Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., is demanding answers after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents reportedly arrested two contractors working at a wildfire in Washington state on Wednesday.

The Seattle Times reported that officials required about 400 contractors helping battle the wildfire to identify themselves. KOMO-TV reported that two of those contractors were allegedly in the U.S. illegally, and one had an outstanding removal order.

The Department of Homeland Security disputed that the detained workers were firefighters. The agency said they were not actively fighting the fire but were assisting with firefighting efforts.

RELATED STORY | 'Alligator Alcatraz' detainee faced 'life-or-death situation,' attorney says

"They were there in a support role, cutting logs into firewood. The firefighting response remained uninterrupted the entire time," Homeland Security said. "No active firefighters were even questioned, and U.S. Border Patrols actions did not prevent or interfere with any personnel actively engaged in firefighting efforts."

Murray condemned the arrests and said she is demanding immediate answers from the Trump administration about conducting immigration enforcement during active wildfires.

"This administrations immigration policy is fundamentally sick. Trump has wrongfully detained everyone from lawful green card holders to American citizensno one should assume this was necessary or appropriate," Murray said. Here in the Pacific Northwest, wildfires can, and have, burned entire towns to the ground. We count on our brave firefighters, who put their lives on the line, to keep our communities safethis new Republican policy to detain firefighters on the job is as immoral as it is dangerous."

ROCHESTER HILLS – Talk about getting off on the right foot.

Defending Division 1 girls cross-country state champion Romeo opened up the 2025 campaign by winning the Golden Grizzlies Invitational Friday at Oakland University.

The Bulldogs finished ahead of multiple quality programs – several from the Macomb Area Conference and Oakland Activities Association – and many teams expected to do well this fall. Romeo collected just 66 points to finish ahead of Rochester (86), Novi (88), Utica (112), Clarkston (130), Macomb Dakota (153), Rochester Stoney Creek (159), Fraser (166), Oxford (227) and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (263) in a field that featured several returning All-State runners from Division 1 and Division 2.

The field was deep as state qualifying teams from all three of the state’s four divisions competed at the annual event. Remember, Rochester (fourth), Utica (16th), Fraser (23rd), Novi (24th) and Clarkston (27th) also competed at last year’s D1 state meet. Even D2 state qualifiers Notre Dame Prep (10th), Dearborn Division Child (20th) and Macomb Lutheran North (23rd) competed in this at the Golden Grizzlies Invite and finished in the top 20.

Romeo, Rochester and Clarkston have all won state championships over the years.

In impressive fashion, Romeo junior Annie Hrabovsky joined some elite company as she clocked 17:15.20 to win the race. Her effort ranks her inside the top 50 all-time in Michigan history – a state known for producing high-level distance runners. Hrabovsky was 11th at last November’s Division 1 state meet at Michigan Speedway near Brooklyn, Mich.

Romeo had three of the top four finishers, as Ella Goodsell was second (18:00.84) and Natalia Guaresimo fourth (18:24.43). Emmerson Clor was 11th (19:19.62) and Ella Thibodeau a distant 48th (21:25.59) to aid Romeo’s championship effort. The Bulldogs return five of its top seven runners and plenty of depth runners from last year’s roster.

Runner-up Rochester was paced by returning All-State runner Ella Abraham, who was fifth (18:36.29), while Charlotte Jones finished 10th (19:16.35). The Falcons return seven of their top 10 runners and have several key newcomers.

Oxford freshman Taryn Moore made her high school debut by finishing third (18:04.70), as the former Oakland County 1,600 and 3,200 middle school champion is expected to be one of the top ninth-graders in Michigan. Stoney Creek’s Leah Corby finished sixth (18:40.28), Novi’s Katelynn Egli seventh (19:01.14), Utica’s Siene Muraszewski (19:05.74) and Dakota’s Lidia Clancy ninth (19:16.16).

Meanwhile, Romeo’s boys team, which dipped to 24th at last season’s D1 state finals, edged Clarkston 64-71 to earn the crown Friday at OU. Macomb Dakota slipped just ahead of Rochester for third (114-115), while Macomb Lutheran North (158), Oxford (171), Utica (176), Fraser (178), Walled Lake Northern (179) and Rochester Stoney Creek followed in the top 10 of the star-studded field.

Likewise, Clarkston (12th), Oxford (13th), Utica (15th), Dakota (20th) and Romeo (24th) all competed at the D1 state meet in 2024, while Lutheran North was 22nd in Division 2.

Clarkston took the top two spots, as David Dubeck broke the tape in 15:50.81 and Ryan Barnes finished in the runner-up slot (15:55.36).

Romeo’s depth was a little better, as Owen Perry was fifth (16:10.50), Rio Hrabovsky 12th (16:32.26), Luke Allen 14th (16:35.12), James Brickel 16th (16:36.82) and Carson Hlavin 17th (16:39.58), which helped the Bulldogs land all five of their point-scorers inside the top 20.

Clarkston had three other finishers in the top 30, as Vern Clyne (19th, 16:49.20), Miles Foster (21st, 16:52.73) and Anthony Dubeck (28th, 17:06.27) helped the Wolves contend.

Rochester’s Dylan Pascoe was third (16:06.19), Lutheran North’s Joshua Macri fourth (16:08.18), Rochester’s Owen Owczarek sixth (16:14.03), Walled Lake Northern’s Finn Gammerath seventh (16:16.83), Lutheran North’s Xavier Roman eighth (16:18.30), Dakota’s Joseph Kaleto ninth (16:21.22) and Utica’s Harper Wesley 10th (16:23.40) in the deep field of over 130 runners.

A Social Security whistleblower whose complaint alleged that Department of Government Efficiency officials mishandled Americans' sensitive information says he's resigning because of actions taken against him since making the claim.

Charles Borges, the agency's chief data officer, alleged that more than 300 million Americans Social Security data was put at risk by DOGE officials who uploaded sensitive information to a cloud account not subject to oversight. His disclosure was submitted to the special counsels office on Tuesday.

In a letter to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano, Borges claimed that since filing the complaint, the agency's actions make his duties impossible to perform legally and ethically and have caused him physical, mental and emotional distress.

After reporting internally to management and externally to regulators, serious data and security and integrity concerns impacting our citizens most sensitive personal data, I have suffered exclusion, isolation, internal strife, and a culture of fear, creating a hostile work environment and making work conditions intolerable, Borges added.

The Government Accountability Project, which is representing him in his whistleblower case, posted Borges' resignation letter on its website Friday evening. Borges declined to comment.

He no longer felt that he could continue to work for the Social Security Administration in good conscience, given what he had witnessed, his attorney Andrea Meza said in a statement. She added that Borges would continue to work with the proper oversight bodies on the matter.

In his whistleblower's complaint, Borges said the potentially sensitive information put at risk by DOGE's actions includes health diagnoses, income, banking information, familial relationships and personal biographic data.

Should bad actors gain access to this cloud environment, Americans may be susceptible to widespread identity theft, may lose vital healthcare and food benefits, and the government may be responsible for re-issuing every American a new Social Security Number at great cost, said the complaint.

Borges had served as the Social Security Administration's chief data officer since January.

The SSA declined to comment on Borges resignation or allegations against the agency in his letter to colleagues.

President Donald Trumps DOGE has faced scrutiny as it received unprecedented access from the Republican administration to troves of personal data across the government under the mandate of eliminating waste, fraud and abuse.

Labor and retiree groups sued SSA earlier this year for allowing DOGE to access Americans sensitive agency data, though a divided appeals panel decided this month that DOGE could access the information.

After nearly three decades, Lee Corso donned a college mascot head for the final time Saturday on ESPNs College GameDay.

Earlier this year, the longtime analyst announced he would retire from the college football-themed show. Corso joined ESPN in 1987 and first put on mascot headgear in 1996, choosing Brutus Buckeye, Ohio States mascot.

As fate would have it, the biggest game on the opening full week of the college football season was at Ohio State, where the defending national champions hosted No. 1 Texas.

This pick has become iconic. Not because of the matchup, but because of the man, College GameDay co-host Kirk Herbstreit said.

Saturdays broadcast marked the 431st time Corso wore a mascot head. It was also the 46th time he chose Brutus.

This is one of the easiest picks Ive ever made, Corso said before putting on Brutus head for the last time.

Corso's prediction came true as No. 3-ranked Ohio State toppled No. 1 Texas 14-7.

Before his College GameDay career, Corso was head coach of the USFLs Orlando Renegades and served as head coach at Indiana and Northern Illinois.

Two children and an adult were killed and a third child is in critical condition after a crash in Pontiac on Friday night.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the intersection of Joslyn and Montcalm around 8:20 p.m. on a report of a vehicle that went airborne and a child ejected.

Deputies say a 2022 Honda Civic, being driven by a 21-year-old Pontiac resident, crossed into oncoming traffic, hit multiple signs and poles, and then got back on Montcalm Rd. where it collided with a Chevy Malibu stopped at a red light.

According to the sheriff's office, a 37-year-old Pontiac resident who was driving the Malibu was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 6-year-old and a 4-year-old in the Malibu were transported to McLaren where they were pronounced dead, and a 9-year-old child in the Malibu is in critical condition at Corewell Health Royal Oak.

The 21-year-old driving the Civic is in stable condition.

Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, the sheriff's office said, and they are investigating if alcohol or drugs were involved.

Amid uncertainty at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CVS says it is restricting its COVID-19 vaccine rollout in 16 states.

Previously, anyone age 6 months or older was eligible for the vaccine. In the following states and Washington, D.C., CVS now requires a prescription to receive it:

Arizona Colorado District of Columbia Florida Georgia Kentucky Louisiana Maine New York North Carolina Pennsylvania Utah Virginia West Virginia

In Massachusetts, Nevada and New Mexico, the vaccine is currently unavailable to all patients, CVS says.

In the rest of the United States, access is limited to people age 65 and older or those with underlying medical conditions.

The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has not yet met this year to consider reapproving distribution of updated COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the anticipated winter season. Some states do not allow pharmacists to administer the vaccine without the panels approval, which is expected in the next couple of months.

Federal health officials have issued mixed signals about the future of the vaccine. Some appointees under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argue it is unnecessary for most people because of widespread immunity, while also questioning its safety and effectiveness.

Most medical experts say the vaccine is both safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness.

Kennedy has downplayed the need for widespread vaccination but says vaccines will remain available for those who want them after consulting a doctor.

These vaccines are available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors, Kennedy said earlier this week.

In previous years, updated COVID-19 vaccines were widely accessible through pharmacies and clinics without prescriptions.

The beach at a popular state park has been closed for swimming since early August and will remain so for Labor Day weekend.

The beach at Seven Lakes State Park in Holly Township closed Aug. 5 because of elevated levels of E. coli bacteria.

In Waterford Township, Pontiac Lake Recreation Area’s beach reopened Wednesday, Aug. 27; it had been closed for almost a month because of E. coli readings.

Other smaller beaches across the county, many of them privately owned, have also been closed this summer. In addition to Seven Lakes, there were four beaches on the Oakland County Health Division’s list as of Friday.

To view the list, visit https://www.oakgov.com/home/showpublisheddocument/11972/638901678527381433.

Every summer, the Health Division routinely tests 100 public and private beaches, but that monitoring does not identify a source of E. coli contamination.

If levels are too high, a sign is posted and the beach is closed. It is then retested every weekday until an acceptable reading is reached and the beach reopens, said Mark Hansell, chief of Environmental Health Special Programs for the Oakland County Health Division.

Closed beaches prohibit swimming; they are generally open for walking and other activities.

Seven Lakes beach users posted on the park’s Facebook page that a large group of Canada geese that inhabit the area – and their droppings – are likely responsible for the closing.

The park’s administrative staff posted that they do the best they can to remove droppings from the beach.

But the Health Division doesn’t know the source of the E. coli contamination at Seven Lakes, Hansell said. Specialized testing showed it did not come from human waste, which can occur if there is a leak or other problem in a sewer or septic system.

“The Oakland County Health Division Lab does keep samples frozen for more analysis in partnership with other labs in the state that can run different genetic markers – goose, canine, ruminants, etc.,” he said in an email.

“Results from this process last year were primarily related to canine sources.  But we do not know, and we may never know, the source from this season,” he said.

Last year, the county conducted a special study, in cooperation with several other entities, of beaches most troubled by E. coli contamination. They took 20 samples from nine lakes to determine the sources.

In 12 samples taken from seven lakes, dog waste was responsible. In the other eight samples, the source was undetectable. Geese and all warm-blooded animals carry E. coli in their guts; any wildlife could have been the source, Hansell said.

Dogs do not have to be on a beach to cause elevated E. coli readings. Waste left on lawns can wash into bodies of water, Hansell said.

The sample was small, as Oakland County has dozens of lakes with frequent closings every summer, he said.

Most E.coli strains cause no symptoms or only mild illness, but a few are responsible for serious health problems, Hansell said.

Monitored beaches have to meet the one-day standard of 300 E. coli colonies per 100 milliliters of water and the 30-day average of 130 colonies per 100 milliliters. The county’s list indicates whether each beach failed the one-day test or the 30-day test or both.

New I-75 ramp closings coming soon in northern Oakland County

Teen arrested for allegedly spray painting graffiti on Waterford gas station

More security, cameras in place as State Fair returns to Novi

 

 

 

“I know it’s jazz fest,” Detroit poet laureate Jessica Care Moore told the crowd at Hart Plaza on Friday night, Aug. 29, “but we’re doing something different.”

No lie there.

Moore’s remark came in the midst of a groundbreaking combination of her, electronic pioneer Jeff Mills and pianist Jason Moran, the Artist-In-Residence for the 46th annual Detroit Jazz Festival that runs through Monday, Sept. 1. More than merely unique, the 80-minute exposition was unlike anything that’s been part of annual Labor Day weekend tradition before, a multi-disciplinary interweaving of sensibilities and philosophies that used obvious preparation to create a foundation for anything-goes improvisation, and the trio delivered it as smoothly as if they’d been playing together for years.

The New York-based Moran began the set by expressing his honor for being this year’s Artist-In-Residence and explaining that he views the piano itself as a machine, like any in the array of devices Mills used during the performance.

He then started on a traditional note, with a solo rendition of John Coltrane’s “After the Rain” while smoke swirled around him. But the audience didn’t have to wait long for the sonic fireworks to begin.

Mills joined Moran for the second number, living up to his nickname The Wizard as he incorporated syncopated beats, looped sounds, ambient keyboard washes and conga drum patterns that responded to and occasionally drove what Moran was doing on the keyboard. The two shared a keen knack for not only hearing what the other was doing but anticipating what they’d do next, Moran using repetitive rhythmic patterns as jumping-off points for his piano rides.

It was an enveloping alchemy that drove a clearly energized — and perhaps somewhat surprised — Moran to shout “Come on!” at the conclusion of the piece and then launch into an equally inventive and occasionally playful rendition of the late Detroit pianist Geri Allen’s “Feed the Fire.”

Moore’s arrival brought yet another element, lyrical and melodic, to the performance as she essayed four of her poems into the sound swirl — including “Where Are the People?” from her acclaimed 2023 mini-film project of the same title. More than reciting, she too found places within the pieces to extemporize and expand, repeating and recasting lines as she followed the instrumentalists (or, if you prefer, machinists), who in turn followed her. It was a textbook display of jazz ethos, in its own way as “traditional” as it was otherworldly — and certainly an exciting way to fire up another year for the world’s largest free-admission jazz festival.

Keyon Harrold did a bit of that earlier in the evening, too, flexing a musical orientation that hails from both hip-hop and R&B (he’s played with Beyonce, Rihanna and Jay-Z) and jazz.

Following the traditional festival-starting performance by Shannon Powell and Dr. Valade’s Brass Band, the Missouri-born trumpeter and his quintet — driven by monster drummer Charles Haynes — opened with a pair of unreleased songs one of which, “Commission 8,” doesn’t even have a formal title yet.

Mostly, however, his 70-minute set focused on his Grammy Award-nominated 2024 album “Foreverland,” and the Harrold troupe was joined on three of the four tracks performed by Detroit vocalist Malaya Watson, a Season 13 “American Idol” finalist who appears on the album.

She added more dimension to “Foreverland’s” title track, then sang a bit of Antia Baker’s “Sweet Love” during “Don’t Lie” before the ensemble finished with “Grounded,” with Harrold inserting a bit of the standard “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” into his solo.

The Detroit Jazz Festival runs through Monday, Sept. 1, at two stages in Hart Plaza, one in Cadillac Square, with additional performances at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center on the Wayne State University campus. Performances will also be livestreamed free via the festival’s web site and social media. Schedules and other information can be found at detroitjazzfest.org.

Foodies and festivalgoers are invited to taste the excitement as the Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank returns to downtown Royal Oak this Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29Sept. 1.

In addition to live concerts from both local and national acts and dozens of artist booths, this years event offers a flavorful celebration of culinary creativity, featuring more than 50 restaurants, caterers, food trucks and eateries from across metro Detroit, along with exclusive new menu items developed through a continued partnership between Baker College and local restaurateurs.

For more information, including hours and admission costs, visit https://artsbeatseats.com/

Thousands of Americans will head to beaches for one last summer splash this Labor Day weekend, but taking a dip might be out of the question: Many of the beaches will caution against swimming because of unsafe levels of fecal contamination.

Beaches from Crystal River, Florida, to Ogunquit, Maine, have been under advisories warning about water quality this week because of elevated levels of bacteria associated with fecal waste. The advisories typically discourage beachgoers from going in the water because the bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, rashes and nausea.

There have been closures this week at some of the country's most popular beach destinations, including Keyes Memorial Beach in the Cape Cod village of Hyannis in Barnstable, Massachusetts; Benjamin's Beach on Long Island in Bay Shore, New York; and a portion of the Imperial Beach shoreline near San Diego. Even on the pristine, white sand beaches of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Department of Health is warning of a high bacteria count at Kahaluu Beach Park on the Big Island.

It's a longstanding and widespread problem. Nearly two-thirds of beaches tested nationwide in 2024 experienced at least one day in which indicators of fecal contamination reached potentially unsafe levels, conservation group Environment America said in a report issued this summer.

The group reviewed beaches on the coasts and Great Lakes and found that 84% of Gulf Coast beaches exceeded the standard at least once. The number was 79% for West Coast beaches, 54% for East Coast beaches and 71% for Great Lakes beaches.

The report also said more than 450 beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least 25 percent of the days tested. A key reason is outdated water and sewer systems that allow contamination from sewage to reach the places where people swim, said John Rumpler, clean water director and senior attorney with Environment America.

These beaches are a treasure for families across New England and across the country. They are a shared resource, said Rumpler, who is based in Boston. We need to make the investment to make sure that literally our own human waste doesn't wind up in the places where we are swimming.

Other factors have also played a role in contaminating beaches, including increasingly severe weather that overwhelms sewage systems, and suburban sprawl that paves over natural areas and reduces the ecosystem's ability to absorb stormwater, Rumpler said.

But many people plan to jump into the ocean anyway. Despite a two-day warning of elevated fecal indicator bacteria last month at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, beachgoer Yaromyr Oryshkevych was not concerned.

I really dont expect to be in any kind of danger of fecal contamination, said Oryshkevych, a retired dentist. He said he didnt think Rehoboth was close enough to notable pollution to be concerned, and he expected the oceans natural currents to take care of any problems with contamination in the area.

Dana West, a federal worker visiting Rehoboth Beach, recalled an instance earlier this year where a dozen members of his vacationing party experienced gastrointestinal issues. The symptoms occurred after they went on a snorkeling excursion, an activity that increases the likelihood of swallowing seawater, off the coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

It was an unpleasant experience, but he doesn't expect a repeat this weekend in Delaware.

But generally, I have no concerns about the level of fecal and bacterial matter, said West while admiring Rehoboths shore. I assume the local authorities will tell us if there are higher levels than normal.

Despite West's confidence, some beaches in the area of Rehoboth, including nearby Rehoboth Bay and Dewey Beach bayside, were indeed under water advisories this week. Such advisories are not always posted on public signs.

Environment America assessed beach safety in its report by examining whether fecal bacteria levels exceeded standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that trigger an alert to avoid the water. Fecal bacteria at those levels can cause illness in 32 out of every 1,000 swimmers.

In North Carolina, five beaches were under advisories in late August because of elevated levels of fecal bacteria. The beaches are open, but swimmers are advised that going in the water could be risky, said Erin Bryan-Millush, environmental program supervisor with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

Hurricane Erin caused extensive erosion and storm surge in some coastal areas, according to the Department of Environmental Quality. Heavy rain events this summer also exacerbated the contamination problem in some areas, Bryan-Millush said.

Those storm drains carry everything, Bryan-Millush said. It could be really bad for someone who is immune compromised.

More than 50 community organizations and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and Detroit residents will gather on August 30, 2025 for food, fellowship and fun, all in the name of peace.

The 4th annual Peacenic event will take place at Skinner Park (12800 Kelly Road) from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. This event will feature vendors offering a variety of resources like job training, literacy programs, mental health and medical screenings, utility assistance, educational and vocational opportunities, tutorial and career

development programs, expungement assistance and more. In addition to the resources, there will be various inflatables, face painting, and games.

To learn more, visit

https://www.facebook.com/detroitpolice/photos/2025-peacenic-%EF%B8%8Fjoin-us-this-saturday-august-30th-from-2-pm-7-pm-at-skinner-park-/1074294288207895/

Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc is back. So are the stars of “Wicked” and the animals of “Zootopia.”

Summer may be known as sequel season, but part twos, and threes, will play big roles this fall at the movies. That goes not just for the likes of Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Wicked: For Good” and “Zootopia 2,” but for new installments in family sagas, ranging from the Crawleys (“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale”) to the Na’vi (“Avatar: Fire & Ash”).

Still, much of the season will belong, as it always does, to original dramas and awards contenders. Hollywood tends to save its best for last. This year includes some already-seen sure bets (Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident,” Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value” ) and dozens of promising new releases from top filmmakers, such as Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Bugonia” and Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet.”

Here’s The Associated Press’ guide for the movies heading to theaters and the home through Christmas.

SEPTEMBER MOVIE RELEASES

Sept. 5

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” (Warner Bros., in theaters): The fourth entry in the James Wan-created horror franchise.

“Twinless” (Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, in theaters): Dylan O’Brien stars as twins, one of whom dies early in James Sweeney’s darkly funny tale.

“The Baltimorons” (IFC, in theaters): Jay Duplass directs this quirky Baltimore odyssey about a man (Michael Strassner) and his emergency dentist (Liz Larsen) on Christmas Eve.

Sept. 12

“Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale” (Focus Features, in theaters): Julian Fellowes brings his Crawley family saga to a close in this third and supposedly final “Downton Abbey” film.

“The History of Sound” (Mubi, in theaters): Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor star in Oliver Hermanus’ New England-set period romance.

“Spinal Tap: The End Continues” (Bleecker Street, in theaters): Rob Reiner and company return for a sequel to the 1984 mockumentary classic.

“Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie” (Neon, in theaters): Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol bring their cult comedy series to the big screen.

“Rabbit Trap” (Magnolia, in theaters): Rosy McEwen and Dev Patel play musicians recording a record in the Welsh countryside who inadvertently stir dark woodland forces.

“The Long Walk” (Lionsgate, in theaters): Cooper Hoffman stars in this Stephen King adaptation, directed by Francis Lawrence, about a march across a dystopian America.

“Looking Through Water” (Good Deed Entertainment, in theaters): Michael Douglas stars as a father trying to reconnect with his son during a father-son fishing competition.

“Dreams” (Greenwich Entertainment, in theaters): Norwegian filmmaker Dag Johan Haugerud brings his trilogy to a close, following the 2025 films “Love” and “Sex.”

“Happyend” (Film Movement, in theaters): In filmmaker Neo Sora’s first narrative feature, set in a near-future Tokyo, a prank by high schoolers triggers a surveillance state.

“Tin Soldier” (Samuel Goldwyn Films, in theaters): Jamie Foxx, Robert De Niro, Scott Eastwood and John Leguizamo star in this action movie about mercenaries.

Sept. 13

“Lost in the Jungle” (National Geographic Documentary Films, streaming Disney+/Hulu): E. Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin and Juan Camilo Cruz’s documentary chronicles a dramatic rescue for a four young siblings after a plane crash in the Colombian rainforest.

Sept. 19

“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” (Sony Pictures, in theaters): Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell play lovers who travel back in time in Kogonada’s latest tender sci-fi drama. Co-starring Kevin Kline and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

“The Lost Bus” (Apple TV+, in theaters; streaming Oct. 3): Paul Greengrass directs this based-on-a-true-story drama about a school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and schoolteacher (America Ferrera) trying to save 22 children from California’s 2018 Camp Fire.

“Him” (Universal, in theaters): Former college wide-receiver Tyriq Withers stars as Cameron Cade in this Jordan Peele-produced thriller fusing football drama with horror.

“Adulthood” (Paramount, in theaters): Josh Gad and Kaya Scodelario play siblings who discover a long-buried corpse in their parents’ basement in this dark comedy directed by Alex Winter.

“Predators” (MTV, in theaters): David Osit’s documentary looks at the NBC series on child predators, “To Catch a Predator.”

“My Sunshine” (Film Movement, in theaters): A coming-of-age drama from Japanese filmmaker Hiroshi Okuyama.

“Swiped” (Hulu, streaming): Lily James plays Whitney Wolfe Herd in Rachel Lee Goldenberg’s drama about the founder of the dating app Bumble.

“Steve” (Netflix, in theaters; streaming Oct. 3): Cillian Murphy reteams with “Small Things Like These” filmmaker Tim Mielants in this drama about a reform college’s headteacher.

“Riefenstahl” (Kino Lorber, in theaters): Andres Veiel’s documentary is about the German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl whose films for the Nazis include “Triumph of the Will.”

Sept. 26

“One Battle After Another” (Warner Bros., in theaters): Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor plays parents with a vigilante past that reemerges in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest.

“All of You” (Apple TV+, streaming): Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots star in a sci-fi romance.

“Eleanor the Great” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): June Squibb stars in Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut about an elderly woman who pretends to be a Holocaust survivor.

“Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie” (Universal, in theaters): A big-screen version of the kids series, from DreamWorks Animation.

“The Strangers: Chapter 2” (Lionsgate, in theaters): The second chapter of a new trilogy in the “Strangers” horror series.

OCTOBER MOVIE RELEASES

Oct. 1

“Play Dirty” (Prime Video, streaming): Mark Wahlberg stars as a thief trying for a major heist in a thriller from director Shane Black.

Oct. 3

“The Smashing Machine” (A24, in theaters): Dwayne Johnson stars as a mixed martial arts fighter in Benny Safdie’s film.

“Anemone” (Focus Features, in theaters): Daniel Day-Lewis comes out of retirement to star in this drama about family bonds, directed by his son, Ronan Day-Lewis.

“Shelby Oaks” (Neon, in theaters): YouTube movie reviewer Chris Stuckmann makes his directorial debut in this horror film about a woman’s search for her long-lost sister.

“Orwell: 2+2=5” (Neon, in theaters): Filmmaker Raoul Peck examines the work of George Orwell, with reflections on recent and contemporary times.

“Good Boy” (IFC, in theaters): A haunted house movie from the perspective of a dog.

“Are We Good?” (Utopia, in theaters): A documentary about comedian and podcast pioneer Marc Maron following the sudden loss of his partner, the filmmaker Lynn Shelton.

Oct. 10

“Roofman” (Paramount, in theaters): Channing Tatum plays a prison escapee who hides out inside a Toys R Us in Derek Cianfrance’s film.

“Kiss of the Spider Woman” (Roadside Attractions, in theaters): Bill Condon’s film, based on the stage musical stars Diego Luna as a political prisoner who grows closer to his cellmate (Tonatiuh Elizarraraz), with song-and-dance interludes with Jennifer Lopez.

“Tron: Ares” (Disney, in theaters): The third film in the futuristic sci-fi series, and a sequel to 2010’s “Tron: Legacy.”

“After the Hunt” (Amazon MGM, in theaters): Luca Guadagnino’s psychological thriller stars Julia Roberts as a professor whose close friend and colleague is accused of assault. With Ayo Edebiri.

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (A24, in theaters): Rose Byrne plays a mother on the brink in Mary Bronstein’s drama.

“John Candy: I Like Me” (Prime Video, streaming): A documentary portrait of the great Canadian actor, directed by Colin Hanks and produced by Ryan Reynolds.

“Urchin” (1-2 Special, in theaters): Harris Dickinson makes his directorial debut with this portrait of a drifter.

“The Woman in Cabin 10” (Netflix, streaming): Keira Knightley plays a woman on a cruise ship convinced she’s seen someone thrown overboard.

“Fairyland” (Lionsgate, in theaters): A daughter-father drama, starring Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy.

“Vicious” (Paramount+, streaming): Dakota Fanning stars in a reality-bending horror film.

Oct. 15

“It Was Just an Accident” (Neon, in theaters): Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s Palme d’Or-winning revenge drama.

“Ballad of a Small Player” (Netflix, in theaters; streams Oct. 29): Colin Farrell plays a gambler in financial trouble in Macao in director Edward Berger’s latest.

Oct. 17

“Frankenstein” (Netflix, in theaters; streams Nov. 7.): Guillermo del Toro’s Mary Shelley adaptation, starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.

“Black Phone 2” (Universal, in theaters): A sequel to Scott Derrickson’s supernatural horror film.

“Good Fortune” (Lionsgate, in theaters): Aziz Ansari directs this comedy about an angel (Keanu Reeves) whose body-swap lesson for a struggling worker (Ansari) with a wealthy venture capitalist (Seth Rogen) results in him losing his wings.

“Blue Moon” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): Ethan Hawke plays songwriter Lorenz Hart in Richard Linklater’s film set on the 1943 opening night of “Oklahoma!” With Andrew Scott as Richard Rodgers.

“The Mastermind” (Mubi, in theaters): Kelly Reichardt’s 1970s-set heist movie stars Josh O’Connor as an unlikely art thief.

“Stiller & Meara: Nothing Is Lost” (Apple Studios, in theaters; streaming Oct. 24): Ben Stiller profiles his comedy duo parents, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara in this documentary.

Oct. 24

“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” (20th Century Studios, in theaters): Jeremy Allen White plays Bruce Springsteen during the making of his 1982 album, “Nebraska.”

“Bugonia” (Focus, in theaters): A conspiracy-obsessed man (Jesse Plemons) and his cousin (Aidan Delbis) kidnap a CEO (Emma Stone) they’re convinced is an alien. From director Yorgos Lanthimos.

“A House of Dynamite” (Netflix, streaming): Kathryn Bigelow directs a thriller about the White House scrambling to handle an incoming missile attack.

“Mortal Kombat II” (Warner Bros., in theaters): The video game adaptation series continues with this sequel to the 2021 film.

“Hedda” (Amazon MGM, in theaters; Prime Video on Oct. 29): Tessa Thompson stars in Nia DaCosta’s adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler.”

“Regretting You” (Paramount, in theaters): A romance adapted from the author of “It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover, starring Allison Williams, Mckenna Grace and Dave Franco.

“Last Days” (Vertical, in theaters): Justin Lin directs this based-on-a-true story of a Christian missionary attempting to evangelize to the Sentinelese people.

Oct. 31

“Nouvelle Vague” (Netflix, in theaters; streaming Nov. 14): Richard Linklater captures the French New Wave and the making of “Breathless.”

“Hallow Road” (XYZ Films, in theaters): Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys star as parents rushing to help their daughter after a tragic accident.

“The White House Effect” (Netflix, streaming): A documentary about a key moment in the climate crisis, during President George H.W. Bush’s administration.

NOVEMBER MOVIE RELEASES

Nov. 7

“Nuremberg” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): A historical drama about the Nuremberg trials, with Rami Malek as the chief psychiatrist Douglas Kelley and Russell Crowe as the Nazi Hermann Göring.

“Die, My Love” (Mubi, in theaters): Lynne Ramsay directs Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, who play new parents in a rural home.

“Predator: Badlands” (20th Century Studios, in theaters): A new “Predator” film, this one rooted in the experience of a Predator and an android, played by Elle Fanning.

“Sentimental Value” (Neon, in theaters): Joachim Trier’s Norwegian drama about a filmmaking family, with Renate Reinsve as the estranged actor daughter of Stellan Skarsgård’s director patriarch.

“Train Dreams” (Netflix, in theaters; streams Nov. 21): Clint Bentley’s adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella, about a logger in the Pacific Northwest in the early 20th century.

“Sarah’s Oil” (Amazon MGM, in theaters): A biopic of Sarah Rector (Naya Desir-Johnson), one of the first female Black millionaires in the United States.

“Peter Hujar’s Day” (Janus and Sideshow, in theaters): Writer-director Ira Sachs’ drama stars Ben Whishaw as ’70s photographer Peter Hujar and Rebecca Hall as his friend, the author Linda Rosenkrantz.

“Rebuilding” (Bleecker Street, in theaters): Josh O’Connor plays a cowboy whose ranch is taken by wildfires.

Nov. 14

“Keeper” (Neon, in theaters): Osgood Perkins, director of “Longlegs” and “The Monkey,” returns with more horror, starring Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland.

“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” (Lionsgate, in theaters): Nine years after the last “Now You See Me” film, more magician heist games, with Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman.

“The Running Man” (Paramount, in theaters): Edgar Wright adapts the dystopian Stephen King novel, starring Glen Powell.

“Jay Kelly” (Netflix, in theaters, streams Dec. 5): George Clooney plays a famous actor and Adam Sandler his manager in Noah Baumbach’s latest.

“Eternity” (A24, in theaters): A romantic comedy set in the afterlife, with Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen and Callum Turner.

“In Your Dreams” (Netflix, streaming): An animated adventure in which two siblings travel into the world of dreams.

“Sirāt” (Neon, in theaters): Óliver Laxe’s Cannes prizewinner follows a father (Sergi López) and his son (Bruno Núñez Arjona) searching the Moroccan desert for his missing daughter.

“Left-Handed Girl” (Netflix, in theaters, streams Nov. 28): Shih-Ching Tsou, a regular collaborator of Sean Baker, directs a drama following three generations of women building a life in Taipei.

“Arco” (Neon, in theaters): A French, animated sci-fi adventure about a 10-year-old boy from the future who accidentally travels back in time to the year 2075.

“Come See Me in the Good Light” (Apple TV+, streaming): Ryan White’s documentary follows poet and activist Andrea Gibson navigating a diagnosis of terminal ovarian cancer.

Nov. 21

“Wicked: For Good” (Universal, in theaters): Part two of Jon M. Chu’s extravagant big-screen adaptation of the stage musical, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

“Rental Family” (Searchlight, in theaters): Brendan Fraser plays an American actor in Tokyo who begins working for a rental family service.

“Sisu: Road to Revenge” (Stage 6 and Screen Gems, in theaters): A sequel to the 2022 action film “Sisu,” with Jorma Tommila returning as the Nazi killer Aatami Korpi.

Nov. 26

“Zootopia 2” (Disney, in theaters): Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are back on a new mysterious case in the animal metropolis.

“The Secret Agent” (Neon, in theaters): Kleber Mendonça Filho’s ’70s-set Brazilian political thriller stars Wagner Moura as a technology expert returning to his hometown.

Nov. 27

“Hamnet” (Focus Features, in theaters): Chloé Zhao adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s bestseller about William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and wife Agnes Shakespeare (Jessie Buckley) after the death of their son.

DECEMBER MOVIE RELEASES

Dec. 1

“Troll 2” (Netflix, streaming): A Norwegian monster movie and sequel to 2022’s “Troll.”

Dec. 3

“Oh. What. Fun.” (Prime Video, streaming): Michelle Pfeiffer stars an underappreciated matriarch in Michael Showalter’s Christmas comedy.

Dec. 5

“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” (Universal, in theaters): A sequel to the 2023 video-game adaptation, starring Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio and Matthew Lillard.

Dec. 12

“Ella McCay” (20th Century Studios, in theaters): Writer-director James L. Brooks returns with a comedy-drama about a young politician (Emma Mackey), with Jamie Lee Curtis as her aunt.

“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” (Netflix, streaming): Daniel Craig returns as the investigator Benoit Blanc in the third of Rian Johnson’s whodunits.

“Scarlet” (Sony, in theaters): Japanese filmmaker Mamoru Hosoda’s anime is about a princess who transcends time and space.

“Silent Night, Deadly Night” (Cineverse, in theaters): A Christmas-themed slasher and remake of the 1984 film.

“Dust Bunny” (Lionsgate and Roadside, in theaters): A young girl asks her neighbor to help her kill the monster under her bed, with Mads Mikkelsen and Sigourney Weaver.

Dec. 19

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” (20th Century Studios): James Cameron extends his sci-fi epic in the third film of the franchise in which the Na’vi encounter an aggressive tribe called the Ash People.

“Is This Thing On?” (Searchlight, in theaters): Bradley Cooper directs and co-stars in a comedy about post-divorce life, starring Will Arnett and Laura Dern.

“The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants” (Paramount, in theaters): SpongeBob travels to the deepest depths of the ocean to face off against the Flying Dutchman.

Dec. 24

“The Plague” (IFC, in theaters): A socially anxious 12-year-old boy encounters hazing at an all-boys water polo camp, with Joel Edgerton.

Dec. 25

“Marty Supreme” (A24, in theaters): Timothée Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, an aspiring table tennis player, in Josh Safdie’s ’50s-set drama. Co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow.

“Anaconda” (Sony, in theaters): Childhood friends (Jack Black, Paul Rudd) travel to the rainforest to remake their favorite film from their youth.

“The Housemaid” (Lionsgate): Paul Feig’s psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.

“Song Sung Blue” (Focus Features, in theaters): Two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson) form a Neil Diamond tribute band, directed by Craig Brewer.

“The Choral” (Sony Pictures Classics, in theaters): Ralph Fiennes stars as the leader of a Yorkshire choral society in 1916, during World War I.

Crews will close an exit and entrance ramp on southbound I-75 in northern Oakland County at 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, as part of the ongoing $160 million project to resurface the expressway in both directions between M-15 and the Oakland/Genesee county line.

Weather permitting, Exit 91 to M-15 and the southbound M-15 entrance ramp to southbound I-75 will close Tuesday. They will remain closed until late fall, according to a release from the Michigan Department of Transportation.

During the ramp closures, traffic will take Exit 89 on southbound I-75 to southbound Sashabaw Road, then westbound Waldon Road to M-15.

Both directions of I-75 are reduced to two lanes between Baldwin Road and Clarkston Road.

These exit ramps are closed until late fall:

– Southbound I-75 Exit 98 to East Holly Road

– Southbound I-75 Exit 93 to US-24 (Dixie Highway).

These entrance ramps are closed until late fall:

– East Holly Road to northbound I-75

– Northbound Dixie Highway/Saginaw Road (Grand Blanc Township) to northbound I-75

– Grange Hall Road to southbound I-75

– East Holly Road to southbound I-75

– Southbound US-24 (Dixie Highway) to southbound I-75

– Northbound US-24 (Dixie Highway) to southbound I-75.

Clarkston avenges Belleville loss in rematch of last season’s opener

Commuters and shoppers hoping for reopening of Joslyn-Brown roads have to wait

By Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELES — For Rebecca Zeitlin, packing her 5-year-old son’s school lunch is always full of surprises. Offer him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at home and he won’t touch it. But pack it in his lunch with fruits, vegetables and a small treat and he’ll dive in.

He will “chow down” on applesauce at preschool parties. But if she served him applesauce at home, “he’d look at me like I was crazy,” Zeitlin said.

Like many parents, Zeitlin has been thinking about school lunch ahead of her son’s first day of kindergarten. Lunchtime will be different than it was at his small private preschool, where teachers could more closely monitor whether he was eating. She’s already been eyeing school lunch conversations in mom groups on Facebook, and she’s has new lunch boxes ready to pack.

She plans to start off with some of her usual go-tos. Perhaps she’ll pack him chicken nuggets or pasta alongside strawberries, oranges or watermelon.

“I think it’s going to be real interesting to see what next month is going to be like,” Zeitlin said. “I’ve got my plans for now, but when reality hits, his lunches might look different.”

For parents of children 5 and under, navigating school lunch can be challenging. Colorful videos fill TikTok and Instagram showing off creatively shaped sandwiches and neatly cut vegetables laid in bento box-like containers. Lunch box styles can make a difference, influencers advise, as they share school-friendly recipes.

It’s easy for parents to worry that they got it wrong when a child returns home with uneaten food, said Anet Piridzhanyan, a clinical dietitian at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. But there are a few basic steps to make school lunches a success.

What should parents put in their toddler’s lunch box?

It’s important to remember that the start of the school year is exciting, but can also be overwhelming for a young child, said Lori Russell, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic. It may not be that they don’t like their food — they may simply be distracted. Either way, lean into familiarity to encourage them. And don’t offer too many options.

“We have this tendency to overdo it,” Russell said. “If parents want to fill that lunch box with everything that that kid might possibly consume that you have in the house, that’s stressful.”

Kids should have one main item in their lunch box and two or three snacks, which could include carrot sticks or an apple and perhaps a small treat such as a piece of chocolate, she said. Piridzhanyan agreed, recommending that parents rotate through the five food groups throughout the week, packing different fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and dairy.

Consistency is key. If a parent plans to offer something new in their child’s lunch box, they should pair it with a food item they know their child likes, she added.

“Every day is a new day,” Piridzhanyan said. “They’ve only been around for two to five years, so it’s not like us where, when we see food, we’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I know what that is.’”

That’s something that Gabriella May has learned as her daughter has grown. May, of Fresno, has been making videos of her daughter’s school lunches for TikTok since she started kindergarten. She’s now in fifth grade. Her daughter has always been a picky eater, so introducing new foods at school without the pressure of having mom and dad nearby was helpful — and still is, she said.

What’s the best lunch box for toddlers?

It’s important for parents to make sure that the food they pack is accessible and that they have the utensils and napkins that they need, the dietitians said. Parents should practice opening containers with their child and make sure the lunch box isn’t too heavy.

“We tend to focus on what’s in it and what’s being consumed, and not the actual container,” Russell said. “And does the child like it? Are they enjoying opening it? Carrying it? All that really makes a difference.”

That’s where, for many parents, bento box-style lunch boxes come in. The compartmentalized containers have been popularized on social media.

For Zeitlin, the PlanetBox lunch box has been a great go-to.

“It’s just kind of convenient,” Zeitlin said. “Everything’s in one place.”

Russell, who has a 4-year-old, said that when a child likes their lunch box or container it can encourage them to eat. That’s why options with beloved characters can be a good choice.

“It’s not just about the food, it’s about the favorite cup, the plate,” Russell said.

How to get your kid to eat lunch at preschool

Parents should ask their children why they did or didn’t eat their lunch, Russell said. Sometimes the bread might have been too soggy, the apple slices may have browned or the texture of the macaroni and cheese may have changed after spending all day in a lunch box. If the answer isn’t satisfying, ask the teacher what they have observed, she said.

It helps to know how the teacher or child-care provider stores the food, Piridzhanyan added. Sometimes kids will have access to a refrigerator, other times the food may be left out in the sun, so it helps to be able to plan accordingly by adding an ice pack or a thermos to help keep food safe and appetizing, she said.

“A lot of times the lunch box bags are left out in the classroom, so that part’s really important,” Piridzhanyan said.

Presentation does matter to a degree, but there’s no need to go overboard. If parents want to do something special, Russell recommends quickly using a cookie cutter on a sandwich or adding a sticker alongside the snacks.

Zeitlin can’t wait until her 5-year-old son learns to read. Then, she’ll start leaving notes in his lunch box expressing encouragement and telling jokes. She’s held on to a book of dad jokes for 20 years just for the occasion.

Sequeira reports for The Times’ early childhood education initiative, focusing on the learning and development of California children from birth to age 5. For more information about the initiative and its philanthropic funders, go to latimes.com/earlyed .

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©2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By JESSICA DAMIANO, Associated Press

If you spend any time gardening, you probably understand what I mean when I say it feels good — despite the lifting, sweating and straining involved. Yes, exercise is good for our bodies, but there’s something about digging in the dirt while listening to a bird soundtrack that lifts my spirits. Even the scent of the soil and mulch makes me happy.

As it turns out, there are scientific reasons for this.

In fact, there’s an entire field called horticultural therapy that’s dedicated to using “plant-based and garden-based activities to support people who have identified treatment needs,” according to Karen Haney, a horticultural therapy instructor at UCLA Extension in Long Beach, California.

“Research suggests 20-30 minutes (of gardening) a few times a week can reduce stress and lift mood, with benefits increasing the more regularly one gardens,” says Sarah Thompson, a professionally registered horticultural therapist in Boise, Idaho.

It’s not just about being outdoors

Yes, the simple act of being in nature can improve mood and restore focus, she said, but “the active engagement of nurturing plants, making decisions and seeing results over time adds a unique layer of meaning and satisfaction that passive time outdoors does not.”

In addition, Thompson said gardening has been shown to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and fosters a sense of calm, purpose and accomplishment.

A recent study at the University of Colorado-Boulder backs this up.

The researchers there provided one group of participants with an instructional gardening class, seeds, starter plants and a community gardening plot. They had a second group refrain from gardening for two years.

The gardening cohorts reported stronger social connections, lower stress levels and about a 7% increase in fiber intake, which have been shown to reduce risk factors for some physical and mental illnesses, including depression, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer. They also reported a 42-minute weekly increase in physical activity, which the non-gardeners did not.

A mindful, rewarding and versatile activity

Previous studies have arrived at similar findings. In 2020, for instance, researchers at the University of Exeter and the Royal Horticultural Society in the U.K. found the health and well-being of gardeners over non-gardeners to be similar to that of residents of wealthy communities over those who live in poorer areas.

In addition to encouraging mindfulness, grounding people in the present moment and providing a sense of achievement, Thompson said, “research has also shown that exposure to sunlight can boost serotonin levels, while contact with soil introduces beneficial microbes linked to mood enhancement.”

So, it seems you just can’t go wrong with gardening.

“Physically, gardening improves strength, flexibility and balance. Socially, it can foster connection. Cognitively, it engages problem solving and creativity,” Thompson said, adding that it’s a highly adaptable activity.

“Gardening can be scaled to any space, ability or age, and its benefits are accessible to everyone,” she said.

Deep down, we gardeners have always believed this. Now, we have the science to prove it.

Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice.

A Venezuelan man who was the subject of a high-profile health scare at Alligator Alcatraz this month aimed to return to his home country on Friday, his lawyer said.

This comes as a federal judge denied requests from both state and federal governments to pause the order to dismantle the immigration detention facility in the Everglades, and as the Scripps News Group has learned that detainees were already being removed from the facility, even before last week's court order was issued.

WATCH BELOW: 'Alligator Alcatraz' detainee faced 'life-or-death situation,' attorney says

'Alligator Alcatraz' detainee faced 'life-or-death situation,' attorney says

Lawyers and court documents reveal that some detainees are being deported while others are being transferred to ICE facilities like Krome in Miami-Dade County.

One immigration attorney said he has "never worked so hard to get a client deported" after his client experienced what he described as a life-threatening situation at the facility.

"I've practiced immigration law for over a decade. I deal with a lot of terrible situations of detainees. I've never experienced anything as terrible as the life-or-death situation, which my client still finds himself in," said attorney Eric Lee.

Lee represents Luis Manuel Rivas Velasquez, who is known to his 166,000 Instagram followers as car enthusiast "Luis Frio."

"Luis Velasquez is a 38-year-old Venezuelan man who came to the United States lawfully and was paroled into this country in 2024. In the last month, he's found himself living a total nightmare," Lee said.

According to Lee, Velasquez was detained in Alligator Alcatraz in early August when he became seriously ill.

"He caught some disease which is going viral inside of this facility, and as a result, was essentially unable to breathe. He collapsed," Lee said. "If it wasn't for one of his cellmates, who happened to have been a nurse from Cuba, he may very well have passed away in Alligator Alcatraz."

The incident occurred around Aug. 6. The following evening, in response to widespread rumors that a detainee had died, Homeland Security officials stated that Velasquez had fainted, was taken to the hospital and then returned to Alligator Alcatraz.

Lee said that in the days that followed, his client was taken to a facility in another state.

"They shipped him away to the new Fort Bliss facility that has just opened up outside of El Paso, Texas," Lee said.

According to Lee, no one including Velasquez's family knew where he was until he called Lee last week.

"He was begging to be released. He had sounded like there were tears in his eyes, and he was asking me, 'Please, lawyer, get me out of here. They're denying me access to my medication. I'm worried I'm going to die in here. All I want to do is go home and see my family,'" Lee said.

Over the course of at least a week during which Lee alleges Velasquez hadn't been allowed to change clothes, was denied access to his blood pressure medication, and wasn't allowed to self-deport Velasquez's name was missing in ICE's detainee locator.

"Disappearances like the type that the Trump administration has engaged in, in the case of Mr. Velasquez, are unlawful," Lee said.

This comes despite statements encouraging self-deportation from Gov. Ron DeSantis and top Trump administration officials.

Eventually, Lee says Velasquez was moved to an ICE processing facility in El Paso, where the hope is to get him on a flight back to Venezuela on Friday. But Lee was reportedly unable to board a flight on Friday as his lawyer was told the flight was full.

"We don't know if his ongoing detention is in retribution for his courageous decision to tell the truth about what's happening to him, but that is increasingly what it looks like," Lee said.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management, which runs Alligator Alcatraz, forwarded questions to ICE.

ICE and other Homeland Security have acknowledged they have received our emails with questions about Velasquez, but so far have not provided any information.

This article was written by Jamie Ostroff for the Scripps News Group in West Palm Beach.This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A new economic initiative focused on increasing southeast Michigan’s opportunities in the defense industry launched Thursday.

Organizers said the automotive industry’s long history of adapting to support defense, aerospace and advanced manufacturing efforts is the foundation for the success of the initiative.

Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, the Detroit Regional Partnership and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation are behind the effort.

On Thursday, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter joined other officials at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial to sign a memorandum of understanding to create the Detroit Regional Defense Coalition.

The coalition’s purpose is to unite defense and aerospace industries to make southeast Michigan the defense capital of the Midwest.

That means expanding opportunities for the Detroit Arsenal in Warren and the Selfridge Air National Guard base in Harrison Township. Since 2023, the region has obtained $4.6 billion in U.S. Dept. of Defense funding for more than 350 defense contracts that support for more than 7,000 jobs. In 2024, an estimated 11,000 residents have benefitted from a payroll of more than $1.73 billion.

The new coalition will work with state officials, local companies, all branches of the military and federal agencies to secure new investments.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel also signed the memorandum of understanding. In a joint statement, Coulter, Evans and Hackel said southeast Michigan plays a vital role in supporting national defense initiatives and that expanding that footprint will add jobs and investments to Michigan’s economic portfolio.

Vicki Selva was named the coalition’s executive director. She helped launch Oakland County’s small-business growth initiative called Thrive. In addition to her experience in Michigan’s defense sector, she was a director in former U.S. Senator Carl Levin’s office and an executive director for Michigan’s Defense Office. In the past, she was a National Defense Industrial Association board member.

“With our unmatched assets and capabilities, we can make a powerful case to the nation and our allies that the Detroit region is where you want to do defense and aerospace business,” she said.

The coalition was created over the last year with the help of more than 20 industry, education, military and government leaders.

Organizers set these priorities:

•  Attract new contracts

•  Strengthen supply chains

•  Expand critical missions and assets

•  Provide coordinated and strategic support to contractors and businesses across the region

•  Strengthen the Lansing – Washington, D.C., connection so southeast Michigan is represented well in both capitols.

•  Become the trusted source of data, analysis and messaging to unify stakeholders and showcase southeast Michigan’s defense and aerospace profile on a national level.

The post DER Weekends: New brunch spot Haus of Brunch offers halal soul and Middle Eastern food appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

By JOSH JACQUOT for Associated Press

Buying a new car has never been more financially daunting. A 2025 analysis from Edmunds found that a record 19.3% of consumers who financed a new vehicle in the second quarter of 2025 committed to a monthly payment of $1,000 or more. That’s nearly one in five buyers taking on what was once considered an extreme car payment — driven by high interest rates and rising vehicle prices.

While it might be tempting to stretch your budget for the car you want, locking yourself into a high-cost loan can be a painful mistake. Before you sign, here are five common car-buying missteps to avoid.

Buying a car you can’t (or shouldn’t) really afford

There’s a difference between being able to buy something and being able to afford it wisely. With an average new vehicle transaction price of approximately $49,000, many buyers are truly stretching their budgets. It’s not uncommon to see buyers opt for extended 72-month or 84-month financing terms.

That shiny SUV might seem within reach thanks to flexible financing, but the long-term hit to your financial health could be considerable. Buying within your means — ideally targeting a loan term of no more than 60 months and keeping your car-related expenses under 15%-20% of your monthly take-home pay — is smart shopping in an era of rising interest rates and ever-increasing car prices.

Not shopping around for a loan

One of the most costly and common mistakes car buyers make is waiting until they’re sitting in the dealership finance office to think about a loan. Dealerships may offer convenience, but their financing may include marked-up interest rates or hidden fees.

Instead, walk into the dealership with a preapproved loan offer from your bank, credit union or an online lender. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, this move can save buyers hundreds to thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. When you do this, the dealer can still try to beat the rate — and sometimes will. But now you’re negotiating from a position of strength, not desperation.

Rolling negative equity into a new car loan

If you owe more on your current car than it’s worth — a situation known as negative equity — trading it in for a new vehicle can be a financial landmine. This commonly happens when people take out a six-year loan, trade in the vehicle after just three or four years, and carry the previous balance into the new vehicle. Rolling that deficit into a new loan just worsens the problem, guaranteeing that you’ll be underwater for even longer.

According to Edmunds, 28.2% of trade-ins in July 2025 involved negative equity, and the average amount buyers owed above the vehicle’s value was $6,902. That sets the stage for a vicious cycle, especially if buyers trade cars frequently or face unexpected job loss or repair costs. If you’re in this situation, consider keeping your car longer or making extra payments. If you can get a better rate, even refinancing can get you back to breakeven.

Skipping the sales department

Most major dealerships now have dedicated internet sales teams that exist to sell you a car quickly and often at better prices than you’ll get face-to-face. If you already know what make, model and trim you want, you can save hours — and hundreds or even thousands of dollars — by working with the internet sales department instead of walking onto the lot.

Sites such as Edmunds can help you compare pricing between multiple dealers, and many will show you real-time inventory, rebates and incentives. This lets you shop from the comfort of home and make dealers compete for your business. It also gives you a written quote you can bring with you — a powerful tool when negotiating.

Overlooking used alternatives

Buying new is tempting — it smells great, it’s under warranty, and no one else has touched it. But it’s not always the smartest financial move. Today’s certified pre-owned vehicles often come with extended factory warranties, undergo rigorous inspections, and cost thousands less than their new counterparts. The rapid depreciation of most new vehicles only worsens the picture. Most lose 20%–30% of their value in the first year alone, according to Edmunds. Avoiding that depreciation hit can save thousands.

Edmunds says

Buying a new car is one of the biggest financial decisions most people make — second only to purchasing a home. Avoiding these five common mistakes won’t just save you money — it has the potential to help ensure your long-term financial security. Take your time and do your homework. The right deal isn’t just about the car — it’s about the life you want to live after you drive it off the lot.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds. Josh Jacquot is a contributor at Edmunds.