A coin flip and random drawing determined the winner of a tied school board race in Mt. Clemens on Wednesday.

Rashidah Hammond and Alex Bronson both received 3,495 votes in the race, tying for the fourth and final open school board position.

Because of that, the Macomb County clerk had to hold the tiebreaker, which took place on Wednesday.

How did the tiebreaker work? Well, a coin toss was held, determining which candidate would stick their hand to pull out a sheet of paper that either said "elected" or "not elected."

Hammond won the coin toss, and then pulled out the piece of paper that said "elected," meaning she was elected to the board.

You can watch the entire process in the video below Coin flip, random drawing determines winner in tied Mount Clemens school board race

After the drawing, both candidates shook hands and spoke to 7 News Detroit.

Hear from Hammon and Bronson in the videos below Rashidah Hammond speaks after winning Mt. Clemens School Board race Alex Bronson speaks after winning Mt. Clemens School Board race

Comcast's corporate reorganization means that there will soon be two television networks with NBC in their name CNBC and MSNBC that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News.

How that affects viewers of those networks, along with the people who work there, still needs to shake out. Their new corporate leader, Mark Lazarus, visited the set of MSNBC's Morning Joe as the plan was being announced on Wednesday and spoke to network staff members during a morning conference call to address concerns.

Comcast is spinning off most of its cable networks, also including USA, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and the Golf Channel, into a separate company. That recognizes how streaming is considered the future and the cable networks are a drag on the bottom line.

In the space of a lifetime, the networks went from upstarts aside a legacy operation like NBC to profitable superstars to castoffs.

Questions range from the simple to complex

Lazarus, chairman of the NBC Universal Media Group, is becoming CEO of the newly-formed company of cable networks, temporarily dubbed SpinCo. Cesar Conde, who as NBC Universal News Group chairman had oversight of CNBC and MSNBC, will lose those networks from his portfolio, yet remain in charge of NBC News, NBC News Now streaming, Telemundo and the news operations of the NBC-owned local stations.

The presence of Lazarus and Anand Kini, who will be chief operating officer and chief financial officer of SpinCo, is a good sign for the new company, said Jessica Reif Ehrlich, research analyst for the Bank of America. You can't dismiss it as getting rid of the crappy assets, because these are talented executives, she said.

At MSNBC, questions about the future range from the simple will it even keep its name? to the complex.

MSNBC's staff and studios are based in the same Rockefeller Center offices as NBC News, and it was unclear on Wednesday whether they will remain or move elsewhere, Lazarus told MSNBC employees.

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MSNBC's relationship with NBC News has caused some awkwardness, particularly as the network has become known for its stable of liberal commentators while still attached to a news division that stresses impartiality. For much of MSNBC's broadcast day, NBC News journalists like Katy Tur, Jose Diaz-Balart, Chris Jansing and a host of reporters appear on the network.

It's unclear whether arrangements could be made for that cross-pollination to continue where will Steve Kornacki land, for example? or if MSNBC will bear the expense of building out its own newsgathering operation or lean more heavily into commentary.

It's a nervous time at MSNBC for other reasons. The network has seen a dramatic drop in viewership since Donald Trump's election victory, although it is common that news networks that appeal primarily to one side of a political divide lose viewers when their candidates are defeated. History shows most viewers return, and MSNBC executives anticipate that.

Less clear is whether a second Trump administration will make life difficult. Trump ally Steve Bannon, on his radio show last week, sent out a specific warning to the network's anchors and producers. You better be worried, he said. You better lawyer up.

A bittersweet thing?

CNBC launched in 1989, while MSNBC started in 1996. They have seemed inextricably bound with the broadcast network since, and the sharing of legal, promotional, technical and other support is something else that needs to be worked out.

With its financial concentration, CNBC has been more independent of NBC News than its cable brethren. With offices in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., its operation is even physically separate. However, NBC News often taps CNBC reporters for their business expertise on broadcast and its streaming service.

I completely empathize with people who think this would be a bittersweet thing, Lazarus said, according to MSNBC. I think it's exciting because very few times in life you get to have the opportunity to be part of what I'll call a well-funded startup.

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Despite the old-school nature of a company of cable properties, Comcast executives are bullish on its prospects, noting that many of them produce profits individually. And there's the potential for buying other networks undervalued by big media companies.

Andrew Ross Sorkin, host of CNBC's Squawk Box, said on Morning Joe Wednesday that the two cable news networks produce extraordinary profits" for Comcast that are not being reinvested in cable properties.

"If you could take that money that's coming off of these channels and invest in the businesses as an independent entity, what will that ultimately look like"?" Sorkin asked. Could you use that money to go make other acquisitions? Could you make investments in the business itself? That's the big question.

One piece of advice from Bank of America's Ehrlich: Keep the names. Those are pretty big brand names, she said. I would not advise them to change.

When was the last time you saw something online or in a store and immediately thought, "I've got to have that?"

If you're in that group, you're part of the 54% of Americans who said they made an impulse purchase last holiday season, according to a new survey from Bankrate.

Of those surveyed, 46% of those surveyed said they made that purchase for a friend or family member, while only 28% made it for themselves.

"The only thing an impulse buy really is, is it's an unplanned purchase," said Darrin Duber-Smith, a marketing professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

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Duber-Smith said the phenomenon happens primarily due to emotions that have been "primed" by marketing companies. Through an influx of ads, marketers can tap into the subconscious of consumers. Then, when there's a sale or deal that makes the item seem even more enticing, the purchase is made without much thought.

"We're complicated," Duber-Smith said. "There's a lot of sociological, psychological, and situational, and marketing factors really the four primary influences on consumer behavior."

Dan Cohen is one of those people. Last weekend, he bought a custom Philadelphia Eagles t-shirt after two of the team's defensive backs were shown wearing it ahead of their game against the Dallas Cowboys.

RELATED STORY | Holiday spending is expected to grow this year but at a rate slower than last, retail group says

"I think I've been drawn to buying Eagles merch because I feel such a strong emotional tie to the team, but also I'm not there," Cohen, a New Jersey native living in Kansas City, said. "Whether that's rational behavior is for someone else to tell me."

The Bankrate survey showed 44% of respondents made the impulse purchase because they thought it was a good deal. The next highest reported reason, according to 38% of respondents, was because they thought it would make a good gift for someone else.

To curb this type of spending, experts suggest budgeting for such purchases so the money is accounted for or waiting a day or two before revisiting the item to see if you still really want it.

Another way you can curb impulse spending is to buy in cash and only cash. Research shows it's much easier to mindlessly swipe a credit card than it is to hand over physical bills.

The only thing better than Thanksgiving dinner is the leftovers. But if your journey home after the holiday involves flying, you might need to leave your to-go plate behind.

The Transportation Security Administration is reminding passengers that while most food can go through its checkpoints, there are some things that will need to be put in checked bags or left behind.

Solid food items are generally fine. However, TSA said if you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it and its larger than 3.4 ounces then it should go in a checked bag.

Some examples of things that can go through TSA:

Baked goods like pies, brownies and cakes Meats including turkey and ham, even if they aren't cooked Stuffing Casseroles Mac and cheese

Here are some things you can NOT bring through TSA:

Cranberry sauce, even the canned kind Gravy Wine, obviously Canned goods Preserves, jams and jellies

Most food items need additional screening, so TSA said to make sure they are easily accessible in your carry-on before you go through a checkpoint.

As for food safety when traveling with leftovers, the Food and Drug Administration said food should be kept around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Matt Gaetz says he is removing himself from consideration to be the next attorney general.

In a stunning announcement, Gaetz said on Thursday, "It was clear my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition."

Last week, President-elect Donald Trump nominated Matt Gaetz for attorney general, a decision that was quickly criticized by both Democrats and Republicans. On Thursday, Trump thanked Gaetz for his efforts to try and secure the support of the senators needed for confirmation.

"Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do," Trump said on Truth Social.

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Gaetz's future in politics is unclear as he resigned from Congress after learning about his nomination. That decision was also highly criticized because it came as the House Ethics Committee was going to potentially release a report about Gaetz's alleged wrongdoing.

Sen. John Fetterman reacts to Matt Gaetz withdrawing AG nomination

The committee has been investigating allegations of sexual misconduct involving Gaetz, including with a 17-year-old, along with accusations of illicit drug use and the alleged acceptance of improper gifts all things the former congressman denies.

Speaker Mike Johnson said the report shouldn't be released since Gaetz was no longer part of the House of Representatives.

RELATED STORY | Here's who Trump has asked to join his administration

On Wednesday, the committee was deadlocked on whether to release the report.

"This committee is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans," said Democratic Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, ranking member of the committee. "In order to affirmatively move something forward, somebody has to cross party lines and vote with the other side which happens a lot, by the way. And we often vote unanimously. That did not happen in today's vote."

Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trumps pick for attorney general following continued scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer.

The abrupt withdrawal is a setback to Trumps push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration, but also a recognition of the resistance the Republican is already encountering from members of his own party to picks with checkered backgrounds. By bowing out, Gaetz averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation battle that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to confirm Trump's Cabinet selections.

The Florida Republican's announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department.

While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition, Gaetz said in a statement announcing his decision. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus Ill be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trumps DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.

Trump, in a social media post, said: I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!

Gaetzs announcement came days after an attorney for two women said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman.

One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didnt think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18.

Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and said last year that the Justice Departments investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him.

Gaetzs political future is uncertain, at the moment.

He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected to be as attorney general. That move was seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Republicans on the committee declined this week to release its findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter.

Gaetz did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025. But its unclear whether he would take office. There are plans for a special election in Florida for his seat.

_____

Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report.

Our Grant Me Hope child this week is 14-year-old Jaheim, who said he wants to be a surgeon or a lawyer when he grows up.

According to the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange, Jaheim's favorite subject in school is health class.

If he had three wishes, he's wish for wealth, happiness and most of all, a family.

Jaheim has a big heart and has a strong desire to be part of a family, says an adult close to him.

Jaheim also loves playing video games, playing basketball and football, and is part of a reading club.

According to one of the adults who knows him best, Jaheim is an outgoing young man who values connection and relationships. Jaheim is very resilient. He has a big heart and carries a lot of emotions. He has a contagious laugh and a smile that can make anyone feel better.

Jaheim would do best with two parents who are experienced, and trauma informed. Hed do best in a stable and structured home environment. His new forever family must advocate for the services that will help Jaheim excel. He would do best as the only child in his new family. Jaheim loves animals, so hed love a family with pets. Lastly, his family must support ongoing communication with his sister.

For more information about Jaheim, visit the MARE website, and view a list of waiting children there. You can see more stories on our Grant Me Hope page.

The nine finalists have been announced for the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of Year (NACTOY) awards.

Those awards will be announced at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show. We will stream the results of the awards live as they are announced at the Auto Show.

Here are the nine 2025 vehicles:

Car of the Year Finalists

Honda Civic Hybrid Kia K4 Toyota Camry

Truck of the Year Finalists

Ford Ranger Ram 1500 Toyota Tacoma

Utility Vehicle of the Year Finalists

Chevrolet Equinox EV Hyundai Santa Fe Volkswagon ID. Buzz

These vehicles were voted on 50 automotive journalists across the U.S. and Canada. Jurors will evaluate the finalist vehicles in the coming weeks before the Auto Show announcement.

You can purchase tickets to the Auto Show at this link.

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The Detroit Auto Show announced on Thursday it is partnering with the Detroit Grand Prix for "Racing Day" during one day of the show.

According to auto show officials, racing day will take place on Friday, Jan. 17 at Huntington Place, and is the collaboration of two iconic Detroit brands.

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During racing day, the auto show will feature interactive Detroit Grand Prix display areas both on the floor of the auto show itself and in the concourse area of Huntington Place, which is free and open to the public.

This year, the auto show will also feature two indoor tracks for ride-and-drives. On racing day, the Detroit Grand Prix-themed track will be active and dedicated to Racing Day programming.

The Detroit Grand Prix embodies innovation and the spirit of Detroit, Detroit Auto Show Co-Executive Direct Sam Klemet, Co-Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Show. We are thrilled to have a partnership with the Detroit Grand Prix and bring this amazing experience of Racing Day to the 2025 Detroit Auto Show.

Were excited to partner with the Detroit Auto Show and bring together two great Detroit traditions, Detroit Grand Prix President Michael Montri added in a statement. For many years, Racing Day was a popular attraction at the Detroit Auto Show and we look forward to bringing this tradition back to the Motor City with some of the high-powered stars and cool race cars that take center stage every summer at the Detroit Grand Prix.

Attendees will also have a chance to interact with some of the top drivers from the NTT IndyCar Series and Indy NXT by Firestone.

More announcements are expected in the coming weeks regarding Racing Day.

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

Circle K is offering a 40-cent discount on all types of gas for National Fuel Day, but there's a catch: the discount is only available for three hours.

Drivers must visit Circle K between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday to get the discount, which will be applied directly at the pump.

Circle K has thousands of locations across the country. Click here to find your nearest location.

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The discount comes as people prepare for one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.

An estimated 79.9 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the week of Thanksgiving, according to the auto club AAA. Most of them 71.7 million will be traveling by car, AAA estimates.

Lower gas prices appear to be helping drive the travel boom. As of Thursday, the average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. is $3.06, a drop of 20 cents from this time last year.

RELATED STORY | Americans 'enthusiastic' about traveling this holiday season

People in Oklahoma are currently paying less for gas than others across the country. The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the state is $2.56. Unfortunately, there are no Circle K locations in Oklahoma.

California and Hawaii have the highest average gas prices, at around $4.50 per gallon of unleaded. There are Circle K locations in both states.

As President-elect Donald Trump named his nominee for the United States' ambassador to Canada, Canada's provincial and territorial leaders are calling for a new trade pact.

On Wednesday, Trump said he will nominate former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra as his ambassador to Canada. Hoekstra was an 18-year member of Congress representing Michigan and chaired the House Intelligence Committee for two terms. He was also the United States ambassador to the Netherlands under Trump from 2018-2021.

With the U.S. and Canada sharing the world's longest international border, the two nations are key trade partners. The North American Free Trade Agreement came to an end during the first Trump administration, and was replaced by the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement. That agreement is subject for renegotiation during Trump's second term.

The agreement kept much of the same language as NAFTA, but allowed the U.S. to export more dairy products into Canada. In exchange, Canada could export peanuts, processed peanut products, and a limited amount of products made with sugar into the U.S.

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed on Thursday it is time for Canada to renegotiate the agreement.

"As everyone here knows, there is no partnership more important to the economic success of Ontario and Canada than our close ties with the United States," Ford said. "As we head into the review of the USMCA, our government is doing everything we can to strengthen and grow our historic partnership. We are continuing to build relationships with our U.S. counterparts at all levels of government and all political stripes driving home the message that we need to reject protectionism and promote a buy Can-AM approach. Because while free-trade is essential to economic growth, free trade has to be fair."

RELATED STORY | Poll: Despite Trump win, Americans remain divided on key campaign promises

Ford accused Mexico of becoming a backdoor for cars made in China, which he says is hurting manufacturing in the U.S. and Canada. Ford said he and other provincial leaders are wanting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to consider ending the USMCA in lieu of a direct, one-on-one agreement with the U.S.

"We must prioritize our deepest economic partnership by working directly with the U.S. on a bilateral free-trade agreement that puts Canadian and American workers first with separate discussions for a bilateral agreement with Mexico," Ford said.

Ford's comments come as Trump has proposed massive tariffs on goods imported from China.

Trump has also said he would like to renegotiate the USMCA.

"There are always things that you can do better. I got a clause that gives me the right to re-negotiate [the USMCA]. Who else would think of that except a business person?" Trump told Fox News told host Maria Bartiromo before the 2024 election. "We've been screwed by Mexico and by China and by Canada and by the European Union."

The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office said it will work with the Michigan Attorney General's Office to start an investigation into the Oxford High School shooting.

On Wednesday night, Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams told 7 News Detroit that the office will provide Attorney General Dana Nessel "whatever is necessary" to get an investigation started.

It comes just days after the families of the victims of the shooting held a press conference renewing their call for an independent investigation into the deadly Nov. 30, 2021 shooting.

The AG's office said in a statement to 7 News Detroit on Thursday that they are in discussions with the legislature and governor's office to ensure they have adequate resources for an investigation.

"We look forward to working with the Oakland County Prosecutors Office and Oakland County Sheriffs Department on a timeline for them to provide all the necessary materials relevant to this review," a spokesperson said.

WATCH BELOW: Oxford families renew call for independent investigation nearly 3 years after school shooting Oxford families renew call for investigation 3 years after school shooting

Four students were killed during the shooting: Tate Myre, Justin Shilling, Hana St. Juliana and Madisyn Baldwin. Seven other people were injured.

"We'll fight. We'll fight to our grave. I'm never going to give up this fight," Buck Myre, the father of Tate Myre, said at the press conference.

Related Video: Watch the interview with Buck Myre after the press conference Full interview: Buck Myre talks about the need for an independent investigation into Oxford shooting

The families say they continue the fight in order to make schools safer.

When my kids have kids, I want schools to be better. I want it to be safer for my grandkids, said Buck Myre. "We want the full truth to come out. I know we kind of sound like a broken record but how do we know what to change if we dont do a legit investigation that our state funded schools will recognize."

Steve St. Juliana, Hana's father, said: What were here today trying to drive is looking at the big picture and how do we fix the broken pieces of the system itself. We know theres a lot more there."

In a press conference later on Monday, Nessel said her office has offered the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and Oakland County Prosecutor's Office several times to assist in their investigations, and that their offers were "soundly rejected."

"We offered immediately to help the Oakland County Sheriff's office in their investigation. They declined the sheriff flat-out refused. I asked the Oakland County Prosecutor if they desired or were interested in our help. I offered it over and over and over again and each time the Oakland County Prosecutor refused," said AG Dana Nessel.

Nessel said that they've never withdrawn the offer and that neither the prosecutor's office or sheriff's office has asked the AG's office to help in the investigation. She says per policy her office will not supersede any criminal investigations being handled at the local level without a formal request.

Nessel also said that she doesn't have any more subpoena power than the sheriff's office or prosecutor's office.

"We dont have some specific statute on the books that allows us to have civil authority to launch a civil investigation. We just have the criminal authority. Thats exactly what they have," said Nessel. "So I guess my question is to Sheriff Bouchard: If there are additional things you think need to be investigated and specifically Im talking about any crimes being committed by members of the school board, administration or staff, why didnt you investigate it?"

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard released a statement later on Monday that reads in part, "As we have said from the beginning, we are more than willing to participate in any state review or investigation, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. I told the victims of this tragedy I would support any effort that would answer all questions they have. If the attorney general would like access to our investigative reports or our people, I will happily provide them."

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald then released a statement, saying that her office doesn't have the authority to conduct the investigation the families have asked for.

"We are not aware of any mechanism for our office to refer a matter to the Attorney Generals office when it has not been presented to our office. And what the families are asking for is much broader. We are not aware of any action needed by my office to activate the Attorney Generals authority, but we will do everything possible to enable such an investigation. And my office will fully cooperate with any such investigation," McDonald said in the statement.

Oxford did hire Guidepost Solutions to conduct an investigation, however, the families said that many people refused to cooperate and left key questions unanswered because they didn't have subpoena power.

That investigation was released in October 2023 and was a 572-page report that detailed what district officials may have known about the shooter.

While the report says the district's actions did help save lives and keep students safe with its training and safety protocols, there were certain areas where the district failed.

"... in certain critical areas, individuals at every level of the District, from the Board to the Superintendent and his cabinet to the OHS administration and staff, failed to provide a safe and secure environment. Although only the Shooter is guilty of murder and assault, and his parents will be tried for their alleged gross negligence with respect to their son, the District was responsible for keeping Madisyn, Tate, Justin, Hana and all of the other OHS survivors and students safe and secure at OHS on November 30, 2021, but failed to do so," part of the report said.

The report also said the "tragedy was avoidable" and that district officials often denied responsibility and shifted it elsewhere.

The firm says the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office provided everything they requested.

The live larvae of a rare fruit fly was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection earlier this year, according to the department's Office of Public Affairs.

The larvae was seized off of a traveler arriving from Italy with fresh caper flowers who customs says refused to answer agriculture questions back in June and was referred for a baggage examination.

Officials identified the larvae as a caper fruit fly. Customs says it's only been seized one other time, 20 years ago, in Tampa, Florida.

Authorities say that the larvae belongs to a family of flies that includes the Mediterranean fruit fly, Oriental fruit fly, melon fly, and Mexican fruit fly, considered to be the most dangerous pests in the world.

Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists work hand-in-hand to stop potential threats before they have potential to cause economic damage, said Port Director Fadia Pastilong. Pests like this may be the next introduced species of concern if they go undetected.

The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday overturned actor Jussie Smollett's conviction on allegations that he staged a racist and homophobic attack against himself in downtown Chicago in 2019 and lied to police.

Smollett's appeal argued that a special prosecutor should not have been allowed to intervene after the Cook County state's attorney initially dropped charges. The state's highest court heard arguments in September.

Smollett, who is Black and gay, claimed two men assaulted him, spouted racial and homophobic slurs and tossed a noose around his neck, leading to a massive search for suspects by Chicago police detectives and kicking up an international uproar. Smollett was on the television drama "Empire," which filmed in Chicago, and prosecutors alleged he staged the attack because he was unhappy with the studio's response to hate mail he received.

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A jury convicted him of five counts of disorderly conduct in 2021. Smollett has maintained his innocence.

His attorneys have argued that the case was over when the Cook County state's attorney's office dropped an initial 16 counts of disorderly conduct after Smollett performed community service and forfeited a $10,000 bond.

A grand jury restored charges after a special prosecutor took the case.

Testimony at his trial indicated Smollett paid $3,500 to two men whom he knew from "Empire" to carry out the attack. Prosecutors said he told them what slurs to shout, and to yell that Smollett was in "MAGA country," an apparent reference to the Donald Trump's presidential campaign slogan.

Smollett testified that "there was no hoax" and that he was the victim of a hate crime in his downtown Chicago neighborhood.

He was sentenced to 150 days in jail six of which he served before he was freed pending appeal 30 months of probation and ordered to pay about $130,000 in restitution.

A state appellate court ruling upheld Smollett's conviction, declaring that no one promised Smollett he wouldn't face a fresh prosecution after accepting the original deal.

His attorneys have argued that Smollett has been victimized by a racist and politicized justice system.

Pete Hegseth, the nominee to lead the Defense Department in the next administration, claims the military watered down its fitness requirements to accommodate a directive to allow women to serve in the most physically demanding roles.

"The standards have been lowered," Hegseth said during a Nov. 7 interview on the Sean Ryan Show. "I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles."

But the military has said it did not lower qualification requirements for women to serve in some of the toughest jobs on the battlefield.

Although women have long fought in combat, the Department of Defense officially opened those roles to women in 2016.

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Ash Carter, the defense secretary at the time, said women would still have to prove they could handle the grueling physical demands.

"As long as they qualify and meet the standards, women will now be able to contribute to our mission in ways they could not before," Carter said during a news conference in 2015. "They'll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars and lead infantry soldiers into combat."

In 2022, the Army lowered general physical standards for women and older troops female and male but that only applies to the annual physical fitness exam.

The Army and all of the branches still require women to pass strict fitness tests if they want to take on the most physically challenging specialty jobs, like an Army Ranger or Green Beret.

While only a small number of women have been able to meet the rigorous physical requirements to join those elite ranks, there are now thousands of women serving in positions that were male-only until nine years ago.

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Before that, many fought in the intense battles of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, who flew combat missions in Iraq, says keeping women from the most intense warfare is impractical given the nature of war in the 21st century.

"This idea that you can exclude women from combat is one that really shows (Hegseth's) lack of experience," Duckworth said. "Let's be real, in modern warfare there is no forward line of troops like you had, where you could keep women."

When Duckworth and other senators consider Hegseth's nomination during confirmation hearings, they are likely to press him on what actions, if any, he would take as defense secretary to try to remove women from combat roles.

Two of the nation's largest plumbing repair companies said they expect to be quite busy after Thanksgiving on a day it calls "Brown Friday."

Roto-Rooter said it experiences a 50% increase in call volume the day after Thanksgiving compared to an average Friday. The company also said Thanksgiving weekend has a 21% uptick in business over any other four-day weekend period.

Mr. Rooter also describes the day after Thanksgiving as its busiest of the year. The company said that it's not clogged toilets causing all of the issues, but instead items getting into kitchen drains, clogging lines.

"A typical Thanksgiving dinner puts a far greater demand on your kitchen sink than it receives on a normal day. To make things worse, the type of food that typically gets made during Thanksgiving is exceptional at clogging sinks," Mr. Rooter said.

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"Houses full of holiday guests take extra showers and flush more toilets, so that alone puts a strain on residential drain systems," said Paul Abrams, spokesman for Roto-Rooter. "But once the kitchen gets busy and the sink and disposal receive peelings, rice, poultry skin and oily turkey drippings, things start clogging up fast."

Roto-Rooter issued the following tips to prevent drain trouble during Thanksgiving weekend:

Never pour grease, turkey drippings or cooking oil down drains. They solidify in pipes like candle wax and choke drains. Don't put potato peels, poultry skins, bones, rice or pasta down the garbage disposal. Disposals can handle small quantities of scraps, but most food should go into the trash can or compost pile. Make sure the garbage disposal is running when you add food scraps. Don't flush wet wipes down toilets. Most won't dissolve and may clog drainpipes and sewers. Place plungers in guest bathrooms to save guests the embarrassment of asking for one. Spread out showers and laundry loads so pipes have time to drain.

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Both Roto-Rooter and Mr. Rooter said they'll be fully staffed on Black Friday to assist customers with the plumbing needs.

A piece of conceptual art consisting of a simple banana, duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.2 million at an auction in New York on Wednesday, with the winning bid coming from a prominent cryptocurrency entrepreneur.

Comedian, by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, was a phenomenon when it debuted in 2019 at Art Basel Miami Beach, as festivalgoers tried to make out whether the single yellow piece of fruit affixed to a white wall with silver duct tape was a joke or cheeky commentary on questionable standards among art collectors. At one point, another artist took the banana off the wall and ate it.

The piece attracted so much attention that it had to be withdrawn from view. But three editions sold for between $120,000 and $150,000, according to the gallery handling sales at the time.

Five years later, Justin Sun, founder of cryptocurrency platform TRON, has now paid more than 40 times that higher price point at the Sothebys auction. Or, more accurately, Sun purchased a certificate of authenticity that gives him the authority to duct-tape a banana to a wall and call it Comedian.

The piece attracted heavy attention at the busy auction at Sotheby's, with attendees in the crowded room holding up phones to take photos as two handlers wearing white gloves stood at both sides of the banana.

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Bidding started at $800,000 and within minutes shot up to $2 million, then $3 million, then $4 million, and higher, as the auctioneer, Oliver Barker, joked Don't let it slip away.

Dont miss this opportunity," Barker said. These are words I've never thought I'd say: Five million dollars for a banana.

The final hammer price announced in the room was $5.2 million, which didn't include the about $1 million in auction house fees, paid by the buyer.

In a statement, Sun said the piece represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. But he said the latest version of Comedian" won't last long.

Additionally, in the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture, Sun said.

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Sothebys calls Cattelan among Contemporary Arts most brilliant provocateurs.

He has persistently disrupted the art worlds status quo in meaningful, irreverent, and often controversial ways, the auction house said in a description of Comedian.

The sale came a day after a painting by the Belgian surrealist Ren Magritte sold for $121.2 million, a record for the artist, at a separate auction.

The Empire of Light, an eerie nighttime streetscape below a pale blue daytime sky, sold Tuesday as part of Christies sale of the collection of interior designer Mica Ertegun, who died last year at age 97.

The sale lifts Magritte into the ranks of artists whose works have gone for more than $100 million at auction. Magritte is the 16th member of the club, which also includes Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, according to the market analyst firm Artprice.

The Empire of Light, executed in 1954, was one of 17 versions of the same scene that Magritte painted in oil. Marc Porter, chairman of Christies Americas, called the sale a historic moment in our saleroom.

The $121.2 million price included the auction houses fees. The buyer was a telephone bidder whose identity was not disclosed.

We want to take a moment to celebrate someone very special to us here at Broadcast House.

Assignment Editor Mickey McCanham is retiring after 31 years here at Channel 7.

Mickey is a multi-award-winning journalist who has manned the nerve center of our newsroom  the assignment desk  for the past three decades.

In the overnight and early morning hours, while most of Detroit was sleeping, Mickey was on the hunt for breaking news, working his sources, his relationships and any piece of information at his disposal to get an advantage.

While Mickey was sleeping, a police scanner sat by his bedside, so he wouldn't miss a thing. Over the years, he has served as a mentor to so many people who have come through our newsroom.

Mickey has made so many connections and impacted so many here at WXYZ and out in our community.

We'll miss seeing Mickey every day but we wish him all of the best in retirement!

2024 was a big year for Detroit, and a new list of the best places to travel for 2025 includes the city.

According to Travel + Leisure, Detroit is one of the 50 best places to travel in 2025.

The city was listed as the first place to travel if you're looking for "big city thrills."

"If you werent one of the nearly 800,000 people who hit Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft, 2025 may be the year you join those in the know. The city has its swagger back, as adaptive-reuse and ground-up projects are bringing new energy to its neighborhoods," Paul Brady wrote for Travel + Leisure.

According to the website, the staff vetted 120 contenders.

"To make it on our list requires more than just a hotly anticipated opening or two. These are places that feel of the moment, whether thats because they offer unparalleled access to the outdoors, a cultural immersion you cant find anywhere else, a pulse-quickening hit of excitement, or the sort of blissful luxury only a true five-star property can deliver," the website reads.

Other places to go for "big city thrills" include Hong Kong and Shenzen, China, Marrakesh, Portland, Rome and Sacramento.

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