasan had made any final requests or reached out to the Trump administration, Hegseth simply replied: "Don't care. We'll see him on December 3rd."

Officials in the Pentagon clarified Thursday that the execution will be livestreamed and that more details would follow.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell had said Monday that President Donald Trump had approved the execution of Hasan.

FROM THE ARCHIVES | Fort Hood Shooter Wants To Become A 'Citizen' Of ISIS

The White House on Thursday immediately referred questions about the plans for the livestreamed execution to the Pentagon.

Hegseth said the military hasn't executed a servicemember by firing squad since World War II. The last military execution took place on April 13, 1961, when Army Private John Bennett was executed by hanging.

Detroit Fire Department Battalion Chief Thomas Suchora appeared in a Livonia courtroom Thursday, where a judge entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged road rage attack.

Suchora has been charged with malicious destruction of property and assault and battery. On Thursday, Judge Kavanagh ordered him to have no contact with the alleged victim, Todd Richards.

Suchora is accused of assaulting Richards near Plymouth Road and Levan Road in Livonia, injuring his hand and breaking his glasses and phone. It's a story 7 News Detroit first brought you last week. Richards says the attack was unprovoked. He says he was on his motorcycle when Suchora got out of his vehicle and approached him in a fury.

You can check out our previous reporting below:

"He was in a rage that it was unbelievable, he even shook," Richards said.

When asked what Suchora said during the confrontation, Richards described a series of alleged threats.

"A lot of rage, 'I'll beat you down in the cement' was a few of them, 'I'll kill you'," Richards said.

You can watch Ruta Ulcinaite's latest report below:

Richards was inside the courtroom Thursday with his wife, looking ahead at his alleged attacker for the first time since the day of the alleged assault.

"I was waiting to see him," Richards said.

Richards said he did not know Suchora was a Detroit Fire Department battalion chief until 7 News Detroit arrived to cover the story.

The incident has left Richards weary of getting back on his motorcycle, worried Suchora could approach him again.

"Last night I didn't sleep at all, I just run this through my head, what is his problem that he had to attack me?" Richards asked.

When 7 News Detroit approached Suchora's attorney, Kevin McLean, Thursday, he said he and his client had no comment. Last week, when 7 News Detroit got in touch with Suchora at Detroit Fire Department's Engine 6, he said the situation was "not as it seems on paper."

Richards says he wants to see justice more than ever, now that he has had the chance to see the man he says attacked him in person.

"I mean he brought this all on himself, I mean this was nothing to do with me. This was me riding a motorcycle and enjoying myself on a Tuesday afternoon getting a haircut," Richards said. For him to come at me on my motorcycle like that, its unacceptable."

The Detroit Fire Department confirmed Suchora remains on leave without pay. He is due back in court Oct. 22.

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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Today on Stateside, a conversation with Michigan Supreme Court candidate Jody White. White is a longtime real estate broker in Southeast Michigan.

See all our interviews with the candidates for Michigan Supreme Court here.

Then, Interlochen Public Radio brought us a story about how Northern Michigan tribes are trying to bring back the Arctic grayling. The freshwater fish species was once abundant in the region’s rivers and streams.

We also learned about scientists' unique methods for detecting the invasive spotted lanternfly, plus ways you can help mitigate lanternfly populations at home.

And, state leaders have gone back and forth on the issue of resident IDs, or the ability for anyone living in the state to get a driver's license, regardless of citizenship. Two reporters discussed the history of resident IDs and its connection to local police department's collaboration with immigration enforcement officers.

Plus, we revisited a conversation with Irene Butter, a public health scholar and Holocaust survivor who lived in Ann Arbor. Her experience as a child led to decades of teaching and activism around global human rights. Butter passed away on Friday, Oct. 2.

Finally, we revisited a conversation with Anne Carson in celebration of her recently announced Nobel Prize for Literature.

GUESTS ON TODAY'S SHOW:

• Jody White, Michigan Supreme Court candidate and real estate broker
• Vivian La, climate solutions reporter at Interlochen Public Radio
• Kate Furby, senior environment reporter at Michigan Public
• Adam Yahya Rayes, data reporter at Michigan Public
• Koby Levin, senior reporter at Outlier Media
• Irene Butter, retired public health scholar and human rights activist
• Anne Carson, poet, translator, and essayist

After a heavy-handed response to the student protests sweeping France, the government has changed tack.

It has banned police from using stun grenades after a students hand was blown off earlier in the week and there are promises to listen more to protesters demands.

But with hundreds of schools still facing blockade and calls for more protests, will it be enough?

What has the government said?

Empathy and a little more pedagogy is what French President Emmanuel Macron demanded of police forces facing student protesters, said Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, following a massive day of protests on Tuesday.

The president recalled the necessity to maintain order, intervene each time theres serious violence, all while asking us to act with the greatest proportionality, Nunez told radio station RTL Wednesday, after an emergency ministerial meeting.

Nunez, a former chief of Paris police, said that he had ordered forces to refrain from using the type of stun grenade linked to a teenager losing his hand in protests on Monday.

We dont deal with a movement of highschoolers like we deal with a movement of adults, Nunez said.

Frances Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu told lawmakers Tuesday that high schools would replace lessons until the end of the week with a period of internal democracy to air grievances and discuss solutions.

While refuting any suggestion of police repression, Lecornu condemned violence on the margins of protests, which were mostly peaceful Tuesday, despite the dramatic scenes that dominated coverage.

In an address to the nation Wednesday, Lecornu said parliament would debate on November 12 a budget proposal that includes 64 billion euros ($71.6 billion) in funding for education, a slight increase from last year.

He also said the government has launched five initiatives to respond to students needs, including efforts to renovate school facilities, improve students schedules and provide more opportunities to express their concerns.

We have a duty to listen to them. Taking young people seriously means supporting their engagement just as much as sharing the difficulties, but also the constraints, with them, he said.

The proposal for discussion is a tried and tested tactic of Macron, who has historically favored attempts to integrate public debate into policy making. His government tried to calm the Yellow Vests protests with a similar listening campaign in 2019.

Meanwhile, 18 investigations into officers conduct during the protests have been opened by police internal investigators, Nunez said, adding they would examine the proportionality of police actions. Police forces are there to protect the high schoolers, he said.

Are protests getting worse?

On Thursday, 224 high schools were closed a 30% decrease from Wednesday morning, Reuters reported, citing the education ministry. That will leave 94% of high schools fully or partially open, the ministry added. According to the interior ministry, 488 people were detained around the high school protests Tuesday.

The student blockade actions on Wednesday were a fraction of the hundreds of thousands who marched with workers unions Tuesday in support of students across France. But its a sign of the rancor among students that protests are continuing day-to-day.

Student unions have called for a day of protests on October 17 and five major teaching unions said they would strike Thursday in solidarity with their students, with little sign that school blockades will halt in the meantime.

Later on Thursday, Frances Education Minister Edouard Geffray met with student protesters in Paris, as demonstrations rumbled on in the French capital.

What do students want?

More teachers, smaller class sizes and buildings better adapted to the climate are the most common demands of high school protesters.

Student union leaders, who represent some of the young people protesting, have also called for a 10-billion-euro ($11.2-billion) investment in high school and university-level education.

A 10-point list of proposals drawn up by student unions included rethinking student workloads, ending a controversial university admissions system, ending police violence against students and creating more student accommodation.

Sabrine Kharbach, spokesperson of the Student Union federation of unionized students, told BFMTV that blockades would continue until their demands were met.

Anas Ella, spokesperson for Les Lycens, a student association, told CNN that Lecornu didnt address the demands laid out by student unions.

She said that some of the prime ministers proposals including filling teaching posts in exam-year classes was the basics of the education system. She said that money would solve some of their demands but that a deeper reset in relations between the government and students was needed.

We are the ones most directly affected by the national education system, yet we arent actually listened to, she added.

Since the weekend, there have been concerted efforts among students to reject the violence that has marred protests.

Student Angelo Via, 19, who protested in the street Tuesday, told CNN there was a feeling of powerlessness in the face of violent police actions, despite many students protesting peacefully. He hopes the protests will bring about radical change, especially regarding education budgets.

Whats next?

There will be relief in France at the interior ministers decision to ban one type of police grenade, as the injuries suffered by some teenage protesters has sparked widespread horror. But the proposal for time for debate has been met with skepticism in some quarters.

The main union for school directors, SNPDEN-UNSA, said that the single day set aside for discussions was insufficient to respond to problems in depth.

Nicolas Bonnet, national secretary of the union, told BFMTV that, something other than a mere consultation period was required to get out of this crisis.

There are whispers in France of these protests transforming into another Yellow Vests movement, which was leaderless, nationwide and unified a broad church of grievances.

Mimicking the months-long violent protests the longest in French history that rocked Macrons first term, students and journalists are now referring to Thursdays protests as Act IV.

Additional reporting by Lucie Lepellec, Lisa Courbebaisse and Michael Rios.

Tay Glass says almost anyone can be the villain.

The vice president of Story Fest and co-founder of Back Pocket Media says the company’s third annual installment in Detroit is bound to be something special. This year, they invite visitors to explore this year’s theme, “Villains: stories about what we fear, what we misunderstand, and what we become.”

Featuring a litany of award-winning journalists, comedians, local artists and storytellers at the Detroit Opera House, the live performance shows off writers and performers from across metro Detroit.

“The ways in which stories are told are as diverse as what the stories themselves are about. From true crime to comedy, politics to poetics, Story Fest invites you to experience a brief and piercing look into the soul of the city,” the company says on its website.

Glass tells The Metro that while villainy can fly under the classic trope of good versus evil, sometimes you can be the villain, too.

“This could be small scale stuff, like hogging the arm rest on a long haul flight. We have one storyteller sharing an amazing story about working a summer job at Rent-A-Center and realizing, ‘Oh, shoot, maybe I’m the villain here.’”

StoryFest starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at the Detroit Opera House. Tickets available on Story Fest website.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

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A Highland Park police officer chose a non-lethal device over his gun to disarm a woman who told officers she wanted them to kill her and it worked.

Patrol officer Javom Odom was five minutes from the end of his shift when a call came in reporting a mentally ill, violent, armed person.

"When the call came out, mentally ill, violent, armed. So, I kind of get the hairs thinning up," Odom said.

Officers found the woman in an alley, knife in hand. Her mother had already told police the woman had been stabbing herself.

"As soon as she saw us pull up, she started yelling, like, oh my God, why would you do this? And then already with the information we got from the mother that she was stabbing herself, getting there, you can see the knife in her hand. You already know there's something going on," Odom said.

Officers worked to slow the situation down by keeping her talking.

"It's hard to talk to somebody with a knife in her hand that's in a crisis," Odom said.

That conversation took a critical turn when the woman made a statement that changed the entire encounter.

"Eventually she said she wasn't dropping it and that she wanted us to kill her. So from that statement alone, I wanted to end that as quick as possible," Odom said.

Rather than drawing his gun, Odom reached for a device called a BolaWrap a non-lethal tool that fires a Kevlar cord designed to wrap around a person's body or legs, temporarily restricting their movement.

"As soon as the BolaWrap went off, she dropped the knife immediately. The next step is actually figure out now what's going on. And she was more than willing to talk to us," Odom said.

Once the knife was gone, Odom learned the crisis stemmed from an argument following the woman's birthday.

Investigator Everett Monroe of the Highland Park Police Department said verbal communication is the first and most critical tool officers use in de-escalation.

"Ninety-five percent of our calls in de-escalating mental health persons in crisis, you're using your mouthpiece. Before you get to any tool," Monroe said.

Monroe noted that a mental health crisis does not always come with a prior diagnosis.

"You can be in crisis based upon something that's happened in that moment. Maybe the loss of a loved one or someone who may be going through a divorce," Monroe said.

The department has an embedded clinician and Crisis Intervention Trained officers who can check back in with individuals following an encounter. Monroe said that follow-up approach is already making a difference.

"We've also seen a decline in calls for familiar faces, those who in the past we've gone five, six times a day to deal with the same person. We've seen a reduction in that," Monroe said.

When asked about the reason behind that reduction, Monroe pointed to the department's commitment to connecting people with the right resources.

"Because we're able to get those people the help that they need," Monroe said.

Highland Park resident Frances Hunt knows firsthand what that follow-up looks like. Last year, Hunt found herself in a family crisis of her own.

"The kids were in need of help. I went to get the grandkids," Hunt said.

Hunt's family member was experiencing depression and became angry after Hunt stepped in to care for the person's children.

"She felt that I was trying to take them away, and she called the police on me. Thank God when the police came, the police was able to analyze the situation, handle it, and also get the proper need that she needed. She needed help and I did too," Hunt said.

When asked what she was most grateful for, Hunt highlighted the department's mental health team.

"That they had the mental illness team to come in to guide her, to talk to her, to give some numbers for resources," Hunt said.

And the outreach did not end there.

"They followed up with her, kind of uplifted her," Hunt said.

For Odom, the work comes down to effective communication.

"The whole point is to help the person in crisis. And you have to be able to communicate effectively," Odom said.

Monroe offered a final reflection on what de-escalation truly means.

"Someone in a crisis lets them know that they're still a person and they're not a situation," Monroe said.

The Highland Park Police Department is one of 25 law enforcement agencies in Michigan that use the BolaWrap. After being hit by the device while reporting this story, I can confirm: it was a loud bang, but it did not hurt.

The USS Abraham Lincoln returned Thursday to its homeport in San Diego after an over-10-month deployment marred by reports of supply shortages and deteriorating crew mental health including multiple confirmed suicide attempts.

Friends and family cheered and waved as the Nimitz-class carrier arrived, welcoming home a crew of about 5,000 sailors and Marines. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the ship a day earlier and awarded the Lincoln and accompanying ships the Presidential Unit Citation. According to Hegseth, the strike group executed 3,693 combat missions.

The Lincoln deployed in late November 2025 and arrived in the Middle East shortly before the start of the U.S.-Iran war. The ship then remained at sea without a port call for a record 265 days, before docking for the first time at a port in Thailand last month.

RELATED STORY | Lawmakers demand answers about deteriorating conditions aboard US warships

Before acknowledging some issues aboard the ship, the U.S. Navy initially attempted to downplay problems stemming from the lengthy deployment.

"The Lincoln was extended because the mission demanded it," acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said in August. "Deployments are hard. Combat operations make them harder. War is hell and normal routines are disrupted. One of the hardest aspects about warfighting beyond knowingly placing our service members in harm's way is that even with the best planning and communication, change and uncertainty will always be in play. Our success depends on how we adapt."

The Lincoln is the second carrier to experience an unusually long deployment amid the ongoing war with Iran. It was ultimately relieved in the Middle East by the USS George Washington which is normally based in Asia leaving the western Pacific without one of its key American aircraft carriers.