The Michigan Panthers had a chance to get some revenge, clinch the top record in their conference and gain more momentum as the UFL playoffs near.

The Panthers couldn’t get the job done against a familiar roadblock, as they came up empty in the red zone in the closing seconds and fell to the Birmingham Stallions, 26-22, Saturday at Protective Stadium in Alabama.

Backup quarterback Danny Etling guided the Panthers (6-3) to the Birmingham 9-yard line on their final drive. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, the Panthers had three cracks at the end zone with 19 seconds left.

The Stallions (6-3) stood tall, breaking up two of Etling’s passes over the middle and forcing three incompletions. On third down, Etling found receiver Jaylon Moore in the back of the end zone, but Moore couldn’t get his feet down inbounds to complete the catch.

Etling, who was making his second straight start in placed of injured Bryce Perkins, finished 23 of 39 passing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. He led the Panthers to points on three of their four second-half possessions.

Receiver Siasoi Mariner had a 33-yard touchdown reception and finished with five catches for 115 yards. Running back Toa Taua had 62 total yards and scored on a 2-yard run that gave Michigan a 22-20 lead with just under eight minutes to go.

Stallions quarterback J’Mar Smith completed 22 of 31 passes for 307 yards and threw two touchdown passes to Deon Cain, including a 19-yarder that gave Birmingham the lead for good with 2:30 remaining.

Since the USFL and XFL merged to form the UFL in 2024, the Panthers are 0-5 against the Stallions, including a loss in last season’s USFL Conference Championship game.

The Panthers and Stallions, who both secured playoff berths last week, will meet in the conference title game for the second straight season on June 8. The winner will advance to the UFL Championship game on June 14.

Before that, the Panthers will host the Houston Roughnecks in their regular-season home finale on May 31 at Ford Field. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

©2025 The Detroit News. Visit detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

DETROIT (AP) — Kyle Manzardo and Angel Martínez hit RBI doubles in Cleveland’s four-run 10th inning, helping the Guardians beat the Detroit Tigers for the third straight game, 7-5 on Saturday night.

Bo Naylor homered and drove in two runs, including a sacrifice fly that was part of the Guardians’ big inning. Nolan Jones added an RBI single in the 10th.

With the game tied at 3, Manzardo led off the 10th with an RBI double off Brenan Hanifee (2-2). After Carlos Santana walked, Martínez’s RBI double made it 5-3.

Gleyber Torres made it 7-5 with a two-run double in the bottom of the inning, but Emmanuel Clase got two outs to seal the victory for Cleveland.

Tim Herrin (4-1) got the win after pitching a scoreless ninth.

Detroit, which hadn’t lost three straight since the opening series of the season, led 3-0 after one inning, but Torres got their only two hits in the rest of the game.

After scoring one run in the first 18 innings of the series, the Tigers scored three in Saturday’s first inning. Kerry Carpenter doubled, Torres walked and Colt Keith hit an RBI double.

Ortiz almost escaped the inning, retiring Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson, but Zach McKinstry walked and Matt Vierling hit a two-run single.

Cleveland scored twice in the third on Naylor’s homer and an RBI single by Jose Ramírez, and Ortiz escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the inning.

Cleveland tied it in the eighth when Ramírez singled, took third on Manzardo’s base hit and beat Torkelson’s throw to the plate on Martínez’s grounder to first.

The Guardians called up RHP Nic Enright and placed RHP Hunter Gaddis on the bereavement list. Enright was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December 2022, but has continued to pitch while undergoing treatment.

Key moment

After Ramírez tied it in the eighth, Cleveland loaded the bases with one out. Tommy Kahnle got Naylor to pop out and Will Vest came in to retire pinch-hitter Jones on a grounder to second.

Key stat

Ramírez’s third-inning single extended his hitting streak to 17 games.

Up next

The Tigers and Guardians finish their four-game series on Sunday morning, with the first pitch scheduled for 11:35 a,m. EDT. Detroit ace LHP Tarik Skubal (4-2, 2.87) will face LHP Logan Allen (2-2, 3.86).

— By DAVE HOGG, Associated Press

The Movement festival has officially kicked off at Hart Plaza in Detroit, drawing thousands of techno music enthusiasts to its multiple stages.

Watch Meghan's full story in the video player below: Movement festival brings thousands together through music and connection

The energy at Hart Plaza was palpable as festival-goers gathered to share in their common love of techno music.

For many attendees, the festival represents more than just good beats it's an opportunity to escape daily stresses and forge new connections.

"I came with my friends and my cousin lives here, so it worked out and we actually just met up right now, so great timing!" said Carla Gruby.

For some attendees, Movement offers a much-needed break from everyday life.

"Life is kind of crazy, and this is just a time to relax and have fun and move your body," Gruby said.

Others value the festival for its social aspects and the opportunity to build new relationships.

"You go through phases of life and now like being adults it's hard making friends so like meeting new people at festivals, it's beautiful," said Raenell Riddle.

For one couple I spoke with, Movement was the beginning of their love story 11 years ago.

"This and then like just dancing, shuffling is kind of what brought us together," Riddle said.

Now they attend festivals regularly as a way to connect and meet new friends with similar interests.

"Meeting all the new people at festivals, like everyone's so welcoming, it's been a beautiful experience," Riddle said.

Movement will continue at Hart Plaza until Monday.

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

Over 150,000 people are expected to visit downtown Detroit this Memorial Day weekend, and a new restaurant is ready to serve them. The Haus of Brunch, which opened this week, is bringing a unique dining experience to the city's food scene.

The restaurant, located at The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, offers a completely halal menu with everything made in-house.

Watch Faraz's full piece in the video below: New halal brunch spot opens in downtown Detroit ahead of busy Memorial Day weekend

"Currently, we have 85 people capacity in the dining room. Eventually, we will have the patio open up as well to fit another 30 people," said Maher Obeid, owner of Haus of Brunch.

Obeid says he and his team strategically timed the opening to coincide with the Memorial Day weekend festivities.

"Well, we are definitely overstaffed. My CFO is talking about how much ... people we have on payroll. But it's all for good reason. So, purchasing and making sure we have all the products in-house. Getting the team up and rolling," Obeid said.

The weekend brings multiple major events to Detroit, including The Weeknd performing at Ford Field, Tigers games, and the Movement festival. These attractions are drawing visitors from both near and far.

"I have a lot of family in Detroit. It's all about the Tigers. My cousin Sue loves the Tigers. She lives down the street. So huge fan there and my other cousins, it's all about lake time, it's all about spending time with family, and getting out to the city. And then seeing all the buildings, the Guardian Building," said Tracy, a visitor from Atlanta, enjoying the holiday weekend.

Steve, another visitor, shared his perspective on the city's evolution. "We have been coming down here, St. Patrick's Church of Detroit which isn't around anymore. But her uncle was a pastor but we would come down for the festivals, Cass Corridor just to see how things gotten better, cleaner and more people friendly."

Opening during such a busy weekend presents challenges, but Obeid feels prepared.

"Yeah honestly, it is [overwhelming], but we are covering ourselves by adding more bodies on the floor. But working diligently. We have been here maybe 16 hours a day with the whole team just to make sure how things are rolling. And what to anticipate with these weekends," Obeid said.

To manage rising costs, Obeid is focusing on smart ordering practices and credits his executive Chef Ashley Thomas and team for creating a well-rounded, budget-friendly menu.

What makes Haus of Brunch stand out is its commitment to halal food preparation.

"We are a completely halal scratch kitchen. So we make everything in-house. And we don't serve any alcohol or pork," Obeid said.

When asked about potential lost revenue from not serving alcohol, Obeid remains confident in their business model.

"We have other items on the menu, like our mocktails and specialty coffee, that we can provide, but for the most part, the food and the ingredients and everything else we do overlooks that," he said.

Click here to learn more about Haus of Brunch.

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

Residents of Eastpointe and Rochester Hills are among four people accused by federal authorities of operating a $63-million scheme to steal checks from people’s mail and sell them.

Jaiswan Williams, 31, of Rochester Hills; Dequan Foreman, 30, of Eastpointe; Vanessa Hargrove, 39, of Detroit; and Crystal Jenkins, 31, of Detroit, have been charged with conspiracy to aid and abet bank and wire fraud, U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon announced Friday.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

Hargrove and Jenkins were Postal Service employees who “diverted and ultimately stole checks and other negotiable instruments from the mail, including a high volume of tax refund checks issued by the U.S. Treasury,” officials said in a news release. Williams and Foreman administered online marketplaces on which they sold the checks, officials said.

“When public employees break the public trust, they enrich themselves at the expense of the American taxpayer and undermine the institution itself,” Gorgon said in the release. “We will find and prosecute those who exploit their position for personal gain. We are committed to disrupting these shadowy schemes.”

According to allegations submitted by federal investigators, Hargrove and Jenkins sold the stolen checks to Williams and Foreman, who marketed them for sale on Telegram Messenger, a cloud-based, cross-platform instant messaging application. Prices varied based on the face-value of the checks. One of the Telegram channels, named “Whole Foods Slipsss,” was used to advertise high-dollar checks while another channel, “Uber Eats Slips,” was used to advertise lower-dollar checks. “Slips” is a term commonly used in these schemes to refer to stolen checks.

Transactions were completed via other methods using a variety of electronic payment systems. Purchasers of these checks would then attempt to fraudulently cash them using a variety of methods.

According to a report in Reuters news service and other media outlets Thursday, Vietnam authorities have instructed telecommunication service providers to block Telegram for not cooperating in combating alleged crimes committed by its users. Unrelated to the alleged stolen-check scheme, 55 men were arrested in France this week as part of an operation to dismantle a suspected pedophile ring that allegedly operated over Telegram, following a 10-month investigation, according to multiple media reports. Telegram was founded in 2013 by two Russian brothers and is headquarted in Dubai, United Emerites.

Regarding the charges against the foursome, Sean McStravick, acting inspector in charge of the Postal Inspection Service’s Detroit Division, thanked investigative partners for helping to “maintain the integrity and respectability of the U.S. Postal Service.”

“The charges against these four individuals underscore the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s commitment to securing the nation’s mail system from those who seek to exploit it for personal and financial gain,” McStravick added in the release. “Postal Inspectors utilize every tool at their disposal, including crucial partnerships, to uncover, investigate, and prosecute these schemes to the fullest extent of the law.”

Williams also faces charges on allegations of money laundering for activities dating back to October 2022, and for millions of dollars of fraudulent COVID-19 pandemic unemployment insurance benefit claims submitted between August and December 2020.

The investigation was led by the  U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General with assistant from the Postal Inspection Service, participating investigative agencies included the  Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General.

The case is being prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Ryan A. Particka and Darrin Crawford.

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration late Friday to facilitate the return of a Guatemalan man it deported to Mexico in spite of his fears of being harmed there.

The man, who is gay, was protected from being returned to his home country under a U.S. immigration judge's order at the time. But the U.S. put him on a bus and sent him to Mexico instead, a removal that U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy found likely lacked any semblance of due process.

Mexico has since returned him to Guatemala, where he is in hiding, according to court documents. An earlier court proceeding determined that the man, identified by the initials O.C.G., risked persecution or torture if returned to Guatemala, but he also feared returning to Mexico. He presented evidence of being raped and held for ransom there while seeking asylum in the U.S.

No one has ever suggested that O.C.G. poses any sort of security threat," Murphy wrote. In general, this case presents no special facts or legal circumstances, only the banal horror of a man being wrongfully loaded onto a bus and sent back to a country where he was allegedly just raped and kidnapped.

A message seeking comment was left with the Department of Homeland Security.

RELATED STORY | Georgia college student released from ICE custody after mistaken traffic stop

Murphy's order adds to a string of findings by federal courts against recent Trump administration deportations. Those have included other deportations to third countries and the erroneous deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran who had lived in Maryland for roughly 14 years, working and raising a family.

The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return to the U.S. from a notorious Salvadoran prison, rejecting the White Houses claim that it couldnt retrieve him after mistakenly deporting him. Both the White House and the El Salvadoran president have said they are powerless to return him. The Trump administration has tried to invoke the state secrets privilege, arguing that releasing details in open courtor even to the judge in privateabout returning Abrego Garcia to the United States would jeopardize national security.

In his Friday ruling, Murphy nodded to the dispute over the verb facilitate in that case and others, saying that returning O.C.G. to the U.S. is not that complicated.

RELATED STORY |Engineer working in Milwaukee stranded in Spain after visa revoked

The Court notes that facilitate in this context should carry less baggage than in several other notable cases, he wrote. O.C.G. is not held by any foreign government. Defendants have declined to make any argument that facilitating his return would be costly, burdensome, or otherwise impede the governments objectives.

The Detroit Lions will once again have a battle for their backup quarterback position behind quarterback Jared Goff.

Incumbent backup and 2023 third-round pick Hendon Hooker will face new competition for the spot after beating out Nate Sudfeld last year.

This year, Hooker’s training camp competition will be veteran Kyle Allen. Armed with plenty of experience scattered across five teams and seven seasons, Allen is aiming to usurp the team’s current option behind Goff.

Beating out Allen will be no easy task for Hooker, who will begin just his second full offseason as an NFL quarterback.

Allen, meanwhile, has 31 career appearances and 19 starts, 13 of which came for the Carolina Panthers in his first two seasons.

Though he hasn’t started a regular season game since 2022, quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell believes what he’s put on tape throughout his career was enough to grant him an opportunity to join the Lions’ quarterback room.

Key elements of this year’s backup battle will be being an asset in game preparation for Goff and showcasing an ability to efficiently operate and lead the offense when granted the opportunity.

“What we saw in Kyle was a quarterback who has experience. He has played, he’s been on multiple teams, different systems, very smart,” Brunell said. “What I loved about the tape we saw (was) he made good decisions with the ball. He managed very well. You can tell he was operating within whatever offense that he was in, and just has a good grasp on how to play at this level and has for a while. In our room, being a resource for Jared. Always being ready, that’s at the top of the list if necessary, but be a good resource for Jared, another set of eyes.”

In his opportunties as a starter, Allen has showcased some consistency. He was 5-7 in 12 starts for Carolina in 2019, he completed 62 percent of his passes and threw for 3,222 yards, 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Brunell believes that Allen’s experience will be an asset, but his comfortability and consistency within the offense during the offseason program will be one of the deciding factors in whether or not he’s able to beat out Hooker for the backup job.

Both quarterbacks will likely get plenty of opportunities to showcase their ability in a game setting, as the Lions have an extra preseason game on the docket on account of playing in the Hall of Fame game.

With three quarterbacks currently on roster, the competition for the backup spot is strictly between Allen and Hooker. Together, the group has already been able to start building consistency and camaraderie within the quarterback room ahead of the start of organized team activities.

“Once again, in year five, we have another good room. Obviously we have Jared, we’ve got Hendon and we’ve got Kyle, and they all work very well together,” Brunell explained. “We’re finding that out this offseason, and there’s good synergy in that room. Even today, we’re watching tape, and Kyle was kind of coaching Hendon a little bit and talking a little bit. So I’m really pleased with what I see with Kyle, he’s gonna be a huge asset for us and we’re glad to have him.”

This article was produced by the staff at Sports Illustrated/All Lions. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions

ALLEN PARK — On paper, there isn’t much room for Sam LaPorta to grow.

The Detroit Lions tight end has tallied 1,615 yards and 17 touchdowns on 146 receptions through the first two seasons of his career, numbers that each rank in the top four among players at his position since 2023. The former Iowa standout has seemingly improved as a blocker, too, both in the run game and a pass protector.

So, what’s next?

“Start to see the game from the quarterback’s perspective, what Jared (Goff) needs exactly,” LaPorta, who is in the midst of his first healthy offseason since he was a senior with the Hawkeyes, said Thursday. “And maybe not just knowing what I’m doing on the field, but what other people are doing, as well. Just seeing the big picture.”

LaPorta’s cerebral growth will have much to do with guidance from new tight ends coach Tyler Roehl, who was hired in February to replace Steve Heiden. Roehl, 39, came over from Iowa State, where he spent one season. Before that, he held various roles — ranging from fullbacks coach to offensive coordinator — at North Dakota State from 2014-23.

Roehl’s job with the Lions is his first gig in the NFL.

“He’s been great so far,” LaPorta said of Roehl, who interviewed with the Lions in previous years before he was hired this time around. “Our first phone call he talked about gaining trust with us. I think he’s starting to do that. I love him so far. Very fiery. … And we appreciate all of that.”

It took some time for LaPorta to look like himself in 2024 — he averaged 37.3 yards through the season’s first six games, and his targets in that span (17) trailed receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown (50) and Jameson Williams (30) and running back Jahmyr Gibbs (22) — but he got rolling midseason and finished strong, averaging 67 yards over the regular season’s final five weeks.

The early dip in production concerned some who hoped LaPorta would continue a linear ascent following his record-breaking rookie season, but LaPorta wasn’t sweating much. He’ll never turn down more targets, but he’s aware of the talent surrounding him. Sometimes, passes wouldn’t come his way. Other times, he’d be fed. That’s the nature of being a part of an offense with two 1,000-yard receivers (St. Brown and Williams) and perhaps the league’s best tandem at running back (Gibbs and David Montgomery).

“There were a lot of weapons last year, so I kept hearing comments this offseason, ‘Why didn’t you get the ball as much?’” LaPorta said. “It’s like, ‘Dude, we scored the most points of any team in the NFL in the last five years. Everybody deserves the ball.’”

LaPorta expects the offense to look similar despite Ben Johnson’s exit to Chicago, but he’s open to hearing new ideas from new coordinator John Morton: “There might be different ways that Johnny wants to give me the ball, maybe other areas where we might step away from it,” LaPorta said.

“I think there’s a relationship that needs to be built there as well, and we’ll learn what each other needs.”

DETROIT — It was no surprise Marco Kasper headed off to the IIHF men’s world championships in Sweden and Denmark soon after the Red Wings season ended.

Simply put, Kasper wanted to play more hockey.

“You play all those games and you’re in a flow and it’s so weird, just the end of it,” Kasper said. “I love being on the ice.”

So Kasper had an opportunity to play more hockey — high-level hockey, at that — and the torrid pace he was on the second half of the NHL season continued overseas.

Austria made it to the quarterfinals of the IIHF world championships Thursday — it lost 6-0 to Switzerland — for the first time since 1994. Kasper, 21, the Wings’ talented rookie, was a major reason why.

Kasper led Austria with seven points (four goals, three assists) in eight games and displayed the impressive versatility at both ends of the rink that came to be expected of coach Todd McLellan and his staff by the end of this past season.

“You talk about 200-foot player, I would put him on our team in that category,” McLellan said toward the end of the season. “He plays our zone, the neutral zone and offensive zone, and he can play east-west or north-south. He’s a 200-foot player and they are very valuable.”

Kasper had 37 points (19 goals and 18 assists) in 77 games with the Wings, seeing his game take off after McLellan took over as head coach on Dec. 26.

Kasper soon found himself on a line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond and complemented the two offensive stars with a willingness to get to the net, create space, and do all the grunt work. Later in the season, Kasper centered his own line, moving back to his natural center position.

Wherever Kasper played, he showed definitively why the Wings drafted him eighth overall in 2022, and why there’s so much excitement around his game.

“For some, it’s very difficult (shuttling between center and forward), but Marco may be one of the exceptions,” McLellan said. “The initial task of going from center to wing is probably a bigger adjustment than going back to the middle. He played in the middle his whole life. When he went up and had to play the wing, that’s where he probably had to adjust his game and read a little bit differently, understand where and what might happen along the boards more than in the middle of the rink.

“We talked about can he produce some offense and he wasn’t going to basically with the minutes we were playing him and where he was playing. We moved him to wing and we put him up there, and he took advantage of it.”

Kasper was one of several Wings’ young players who received more ice time under McLellan and thrived with the responsibility.

“Just confidence,” said Kasper, of what he may have gotten during the switch to McLellan. “Also trying to play a 200-foot (all-around) game and getting out there and doing the right things. The intensity during practice was harder, and that’s good for me and the team. Going out there and getting ready for those games.

“The guys did a great job helping me and the coaches. They talked about how we wanted to play and needed to play.”

It’s unclear this soon after the season ended where Kasper will begin next season, wing or center. Kasper doesn’t mind either spot, although if he does play center, becoming more effective in the faceoff circle is a must (44.9% this season).

“That’s definitely something I want to improve on over the summer and into next season,” Kasper said. “That goes back to the matchups against these guys like (Toronto’s John) Tavares, he’s unreal in the faceoffs. You take away things from those guys, and Larks (Dylan Larkin) is real good on faceoffs, and just watching him and seeing how he does it. It’s a big point of my focus, and to play center, it’s something I have to get better at.”

In terms of preparation this summer, nothing will change for Kasper. General manager Steve Yzerman was impressed with Kasper’s maturity and preparation when the Wings drafted Kasper, and those traits were on display in the Wings’ locker room after he was recalled.

“It’s not going to change how I approach the offseason,” Kasper said of his rookie success. “I know it’s the same boring answer, but what I’m trying to do is go out there every day and do the best I can, whether it’s on the ice or in the gym, and try to do the best I can. That’s how I’m going to look at it.

“It’s going to be hard next year. I feel like I had a pretty good year, but it’s going to be really hard to come back and do as good and even improve, but it’s something I’m going to focus on.”

Playing in the top two lines most of the season, Kasper saw some difficult matchups against some of the best forwards in the NHL. Facing them on a nightly basis was a challenge he willingly took on.

Interestingly, it was taking on some of the older legends that Kasper will remember.

“Sidney Crosby, to just line up and face off against him, it was pretty cool,” Kasper said. “You see how long he’s played and also (Alex) Ovechkin, he just breaks the goal-scoring record. They’ve been the best players in the world, and (teammate Patrick) Kane, and those guys for a long time have been the best, and that’s pretty cool.”

Kasper always will remember facing Crosby for another reason.

“I won the first faceoff,” Kasper said. “I didn’t win too many after that first one, but that was pretty cool.”

ROCHESTER HILLS – In need of as many points as possible in the 4×400 relay to close Friday night, Rochester’s quartet of Mia Snellgrove, Ella Abraham, Imani Morgan and Lucy Cook won the event, earning the program its first Oakland County Meet championship in the process.

The Falcons finished that relay with a time of 4:05.24, beating out rival and runner-up Adams by just over three seconds. It gave them 10 points, moving Rochester ahead of Novi (54 points), and Lake Orion (52), who took fourth in the relay, with a grand total of 57.

“It was very exciting,” Falcons head coach Larry Adams said. “I knew we were going to be in it to the end, and I know I’ve got a good group in the 4×4. Even though we were replacing one runner who’s out of town on vacation, (our replacement and) my best short springer moved up to the 400 today and did a great job. I was really pleased with how they competed. It was fun. Everybody did a good job today getting points here and there.”

Novi jumped into the lead when sophomore Katelynn Egli took first in the 3,200-meter run (10:58.44), effectively making it a three-horse race between the Wildcats, Dragons and Falcons going into the last event of the night at Oakland University.

With its second-place finish in the 4×400, Adams jumped up a few places and captured fourth overall (46 points), followed by Royal Oak in fifth with 40. The rest of the top 10 in order was Farmington (34 points), Clarkston (31.5), Berkley (29), Cranbrook-Kingswood (27) and a tie for 10th between Troy Athens and Farmington Hills Mercy (26).

That same depth that won the Falcons the OAA Red/White championship paid dividends for them Friday night.

“We got some long jump points, shot and discus points … just some of our young kids stepping up and doing a nice job, getting points where we thought we could,” Adams said. “The depth is there, which is nice. I don’t want to race them to death because I want them ready (for states) next week, so they only did a couple things here or there tonight. I don’t really ever come to this meet to win it. If we do, it’s because we just happened to be on the right side place-wise.

Rochester took third last year with 49 points. The 2024 edition was won by Oak Park, who opted not to attend this year’s meet, the 66th annual. It’s difficult to say whether the Knights would have racked up 110 points as they did last season, but might not be a stretch either considering Oak Park won the regional hosted by the Falcons last Saturday by nearly 50 points.

Either way, that left plenty of other teams and athletes to take advantage in a number of events in which someone from the Knights may have otherwise been favored, such as relays or hurdles.

In the 100-meter dash, junior Nicole DeCoster won with a time of 12.43 seconds. “My block start wasn’t every good, but I kind of came back in the end,” she said.

Athens junior Maddy Piotrowski edged out DeCoster to win the 200 in a time of 25.68.

“I think I got out strong,” said Piotrowski, who skipped out on the 100, which she calls her favorite event, to rest her foot for an otherwise full day of competing. “It’s definitely hard in the first 100 with the wind and everything, but at the end there was a little bit of tail wind. That helped push me to the end.”

Rightfully, neither were bothered by potentially taking advantage of Oak Park’s absence, and as Piotrowski aptly put it, “we’ll see them at the state meet and be (competing) against them either way.”

As Piotrowski became the Red Hawks’ first winner in the 200, sophomore Abbey Neering became the first from Lake Orion to win the 400 (58.91). Along with Zoe Moss, Elisabeth Hetu and Lexi McDaniel, she also was part of a Dragons’ foursome that won the 4×200 relay for the first time at the county meet.

“I was feeling good about today,” Neering said. “It was a little cold, but I was just ready to run. Time-wise, it wasn’t my personal best, but I still pushed myself and got us to the front. It just feels good to be helping the team to win.”

Adams senior Kaitlyn Kauppila beat out Mercy’s Nora Gerzema and teammate El McMahan by less than a second to win the 800 (2:15.36).

Rochester got points from Lucy Cook’s win in the 1,600 (4:59.56), as well as finishes of second (Erica Proctor) and fourth (Imani Morgan) behind Ferndale senior Danah Pearson, who won the long jump (17-01.25). In addition, Falcons sophomore Ellie Mendoza came second to Cranbrook junior Eby Nosike, who won shot put with a throw of 40 feet, 9 1/4 inches.

In hurdles, Royal Oak junior Brooklyn Cotton won the 100 (15.21) and Oxford senior Taylor Brodeur captured first in the 300 (47.40).

Other results included West Bloomfield (Lauren Choice, Ese Uwedjojevwe, Lia Marshall and Kamryn Tatum) taking first in the 4×100 relay (48.42), Farmington’s Rachel Hibbs winning high jump (5-03), Lake Orion’s Olivia Bagdasarian winning pole vault (11-06), and Royal Oak’s Jada Ewell finishing in front of a tough field of competition in discus (139-04).

Despite being out of office for more than four months, Republican lawmakers are still making the health of former President Joe Biden a priority.

This week, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer sent letters to Biden's physician, Kevin O'Connor, and three former White House aides, demanding that they testify before the committee. The letter was sent just days after Biden announced that he has developed stage 4 prostate cancer.

The letters from Comer suggested that they "covered up" his mental decline.

The letters also come as several new books have been released detailing the concerns White House staffers and Democrats more broadly had about Biden's health in the closing months of his presidency.

RELATED STORY | Former President Joe Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer

"The cover-up of President Bidens obvious mental decline is a historic scandal," Comer said. "The American people deserve to know when this decline began, how far it progressed, and who was making critical decisions on his behalf."

Biden has insisted that he has the ability to run for a second term, despite a disastrous debate performance that ultimately led him to drop out of the race. His wife, Jill Biden, echoed those sentiments during a recent interview on "The View."

The people who wrote those books were not in the White House with us, and they didnt see how hard Joe worked every single day. I mean, hed get up, he put in a full day, and then at night he wouldI'd be in bed, you know, reading my bookand he was still on the phone, reading his briefings, working with staff. I mean, it was nonstop, she said.

ROCHESTER HILLS – Rochester Adams boys team cleared the hurdles, both figuratively and literally, earlier on Friday night to make its last event of the evening that secured them victory status a relative breeze.

The Highlanders finished eighth in the 4×400 relay — the final race of the night at Oakland University — earning them just one point, but their total of 63 was still a dozen more than runner-up Clarkston, making Adams a winner at the 66th annual Oakland County Meet.

“It did,” said Adams head coach Eric Lohr when asked if the previous points accrued took the pressure of his team’s relay quartet in the last event. “We had no expectation of being in position to win the whole meet, and then seeing the scores as they started to pile up, and then, you know what, we’ve got a 13-point buffer and nobody ran the 200, then Gavin (Wilkins) scored (two points) in the 3,200. It was like, wow, we wrapped it up earlier than expected.”

Their bread was buttered to the tune of 35 points resulting from hurdles finishes. Adams senior Michael Wilkerson (14.42 seconds) won the 110-meter event, with Lachlan Tillotson and Steven Wilkerson also taking fourth and sixth place, respectively. Then, in the 300 hurdles, Michael Wilkerson again took first (39.04), Tillotson captured third and Steven ended in eighth.

“It’s been our strong event all year long,” Lohr said. “It’s one of those things where we know we’re going to get points, it’s just how many points? The coaching with the hurdle crew, they do a fantastic job.”

Adams has now won the county meet twice in the past four years. Walled Lake Central, last year’s winner, took fifth with 42 points. Between the two, Clarkston accumulated 51 points, Detroit Catholic Central took third with 48, and Novi finished fourth with 47.

Lakeland (41 points), Lake Orion (35), West Bloomfield (32), Detroit Country Day (27.5) and Troy Athens (25.5) rounded out the top 10 in order.

Along with WL Central, Novi put itself in good position earlier in the day with 38 points out of the handful of field events, including a first-place finish by senior Odin Gulledge in pole vault, which required navigating the air on a day when the wind played a factor in many ways.

“I felt alright,” said Gulledge, whose best clearance was 13 feet, six inches, matching his performance at last year’s state meet. (They were) not the best jumps, but it is what it is.”

Gulledge cleared the 15-foot barrier by three inches last last month. Talking about the breakthrough, he said, “Getting all that air time, it was pretty awesome. I worked hard over the offseason to get there. I think working on the take-off and the plant a lot in the offseason, then coming back and just getting faster and stronger (made it happen).”

Admitting that the weather affected his commitment to jumps, Gulledge holds the fourth-best qualifying mark entering the D1 state meet and said that the proper execution should allow him to clear 15-6 in Kentwood.

Other than Gulledge, Novi senior Jordan Paige won the long jump with an attempt of 23 feet, two inches, while teammates Drelen Lillard and Michael Schave finished just behind high jump winner Giovanni Charles of Walled Lake Central (6-05).

Also from WL Central, Garrod Alexander (56 feet, 2.25 inches) edged out Stoney Creek’s Spencer Beckeman to win shot put by just an inch-and-a-half. Lakeland junior Andrew Neumann won the discus event with a heave of 171 feet, 10 inches.

On the track, Groves senior Noah Sanders won the 100 dash, Samson Gash of Detroit Catholic Central won the 200 (22.23 seconds) in what was a three-man final, and Southfield Christian’s Brock Morris, who came runner-up to Gash in the 200, took first in the 400 (49.20).

In the 800, Royal Oak Shrine junior Abenezer Cerone beat out at least several competitors with more favorable entry times to win in 1:55.54. Clarkston’s Jaxon Nowik took the 1,600 run (4:22.27), while Bloomfield Hills senior Taye Levenson outpaced the field handily, winning the 3,200 event by over 20 seconds with a time of 9:20.76.

Walled Lake Northern went the distance in the 4×800 relay with the team of Finn Gammerath, Sam Fairchild, Chase Griffith and Nathan Bruss taking first by over four ticks with a time of 8:01.39. That marked an improvement of about two seconds over the quartet’s regional time. The Knights were one of five teams that qualified out of their region in the event.

“We’ve just kind of been focusing on the last big meets of the year as it dwindles down,” WL Northern head coach Jeff McNeil said. “They don’t have such a workload from the dual meets and other different ones that we go to, so we’re dialing in as we’re trying to taper it down and firing at the right time.”

Lake Orion won a pair of relays — the 4×200 (James Bambard, Malek Pulford, Benjamin Lako and Fernando Bartolome; 1:29.85) and the 4×400 (Bartolome, Lako, Cole Shoskey and Payton Lyles; 3:23.97). Meanwhile, Detroit Country Day (Tyler Newby, Ashton Collins, Derrick Williams and Darryl Carter) won by the thinnest margin, edging out West Bloomfield by just one-hundredth of a second with a time of 43.33.

By Breana Noble, The Detroit News

Hundreds of used vehicles rolled through the auction aisles of Manheim Detroit on Thursday as dealers in person and online scrambled to make their bids to shore up inventories in anticipation of price increases.

Average used vehicle list prices are up slightly year-over-year at $25,547, according to Cox Automotive Inc., a dealer digital services provider that owns Manheim and its 79 U.S. auction sites, which handle more than 7 million vehicles per year. The increase represents a reversal as used prices had fallen over the past couple of years after hitting a peak during the pandemic. But President Donald Trump’s tariffs have spooked buyers, prompting a surge in new and used vehicle purchases with consumers hoping to get ahead of larger price increases.

“We’re trying to get caution out there, but we’re not trying to spread any kind of concern that there’s a collapse coming,” said Charlie Chesbrough, a senior economist at Cox, which is forecasting a 1% increase in used vehicle sales in 2025 compared to last year. “It’s just going to be a challenging couple of months here over the summer.”

The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index that assesses the wholesale prices of used vehicles at Manheim auctions reversed course in April after declining in February and March. It spiked 2.7% month-over-month compared to a typical monthly movement of about 0.3%, as prices rose almost 5% on average. The frenzy has slowed a bit since April with the index falling 1.1% in a mid-May report shared this week. But the index still remains 4.4% higher than it was a year ago.

It typically takes four to six weeks before changes at auction are reflected in retail transactions, Chesbrough said: “Our expectation is over the course of the summer, those prices are going to rise even more quickly.”

In Carleton on Thursday morning, auctioneers rambled 250 to 400 words per minute to secure bids within 1 minute from dealers across the country for used vehicles from automakers like Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co., rental car companies, banks and other dealers. About 72% of Manheim’s vehicle sales are done online.

Established in 1992, the 250-acre Manheim Detroit has three sales days per week for licensed dealers. Whether a company vehicle, a trade-in, a repossession or a fleet retirement, 1,800 vehicles or more hit the block each of those days. Vehicles sell anywhere from $200 to salvage dealers to $450,000 for a Lamborghini recently. Most vehicles passing through are about three years old.

“Every car will sell,” said Keith Winningham, assistant general manager at Manheim Detroit. “It may not be today. Maybe it’s next week. The market’s constantly changing.”

Manheim Detroit is unique because of the business it does with manufacturers and the Canadian dealers that sell in its auction. Despite tariffs and trade tensions between the United States and Canada, sales from Canadian dealers are up this year, said Noel Kitsch, general manager of Manheim Detroit Market Center.

Most vehicles sold in Canada are made in the United States (designated by their vehicle identification numbers beginning with a one, four or five). Those can return to the United States tariff-free, Kitsch said, while more Canadian- and Mexican-built vehicles are staying in Canada because of Trump’s 25% auto tariff.

“They started adjusting in October,” Kitsch said about the Canadian sellers. “We have not seen a decrease in Canadian vehicles. As a matter of fact, we’re up year over year in Canadian sales in the Michigan area.”

High interest rates, improved new-vehicle inventories and inflation on other goods contributed to falling used vehicle prices over the past couple of years. The spring usually sees an increase in demand with tax returns hitting consumer pockets, Chesbrough said, and prices have stayed high.

“The used vehicle market is still looking very, very strong in terms of sales out there,” he said. “But the inventory has been drawn down, and that’s creating a situation where the inventory is lean on dealer lots, and they’re going to be less likely to make a deal, because their sales have been going quite well, and their existing inventory is now worth more money, because they know the incoming replacement inventory is going to cost a little bit more.”

Days of used-vehicle supply nationwide is in the 40s, he said, which is down about 20% from recent weeks.

More than a third — 34% — of Americans plan to buy a car in the next 12 months, the highest since 2023, according to auto lender Santander Consumer USA’s Paths to Prosperity survey. Some have pulled ahead those purchases in anticipation of increased prices, said Betty Jotanovic, the lender’s president of auto relationships.

But this comes as auto loan delinquency rates have returned to pre-COVID levels. Default rates remain below the norm, but it’s an indication of consumer economic stress, Jotanovic said.

“The consumer is getting behind on their payments,” she said, “but still prioritizing the auto loan over their mortgage or credit card.”

Adding in the uncertainty around tariffs, buyers may adjust their purchases, Jotanovic said: “You’re going to see a shift where maybe your typical new buyer goes to a one- or two-year-old used car, or maybe that one- or two-year-old used buyer goes to a three- or four-year-old used vehicle.”

Fewer younger vehicles are returning to dealer lots in 2025. A sharp drop in leasing through 2022 and 2023 amid a microchip shortage and other supply-chain disruptions, Ivan Drury, director of insights for auto information website Edmunds.com Inc., wrote in a report released Thursday.

In the first three months of 2025, the average sales price of a three-year-old used vehicle surpassed $30,000 for the first time since the second quarter of 2023.

“Due to unexpected market swings,” Drury wrote, “3-year-old lease-return values are coming in higher than automakers originally forecasted — offering some drivers unexpected trade-in advantages.”

That’s incentive for vehicle sellers to send their inventory to auction, and it’s keeping the 320 Manheim Detroit employees busy. The facility has a mechanic shop, a body shop to repair dented and scratched panels, and a paint shop able to spruce up as many as 50 vehicles per day. Manheim inspects about 150 vehicles to grant AAA certification daily.

“If there’s heavy collision on a vehicle, most of those assets are going to be sold as is,” Winningham said. “Most of what we do are cosmetic repairs. If a dealer is out in the lanes, and they’re looking at the car, and the bumper is scratched, it’s got a dent in the door, he’s got to calculate in his head what he’s got to spend on that car No. 1. No. 2, he has to get it repaired. Most body shops at most dealerships are very, very busy. And for him to have to get that into a shop and get it sold takes time. Obviously when they buy a car, the whole concept is to sell it as quickly as possible.”

Ninety-five percent of auctioned vehicles here are detailed on-site. Fixed imaging tunnels leverage 44 cameras and artificial intelligence to help identify damage on the vehicles and pick the best dozen of 2,000 photos captured as the vehicle travels under 10 mph through the tunnel. The chosen images are uploaded within minutes to Manheim’s website for dealers to check out.

Vehicles on average spend less than 30 days at Manheim before heading to a buyer. If a vehicle doesn’t sell, it might go to an auction next week or at another location. Certain electric vehicles stick around longer because of lower demand and to balance out losses for the seller, Kitsch said.

Whether buying at auction or from a trade-in, dealers like Walt Tutak, general manager at Matthew Hargreaves Chevrolet in Royal Oak, have upped their supply of used vehicles. Tutak is at 200 vehicles and could increase his stock to 225, up from a typical 150, in anticipation of tariffs affecting new-vehicle inventories.

“It hasn’t affected (demand) for used cars,” Tutak said about tariffs. “But we need to pay our bills one way or another. If inventories are going to get lowered, we want to be covered selling used cars.”

Tutak isn’t the only one thinking like that, and he recognized that used car prices are going up. But he said he’s willing to compromise on margins per vehicle if he’s selling more of them, he noted, seeing it as a long-term investment in the business.

“They’re going to come back to our dealership,” he said, “and tell friends and family and come to our service department and body shop and parts department. It’s a snowball effect.”

The post DER Weekends: Hoarding is common. A local woman wants help to be just as common appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

A record number of Americans applied for British citizenship between January and March. Of course, that period covers the beginning of President Donald Trump's second administration. More than 1,900 Americans put in an application.

The U.K. Home Office says that's the most since records began in 2004. The number of applications also went up last year, from October to December, coinciding with the 2024 election. The rise in applications comes as some European countries are making it tougher to welcome new citizens.

Britain recently announced it would toughen requirements for legal migrants and extend the wait for newcomers to claim citizenship. And just this week, Italy enacted a law that removes the route to citizenship through great-grandparents.'

The United Kingdom reported over 72,000 requests for citizenship in the first quarter of 2025, which is up from over 64,000 in the first quarter of 2024.

In the meantime, the U.K. said it has started seeing more than 1 million people migrate to Great Britain annually. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the nation must reform its immigration system.

"Migration is part of Britains national story and an essential element of a strong economy," he said. "But if people want to come to Britain to start a new life, they must contribute, learn our language and integrate. And if employers want to bring workers from overseas, then they must also invest in the skills of workers already in Britain."

There will lots of cool things to do in downtown Detroit this memorial Day weekend.

Huge crowds will flock to the area to check out the various events happening including The Movement Music Festival, The Weeknd in concert at Ford Field and Detroit Tigers games at Comerica Park.

There are also great restaurants to check out, including The Hudson Cafe (1241 Woodward Ave.) and the newly opened Haus of Brunch (204 Michigan Ave.)

What began as a spirited idea among Michigan State alumni in 1976 has turned into one of Michigans most enduring traditions.

The Waltdorf Pig Roast grassroots gathering rooted in friendship, fun, and food will celebrate its 50th annual event this Memorial Day weekend, bringing together multiple generations of family and friends to honor a legacy thats lasted half a century. This years celebration will feature commemorative hats and custom coasters bearing Walts image a tribute to the man whose hospitality and humor gave the event its heart. With the green jacket on the line for the golf champion and the pig roasting to perfection, the 50th Waltdorf Pig Roast promises to be a weekend to remember.

The 50th Annual Waltdorf Pig Roast will take place Memorial Day Weekend (May 2426, 2025) at 4866 Pickford Dr. in Troy. Highlights will include:Notable Features:

o 27-hole backyard golf tournament

o Friday pre-party with signature dishes

o Roast pig feast with decades of tradition

o Reunion of lifelong friends and families

o Commemorative memorabilia

People with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen for more reasons than one.

Too much ultraviolet exposure from the sun can lead to sunburn, dark spots and wrinkles, and increased risk of skin cancer.

The melanin in darker skin offers some extra protection from the sun, but dermatologists say that isnt enough on its own.

"Everyone needs sunscreen. But the reasons that one might be reaching for sunscreen may differ depending on your skin tone, said Dr. Jenna Lester, who founded the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco.

Do darker-skinned people need sunscreen?

White people are overall more likely to get skin cancer compared to Black and Hispanic people. But Black and Hispanic people are less likely to survive the most dangerous kind of skin cancer called melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society.

Black patients more commonly get melanoma on their hands and feet places that are more shielded from the sun. Still, sunscreen is an additional protective layer that helps prevent a host of other problems including sunburns, hyperpigmentation after acne, rosacea and dark patches on the face.

RELATED STORY | Most sunscreens may contain harmful ingredients, research group says

Dr. Oyetewa Asempa at Baylor College of Medicine often reminds her darker-skinned patients: All of the problems that youre coming to see me for are caused or worsened by the sun.

How much sunscreen do people of color need?

To stay safe in the sun, it's important to grab sunscreen with a sun protection factor or SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours. People headed for the pool or beach should put on sunscreen beforehand, remembering to reapply liberally and after getting out of the water.

Most people dont wear enough sunscreen when they apply, Lester said. Make sure to put two long fingers worth on the face and a hefty blob for the body.

Look for chemical-based sunscreens to avoid an ashy white cast. Two key ingredients in mineral-based products zinc oxide and titanium oxide are the culprits for that pesky discoloration on dark skin.

Tinted sunscreens contain pigments that block visible light from the sun, offering additional protection against dark spots. And wearing a hat or sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor or UPF grading can provide an extra safety boost.

Whatever the sun protection routine, it's important to keep it up, Lester said. Some UV rays can climb right through car and house windows to cause sun damage even when indoors, making it even more important to take care of the skin while the sun shines.

It's about trying to make it a daily habit, she said. Consistency over intensity.

Hey, you're busy we get it.

We know a lot happens throughout the week, and you may not catch all of our stories here at WXYZ. So we've decided to gather the most talked-about stories from the past week all in one place that you can check out during your free time over the weekend.

Have a story idea or tip? Feel free to let us know using the contact form below.

Here are the big stories from the week beginning May 19.

Greektown wants you to know they're open for business despite construction Greektown wants you to know they're open for business despite construction

As construction continues in Detroit's Greektown to revitalize four blocks of the neighborhood to make them more pedestrian-friendly, some businesses say foot traffic has slowed down and they want to remind residents they are open despite the orange barrels and fencing.

The Greektown Monroe Streetscape project is officially underway to transform the district into a more engaging public space including having pedestrian zones, human-scale landscaping, enhanced lighting for visibility and safety measures.

The project is expected to take another year to complete with a tentative opening date of summer 2026.

Dont mind the big fences, dont mind the orange barrels thats always a deterrent," Greektown business owner Yanni Dionisopoulos said.

Dionisopoulos is active with the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership that's spearheading the project. He says these changes have been a long time coming and when the opportunity came about to receive $20 million in state funding due to a budget surplus, they knew they needed to act fast.

"The visions been always there, the funding not and then obviously when the funding was announced yes, we had our own little party," Dionisopoulos said.

However, with the exciting new changes comes construction, which includes street closures, large fencing and orange barrels that may make it seem like the businesses on Monroe Street are closed. Dionisopoulos and other business owners want to make it clear, they're open and need the community's support.

Wayne County erases nearly $42 million in medical debt for thousands of residents Wayne County erases nearly $42 million in medical debt for thousands of residents

Thousands of Wayne County residents are now living with less stress about their medical bills thanks to a recently launched program that's helping wipe out medical debt.

The Wayne County program has already eliminated around $42 million in medical debt for 71,000 residents who earn at or below four times the federal poverty level, or whose debt exceeds 5% of their income.

Canton resident Larry Turner was among those who received relief. About 11 years ago, Turner was injured after being involved in a car crash that forced him into early retirement.

The incident caused him to undergo several surgeries, and despite having insurance, he was left facing thousands of dollars in medical bills.

"I tried to keep up on them, but sometimes when things got tight, Cost of Living going up, you have to decide which way to go. Rent, food, bills?" Turner said.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans emphasized the impact of medical debt beyond financial concerns.

"The stress of medical debt for people is real. Not just the financial part, but also their reluctance to be treated or to go back to a hospital because this debt is lingering," Evans said.

To make the debt relief possible, Wayne County is investing $5 million into a partnership with the organization Undue Medical Debt, which eliminates people's debt for pennies on the dollar.

Through the program, Wayne County hopes to erase $700 million of outstanding medical debt.

Dam failures swallowed mid-Michigan towns whole. 5 years later, theyre building back. Dam failures swallowed Mid-Michigan towns whole. 5 years later, theyre building back.

Five years since hell broke loose in the lakeside village of Sanford, just about everything is on its way back. Everything except the lake.

"Id really like to see the water back," business owner Linda Shephard said earlier this month, staring into the former lake that she could now walk across.

No one was killed when a 500-year flood tore through Midland County, but some 2,500 homes were damaged or destroyed, businesses were swept away, four lakes were emptied and residents say they were left to fend for themselves.

Just hours before the dams broke, Shephard got the all-clear from the health department to open her dream business the Sanford Lake Marina which she'd spent the last year fixing up.

"I have the piece of paper saying: you can open! Shephard recalled. And by 8 oclock that night, everything was gone.

At Cultivate Coffee downtown, the coffee and tea wont cost you anything. Opening three years after the floods, its a place the community can gather, play board games and trade stories. It runs off donations that keep pouring in.

Other businesses have opened too, from ice cream parlors to grocery stores, even a cannabis shop and electric charging stations.

Its caused us to reinvent ourselves and get to know our neighbors, if we didnt already, Porte said. And yes, I think the outcome has been phenomenal.

Not everyone is as optimistic.

Carl Hamann lives just a block away from the Sanford Dam. When it failed, the water in his home reached chest high.

It was a good year for me, Hamann said sarcastically. I turned 65 and lost everything Id worked for in my entire life.

The dams were owned and operated by Boyce Hydro, who the State of Michigan sued, accusing of neglecting the dams for years. A judge ordered Boyce to pay an almost $120 million judgment, but the company filed for bankruptcy.

Meanwhile, the state itself is fending off lawsuits from residents like Hamann, who say the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy knew that the Edenville Dam was at risk of failure but refused Boyce Hydros requests to lower water levels.

The state has fought the case for the last five years, but last week, a judge ruled it can move forward.

The state of Michigan and the government needs to stand up because they helped cause this, Hamann said.

'Lives are on the line.' Officials sound the alarm, say I-75 construction is putting lives at risk 'Lives are on the line.' Officials warn drivers navigating I-75 construction

A portion of I-75 in Oakland County is causing concern when it comes to construction and vehicle crashes.

On Tuesday night, a man lost his life in a car crash on the highway.

He was an angel, he really was, said Joe Fitzpatrick. He was one of those people you only meet once.

Joe Fitzpatricks brother, Nicholas Fitzpatrick, died after a car crash on I-75.

According to officials, Nicholas, who was 25 years old, crashed his car on I-75 near Grange Hall Road in Oakland County at around 10:20 p.m. on Tuesday.

Nicholas got out of his car and was standing near the left lane, and thats when another vehicle struck his car. He was pushed onto the highway, and then another vehicle hit his body.

Following Nicholass death, fire chiefs from Springfield Township, Groveland Township and the North Oakland County Fire Authority sent out a safety alert saying the ongoing construction on I-75 from Grand Blanc to Independence Townshipespecially southboundis putting lives at risk.

People are excessively driving, I mean theyre going too fast on that road, said Chief Matt Covey of Springfield Township.

Its unfortunate because someone is having the worst day of their life or the end of their life has happened, and people are just impatient and people just want to get around, they dont care, said Chief Matt Weil of the North Oakland County Fire Authority.

Chief Covey and Chief Weil are urging people to take detour routes to avoid the construction.

Take Dixie Highway, take M15, I dont care, somewhere else, just stay off the expressway if you can, said Weil.

Belle Isle leaders hoping to bring a public square to the park Plans being developed to make Belle Isle more walkable

Leaders at Belle Isle are hoping to create a new public commons area aimed at making the park more accessible and connected for the more than 5 million annual visitors.

The Belle Isle Conservancy and the State of Michigan are in the early stages of developing a plan to bring a public square to the 982-acre park.

"Getting in your car, going directly to wherever you plan to go, whether that's the aquarium or the beach or wherever. You do your thing, you get back in your car, and then you leave," said Meagan Elliott, president of Belle Isle Conservancy, describing the current visitor experience.

The initiative stems from a study a few years ago, when the Belle Isle Conservancy partnered with the State of Michigan to look into improving travel throughout the park.

The public square, being called Belle Isle Commons, would create a space where visitors can spend more time and discover unexpected attractions.

"What folks want to see is a space where you can actually linger. Maybe be introduced to something that you didn't expect to that day, or some programming, consistent food and beverage options," said Elliott.

The main area of focus for the space is in front of the park's aquarium and conservatory, which Elliott notes is the primary destination for 61% of visitors.

Study says 75% of sunscreens aren't effective. Here's what a dermatologist wants you to know Study says 75% of sunscreens aren't effective. Here's what a dermatologist wants you to know

Your go-to sunscreen may not be the most effective. According to a new study released by the Environmental Working Group, only about 25% of the sunscreens being sold are safe and effective. They reportedly tested more than 2,200 sunscreens currently being sold.

With the summer months coming, it's time to stock up on sunscreen, but when you have all the options to choose from, it may be difficult to know which is the best.

"Weve known for a long time that chemical sunscreens have been of more concern than physical sunscreens," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Leonard Kerwin said.

He's seen the report, but told us the information isn't necessarily new.

"Chemical sunscreens, including oxybenzone that are essentially designed to soak into the skin and through this reaction they reflect and bend light. The physical sunscreens, the zinc oxide, the titanium oxide, the mineral sunscreens, those go onto the screen and they reflect or deflect the UVA UBA radiation.

"Im going to the store, and I want to get the best sunscreen to keep myself the safest, what am I looking for? our Carli Petrus asked.

"A broad spectrum sunscreen, youre looking for SPF 30 or above, youre looking for water resistant or very water resistant and youre going to make sure youre applying properly and reapplying it and I would recommend the mineral blocks," he said.

Kerwin also said it's important to make sure you're applying the recommended amount of sunscreen, which is about one ounce, every three to four hours.

Dont let these concerns scare you away from sunscreen application," he said.

Detroit techno pioneers and new generation celebrate genre at Movement festival Movement music festival starts this weekend in Hart Plaza

Detroit's techno music scene continues to influence the world as the Movement Festival arrives this weekend.

Kevin Saunderson, one of the pioneers of Detroit techno, described the genre to 7 News Detroit.

"We still come from Funk, from Soul, and we put a certain love or creativity into the way we created it. So it's music to dance to, made with electronic tools," Saunderson said.

The genre came to life in Belleville, Michigan, originated by Saunderson's friend Juan Atkins, who envisioned creating music for the future.

"The only equipment I seen at that time was like set decks, I'd seen turntables. So Juan had synthesizers and stuff I just didn't know," Saunderson said.

Saunderson explains that over time, Atkins' musical style influenced him and another friend, Derrick May. As they perfected their craft and released more music in the 1980s, they realized they were part of something revolutionary.

"We were going around to these different places and DJ'ing, and seeing the people's response. It was spinning, it was like a virus," Saunderson said.

In 2000, the music received additional recognition when the Detroit Electronic Music Festival now known as Movement was held for the first time.

"It was a connection. It was a way for us to educate youth and everyone about this sound; it wasn't Motown music, it was different music being made," Saunderson said.

Electronic music has only grown in popularity over the years, inspiring artists like Brian Kage, a DJ and producer who creates Detroit techno.

Kage started getting involved with music when he was 17, inspired by the video game-like sounds he heard on the radio.