Russia attacked Ukraine's capital with missiles and drones on Saturday, killing at least one person and wounding 27, a day before talks between Ukraine and the U.S., authorities said.

Explosions boomed across Kyiv as ballistic missiles and drones hit the city. The attack began in the early morning and continued for hours.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday for further talks on ending the nearly four-year war. Zelenskyy told reporters he was on a plane en route to the United States on Saturday afternoon, and would make a stopover in Canada to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Zelenskyy said that he and Trump plan to discuss several issues, including security guarantees and territorial issues in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Tit-for-tat strikes

The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that it carried out a massive strike overnight, using long-range precision-guided weapons from land, air and sea, including Kinzhal hypersonic aeroballistic missiles and drones. It said it targeted energy infrastructure facilities used by Ukraine's forces and military-industrial enterprises.

RELATED STORY | Zelenskyy heads to Florida for high-stakes meeting with Trump amid war stalemate

But several residential buildings were struck in Moscow's attack.

The ministry said that the strike came in response to Ukraines attacks on civilian objects in Russia.

Earlier on Saturday, the ministry said that its air defenses shot down seven Ukrainian drones over the Russian regions of Krasnodar and Adygeya overnight. On Saturday afternoon, the ministry reported that 147 more drones were shot down over a number of Russian regions.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that air defenses intercepted more than 20 drones flying towards the Russian capital on Saturday. He didn't report any damage or casualties. It wasn't immediately clear whether those were included in the Defense Ministry's count.

Poland on alert

Poland scrambled fighter jets and closed airports in Lublin and Rzeszow near the border with Ukraine for several hours during the Russian attacks, the countrys armed forces command said on X. There was no violation of Polish airspace, it said.

Civil aviation authority Pansa said the two airports had since resumed operations. It was unclear what caused the alert in Poland when the Russian attacks were focused on Kyiv, which is far from the border.

Russia targeted Ukraine with 519 drones and 40 missiles, Ukraine's air force said. The main target was energy and civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said. In some districts of the region there is no electricity or heating because of the attacks, he said.

Today Russia demonstrated how it responds to peace talks between Ukraine and the United States on ending Russias war against Ukraine. They carried out massive attacks on Ukraine precisely as we move toward peace negotiations, Zelenskyy told reporters by audio note while traveling. That is Russias response.

Screams as man burns to death

More than 10 residential buildings were damaged, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said in a post on Telegram. People were being evacuated from under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Olena Karpenko, 52, heard a man as he burned to death in the attack. His scream is still in my ears. I cant believe it, she said, weeping.

RELATED STORY | Zelenskyy says consensus reached on many points after peace talks with US

Karpenko said they heard a sudden explosion at the nearby thermal power plant, followed by a stronger blast that shook the windows of her home. Then came the strike on her building.

I saw how the apartment was burning, there was a fire and we heard a mans screams, begging for help," she said.

Two children were among those wounded in the attack, which hit seven locations across the capital, the head of the Kyiv Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, in a statement on Telegram. A body was found under the rubble of one damaged building, he said.

In fact, the entire center of Kyiv was under attack by drones," he said, adding that Russia was sending a message that it is raising the stakes in this war.

It wasnt immediately clear if the person found under the rubble was the man who burned to death.

A fire broke out in an 18-story residential building in the Dnipro district of the city, and emergency crews rushed to the scene to contain the flames. A 24-story residential building in the Darnytsia district was also hit, Tkachenko said, and more fires broke out in the Obolonskyi and Holosiivsky districts.

In the wider Kyiv region, the strikes hit industrial and residential buildings, according to Ukraine's Emergency Service. In the Vyshhorod area, emergency crews rescued one person found under the rubble of a destroyed house.

Security guarantees prioritized

Zelenskyy told reporters he would aim to ensure there were as few unresolved issues as possible in talks with Trump while respecting Ukraine's red lines.

I am confident there are compromise proposals we know the Americans and, obviously, our enemy also always has its own goals, which we know well, he said, speaking by audio note in a WhatsApp chat with journalists.

RELATED STORY | In annual news conference, Putin says military goals will be achieved in Ukraine

Zelenskyy said he would prioritize discussing security guarantees for Ukraine. He has said that in the draft peace plan, the U.S. has committed to providing guarantees that mirror the NATO alliance's Article 5, which means an attack on Ukraine would trigger a collective military response from the U.S. and its allies. But key details must be worked out in a bilateral agreement.

Territorial concessions are the most sensitive of issues the two leaders will discuss, including the Donetsk region and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would never recognize any territory as Russian under any circumstances."

But the most important issue I want to stress today is security guarantees. Beyond territorial issues and the ZNPP (nuclear plant), security guarantees are critically important for us, he said.

Zelenskyy also will speak to European leaders online to brief them on the discussions.

Players in the ECHL, the third tier of professional hockey in North America, went on strike Friday after their union failed to reach an agreement with the league.

Five games scheduled for Friday were postponed, and dozens more set for Saturday and Sunday were scrapped. The league has not said whether the games will be made up after the strike ends.

Unfortunately, union leaders deprived players of the opportunity to vote on our last, best and final offer an offer that would dramatically raise player salaries by 20% in the first year, boost the per diem rate, guarantee more off days and expand the top-of-the-line equipment available to players, the ECHL said in a statement. We did everything possible to avoid this outcome and hope the union leadership will drop its unworkable scheduling demands, let the players vote on our offer and make it possible for players to return to work.

RELATED STORY | San Jose Sharks apologize after offensive message appears on board during Hispanic Heritage Night

The Professional Hockey Players Association, which represents ECHL and AHL players, has called for eliminating back-to-back travel days, maintaining uninterrupted health insurance and guaranteeing pay.

The union requested a weekly salary cap of $19,500, which it said would average out to about $975 per player per week. It also accused the league of failing to negotiate in good faith.

We recognize how important ECHL hockey is to fans, families and local communities. Our members are simply seeking reasonable improvements that allow them to work safely and earn a sustainable living while continuing to perform at a high level, PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay said. We remain ready to continue discussions with the league to reach a fair agreement.

The ECHL drew 5.3 million fans last season, averaging about 5,000 per game, and has produced 776 future NHL players.

RELATED STORY | Ovechkins 900th goal comes with goalies puck tug-of-war

A skier died on Aspen Mountain in an accident, the resort confirmed to the Scripps News Group in Denver.

The skier, who was wearing a helmet, died on Friday, December 19 after colliding with a tree. The skier was taken to Aspen Valley Hospital, according to Aspen resort.

Our deepest condolences are with the guests family and friends during this incredibly difficult time. We are truly sorry for their loss. Wed also like to thank our highly trained Ski Patrol for their swift and professional response.

This article was written by Jeff Anastasio for the Scripps News Group in Cincinnati.

After a quiet start to the weekend, the Midwest and Northeast will have to endure another powerful storm bringing a plethora of weather hazards to post-holiday travel. The same system that brought flooding rain to California on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will jet across the country, grab Gulf moisture and strengthen as it moves our way.

The storm will begin Sunday morning with rain moving across most of Michigan as late-day temperatures climb into the 50s here in Metro Detroit. Rainfall totals could exceed one inch by Sunday night across much of Metro Detroit. However, this unusual December warm-up wont last long with a dramatic change arriving Sunday night. A powerful Arctic front will sweep through, causing temperatures to plummet and rain to transition to snow. Travel impacts can be expected across Michigan and the Great Lakes from Sunday night through Monday.We will be watching the possibility of dense fog and wet roads turning icy with the rapid drop in temperatures over a short period of time Sunday night into Monday morning.

Powerful Post-Holiday Storm

The rapidly deepening low-pressure system will track across Lake Huron generating strong winds with gusts of 40 to 50 mph or higher across Lower Michigan on Monday. These wicked winds could bring whiteout conditions to start the week. While snowfall totals should fall between a dusting to two inches across Metro Detroit, the Upper Peninsula could experience blizzard conditions with totals closer to a foot by Monday evening. This powerful storm may wreak havoc on air travel across the Midwest and Great Lakes.Watch for delays at airports and stay alert for big impacts on local travel across Michigan.

Strong Winds Monday

As Arctic air settles in behind this storm on Monday, temperatures will only rise in the 20s with single digit wind chills to ring in the new year. Lake-effect snow and below-average temperatures can be expected across the Great Lakes through most of next week.

Residents near the largest Dunkin facility in the United States in Haverhill, Massachusetts, are raising concerns about air quality, saying the odor of doughnuts from the bakery has become overwhelming.

Sean Wilson, who lives about a quarter-mile from the facility, voiced his concerns during a recent City Council meeting. Council members were considering a proposal to allow the plant to install tanks that would store thousands of pounds of shortening.

My house has smelled like doughnuts all the time for the last two months. Its distracting, and its heavy, Wilson told councilors. Youre just overwhelmed by the smell of doughnuts.

RELATED STORY | 3 Dunkin' employees allegedly pulled guns on complaining customers

Wilson said the odor has him worried about air quality near the facility. He told councilors he was not sure whether he opposed the installation of the tanks but wanted reassurance that the air is safe to breathe.

J.T. Couch, who represents Creek Brook CML, the owner of the facility that produces Dunkin doughnuts, said the bakery makes 1 million doughnuts per day. That number could increase if the tanks are installed, he said.

The facility, which opened earlier this year, currently supplies about 300 stores; with the tanks, that could rise to about 800.

With the size of the facility, we do take extreme measures to limit our air effluents. Each of the fryers has a dedicated hood system that you would find in a normal kitchen, Couch said.

RELATED STORY | Elderly woman burned by Dunkin' coffee awarded $3 million settlement

Councilor Shaun Toohey said he has also heard concerns from residents about the smell. He suggested postponing the vote on the tanks until January to allow time for an air quality assessment.

The president of the Kennedy Center on Friday fiercely criticized a musician's sudden decision to cancel a Christmas Eve performance at the venue days after the White House announced that President Donald Trump's name would be added to the facility.

Your decision to withdraw at the last moment explicitly in response to the Center's recent renaming, which honors President Trump's extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution, the venue's president, Richard Grenell, wrote in a letter to musician Chuck Redd that was shared with The Associated Press.

RELATED STORY | Kennedy Center renamed to include Trumps name after board vote

In the letter, Grenell said he would seek $1 million in damages for this political stunt.

Redd did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A drummer and vibraphone player, Redd has presided over holiday Jazz Jams at the Kennedy Center since 2006, succeeding bassist William Keter Betts. In an email Wednesday to The Associated Press, Redd said he pulled out of the concert in the wake of the renaming.

When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert, Redd said. He added Wednesday that the event has been a very popular holiday tradition and that he often featured at least one student musician.

One of the many reasons that it was very sad to have had to cancel, he told the AP.

RELATED STORY | House panel votes to rename Kennedy Center opera house after Melania Trump

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, and Congress passed a law the following year naming the center as a living memorial to him.

Grenell is a Trump ally whom the president chose to head the Kennedy Center after he forced out the previous leadership. According to the White House, Trump's handpicked board approved the renaming, which scholars have said violates the law. Kennedy's niece Kerry Kennedy has vowed to remove Trumps name from the building once he leaves office, and former House historian Ray Smock is among those who say any changes would have to be approved by Congress.

The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another persons name on the buildings exterior.

Michigan football fans are expressing cautious optimism about reports that longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is heading to Ann Arbor to lead the Wolverines program.

7 News Detroit visited several popular sports bars near the University of Michigan campus to gauge fan reaction to the news, which broke while most students are away for winter break.

See the full story in the video below

'Known to win.' Michigan fans share optimism over reported Kyle Whittingham hiring

"I have a deep connection to the university and the area, a lot of pride," said Charlie Widmaier, a Michigan alumnus and fan.

Fellow fan Jayden Maxwell echoed that sentiment, describing his lifelong connection to the program.

"Raised with it, came into it and now I'm a fan," Maxwell said.

Both fans described Whittingham as a "safe pick" for the program, citing his extensive experience and proven track record at Utah.

"He's a coach that's known to win and has been at a big program before," Maxwell said.

Widmaier praised the stability Whittingham could bring to the program.

"He brings stability... is a proven coach... has been at Utah for a long time, they've had success. Excited to see what he brings to the program," Widmaier said.

David Karl, who has been a Wolverines fan since childhood, expressed hope for the program's future under new leadership.

"That was a long time ago," Karl said with a laugh when asked about when his fandom began.

Both Karl and Widmaier hope Whittingham will employ similar tactics to those used by former head coach Jim Harbaugh, particularly in assembling strong offensive and defensive coordinator staffs.

"Heard that their offensive coordinator might be coming with them. They've had a good offense. Michigan mentality of ground and pound with some deviation. That would excite me," Widmaier said.

Fans particularly value Whittingham's 21 years of veteran coaching experience and hope he brings professionalism to the program.

"Experience can never be a bad thing," Maxwell said.

Widmaier noted the importance of stability following the departure of previous head coach Sherrone Moore.

"Especially with how our previous coach exited, we needed someone who was stable and proven," Widmaier said.

Maxwell emphasized the importance of having a coach who understands the pressures of leading a major program.

"We wanted someone who knew how to handle a big program, what pressure felt like. We have to put ourselves behind him with a coach that comes in, hankers down, takes care of the team and is committed to improving, growing and being a Michigan man," Maxwell said.

Whittingham is scheduled to play his final game with Utah on Wednesday.

The University of Michigan is declining to comment on his reported move to the program at this time.

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

A man was arrested after stabbing eight people and injuring seven others with what was believed to be bleach at a tire factory in central Japan on Friday, officials said. There was no immediate explanation of his motive.

Eight people were taken to hospitals after being stabbed by the man with a knife at a factory of the tiremaker Yokohama Rubber Co. in the city of Mishima, in the Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo, according to the Fujisan Nanto Fire Department.

The fire department told The Associated Press that five of the people who were stabbed were in serious condition but other details were not available. All were conscious while they were being transported to hospitals, media reports said.

Shizuoka prefectural police said the attacker, a 38-year-old man, was arrested for alleged attempted murder at the factory, but did not give further details.

The attacker is believed to be a former employee at the factory, Kyodo news agency said, quoting investigative sources.

The suspect was carrying a survival knife and wearing what appeared to be a gas mask, the major Japanese newspaper Asahi reported, citing investigators.

Seven others were also injured by the bleach thrown at them during the attack, and taken to hospitals for treatment, the fire department said.

Japan has strict gun control laws and is known for violent crimes being rare, but there have been a number of high-profile knife attacks in recent years.

A Palestinian attacker rammed his car into a man and then stabbed a young woman in northern Israel on Friday afternoon, killing both, police said. The Israeli military swiftly launched an operation in the assailant's hometown in the occupied West Bank.

The attack started in the northern city of Beit Shean when the Palestinian man rammed his vehicle into people, killing one man and injuring a teenage boy. He then drove off onto a highway, where he fatally stabbed the woman, and injured another person near the entrance to the city of Afula.

Authorities say the attacker was shot and injured in Afula. He was then taken to hospital; his condition was not immediately known.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu identified the victims as Aviv Maor, a teenager, and Shimshon Mordechai, 68. Paramedics pronounced both dead at the scene.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that he was shocked by the horrific killing spree. He said that Israel was committed to reinforcing and strengthening this challenging border and, of course, to bolstering the security response in the area for the full safety of the residents.

The military enters attacker's hometown

Israel's military soon began amassing troops near the Palestinian town of Qabatiya, where Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the assailant was from. Later Friday, the military said that it conducted a precise operational search at the residence of the attacker, together with intelligence forces, and was preparing to demolish the residence.

The operation was ongoing in the area, the military said later in the evening.

Israeli forces blocked several roads around the town, where they entered several houses and positioned themselves around the attackers home, said the mayor, Ahmad Zakarneh. He added that residents had stocked up on supplies from bakeries and supermarkets after they were notified of the impending military operation.

Katz said that hed ordered troops to act forcefully and immediately against what he called terrorist infrastructure" in the town.

Anyone who aids or sponsors terrorism will pay the full price," he said.

RELATED NEWS | Israeli Cabinet approves 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank

A history of raids

It's common practice for Israel to launch raids in the West Bank towns that attackers come from or demolish homes belonging to the assailants families. Israel says that it helps to locate militant infrastructure and prevents future attacks. Rights watchdogs describe such actions as collective punishment.

Raids have been conducted in the area of Qabatiya, which is in the northern West Bank near the major city of Jenin, over the last few weeks.

On Dec. 20, Israel's military said that they killed a person in Qabatiya who hurled a block toward the soldiers. It later said that the killing was under review, after Palestinian media aired brief security footage in which the youth appears to emerge from an alley and is shot by troops as he approaches them without throwing anything.

The Israel-Hamas war, which began with the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage, has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. It has also sparked a surge of violence in Israel and the West Bank, with a rise in attacks by Palestinian militants as well as Israeli settler violence against Palestinians.

In September, Palestinian attackers opened fire at a bus stop during the morning rush hour in Jerusalem, killing six people and wounding another 12, according to Israeli officials.

Authorities in Nigeria say all hostages have now been released in what was one of largest mass kidnappings in the country's history.

Officials initially said 303 school children and 12 staff members were abducted from a Catholic boarding school in November, later changing that figure to 230. 100 were released earlier in December and the remaining 130 hostages were released December 21.

"Not a single pupil is left in captivity," the government announced in a message about their release.

School kidnappings are a serious security concern for Nigeria, where conflict is rife in areas like Niger State. They're often committed by gangs looking for a ransom.

It's not clear whether a ransom was paid or what specific steps the government took to secure the captives' release. A government spokesperson said their freedom followed "a military-intelligence driven operation."

Most of the children in the Papiri kidnapping were aged between 10 and 17.

RELATED NEWS | Trump orders deadly strike on ISIS in Nigeria after threats over Christian killings

The development comes as the U.S. carried out a strike against Islamic State forces in the country on Christmas Day.

President Donald Trump said a "powerful and deadly strike" targeted Isis in Nigeria in response to the group's targeting of Christians.

A Taylor man is facing multiple felony charges after a road rage confrontation on Tuesday that escalated to gunfire when his girlfriend was struck by the other driver's vehicle.

See the latest report in the video below

Road rage shooting in Taylor leads to felony charges for local man

David Zacharias was arraigned in 23rd District Court in Taylor on several felony assault and weapons charges (Assault with intent to Murder, Assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, felonious assault and 3 counts of felony firearm) stemming from the shooting on Pardee Road near Goddard. The incident was partially captured on video by a witness.

According to police, the confrontation began when Zacharias and his girlfriend did not allow the driver of a Ford Fiesta to merge into their lane. When traffic came to a stop, Zacharias got out of his vehicle and walked toward the other driver, who perceived his approach as aggressive and responded by getting out with bear spray.

"He told David to get back as David continued to walk toward him. He then sprayed the mace at David when he was approximately six feet away," Detective Phil Collop said.

Watch the road rage incident in the video below

Web extra: Road rage incident in Taylor

The situation escalated when the Ford Fiesta driver appeared to hit Zacharias' vehicle and struck his girlfriend, who had also exited their car.

"She goes flying about 10 feet. He opens fire, thinking this guy is so crazy he's going to back up and run her down again," said Jim Makowski, Zacharias' attorney.

Witness video shows Zacharias firing at the fleeing Ford Fiesta. Makowski said his client, who has a concealed pistol license and no criminal record, feared for his family's safety, including his two young children who were inside the vehicle.

"He thought his whole family was going to die, his words," Makowski said.

The attorney claims his client's actions were justified, saying Zacharias was initially just trying to photograph the other driver's license plate after believing his vehicle had been hit.

Watch our previous report from Christmas Eve in the video below

Road rage in Taylor: Traffic dispute leads to shooting, woman dragged

"Did he want to shoot? Absolutely not and he recognized his vision was compromised and it wasn't a good idea to shoot but when he hears his girlfriend being struck by this other vehicle and going flying, he didn't feel like he had a choice," Makowski said.

Magistrate Britney Carmona expressed serious concerns about the incident during Zacharias' arraignment.

"The allegations in this complaint are very concerning to say the least. It's alleged he pulled out this gun and according to the complaint he fired three times at a fleeing vehicle, so in the middle of, arguably I think one of the busiest intersection of the city," Carmona said.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta was later arrested and is facing three misdemeanor charges (failure to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident, failure to stop after a collision and unlawful use of a license plate). He has not yet been arraigned.

Zacharias was given a $100,000 bond and will return to court January 12 for a preliminary examination, where a judge will decide if there's enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.

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 Detroit Lions' Super Bowl dreams came to a crushing end Thursday night with a must-win loss to the Minnesota Vikings, officially eliminating them from playoff contention and leaving fans to process a season that fell far short of expectations.

See the report in the video below

Lions fans grapple with devastating playoff elimination after Christmas night loss

"Disappointing," "bad," "anxiety," and "disappointment" were among the words Lions fans used to describe their feelings after the Christmas night defeat that ended their 2024 campaign.

"Kind of just made us sick," one fan said about the loss.

Michelle Winn, a Lions fan, summed up the sentiment many were feeling.

"Unfortunately just not meant to be," Winn said.

The loss was particularly painful for families watching together on Christmas night.

"Oh it was rough, you can just ask the kids I was sitting at the TV I was like oh they lost the ball again, they were like oh no dad Christmas is over," Zachary Carter said.

For lifelong Lions fans Collin Foust and Todd Miller, the defeat brought back familiar feelings of disappointment that had defined the franchise for decades.

"Felt like how it used to feel like, same old Lions," one fan said.

But this Lions team was different - they entered the season with championship expectations after back-to-back NFC North titles. The pressure that came with success made the failure even more difficult to accept.

"When you're good, it's pressure, it's a good type of pressure, we're supposed to be beating these teams that we lost to, and it's tough," Miller said.

The dramatic fall from grace has been stunning. The Lions went from division champions to last place in the NFC North with just one week remaining in the regular season.

"You shouldn't be going 15-2 and then not making the playoffs, you got to keep the team how it was, you got to build off of it," Nolan Ong said.

As fans look ahead to next season, many believe the team's focus should be on protecting quarterback Jared Goff and rebuilding the offensive line.

"Protecting Jared Goff is number 1, I think getting that offensive line back to full health and upgrading certain aspects of the offense would be huge," Foust said.

"I think the offensive line needs to change maybe get a couple more players in there that can protect our quarterback," Winn said.

The Lions have one final game remaining - a matchup against the Chicago Bears that could provide some small measure of satisfaction.

"If you can beat a rival before they head into the playoffs, and remind them they're human that'd be pretty cool," Carter said.

Despite the crushing disappointment, Lions fans remain hopeful about the future.

"As a Lions fan you've always got to be hopeful for the future right so I'm hopeful with some changes we can come back and we can get that Super Bowl win," Winn said.

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.

Wintry weather scattered across the U.S. is contributing to travel headaches right after the Christmas holiday.

Nationwide there were over 5,000 flight delays and more than 1,400 cancellations, according to tracking website FlightAware. The New York airports were leading the way with JFK, Newark and Laguardia each having more than 150 flights canceled.

Effects on the ground are also still pronounced.

California floods

In California, a powerful storm brought record-breaking rainfall and dangerous conditions across the state. The state's south in particular was battered by rain and experienced severe flooding, debris flows, mudslides and power outages.

Flooding and landslides have been pronounced due to burn scars left from large wildfires earlier in the year.

"We haven't had this much rain at this time of the year in decades," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said. "And so needless to say, our greatest concern [was] for those areas where the wildfires were in the city of Los Angeles that is Palisades and other areas outside of the city That's Malibu and Altadena. So we were worried about the burn scars and massive mudslides. I am happy to say that did not occur, but that was the reason for the evacuation orders. And we hope that this subsides, but this amount of rain over so many days does weaken the earth. And so we will be worried about mudslides for some time."

At least 3 deaths are attributed to the storm.

The ongoing flood threat to California is forecast to diminish as the weekend gets drier.

MORE ON FLOODS | Deadly holiday storm claims lives in San Diego and Sacramento areas

Snow and wintry mix in New York

New York City is expecting the biggest snowfall in more than 3 years during the next few days. Between 4 and 8 inches of snow could fall as a powerful storm system moves across the Midwest towards the Northeast.

In both regions, millions will be bracing for snow and a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain. The National Weather Service advises the roads will be "treacherous" for those traveling back after Christmas.

A Detroit man is desperately searching for his two beloved dogs after someone took his van with the pets inside over the weekend.

The dogs, named Annie and Lucky, have been missing since Sunday when the van was taken from outside an auto parts store near Chicago and Hubbell avenues.

See the full story in the video below

Detroit man's dogs missing after van theft, rescue offers $1,000 reward

Rod Stanley, the dogs' owner, said he would give anything to get his pets back.

"Them little dogs is everything to me if I had to take my rent money to pay them, I don't care," Stanley said.

Stanley explained that he stopped by the auto parts store on Sunday and left Annie and Lucky in his van while he went inside. When he realized he didn't have his keys, he went back to check on the dogs before returning to the store to ask for help.

"I run back to the van to make sure they was alright they was alright, I run back in the office, I tell everybody that I lost my keys, I lost my keys," Stanley said.

When Stanley returned outside, both his van and his dogs were gone.

"I don't know if they kept them, I don't know if they drove them around and dumped them out. It be so cold out here," Stanley said.

The All About Animals Rescue in Detroit has stepped in to help with the search for Annie and Lucky. The rescue is offering a $1,000 reward for the safe return of the dogs.

"Our plea is we don't care about the van no questions asked, we just want the dogs returned," said Kristen Huston, director of All About Animals Rescue Detroit.

You can call the rescue at 313-804-9152

Huston said she has known the dogs for a long time because Stanley participates in the rescue's pet vaccination program.

"They are just amazing, amazing dogs and we just want them to be safe," Huston said.

Stanley has a heartfelt message for anyone who might know where Annie and Lucky are.

"I just ask if you have any kind of heart, any kind of heart, just bring the dogs back," Stanley said.

Anyone with information about the dogs' whereabouts can contact All About Animals Detroit.

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. Where Your Voice Matters

Legionella bacteria has been found inside the Oakland County Circuit Court building. County officials have confirmed that the potentially deadly bacteria was found inside mens bathrooms on the first and third floors, and in two sinks in the cafeteria.

The latest report in the video below

Legionella bacteria discovered inside Oakland County Circuit Court

The 7 Investigators previously reported Oakland County did not have a plan to routinely test its water system inside its buildings. A custodial employee was recently diagnosed with Legionnaires disease, revealing the presence of Legionella bacteria in the Oakland County Sheriffs Office headquarters.

Watch below: Oakland Co. had no plan to routinely test water prior to legionella discovery

Oakland Co. had no plan to routinely test water prior to legionella discovery

The 7 Investigators have confirmed from county officials that there was not a plan in place to regularly monitor the water system that feeds all 45 buildings that house the countys 5,300 employees.

In addition to the current employee who was diagnosed with Legionnaires disease, county officialssaidin a press release on Dec. 5 that someone who was not a county employee who tested positive for Legionnaires disease in Aprilhadlisted the Oakland County Circuit Court building as one of the places they visited during their exposure period.

Testing inside the court building started on Monday, Dc. 15. Now those test results are back, revealing additional locations of Legionella. A county spokeswoman said 11 locations in the courthouse were tested.

Legionella can cause a potentially deadly form of pneumonia.

After the initial discovery, the county purchased 44 .2-micron filters for water faucets throughout the county. Now they are replacing the filters at the courthouse and flushing the water system.

By taking immediate corrective action to remediate the presence of the bacteria, were ensuring a safe environment for Oakland County employees and visitors to the courthouse, said Oakland County Health Officer Kate Guzman.

Stay with wxyz.com for more information as this story unfolds.

If you have a story for Heather Catallo, please email her hcatallo@wxyz.com

The NCAA has long prohibited former professional athletes from playing the same sport in college, but the organization is softening its stance.

This week, Baylor announced that former Detroit Pistons draft pick James Nnaji will join the team for the second half of the season after playing professionally in Spain. His draft rights were later traded to Charlotte and then to New York.

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Because he never played in an NBA regular-season game or the NBA G League the leagues developmental circuit the Knicks still own Nnajis rights. New York could theoretically use those rights as a trade asset with other NBA teams.

Nnaji also wore a Knicks jersey during the NBA Summer League.

Regardless, Baylor will finish the season with an experienced center who could help the Bears reach the NCAA Tournament later this year.

James is a really talented young player with a ton of potential, and were excited to welcome him to the Baylor family, Baylor coach Scott Drew said. Any time you add someone to the roster midseason, its going to be a process to get them acclimated and up to speed, but we know James will do everything he can to make it a seamless transition. Our immediate focus is on helping him take things step by step to ensure its best for both him and the team when hes able to take the court.

Although Nnaji is the first NBA draftee in decades to be added to a college roster, he is not the first player with professional experience to join the collegiate ranks. Earlier this year, Thierry Darlan, who previously played for the Delaware Blue Coats and NBA G League Ignite, was granted two years of eligibility by the NCAA.

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Although Darlan has pro experience, his stats have not been impressive, averaging 5.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

On Sunday, December 28, Spotlight on the News looks back on the biggest stories of 2025, and what they'll keep an eye on in 2026. Our Detroit area journalists round table will sort it all out. My guests: Jeremy Allen, Executive Editor, Michigan Chronicle; Kaitlyn Buss, Deputy Editorial Page Editor, The Detroit News, Lloyd Jackson, WJR Radio Morning Show Co-Host; and Nancy Kaffer, Editorial Page Editor, Detroit Free Press.

Spotlight on the News, now in its 60th season, is Michigan's longest-running weekly news and public affairs television program. It airs every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 in Detroit, is streamed live on wxyz.com and broadcast at 11:30 a.m. on 23.1 WKAR-HD in East Lansing.

The holiday shopping rush isn't over just yet: the day after Christmas is expected to rank among the top five busiest shopping days of the year, according to SensorMatic Solutions, which tracks shopping patterns.

Returns, exchanges and gift card spending are driving the surge, where brick-and-mortar retailers, in particular, are seeing a notable post-holiday bump as shoppers take back unwanted gifts and take advantage of clearance sales.

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Even before final tallies are released in January, early indicators suggest Americans spent more than expected this holiday season, despite lingering concerns about inflation, tariffs and the broader uncertainty about the economy.

Data from major retailers and payment processors show that shoppers weren't just paying higher prices; they were buying more items overall. Mastercard and Adobe Analytics, which track online shopping behavior, both found growth in the number of transactions, suggesting consumers stayed active even as costs remained elevated.

That strength came despite fears heading into the season that tariffs and higher prices could dampen demand. Instead, retailers leaned heavily on promotions, early sales and discounts, helping keep shoppers engaged through December.

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One of the clearest trends this season is the continued rise of "buy now, pay later" services.

According to Experian, 43% of consumers surveyed said they planned to utilize BNPL services to finance their holiday shopping. That number is up 20% since a similar survey was conducted in 2023. Financial experts warn that while BNPL can offer short-term flexibility, it may also obscure how much debt consumers are taking on, particularly for middle-income families.

While overall spending remained strong, economists say the gains were far from evenly distributed. Higher-income households accounted for a disproportionate share of holiday spending, particularly in luxury categories. Meanwhile, middle- and lower-income consumers increasingly traded down to budget brands. That divergence underscores what many analysts describe as a "two-track economy," where affluent consumers remain insulated from higher prices while others rely more heavily on credit and payment plans.

A man injured in last month's fiery UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky died on Christmas Day, raising the death toll from the crash to 15, officials announced late Thursday.

Alain Rodriguez Colina worked at a scrapyard that was devastated when the departing cargo plane, fully loaded with fuel for a flight to Hawaii, plowed into businesses just outside Louisville's airport on Nov. 4. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg confirmed his death via social media.

"Alain is the 15th victim of the UPS Flight 2976 accident," Greenberg said. "He suffered severe injuries at the time of the crash and passed earlier this Christmas Day. May Alain's memory be a blessing."

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Grade A Auto Parts & Recycling owner and CEO Sean Garber confirmed to WAVE-TV that Colina was one of the company's employees. Workers at the scrapyard have described the scramble to help survivors of the crash's massive explosion, which killed three other employees as well as customers. Dramatic video captured the aircraft crashing into businesses and erupting in a fireball.

Three pilots and multiple people on the ground were killed outside Muhammad Ali International Airport, where UPS has its largest package delivery hub, after the plane's left engine detached. Cracks were later found where the engine connected to the wing, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

Earlier this month, a lawyer filed two wrongful death lawsuits that allege that the company kept flying older aircrafts without increasing maintenance beyond what's regularly scheduled. The lawsuit also names General Electric, which made the plane's engine. Both UPS and GE have said they don't comment on pending lawsuits but safety remains their top priority as they assist the federal investigation.

The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all MD-11s, which had exclusively been used for hauling cargo for more than a decade.