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Yesterday โ€” 20 November 2024WXYZ-TV Detroit

Trump nominates Linda McMahon for secretary of education

20 November 2024 at 02:25

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon for secretary of education.

McMahon is the former head of the Small Business Administration, which she ran during Trump's first term as president.

McMahon was previously the president and CEO of Titan Sports, a wrestling entertainment company she founded with her husband Vince McMahon.

Linda McMahon ran for United States Senate in Connecticut as a Republican in 2009, and was Republican nominee for a second Senate race in 2012. She lost both races, first to Democrat Richard Blumenthal and then to Democrat Chris Murphy.

RELATED STORY | Trump nominates former Rep. and current Fox host Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation

"Linda will use her decades of leadership experience, and deep understanding of both education and business, to empower the next generation of American students and workers, and make America number one in education in the world," Trump said in a statement on the nomination. "We will send education back to the states, and Linda will spearhead that effort."

McMahon's nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Trump backs former Rep. Matt Gaetz despite fallout from ethics investigation

20 November 2024 at 01:55

President-elect Donald Trump appears to be standing by former congressman Matt Gaetz, his nominee to be the next attorney general. Trump sent Vice President-elect JD Vance to Capitol Hill to coordinate meetings between Gaetz and Republican senators.

Meanwhile, members of the House Ethics Committee are reportedly meeting this week to determine whether to release a report into Gaetz's conduct. Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are predicting that details of the report will trickle out anyway, even if the committee decides against releasing its full report.

"The truth is the information is going to come out one way or the other," said Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. "So I guess the more I thought about it, it's not critical that they release the report because we know roughly who the witnesses are and I assume they'll be called before the Judiciary Committee. I think in order to do our job, we need to get access to all the information, but also to protect the president against any surprises that might damage his administration."

RELATED STORY | President-elect Donald Trump picks Rep. Matt Gaetz to be next attorney general

It's still not clear whether former congressman Gaetz will have enough support among Senate Republicans to be confirmed to the position of attorney general. Those nomination hearings aren't expected to begin in the Senate Judiciary Committee in earnest until early next year.

Company affiliated with Alex Jones seeks to disqualify The Onion's auction bid on Infowars

20 November 2024 at 00:56

A company affiliated with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones asked a federal judge on Monday to disqualify a bid by the satirical news outlet The Onion to buy Jones' Infowars at a bankruptcy auction, alleging fraud and collusion.

The company, First United American Companies, which is affiliated with a Jones website that sells dietary supplements, was the only other bidder at the recent auction, offering $3.5 million. In a filing in federal bankruptcy court in Houston, a lawyer for the company asked the judge to declare it the winning bidder instead of The Onion.

The lawyer, Walter Cicack, claimed that the bankruptcy trustee overseeing the auction improperly colluded with The Onion and families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut in naming The Onion the winning bidder. Cicack also alleged the trustee violated rules for the sale set by the judge, and said the company's cash offer was twice the amount of The Onion's.

RELATED STORY | Alex Jones' Infowars to be auctioned to help pay Sandy Hook victims

The bankruptcy auction was held last week as part of the liquidation of Jones assets, including Infowars. Proceeds from the sale will go to Sandy Hook families and other creditors. Jones filed bankruptcy in 2022 after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits filed by the families for calling the 2012 shooting that killed 20 children and six educators a hoax staged by actors to increase gun control.

Ben Collins, CEO of The Onions parent company, Chicago-based Global Tetrahedron, issued a statement Monday through a spokesperson.

Were obviously disappointed hes lashing out by creating conspiracies, but were also not surprised, he said, referring to Jones.

The bankruptcy trustee appointed to oversee the sale, Christopher Murray, declined to comment Monday. A lawyer for the Sandy Hook families, Christopher Mattei, also declined to comment.

In a response filed in court later Monday, Murray called the allegations baseless. He said the motion by First United American to disqualify The Onion was a disappointed bidders improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process.

Murray also wrote, Having failed in its prior efforts to bully the Trustee and his advisors into accepting its inferior bid, FUAC now alleges, without evidence, collusion and bad faith in an attempt to mislead the Court and disqualify its only competition in the auction.

RELATED STORY | Infowars Host Alex Jones Files For Personal Bankruptcy

Murray filed separate court papers Monday asking the judge to approve the sale of Infowars to The Onion.

Monday's filing by First United American Companies included the formal bid submitted by The Onion, revealing that it offered $1.75 million for Infowars along with certain incentives by Sandy Hook families who won their defamation lawsuit against Jones. The families agreed to forgo up to 100% of their share of the Infowars sale proceeds and give it to other Jones creditors.

With the families' offer, other Jones creditors would get a total of $100,000 more than they would get if First United American Companies bought Infowars, according to The Onion's bidding document.

Murray told the bankruptcy judge during a court hearing Thursday that the families' incentives made it a better offer than the one by the Jones-affiliated company.

The creditors ended up significantly better off, Murray told the judge, adding that one of his responsibilities was to maximize value for creditors.

Judge Christopher Lopez, who said he had questions about the sale process and concerns about transparency, ordered a hearing to see exactly what happened with the auction and how the trustee chose The Onion. The date of the hearing has not been set.

Jones has been criticizing the sale process on his show and social media sites, calling it rigged and a fraud.

Over the weekend, Collins posted a series of comments about the auction on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Long and short of it: We won the bid and youre not going to believe it the previous InfoWars folks arent taking it well, he wrote.

RELATED STORY | Teacher who survived Sandy Hook speaks on what real gun reform looks like

Collins said last week that The Onion planned to turn the Infowars website into a parody site, taking aim at conspiracy theorists and other social media personalities while promoting gun violence prevention efforts.

Cicack also said in Monday's court filing that the trustee improperly changed the auction process from a live auction to a secret process. Cicack said that after sealed bids were submitted Nov. 8, it was expected that there would be a round of live bidding on Nov. 13.

But instead, he said, Murray decided to ask the two bidders to submit another offer as their final and best proposal, which they did. Murray then chose from those final bids without holding a round of live bidding. He alleged Murray violated the auction rules.

Lopez's 20-page order on the sale procedures, issued in September, made such a live bidding round optional. And it gave broad authority to Murray to conduct the sale, including the power to reject any bid, no matter how high, that was contrary to the best interests of Jones, his company and their creditors.

Cicack called the Sandy Hook families' portion of The Onion's bid Monopoly money with no value.

It is also the product of impermissible collusion with the Onion in an effort to rig the auction with the goal of achieving a specific result desired by the Connecticut Families, he wrote.

What to watch out for during E. coli carrot recall

20 November 2024 at 00:54

CDC and public health officials continue to investigate a multi-state outbreak of E. Coli linked to brands of organic carrots and baby carrots sold by Grimmway Farms.

On Tuesday Scripps News spoke with Dr. Raynard Washington, Health Department Director for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina and chair of the Big Cities Health Coalition, about the outbreak.

What should consumers do if they have a bag of recalled carrots in their fridge?

"The first thing you should do is look at the label, as well as look at the brand, as well as the sell by date," Dr. Washington said. "If it does match what has been listed by our partners at the CDC, they should actually throw those away and of course not consume them any further."

The organic carrots, from Grimmway Farms in California, included both whole and baby carrots in various sizes and were sold under multiple brands.

According to the recall notice, the carrots were available for purchase in stores approximately from August through the end of October.

RELATED STORY | Organic carrots recalled from multiple stores after a deadly E. coli outbreak

There have been multiple e-coli outbreaks over the past several months. What makes incidents like these relatively common?

"There are a number of different ways it gets introduced into our food supply," Dr. Washington said. "It can happen where the produce is grown and packaged initially. It can also be introduced later as it's being prepared for distribution."

"E. coli is a naturally occurring bacteria, sometimes it can be in cow waste or products, and so that could of course be cross-contaminated at the point of packaging or even in the soil."

Watch the full interview with Dr. Washington in the video above.

Menendez brothers clemency decision delayed until new DA can review case, California governor says

20 November 2024 at 00:32

California Governor Gavin Newsom said that he will not make a clemency decision for convicted murderers Erik and Lyle Menendez because a new district attorney has been elected in Los Angeles.

The governor respects the role of the district attorney in ensuring justice is served and recognizes that voters have entrusted District Attorney-elect Hochman to carry out this responsibility, the governors office said in a statement obtained by The Associated Press. The governor will defer to the DA-elects review and analysis of the Menendez case prior to making any clemency decisions.

RELATED STORY | Who are the Menendez brothers? What to know about Netflix's new crime series

The brothers were found guilty in the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, and were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, family members argue that the boys had a history of sexual abuse at the hands of their father, and the judge overseeing the case never let the defense present much of that evidence to the jury.

In October, current Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascn advocated for re-sentencing the Menendez brothers in light of new evidence including a letter written by Erik Menendez, alluding to abuse he endured prior to the murders.

However, Gascn recently lost his reelection bid to District Attorney-elect Nathan Hochman. Newsom said a decision on whether to resentence the Menendez brothers won't happen until Hochman reviews the nearly 35-year-old case.

RELATED STORY | Family of convicted murderers Erik and Lyle Menendez call for their release

Lyle and Erik, who were 21 and 18 years old at the time of the killings have spent nearly 35 years behind bars for the murders. If resentenced, it's possible that the brothers, who are now in their 50s, could be released due to time served.

Both brothers remain incarcerated at California's RJ Donovan Correctional Facility, according to the California Department of Corrections.

In the decades since their arrest, their case has continued to transfix the true-crime world most recently with a Netflix series titled "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story."

More high-end home invaded across Oakland County; how to better protect your house

20 November 2024 at 00:27

Since Oct. 31, four high-end homes in Novi have been targeted by thieves who law enforcement believes are part of the South American transnational gangs.

A map shows the targeted neighborhoods, stretching from Haggerty to Napier.

On Oct. 31 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., unknown suspects broke the window of a rear door of a residence in the 40000 block of Revello Court, near Beck and Eight Mile Roads. The residents were not home at the time. On Nov. 2, between 6 p.m. and 8:55 p.m., unknown suspects broke the window of a rear door in the 40000 block of Vento Drive, near Garfield and Eight Mile Roads. The residents were not home at the time. On Nov. 15, at 5:46 p.m., unknown suspects broke the window of the second-story bathroom of a residence in the 20000 block of Pomino Drive, near Garfield and Eight Mile Roads. The residents were not home at the time. On Nov. 15 at 6:58 p.m., unknown suspects broke the window of a rear door in the 20000 block of Turnberry Boulevard, near Haggerty and Eight Mile Roads. The residents were not home at the time.

"These are where our high subdivisions are located, our gated communities are located. The method of entry of all these home invasions is the same," Novi Police Department Cmdr. Jason Meier said.

Meier says all four homes are either backed to a wooded area or a large field where the thieves accessed the location. They jammed Wi-Fi signals, restricting security protocols and broke in through a glass door.

"This is consistent with the South American transnational groups that have been operating in the area since January. The method of entry is the same, the items being stolen is the same, the very few images that we have do tend to show that as well," said Commander Meier.

A screen grab shows the most recent hit on Nov. 15 in the Turnberry Boulevard area at 6:58 p.m. Three unknown suspects broke into and entered the home while the residents were not home at the time.

I asked Meier how the suspects know valuables are inside.

"We have no evidence that they know what's in the homes before they go in. Now, that's not to say that they don't," Meier said.

However, law enforcement says these criminals deploy heavy surveillance, allowing them to learn details about the location. As for the loot, they typically go for cash, jewelry, high-end purses and watches.

Catherine Johnston lives alone in a high-end home in Bloomfield Township. For her safety, we are not disclosing the area, but Johnston is concerned because her home backs up to woods and a golf course.

"I have a lot of windows in my home and I've thought more often about pulling the shades, which I never did before," Johnston said.

From constantly locking her back door to installing motion-activated cameras, Johnston is doing more to protect her home.

Only a few months ago, a high-end home near Johnston was targeted.

"I did not know them. They are a couple of streets over. But I believe they were out of town for a couple of days and the thieves came in the middle of the night. And from what I've been told, the neighbors heard nothing," Johnston said.

Meanwhile, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says since Oct. 15, the county has had seven more incidents, including four in Novi, two in Bloomfield Township and one in Bloomfield Hills.

"The last intelligence report I saw, there are about 150 teams traveling the country hitting homes," Bouchard said.

Bouchard also says the stolen goods are being shipped to Miami, Los Angeles or New York.

"The biggest challenge is that they are very tangent, so they will hammer an area for a while, they have no ties to the community and then they move on," Bouchard said.

Now once again, law enforcement says it's homes that back up to wooded areas or golf courses that get targeted the most, but there are a couple of things homeowners can do to protect themselves better.

One is always to stay vigilant. Report anything suspicious, beef up security, add more wired cameras and, if possible, add external lights for dark yards because that's what thieves use as cover.

2 critically hurt, 2 unaccounted for after explosion at condo complex in Orion Township

20 November 2024 at 00:02

Two people were critically hurt and others suffered minor injuries after a large explosion at a condominium complex in Orion Township on Tuesday.

It happened at Keatington New Town Association near Baldwin and Waldon roads.

Two people are unaccounted for Tuesday night. Authorities are working to learn if they were in the area at the time of the explosion as they're unable to get into some buildings that have not yet been deemed safe.

Fire Chief Ryan Allen and Township Supervisor Chris Barnett provide an update in the video player below: Officials provide update on explosion in Orion Township

Investigators believe one building in the complex exploded and caused a massive fire and damage to multiple units. It is being called a potential gas explosion.

At this time, initial reports say that it's possibly or probably a gas leak that caused an explosion, Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen said.

People are being asked to avoid the area.

7 News Detroit reporter Brett Kast reports live from the scene below:

Allen said victims were transported rapidly to the hospital.

Waldon Road will be closed between Joslyn and Baldwin roads in both directions, the sheriff's office said. Some buildings nearby have been checked by officials and deemed safe, according to the fire chief.

Watch video from near the explosion below: Viewer video of Orion Township explosion

Authorities are continuing to assess the area. Some parts of the area have not yet been deemed safe for crews to search.

DTE Energy and Consumers Energy helped officials at the scene. They are also using a gas detector at the scene as authorities continue the relief effort.

Watch drone video from above the scene below: Drone captures scene of explosion at Orion Township condo complex

Nearby churches have opened their doors for those who have been displaced. Residents have been urged to go to Woodside Bible Church if they need assistance.

Officials are planning longer-term relief plans.

Hear an earlier update from the fire chief in the video player below: Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen on explosion

Several surrounding agencies responded to the scene.

7 News Detroit has crews at the scene and is working to learn more.

Stay with 7 News Detroit and WXYZ.com for the latest on this breaking news.

Local 2 bricklayer gives coworker live-saving CPR after heart attack on the job

19 November 2024 at 23:27

On Tuesday, 39-year-old Micah Parker was reunited with the Detroit Medical Center staff who helped save his life after he suffered a heart attack on the job just a few months ago.

"I'm just happy to be here," Parker said.

He said it was his coworker for the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union Local 2, Alan Mamere, who ultimately rescued him on Sept. 13.

VIDEO: 'It was a regular day.' Worker talks about having a heart attack while on the job 'It was a regular day.' Worker talks about having a heart attack while on the job

"I just had to do something," Mamere said.

The two bricklayers say it started out as a normal day and no,w it is a day they will never forget.

"We were talking about the next job I was going to and that's when it happened," Parker said.

"Before I could even turn around, he was already down," Mamere said.

VIDEO: Man describes moment he jumped into action to help save coworker Man describes moment he jumped into action to help save coworker

According to DMC cardiologist Carlos Oviedo, Parker's main artery was 100% blocked.

"The most important thing that the CPR did was to prevent his brain to suffer from the lack of blood flow," Oviedo said.

Mamere knew how to do CPR because Bricklayer's Local 2 requires all 3,700 of its employees to take training classes. It is something he and many of his coworkers previously considered a waste of time.

"We're all a bunch of construction workers. We were like the last thing we're going to have to do is use it. You know, we might get a cut or something but CPR, nah, we don't need it, but I guess we need it," Mamere said.

Foreman, Robert Ader said he will also be keeping a defibrillator in his work car from now on.

"The way we work, high in the air, high on scaffold, the trip to the ground to get it when you don't know where it's at could be the difference between him being here and not," Ader said.

Since the scare, Mamere said his outlook on CPR training has changed.

"Now, it's something you're like at any moment in time it could happen so, it's nice to know I'm capable of doing it if I need to apply it I can make it happen," Mamere said.

Local 2 is asking people in the community to get CPR training if possible and to take it seriously.

"It's not a game, at all. If you're not paying attention to anything dealing with that stuff just go because it's not a game and I'm a testament to that," Parker said.

Elderly Detroit woman saved from home fire, now without a place to live before the holidays

19 November 2024 at 23:13

A Detroit family sprang into action to save their elderly neighbor after a fire broke out inside her home early Tuesday morning.

The fire happened around 3:30 a.m. on the city's east side on Hickory Street near Linnhurst Street, which is near Gratiot Avenue and 7 Mile Road.

Jennae Williams, who lives on Hickory Street, told 7 News Detroit she woke up to the smell of heavy smoke. Then, she looked outside.

"I heard someone screaming help me. Help me! Im screaming at my brother like we have to help. We have to help! He wakes up out of his sleep. We run over here and shes almost out the door, but we literally had to pick her up and get her out of the house," Williams said.

Williams said her and her brother were able to carry their neighbor, 90-year-old Miss. Louise Harris, out of her home and to safety.

Detroit firefighters took the elderly woman to the hospital to be checked out.

Demetrious Washington lives across the street and told us that Miss. Harris has lived there since 1974.

"We all look out for Miss. Harris," Washington said. "Everybody knew her, she looked out for the community, she loved the kids, she loved everybody, shes a beautiful woman."

The majority of the damage to Miss Harris' house is on the back of it, but it does not appear livable.

The Detroit Fire Department said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Norma Black attends Galilee Missionary Baptist Church with the victim and said Tuesday afternoon that Miss. Harris is physically unharmed.

"Shes tired and shes resting. Shes still feisty and she was thanking everyone for what theyve done for her," Black said.

Black also said that Miss. Harris has nowhere to go when she leaves the hospital.

"The house is not livable, so were looking for somewhere for her to reside," Black said.

Without a home right before the holidays is a heartbreaking situation but together, the many who know and love Miss. Harris say they will work to ensure that she is safe.

"I think thats what neighbors are for we all gotta have each others backs," Williams said.

Boeing to lay off thousands of employees days before Christmas

19 November 2024 at 23:05

Embattled airplane maker and defense contractor the Boeing Company will lay off in excess of 2,000 workers at its Washington state facilities days before Christmas.

According to documents filed with the state labor department and first reported by Reuters, 2,199 workers will be permanently let go beginning on Dec. 20. It's part of a plan to eliminate more than 10% of the company's workforce that was announced in October.

A spokesperson for the Chicago-based company, which was long headquartered near its largest facilities in and around Seattle, told Scripps News, "We are adjusting our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and a more focused set of priorities. We are committed to ensuring our employees have support during this challenging time."

RELATED STORY | Boeing will lay off 10% of its employees as a strike by factory workers cripples airplane production

The impacted employees will be paid through mid-January in order to adhere to labor laws requiring 60 days' notice to workers affected by mass layoffs, Reuters reported, citing union officials and workers who had received pink slips.

The layoffs include people at airplane plants in Washington state but also engineers and technicians not directly involved in making planes, according to Reuters.

The layoffs came just after the end of a nearly 2-month strike by 33,000 Boeing workers on the West Coast, and months of management shakeup and production restrictions due to safety problems uncovered following a blowout involving a door plug on a 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines.

RELATED STORY | Boeing factory strike ends as workers vote to accept contract

The company lost close to $6 billion including $5 billion in charges related to ongoing troubles during the three months ending September.

The layoffs may not put an end to Boeing's troubles, according to analysts from Morningstar Inc. Boeing and other airplane makers are expected to face tougher trade and regulatory environment worldwide in response to protectionist tariff policies expected under President-elect Donald Trump.

Consumer group warns about dangerous toys ahead of the holidays

19 November 2024 at 22:57

Toy guns, a doggy xylophone, and a friendly-looking bright yellow stuffed animal are all on Santa's naughty list this year.

They're some of the nominees listed among the "10 Worst Toys" this holiday season, according to World Against Toys Causing Harm Inc., a non-profit focused on educating the public about potentially dangerous children's products.

The organization has put out the list for the past 52 years. It's president, Joan Siff, announced the list Tuesday morning.

This year's full list of dangerous toys includes the Pinovk Toy Colt 45 Pistol, Bristle Hedgehog, Transformers Earthspark Cyber-Sleeve, Kinetic Sand Scents - Ice Cream Treats, Wubble Rumblers Inflatable Furious Fist, Click N' Play Toy Remote Set, Snackles - Sandy, X-Shot Poppy Playtime, Playzone-Fit Tri-Flyer and the Zoo Jamz Doggy Xylophone.

"A toy can be dangerous because it's improperly manufactured, improperly designed, not marketed well," Siff said. "Those are all different phases of production where something can go wrong."

The organization's concern is that many toys appear harmless but can pose a danger in the hands of a young child.

RELATED STORY | Mattel says it 'deeply' regrets misprint on 'Wicked' dolls packaging that links to porn site

Toy injuries have increased for three years in a row. More than 184,000 injuries from toys were treated in emergency departments last year, according to a report from ValuePenguin, an insurance research site from LendingTree. But overall, toy-related injuries are down more than 20 percent over the past decade.

"You can safely buy toys for your children," said Divya Sangameshwar, an insurance expert at ValuePenguin. "Just make sure that you're buying toys that are safe and age appropriate, and if you want to buy toys, make sure that your children are being supervised when they play with them."

In a statement to Scripps News, The Toy Association, a U.S. trade group, said it "advocates for children's safety all year long, in contrast to W.A.T.C.H., which is heard from only once or twice per year, and whose false claims are not made by actual safety experts. Their report is riddled with misinformation and serves only to frighten families during what is meant to be a joyous time of year. What's important to know is that by law, all toys sold in the United States must first meet 100+ rigorous safety tests and standards before reaching consumers. ... Families are reminded to choose toys that are appropriate for their child's age, interests, and abilities; to avoid purchasing counterfeit or illegitimate product from rogue or third-party sellers by only shopping from reputable stores and online sellers; and to supervise children during play."

Detroit clarifies drinking water is still safe and that lead lines will be replaced

19 November 2024 at 22:51

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is notifying homeowners that the city's drinking water is safe to consume.

VIDEO: Stay ahead of any possible lead exposure Stay ahead of any possible lead exposure

This comes after thousands of homeowners received a letter Monday warning that their property may have lead service lines or lines made up of "unknown materials." About 225,000 Detroiters received that letter. Several others received letters of notice about galvanized lines and confirmed lead lines.

East side resident James Cain was one of the property owners to get the letter warning of "unknown materials." He says reading it was concerning.

"That was kind of weird," said Cain as he read the letter to a 7 News Detroit crew. "You get this letter saying unknown materials. Well, what is that?"

The city says the letter is part of a federal mandate by the Biden-Harris administration and the EPA as cities are required to replace all lead service lines over the next 10 years. DWSD says the letter, which must be sent out annually, was meant to alert homeowners that they may have lead lines and the city intends to replace them in the coming years.

"The drinking water is safe and the letters do not indicate any change in the water quality in the system nor at your property," said DWSD director Gary Brown. "Our water is safe and some of the best water in the world. We're a leader in the United States in delivering quality water."

Brown says because the letter lacked context, it created alarm among residents. He apologized to residents who were confused by the wording in a Tuesday media briefing.

"What's raising the angst among our residents is the word unknown," said Brown. We understand that we only have 80,000 lead service lines, but we sent letters to 225,000 households because, until they're verified, until we dig up their front yard at their stop box right at the property line and look at 18 inches on both sides of that stop box and verify that it's either copper or lead, we have to classify it as unknown."

Brown says if their crews determine the service lines in front of a property are copper, the lines are left untouched and the lawn repaired. If they discover the lines are made up of lead, the lines will be replaced.

Since beginning this work in 2018, DWSD has replaced 11,377 lead lines. At least 6,880 lines were replaced in 2024 alone.

The city says they will be using the next 10 years to continue replacing remaining lead service lines.

If you have questions about the safety of water at your home or how to determine if you have lead-based lines, more information can be found here.

Where Your Voice Matters

Coca-Cola's new AI-generated reboot of its classic holiday ad has some people outraged

19 November 2024 at 22:49

When it comes to the holidays, traditions are everything. That's why people are expressing their disappointment in Coca-Cola's new holiday ad that has strayed from its usual content.

The beverage giant revealed a reboot of its 1995 classic "Holidays Are Coming" commercial that was made using artificial intelligence.

The advertisement features its famous animated polar bears along with AI-generated people and other wildlife. There are also AI-generated Coca-Cola trucks driving through winter wonderland in the ad.

RELATED STORY | Video game actors take on AI in Hollywood

But people on social media are sparking outrage on the play of the brand's traditional ad.

Some have called the commercial "scary," "soulless" and "uninspiring," and others said it was distasteful for the company to use AI technology to create the video instead of the work of artists.

However, there are some people who have argued that using AI was a smart way to get the ad across without all the work of a big production.

1 in 5 Americans get their news from social media influencers, study says

19 November 2024 at 22:29

Influencers can help guide your decisions on everything from food to fashion and now news.

According to new data from the Pew Research Center, about 1 in 5 Americans get their news from influencers on social media. No, not organizations like Scripps News, but individual people.

Pew Research Center defined "news influencers" as people who regularly post about current events and civic issues on social media and have at least 100,000 followers on any platform. News influencers can be journalists who are or were affiliated with a news organization or independent content creators, Pew explained.

Most news influencers can be found on X, where Pew Research Center said 85% have a presence. Unfortunately, other studies have shown that's the platform where fake news and misinformation are most often spread.

RELATED STORY | X has more fake news than other social media platforms, EU reports

About 50% use Instagram and 44% are on YouTube, according to Pew's study.

Pew said a clear majority of news influencers are men and, although Republicans have long believed that social media sites censor conservative viewpoints, Pew said more news influencers explicitly present a politically right-leaning orientation than a left-leaning one (27% vs. 21%).

Most of these news influencers, 77%, do not have any affiliation or background with a news organization. However, 65% of Americans said news influencers have helped them better understand current events and civic issues.

RELATED STORY | Russia amplified hurricane disinformation to divide Americans, researchers find

Lions OL Taylor Decker shares his car story with Detroit Auto Show; here's how to submit yours

19 November 2024 at 21:15

The Detroit Auto Show is returning in January 2025, the first time in five years that the show will take place in the winter. Ahead of the event, Auto Show officials are launching a new campaign called "My Drive. My City. My Show."

The campaign will celebrate Detroit's automotive culture and all of the people who embody the city's automotive spirit.

Related: Tickets on sale now for the 2025 Detroit Auto Show

Decker is the Lions' longest-tenured player on the team, and his story highlights his 1968 Ford Bronco. It's at tribute to the No. 68 he wears on his jersey and a tribute to the city.

This city is a special place to me. My daughter was born here. My son is going to be born here. Its become home to me, said Decker. Ive spent more years in Detroit than anywhere else in my career, and Im proud to contribute to this community that has given me so much.

WATCH BELOW: Taylor Decker shares "My Drive. My City. My Show." Lions OL Taylor Decker shares his car story with Detroit Auto Show

Other people featured in the campaign include Detroit Tigers play-by-play announcer Dan Dickerson, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, NBA star Jalen Rose and many more.

Organizers are also asking people to share their story. YOu can visit the Detroit Auto Show website to fill out a questionnaire. In it, you'll talk about what you love about Detroit, what the auto industry means to yo, your favorite part of the Detroit Auto Show and why you're positive about the future of the auto industry.

The Detroit Auto Show returns to Huntington Place starting Jan. 10 with the annual Charity Preview. Flo Rida will headline the Charity Preview.

The full schedule is below.

Media Day, Friday, Jan. 10 Charity Preview - Friday, Jan. 10 Public Show - Saturday, Jan. 11 through Monday, Jan. 20 Industry Days and AutoMobili-D, Wednesday, Jan. 15 and Thursday, Jan. 16 Mobility Global Forum, Wednesday, Jan. 15 and Thursday, Jan. 16 Future Leaders Forum, Wednesday, Jan. 15 and Thursday, Jan. 16

Trump taps Dr. Oz to lead Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

19 November 2024 at 21:09

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he is nominating Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator.

"He is an eminent Physician, Heart Surgeon, Inventor, and World-Class Communicator, who has been at the forefront of healthy living for decades," Trump said in a statement.

Oz rose to fame on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and then launched his own talk show, The Dr. Oz Show.

RELATED STORY | Trump will nominate Howard Lutnick to oversee 'tariff and trade' policy

He broke into politics in 2022, running for the U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania. Oz lost in a close race to John Fetterman.

As the administrator of Medicare and Medicaid Services, Oz would serve under the secretary for Health and Human Services. Trump nominated Robert F. Kennedy to lead that department.

"Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake," Trump said. "Our broken Healthcare System harms everyday Americans, and crushes our Countrys budget."

RELATED STORY | Trump picks RFK Jr. to lead Health and Human Services

While Oz is an accomplished surgeon, he's also faced criticism for promoting health products and weight-loss ideas on his TV show that Congress believed were bogus.

A study published in the British Medical Journal examined 479 of Oz's medical recommendations from 40 episodes and showed 15% of those contradicted scientific evidence.

Proposed 'Warrior Board' could see Trump administration firing of top military generals

19 November 2024 at 20:56

America's top military leaders could be under intense scrutiny, when the President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

According to a draft proposal seen by the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration is considering the creation of a so-called "Warrior Board," which would review the nation's top generals and decide whether or not to keep them.

RELATED STORY | Trump nominates Army Major Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense

"As officers in the military, we all serve at the pleasure of the President," said retired Maj. General John Altenburg, who served as deputy judge advocate general of the U.S. Armyand now lectures at the George Washington University School of Law.

He said the creation of a "Warrior Board" would likely be legal, but it also comes with risk.

"We see people all the time, you know, are relieved of command because their superiors lost confidence in their ability," Altenburg said. "So, that's possible, that's always possible. And that's quite frankly always legal. The policy issue is, 'Do we think it's a good idea to do it?'"

Critics of the plan worry it could politicize the military. During the presidential campaign, Trump said he wanted to purge the military of generals who supported diversity, as well as any who were involved in the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

RELATED STORY | Trump confirms plans to use military for mass deportation of undocumented immigrants

Earlier this month, a Pentagon spokesperson said dismissing numerous officers could potentially put a strain on the military.

"Removing holding officers from moving up or not having people in place and therefore having other people fill a job that - you know, maybe they're doing two jobs, maybe they're doing three jobs - yes, that's going to have an impact to operations, that's going to have an impact to morale and that is going to have an impact on the department," said U.S. Department of Defense deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh.

President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, has been critical of the Pentagon and what he calls "woke" generals. Those comments and the Warrior board proposal will likely come up if there's a Senate confirmation hearing for him.

Americans are wasting credit card rewards on credit card debt, survey says

19 November 2024 at 20:55

A new survey from NerdWallet found that 21% of Americans have used a credit card to earn rewards despite having credit card debt.

This means those credit card rewards are likely getting canceled out by the interest of carrying a balance each month on your credit card.

The average interest rate on credit cards assessing interest is 23.37%, as of August 2024, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. So, for every $1,000 youre carrying on your credit card, its costing you around $234 a year, NerdWallet said.

The best way to reap the rewards offered by credit cards is by paying off the balance each month, so if you currently have credit card debt you should pause your spending and tackle that first.

RELATED STORY | New report finds Americans owe more than a trillion dollars on credit cards

If you currently have credit card debt, its a good idea to pause spending on cards until its paid off. The rewards math very likely wont work out in your favor anyway, and its easier to tackle your debt load if it doesnt continue to grow.

One tip NerdWallet recommends to avoid running up a balance too high to pay off each month is to not use a credit card for you tend to overspend on such as clothing, hobby supplies or dining out. Instead, NerdWallet said you should try using cash or debit to keep that budget category in check.

NerdWallet said its survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll in October among 2,090 U.S. adults ages 18 and older.

Why more young people are having strokes

19 November 2024 at 20:12

More young people are experiencing strokes and researchers at Cleveland Clinic have published new findings exploring the reasons why.

When that 30-year-old is disabled with a big blockage stroke for the rest of their life, that makes not just a patient, but families suffer, said Staff Neurologist and Assistant Professor at Cleveland Clinic Learner College of Medicine Dr. Abbas Khral. My special interest in this young adult population was to better understand why are younger adults having large vessel or big blockage stokes.

Researchers reviewed the records of 1,200 patients between the ages of 18-49 who presented at Cleveland Clinic from 2017-2021. Khral said this Midwestern population is very different from those on the East or West coasts.

RELATED STORY | New guidelines for preventing stroke, the nation's 4th biggest killer

Here, I feel that lifestyles are a lot more sedentary, overall, in general is life just busier than it used to be, do people have less time for exercise, are our diets more synthetic than we used to be?

Khral said the incidence of big blockage stroke in the study was about 20 % of all patients, which is very similar to the rates in older adults.

We are seeing a rise in diabetes and high blood pressure and high cholesterol in younger adults, he said. "The biggest thing that it says loud and clear is that no age group is immune to stroke, any age group, particularly even young adults."

The study also reviewed whether treatment affects young people differently.

Overall, our study found that young adults do exceedingly well if they present on time enough to get the best available treatments that we have, he said. Fifty percent of patients received no treatment and a quarter of that was because of a delay in presenting to the hospital.

Khral said its important that people dont brush off symptoms. Hes seen those situations in clinical practice.

They had symptoms the night before but you know the patient or their significant other thought, theyre just stressed or they had an argument earlier, or theyre just tired and thats why they have a face droop, or thats why their speech is a little funny and they just slept over their symptoms and when they presented the next morning, when they woke up and saw that things are much worse, now they cant move an arm or leg.

Identifying barriers to treatment is key, and so is raising awareness about the symptoms of a strike and the importance of timely treatment.

This story was originally published by Tiffany Tarpley at

Scripps News Cleveland

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