Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison boarded a Detroit Department of Transportation bus during Thursday evening rush hour to meet with riders and drivers about public transit safety, more than a year after DPD took over policing responsibilities for the city's bus system.

Watch Brett Kast's video report below: Detroit police chief rides DDOT bus to hear safety concerns from passengers

The roughly hour-long ride through Detroit gave Bettison a chance to gather feedback from passengers about their experiences and safety concerns on public transportation.

"I used to ride the bus as a kid. My mother didn't drive. She was a Detroit school teacher, and the bus transit got her to work on time and she was able to put food on the table," Bettison said.

Carroll Simpson, a Detroit resident who rides the bus daily, emphasized the importance of safety measures.

"It's very important, I think it should be one of the top priorities in the city," Simpson said.

While Simpson says she mostly feels safe, she has encountered problematic situations.

"We have some very rowdy people. A couple of days ago, a man got on the bus highly inebriated," Simpson said.

Siddhesh Chaubal, who moved to the U.S. from India a year ago and takes the bus to his downtown Detroit office, initially had concerns about using public transit.

"When I got here, I was very skeptical about traveling via bus, given I had heard some bad news about traveling via bus about criminal activity, especially at bus stops," Chaubal said.

His concerns were heightened by incidents over the summer including a shooting on a DDOT bus and a separate stabbing. However, Chaubal says he's noticed improvements with increased security at transit centers and more officers on buses.

"I have seen police officers quite a few times, they were standing right next to the driver," Chaubal said.

Transit advocate Michael Cunningham, known as Brother Cunningham, organized the chief's bus ride and distributed free bus tickets and information about low-income housing during the event.

"The people feel uplifted to see the chief out here. There's been some stabbings, there's been some shootings, there's been some drama," Cunningham said.

Cunningham, who was homeless for nine to 10 years and relied on buses for transportation, said he remains committed to helping others in similar situations.

"A lot of times when people get to the level they want to be at, they forget about all the people left behind. I'm not like that," Cunningham said.

Bettison distributed business cards and collected suggestions from passengers, emphasizing DPD's ongoing commitment to transit safety.

"We're responsible for providing safety when it comes to transit, so that's what we're going to do and continue to do, and this is not my first nor will it be my last time being on the bus," Bettison 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.

The Waterford Corsairs youth football league is scrambling to find a new practice facility after learning their current home at the Waterford Recreation Center will soon be sold.

Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report below: Waterford youth football league searches for new home as recreation center faces closure

The organization, which has served the community since 1965, provides football and cheerleading opportunities for children ages 5 to 13. The league currently uses the field outside the Waterford Recreation Center for practices, but that will change when the facility closes at the end of the year.

"It's been a joy to coach some of these kids from ages 5 to 13. You develop a lot of relationships," said Rickey Anthony, head football coach with the Waterford Corsairs.

The recreation center closure is part of a cost-cutting measure by Waterford Township.

Township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta said the center is in poor condition, and moving programming elsewhere will help reduce financial burdens while they wait for a new community center to be built.

"We pay a lot of money for utilities, maintenance, janitorial services. So, we're just basically cutting our costs and we can still do everything at the Leggett facility," Bartolotta said.

The township also plans to sell the recreation center property, with buyers already expressing interest.

"I'm talking with a local business in Waterford Township; I want to keep them here. And then a developer; I don't know what they want to do with it. That property is zoned light industrial," Bartolotta said.

For the Corsairs, this means finding a new practice location a challenge that has proven difficult.

"Waterford has kind of become a concrete jungle," Waterford Corsairs President Dan Bishop said.

The league serves hundreds of families during football season. Bishop said on a typical weekday during their season, roughly 300 to 500 people use the field, including kids, parents and siblings.

Despite searching throughout the community, the Corsairs haven't found a suitable replacement facility. Bartolotta said the team can continue using the current field until the township sells the property, but after that, permission would depend on the new owner.

"You know, we really want to work with the football team, but there's only so much you can do," Bartolotta said.

The uncertainty raises concerns about the future of youth football in Waterford.

"It could be detrimental to football in Waterford," Bishop said.

Coaches emphasize the importance of continuing to provide opportunities for local children.

"It's literally giving the kids a spot to come be themselves, have something to build off of in life," Anthony said.

The Corsairs are asking the community for help and say they're open to all ideas for green spaces where they can practice and play.

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.

Farmington Public Schools announced that all of its schools will be closed on Friday due to fiber line damage that was caused by a car crash in the area.

Damage to the fiber line has disrupted some network operations including internet and phone services that are critical for learning, communication and safety, the district said.

Crews are working to restore services quickly.

The district said it will share updates when the issue is resolved and families will be notified when school can safely resume.

The worlds richest man was just handed a chance to become historys first trillionaire.

Elon Musk won a shareholder vote on Thursday that would give the Tesla CEO stock worth $1 trillion if he hits certain performance targets over the next decade. The vote followed weeks of debate over his management record at the electric car maker and whether anyone deserved such unprecedented pay, drawing heated commentary from small investors to giant pension funds and even the pope.

In the end, more than 75% of voters approved the plan as shareholders gathered in Austin, Texas, for their annual meeting.

Fantastic group of shareholders," Musk said after the final vote was tallied, adding Hang on to your Tesla stock.

The vote is a resounding victory for Musk showing investors still have faith in him as Tesla struggles with plunging sales, market share and profits in no small part due to Musk himself. Car buyers fled the company this year as he has ventured into politics both in the U.S. and Europe, and trafficked in conspiracy theories.

The vote came just three days after a report from Europe showing Tesla car sales plunged again last month, including a 50% collapse in Germany.

Still, many Tesla investors consider Musk as a sort of miracle man capable of stunning business feats, such as when he pulled Tesla from the brink of bankruptcy a half-dozen years ago to turn it into one of the worlds most valuable companies.

The vote clears a path for Musk to become a trillionaire by granting him new shares, but it wont be easy. The board of directors that designed the pay package require him to hit several ambitious financial and operational targets, including increasing the value of the company on the stock market nearly six times its current level.

Musk also has to deliver 20 million Tesla electric vehicles to the market over 10 years amid new, stiff competition, more than double the number since the founding of the company. He also has to deploy 1 million of his human-like robots that he has promised will transform work and home he calls it a robot army from zero today.

Musk could add billions to his wealth in a few years by partly delivering these goals, according to various intermediate steps that will hand him newly created stock in the company as he nears the ultimate targets.

That could help him eventually top what is now considered Americas all-time richest man, John D. Rockefeller. The railroad titan is estimated by Guinness World Records to have been worth $630 billion, in current dollars, at his peak wealth more than 110 years ago. Musk is worth $493 billion, as estimated by Forbes magazine.

Musks win came despite opposition from several large funds, including CalPERS, the biggest U.S. public pension, and Norways sovereign wealth fund. Two corporate watchdogs, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, also blasted the package, which so angered Musk he took to calling them corporate terrorists at a recent investor meeting.

RELATED STORY | Elon Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with online encyclopedia Wikipedia

Critics argued that the board of directors was too beholden to Musk, his behavior too reckless lately and the riches offered too much.

He has hundreds of billions of dollars already in the company and to say that he wont stay without a trillion is ridiculous, said Sam Abuelsamid, an analyst at research firm Telemetry who has been covering Tesla for nearly two decades. Its absurd that shareholders think he is worth this much.

Supporters said that Musk needed to be incentivized to focus on the company as he works to transform it into an AI powerhouse using software to operate hundreds of thousands of self-driving Tesla cars many without steering wheels and Tesla robots deployed in offices, factories and homes doing many tasks now handled by humans.

This AI chapter needs one person to lead it and thats Musk, said financial analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities. Its a huge win for shareholders.

Investors voting for the pay had to consider not only this Musk promise of a bold, new tomorrow, but whether he could ruin things today: He had threatened to walk away from the company, which investors feared would tank the stock.

Tesla shares, already up 80% in the past year, rose on news of the vote in after-hours trading but then flattened basically unchanged to $445.44.

For his part, Musk says the vote wasnt really about the money but getting a higher Tesla stake it will double to nearly 30% so he could have more power over the company. He said that was a pressing concern given Teslas future robot army that he suggested he didnt trust anyone else to control given the possible danger to humanity.

Other issues up for a vote at the annual meeting turned out wins for Musk, too.

Shareholders approved allowing Tesla to invest in one of Musks other ventures, xAI. They also shot down a proposal to make it easier for shareholders to sue the company by lowering the size of ownership needed to file. The current rule requires at least a 3% stake.

Travelers at airports across the U.S. are preparing to be grounded because of the record-long federal government shutdown.

The FAA announced this week it may reduce flights by up to 10% across 40 of the nation's busiest airports potentially causing delays and cancellations in and out of major hubs including Denver, New York, Houston and Chicago.

"When we see pressures building in these 40 markets, we just can't ignore it, and we're not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating," said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.

A 10% cut could affect as many as 1,800 flights, according to one estimate, plus slow down cargo jets.

RELATED STORY | These 40 airports are reportedly among those facing cuts due to government shutdown

Ground stops are already snarling traffic at dozens of airports during the government shutdown. Some air traffic controllers are not showing up to work after not getting a full paycheck since October 1, straining an already understaffed system.

"The stresses, the pressure, the fatigue is setting in. Air traffic controllers are texting, 'I don't even have enough money to put gas in my car to come to work,'" said Nick Daniels, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

The U.S. saw more than 6,000 delays within, into our out of the country on Thursday, according to flight tracking site FlightAware. At least 190 flights were canceled.

As of Thursday evening, more than 800 flights had been canceled for Friday.

Airlines are now scrambling to review flight schedules, saying the vast majority will run as planned.

Delta and United say long-haul international flights won't be affected at all -- and are also offering refunds for any passengers who'd rather not fly.

All eyes are on South Florida from New York City residents wanting to move from the Big Apple now that Zohran Mamdani is officially the city's Mayor-elect.

There has been a political shift in New York City with Mamdani building his campaign around making the city more affordable, but his policies have raised concerns among some about potential tax increases and policy changes from his administration.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Mamdani makes history in NYC mayors race: 'We have toppled a political dynasty'

The Scripps News Group in West Palm Beach has uncovered that many New York City residents have already initiated whats being dubbed the "Mamdani Migration" as people are looking to make South Florida their new home full-time.

Rising demand in real estate

The real estate offices of Sutter & Nugget in North Palm Beach told the Scripps News Group that the Palm Beach County market is getting a surge in demand.

"The last two weeks, it's been completely a game changer," said CEO Talbot Sutter.

He said his New York City clients have been a mix of seniors, families, residents and workers whose companies are relocating to South Florida.

To meet this surging demand, Sutter shared that they are "having to hire more members to our team to handle the demand from New Yorkers wanting to move down."

So, where are New York City residents looking to move down to?

Sutter revealed that the top cities his New York City clients are targeting include Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton. Impacts from the migration was further evidenced by recent offers.

"We've had directly two offers that were stalemated over the summer that we've had three showings Monday and Tuesday and offers today, Wednesday because of the race. Directly out of the buyer's mouth, they said they were waiting until Wednesday, and we got the offer this morning." Sutter said, emphasizing that issues surrounding taxes and quality of life are significant motivators for these New York City transplants.

In the past few years, Sutter estimates that around 30,000 New York residents have moved into Palm Beach County and Broward County alone.

Inventory concerns

"I'm seeing a lot of what I call a 'coke bottle' effect, where it's an influx of people, and not enough inventory," said Sutter. "Some people say inventory is up right now. We were just looking at stats this morning 56% from year to year, but that inventory is also being scooped up in the last month like that."

Despite a year-to-year increase in inventory, Sutter insists "that inventory is also being scooped up in the last month like that."

Boca Raton's appeal

On Tuesday, the Scripps News Group spoke with Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer about the city's efforts to attract New York City businesses and have them relocate their corporate offices to Boca Raton. Singer acknowledged the potential influx.

"We will expect to see that, but we can't accommodate everyone," he stated. "We're a fairly built-out city. We might have people trying to buy homes here, but we're not building to accommodate everyone who wants to come from New York."

Singer elaborated that new building projects arent primarily aimed at incoming residents but focus on creating space for New York City businesses that have already committed to relocating to the area. He calls Boca Raton the economic engine of Palm Beach County, highlighting that it is home to 40 publicly traded companies from industries such as financial services, financial technology, medical technology, AI, quantum computing, manufacturing and more.

"I think that's great; it provides the job and economic vitality we need in ensuring jobs for the next generation and beyond," Singer remarked.

Economic impact

Sutter acknowledged the potential for increased traffic but suggests where companies come, residents will follow. He noted that New York residents alone have contributed $9.2 billion in revenue to South Florida.

He also went through his inventory platform and told the Scripps News Group there are over 5,000 single-family houses available for purchase throughout Palm Beach County. However, Sutter fears that this inventory may not be enough, predicting they could be sold within the next three months from the surge in New York City residents.

"I've seen West Palm as the Wall Street not the new Wall Street and I see the area exploding," he warned.

To navigate the shifting landscape, Sutter has observed that his New York City clients are open to settling in communities further west. He said he has also heard from people in states like Illinois and California expressing interest in South Florida.

Advice for potential movers

Despite the fervent interest in relocating, Sutter advises potential movers to take their time.

"Don't rush into a property and research the areas," he advised.

He recommends buying property in a neighborhood that is in proximity to work, ensuring a smoother transition for new residents.

This story was originally published by Joel Lopez with the

Scripps News Group in West Palm Beach.

Waterford police have arrested a 36-year-old ex-convict in connection with a series of home break-ins that targeted residents along the Waterford-Pontiac border over three weeks.

Watch Christiana Ford's video report: Man arrested in string of home invasions

Prentice Slaton was charged Monday by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office with one count of second-degree home invasion, a 15-year felony. Police believe he is connected to at least five additional home invasions, with more charges pending.

The arrest came as part of what police called Operation "Kicked In," a joint investigation by special operations detectives from Waterford and White Lake townships.

"Same thing would happen, unscrew the light bulb over the door, and then they would kick the door in," Waterford Police Chief Scott Underwood said.

The break-ins typically occurred in the early morning hours. Slaton allegedly targeted homes near the Waterford-Pontiac border, taking advantage of the area's accessibility.

"It was easy to cross Telegraph and to get back to Waterford and to get into Pontiac back to Waterford as well," Underwood said.

One victim, Ashley Bruske, discovered someone had broken into her home after reviewing footage from her security cameras. The video, captured around 5:45 a.m., showed someone dressed in all black walking across her front lawn.

"Heart was racing, the officer was, like, just wait in your car. It was almost like I just want to drive away and be down the road, but at the same time, it was my house," Bruske said.

The surveillance footage helped lead to Slaton's arrest the following morning.

"The surveillance crew happened to spot him getting into this car. We were able to make a traffic stop with the help of the Oakland County Sheriff's deputies, and he was taken into custody," Underwood said.

"Between the video, the witnesses' statements, and like I said, some other investigative techniques, we were able to piece that all together, and that's what led to the arrest," he said.

Another Waterford resident, Michael Tollison, believes his family's home was also targeted.

"They ransacked our daughter's room, they ransacked our bedroom, broke the window in my son's room, and they stole some rings, they stole piggy banks of my sons, and pretty much ransacked the whole house," Tollison said. "I'm glad they were able to arrest them and get him off the streets."

Slaton has an extensive criminal history with multiple arrests for similar offenses, including home invasion and larceny, dating back to 2008. He was released on parole in August.

A second suspect who was originally arrested with Slaton as the driver has since been released pending further investigation.

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 sixth suspect has been arrested in connection to the alleged Halloween terror plot in Michigan, the FBI said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that a sixth person was arrested earlier this week in Washington state.

"This was another individual allegedly providing material support," Patel said.

Another suspect, Ayob Nasser, whose name was added to the 92-page federal complaint, appeared in front of a federal judge in downtown Detroit. He stood mute to the charges he's facing alleging domestic terrorism with multiple co-conspirators.

Three of Nasser's loved ones left federal court after declining to comment on his behalf. He's accused of helping to plan a terrorist attack in support of ISIS.

Watch Darren Cunningham's video report below: Federal judge denies bond in terror plot case

7 News Detroit spoke with former federal Prosecutor Matthew Schneider, who predicted more charges.

"Now another person has been charged, and I think additional people will be charged. Maybe not on the federal level but at least on the state level because this case involves juveniles," he explained.

The FBI said the people involved are 16 to 20 years old from Dearborn. The FBI raided homes on Friday and a storage facility in Inkster.

You can read the full updated criminal complain below:

Amended complaint in alleged terror plot by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit

Nasser is 19 and, according to the federal complaint, he and his alleged co-conspirators Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud bought AR-style rifles and accessories, 1,600 rounds of ammunition, tactical gear and more, some of which was recovered at the storage facility in Inkster.

The suspects also allegedly underwent firearms training, conspired with others over group chats and allegedly scoped out Ferndale and Sandusky, Ohio, as possible targets to strike Halloween weekend.

"It looks like the conspirators were trying to go to Cedar Point and were, as the agents says, that they were assessing that to do a possible mass shooting. Of course, we don't know all of that yet, but it looks like that is the direction that the government's case is going, that they're going to show that it wasn't just a local issue but it's a conspiracy that crosses state lines," Schneider explained.

Previous report: 3 more men arrested in alleged Halloween terror plot, FBI investigates at Cedar Point 3 more men arrested in alleged Halloween terror plot, FBI investigates at Cedar Point

The complaint states Nasser and another person left Dearborn to visit Cedar Point on Sept. 18. They are seen in surveillance footage at the amusement park.

Investigators said the men occasionally entered areas that weren't open to the public and searched online for details about Cedar Point before their visit.

This week, two men from New Jersey were also charged.

7 News Detroit asked Schneider what some of the challenges and implications are with this being a multi-state investigation now, since New jersey is also involved.

"Now that the federal government is spreading this across the country, there is cooperation amongst the U.S. Attorneys Office in different states, the Justice Department is fully on board with this case. So, it looks like there's good cooperation among law enforcement. That makes it very difficult for the defense to overcome this," he explained.

Previous coverage: 2 Dearborn men charged in alleged Halloween terror plot targeting Ferndale 2 Dearborn men charged in alleged Halloween terror plot targeting Ferndale

Nasser is being represented by former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's former defense attorney Jim Thomas.

"It's also not surprising that you have really high-quality defense counsel in this case because you've got a sophisticated prosecution," Schneider said. "I don't think that the defense is going to fall down on this case. This will be heavily litigated and it'll be difficult and hard fought on both sides," he added.

Nasser's attorney declined comment at this time. All three suspects are due back in court Monday morning for their detention hearings.

UPS on Thursday identified three crew members who died aboard a cargo plane that crashed shortly after taking off in Louisville, Kentucky, earlier in the week killing at least 13 people in total.

"Words cant express the sorrow we feel over the heartbreaking Flight 2976 accident," UPS Executive Vice President Nando Cesarone said in a statement. "Its with great sorrow that we share the names of the UPS pilots on board UPS Flight 2976. Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond were operating the flight."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Several people killed in Tuesday's fatal UPS plane crash in Louisville, officials say

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, UPS Flight 2976 went down Tuesday around 5:15 p.m. local time after departing the airport. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when it crashed. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said two businesses were hit when the plane crashed.

The FAA said both the agency and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. Black boxes from the plane have been recovered, federal investigators said on Wednesday.

NTSB Member J. Todd Inman said that video reviewed by investigators shows a large fire on the left side of the aircraft and the planes left engine detaching from the wing. He added that the plane still managed to gain enough altitude to clear a fence at the end of the runway before crashing into two businesses just beyond airport property and sparking a fire that stretched roughly half a mile.

"We need to not only take drone coverage and video coverage of where every piece of this evidence is, but then we need to recover it and tag it, and those will give us even more pieces of information," Inman said.

FROM THE ARCHIVES | UPS replaces FedEx as primary air cargo provider for US Postal Service

Louisville is home to UPS's largest package handling facility, with around 300 flights a day leaving from the hub.

"Our hearts go out to every UPSer who has been impacted and all in our Louisville community supporting you and ensuring you receive the care and resources you need is our priority," Cesarone said. "This continues to be an incredibly sad time for our entire UPS family, and as our CEO, Carol Tom reminded us: 'United, we are strong.' We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our colleagues, and to the loved ones of those in the Louisville community."

After more than a decade of waiting, Detroit's crowdfunded RoboCop statue has finally secured a permanent location and is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2025.

Watch Evan Sery's video report: RoboCop statue finally finds permanent home in Detroit's Eastern Market

The 11-foot bronze statue will be installed at Eastern Market, on the patio of Free Age, a film production company. The statue was originally funded through a 2011 Kickstarter campaign organized by Detroit resident Brandon Walley, which raised thousands of dollars with the slogan "Part man, part machine, all crowd funded."

"Brandon reached out, said congrats on the building on the move, I'm glad you're staying in the market," said Jim Toscano, co-owner of Free Age. "Why don't we put RoboCop on your patio? We laughed it off. I said alright, thanks for the congrats, good talking to you. Called me back the next day and said we're serious."

Toscano and Walley agreed the location made perfect sense an iconic film character displayed at a film production studio.

The statue's journey to installation faced several delays over the years. Walley cited COVID-19 and the 2024 Eastern Market tailgate shooting as factors that complicated finding an appropriate home for the bronze figure.

"Everyone involved liked this spot. It's on the far end of the market, a little quieter. It could use some excitement," Toscano said.

The RoboCop statue has found support among local business owners, including Bethany Shorb, who operates Well Done Goods in Eastern Market and sells RoboCop merchandise.

"I like 80s nerd stuff. Is it the most positive depiction of Detroit? No, of course not, but it's poking fun, poking fun at a lot of not good things that can happen, and now we do have actual robocops," Shorb said.

The 1987 RoboCop film depicted a futuristic, apocalyptic version of Detroit, making the statue's placement in the city both symbolic and fitting for fans of the cult classic.

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 Clinton Township high school teacher has transformed her classroom storage room into a food pantry to help students struggling with food insecurity during the ongoing SNAP benefit crisis.

Watch Evan's story in the video player below Clinton Twp. teacher's food pantry helps students during SNAP benefit crisis

Kim Johnston, who has taught social studies at Chippewa Valley High School for 18 years, launched the initiative on social media two weeks ago after recognizing the urgent need in her school community. With SNAP benefits on pause, Johnston decided to take action where her school lacked resources.

"I decided we had to do something here in our building, we do not have a food pantry," Johnston said.

The classroom pantry, stocked with pasta sauce, bags of pasta, mac and cheese, and canned foods, has already distributed 100 full meal kits since opening this week. Johnston posted signs throughout the school encouraging students to "grab a bag and take more if you want."

"I'm here to make life easier for them not harder, here to show I care about them," Johnston said.

The pantry's location was strategically chosen for student privacy. Students can exit directly to the parking lot after collecting food, allowing those who might feel embarrassed about needing assistance to leave discreetly.

Johnston's students have noticed the impact on their peers. Kayla Miglioraty, an 11th grader, said many of her closest friends are affected by the SNAP benefit situation.

"Yes a lot of my closest friends, are affected, they already struggle with the snap benefits," Miglioraty said.

Fellow student Natalie Ranieri praised Johnston's efforts.

"It's awful what they have to go through, but I'm really happy that she's taking a stand and helping out," Ranieri said.

The community response has been overwhelming, with donations pouring in after Johnston's social media call for help. The pantry will remain open for as long as needed, and the school has created an Amazon wish list to help maintain supplies.

"We can focus on the fact that people aren't in great situations or we can try to help and do something and I feel like with the donations and with the intensity, we've received them, shows people are desperate to help," Johnston said.

The food pantry represents more than just emergency assistance it reflects Johnston's 18-year commitment to her students, evident in the bobbleheads, handmade gifts, and flowers that fill her classroom shelves, tokens of appreciation from grateful students over the years.

If you'd like to help keep up with pantry demands, the school has come up with an Amazon wish list.

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.

This holiday season, shoppers face a new challenge. Theyre being flooded with ads created by artificial intelligence where, if you buy that item, you never really know what youre going to get.

Maggie McGaugh buys them on purpose. Its the idea behind her viral segment, I Knew These Were Fake, But I Bought Them Anyways, where she orders products she thinks might be misleadingly advertised. McGaughs reviews have attracted millions of followers.

People just really responded to it because either, one, theyve been scammed by it in the past, or two, theyve seen it and been curious whats going to happen if you actually order it, McGaugh said.

Before she buys, McGaugh checks for clues a seller might not be the real deal.

I need to check the actual website. So, if you Google, you know, 'Is this website legit?' she said.

RELATED STORY | 'Out of control': Cyber experts track increase in online scams, more fraudsters targeting seniors

McGaugh also reads reviews knowing some may be fake checks the product description and materials, looks for a business address or phone number, and does a reverse image search. And shes particular about how she pays.

I dont use my personal credit card at all. Its all PayPal, McGaugh said.

They are at the point now where they can take a photo of something or create something with AI, a photo of an item, and then they can plug it into an AI system that makes it into a video. So now youve gone from not even having a product to having a photo of a product that doesnt exist, to turning that into a girl wearing that dress that does not exist, McGaugh said.

Balaji Padmanabhan, director for the University of Maryland Smith School of Business Center for Artificial Intelligence in Business, says the same technology that helps companies market smarter is also being used to deceive shoppers.

AI-generated videos used to have cues that tell you, hey, this is not real, but the modern ones have become amazing. I mean, its very hard to tell the difference from real and fake anymore, Padmanabhan said. [AI] can create videos for small businesses wanting to market their products cheaply who otherwise wouldnt be able to afford the costs of creating videos but can also be used by scammers to create extremely compelling ads that consumers fall for."

Padmanabhan says social media platforms are stepping up enforcement, but scammers adapt quickly.

As soon as the platform finds them they shut down and they come up with a new name, so theyre so fleeting, so I think thats part of it. Its very hard to tell, so if its a strange name youve never seen before, maybe the holiday season is not the time to try it out, he said. Do your best to question these things or at least consult your teenage kids.

RELATED STORY | Americans hit with about 100 scam calls, texts and emails monthly, survey finds

Because when, or if, that order arrives, you might get more than disappointment.

I think something that a lot of people dont realize with these scam items is how bad they smell, McGaugh said. When you open these packages, they just like smack you in the face, and thats because theyre using chemicals. Theyre using like resin that hasnt cured and is highly toxic. Just a lot of stuff that we really shouldnt be wearing on our skin, rubbing on our face, you know, putting in our homes."

McGaugh says she usually tries to return the item for a refund sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. Thats why she recommends using payment methods with built-in protection, like credit cards or PayPal. They make it easier to get your money back if somethings off.

This story was originally published by Mallory Sofastaii with the

Scripps News Group in Baltimore.

The ongoing government shutdown is forcing airlines to reduce flights due to a shortage of unpaid air traffic controllers, with Detroit Metro Airport among 40 airports nationwide expected to face significant disruptions.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report: Detroit Metro Airport travelers brace for impact ahead of anticipated flight cuts

The Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to cut flights because air traffic controllers have not been paid since the government shutdown began. Controllers have now missed two paychecks, and union leaders say working without pay is not sustainable.

"We'll be here an extra hour. Hopefully, we'll get there on time," Susan Jackson said.

Jackson traveled from Lansing to Detroit Metro Airport on Thursday with her husband for a trip to California. Their flight was delayed.

"I'm more concerned about coming home cause I have to work the next day and I'm not sure how that's going to go," Jackson said.

The anticipated flight cancellations have Jackson reconsidering her holiday travel plans.

"Honestly with all the delays, we're probably just going to somewhere local," Jackson said.

Jackson expressed sympathy for federal workers affected by the shutdown.

"It breaks our heart for the families and the people who are having to work without any pay and not knowing when this is going to end. I cannot imagine that," Jackson said.

Detroit resident Barbara Jean Stallworth Dixon is planning to travel to Los Angeles for Thanksgiving and hopes her trip goes as planned.

"A little nervous about the flying because you don't have all the guys you need to fly," Stallworth Dixon said.

Delta Air Lines told me they intend to cancel flights a day in advance to give customers more options before heading to the airport.

Travel agent Sheri Langwald from The World of Travel in Bloomfield Hills offered advice for travelers to keep their trips on track.

"The first thing I tell my clients is before they leave the house is to check the status to the flight. Number two is to look for other options just in case their flight is canceled or delayed. Like let's say you're flying to Miami, you can also look into flying into Fort Lauderdale," Langwald said.

Langwald also recommends travel insurance.

"This is one of the perfect reasons in case of any delays or cancellations, usually one of the things that's covered," Langwald said.

With no deal in sight to end the government shutdown, the impact could be severe as people travel to see family and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday.

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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.

The Detroit Red Wings are marking their centennial with a four-day fan festival in downtown Detroit, giving fans the chance to meet current and former players while celebrating a century of hockey history.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Detroit Red Wings celebrate Centennial with 4-day fan fest at Motor City Casino

The celebration kicked off Thursday at Motor City Casino, featuring exhibits, autograph sessions and memorabilia from the team's 100-year legacy in Hockeytown.

"It's incredible to see the history of 100 years," said Ryan McIntire, a Red Wings fan attending the event.

Jim McBroom, another longtime fan, was equally impressed by the scope of the celebration.

"It's really mind boggling and touching to see how far back this goes," McBroom said.

The festival showcases Stanley Cup trophies, vintage equipment and jerseys from legendary players, including the Russian Five. Fans can view Red Wings legend Terry Sawchuk's old mask and stick, along with Grind Line memorabilia and other historic artifacts pulled from the team's archives.

"If you're a Red Wings fan, if you're a hockey fan, you definitely want to come down and experience this," said Ron Colangelo, senior vice president of communication for Ilitch Sports and Entertainment.

For many attendees, the event brings back childhood memories of meeting their hockey heroes.

"I remember getting my autograph from Gordie Howe, and I was probably I don't know 12 years old or so," said Greg Best, a Red Wings fan.

The festival features appearances by Red Wings alumni, including Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller and Greg Stefan, who are excited to reconnect with fans.

"It's just going to be great seeing a lot of fans that I've seen over the years and a lot of my old teammates that I played with," Abdelkader said.

Miller praised the organization's efforts in putting together the celebration.

"I think the Red Wings are putting on a fantastic event here at the Motor City Sound Board. So signing with the fans, get to reminisce with them on some of the memories they have too, so all around it's a fun weekend," Miller said.

Stefan echoed the sentiment about the nostalgic nature of the event.

"I really enjoy weekends like this because it brings back a lot of great memories," Stefan said.

The Centennial Fan Fest runs through Sunday. Tickets start at $35, with VIP packages also available.

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.

Two men in their 30s were shot and killed Wednesday night at Flyy Cutz barbershop on Greenfield and Trojan on Detroit's west side in what police are calling a targeted attack.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report: Two men killed in targeted shooting at Detroit barbershop

The shooting happened around 9:20 p.m. Wednesday, leaving the barbershop community devastated and searching for answers.

"The thought of somebody you see all the time, you not going to see anymore. The little things you laughed about, you talked about the last time you seen them, it's left at that," said Mohammed Abdul, a barber at Flyy Cutz.

Abdul had left the shop around 5 p.m. Wednesday evening, only to be bombarded with text messages and phone calls hours later about the shooting.

"I saw this video. I knew it was serious then. People were like What happened at the shop? I'm like, are you serious? What are you talking about?" Abdul said.

Detroit Police Deputy Chief Jacqueline Pritchett said officers found the front window shot out when they arrived at the scene.

"They entered the location. They observed a male lay just east of the door. He's obviously deceased. They entered looking for additional victims. In doing so, they observed another male in the rear location. He, too, was obviously deceased," Pritchett said.

"Officers did not observe any signs of forced entry. There didn't appear to be a struggle prior to the shooting, and everything, the work stations inside all appeared to be intact."

Patrick Hennessee, a regular customer at Flyy Cutz, showed up Thursday looking for a haircut, only to learn two men he often saw at the shop were killed.

"I would never imagine. Both of them are two cool dudes. Every day, everybody in the community would come up here and talk to them, so I would've never expected that," Hennessee said.

Staff at Flyy Cutz spent Thursday afternoon cleaning up and reflecting on how their barbershop became the center of a homicide investigation. Despite the tragedy, the shop is working to move forward.

"Hopefully, it'll be back to business, and maybe this will be something that people will learn from this. I know people are mad about it, sad about it," Abdul said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call DPD's Homicide Unit at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Callers can remain anonymous.

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.

Tuesday, November 11

th

is Veterans Day.  Its the annual Federal holiday set aside to show appreciation to the brave men and women who have served or are currently serving in our military forces.  Veterans Day officially honors all service members during wartime or peacetime, living or deceased.

This thoughtful tradition dates back to the early 1900s. It was originally called Armistice Day because it commemorated the agreement that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. Still, Armistice Day didnt became a legal holiday until 1938 by an act of Congress. Finally, in 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to better represent all service members.

Many local communities will host events to celebrate this special holiday.  Several restaurants, retail outlets, and recreation areas offer free or discounted items around Veterans Day. For an extensive list, we invite you to go to our website at wxyz.com.

If you would like to show your gratitude to those that have served our county, there are a number of important things you can do.  Reach out to veterans with a phone call or visit. Consider making a donation to a veterans assistance organization. Volunteer at a local VA hospital or offer to drive a veteran to their doctors appointment. You can also quietly display an American flag as a simple but powerful salute to those who have worked in the different branches of the U.S. Armed Services.

But most of all, this Veterans Day is a time to reflect, remember, and show respect for the enlisted men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting and serving all Americans.

Im Mike Murri, Regional V.P. & General Manager

Broadcast: November 6 - 9. 2025

Starbucks is launching its holiday collection with a new teddy bear-shaped cup that's already capturing hearts on social media.

The "Bearista" cold cup features a glass teddy bear wearing a green Starbucks beanie. The 20-ounce cup is available in stores and costs about $30.

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"From cold brew to an iced matcha latte, your drinks have never looked cuter," Starbucks says about the cup.

Other holiday cups include tumblers featuring ribbons and gingerbread cookies.

Holiday drinks like peppermint mocha and caramel brulee latte also returned Thursday, marking the official start of Starbucks' holiday season.

The federal government shutdown stretched into day 37 Thursday, marking the longest in U.S. history. Talks of a potential bipartisan agreement are emerging among some senators, though the path forward remains unclear.

Some Democrats are advocating for a one-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits to end the shutdown, while others want the credits permanently extended as part of a broader deal to reopen the government. Many Republicans have said they will not consider those proposals unless Democrats first agree to reopen federal agencies.

However, Sen. Chris Coons, D-Conn., one of the lawmakers involved in negotiations, told Scripps News he is optimistic that discussions are heading in the right direction.

RELATED STORY | These 40 airports are reportedly among those facing cuts due to government shutdown

"The off ramp is for the president to get involved and to say to [House] Speaker [Mike] Johnson, 'bring the House back in, add a one-year extension to the Affordable Care Act tax credits,' and we could be, I suspect we could open within the hour," Coons said.

"So many of us want to see the shutdown end and don't see our leaders talking directly," he added. "... For us to have any confidence about what the House will do, either the president has to get involved or Speaker Johnson has to say they're willing to actually engage."

Coons outlined two possible ways forward. The first is for President Trump to intervene. However, during a Thursday White House event focused on weight-loss drug costs, the president avoided the topic of the shutdown. He has largely left negotiations to Congress, seeking to push Senate Democrats to accept a Republican funding bill without direct talks.

The second option involves congressional leaders striking a deal but House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday he would not agree to any backroom arrangement to reopen the government.

Questions remain about whether the Senate could move forward on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies and whether Johnson would bring such a proposal to the House floor. Until that happens, the shutdown is expected to continue.

Trump has suggested Republicans could end the shutdown by eliminating the Senate filibuster, a rule that requires 60 votes to limit debate and pass most legislation a threshold that allows Democrats to block GOP initiatives despite the partys 53-seat majority.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Trump wants nuclear option to end shutdown; it could shake Capitol Hill to its core

Several Republicans told Scripps News they are open to discussing filibuster reforms, but most strongly oppose eliminating it. They warn that doing so could backfire if Democrats gain full control of Congress and the White House.

"I don't want to change the filibuster rule simply because every time parties change and you have different presidents and different parties, you'll have wild swings in policy and it'd be very disruptive to the country," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. "I think the filibuster plays a role in terms of providing stability, requiring consensus. But having said that, the president is rightly frustrated with the pace of things and ... I'd like to see our Democratic friends help us more."

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who is retiring, told Scripps News that Republicans lack the votes to scrap the filibuster, making changes unlikely. GOP leaders also fear Democrats could use a filibuster-free Senate to grant statehood to Washington, D.C., and other U.S. territories, potentially adding more Democratic seats.

A pivotal United Nations Climate Summit is beginning to take shape in Belem, Brazil as world leaders arrive for this years Conference of Parties known as COP30 notably without a United States delegation in attendance.

Climate advocates worry this move threatens to derail momentum behind new emissions and financing commitments, especially as China tapped its deputy prime minister to attend over high-level representatives, raising concerns over whether the worlds two largest emitters will shape any actionable outcome.

Thursday kicks off a gathering of heads of state over the next two days; the leaders of China, the U.S. and India all absent before the formal U.N. climate talks begin next week.

The United States empty chair prompted activists to fill the void; hundreds of representatives from organizations like Greenpeace and the Center for Biological Diversity are on the ground instead.

Jean Su, the energy justice director of the Center, wrote to Scripps News in an email that their presence is essential to convince international leaders that they should not allow a bully like Trump to derail decades of negotiations and that the activists are there to represent the majority who care passionately about having clean air, clean water and a safe climate future.

Trumps stance affects the whole global balance. It pushes governments further toward denial and deregulation, said Nadino Kalapucha, the spokesperson for the Amazonian Kichwa Indigenous group in Ecuador. That trickles down to us, to Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, where environmental protection is already under pressure.

The host city of Belem exemplifies the stakes of the global summit on climate action; as leaders and attendees fly in, theyll likely see barren plains surrounding the coastal city, dotting the green carpet and winding rivers. Around seventeen percent of the Amazons forest cover has vanished in the past 50 years, swallowed up for farmland, logging, and mining.

Known as the lungs of the world for its capacity to absorb vast quantities of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that warms the planet, the biodiverse Amazon rainforest has been choked by wildfires and cleared by cattle ranching.

It is here on the edge of the worlds largest remaining rainforest that Brazil's President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva hopes to convince world powers to mobilize enough funds to halt the ongoing destruction of climate-stabilizing tropical rainforests in danger around the world and make progress on other critical climate goals.

RELATED STORY | World already seeing more dangerous heat days and its just the beginning, study says

Large-scale marches, sit-ins and rallies are essential aspects of annual U.N. climate talks, but the previous three summits have taken place in autocratic nations that outlaw most forms of protest. Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan complied with U.N. rules that facilitate pre-approved protests within a walled-off part of the venue not subject to local laws.

Brazil is a different story. As world leaders arrived Thursday for the summit, environmental advocates were reveling in their much-missed freedom. Youth activists, Indigenous leaders and climate campaigners banged drums outside the sprawling convention center where main debates will be held and sailed into Belem on vessels outfitted with giant protest banners.

The debate and negotiations come under the shadow of a recently released and controversial memo by Bill Gates, who has long advocated for innovation in clean energy and climate solutions, published in the lead up to the summit. In it, he called for a strategic pivot" in how the world approaches climate change, and that while it is a serious threat, it will not lead to humanitys demise. He argues for shifting towards improvements to human welfare, to prevent suffering for those in the toughest conditions in the worlds poorest countries.

That framing has drawn sharp criticism from climate scientists who say it creates a false choice between fighting climate change and fighting poverty.

That mental model is fundamentally flawed because climate change is not a separate bucket, Katherine Hayhoe, the Chief Scientist for the Nature Conservancy and a professor at Texas Tech University said at a press conference hosted by Climate Now following the memos release. The reason we care about climate change is because it affects everything else we already care about. Our health, our welfare, our wellbeing, poverty, hunger, disease, and the economy, national security, you name it. So climate is rather the hole in every other bucket.

We dont necessarily live in a zero sum world, said Zeke Hausfather, a climatologist and energy systems analyst. Its fundamentally a policy problem, not a resource problem. I think in cases where there is money going to the poorest countries today for mitigation, maybe more of that should go to adaptation. Maybe more of that should go to disease eradication. But that's not the fundamental thing that's standing in the way of solving climate change. The fundamental thing is emissions, and that's mostly coming from the rich countries today.

Scientists and climate advocates ultimately warn that without U.S. leadership at the table, it will be harder for negotiators to push forward new commitments before warming crosses dangerous thresholds.

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