Vice President Kamala Harris will be back in Michigan today for a campaign stop.

Today Harris will join former Congresswoman Liz Cheney for an event its part of a series of conversations in communities across battleground states Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in addition to Michigan.

Harris is starting in Pennsylvania before traveling to Wisconsin and then Michigan.

She is expected in Oakland County on Monday evening.

With just weeks away until Election Day, campaigning is in full swing and both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump visited metro Detroit last week.

Which vitamin B supplement is best?

If you’re wondering how your body cells are able to function properly, think about B vitamins. There are eight B-group vitamins, and they help the body create new cells and maintain healthy cells and tissues.

If you’re looking for the vitamin B supplement that is right for you, MegaFood Balanced B-Complex Multivitamin is the top choice.

What to know before you buy a vitamin B supplement

Quality

When looking for the right vitamin B supplement, it isn’t enough for manufacturers to say their products are of high quality. Manufacturers must also conduct third-party testing by independent organizations to validate their claims.

Some certification programs are focused on specific areas. For instance, a Gluten-Free stamp on a dietary product indicates that the product doesn’t contain any ingredients that can trigger gluten allergies. On the other hand, there are programs that are broadly focused, like the GMP seal, which organizations like NSF and BSCG offer to indicate that the manufacturing facility complies with standard manufacturing practices.

Bioavailability

It is important to know if your body can efficiently absorb the nutrients in the vitamin B supplement you are taking. One indicator of this function is bioavailability.

One way to better understand the bioavailability of your vitamin B supplement is to check if it has been formulated in its most absorbable form. For instance, folate is the natural form of vitamin B9 but is formulated as folic acid in supplements. Folic acid is usually better absorbed than the natural form. If you want to pump up your vitamin B9 levels, taking a supplement containing folic acid may get it done faster.

Condition

While B vitamins are found in many foods, and you can often get most of what you need from healthy eating, some conditions require you to take extra B vitamins. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, B vitamins like B12 and folate are important for your baby’s growth, so it is important to take supplements containing these vitamins. Due to poor absorption issues, older adults may also find it difficult to get enough vitamin B12 from their diet alone. Other conditions that may require B vitamin supplementation include cancer, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and anorexia.

What to look for in a quality vitamin B supplement

Dosage

Each B vitamin has a recommended daily value, which often depends on factors like age, pregnancy, diet, medical condition and genetics. Taking a high dose of certain B vitamins can negatively affect your health. For instance, a high dose of vitamin B12 can affect your sleep cycle by causing insomnia, while taking high doses of a combination of vitamin B6 and B12 can increase levels of energizing neurotransmitters, leading to restlessness and irritability. Discuss the best dosage levels for you with your health care professional.

Plant-based diet

Plant-based foods don’t usually contain vitamin B12, which is a serious concern for people on a vegetarian or vegan diet. One of the effects of vitamin B12 deficiency is heart disease because low levels of this vitamin can increase homocysteine levels in your blood. If you follow a plant-based diet, choose a vitamin B supplement that contains adequate amounts of vitamin B12 to meet your dietary needs.

Allergies

Though not always common, some people can react to vitamin B supplements. For instance, if you are allergic to cobalt, your body may react if you take supplements that contain vitamin B12. In some rare cases, folic acid can cause an allergic reaction that can cause side effects, such as a skin rash, itching and feeling generally unwell.

How much you can expect to spend on vitamin B supplement

You can expect to pay between $5 and $30 per bottle of a quality vitamin B supplement. As with most supplements, you should check the recommended serving size to determine whether the cost is a value.

Vitamin B supplement FAQ

Why do vitamin B supplements smell funny?

A. It is actually normal for your vitamin B supplement to have an unpleasant odor. This smell typically comes from thiamine. However, if you can’t tolerate the scent, you can choose a vitamin B supplement that comes as a pleasant-tasting gummy.

Can anyone take a vitamin B supplement every day?

A. Some people can get the B vitamins they need from their diet, but people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, older adults and people with conditions such as cancer, Crohn’s disease or anorexia may require vitamin B supplementation. If you are also on a diet that increases your risk of vitamin B deficiency, such as a vegan diet, you may also need to take a vitamin B supplement for as long as you’re on the diet.

What’s the best vitamin B supplement to buy?

Top vitamin B supplement

MegaFood Balanced B-Complex Multivitamin

What you need to know: This vegan-friendly B-complex multivitamin provides a balanced ratio of B vitamins to give your body the support and energy you need.

What you’ll love: It is free of gluten, dairy, and soy, so you don’t have to worry if you are allergic to these ingredients. The serving size is 1 tablet daily, which makes it easy to take. The supplement can also be taken anytime during the day, even on an empty stomach.

What you should consider: If you have anxiety issues, it can have a stimulating effect on your nervous system, which can aggravate your condition.

Top vitamin B supplement for the money

Nature’s Bounty Super B-complex with Folic Acid Plus Vitamin C

What you need to know: This B-complex supplement combines vitamin C and folic acid with B vitamins to combat stress while supporting the heart and nervous system.

What you’ll love: In addition to B vitamins that help boost energy levels and combat stress, the folic acid and vitamin C also make it a great option for pregnant women.

What you should consider: Some users complained of this product’s strong vitamin B smell.

Worth checking out

Doctor’s Best Fully Active B Complex

What you need to know: This complete vitamin B supplement contains all eight B vitamins to support energy production and cell metabolism.

What you’ll love: It contains only the best-utilized forms of the B vitamins, like quatrefolic — a highly bioavailable form of folate due to its stability and water solubility.

What you should consider: It contains a high dose of vitamin B3, also called niacin, which may cause a niacin flush. This is marked by burning, itching and a flush of red on the skin.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Which tarp is best?

A tarp is an easy-to-use cover for everything from the winter log pile to a fully loaded big rig. It’s no surprise you’ll find them everywhere.

So all you need to do is check the size you want and go buy one, right? Well, maybe. There is actually considerable variety. Materials and construction can have a big impact on their cost and longevity.

Our favorite, the Xpose Safety’s Super Heavy-Duty Tarp, provides a durable, all-weather solution for all kinds of tasks.

What to know before you buy a tarp

Materials

Although polyethylene (often just called poly) and canvas are the most common materials, tarps made from vinyl and PVC are also common.

Polyethylene is cheap and almost 100% waterproof and thus has become the most popular choice. However, the sun’s UV rays will rapidly destroy cheap poly tarps. They can disintegrate — quite literally fall to pieces — in just weeks. For this reason, any good poly tarp will have an anti-UV coating (make sure it’s on both sides).

Canvas (woven from natural hemp or cotton) is much tougher than polyethylene, so it’s a better choice where abrasion resistance is required. It’s also flame-retardant (though not fireproof). However, it’s seldom fully waterproof and can be prone to rot in damp environments. The flip side is that because it will absorb liquids to some degree, it doesn’t become slippery like plastics, so in some situations, it’s safer.

Vinyl is somewhat more specialized, being tougher than polyethylene but more expensive. It’s popular for hauling. PVC combines flexibility with durability and is often found in factory curtaining or construction for temporary floor coverings.

What to look for in a quality tarp

Aside from material, thickness is going to have an impact on how hard-wearing and flexible the tarp is. There are two measurement systems in general use: milliliters and ounces per square yard. Manufacturers may give either or both. Six milliliters/3 ounces would be considered light duty, while up to 24 milliliters/12 ounces would be the most heavy duty. If the tarp is woven (many poly tarps are woven, as well as canvas), then you’ll also get a weave count. Higher numbers mean greater strength, with 8 by 8 being a lightweight tarp, up to 24 by 24 on heavy-duty models.

Grommets can be plastic, aluminum or brass. All are resistant to rust, but metal ones will last longer. Spacing can be anywhere from 36 to 18 inches apart. Typically, they’ll be closer on heavy-duty tarps because you usually want more tie-down points.

Double or triple rows of stitching reinforce the edges of the tarp. Nylon rope is sewn into the edge on the highest-quality versions to add additional strength.

Regarding sizing, some manufacturers give the size as that of the cut material before the edge is folded over and stitched. This generally results in the actual tarp dimensions being a half inch or more smaller than stated in the description. If you need precise sizing, it’s something to look out for.

How much you can expect to spend on a tarp

You can probably find cheap tarps for just a few bucks, but they tear easily and have no UV protection. A good-quality 8-by-10-foot tarp will cost around $15; at the other end of the scale, a tough, heavy-duty 30-by-40-foot tarp will cost you several hundred. That’s still very reasonable, considering the size and level of protection provided.

Tarps FAQ

Are milliliters for tarp thickness the same as millimeters?

A. Sound similar, don’t they? But no, they’re not the same. A mil is 1/1000th of an inch, and a millimeter is 1/100th of a meter. If you want a conversion, a millimeter is 0.039 inch — or 39 milliliters.

How do you know if a tarp is properly waterproof?

A. It’s not easy. There’s no common standard, so you have to take the maker’s word for it. It’s difficult to make canvas completely waterproof, so poly is better. Be careful with “water-resistant,” which probably just means showerproof.

What’s the best tarp to buy?

Top tarp

Xpose Safety’s Super Heavy-Duty Tarp

What you need to know: This hard-wearing tarp is available in a wide range of sizes, providing something for every task.

What you’ll love: It’s 16 milliliters thick and has a 16 by 16 weave count. It’s strong, waterproof and UV-resistant. Grommets are 18 inches apart, and seams are reinforced for greater security.

What you should consider: Seams have been known to fray occasionally.

Top tarp for the money

Harpster Tarps’ High-Visibility Tarp

What you need to know: This light-duty tarp is bright red if you need what you’re covering to stand out.

What you’ll love: This cheap and cheerful cover is suitable for indoors and outdoors. The material is 3.3 ounces (approximately 7 milliliters thick). It is waterproof, rot-resistant and has an anti-UV coating on both sides.

What you should consider: It’s just a thin, lightweight cover.

Worth checking out

F & J Outdoors’ Canvas Truck Tarp

What you need to know: This well-made, traditional, heavy-duty canvas is for vehicle, boat and yard use.

What you’ll love: The thick, 10-ounce fabric equivalent to 23 milliliters has triple-stitched hems. Grommet spacing allows for frequent tie-down points. Accurately sized, it is UV- and water-resistant.

What you should consider: It isn’t fully waterproof, and the color can fade quickly.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Text easily while still keeping your hands warm using these gloves

Before smartphones, it didn’t matter what type of gloves you wore, but thanks to touch screens, a good pair of texting gloves has become indispensable during the fall and winter months. What are texting gloves exactly? They’re exactly like any other pair of gloves except for one key difference: They have added pieces on the fingertips that will register the touch of a finger without requiring the removal of the glove. Provided you find the right pair, they are easy to use and convenient as temperatures drop.

How do texting gloves work?

The fingertips found on texting gloves feature conductive yarn or threads with materials like copper so that smartphone and tablet screens will respond to the electrical current of that touch the same as it would to the touch of your actual finger. Some smartphone gloves have these conductors on just the pointer finger, while others have them on the pointer and thumb. What you’ll want depends on how you normally use your phone.

Can you wash texting gloves?

It is not recommended that you put texting gloves in the washing machine, but they can be washed by hand in cool water. You can then lay them out flat to dry.

Are there texting gloves for left-handed users?

One thing to bear in mind is that a lot of texting gloves only have conductive tips on the right-hand glove, presumably so people can text with their “dominant” hand. Fortunately, more and more companies are making ambidextrous texting gloves so that both gloves in the pair feature conductors and are, therefore, compatible with a wider array of users.

Best unisex texting gloves you can buy online now

Achiou Winter Knit Touchscreen Gloves

These knit acrylic gloves have silicone nonslip palms and three-finger touchscreen capabilities through the conductive yarn on the right hand. They’re very warm, come in three sizes and are available in 13 cozy colors.

Trendoux Touchscreen Winter Gloves for Men and Women

These acrylic knit gloves have three conductive fingertips on both the left and right hand, plus silicone antislip palms to prevent fumbling. They are available in three sizes and nine colors.

Koxly Winter Touchscreen Gloves

Available in five sizes and three colors, these cozy gloves are made from compression fabrics and have dual-layer, three-finger touchscreen capabilities. They’re not waterproof, but they’re very warm and have silicone antislip palms.

Best women’s texting gloves you can buy online now

Achiou Women’s Winter Elastic Stretch Touchscreen Gloves

These polyester/cotton/spandex gloves have forefinger and thumb touchscreen capabilities, incorporating great elasticity for a comfortable fit. They come in two sizes and 10 color schemes.

Elma Women’s Classic Touchscreen Texting Winter Gloves

These stylish touchscreen gloves are made from soft hair sheep leather with a cashmere lining and a fashion button on each wrist. They come in five numbered sizes (including half sizes) and nine colors.

TrailHeads Women’s Touchscreen Running Gloves

These smooth, stretchy polyester gloves feature touchscreen-capable tips on both the left and right hand and nonslip palms. They are designed for use during aerobic activities and come in three sizes and colors/patterns.

Best men’s texting gloves you can buy online now

Eonpow Men’s Touchscreen Texting Leather Gloves

These black faux leather gloves have a buckle closure at the wrist and a soft cashmere-like lining on the inside. They are warm, comfortable and compatible with touchscreens.

SCENTBLOCKER Shield Series S3 Touch Text Gloves

These lightweight wool gloves have an earthy tree edge pattern on the exterior and touchscreen forefinger and thumb tips, as well as a silicone antislip palm grip. They prevent odor, minimize moisture and come in two colors.

Adidas Men’s Shield 3.0 Running Gloves

Available in two sizes, these texting gloves are made from polyester, spandex, and faux leather for a comfortable fit. The forefinger and thumb tips are touchscreen-compatible with both the left and right hands. The gloves are warm and feature a flood print palm grip on both hands for a firm, reliable grip.

Foco Men’s NFL Palm Logo Texting Touch Gloves

These polyester gloves, which have touchscreen-compatible forefinger and thumb tips, come in over a dozen NFL team colors. Each glove features the team’s logo on the back of the palm and the team’s name on the other side.

Carhartt Men’s C-Touch Work Glove

These durable cotton/polyester work gloves are wind-resistant, have a comfortable microfiber lining, and are touchscreen-compatible. They are available in black or gray and in five sizes.

Best kid’s texting gloves you can buy online now

Pulais Kids Touchscreen Gloves

This set comes with two pairs of acrylic knit gloves — one in gray and one in blue. Both have three-finger touchscreen capabilities on the left and right hand. Gloves come in small or medium.

Yukini Ya Kid’s Touchscreen Winter Gloves

Available in five sizes, these black and gray gloves have a plush lining, reflective accents, and antislip palms with three-finger touchscreen conductive fabric on the right-hand tips. Though sold as water-resistant, users do not recommend them for wet environments.

Head Kids’ Touchscreen Gloves

Available in black or violet, these touchscreen gloves are great for chilly days. They have a comfortable fit and good-quality materials. The gloves come in two sizes.

The North Face Youth Denali ETIP Gloves

These fleece gloves have five finger-touchscreen capabilities as well as a silicone antislip print on the palms.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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The Biden administration wants private insurers to pay for over-the-counter birth control products for women of reproductive age.

A proposed rule under the Affordable Care Act would give women with private insurance free access to products such as condoms, spermicide, and emergency contraception.

No prescription would be required for the products.

The rule would also help spread awareness, by requiring most private insurers to disclose that over-the-counter contraception is covered and does not need a prescription.

This comes as an emergency contraceptive like Plan B One-Step costs about $50 out-of-pocket.

This proposed rule, if finalized, would be the most significant expansion of contraception coverage under the Affordable Care Act since 2012, when contraception was first required to be covered, said a White House press release.

The proposed rule is the Biden administration's latest effort to strengthen access to abortion and contraceptives.

RELATED STORY | Why is access to birth control controversial?

When Donald Trump’s microphone stopped working for about 15 minutes during a presidential campaign speech in downtown Detroit on Friday night, you had to wonder what the Republican candidate might have said or done in that precious but lost quarter-hour. He might have praised the size of Arnold Palmer’s penis, the way he did Saturday night in a Pennsylvania speech that went beyond cringy. He might have insulted the Motor City again, the way he did in the previous week at the Detroit Economic Club, when Trump said the election of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris would make the whole nation as bleak and desolate as Detroit.

As confetti fell and Frank Sinatras New York, New York blared through the arena, the New York Liberty celebrated the end of a long odyssey.

The team that always fell short, starting from their days in Madison Square Garden, through detours to Radio City Music Hall and Westchester County Center, finally found their way to the top.

Start spreading the news, indeed: Theres finally a pro basketball champion in New York again after a 67-62 overtime win over Minnesota in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday night.

Ive been manifesting this moment for awhile, Theres no feeling like it, Breanna Stewart said. Credit to Minnesota, they gave us a tough series. The fans have been amazing everywhere weve gone. To bring a championship to New York, first ever in franchise history its an incredible feeling. I cant wait to continue to celebrate with the city. Its going to be bonkers.

Jonquel Jones scored 17 points to lead New York, which was one of the original franchises in the league. The Liberty made the WNBA Finals five times before, losing each one, including last season. This time they wouldnt be denied, although it took an extra five minutes.

With stars Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu struggling on offense, other players stepped up. Leonie Fiebich started off OT with a 3-pointer, and then Nyara Sabally, who finished with 13 points, had a steal for a layup to make it 65-60 and bring the sellout crowd to a frenzied state.

Whoever scores in overtime first usually wins, Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said.

Minnesota didnt score in OT until Kayla McBride hit two free throws with 1:51 left. The Lynx missed all six of their field goal attempts in overtime. After Ionescu missed a shot with 21 seconds left, her 18th miss on 19 shot attempts, the Lynx had one last chance, but Bridget Carleton missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left.

Stewart, who missed a free throw with 0.8 seconds left in the end of regulation in Game 1, hit two free throws with 10.1 seconds left in overtime to seal the victory.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock the players hugged and streamers fell from the rafters at Barclays Center. Stewart and Jones hugged. The two prize free agent signees two years ago helped get this team its first title.

New York trailed by two in regulation when Stewart was fouled with 5.2 seconds left. After a lengthy video review, Stewart calmly hit two free throws to tie the game at 60. Minnesota had challenged the foul call and after the game coach Cheryl Reeve still questioned it, saying the title was stolen from her team.

McBride, who finished with 21 points, had an open look for a 3, but it fell off the rim and the game went to OT.

RELATED STORY | Las Vegas star A'ja Wilson is unanimous choice as WNBA MVP, winning the award for the third time

Many of the former Liberty greats were in the audience, including Teresa Weatherspoon, who hit a half-court heave in the 1999 WNBA Finals to force a decisive Game 3 that year. That was the last time that New York had a chance to play in a championship-deciding game until this year.

Jones, who was the only player on the Liberty to compete in a Game 5 before when she was with Connecticut in 2019, earned MVP honors.

I could never dream of this. You know how many times Ive been denied. It was delayed. I am so happy to do it here, she said.

Napheesa Collier scored 22 points to lead Minnesota before fouling out with 13 seconds left in OT.

The Lynx were trying for a record fifth WNBA title, breaking a tie with the Seattle Storm and Houston Comets. Minnesota won four titles from 2011-17 behind the core group of Lindsay Whalen, Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore. That was the teams last appearance in the WNBA Finals until this year.

Congratulations to the Liberty on their first championship, Reeve said. It took them 28 years, congrats to them. We were that close to our fifth, it just didnt happen.

This is the first time since 2019 that the WNBA Finals have gone the distance. Since the league switched to a best-of-five format in 2005, seven other series have gone to a Game 5 and the home team had won five of those previous contests, including in 2019.

This series has been a fitting conclusion to a record-breaking season for the league. All five games came down to the last few possessions and have included two overtime games and a last-second shot, which have led to record ratings.

The first three games each had over a million viewers on average, with the audience growing for each contest. They also have had huge crowds in attendance.

Liberty fan Spike Lee was courtside over an hour before tipoff chatting with the media while wearing his Ionescu jersey. Once Ionescu finished warming up pregame, the pair had a brief exchange and hugged. Lee was part of a sellout crowd of 18,090 that helped this series set both the overall attendance record for a WNBA Finals as well as the average attendance mark.

RELATED STORY | Caitlin Clark named WNBA Rookie of the Year

Metro Detroit is still hanging on to summer-like weather. But as the 7 first alert weather team has been reporting we have the potential for a wetter-than-normal winter.

And that's welcoming news for those whose bottom line relies heavily on Michigan winters.

I spoke to local skiiers and a ski shop who are hoping it will be a season for the slopes.

"It was a super big bummer, we were not happy with the weather last season," said Bridget Place.

"It was difficult to get my kids to even get out there last year," said Hollie Bartoni.

"It was a super big bummer last year, there were days where it was unskiable," said William Place.

"Last year there were patches of dirt and not much snow," said Lucy Place.

If you're a skiier, a snowboarder, or even a snowmobiler, you can say confidently that last winter was disappointing in terms of snow.

"We definitely have a lot of customers that are coming in and they're excited about the ski season," said Paige Foster, a supervisor at Boyne Country Sports. "A lot of them have already booked trips, either up north or out west to other resorts."

Local ski shops like Boyne Country Sports are also hopeful as customers come in to buy equipment or swap out the old for the new, and the new ski equipment is arriving by the truck load.

"There's still a lot of excitement and a lot of hope for a great season," Paige said.

"We all ski, and we are all looking very much so looking for a great season this year," Hollie said.

Hollie was at the shop to pick up her kids' skis that just got tuned and re-fitted for the upcoming season.

"Sometimes we will go locally to Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, and sometimes we head up north too," Hollie said.

"It's definitely that time of year so we are thinking about it, wanting to get our ski gear," Bridget said. "We are also planning to go up to Boyne probably at Christmas and a couple of weekends here and there."

The Place family was bringing in their old equipment and getting new gear, but I had to ask both William and Lucy what they're looking forward to this season.

"I like doing terrain parks," Lucy said. "I also like going with my family and friends. It's fun when you're with people you know and share the same things."

"I am very excited to get better and improve overall as a skiier," William said. "I am hoping for better conditions."

Where Your Voice Matters

For children’s author Paula LaRue, writing is all about reading.

The mission of the retired educator and Milford resident is to “get kids reading and keep them reading.”

Fans enjoying LaRue’s “Scary Shivers” series of adventure mysteries may consider it a mission accomplished. Three books have been published and a fourth is scheduled for release in 2025.

One installment — “The Weeping House” — won first place for Juvenile Mystery and Juvenile Fantasy & Magic at the 2024 national BookFest Awards.

The latest book — “The Legend of the Serpent Witch” — was released just ahead of Halloween.

Written for middle school children, LaRue’s books follow the adventures of Ollie and two friends who encounter an array of creatures, including ghosts, witches, snakes, vampires, thieves and scary creatures. Throughout, the friends support each other to face and conquer their fears and overcome terrifying surprises.

LaRue said she employs a fast-paced style similar to novelist R.L. Stine, author of the best-selling “Goosebumps” novel series. Stine’s work has spawned video games and two feature films, and he has been described as the “Stephen King” of children’s literature.

LaRue — who writes under the pen name F.P. LaRue — said her works reflect her childhood passion for reading and her long-held fascination with scary and mysterious horror tales and movies.

“I’ve always enjoyed spooky things,” she said. Among her favorites is “Dark Shadows,” a gothic fantasy popular on television in the 1960s and into the ‘70s, and in a 2012 movie directed by Tim Burton, famous for fantasy films and gothic horror.

“I like all that goes with ghosts and mummies, even as an adult. I still do. We are all kids at heart.”

Growing up in Trenton, LaRue said her parents emphasized reading. As a child, LaRue was a familiar face at the Trenton Veterans Memorial Library. Raised in a family of four children, her father was a maintenance staffer at McLouth Steel Corp. and her mother was a kitchen worker at Trenton’s Riverside Hospital. LaRue graduated from Trenton High School in 1975.

“We were a family of readers,” she said. “My parents always encouraged me to read and that it was important. Kids watch what their parents do and what they value.”

A criminal justice graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a master’s degree in security administration from the University of Detroit, she specialized in security and safety methods and techniques. More recently, she retired as dean of academic affairs at ITT Technical Institute near Flint.

After retiring several years ago, she said, her husband — a digital and technology specialist — “bought an app during COVID” to introduce her to writing as a pastime.

“I enjoyed it and found it easy to follow and do,” she said.

Her foray into fiction was not her first into writing, however. Previously, she drew upon her experience in security to write a nonfiction book (“Stalking: Surviving the Hidden Terror”) about methods for handling and avoiding stalking and stalkers.

In recent years, her interest in childhood reading also produced an advisory article, “Ten Tips to Get Children Reading More.” Among those:

• Create a dedicated reading space

• Make family visits to libraries and bookstores

• Set and example, be positive and patient

• Have them write their own stories

The 10 tips and more about LaRue’s children’s novels — “The Weeping House,” “The Legend of the Serpent Witch” and “The Curse of Shadow Park” — are available at fplarue.com.

The Detroit Fire Department rescued a man from the Detroit River early Monday morning.

It happened earlier this morning near Riverside Park in Downtown Detroit.

The Detroit Fire Department responded to a call just after 3 a.m. of a man in the Detroit river. it was an all-hands-on-deck situation as DFD, the U.S. coast guard and the Detroit Police Department were all on scene.

Initially, it was thought that two people were in the water. but that's not the case.

We confirmed one civilian. That civilian was extricated from the water and transported to the hospital. I dont have any names or any idea of how he got in the water. There was some fisherman down there. They heard him yelling and screaming in the water," said Detroit Fire Department Chief Samuel Vazquez.

I asked a deckhand at nearby J.W. Wescott the following: How often do you have situations where like there may be a body in the water or some sort of emergency like that?

Sure, I guess it happens more than you would think," said J.C. Sharp. "I guess were about average for this year. It wouldnt surprise me if we have one or two more before the season closes.

Now if you remember just about a month ago, there was another rescue of a man here trying to cross the cold choppy detroit river waters. He jumped in from the Ontario, Canada side and attempted to swim over..

WATCH OUR COVERAGE FROM LAST MONTH: Mailboat rescue saves man who attempted to swim across the Detroit River Mailboat rescue saves man who attempted to swim across the Detroit river

As for this current situation, right now, the mans condition is unknown

Everyone deserves a chance to work.

During October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month, one non-profit organization is working to highlight employers who are giving individuals with disabilities the opportunity to do so.

“We strive for all individuals to have equal access to the labor market which is a right everyone deserves,” said Rene Dell, vice-president of vocational rehabilitation at Gesher Human Services, a nonprofit working to provide diverse populations in communities across Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties with the skills, support and equitable opportunities they need to succeed.

“We also hope to inspire those with disabilities to step out of their comfort zone to chase their dreams and for employers to be inspired to diversify their workforce,” added Dell.

In the past year more than 200 individuals have found work through the program.

Among those inspiring others is Alexi Canup, 24, of Warren.

“I love this job,” said Canup, while holding a hamster wiggling in her arms at Pet Supplies Plus in Sterling Heights. “I was a volunteer here first, then they offered me a job. My mom liked the idea of me being out of the house and doing something.”

Since joining the team at Pets Plus, Canup has proven to be a valuable employee who can keep the shelves stocked and care for all of the animals, with the exception of the slithering reptiles.

“I do not do the snakes. That’s a no, no,” she mused, before handing a hamster to her boss and store manager Chris Lunarki.

“She’s really shown that she can bring a lot to the business,” Lunarki said of Canup. “She works on projects. She interacts well with people in the community, and I find that she’s just fun to be around.”

Canup, however, would argue it’s the environment that makes it fun.

“The best part about working here are the people,” Canup said, although admitting the discounts and being able to work with animals also makes it an awesome job.

Marx Cafagna, who works for the Salvation Army in Rochester Hills, had the same to say about his place of employment.

“I enjoy working at The Salvation Army because of the friendly atmosphere,” said Cafagna, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. “Not only do I feel very comfortable at my place of work, I also feel appreciated for all of the hard work that I am doing. I am very passionate about my position and enjoy going to work every day.”

Lunarki said those who participate in the program have to be prepared to have a supportive environment.

“It does take a little more understanding and patience but we have found that when you create this kind of atmosphere everyone just falls into place,” said Lunarki, who encourages companies to consider the program coordinated between Gesher and Michigan Rehabilitation Services.

What’s made it successful is the attention that’s given to customize employment, assessments, internships, workshops and job placement and coaching services for both the individuals and participating companies.

“I would say, definitely be open to it. You will be surprised at what an individual can give to you provided you work within their wheelhouse,” Lunarki said. “We really feel that our business should reflect our community whenever possible.”

That includes people with special needs and disabilities.

“People with disabilities have a strong desire to contribute to society and they are so appreciative when someone gives them the chance to shine,” Dell said. “When you hire someone with a disability you are giving them an opportunity that they had to work so much harder to achieve. As a result, you truly are gaining a dedicated team member. It has been reported that the individuals we have placed show up for their work shifts as scheduled and are willing to go above and beyond to complete their job task.”

Why hire people with disabilities?

Since COVID-19 there has been a rise in the number of companies hiring individuals with special needs and disabilities.

In 2018, the employment rate of working-age people (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Michigan was 35.7 percent. The latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows it has risen to 39.7% for women and 41.8% for men, both between the ages of 16 and 64.

However, there remains a large untapped pool of Michigan workers who are loyal, hardworking and highly motivated.

It’s also good for business, according to a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The reasons being:

• They’re dependable: Employers who have hired workers with disabilities report that they are typically more punctual and miss fewer days of work than non-disabled workers.

• They’re committed to their job: Workers with disabilities do not take their jobs for granted. Retention is around 85% of people with developmental disabilities. They take great pride in their work and are loyal to their employers.  Turnover is lower than with non-disabled workers.

• They’re hard workers: Since they value their jobs, employees with disabilities work hard, are productive, and their work skills continue to improve over time.

• Your customers want you to: Consumers are looking for companies that care about people, the community, and social issues. In a national survey, 87% of those asked said they would prefer to give their business to companies that hire workers with disabilities.

For more information visit geshermi.org/careers-employment/.

The Oakland County road commission is hosting a public meeting to let Novi and Northville residents know about a two-year, two-phase renovation of Novi Road.

This section of Novi Road, between Eight Mile and Nine Mile roads, is used by an estimated 13,700 vehicles daily.

The project will start in 2025 and will cost an estimated $6.7 million. Much of the cost is federally funded. Any remaining cost will be divided among the road commission, Novi, Northville and the county’s general fund.

The work includes:

•  Reconstructing the curve between Eight Mile Road and Allen Road near the Rouge River.

•  Pavement milling (grinding off old pavement) and repaving with asphalt (2026).

•  Adding a center left-turn to create two northbound through lanes and one southbound through lane from Allen Road to Nine Mile Road.

•  Adding curbs and gutters where appropriate.

•  Installing storm sewers to improve drainage.

•  Renovating some side-street and driveway approaches.

•  Improving pedestrian crosswalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

•  Adding High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) beacons for pedestrians just north of Galway Street.

During the work, this part of Novi Road will be closed to through traffic. The detour will be 8 Mile Road to Meadowbrook Road to 9 Mile Road, back to Novi Road and vice versa. Drivers can expect intermittent lane closures when utilities are relocated.

The open-house-style meeting is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23 at Hillside Middle School, 775 North Center Street in Northville. Road commission officials will be on hand to answer people’s questions.

To learn more, visit the county road commission’s project page online: https://www.rcocweb.org/698/Novi-Road-8-Mile-Road-to-9-Mile-Road.

The Heartland Marketplace grocery in Farmington Hills is closing Oct. 30, but an international market will be moving in.

Abdullah Alawdi, a partner in Al-Haramain International Foods, confirmed that the chain will open in the Heartland space, 33250 W. 12 Mile Road at Farmington Road, in mid-November.

An existing Al-Haramain location at 24065 Orchard Lake Road, near 10 Mile Road in Farmington, will remain open. There is also a store on Joseph Campau in Hamtramck.

Alawdi said the partners are excited about the new location because it will have more space.

Al-Haramain carries foods representing at least 25 countries, he said.

“We have Korean, Chinese, Middle Eastern, European, Indian, African and more.” he said.

Heartland representatives could not be reached for comment.

Heartland is an independent, family owned chain, according to its website. A location on Ford Road in Westland is remaining in business.

 

 

Today is Monday, Oct. 21, the 295th day of 2024. There are 71 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Oct. 21, 2014, Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius was convicted of culpable homicide for shooting and killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. The conviction was later upgraded to murder; Pistorius was released on parole in January 2024.

Also on this date:

In 1797, the U.S. Navy frigate Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides,” was christened in Boston’s harbor.

In 1805, a British fleet commanded by Adm. Horatio Nelson defeated a French-Spanish fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar; Nelson, however, was killed.

In 1940, Ernest Hemingway’s novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls” was first published.

In 1944, U.S. troops captured the German city of Aachen (AH’-kuhn) — the first German city to fall to American forces in World War II.

In 1959, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim Museum opened in New York.

In 1966, 144 people, 116 of them children, were killed when a coal waste landslide engulfed a school and some 20 houses in Aberfan, Wales.

In 2013, a seventh grader at Sparks Middle School in Sparks, Nevada, shot and killed a teacher and wounded two classmates before taking his own life.

In 2021, Actor Alec Baldwin was pointing a gun on a movie set in New Mexico when it went off and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. Charges of involuntary manslaughter against Baldwin were dropped in July 2024.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Rock singer Manfred Mann is 84.
• TV’s Judge Judy Sheindlin is 82.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is 75.
• Former first daughter Patti Davis is 72.
• Film director Catherine Hardwicke is 69.
• Actor Ken Watanabe (wah-tah-NAH’-bee) is 65.
• Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., is 53.
• Actor Will Estes is 46.
• Reality TV star Kim Kardashian (kahr-DASH’-ee-uhn) is 44.
• MLB pitcher Zack Greinke is 41.
• Actor Glenn Powell is 36.
• Country singer Kane Brown is 31.
• Singer Doja Cat is 29.

The post Watch: WDET hosts US election special with CBC Radio, NPR appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump manned the fry station at a McDonald's in Pennsylvania on Sunday before staging an impromptu news conference, answering questions through the drive-thru window.

As reporters and aides watched, an employee showed Trump how to dunk baskets of fries in oil, salt the fries and put them into boxes using a scoop. Trump, a well-known fan of fast food and a notorious germophobe, expressed amazement that he didn't have to touch the fries with his hands.

It requires great expertise, actually, to do it right and to do it fast, Trump said with a grin, putting away his suit jacket and wearing an apron over his shirt and tie.

RELATED STORY | Harris, Trump court suburban Pennsylvania voters in path to White House

The visit came as he's tried to counter Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' accounts on the campaign of working at the fast-food chain while in college, an experience that Trump has claimed without offering evidence never happened.

A large crowd lined the street outside the restaurant in Feasterville-Trevose, which is part of Bucks County, a key swing voter area north of Philadelphia. Later Sunday, Trump was attending an evening town hall in Lancaster before catching the Pittsburgh Steelers home game against the New York Jets.

After serving bags of takeout to people in the drive-thru lane, Trump leaned out of the window, still wearing the apron, to take questions from the media staged outside. The former president, who has constantly promoted falsehoods about his 2020 election loss, said he would respect the results of next month's vote if it's a fair election.

He joked about getting one reporter ice cream and when another asked what message he had for Harris on her 60th birthday on Sunday, Trump said, I would say, Happy Birthday, Kamala, adding, I think Ill get her some flowers.

RELATED STORY | Presidential candidates hit airwaves for major interviews as Election Day nears

Trump did not directly answer a question of whether he might support increased minimum wages after seeing McDonalds employees in action but said, These people work hard. Theyre great.

He added that I just saw something a process thats beautiful.

When aides finally urged him to wrap things up so he could hit the road to his next event, Trump offered, Wasnt that a strange place to do a news conference?

Trump has long questioned Harris' story of working at McDonald's

Trump has fixated in recent weeks on the summer job Harris said she held in college, working the cash register and making fries at McDonalds while in college. Trump says the vice president has lied about working there, but not offered evidence for claiming that.

Harris spokesman Joseph Costello said the former president's McDonald's visit showed exactly what we would see in a second Trump term: exploiting working people for his own personal gain.

Trump doesnt understand what its like to work for a living, no matter how many staged photo ops he does, and his entire second term plan is to give himself, his wealthy buddies, and giant corporations another massive tax cut, Costello said in a statement.

RELATED STORY | Harris' interview with Fox News is marked by testy exchanges over immigration and more

In an interview last month on MSNBC, the vice president pushed back on Trumps claims, saying she did work at the fast-food chain four decades ago when she was in college.

Part of the reason I even talk about having worked at McDonalds is because there are people who work at McDonalds in our country who are trying to raise a family, she said. I worked there as a student.

Harris also said: I think part of the difference between me and my opponent includes our perspective on the needs of the American people and what our responsibility, then, is to meet those needs.

Trump has long spread groundless claims about his opponents based on their personal history, particularly women and racial minorities.

Before he ran for president, Trump was a leading voice of the birther conspiracy that baselessly claimed President Barack Obama was from Africa, was not an American citizen and therefore was ineligible to be president. Trump used it to raise his own political profile, demanding to see Obamas birth certificate and five years after Obama did so, Trump finally admitted that Obama was born in the United States.

During his first run for president, Trump repeated a tabloids claims that Texas Sen. Ted Cruzs father, who was born in Cuba, had links to President John F. Kennedys assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald. Cruz and Trump competed for the partys 2016 nomination.

RELATED STORY | Will RFK Jr.'s exit help or hurt Trump's campaign against VP Harris?

In January of this year, when Trump was facing Nikki Haley, his former U.N. ambassador, in the Republican primary, he shared on his social media network a post with false claims that Haleys parents were not citizens when she was born, therefore making her ineligible to be president.

Haley is the South Carolina-born daughter of Indian immigrants, making her automatically a native-born citizen and meeting the constitutional requirement to run for president.

And Trump has continued to promote baseless claims during this campaign. Trump said during his presidential debate with Harris that immigrants who had settled in Springfield, Ohio, were eating residents pets a claim he suggested in an interview Saturday was still true even though he could provide no confirmation.

Trump's visit created a spectacle in Pennsylvania

It is a fundamental value of my organization that we proudly open our doors to everyone who visits the Feasterville community, the McDonalds locations owner, Derek Giacomantonio, said in a statement. Thats why I accepted former President Trumps request to observe the transformative working experience that 1 in 8 Americans have had: a job at McDonalds.

Police closed the busy streets around the McDonalds during Trump's visit. Authorities cordoned off the restaurant as a crowd a couple blocks long gathered, sometimes 10- to 15-deep, across the street straining to catch a glimpse of Trump. Horns honked and music blared as Trump supporters waved flags, held signs and took pictures.

John Waters, of nearby Fairless Hills, had never been to a Trump rally and had hoped to see the former president so close to his house after missing other nearby rallies.

When I drove up, all the cars, unbelievable, I was like, Hes heres, hes coming, hes definitely coming with this all traffic, Waters said.

Trump is especially partial to McDonald's Big Macs and Filet-o-Fish sandwiches. Hes talked often about how he trusts big chains more than smaller restaurants since they have big reputations to maintain, and the former presidents staff often pick up McDonalds and serve it on his plane.

Jim Worthington, a Trump supporter and fundraiser who owns a nearby athletic complex and chaired Pennsylvanias delegation to the Republican National Convention, said he arranged Trumps visit to the locally owned McDonalds franchise.

The campaign contacted him looking for a McDonalds in Pennsylvania and Worthington started looking for one. He got in touch with Giacomantonio through a friend and talked the franchise owner through some initial nervousness.

Giacomantonio needed to know that McDonalds corporate offices would be OK with it, first. Second, he was concerned that being seen as a Trump supporter would hurt his business or a spark boycott, Worthington said.

He certainly had concerns, but I eased his mind, and talked to him about the benefits, Worthington said.

The 47th annual Detroit Free Press Marathon wrapped up on October 20th, with 19,000 runners registered for the scheduled Sunday races. But it's the Ferndale couple, Andrew Bowman and Sydney Devore-Bowan, who will look back at winning the 2024 Detroit marathon as a milestone event.

"This is our community, and for us to be a part of it, in this light, is amazing," said Andrew.

"You know you guys are putting this message out in the universe, saying that if you want to win a marathon, you must be married," said Faraz Javed, 7 News Detroit reporter.

"Of course! Get married and win," said Andrew.

Their passion for running brought the two together; they tied the knot last November. A story we featured the day before the race, and since they were the top contenders this year, Faraz also caught up with the duo as they warmed up near the start line.

"At this point I'm just really trying to relax and keep it bottled up. But I'm also visualizing what's it going to feel like the finish line," said Sydney.

"She said has it dawned on you that we are running a marathon? I said I think that's the most intense part of this whole thing, that this is a marathon, and anything can happen even when you are fully prepared," said Andrew.

Last year, Andrew was devastated for not being able to finish the Olympic Trials, while Sydney's passion for running nearly ended after she had to sit out for two years due to injuries. That's when they became each other's support system, making Detroit their first marathon running as husband and wife.

"What are the final words of encouragement or wisdom you are sharing with each other?" asked Faraz.

"No mater what I know you are going to do your best. I think you know I'm going to do my best, we don't know what that's going to look like out there," said Sydney.

"My mind is always, I love you no matter how this goes," said Andrew.

And it's fair to say it went well for both. 33 year old Sydney finished in the women's field in 2:42.46, while 30 year old Andrew won the men's race and the overall with a time of 2:17.47.

"That last 4 miles, I was like he is waiting for you; he is waiting for you. And then I was going to start crying when I turned the corner and I was like I better get in his arms in case I cry, because this is going to be embarrassing," said Sydney.

Sydney also won the 2018 Pittsburgh Marathon and the 2022 Glass City Marathon. While trying to keep pace with his wife, Andrew also bagged this year's Pittsburgh Marathon.

"Did you guys learn anything different this time around?" asked Faraz.

"It doesn't have to go the way you think it's going to go... And if you can just stay positive and believe in yourself," said Sydney.

"If you don't stick to your game plan. It's going to be tough," said Andrew.

For Sydney and Andrew, the historic moment at the finish line will always be close to their heart, and they plan to take part in more races as a couple and hopefully win more medals and share special moments along the way.

A bond hearing for an OnlyFans model accused of murdering her boyfriend took an unexpected turn when her defense introduced a video of knives being thrown at a pig carcass to prove their case.

Courtney Clenney is charged with second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Christian Obumseli. Obumseli was stabbed to death in the couples shared Miami apartment, but Clenney has claimed she acted in self-defense when she killed him. Clenney told investigators that she never meant to stab the victim and, in fact, had actually thrown the knife at him.

Clenney has been in the Miami-Dade County jail since her arrest on Aug. 10, 2022, and at a hearing on Friday, her attorneys asked Judge Laura Cruz to release her ahead of her trial, which has not yet been scheduled.

RELATED STORY | Former Olympic snowboarder is wanted in a US drug trafficking case

Clenneys attorneys introduced Dr. John Marraccini as their expert witness, who testified that his testing determined that it was plausible and even likely that Clenney had thrown the knife that killed Obumseli. To test the theory, Clenneys defense arranged for knives to be thrown at a pig carcass. Marraccini explained to the Court that the pigs skin and tissue behave much like a humans.

A video entered into evidence by the defense showed a man repeatedly throwing knives at the carcass, hung against a wall. Several of the knives could be seen successfully impaling the body. Dr. Marraccini then appeared on the video to examine the wounds, which he declared were similar to those suffered by Obumseli.

Prosecutors highlighted the flaws of the demonstration, specifically the differences in size and body type between Clenney, a petite woman, and the man seen throwing knives in the video, who is larger. They also noted that Marraccini never examined the actual murder weapon or indicated how sharp it was in comparison to the knives used in the experiment.

RELATED STORY | Murder, other violent crime rates dropped across US last year, new FBI data shows

When prosecutors questioned whether the experiment matched Clenneys story about throwing the knife, her attorneys said that bodyworn camera from the day of the incident matched the information they used to map out the knife-throwing setup. Because that bodyworn camera video was not yet introduced into evidence, the judge deferred ruling on the motion until she could review it.

Prosecutors urged the judge to deny the request, saying that Clenney represents a danger to herself and everyone else around her whenever she doesnt get her way.

This story was originally published by Lauren Silver at

Court TV.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jake Bates kicked a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left and the Detroit Lions beat Minnesota 31-29 on Sunday, handing the Vikings their first loss in a back-and-forth game befitting of the NFL’s strongest division.

Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 116 yards and two of Detroit’s three second-quarter touchdowns. He also helped Jared Goff guide the Lions 48 yards in four plays to get in range for their rookie kicker while forcing the Vikings to burn their timeouts. Bates is 10 for 10 on field goals this season.

Goff went 22 for 25 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers in his third straight game with a 140-plus passer rating, joining Aaron Rodgers (2011), Kurt Warner (1999) and Roger Staubach (1971) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to accomplish the feat.

Gibbs had 150 total yards to spearhead a commanding performance by the Lions (5-1) at the line of scrimmage against the defense that entered the week with a rushing average per play (3.6) allowed that was the second-best in the league.

Ivan Pace Jr. returned David Montgomery’s fumble 35 yards for a touchdown with 5:50 remaining to give the Vikings (5-1) a one-point lead after they trailed 21-10 at halftime, but Sam Darnold’s crucial 2-point conversion pass sailed past Justin Jefferson.

The Vikings neared midfield on their last-gasp possession, but they were too far away for their own perfect rookie Will Reichard to attempt a field goal. Darnold was sacked to end the game and give the Lions their fourth consecutive victory over the Vikings for their longest streak in the series since 1961-63.

Aaron Jones rushed for 93 yards and a TD for Minnesota despite being listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. Jefferson had 81 yards receiving and a touchdown, and Reichard made three field goals, including a 57-yarder.

Darnold went 22 for 27 for 259 yards, but he spoiled a promising drive in the second quarter when the Vikings needed to regain some rhythm by ignoring a wide-open Jones in the flat off a play-action fake and forcing a throw to Jordan Addison that was intercepted by a diving Brian Branch.

The Lions played a second quarter for the ages. They had three scoring drives that all covered at least 69 yards on the strength of some shrewd play-calling by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson that rendered the chess moves by Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores moot, as Goff beat blitz after blitz.

Takeaways as Lions overcome disastrous fumble, defeat Vikings, 31-29

Injury report

Lions: RB Montgomery (knee) limped off in the first quarter but returned before halftime. … RG Kevin Zeitler (groin) was inactive, and his backup Kayode Awosika was flagged twice for holding and once for a false start in the first quarter. One holding call was declined by the Vikings because they sacked Goff on the play.

Vikings: LB Blake Cashman (toe) was inactive.

Up next

Lions: Host the Tennessee Titans next Sunday afternoon.

Vikings: Play at the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.

— By DAVE CAMPBELL, Associated Press

Photo gallery from the Lions-Vikings first-place showdown in Minnesota