By AMANDA SEITZ and STEPHEN GROVES, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the controversial environmental lawyer turned public health critic, is set to find out on Tuesday if he has cleared the first hurdle to become the nation’s top health official when the Senate Finance Committee votes on his nomination.

Democrats are still raising concerns about Kennedy’s potential to profit from anti-vaccine advocacy and lawsuits, but Republicans appear to be rallying behind President Donald Trump’s health secretary nominee. On Monday, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican once viewed as a possible “no” vote, announced he would back Kennedy.

Kennedy needs support from all but three Republicans if Democrats uniformly oppose him.

What will doctor and Republican Bill Cassidy do?

One key vote remains in question: Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana physician who sits on the finance committee that will vote on Kennedy’s confirmation. Last week, during Kennedy’s hearings, Cassidy repeatedly implored Kennedy to reject a disproven theory that vaccines cause autism, to no avail. He ended the hearing by saying he was “struggling” with the vote.

“Your past, undermining confidence in vaccines with unfounded or misleading arguments, concerns me,” Cassidy told Kennedy.

On Monday evening, Cassidy told reporters that he had “very cordial” conversations with Kennedy over the weekend but was “still working through” how to handle his vote.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky are all seen as potential no votes, too, because they voted against Trump’s defense secretary nominee and have expressed concerns about Kennedy’s anti-vaccine work.

In a CBS “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday, McConnell declined to say how he would vote on Kennedy’s nomination but reiterated “vaccines are critically important.”

Democrats still have questions for Kennedy

Democrats, meanwhile, continue to raise alarms about Kennedy’s potential to financially benefit from changing vaccine guidelines or weakening federal lawsuit protections against vaccine makers if confirmed as health secretary.

“It seems possible that many different types of vaccine-related decisions and communications — which you would be empowered to make and influence as Secretary — could result in significant financial compensation for your family,” Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon wrote in a letter sent over the weekend to Kennedy.

Kennedy said he’ll give his son all of the referral fees in legal cases against vaccine makers, including the fees he gets from referring clients in a case against Merck. Kennedy told the committee he’s referred hundreds of clients to a law firm that’s suing Merck’s Gardasil, the human papillomavirus vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. He’s earned $2.5 million from the deal over the past three years.

As secretary, Kennedy will oversee vaccine recommendations and public health campaigns for the $1.7 trillion agency, which is also responsible for food and hospital inspections, providing health insurance for millions of Americans and researching deadly diseases.

Who are the wild card votes?

Kennedy’s allies are still holding out hope that they could entice a Democrat or two to their side. A pressure campaign has been focused on Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, who has expressed support for Kennedy’s push to make American foods more healthy. Pennsylvania’s Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has also been a focus, although he told Fox News Channel this weekend that the nomination was “challenging.”

A Democratic-led opposition campaign, built around Kennedy’s anti-vaccine advocacy and influence in Samoa during a measles outbreak that left dozens of children and infants dead in 2019, has also narrowed in on Republican Sen. John Curtis, who represents Utah, home to one of the nation’s largest Samoan populations.

Tuesday’s vote is just the start

The Senate finance committee, made up of 25 senators, will vote on whether to recommend Kennedy for a vote on the Senate floor, where all 100 senators will have the chance to vote on the nomination.

The committee vote will be a strong indicator of where things are headed for Kennedy, but it’s not necessarily the final word. Even if the committee votes against his confirmation — seemingly unlikely — Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., could still push for a floor vote.

If Kennedy gets the committee’s recommendation, he could still have work to do to win over Collins, Murkowski and McConnell. Cassidy also could potentially vote against Kennedy’s final confirmation even if he votes in favor of him Tuesday.

What is ‘MAHA’?

Kennedy, a longtime Democrat, ran for president but withdrew last year to throw his support to Trump in exchange for an influential job in his Republican administration. Together, they have forged a new and unusual coalition made up of conservatives who oppose vaccines and liberals who want to see the government promote healthier foods. Trump and Kennedy have branded the movement as “Make America Healthy Again.”

By KEN MORITSUGU and HUIZHONG WU, Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — China countered President Donald Trump’s across-the-board tariffs on Chinese products with tariffs on select U.S. imports Tuesday, as well as announcing an antitrust investigation into Google and other trade measures.

U.S. tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico were also set to go into effect Tuesday before Trump agreed to a 30-day pause as the two countries acted to appease his concerns about border security and drug trafficking. Trump planned to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the next few days.

The Chinese response was “measured,” said John Gong, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. “I don’t think they want the trade war escalating,” he said. “And they see this example from Canada and Mexico and probably they are hoping for the same thing.”

This isn’t the first round of tit-for-tat actions between the two countries. China and the U.S. had engaged in a trade war in 2018 when Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods and China responded in kind.

This time, analysts said, China is much better prepared to counter, with the government announcing a slew of measures that cut across different sectors of the economy, from energy to individual U.S. companies.

Counter tariffs

China said it would implement a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas products as well as a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars imported from the U.S. The tariffs would take effect next Monday.

“The U.S.’s unilateral tariff increase seriously violates the rules of the World Trade Organization,” the State Council Tariff Commission said in a statement. “It is not only unhelpful in solving its own problems, but also damages normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S.”

The impact on U.S. exports may be limited. Though the U.S. is the biggest exporter of liquid natural gas globally, it does not export much to China. In 2023, the U.S. exported 173,247 million cubic feet of LNG to China, representing about 2.3% of total natural gas exports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

China imported only about 700,000 cars overall last year, and the leading importers are from Europe and Japan, said Bill Russo, the founder of the Automobility Limited consultancy in Shanghai.

Further export controls on critical minerals

China announced export controls on several elements critical to the production of modern high-tech products.

They include tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum and indium, many of which are designated as critical minerals by the U.S. Geological Survey, meaning they are essential to U.S. economic or national security that have supply chains vulnerable to disruption.

The export controls are in addition to ones China placed in December on key elements such as gallium.

“They have a much more developed export control regime,” Philip Luck, an economist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and former State Department official, said at a panel discussion on Monday.

“We depend on them for a lot of critical minerals: gallium, germanium, graphite, a host of others,” he said. “So … they could put some significant harm on our economy.”

The response from China appears calculated and measured, said Stephen Dover, chief market strategist and head of the Franklin Templeton Institute, a financial research firm. However, he said, the world is bracing for further impact.

“A risk is that this is the beginning of a tit-for-tat trade war, which could result in lower GDP growth everywhere, higher U.S. inflation, a stronger dollar and upside pressure on U.S. interest rates,” Dover said.

US companies also impacted

In addition, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said Tuesday it is investigating Google on suspicion of violating antitrust laws. The announcement did not mention the tariffs but came just minutes after Trump’s 10% tariffs on China were to take effect.

It is unclear how the probe will affect Google’s operations. The company has long faced complaints from Chinese smartphone makers over its business practices surrounding the Android operating system, Gong said.

Otherwise, Google has a limited presence in China, and its search engine is blocked in the country like most other Western platforms. Google exited the Chinese market in 2010 after refusing to comply with censorship requests from the Chinese government and following a series of cyberattacks on the company.

Google did not immediately comment.

The Commerce Ministry also placed two American companies on an unreliable entities list: PVH Group, which owns Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, and Illumina, which is a biotechnology company with offices in China. The listing could bar them from engaging in China-related import or export activities and from making new investments in the country.

Beijing began investigating PVH Group in September last year over “improper Xinjiang-related behavior” after the company allegedly boycotted the use of Xinjiang cotton.

Putting these U.S. companies on the unreliable entities list is “alarming” because it shows that the Chinese government is using the list to pressure U.S. companies to take a side, said George Chen, managing director for The Asia Group, a Washington D.C.-headquartered business policy consultancy.

“It’s almost like telling American companies, what your government is doing is bad, you need to tell the government that if you add more tariffs or hurt U.S.-China relations at the end of the day it’ll backfire on American companies,” Chen said.

Wu reported from Bangkok. AP writers Zen Soo in Hong Kong and Christopher Bodeen in Taipei, Taiwan, contributed to this report.

BERKLEY – The Royal Oak Ravens ground out a 37-25 win over the Berkley Bears in Monday’s Oakland Activities Association crossover contest.

It was a scrappy, defensive game from the start. Neither team could maintain any consistent offensive rhythm or string together any long runs as the defenses contested every shot, pass, and dribble from start to finish. Berkley made four field goals in the opening quarter and led 10-7 when the first quarter ended.

“That got away from us,” Berkley head coach Clay Shaver said. “We just came out okay, and then we kind of flattened out pretty quick. But credit to Royal Oak. Their coach is awesome.”

From there, the Ravens’ defense was smothering, only allowing the Bears just four more field goals over the final three quarters.

“We are going to live in the world of defend, defend, defend, and try to find enough offense to get the job done,” Ravens head coach Brian Sopata said. That’s a team that, if you look at their most recent scores, they’re putting up 50, 60 points a night. Holding them to that amount (25 points) was a heck of an effort on our end. I think our kids really executed what our game plan was.”

Royal Oak, meanwhile, scratched out just enough offense of its own and stretched the lead to 29-20 by the end of the third quarter before largely running out the clock in the fourth quarter.

Hannah Saunders had 11 points for Royal Oak, while Maddie Lawrence added nine and Lucy Freytag had eight for the Ravens, who spread the stats around a bit more.

“When you’ve got multiple kids scoring, even if it’s not a ton, they can feed off of that, feed off each other,” Sopata said.

Avery Weingarden had 11 points for Berkley, but no one else had more than six points for the Bears.

Similarly, Royal Oak outrebounded the Bears 30-20, but no Raven had more than the six rebounds collected by Lydia Dickens, and four Ravens had at least four rebounds. Berkley got 10 rebounds from Caleigh Tracey, but the rest of the team had just 10 rebounds as a group.

The win evens Royal Oak’s record at 7-7. The Ravens sit second in the OAA White and resume league play on Thursday with a trip to Troy to face the Colts, which kicks off a string of three straight divisional games for Royal Oak.

Photo gallery of Berkley vs. Royal Oak in OAA girls hoops action

“Our last two times out, we’ve played really well,” Sopata said. “It’s cliché, but it’s build for the next one. We’ve got to go to Troy Thursday. There’s nothing easy about that one.” He added that, “I’m really pleased at our girls stepping up, executing what we asked them to do, believing in it, and they worked their way through it in a game that was not pretty. But we’ll take it.”

Berkley (10-6, 6-2) remains second in the OAA Blue. The Bears are back into league play on Wednesday with a road test against Rochester Adams. After senior night on Friday against Detroit Voyager Prep, the Bears will then host Avondale next Tuesday in a must-win matchup if they are to have any chance of catching the first place Yellowjackets (12-2, 8-0).

“They (Adams) want to slow you down. (Adams head coach Joe Malburg) knows his personnel, and he knows right now they’re going to win by slowing you down and beating you with defense. So that will probably be a long night,” Shaver said. “We had that control your own destiny thing, and that kind of went by the wayside on Friday (by losing to Southfield A&T). But the good news is that there are a lot of good teams in the Blue so anything can happen on any night."

China responded to President Donald Trump's order to impose tariffs on Chinese imports into the U.S. by issuing tariffs of its own starting Feb. 10, according to Chinese state media Xinhua.

Xinhua said it will impose a 15% tariff on imported coal and liquefied natural gas originating from the United States. China will also issue a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, automobiles with large displacement, and pickup trucks, Xinhua said.

RELATED STORY | Tariffs paused on Canada, Mexico after agreement on border security measures

Tariffs are an import tax charged to companies when products are crossing international borders. Economists believe companies will tend to pass the cost of tariffs on consumers.

The U.S. on Tuesday began charging companies a 10% tariff on products coming from China. The Trump administration said tariffs are in response to "Chinas intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, and other unreasonable behavior."

The White House had said that it was hoping to use the threat of tariffs to leverage "a historic bilateral economic agreement."

RELATED STORY | Rubio says El Salvador offers to accept deportees from US of any nationality

The Trump administration had also announced tariffs against Mexico and Canada on Saturday, but by Monday, those tariffs were put on hold. The White House said it reached agreements with the two nations to strengthen border enforcement efforts.

City council members in Highland Township are giving the thumbs up to a proposal to open a new Sheetz gas station.

The proposal was approved during last night's council meeting, which was packed with residents both for and against the new business.

The new location will be at M-59 and Milford Road.

This approval comes after Sheetz locations were voted down earlier this year in Farmington Hills and Livonia. This will be the second Sheetz location in Michigan, with the Romulus location that opened last August being the first.

WATCH OUR PREVIOUS SHEETZ COVERAGE City Council votes down Sheetz expansion in Livonia 'We dont need this here': residents make passionate comments as Farmington Hills rejects proposed Sheetz First-ever Sheetz location in Michigan opens in Romulus

Sheetz released the statement below on the vote, via Public Affairs Manager Nick Ruffner:

We are grateful for the Highland Township Board of Trustees continued support and unanimous approval of our request for Special Land Use at the corner of Michigan 59 and Milford Road. This decision reflects the boards dedication to driving growth, attracting investment and creating good jobs for residents.We continue to hear loud and clear the overwhelming support for Sheetz across greater Detroit. In addition to tonights approval, the city of Romulus continues to welcome our store with open arms and we have secured approvals for nine other locations in surrounding communities with more approved projects in the pipeline.We look forward to continuing our work with Highland Township officials in the months ahead to provide new and innovative convenience offerings that people in this area are asking for.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate love and connection, and if you’re in Macomb or Oakland County, there’s no shortage of fun and unique experiences to enjoy with your special someone. Whether you’re looking for a cozy night out, a hands-on adventure, or a peaceful retreat, this list has something for every couple.

Savor a wine tasting experience

Where: Filipo Marc Winery, 39085 Garfield Road, Clinton Township

Wine lovers will adore a romantic evening at Filipo Marc Winery, where you can sip on expertly crafted, custom-blended wines in an intimate setting. Elevate your Valentine’s toast with a special bottle to take home. Filipo’s has a pre-Valentine’s event on Feb. 10. Visit filipomarcwinery.com for details.

Where: Michigan by the Bottle Wine Tasting Rooms, locations in Auburn Hills, Royal Oak and Shelby Township

Combining events like trivia, calligraphy classes, live music and more with tastings of fine wines, wine lovers can enjoy an evening of tasting and fun. A full schedule is available at mbtbtasting.com.

Where: OPC Social & Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester

If you prefer an intimate dining experience, attend a wine pairing dinner with expert sommelier Christel Gaillard from Woodberry Wines from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20. This event features paired wines and gourmet dishes in a cozy, romantic setting. Tickets are $40 for OPC members and $45 for nonmembers. Call 248-659-1029 for reservations.

Enjoy a live show together

Where: Meadow Brook Theatre, 378 Meadow Brook Road, Rochester

Immerse yourselves in the magic of live theatre with a Broadway-style performance at Meadow Brook Theatre. This professional venue offers an enchanting date night experience, from musicals to dramas. Starting Feb. 12 is “The Angel Next Door.” It’s “a screwball comedy … about people in love with theater, who know that, sometimes, even reality needs a rewrite to reach a happy ending.”

Where: Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Township

From musical performances to plays to dance, The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts is often referred to as the cultural hub of Macomb County, and is a provider of year-round cultural enrichment experiences. Check out February attractions by visiting macombcenter.com.

Where: OPC Social & Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester

Enjoy “A Night with the Stars: Rod Stewart & Elton John Tribute,” a high-energy tribute show featuring the singers’ legendary sounds. This romantic and lively event will have you singing along to timeless classics. Tickets are $25 and must be purchased by calling 248-659-1029. The show is 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 13.

Take a cozy winter stroll

Where: Stony Creek Metropark, 4300 Main Park Drive, Shelby Township

Bundle up and embrace the winter wonderland with a serene walk through Stony Creek Metropark. Enjoy the snow-covered trails, frozen lakes and peaceful wooded paths — perfect for a romantic escape into nature.

Get hands-on with a cooking class

Where: Sur La Table, 2801 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 264, Troy

Why go out for dinner when you can learn to cook a gourmet meal together? Sur La Table offers hands-on cooking classes where you can master everything from pasta-making to decadent desserts. Visit surlatable.com/cooking-classes.

Where: Mirepoix Cooking School, 1203 S. Main St., Royal Oak

A full schedule of February classes, including a Valentine’s Wine Pairing, can be found at mirepoixcookingschool.com. Both in-person and virtual events are held.

Unwind with couples’ yoga or meditation

Where: Your favorite studio

Find your Zen with a couples’ yoga session or meditative Tai Chi experience. These activities promote relaxation and wellness and strengthen your bond through mindful movement and connection.

See a classic movie on the big screen

Where: Your favorite theater

Transport yourselves back in time by catching a throwback movie screening at a local theatre. Many cinemas feature romantic classics or cult favorites around Valentine’s Day, making for a cozy and nostalgic date night. Emagine theater’s Flashback Cinema airs favorites such as “Casablanca,” “Gone with the Wind” and “Moonstruck.” A different movie is presented each week. Visit emagine-entertainment.com/flashback-cinema.

Try a unique artistic workshop

Where: Local artisan studios

Get creative with a painting, sculpture or even a glassblowing class, where you and your partner can craft a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Many studios in the area offer hands-on workshops, allowing you to create something memorable and personal. Check out Painting with a Twist, which has multiple locations throughout the area, or Hawaii Fluid Art, 1426 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, for Valentine’s special deals.

Those who commute on I-696 could expect to add an hour extra to their commute time when construction starts on March 1.

"Two years 696. That's a big deal," said commuter Joshua Mahoney.

"I am concerned about the amount of traffic that is going to be bypassing right where I live," said Steven Merandi, who lives on the service drive nearby.

For many commuters, starting on March 1st, their drive to work may take longer once construction begins on the final phase of the Restore the Reuther.

"I am concerned but it has to be done," said commuter Bernard Davis.

This project will impact hundreds of thousands of drivers per day when 969 between M-10 and I-75 is shut down.

"It's going to be a rough couple of weeks as everyone tries different routes but once people figure out what's going to work best for them it will settle down," said MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross.

While Westbound traffic will be open, with only two lanes of eastbound traffic, drivers will face a massive detour via southbound M-10, eastbound m-8 and back onto northbound I-75, before returning to eastbound I-696.

"We are going to rip up what is there which is old it has to be 25 years old and we are reconstructing the entire freeway from the base up," Cross said.

60 overpasses will also be repaired, including the rebuilding of the Church Street plaza.

"I take 696 like everyday, two to three times per day," said driver Adam Stein.

Drivers and residents have mixed feelings about how long the project will last, with Stein being shocked at how long the project will take.

"It's par for the course," Adam said. "I am not happy about it but at the end of the day it is what it is."

"Two years is a long time to have to wait for a project to impact especially directly in the neighborhood," Steven said.

Where Your Voice Matters

Millions of Americans struggle to afford the prescriptions they rely on every day. But what if you could cut those costs without sacrificing your health?

Sandy Issacs is the founder of the Facebook group MI Broke Life Community Resources. She was prescribed a medication that cost between four and five hundred dollars a month but found it at an independent pharmacy for less than $40.

"And that was a huge relief because I couldn't afford $4000 or $500, and I needed this medication," Sandy said.

Dynamic Care Pharmacy in Royal Oak is one of those independent pharmacies, pharmacist Mira Patel says there are ways to save. The first is going generic.

"If it was me or my family, I would go to generic first because I know that they're effective, they work well, they're safe, and they save you money," Mira said.

David Brown drives 45 minutes from Waterford to Dynamic Care in Royal Oak.

"How many pharmacies did you pass on the way here?" I asked him.

"At least a dozen," he replied.

I asked Sandy, Mira and David for tips to save on prescription drugs. Sandy also highlighted using of generics for easy savings.

1. Ask for generics2. Consider using prescription saving cards. Like GoodRX, SingleCare or WellRx. Not every pharmacy accepts them, but there can be savings if they do. Do they really work?

"They do," Mira said. "GoodRX does work. I know that with independent pharmacies we tend to have our own internal plan that is pretty comparable."

3. Look into patient assistance programs

These come from the drug makers themselves. Google the name of the drug and patient assistance. Print the form and take it to your doctor.

"Either they or you can submit it to the company and you'll either get the medication for a really reduced cost or sometimes free," Sandy said.

4. Comparison shop

Drug prices can vary widely from pharmacy to pharmacy, so shop around, including national chains, independents and warehouse clubs in your area. Patel says make sure the pharmacy is in-network

"They have to do some work for that, but they could do that for 1 or 2 medications if it means them paying $40 versus $100,"

5. If youre using a medication long-term bulk buying is another way to save

Three months of medication doesnt always mean three times the deductible.

6. Check for manufacturer coupons

David says check for manufacturer coupons, adding theyre a life-saver for his mother, who was put on a medicine that has a $450 copay each month

"She has to use a discount card from the manufacturer. So the reason she can't afford her medication," David said. "She would not be able to have the medication."

7. See if you qualify for nonprofit programs

Like World Medical Relief in Southfield. They offer prescriptions for $8.30 to adults earning less and 44,800 a year.

8. Ask your provider about lower-cost alternatives

If there is cheaper medication in the same class they may agree to a switch.

Online groups like Issacs are also helping people navigate the cost of medicines and so much more. And the growth of MI Broke Life Community Resources shows the need is widespread and real.

"The people in need are the ones helping others find the help. And it's just it's amazing," Sandy said.

And you may want to skip insurance altogether if its cheaper out of pocket. Paying cash for generics gives some pharmacies flexibility in working with customers. Small changes can lead to big savings allowing you to take control of your prescription costsand your health.

Where Your Voice Matters

Gardner White announced that it's opening a new concept store called "GW HOME" with the first location in Downtown Detroit.

The top furniture and mattress retailer in the state said that GW HOME will be located at 1201 Woodward Ave. in Downtown Detroit in the former Under Armour location. The Under Armour closed in January 2022.

According to Gardner White, GW HOME will offer a custom selection of furniture, home decor, art, accessories and gifts.

The Detroit store will be the 14th store location in Michigan and the return to Downtown Detroit for the company.

We look forward to unveiling GW HOME in the heart of downtown Detroit and joining the incredible and ever-growing retailer community in the city we love, Gardner White CEO Rachel Stewart said in a statement. We are excited to offer the trusted high-quality home furnishing and mattress brands Gardner White is known for, while also introducing additional fashion-forward style solutions for businesses and residential living.

founded more than a century ago," Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan added in a statement. "Having their new storefront on Woodward Avenue across from Hudson's Detroit is a big part of re-establishing a vibrant downtown shopping district. I'm sure Detroiters will be eager to support a hometown company like Gardner White that has continued to sponsor many of our city's most beloved annual events."

An official opening date has not been yet, but they say it will open this spring.

The Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Township will present “Albert Kahn and Packard: Getting the Packards on the Road,” as part of its Historical Series at 1p.m. March 16.

This engaging event that’s sure to be a treat for anyone passionate about history, architecture or automotive innovation will explore how Albert Kahn’s architectural genius shaped Packard’s sales and service buildings between 1907 and 1930, structures that were functional and integral in defining Packard’s brand.

Albert Kahn was a pioneer among architects whose modern industrial designs can be seen in everything from office buildings and banks to city structures like the Belle Isle Aquarium and several factories.

As part of its historical speaker series, Heidi Pfannes and John Cole will discuss Kahn’s influence on Packard and its buildings, which played a crucial role in defining Packard’s reputation.

They weren’t just service centers.

Khan carefully designed spaces that projected sophistication and exclusivity, much like the cars they housed.

“Kahn understood that Packard’s customers weren’t just buying cars; they were investing in a legacy of quality and innovation,” said Mary Anne Demo, executive director of the Packard Proving Grounds. “His dealerships reflected that prestige, making them just as iconic as the automobiles themselves.”

Tickets are $5 for not-yet members and free for members.

To reserve your seat for this special presentation visit PackardProvingGrounds.org/March16HistoricalSpeakerSeries.

The Packard Proving Ground Historic Site is at 49965 Van Dyke Ave., Shelby Township.

Janek Bebout grinned as he cued up his instrument, as proud and prepared with his jar of hot-pink slime as any classically trained musician making an orchestral debut.

First, the 8-year-old explained, the slime is warmed with a short massage. Lift it slightly so an air pocket forms at the base of its container. Then, squish.

Flerrrrrrrp.

“And then comes the fart,” he said. “A pretty good one. I bet if you had let that one rip it would feel good.”

Cue the giggles.

The third-grader’s peal of laughter at the flatulent sound he made with a jar of slime was integral to a recent press conference at the children’s wing of Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak, where Janek and his grandmother Barbara Soffin donated 2,409 containers of slime to pediatric patients. Each container is topped with a sticker that says “Janek’s laughter.”

Janek, his 4-year-old brother, Julen, and their mother, Johanna Bebout, were among the nine people injured in a mass shooting last summer at a Rochester Hills splash pad. Janek’s injuries were severe, leading to major surgery, a two-week hospital stay and repeated tests, pricks and pokes from doctors. The Rochester Hills resident is blind as a result of his injury and uses a cane to navigate the world.

Janek’s effervescent attitude touched the medical team that took on the highly emotional job of caring for a child who had been among those injured in a mass shooting, said Amanda Lefkof, a child life specialist at Corewell in Royal Oak. She said Janek and his brother Julen were “an inspiration” to everyone who worked with them.

“Even though (Janek) was going through such a hard thing, he brought laughter and he brought smiles to every nurse and every doctor and every surgeon that walked in his room and took care of him,” Lefkof said. “It just made you want to keep going back.”

Slime was integral to the laughter and smiles, she said. One of her tricks for raising the spirits of hospitalized children, particularly boys, is to encourage them to find lighthearted ways to mess with their caregivers.

Janek appeared to be a natural.

He explained his method: “A doctor came in, or a nurse, and I put the slime under my blanket and then I made a fart noise, and they thought that I farted,” he said. “And then I pulled the slime out, and they were like, ‘Whoa.'”

Seeing Janek return to the hospital in good health and with a mission to share joy with other patients is moving, Lefkof said, although she’s not sure where she’ll store the thousands of jars of donated slime.

“I think our favorite thing is being able to see our patients come back doing well,” Lefkof said. “Not only is he doing well, just rocking it with his cane and feeling good, but wanting to give back to other children that are going through hard times. It’s such a meaningful, full-circle moment.”

Finding toys Janek would enjoy after he lost his sight was a learning curve for the family, said Soffin, Janek’s grandma. She scrambled to find something to entertain him in the hospital and landed on a little container of slime.

“He started playing with it, and he belly-laughed because it made ‘boy noises,’ like fart sounds, and he laughed so hard,” Soffin said, the sound of Janek making those “boy noises” echoing in the background. “When he laughed, my son hit his knees and he cried and said ‘Mama, you gave me my son’s laughter back.'”

After he was released from the hospital, Janek told Soffin he wanted to collect slime for the other kids who were hospitalized. She agreed, and before Christmas wrote a post on Facebook asking her friends to help Janek’s wish come true.

“I couldn’t even open my front door at one point in time,” Soffin said. “I think we cleaned Amazon out (of slime).”

Soffin said she hopes Nickelodeon, the children’s television network that cornered the market on slime entertainment in the 1980s, takes up the charge and donates slime to kids in hospitals around the country.

Soffin said Janek and his family are recovered from their physical injuries. They’re now focused on their emotional recovery.

“By laughing today and having fun with slime, it might be simple to some people,” she said. “It’s actually everything to us.”

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 4, the 35th day of 2025. There are 330 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Feb. 4, 1997, a civil jury in Santa Monica, California, found O.J. Simpson liable for the deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, ordering Simpson to pay $33.5 million to the victims’ families.

Also on this date:

In 1789, electors unanimously chose George Washington to be the first president of the United States.

In 1801, John Marshall took office as chief justice of the United States, a position he would hold for a record 34 years.

In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin began a wartime conference at Yalta.

In 1974, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst, 19, was kidnapped in Berkeley, California, by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army.

In 1976, more than 23,000 people died when a severe earthquake struck Guatemala with a magnitude of 7.5.

In 2004, Facebook had its beginnings as Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched “Thefacebook.”

In 2013, British scientists announced that the skeletal remains they had discovered during an excavation beneath a Leicester, England parking lot were, beyond reasonable doubt, the remains of 15th century monarch King Richard III.

In 2021, a voting technology company, Smartmatic USA, sued Fox News, three of its hosts and two former Trump lawyers — Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell — for $2.7 billion, for allegedly conspiring to spread false claims that the company helped “steal” the presidential election. (The case remains ongoing.)

Today’s birthdays:

• Former Argentinian President Isabel Peron is 94.
• Former Vice President Dan Quayle is 78.
• Rock singer Alice Cooper is 77.
• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is 72.
• Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor is 66.
• Country singer Clint Black is 63.
• Boxing Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya is 52.
• Singer Natalie Imbruglia is 50.
• Rapper Cam’ron is 49.
• Singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw is 48.
• Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Carly Patterson is 37.

Basketball action from the Berkley vs. Birmingham Seaholm co-ed unified game played on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 at Berkley.

The Royal Oak Ravens defeated the Berkley Bears 37-25 in the OAA crossover game played on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 at Berkley.

It was chaos.

That's how Renaldo Agostino would describe the last 24 hours in Windsor, hours ahead of a trade war deadline between Canada and the United States that wouldve forced alcohol distributors to not sell American-made alcohol in Ontario at midnight.

It started off early in the morning. We have a group chat with all the hospitality owners that were in a bit of a panic because they didn't know what to do about some of the products a lot of their customers wanted, said Agostino, a Windsor City Councilman from Ward 3.

Ward 3 is home to many of the citys busiest bars and restaurants, which also see many American customers ages 19 and older.

"You own a business in downtown Windsor, you're getting a significant amount of American customers who come here and they want their Jack Daniels, Agostino said.

Related video: Proposed tariffs for Canada and Mexico paused for one month Proposed tariffs for Canada and Mexico paused for one month

Probably the biggest American brands we sell are going to be your bourbon. All the Jack Daniels line, all the Jim Beam line, said James Arbour, owner of Lefty's on the O.

Forty-eight hours before the ban was set to take place, Arbour says he stocked up his bar with American brands like Jack Daniels and Fireball while he still could. He would've been allowed to sell what he had in stock when the ban took effect.

Yesterday, I went out and bought some extra stock but just of particular things. I didn't want to go overboard because you don't know if it's going to last a day, a week or a month, Arbour said. If I cant buy it, somebody else can't buy it either, so it's not hurting us, it's hurting the people who want to drink it.

But just as American alcohol was starting to be pulled off shelves in Vancouver, President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed on a 30-day pause of the tariffs.

In a statement on X, Trudeau said:

"I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border." "In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million." "Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together."

I'm glad to see some of these strict hard-line rules come into play when it comes to the fentanyl crisis, Agostino said. "We have been losing the war on fentanyl and it's time for some changes. And if these changes come into play like I'm sure they will, it's only a positive thing.

Related video: Canadians respond to U.S. tariff threat, Trudeau says they're postponed at least 30 days Canadians respond to U.S. tariff threat, Trudeau says they're postponed at least 30 days

While Agostino says he and other Canadians felt hurt by some of the rhetoric, he feels positive about Monday's outcome. He hopes to see the two country's work better together moving forward.

That's what hurt the most here, just from my perspective. You kinda feel like this came out of nowhere," Agostino said. "That's not how you treat your best friend. Thats not the way we talk... we are far better together as allies than we could ever be apart.

Berlin Township officials are raising the alarm after a man has been posing as a worker in the area looking to check water lines, only to have a team of suspects waiting and ready to enter and ransack homes.

Its an intricate plan that has officials asking to not let anyone into your home if you don't recognize them and to check on your elderly neighbors.

Its a real quiet neighborhood. Im surprised anything has happened in this neighborhood, but theres people out there that want take advantage of people. Its just terrible," resident David Orosz said.

Berlin Charter Township Supervisor Mary Jo Gedelian says a man in his 50s is knocking on doors claiming hes working on homes in the area and that he accidentally hit a water line, insisting they go to the basement to test the water.

A few weeks ago, one woman on Labo Road did not comply and the man left, but another 97-year-old woman on Swan Creed Road let the man in on Sunday.

After gaining entry, two other men entered and ransacked her home looking for valuables while she was distracted. Nothing of value was taken except a sense of safety for residents.

Its just upsetting generally because the elderly, they cant really defend themselves and a lot of times, theyre either alone or they dont see their family much, so its just a low blow. Its gross," resident Bianca Simunec-Grob said.

Officials posted a warning to the township offices reminding residents to call the water department directly if there are any issues or to call the Monroe County Sheriff's Office if they see something suspicious.

Residents now say they feel a sense of duty to check on the older members in their community, so this doesn't happen again.

My next door neighbor, she is certainly older and I care about her very much and respect her and I would hate for something like that to happen to her," resident Leland Weiss said.

Gedelian says the Berlin Township community is tight-knit and she personally knows the two targeted women. She adds that the women told her the suspects seemed to get away in a gray truck.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office says they are investigating and that when and if additional information is developed regarding suspects, they will put out an update.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says El Salvador's president has offered to accept deportees from the U.S. of any nationality as well as violent American criminals now imprisoned in the United States.

President Nayib Bukele has agreed to the most unprecedented, extraordinary, extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world, Rubio said.

"He's also offered to do the same for dangerous criminals currently in custody and serving their sentence in the United States even though theyre U.S. citizens or legal residents.

Rubio arrived in San Salvador shortly after watching a U.S.-funded deportation flight with 43 migrants leave from Panama for Colombia. That came a day after Rubio delivered a warning to Panama that unless the government moved immediately to reduce or eliminate China's presence at the Panama Canal, the U.S. would act to do so.

Migration, though, was the main issue of the day as it will be for the next stops on his five-nation Central American tour of Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic after Panama and El Salvador.

President Donald Trumps administration prioritizes stopping people from making the journey to the United States and has worked with regional countries to boost immigration enforcement on their borders as well as to accept deportees from the United States.

RELATED STORY | Rubio echoes Trump's warning over China's influence on Panama Canal

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said the arrangement with the U.S. was a broad agreement "that does not have precedent in the history of the relationship, not just of the United States with El Salvador but rather I think in Latin America.

Human rights activists have warned, however, that El Salvador lacks a consistent policy for the treatment of asylum seekers and refugees and that such an agreement might not be limited to violent criminals.

Manuel Flores, the secretary general of the leftist opposition party Farabundo Mart National Liberation Front, criticized any such plan, saying it would signal that the region is Washingtons backyard to dump the garbage.

The deportation flight Rubio watched being loaded in Panama City was carrying migrants detained by Panamanian authorities after illegally crossing the Darien Gap from Colombia. The State Department says such deportations send a message of deterrence. The U.S. has provided Panama with financial assistance to the tune of almost $2.7 million in flights and tickets since an agreement was signed to fund them.

Rubio was on the tarmac for the departure of the flight, which was taking 32 men and 11 women back to Colombia. Its unusual for a secretary of state to personally witness such a law enforcement operation, especially in front of cameras.

Mass migration is one of the great tragedies in the modern era, Rubio said, speaking afterward in a nearby building. It impacts countries throughout the world. We recognize that many of the people who seek mass migration are often victims and victimized along the way, and its not good for anyone.

Mondays deportation flight came as Trump has been threatening action against nations that will not accept flights of their nationals from the United States, and he briefly hit Colombia with penalties last week for initially refusing to accept two flights. Panama has been more cooperative and has allowed flights of third-country deportees to land and sent migrants back before they reach the United States.

This is an effective way to stem the flow of illegal migration, of mass migration, which is destructive and destabilizing, Rubio said. And it would have been impossible to do without the strong partnership we have here with our friends and allies in Panama. And were going to continue to do it.

His trip comes amid a sweeping freeze in U.S. foreign assistance and stop-work orders that have shut down U.S.-funded programs targeting illegal migration and crime in Central American countries. The State Department said Sunday that Rubio had approved waivers for certain critical programs in countries he is visiting, but details of those were not immediately available.

While Rubio was out of the country, staffers of the U.S. Agency for International Development were instructed on Monday to stay out of the agencys Washington headquarters after billionaire Elon Musk announced Trump had agreed with him to shut the agency.

Thousands of USAID employees already had been laid off and programs shut down. Rubio told reporters in San Salvador that he was now the acting administrator of USAID but had delegated that authority so he would not be running its day-to-day operations.

The change means that USAID is no longer an independent government agency as it had been for decades although its new status will likely be challenged in court and will be run out of the State Department by department officials.

In his remarks, Rubio stressed that some and perhaps many USAID programs would continue in the new configuration but that the switch was necessary because the agency had become unaccountable to the executive branch and Congress.

On his weekend discussion with Panama's president on the Panama Canal, Rubio said he was hopeful that the Panamanians would heed his and Trump's warnings on China. Panamanians have bristled at Trump's insistence on retaking control of the American-built canal, which the U.S. turned over in 1999, although they have agreed to pull out of a Chinese infrastructure and development initiative.

I understand that its a delicate issue in Panama, Rubio told reporters in San Salvador. We dont want to have a hostile and negative relationship with Panama, he said. I dont believe we do. And we had a frank and respectful conversation, and I hope itll yield fruits and result in the days to come.

But back in Washington, Trump was less diplomatic, saying "Chinas involved with the Panama Canal. They wont be for long and thats the way it has to be.

We either want it back, or were going to get something very strong, or were going to take it back, Trump told reporters at the White House. And China will be dealt with.

As he has in the past, Trump again criticized the Carter administration for having signed a 1970s treaty to cede control of the canal to Panama and said it was a pact that Panama has since totally violated.

Theyve agreed to certain things, but Im not happy with it, Trump said.

Everyday Americans, including people who live in metro Detroit, already pinching pennies should brace for the cost of living to go up on everything from autos to groceries to heat and gas.

President Donald Trump won many at the ballot box by promising a better economy. But plans for tariffs on imported goods from China with a pause on Canada and Mexico is sparking fear.   

A lot of people are worried that the price of groceries will go up does that worry you at all? asked WXYZs Carolyn Clifford.

Yes, it does. I just went in there and bought a dinner, which back in the day would have cost $15. Right now, I paid $39, doubled it up. So him put tariffs will triple it up, Ellery Morgan said as he left Majestic Market in Southfield.    

Are you worried about the tariffs having the cost of your groceries or even your lunch go up? Clifford asked another shopper.    

Yeah, absolutely. I don't make a great deal of money. That's a concern of mine, shopper David Mann said.

Related video: Canadians respond to U.S. tariff threat, Trudeau says they're postponed at least 30 days Canadians respond to U.S. tariff threat, Trudeau says they're postponed at least 30 days

China is being hit with a 10% tariff. Potential 25% tariffs for Canada and Mexico have been paused for a month after border security agreements among the countries.

I spoke to former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard, who is a former ambassador to Canada.

Do you think talk of these tariffs could spike a trade war? Clifford asked.

It's hard to know. I think Mr. Trump has waged economic war against Canada and Mexico, Blanchard said.

According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics: The direct cost of these actions to the typical, or median, US household would be a tax increase of more than $1,200 a year.

I spoke to Rosetta Gibson, who was out shopping with her Army veteran dad who is 84.

I just want to know if the price of groceries goes up, if the price of gas goes up. I'm hyperventilating every day price of gas price, of groceries, social security, Gibson said.

"For Michiganders who are afraid right now and afraid that their cost of living is going to go up because of this what will it mean for the average citizen here watching this and nervous?" Clifford asked.

I think our cost of food will go up and gasoline. We get a lot of vegetables and fruits from Mexico. We get a lot of grain and meat and poultry and beef from Canada and vegetables as well, so that's going to go up, Blanchard said.

With a 10% tax on oil, natural gas and electricity from Canada, that may hurt deep into the pockets of Detroiters as well.

"Their energy provides natural gas to heat the homes in Detroit. It provides jet fuel for our airport there in Detroit. It provides home heating in the Upper Peninsula in the form of propane. The cost of living is going to go up," Blanchard said.

Related video: Proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico paused after counties agree to tougher border security measures Proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico paused after countries agree to tougher border security measures

Auto analyst David Zoia says the new tariffs will also affect the auto industry.

"If it's long term, the impact is huge because right off the bat, 25% tariff on vehicles from Canada Mexico and China, Zoia said.

Zoia says you also have auto parts coming across the border from suppliers $60 billion in auto part from Mexico and $15 billion from both China and Canada.

Those costs will be added into cars one way or another. That will affect consumers, Zoia said.

Zoia says it could potentially affect work at auto factories, sparking layoffs or plant closures. Many argue there will be pain as the president tries to bring back manufacturing jobs back to America and stop the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl from crossing the border.    

Do you have a message for your President? Clifford asked.

Yes. Just think about the little guy, you know. We're out here working hard busting our tail to take care of our families. Mann said. Just think about us. Don't forget about your promise. 

The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Chris Wright to serve as Secretary of Energy in President Donald Trump's administration.

The final vote was 59-38. Eight Democrats, including both senators from Colorado, voted in favor.

Wright, the founder and CEO of Denver-based fossil fuel company Liberty Energy, is known as a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking. He has pledged to cut his ties to the energy industry following his confirmation.

Wright has advocated for increased fossil fuel production to address poverty issues, characterized environmental energy policies under Democrats as a "green new scam" and pledged at confirmation hearings to pursue President Trump's energy agenda.

RELATED STORY | Senate confirms former ND Gov. Doug Burgum as secretary of the Interior

Wright will also serve as a member of a to-be-formed council on national energy priorities.

That group will include "all departments and agencies involved in the permitting, production, generation, distribution, regulation, transportation, of all forms of American energy," Trump said in a statement when he nominated Wright. "This council will oversee the path to U.S. energy dominance by cutting red tape, enhancing private sector investments across all sectors of the economy, and by focusing on innovation over longstanding, but totally unnecessary, regulation."