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Yesterday β€” 29 June 2025WXYZ-TV Detroit

Russia launches the biggest aerial attack since the start of the war, Ukraine says

29 June 2025 at 12:50

Russia launched its biggest aerial attack against Ukraine overnight, a Ukrainian official said Sunday, part of an escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the 3-year-old war.

Russia fired a total of 537 aerial weapons at Ukraine, including 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles, Ukraines air force said. Of these, 249 were shot down and 226 were lost, likely having been electronically jammed.

The onslaught was the most massive airstrike on the country since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, taking into account both drones and various types of missiles, Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraines air force, told The Associated Press. The attack targeted several regions, including western Ukraine, far from the front line.

Poland and allied countries scrambled aircraft to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, the country's air force said.

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One person died in a drone strike in the Kherson region, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said, while another was killed when a drone hit a car in the Kharkiv region, according to its Gov. Oleh Syniehubov. Six people were wounded in Cherkasy, including a child, according to regional Gov. Ihor Taburets.

In the far-western Lviv region, a large fire broke out at an industrial facility in the city of Drohobych following a drone attack that also cut electricity to parts of the city.

Ukraines air force said one of its F-16 warplanes supplied by its Western partners crashed after sustaining damage while shooting down air targets. The pilot died.

Attacks continued during the day. Dnipropetrovsk Gov. Serhii Lysak said a 72-year-old man was killed when a drone hit his car.

Russian troops reportedly advance in Donetsk

Russia's Defense Ministry said it had shot down three Ukrainian drones overnight.

Two people were wounded in another Ukrainian drone attack on the city of Bryansk in western Russia, regional Gov. Alexander Bogomaz said Sunday morning, adding that seven more Ukrainian drones had been shot down over the region.

Meanwhile, Russia claimed Sunday that it had taken control of the village of Novoukrainka in the partially Russian-occupied Donetsk region.

Russian forces have been slowly grinding forward at some points on the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, though their incremental gains have been costly in terms of troop casualties and damaged armor.

In other developments, Russias foreign intelligence chief, Sergei Naryshkin, said he had spoken on the phone with his U.S. counterpart, CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

I had a phone call with my American counterpart and we reserved for each other the possibility to call at any time and discuss issues of interest to us, Naryshkin said in remarks to state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin, who posted them on his Telegram channel on Sunday.

Sunday's attacks follow Russian President Vladimir Putins comments two days ago that Moscow is ready for a fresh round of direct peace talks in Istanbul. Two recent rounds of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul were brief and yielded no progress on reaching a settlement.

Zelenskyy withdraws Ukraine from an anti-land mine pact

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree to withdraw Ukraine from the Ottawa Convention banning antipersonnel land mines, a Ukrainian lawmaker said Sunday. The move follows similar recent steps by the Baltic states and Poland.

The 1997 treaty prohibits the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of antipersonnel land mines in an effort to protect civilians from explosives that can maim or kill long after fighting ends.

This is a step that the reality of war has long demanded, said Roman Kostenko, secretary of the Ukrainian parliamentary committee on national security, defense and intelligence. He noted that Russia is not a party to the convention "and is massively using mines against our military and civilians.

Two families mourn after 4-year-old boy and teen killed in Detroit park shooting

29 June 2025 at 02:02

Two families are mourning after a shooting at Skinner Playfield near Denby High School in Detroit left a 4-year-old boy and an 18-year-old dead.

Samir Grubbs, 4, was shot and killed on Friday while at the park with his mother.

"Please, please put the guns down, it's so senseless, it doesn't make any sense," said Jasmine Grubbs, Samir's mother.

"It's so senseless, you took my baby from me," Grubbs said.

Grubbs says her son was full of life and was getting ready to start pre-K.

"Samir's smile lights up the room no matter where we went, everybody gravitating toward him," Grubbs said.

"He loved to go to church, loved to go to the park, that's his thing, he wanted to go to church," she added.

Two other people at the park were also shot a 17-year-old and 18-year-old Daviyon Shelmonson-Bey, who died from his injuries.

"He loved photography, he loved working on mini bikes, he self taught, he was just a very helpful little guy that's all I knew him for," said Joseph Shelmonson-Bey, Daviyon's father.

Joseph was told his son jumped in front of a bullet to save someone from being shot at the park.

"He reacted to protect somebody, something I probably would have did," Joseph said.

Both Joseph and Jasmine are calling for justice for their sons as police continue to look for the shooter.

"We need to speak up in our community to make it better... so we don't have to worry about our kids going through even more of this bloodshed in the community," Joseph said.

"You're taking children away from loving families, families that treat then right, families that care for them," Grubbs said.

Anyone with information that will help police find the person responsible for the shooting is asked to call Detroit Police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

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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.

Biden, Harris and Walz attend funeral for former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman

28 June 2025 at 19:30

Democratic former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was honored for her legislative accomplishments and her humanity during a funeral Saturday, where former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris joined the over 1,000 mourners.

Hortman was shot to death in a pair of attacks two weeks earlier by a man posing as a police officer that Minnesota's chief federal prosecutor has called an assassination. The shootings also left her husband, Mark, dead and a state senator and his wife seriously wounded.

Melissa Hortman will be remembered as the most consequential speaker in Minnesota history. I get to remember her as a close friend, a mentor, and the most talented legislator I have ever known, Gov. Tim Walz said in his eulogy. For seven years, I have had the privilege of signing her agenda into law. I know millions of Minnesotans get to live their lives better because she and Mark chose public service and politics.

The service

Neither Biden nor Harris spoke, but they sat in the front row with the governor, who was Harris' running mate in 2024. Biden was also one of more than 7,500 people who paid their respects Friday as Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever, Gilbert, lay in state in the Minnesota Capitol rotunda in St. Paul. Gilbert was seriously wounded in the attack and had to be euthanized. Biden also visited the wounded senator in a hospital.

RELATED STORY | Minnesota lawmaker killed, another wounded in targeted shootings

Dozens of current and former state legislators from both parties and other elected officials who worked with Hortman also attended.

Hortman, who was first elected in 2004, helped pass an expansive agenda of liberal initiatives like free lunches for public school students during the momentous 2023 session as the chambers speaker, along with expanded protections for abortion and trans rights. With the House split 67-67 between Democrats and Republicans this year, she yielded the gavel to a Republican under a power-sharing deal, took the title speaker emerita, and helped break a budget impasse that threatened to shut down state government.

The governor's eulogy

Walz said Hortman saw her mission as to get as much good done for as many people as possible. And he said her focus on people was what made her so effective.

She certainly knew how to get her way. No doubt about that, Walz said. But she never made anyone feel that theyd gotten rolled at a negotiating table. That wasnt part of it for her, or a part of who she was. She didnt need somebody else to lose to win for her.

The governor said the best way to honor the Hortmans would be by following their example.

Maybe it is this moment where each of us can examine the way we work together, the way we talk about each other, the way we fight for things we care about," Walz said. "A moment when each of us can recommit to engaging in politics and life the way Mark and Melissa did -- fiercely, enthusiastically, heartily, but without ever losing sight of our common humanity.

The homily

The Rev. Daniel Griffith, pastor and rector of the Basilica, who led the service, said the country is in need of deep healing. He said it seems as if the U.S. is living in the dystopian reality described at the beginning of William Butler Yeats' poem, The Second Coming.

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Here in Minnesota, we have been the ground zero place, sadly, for racial injustice," Griffith said. "The killing of George Floyd just miles from our church today. And now we are the ground zero place for political violence and extremism. Both of these must be decried in the strongest possible terms, as they are, respectively, a threat to human dignity and indeed, our democracy.

But the priest also said Minnesota could also be a ground zero place for restoration and justice and healing. He added that the presence of so many people was a sign that the work could succeed.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese offered his condolences to the Hortman family.

A private burial will be held at a later date.

The Hortman family

The Hortmans were proud of their adult children, Sophie and Colin Hortman, and the lawmaker often spoke of them.

In a voice choked with emotion, Colin said his parents embodied the Golden Rule, and he read the Prayer of St. Francis, which his mother always kept in her wallet. He said it captures her essence. It starts, Lord make me an instrument of your peace.

After the service, Walz presented the children with U.S. and Minnesota flags that flew over the Capitol on the day their parents were killed.

The suspect

The man accused of killing the Hortmans at their home in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park on June 14, and wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home in nearby Champlin, made a brief court appearance Friday. He's due back in court Thursday.

Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, surrendered near his home the night of June 15 after what authorities called the largest search in Minnesota history.

Boelter remains jailed and has not entered a plea. Prosecutors need to secure a grand jury indictment first. His lawyers have declined to comment on the charges, which could carry the federal death penalty.

Friends have described Boelter as an evangelical Christian with politically conservative views. But prosecutors have declined so far to speculate on a motive.

Hundreds of volunteers help make the Rocket Classic a success in Detroit

28 June 2025 at 19:04

The Rocket Classic is in full swing and hundreds of dedicated volunteers are helping ensure the event runs smoothly.

With a four-day tournament and week's worth of events, it takes a lot of people to put on the Rocket Classic.

"It takes the 1,400 volunteers that we have on the site. The fact that they give up their time to do this so that our community can benefit from a tournament such as this, it's magnificent," Katrina Kelly-Winker, the volunteer chair at Rocket Classic, said.

The event started in 2019, and for Detroit Golf Club member Allen Lewis, watching the tournament come to life was eye-opening.

"To see all the build-out of the stands and what's going on there. It takes some time," Lewis said.

Lewis is one of the volunteers who have helped with the Rocket Classic since its inception. His current role involves helping guide standard bearersthe people who carry signs alongside golfers with their scores.

"So I schedule them all. I pray they come in on time," Lewis said. "Some days I work harder now than I did when I worked."

But as someone who plays the course, he finds it worth the effort.

There are also first-time volunteers like Saisha Dhawan, an avid golfer from Rochester Hills.

"I've been playing for a while. I play like every week, sometimes I have a tournament every week," Dhawan said.

She hopes that by giving her time to the Rocket Classic, she might pick up some pointers from the pros.

"I want to experience watching other players play and maybe even learn from them and affect my own game," Dhawan said.

Volunteers say that each time they come out, it's like joining a big family.

"We come out here because we enjoy it. We know there's a benefit for the community and we just want to be a part of it," Kelly-Winker said.

Volunteer roles range from gallery management to tracking golf balls throughout the four-day tournament.

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.

The Disappearance of Flight 2501: Why the search is ending for the plane lost over Lake Michigan

28 June 2025 at 18:34

In a shaded section of an old cemetery in South Haven, Michigan, a boulder with a black inscription signifies a mass grave where a number of body parts from those aboard Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 2501 are buried.

The ill-fated flight, at the time the deadliest commercial airline disaster in American history, disappeared when it flew into a storm over Lake Michigan in the early morning hours of June 24, 1950.

None of the souls on the plane 55 passengers and three crew members survived. To this day, the plane's final resting place has not been found, and no complete bodies have ever been recovered from the crash.

"There was nobody famous on this, but each person was so significant to their families," said Valerie van Heest, executive director of the Holland-based Michigan Shipwreck Research Association.

"Their loss was so incomprehensible, especially if you don't have a body, especially if you don't have a reason," she said.

For the past 20 years, van Heest has searched for the wreckage from NWA Flight 2501, scouring nearly 700 square miles of Lake Michigan with sonar technology, moving back and forth over the freshwater expanse as if she were mowing the lawn.

Now, van Heest says she will search no more.

"We have found it's impossible to find," she said. "Maybe someday, some weather incident will churn up the lake bottom and reveal the debris from the plane, but if not, we've done the best we could."

The crash and the search

On the evening of June 23, 1950, Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 2501 departed from New York's LaGuardia Airport en route to Seattle, planning to stop in Minneapolis and Spokane along the way.

As a squall line over Lake Michigan approached the westbound plane, its pilot requested a drop in altitude, but was denied the clearance due to nearby air traffic.

Then, several miles off the shore of Benton Harbor, it flew into the storm and was never heard from again.

"Today, you would never fly under a squall line. That would be lunacy," van Heest said.

"They didn't understand that back then," she said. "The pilot did his best to continue on with that flight, but his decision to continue across the lake is what made this a fatal crossing of Lake Michigan."

WATCH: The Disappearance of Flight 2501 The Disappearance of Flight 2501: Why the search is ending for the plane lost over Lake Michigan

When the DC-4, converted from a WWII-era C-54 into a commercial aircraft, did not respond to radio requests and failed to pass by an airfield in Milwaukee at its scheduled time, a search began for the missing plane.

The U.S Coast Guard patrolled Lake Michigan while bits and pieces of the plane, as well as body parts, began to wash up on West Michigan's shoreline, including in South Haven, where the mayor closed the city's beaches just before the Fourth of July.

"A gruesome accident," van Heest said. "The largest person found was a torso. No arms. No lower half. No head."

In a week's time, according to the historian, authorities deemed finding the wreckage to be an impossible task.

"They gave up," she said.

A half-century later, van Heest and Clive Cussler, a world-renowned shipwreck hunter, picked up where the federal government left off, using side-scan sonar to look for the long-lost plane.

They discovered nine shipwrecks in the search area, but no evidence to pinpoint exactly where or exactly why the plane crashed.

It's likely, van Heest says, the aircraft either blew up when it was struck by lightning or broke into a "thousand pieces" upon impact with the water, the largest of these parts settling into the deep muck of the lake bed over decades.

The two found other things, though, including perhaps a semblance of closure for the families whose loved ones were lost on the fatal flight.

"We really brought this accident back to the public's attention," van Heest said. "People know about this accident. People are curious about it, and our work has made sure this accident would not be forgotten."

During van Heest's search and research, which included writing a book on Flight 2501's disappearance, she discovered the mass grave in South Haven's Lake View Cemetery and another in St. Joseph. At the time, both were unmarked. She's since hosted memorial services and put on display a number of personal artifacts of the victims, including one man's tattered suit coat and his checkbook, complete with an entry for his ticket for the flight: $49.30.

Strangely, these artifacts and the lack of a large-scale discovery are perhaps more significant for the memory of the 58 passengers and crew.

"They've been remembered," van Heest said.

"We really provided the answers to what happened to this plane," she said. "We simply don't know the exact spot on Lake Michigan where it happened."

This article was written by Sam Landstra for the Scripps News Group in Grand Rapids.

Rhode Island considers 'Taylor Swift tax' on luxury homes

28 June 2025 at 17:37

Rhode Island is considering a so-called "Taylor Swift tax" on luxury homeowners. The proposal is officially called the Non-Owner Occupied Property Tax Act. If passed, it would tax non-owner occupied homes or secondary residences valued at more than $1 million.

Swift purchased her Rhode Island mansion for about $17 million in 2013. Zillow lists the property's current value at $28 million, which would result in a tax of about $135,000 a year. State lawmakers are still reviewing the proposal as part of a larger budget bill.

The bill's sponsor, State Sen. Meghan Kallman, told Newsweek the proposal is meant to address inequality.

"By asking these owners to pay their fair share, Rhode Island can generate much-needed revenue and prevent cuts to essential services like health care and education. This is part of overall efforts to make our tax code fairer for working people," Kallman said.

She argued that homeowners such as Swift, who do not live in high-priced homes, do not contribute to Rhode Island's economy.

"More than half of Rhode Island homes worth more than $1 million from 2019 to 2024 were bought by buyers from out of state," Kallman told Newsweek. "These homes are purchased by high net worth individuals who can afford multiple properties but do not contribute as directly to the local economy as full-time residents."

Fans criticize BeyoncΓ© for shirt calling Native Americans 'the enemies of peace'

28 June 2025 at 16:41

A T-shirt worn by Beyonc during a Juneteenth performance on her Cowboy Carter tour has sparked a discussion over how Americans frame their history and caused a wave of criticism for the Houston-born superstar.

The T-shirt worn during a concert in Paris featured images of the Buffalo Soldiers, who belonged to Black U.S. Army units active during the late 1800s and early 1900s. On the back was a lengthy description of the soldiers that included their antagonists were the enemies of peace, order and settlement: warring Indians, bandits, cattle thieves, murderous gunmen, bootleggers, trespassers, and Mexican revolutionaries.

Images of the shirt and videos of the performance are also featured on Beyoncs website.

As she prepares to return to the U.S. for performances in her hometown this weekend, fans and Indigenous influencers took to social media to criticize Beyonc for wearing a shirt that frames Native Americans and Mexican revolutionaries as anything but the victims of American imperialism and for promoting anti-Indigenous language.

A spokesperson for Beyonc did not respond to a request for comment.

Who were the Buffalo Soldiers?

The Buffalo Soldiers served in six military units created after the Civil War in 1866. They were comprised of formerly enslaved men, freemen, and Black Civil War soldiers and fought in hundreds of conflicts including in the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II until they were disbanded in 1951.

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As the quote on Beyoncs shirt notes, they also fought numerous battles against Indigenous peoples as part of the U.S. Army's campaign of violence and land theft during the country's westward expansion.

Some historians say the moniker Buffalo Soldiers was bestowed by the tribes who admired the bravery and tenacity of the fighters, but that might be more legend than fact. At the end of the day, we really dont have that kind of information, said Cale Carter, director of exhibitions at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston.

Carter and other museum staff said that, only in the past few years, the museum made broader efforts to include more of the complexities of the battles the Buffalo Soldiers fought against Native Americans and Mexican revolutionaries and the role they played in the subjugation of Indigenous peoples. They, much like many other museums across the country, are hoping to add more nuance to the framing of American history and be more respectful of the ways they have caused harm to Indigenous communities.

We romanticize the Western frontier, he said. The early stories that talked about the Buffalo Soldiers were impacted by a lot of those factors. So you really didnt see a changing in that narrative until recently.

There has often been a lack of diverse voices discussing how the history of the Buffalo Soldiers is framed, said Michelle Tovar, the museum's director of education. The current political climate has put enormous pressure on schools, including those in Texas, to avoid honest discussions about American history, she said.

Right now, in this area, we are getting pushback from a lot of school districts in which we cant go and teach this history," Tovar said. "We are a museum where we can at least be a hub, where we can invite the community regardless of what districts say, invite them to learn it and do what we can do the outreach to continue to teach honest history.

Historians scrutinize reclamation motive

Beyonc's recent album Act II: Cowboy Carter has played on a kind of American iconography, which many see as her way of subverting the country music genre's adjacency to whiteness and reclaiming the cowboy aesthetic for Black Americans. Last year, she became the first Black woman ever to top Billboard's country music chart, and Cowboy Carter won her the top prize at the 2025 Grammy Awards, album of the year.

The Buffalo Soldiers play this major role in the Black ownership of the American West, said Tad Stoermer, a historian and professor at Johns Hopkins University. In my view, (Beyonc is) well aware of the role that these images play. This is the Cowboy Carter tour for crying out loud. The entire tour, the entire album, the entire piece is situated in this layered narrative.

But Stoermer also points out that the Buffalo Soldiers have been framed in the American story in a way that also plays into the myths of American nationalism.

As Beyoncs use of Buffalo Soldiers imagery implies, Black Americans also use their story to claim agency over their role in the creation of the country, said Alaina E. Roberts, a historian, author and professor at the University of Pittsburgh who studies the intersection of Black and Native American life from the Civil War to present day.

Thats the category in which she thought maybe she was coming into this conversation, but the Buffalo Soldiers are even a step above that because they were literally involved in not just the settlement of the West but of genocide in a sense, she said.

Online backlash builds ahead of Houston shows

Several Native influencers, performers, and academics took to social media this week to criticize Beyonc or decry the shirt's language as anti-Indigenous. Do you think Beyonc will apologize (or acknowledge) the shirt? indigenous.tv, an Indigenous news and culture Instagram account with more than 130,000 followers, asked in a post Thursday.

Many of her critics, as well as fans, agree. A flood of social media posts called out the pop star for the historic framing on the shirt.

The Buffalo Soldiers are an interesting historical moment to look at. But we have to be honest about what they did, especially in their operations against Indigenous Americans and Mexicans, said Chisom Okorafor, who posts on TikTok under the handle @confirmedsomaya.

Okorafor said there is no progressive way to reclaim America's history of empire building in the West, and that Beyoncs use of Western symbolism sends a problematic message: That Black people, too, can engage in American nationalism.

Black people, too, can profit from the atrocities of (the) American empire, she said. "It is a message that tells you to abandon immigrants, Indigenous people, and people who live outside of the United States. It is a message that tells you not only is it a virtue to have been born in this country, but the longer your line extends in this country, the more virtuous you are.

First detainees set to arrive as early as Tuesday to 'Alligator Alcatraz' amid lawsuit targeting facility

28 June 2025 at 15:00

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that a new migrant detention center located deep in the Everglades will begin housing detainees as early as Tuesday. Nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, the controversial facility is already under construction on the site of a nearly abandoned Miami-Dade County airport.

Speaking on Fox News Friday morning, DeSantis said the center will be able to process more than 3,000 undocumented immigrants at a time.

Watch full report from Forrest Saunders Alligator Alcatraz update

We've got a massive runway right behind us where any of the federal assets that they want to fly these people back to their home countrythey can do it one-stop shop, said Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).

The project, estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars in federally reimbursable funds, was proposed just over a week ago by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. In a comment that drew criticism, Uthmeier said in his online video, You don't need to invest that much in the perimeter. People get out, there's not much waiting for them, other than alligators and pythons. Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.

The Florida GOP has capitalized on the media attention, launching a line of branded merchandise, including shirts, koozies, and hats that promote the "Alligator Alcatraz" name. But the backlash has been swift and fierce.

I think it's inhumane, it's disgusting, and it's not what we stand for as a state, said State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando-area Democrat.

On Friday, Florida Senate Democrats sent a letter to DeSantis and Uthmeier demanding answers on due process, humane treatment, and whether the project could divert funds from hurricane preparedness.

There is a serious discussion of whether or not this would constitute cruel and unusual punishment, said Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman.

Environmental groups are also pushing back hard. A coalition of activists filed a federal lawsuit to block the facility, citing potential harm to the Everglades and a lack of required environmental reviews or public input.

Federal law is clear they have to look before they leap, so they don't cause massive damage to really important resources, said Elise Bennett of the Center for Biological Diversity.

The Governors office dismissed the lawsuit, defending the sites location and purpose.

This facility is a necessary staging operation for mass deportations located at a pre-existing airport that will have no impact on the surrounding environment. We look forward to litigating this case, one of Gov. DeSantis' staffers said.

And this is just the beginning. DeSantis is also considering a second migrant processing center at Camp Blanding, a National Guard training base in northeastern Florida, envisioned as a companion facility to Alligator Alcatraz.

This article was written by Forrest Saunders for the Scripps News Group in Florida.

Senators prep for a weekend of work to meet Trump's deadline for passing his tax and spending cuts

28 June 2025 at 14:34

The Senate is expected to grind through a rare weekend session as Republicans race to pass President Donald Trump's package of tax breaks and spending cuts by his July Fourth deadline.

Republicans are using their majorities in Congress to push aside Democratic opposition, but they have run into a series of political and policy setbacks. Not all GOP lawmakers are on board with proposals to reduce spending on Medicaid, food stamps and other programs as a way to help cover the cost of extending some $3.8 trillion in Trump tax breaks.

The 940-page bill was released shortly before midnight Friday. Senators were expected to take a procedural vote Saturday to begin debate on the legislation, but the timing was uncertain and there is a long path ahead, with at least 10 hours of debate time and an all-night voting session on countless amendments.

Senate passage could be days away, and the bill would need to return to the House for a final round of votes before it could reach the White House.

It's evolving, said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., as he prepared to close up the chamber late Friday.

The weekend session could be a make-or-break moment for Trump's party, which has invested much of its political capital on his signature domestic policy plan. Trump is pushing Congress to wrap it up, even as he sometimes gives mixed signals, allowing for more time.

At recent events at the White House, including Friday, Trump has admonished the grandstanders among GOP holdouts to fall in line.

We can get it done, Trump said in a social media post. It will be a wonderful Celebration for our Country.

The legislation is an ambitious but complicated series of GOP priorities. At its core, it would make permanent many of the tax breaks from Trump's first term that would otherwise expire by year's end if Congress fails to act, resulting in a potential tax increase on Americans. The bill would add new breaks, including no taxes on tips, and commit $350 billion to national security, including for Trump's mass deportation agenda.

But the spending cuts that Republicans are relying on to offset the lost tax revenues are causing dissent within the GOP ranks. Some lawmakers say the cuts go too far, particularly for people receiving health care through Medicaid. Meanwhile, conservatives, worried about the nation's debt, are pushing for steeper cuts.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said he is concerned about the fundamentals of the package and will not support the procedural motion to begin debate.

I'm voting no on the motion to proceed, he said.

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., pushing for deeper cuts, said he needed to see the final legislative text.

The release of that draft had been delayed as the Senate parliamentarian reviewed the bill to ensure it complied with the chambers strict Byrd Rule, named for the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. It largely bars policy matters from inclusion in budget bills unless a provision can get 60 votes to overcome objections. That would be a tall order in a Senate with a 53-47 GOP edge and Democrats unified against Trumps bill.

Republicans suffered a series of setbacks after several proposals were determined to be out of compliance by the chief arbiter of the Senate's rules. One plan would have shifted some food stamp costs from the federal government to the states; a second would have gutted the funding structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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But over the past days, Republicans have quickly revised those proposals and reinstated them.

The final text includes a proposal for cuts to a Medicaid provider tax that had run into parliamentary objections and opposition from several senators worried about the fate of rural hospitals. The new version extends the start date for those cuts and establishes a $25 billion fund to aid rural hospitals and providers.

Most states impose the provider tax as a way to boost federal Medicaid reimbursements. Some Republicans argue that is a scam and should be abolished.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said that under the House-passed version of the bill, some 10.9 million more people would go without health care and at least 3 million fewer would qualify for food aid. The CBO has not yet publicly assessed the Senate draft, which proposes steeper reductions.

Top income-earners would see about a $12,000 tax cut under the House bill, while the poorest Americans would face a $1,600 tax increase, the CBO said.

One unresolved issue remains the so-called SALT provision, a deduction for state and local taxes that has been a top priority of lawmakers from New York and other high-tax states. The cap is now $10,000.

The White House and House Republicans had narrowed in on a plan for a $40,000 cap, but for five years instead of 10. Republican senators say that's too generous. At least one House GOP holdout, Rep. Nick LaLota of New York, said he cannot support the compromise.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Republicans are rushing to finish the bill before the public fully knows whats in it.

Theres no good reason for Republicans to chase a silly deadline, Schumer said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who sent his colleagues home for the weekend with plans to be on call to return to Washington, said they are very close to finishing up.

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We would still like to meet that July Fourth, self-imposed deadline, said Johnson, R-La.

With the narrow Republican majorities in the House and Senate, leaders need almost every lawmaker on board to ensure passage. Johnson and Thune have stayed close to the White House, relying on Trump to pressure holdout lawmakers.

The story behind a special shirt on sale at Rocket Classic designed by Detroit students

28 June 2025 at 14:32

Inside the 2025 Rocket Classic Fan Shop is a special t-shirt designed by a group of Detroit students with a good cause in mind.

The FATE program is a 10-year cohort-based program in Detroit that partners with the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy.

Every year, the organization gets 25 9th graders and they are with the program weekly after school from ninth through 12th grade, and then after they're done with high school, they enter the alumni program, which is another six years.

FATE and the Rocket Classic have partnered up once again where the seniors are briefed by tournament organizers, and then students help design a special t-shirt.

This year, the brief was about community and how golf is identifiable with Detroit.

"I think we just wanted to bring community into golf. I think a lot of people don't know that golf is for everyone. They think it's exclusive to a specific group. So while making this, I definitely wanted to incorporate that," one student said.

The shirt says "the community's classic" on it, and includes people of all different backgrounds on a hot-rod style golf cart.

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Michigan’s largest urban park, Detroit’s Rouge Park, is turning 100

28 June 2025 at 13:28

Detroits Rouge Park, is turning 100!

To celebrate the milestone, Friends of Rouge Park is hosting a free, three-day festival from Friday, June 27 through Sunday, June 29 at the Joy & Spinoza area of Rouge Park. Festivities include live music, family-friendly activities, a community resource fair, and a special fundraising reception.

To learn more, visit https://detroitmi.gov/news/free-three-day-centennial-festival-rouge-park-kicks-today

Rocket Classic celebrates Folds of Honor Friday with a special goal

By: Max White
28 June 2025 at 13:05

Fans spread across the Rocket Classic course on Friday donned special pins on their hats and collars, handed out in honor of Folds of Honor Friday, the first time the tournament has partnered with Folds of Honor.

The organization, founded by Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, provides scholarships to children and spouses of fallen or disabled U.S. service members or first responders.

On top of fans being encouraged to wear red, white and blue, the pins featured a red, white and blue ribbon held together by a folded flag, which is the Folds of Honor logo. The day also started with a ceremonial playing of the National Anthem.

"Folds of Honor Friday simply exists to do three things. One, bring the National Anthem to golf. It's the only major sport that doesn't traditionally start with the National Anthem. Two, just honor service, both military and first responders in the local community. Then three is to unite fans and players around a common cause of wearing red, white and blue, just patriotism in the United States," Billy Hurley, a Folds of Honor Ambassador and professional golfer, said.

Through the Rocket Classic's partnership with Folds of Honor, they originally planned to provide 13 scholarships. However, later on Friday, Rocket announced it was donating an additional 13 scholarships, bringing the total to 26. Thirteen is a symbolic number for the organization, as its the number of folds in a folded American flag.

Detroit's PGA Tour tournament was also a major part of the growth of Folds of Honor Friday.

Sara Bush, the senior director of golf relations at Folds of Honor, said it's doubled.

"Folds of Honor Friday started last year. We had about 25 tournaments across three tours, and this year, we were thrilled to have close to 50, and it continues to expand," Bush said. "We're seeing tremendous support from the tournaments, from fans, from players, from the entire community and it's really making an impact on scholarship recipients within each footprint."

Hear more from Billy and Sara in the video below

Rocket Classic celebrates Folds of Honor Friday

The partnership is also an expansion of Folds of Honor's reach in Michigan. The organization also oversees American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, and hosts the Folds of Honor Collegiate in September every year.

This year, the Rocket Classic also gave an exemption to Dominic Clemons, who was the men's champion of the 2024 Folds of Honor collegiate.

"At Rocket, we are committed to honoring and supporting our military members and first responders and their families whose selfless sacrifices make such a massive impact, said Bill Emerson, President of Rocket Companies and the Rocket Giving Fund. The Rocket Classic is about more than golf its about recognizing those who serve and uplift our communities. Partnering with Folds of Honor gives us a meaningful platform to celebrate these heroes while also providing Dominic the opportunity to make his PGA TOUR debut.

Watch below: 2020 interview with Lt. Col. Dan Rooney about American Dunes

Lt. Col. Dan Rooney on the incredible golf coming to American Dunes Golf Club

7 Weekly Recap: Meet those who helped stop church shooter, AI in jobs & more

28 June 2025 at 12:43

Hey, you're busy we get it.

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

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

Here are the big stories from the week beginning June 23.

Meet the people who helped stop a mass shooter at a church in Wayne last weekend

7 News Detroit has been leading the way covering the mass shooting that was stopped at a church in Wayne last weekend. Throughout the days after the situation, we have spoken with the security guard who helped take down the shooter, a victim who also helped stop the shooter and was shot in the leg, and the man who first encountered the shooter and hit him with his truck.

You can check out all of the stories in the videos below.

Church security guard speaks out after shooting and killing armed man

Church security guard speaks out after shooting and killing armed man

Church member who was shot confronting gunman in Wayne shares story

Church member who was shot confronting gunman in Wayne shares story

ManΒ who hit church gunman with truck speaks exclusively with 7 News Detroit

Man who hit church gunman with truck speaks exclusively with 7 News Detroit Fireworks season is almost upon us in metro Detroit: Here's what you need to know to celebrate safely Fireworks season is almost upon us in metro Detroit: Here's what you need to know to celebrate safely

Fireworks season in Michigan is almost here, and while every year, metro Detroiters tell us how much they enjoy the personal displays, first responders tell us how dangerous it can be.

And if you don't know the rules, it could end up costing you more than you think.

Patrick Misfud owns exotic fireworks in Dearborn Heights, and has a variety of products.

"I try to tell my customers not to wait until the last week, but they all wait until the last week for whatever reason, so it's all just a mad rush at the end because that's just the way it is with fireworks," Patrick said. "For little kids that start at like 25 cents all the way up to grand finales that cost $200 - 300."

And if you use fireworks, it's important to know the law.

Under the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, you have to be 18 years or older to buy fireworks, and they can only be used on private property. It's illegal to use them on streets, roads and public parks.

State law also allows fireworks on the days above between 11 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. But you'll want to check your local ordinance, as your city or township may have additional restrictions.

You also need a license from the state to sell fireworks. Without it, the store can't legally sell you fireworks. You'll want to look out for it and make sure that it has the current year. Otherwise, you might not know what you're buying.

Financial expert speaks on impact of 'Buy Now, Pay Later' loans on your credit score Financial expert speaks on impact of 'Buy Now, Pay Later' loans on your credit score

You may have seen it before: when you go to buy those concert tickets, book a flight, or buy clothes, even groceries, the option to buy now and pay later.

Experts say Buy Now Pay Later loans are becoming more popular among Americans, and soon it could impact your credit score.Β This comes after FICO announced plans to launch two separate credit scores in the fall that include Buy Now Pay Later data, giving lenders a better picture of a consumer's repayment history. And Fico is the first leading credit score company to do this.

"Traditionally, when a consumer has paid these type of loans off, they haven't got any credit on their credit scores that they paid a loan off. If everything's reported to the credit agencies, they will get credit for it, so that may help," said financial planner Rick Bloom.

Bloom says his No. 1 concern with this type of loan is the potential to overspend.

"Sometimesconsumers don't realize how much they're borrowing, and they put themselves in a difficult position by having too many outstanding loans," Rick said.

That's why he encourages shoppers to think twice before borrowing money. Know if there are any significant fees involved, such as late fees, and really decide if the item is something you can afford.

Camp Joy gives kids tools to talk about mental health and emotions Camp Joy gives kids tools to talk about mental health and emotions

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults ages 10-34, according to the CDC. When this issue hit close to home for one young woman in Northville, she made it her mission to change how young people talk about and address mental health.

Camp Joy may look like a typical summer camp, but for the kids there, the games and activities are tools for something much deeper.

While the signs of summer camp are all around, with activities like tie-dye and horse painting, what sets Camp Joy apart is that kids are also talking about their emotions.

"The circle of control is how we're going to teach ourselves how to understand and how to manage the feelings that come with this in our control and out of our control," said Madelyn Wessner, a camp counselor.

It was the second year that Olivia attended the camp, and she says it's taught her a lot about herself and how she interacts with others.

"You have challenges, and some people just don't believe, but, like, that you're just a kid and it doesn't really matter, but like when you went to Camp Joy, everyone, like, cares even if you're just a kid," said Olivia.

Getting young people talking about mental health and finding ways to cope is why Hannah Jahshan started Camp Joy and her non-profitΒ A Pathway to Joy.

"I saw that the community needed support. I saw that so many people were hurting, and I didn't understand why it wasn't getting better," Jahshan said.

Paddy Lynch, new owner of Dakota Inn Rathskeller, aims to preserve iconic Detroit spots Paddy Lynch, new owner of Dakota Inn Rathskeller, aims to preserve iconic Detroit spots

Among the multiple people who are helping shape the new Detroit, one man's profile is quickly rising.

Paddy Lunch is making his mark by preserving the past. Lynch, whose family is famous in metro Detroit for running multiple funeral homes, is the new owner of the Dakota Inn Rathskeller on John R.

Inside the Dakota Inn, there are a million things to see. Lynch said in the 1930s, the original owner, Karl Kurz, bought a room in a Chinese laundry and turned it into a German bar.

In addition to Lynch's day job running the funeral home, he has also taken over the iconic Schvitz on Oakland Ave., and Dutch Girl Donuts on Woodward.

Its important to recognize the struggle. Its also important to recognize the resilience. A lot of the places that Im fortunate to sort of look after are places that in most ways have stood the test of time," Lynch said.

But why the Detroit icons hes chosen? He says theyre all personal to him.

The Schvitz represents in some ways my history of like, being able to take a break from funeral service and just unwind and sweat it out. And the Dakotas the type of place you can come and have a drink with a friend and unwind. A donut is a little piece of joy for a couple minutes," Lynch said.

How AI is being used in the hiring process, and how job seekers can get their foot in the door How AI is being used in the hiring process, and how job seekers can get their foot in the door

It's safe to say Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we live our lives, including how we apply for jobs. That's because it's become a tool to build resumes and screen applications, affecting both job seekers and employers.

A recent study conducted by the recruiting agency, Kelly Services, shows that out of a thousand job seekers in the U.S., nearly 80 percent are using AI in the application process. Most of the job seekers are using it to build resumes and find openings, while others are using it to write cover letters and prepare for interviews.

But it's not just job seekers using AI, hiring managers are using it, too.

That same study found that out of roughly 1,000 managers in the U.S., 66 percent say their company uses AI to screen applications.

"They want to use AI to get things faster, look at resumes faster, interview faster, but I still want to make the decision," said Mark Saltrelli.

Mark, the vice president of engineering and recruiting at Kelly Services, says at the end of the day you still need to make sure you are who you say you are and be able to talk about your experience.

"To really differentiate yourself, you still need that people aspect," Mark said. "You still need to validate that you've done the job well, and others can refer you into it."

But Chelsea says sometimes the hardest part is getting past those automated screenings.

"It was how I was formatting it, and the terminology I was using," Chelsea said. It looks good in general, but for this specific job, if it's going to get through to a person, it has to say specific words. I guess it just opened my eyes up to, for a lack of a better term, the job search can be a game that you have to play, and I think that AI has helped me do that."

Tariffs force Nike to boost prices, costing customers $1 billion

28 June 2025 at 12:38

After athletic retailer Nike announced plans to raise prices on many items, Nike Chief Financial Officer Michael Friend told investors this week that tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump will cost customers $1 billion.

"Nike has consistently been a top payer of U.S. duties, with an average duty rate on footwear imported into the United States in the mid-teens range," Friend said. "Therefore, these tariffs represent a new and meaningful cost headwind, and we are taking actions that balance the consumer, our partners, our Win Now actions as well as the long-term positioning of our brands in the marketplace."

RELATED STORY | Nike footwear prices set to rise; analysts cite impact of import taxes

Nike previously stated that prices for many items would increase across various shoe models. Footwear priced between $100 and $150 will rise by approximately $5, while shoes costing more than $150 will see increases of up to $10. According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, over 96% of footwear in the U.S. is imported. Nearly 42% of shoes worn in the U.S. come from China. President Trump has imposed a 30% tariff on goods from China and a 10% tax on imports from other countries. Nearly 31% of shoes worn in the U.S. are made in Vietnam.

Nike says that 16% of its footwear sold in the U.S. is made in China. To offset costs, Nike said it plans to reallocate some of its manufacturing to other locations.

According to Friend, Nike hopes to bring down its Chinese footwear mix in the U.S. to the high single-digit range by the end of its 2026 fiscal year. Friend's comments came as the White House has attempted to iron out a trade agreement with China. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Bloomberg TV that the U.S. has signed a trade agreement with China, but details of that agreement have not been announced.

RELATED STORY | Tariffs drive up fireworks prices ahead of Fourth of July: Tips to save for your celebrations

What's next for birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court's ruling

28 June 2025 at 11:27

The legal battle over President Donald Trump's move to end birthright citizenship is far from over despite the Republican administration's major victory Friday limiting nationwide injunctions.

Immigrant advocates are vowing to fight to ensure birthright citizenship remains the law as the Republican president tries to do away with more than a century of precedent.

The high court's ruling sends cases challenging the president's birthright citizenship executive order back to the lower courts. But the ultimate fate of the president's policy remains uncertain.

Here's what to know about birthright citizenship, the Supreme Court's ruling and what happens next.

What does birthright citizenship mean?

Birthright citizenship makes anyone born in the United States an American citizen, including children born to mothers in the country illegally.

RELATED STORY | Here's everything the Supreme Court ruled on this Friday

The practice goes back to soon after the Civil War, when Congress ratified the Constitutions 14th Amendment, in part to ensure that Black people, including former slaves, had citizenship.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, the amendment states.

Thirty years later, Wong Kim Ark, a man born in the U.S. to Chinese parents, was refused re-entry into the U.S. after traveling overseas. His suit led to the Supreme Court explicitly ruling that the amendment gives citizenship to anyone born in the U.S., no matter their parents legal status.

It has been seen since then as an intrinsic part of U.S. law, with only a handful of exceptions, such as for children born in the U.S. to foreign diplomats.

Trump has long said he wants to do away with birthright citizenship

Trump's executive order, signed in January, seeks to deny citizenship to children who are born to people who are living in the U.S. illegally or temporarily. It's part of the hardline immigration agenda of the president, who has called birthright citizenship a magnet for illegal immigration.

Trump and his supporters focus on one phrase in the amendment subject to the jurisdiction thereof saying it means the U.S. can deny citizenship to babies born to women in the country illegally.

A series of federal judges have said thats not true, and issued nationwide injunctions stopping his order from taking effect.

Ive been on the bench for over four decades. I cant remember another case where the question presented was as clear as this one is. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour said at a hearing earlier this year in his Seattle courtroom.

RELATED STORY | Trump emboldened after Supreme Court limits nationwide injunctions

In Greenbelt, Maryland, a Washington suburb, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman wrote that the Supreme Court has resoundingly rejected and no court in the country has ever endorsed Trumps interpretation of birthright citizenship.

Is Trump's order constitutional? The justices didn't say

The high court's ruling was a major victory for the Trump administration in that it limited an individual judge's authority in granting nationwide injunctions. The administration hailed the ruling as a monumental check on the powers of individual district court judges, whom Trump supporters have argued want to usurp the president's authority with rulings blocking his priorities around immigration and other matters.

But the Supreme Court did not address the merits of Trump's bid to enforce his birthright citizenship executive order.

The Trump administration made a strategic decision, which I think quite clearly paid off, that they were going to challenge not the judges decisions on the merits, but on the scope of relief, said Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor.

Attorney General Pam Bondi told reporters at the White House that the administration is very confident that the high court will ultimately side with the administration on the merits of the case.

Questions and uncertainty swirl around next steps

The justices kicked the cases challenging the birthright citizenship policy back down to the lower courts, where judges will have to decide how to tailor their orders to comply with the new ruling. The executive order remains blocked for at least 30 days, giving lower courts and the parties time to sort out the next steps.

The Supreme Court's ruling leaves open the possibility that groups challenging the policy could still get nationwide relief through class-action lawsuits and seek certification as a nationwide class. Within hours after the ruling, two class-action suits had been filed in Maryland and New Hampshire seeking to block Trumps order.

But obtaining nationwide relief through a class action is difficult as courts have put up hurdles to doing so over the years, said Suzette Malveaux, a Washington and Lee University law school professor.

Its not the case that a class action is a sort of easy, breezy way of getting around this problem of not having nationwide relief, said Malveaux, who had urged the high court not to eliminate the nationwide injunctions.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who penned the court's dissenting opinion, urged the lower courts to act swiftly on such requests for relief and to adjudicate the cases as quickly as they can so as to enable this Courts prompt review" in cases challenging policies as blatantly unlawful and harmful as the Citizenship Order.

Opponents of Trump's order warned there would be a patchwork of polices across the states, leading to chaos and confusion without nationwide relief.

Birthright citizenship has been settled constitutional law for more than a century," said Krish OMara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge, a nonprofit that supports refugees and migrants. By denying lower courts the ability to enforce that right uniformly, the Court has invited chaos, inequality, and fear.

NFL coach Jim Harbaugh added to lawsuit about hacking allegations against former assistant

28 June 2025 at 00:24

NFL coach Jim Harbaugh was added Friday to a lawsuit against the University of Michigan and a former assistant football coach who is accused of hacking into the computer accounts of college athletes across the U.S. to look for intimate photos.

Attorneys claim Harbaugh, who was Michigan's coach, and others knew that Matt Weiss was seen viewing private information on a computer in December 2022 but still allowed him to continue working as co-offensive coordinator in a national playoff game roughly a week later.

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel and other officials were also added to the lawsuit in federal court in Detroit.

The university's delay in taking meaningful protective action until after a high-stakes game sends a clear message: Student welfare was secondary, said Parker Stinar, who is the lead lawyer in a class-action lawsuit arising from a criminal investigation of Weiss.

Messages seeking comment from Manuel and Harbaugh, who is currently the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, were not immediately returned Friday.

Separately, Weiss has been charged with identity theft and unauthorized computer access from 2015 to 2023. The indictment says he got access to the social media, email and cloud storage accounts of more than 2,000 college athletes, as well as more than 1,300 students or alumni from schools across the U.S., to find private images, primarily of women. He has pleaded not guilty.

Had Harbaugh implemented basic oversight of his staff, plaintiffs and the class would have been protected against predators such as Weiss, the updated lawsuit states. Instead, Weiss was a highly compensated asset that was promoted by and within the football program, from which position he was able to, and did, target female student athletes.

The lawsuit says a staff member saw Weiss viewing private information at Schembechler Hall, headquarters for the football team, around Dec. 21, 2022, and reported it before Michigan played Texas Christian University in a playoff game days later on Dec. 31.

Weiss was fired a few weeks later in January 2023 during an investigation of his computer use.

Earlier this year, after charges were filed, Harbaugh told reporters that he didn't know anything about Weiss' troubles until after the playoff game. He said the allegations were "shocking."

Weiss worked for Harbaugh's brother, John, on the coaching staff of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens before joining the Michigan team in 2021.

The lawsuit says Weiss university computer had encryption software that had to be disabled by an external vendor as part of the investigation. Authorities disclosed in April that thousands of intimate photos and videos were found on his electronic devices and cloud storage accounts.

October 7th attacks continue to fray LGBTQ+ Jewish communities, 20 months on

28 June 2025 at 00:23

For LGBTQ+ Jews, annual Pride Month celebrations were once a treasured safe space but not anymore.

"I've never felt more excluded in an inclusive space. More than angering me or being demoralizing it was depressing," Yuval David said.

Yuval David and Yoav Davis tell Scripps News anecdote after anecdote: Death threats. Physical altercations. Cancelled events. A Brooklyn interfaith pride service cancelled this month at synagogue supportive of Israel.

For Davis, his identities are now duelling.

"Before October 7, I would consider myself first of all gay, then Jewish, then Israeli. And today, post October 7, I feel like I'm first of all Jewish, and then Israeli and then gay," Davis said. "And the reason is, I believe that a person kind of identifies who he is by the parts within him that are most targeted and most discriminated against. And I feel like today being Jewish and being Israeli is far more controversial and far more dangerous than just being gay."

Eshel, an LGBTQ+ Jewish group, surveyed the community over the last two years and found they are experiencing alienation at incredibly high rates.

90% of LGBTQ+ Jews surveyed said when they participated in online queer spaces they were either "Kicked out, "Blocked," "Experienced verbal harassment," or "Made to feel uncomfortable."

"People being extremely cruel to each other online. There was a lot of that. There's also some people in our community were attacked physically, you know, yelled at publicly," says Miryam Kabakov, who co-founded Eshel.

43% say they've disengaged from online LGBTQ+ spaces and 41% say they've removed themselves from in person spaces.

But the fraying didn't start with this war.

In 2017 the Chicago Dyke March banned pride flags with Stars of David. Two years later the D.C. Dyke March did the same.

Now the NYC Dyke March is labeling itself antizionist.

Kabakov says such celebrations were crucial to her.

"It was a very big part of my coming out," Kabakov said. "And to know that thousands and thousands of women are banning other women from marching and from participating in this huge celebration is just it's kind of devastating, and it's very it feel, you feel really, really alone."

"Those who seek the most amount of tolerance end up becoming the most intolerant of people who don't completely agree with them," David said. "That makes me sad as a progressive liberal."

RELATED STORY | Trump administration will close dedicated LGBTQ+ suicide prevention hotline in July

Over the last two years David documented on social media his experience at DC Pride.

"My camera girl was punched. My Jewish pride flag was broken and stolen. People spit on us. People threw things at us. Somebody ran up and stole some of our signs. They ran up to one of the women and pulled her backpack and knocked her down to the ground," David said.

But for these Jews, there is a silver lining. Queer LGBTQ+ Jews supportive of Israel are seeking new shared spaces to connect.

"When a minority is threatened, their reaction is to stick together because they don't know who they can trust, aside from themselves," Davis said.

Still, they hope those in the wider LGBTQ+ community who might not have considered their plight see that it's not all that different than their own.

"The same hate the Jewish community is facing is not that different than the hate that the LGBTQ+ community faced when it started its revolution and liberation, because what people hated and what people are fearful from are the same thing, the things they don't know," Davis said.

2 killed, including a child, and 1 injured after shooting at Detroit park

27 June 2025 at 23:20

DETROIT (WXYZ) Two people were killed, including a child, and a third person was injured after a shooting at a Detroit park Friday evening, police said.

The shooting happened around 6:20 p.m. at Skinner Playfield in the area of Duchess Street and Morang Avenue, near Denby High School.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report below: 2 killed, including a child, and 1 injured after shooting at Detroit park

According to Police Chief Todd Bettison, a 4-year-old was fatally shot in the back. An 18-year-old man was also shot and killed.

A 17-year-old boy was shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Watch Police Chief Todd Bettison provide information about the shooting below: Police provide details after shooting in Detroit

Bettison said after receiving 911 calls, officers responded to the scene in about two minutes.

Two persons of interest were taken into custody, the chief said.

Watch Chopper 7 above the scene in the video player below: Chopper 7 over shooting scene at Skinner Playfield in Detroit

"Anyone time you have a 4-year-old, a young person of that age fatally wounded all life is valuable, but this one right here particularly gets to me and so I'm very, very disturbed by this," Bettison said.

Detroit homicide detectives are investigating the shooting. They were canvassing the neighborhood, talking to witnesses and looking for video to help with the investigation.

"We're asking the public, anyone who may have been here, saw something to give us the information (or call) Crime Stoppers 1-800-SPEAK-UP or you can call our homicide section. We're going to ensure we work this case relentlessly to bring the perpetrators to justice," Bettison said.

What exactly led up to the shooting is unknown at this time.

Correction: Detroit police provided a correction to information they told media Friday night. Hours after the shooting, they told us that the third victim died. They later said that person is still alive.

Authorities arrest fugitive who police say posted on social media following New Orleans jailbreak

27 June 2025 at 23:15

Louisiana authorities captured on Friday one of the 10 men who escaped from a New Orleans jail six weeks ago and who police say released videos on social media while still on the run.

State police said Antoine Massey, 33, was taken into custody at a residence in New Orleans. Authorities had recently investigated social media posts by a man who identified himself as Massey and earlier this month raided a New Orleans home where they believed the videos were produced but did not find him.

Great work by all our law enforcement partners who have been working so hard for this outcome, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said. One more to go!

Authorities are still searching for convicted murderer Derrick Groves. Police previously captured the other eight escapees following the May 16 jailbreak, one of the largest in recent U.S. history. Authorities said the men yanked open a faulty cell door inside the New Orleans jail, squeezed through a hole behind a toilet, scaled a barbed-wire fence and fled into the dark.

The men's absence wasnt discovered until a morning headcount, hours after they bolted for freedom. Authorities found a message drawn around the hole the men used to escape: an arrow pointing at the gap and the words To Easy LoL.

RELATED STORY | New Orleans jail escapee who is still at large posts videos on social media

Officials have pointed to multiple security lapses in the jail, but authorities remain adamant that the men also had likely had help. A maintenance worker at the jail was arrested for allegedly helping the men escape by turning off the water to the toilet where the hole was cut behind. His lawyer says he has denied knowingly aiding them.

Massey, 33, faced charges of rape, kidnapping, domestic violence involving strangulation and violation of a protective order, authorities in nearby St. Tammany Parish said. In Orleans Parish, he faced charges of motor vehicle theft and domestic battery.

Murrill said Massey will face additional charges for his role in the escape.

A woman police identified as being in an on-again, off-again relationship with Massey was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice and as a principal to aggravated escape, court records show. Authorities said the woman knew of Masseys escape plans beforehand, communicated with him afterward and misled authorities.

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