Springtime is approaching and we know this is the time when people want to work on home improvement projects.

From lawncare and carpet cleaning, to getting outdoor appliances ready, I went to a local hardware store to speak with metro Detroiters about what plans they have for their homes during the spring.

I like to really clean off the yard, blow everything out, get the grass all better where it needs to be," Bill Thompson from Birmingham said.

Thompson was looking at BBQ grills at the ACE Hardware in Beverly Hills when we spoke to him.

Certainly from an outside standpoint, we love to grill. Were looking at a Blackstone now possibly," Thompson said.

Bill Damman, the owner of the store, said if you're in the market for a new grill, the best time to get one is now.

Best way to save money now on a barbecue is check the sales. Everything in grills will be on sale now. Now is the time to replace it and buy it if you need to," Damman said.

Damman also went over the other things you should be on the lookout for when it comes to springtime home maintenance.

You really need to check the furnace filter for air conditioning so its ready to go when it gets hot, not waiting until its 90 degrees and you cant get service on it," he said.

Another area is windows, screen repair, now is the time to take the screens and bring them in. Beat the rush, have your screens ready so again when it gets hot, youre not desperately sitting there with a window you cant open because the screens are torn," Damman said.

I also spoke with other metro Detroiters to see what home projects they plan on working on in the next few months.

As far as getting our house ready for Spring, weve got a lot of work to do in the yard all that stuff," Kim Shriner said. "And cleaning all the carpets too, with spring, we have three dogs so its going to be quite busy.

I really try to de-clutter, get rid of clothes I havent worn in years or months or whatever," Trina Caldwell said.

Damman also said if you need to buy any outdoor appliances or supplies, start shopping for them now.

This is the time when the sales are coming out on lawnmowers, fertilizer, grass seed. All of the sales are hitting right now," he said.

Where Your Voice Matters

The trial for the woman accused in the deadly boat club tragedy in Monroe County last year will begin on Monday.

Marshella Chidester, 66, was allegedly drunk when she crashed into Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township on April 20, 2024. Two children died and 15 other people were injured.

She faces two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death and four counts of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury.

Previous coverage: 'Its horrific': Driver in deadly Swan Boat Club crash breaks her silence 'Its horrific': Driver in deadly Swan Boat Club crash breaks her silence

Earlier this month, a Walker hearing was held to determine if Chidester's statements to law enforcement officers would be admissible for trial. A judge denied the attempt to suppress statements taken at the crash site.

In the video from the Monroe County Sheriff's office, Chidester said she passed out and has had seizures. She also admitted to drinking a little bit.

Watch bodycam videos below: 'I passed out.' Body cam video shows driver after Swan Boat Club crash Marshella Chidester said she wouldn't let herself drive in new bodycam video

On her way back home from a restaurant on April 24, Chidester slammed her car into Swan Boat Club, where a kid's birthday party was being held. The crash resulted in the death of 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her 4-year-old brother Zayn Phillips.

As first responders arrived on the scene, Chidester can be seen questioned by deputies about the incident.

You cant pick and choose. Finally, the last officer knew halfway talking to her to read her Miranda rights, Colovos said.

Related video: Mother of 2 kids killed in Swan Boat Club crash testifies at preliminary exam Mother of 2 kids killed in Swan Boat Club crash testifies at preliminary exam

The judge said the questions she was asked by authorities were standard.

At another hearing, the judge also ruled the Chidester's blood-alcohol test results could be used in court.

A Monroe County sheriff's deputy who performed a field sobriety test and then took Chidester to the hospital said her BAC was .18. The legal limit in Michigan is .08.

Chidester sat down with 7 News Detroit last May to share what happened from her point of view.

I just want people to know how very, very disturbed I am by the situation. I dont remember what happened. I can only say that Ive been praying for everyone thats been injured, Chidester told us at her home, which is just feet from the boat club.

She claims she doesnt remember anything that led to the crash due to her neuropathy and heart problems. She also says she has a history of seizures and her memory goes out during her episodes, which is what she says believes happened that day. She hadn't driven after her latest seizure in October. After six months seizure-free she felt comfortable getting behind the wheel when she believes it happened again April 20.

I think I had a seizure, Chidester said. I think when I got in the car, thats what happened had the seizure, put my foot on the accelerator and into the building.

Over the weekend, the Detroit Skating Club raised more than $10,000 for families impacted by the January plane crash in Washington D.C.

The crash killed 67 people, and among the victims, nearly half were connected to the U.S. ice skating community.

Watch below: Devastating. Local skaters who knew DC crash victims share memories of friends

Devastating. Local skaters who knew DC crash victims share memories of friends

On Saturday night, local skaters honored their memory with an exhibition showcase.

"It feels surreal. It really doesnt feel real still. Every day Ill be reminded of it in some way, seeing a photo or a post and it still doesnt feel real," John Maravilla said.

"This week is when I finally started feeling better. I was really, really depressed the week of. I couldnt sleep at all and I couldnt get myself to eat much," Juan Calros Maravilla added.

There were 11 skaters and 13 members who were killed when a U.S. Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet, killing 67 people.

Juan Carlos and his brother, John, got to know some of those skaters over the years at competitions.

This after a military helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight back in January killing 67 people.

"We grew up with Eddie and Cory and their entire families and I was friends with another one, Spencer," Juan Carlos said.

John put together the program in honor of his late friend, Corey Hanos, on Saturday.

"He was going to skate to Gladiator. He had landed a triple axle which is a really hard jump in skating. It was supposed to be his breakthrough season," John said.

The exhibition skate was a way to financially support family members left behind in the wake of the tragedy. The team brought in more than $10,000.

"Its been really tough. We have a memorial table here that people, youll see continually them just stop take a moment add flowers to the table," Detroit Skating Club Assistant Skating Director Shelly Meyer said. "Its an ongoing grieving process and its really tough to see the skaters and coaches go through this."

All proceeds from the skate go to the U.S. Figure Skating Family Support Fund or directly to the families of those lost.

Where Your Voice Matters

Adrien Brody took home his second leading man Oscar for The Brutalist, Mikey Madison took home the best actress statuette and Anora was crowned best picture on its way to five awards Sunday.

See photos from the red carpet here

Kieran Culkin won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his work on A Real Pain and Zoe Saldaa won for her work in Emilia Prez. Sean Baker had a stunning night, winning the screenplay, director and editing awards for Anora.

Flow beat The Wild Robot for best animated feature film while Paul Tazewell became the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design for his work on Wicked.

Here's the complete list of winners at the 97th annual Academy Awards:

Best picture

Anora

Best Actor

Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Best Actress

Mikey Madison, Anora

Director

Sean Baker, Anora

Best Supporting Actress

Zoe Saldaa, Emilia Prez

Best Supporting Actor

Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

International Film

I'm Still Here

Documentary Feature

No Other Land

Original Screenplay

Anora, Sean Baker

Adapted Screenplay

Conclave, Peter Straughan

Original Score

The Brutalist, Daniel Blumberg

Original Song

El Mal from Emilia Prez

Animated Film

Flow

Visual Effects

Dune: Part Two

Costume Design

Wicked, Paul Tazewell

Cinematography

The Brutalist, Lol Crawley

Documentary Short Film

The Only Girl in the Orchestra

Best Sound

Dune: Part Two

Production Design

Wicked

Makeup and Hairstyling

The Substance

Film Editing

Anora, Sean Baker

Live Action Short Film

Im Not a Robot

Animated Short Film

In the Shadow of the Cypress

For more coverage of this years Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards

A second person has been arrested in connection to the murder of Dee Warner in Lenawee County, 7 News Detroit has learned.

The family of Dee told us that her stepson was taken into custody. He's expected to be arraigned on Monday.

Gregg Hardy, Dee's brother, spoke to us on Sunday.

"I've been hoping he'd be arrested for quite a while, because I always believed that he had information," Hardy said.

Dee's husband, Dale, has been charged in connection with Dee's murder. She was last seen in April of 2021 near her home in Tecumseh. Last June, a judge ruled that Dale would stand trial in the case.

In August 2024, Michigan State Police discovered remains that were later identified to be Dee's body on a property owned by Dale. Officials ruled her death a homicide.

The remains were found during a search of Dale property on Sunday, August 18. Dee Warner's brother tells 7 News Detroit the remains were found in a sealed tank that is used to hold anhydrous ammonia. There was no ammonia in the tank and the tank was closed on both ends.

Dale has been charged with open murder and tampering with evidence. It's not clear what charges his son is facing, but he is expected to be arraigned this week.

During the preliminary hearing for Dale, defense attorneys suggested that Dee may not have been murdered at all because at the time, her body was not found.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is doubling down on recent comments made by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham calling for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to step down as his country's leader.

Speaking Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," Johnson said "something has to change" following Zelenskyy's fiery meeting at the White House Friday with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance about ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.

RELATED STORY | Rubio criticizes Zelenskyys approach, insists on apology after Oval Office 'fiasco'

"Either [Zelenskyy] needs to come to his senses and come back to the table, in gratitude, or someone else needs to lead the country to do that," Johnson said. "I mean, it's up to the Ukrainians to figure that out. But I can tell you that we are, we are re-exerting peace through strength."

"We need President Zelenskyy to do what is necessary," he added. "This war has drug on far too long, he's lost hundreds of thousand of people including women and children we gotta bring an end to it."

Johnson's comments come just days after Sen. Graham, who has previously expressed support for Zelenskyy, said the Ukrainian president either needs to "resign" or "change" if he wants continued U.S. support in the war with Russia.

"What I saw in the Oval Office was disrespectful," Graham said. "And I don't know if we can ever do business with Zelenskyy again."

The clash in the White House started when Zelenskyy tried to explain that Russia had been showing signs of aggression toward Ukraine for more than a decade. Vance then accused Zelenskyy of being ungrateful for U.S. support.

"I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media," he told Zelenskyy.

RELATED STORY | Trump reflects on meeting with Zelenskyy: 'He very much overplayed his hand'

President Trump then chimed in, at times shouting, about how important U.S. support has been to Ukraine.

"You're not acting at all thankful, and that's not a nice thing," President Trump told Zelenskyy, before ultimately asking him to leave the White House.

Zelesnkyy left without signing a minerals deal that President Trump said was a condition for future support for Ukraine. Following the debacle, President Trump said Zelenskyy "overplayed his hand."

RELATED STORY | What comes next after the sudden breakdown in talks with Ukraine?

"I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I dont want advantage, I want PEACE," President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.

Zelenskyy later reiterated his position that Ukraine would not accept any peace agreement without reliable security guarantees in place.

"We are ready for peace but we have to be in strong position," he said in a Fox News interview. "What does it mean? Just to know that our army is strong. That our partners with us. And that we have security guarantees."

From fighting inside the ring to making a difference outside... a local wrestling group says they are achieving many goals through their organization.

Pure Pro Wrestling is based out of a Goodrich, Michigan barn.

"Whose barn is this?" I asked.

"This is mine, this is the family farm that I grew up on," said Joe Byrd.

The founder and head coach, Joe Byrd, started the company 15 years ago as a side hustle, primarily to help raise funds for charities.

"Around recession time in 07, I had lost my job, and I was sitting around and collecting unemployment checks and I thought to myself, I really don't want to go back into the sales world. So, what if I took a shot at this wrestling company and I started investing all my unemployment checks into wrestling shows and I never looked back," Joe said.

What started with 6 wrestlers... is now 50 strong.

"How is business?" I asked.

"We are the largest professional wrestling company in the state of Michigan. We are the only one that tours and offers family-friendly pro wrestling," Joe said.

The company supports many charities including Xceptional Heroes, and Toys 4 Tots among others. But there is more goodness to this place than meets the eye.

"Aint no time like father time," said Father Time, a wrestler at Pure Pro Wrestling.

"How old are you?" I asked.

"If I tell you that I will have to kill you. Im younger than 80, older than 70," said Father Time.

Father Time joined the company 4 years ago. A passion from his twenties that kept fading away.

"Things kept happening. Ive had 3 strokes, two bouts with cancer. I can see nothing but light in my left eye. And I can barely see you with my right eye," said Father Time.

"What motivated you to say, you know what? Im not going to let this stop me," asked Faraz.

"Anybody with a disability, we have an edge on anybody we call normal. Because when they get up they just do. But when we get up, we have to fight. And thats what Father Time does.. He gets up in the morning, and he is looking for something to overcome." said Father Time.

Penny P, the Knockout Nerd, is another unstoppable force in the ring.

"And John Cena has been your inspiration?" I asked.

"Yes, his thing of never giving up, that phrase itself kept me going," Penny said.

The 22-year-old is a sexual assault survivor.

"It started really young; I was probably 5 or 6. And I have talked about this since the court case. That court case ended in August of last year. When all that was going on, I was here. I was training, using wrestling as a therapy," Penny said.

"Words cant describe your bravery and how courageous you are. It also shows me no matter how strong a person is from the outside, you just dont know what they are going through inside," I said.

No, not a lot of people know Im a SA survivor and i got this really pretty tattoo," Penny said

But more than that, she has finally found her family here.

"Do you secretly wish at some point you can say you can't see me?" I asked.

"Oh Absolutely, but that's John Cenas trademark and I'm not going to steal it from him," Penny said.

"Going into this, did you ever think you would end up changing lives?" I asked.

"I think when you go out and do something like performance art, which is what pro wrestling is, it's so therapeutic in nature," Joe said.

To learn more about Pure Pro Wrestling and their upcoming events, as well as to join their wrestling program, head to www.pureprowrestling.net

Allergy season is back.

I have noticed increased runny nose, also red eyes especially when I wake up in the morning, said Florida resident Simran Saini, who suffers from allergies.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies and are pollen-sensitive, youll likely start noticing symptoms like extreme congestion, itchy and watery eyes, sore throat, coughing, and wheezing.

People with allergies, theyre more prone to get sinus infections, bronchitis, especially at this time of the year, said Dr. Latha Chamarthy, an allergy specialist.

Shes seen more people come in with these symptoms recently.

When people have seasonal allergies in the springtime, we do recommend avoiding outdoor activities as much as possible," Chamarthy added. "Stay indoors."

Thats something she recommends to her patient, Saini.

When I do go outside, I do notice me getting a sore throat, even coughing. Sometimes I will get shortness of breath, said Saini.

RELATED STORY | Research finds climate change is making allergy season worse

Dr. Rima Sanka has also seen an increase in patients.

Patients are having the kind of early signs of it right now, in my opinion, and it will continue to get worse for the next two to three months, said Sanka, who is an allergy and asthma immunologist.

People can get a little bit of fullness and pressure in the sinuses, post nasal drip, throat clearing, she added.

Kids can have different allergy symptoms.

Oftentimes young children present with eczema, or atopic dermatitis, are the first sign of their allergies, and they may not develop the nasal and eye and throat symptoms until the next year or the year after, said Sanka.

If youre feeling symptomatic, Sanka said one of the best things you can do is try to control your indoor space. So do things like close your windows, change clothes once you get inside because they likely have pollen on them, leave your shoes at the door, keep your air conditioning running, and change the filter.

People dont think about how dirty their filters get when the pollen season is high. So if you typically change them once every three months, now you have to change them every month, said Sanka.

Taking a shower before you go to bed makes a tremendous difference. All that pollen that you see on your car windshield is also all over you. So washing your hair, washing your face, she added.

RELATED STORY | These are the 20 worst US cities for allergies

Go see a doctor if your allergies are affecting your quality of life. You can also get tested for different things to manage your symptoms better.

We use a plastic prick device And it introduces the allergen into the top layer of the skin, said Sanka.

Theres also over-the-counter medication that doctors recommend can help, too.

If youre having symptoms, you can also take antihistamines, nasal sprays, said Chamarthy.

You can feel better. Your quality of life is important. Your quality of sleep is important. Its worth investing in yourself, said Sanka.

This story was originally published by Larissa Scott with the

Scripps News Group.

Pope Francis remained in stable condition and didnt need any mechanical ventilation on Sunday, the Vatican said. It was a sign that his respiratory function was improving as he continues his recovery from double pneumonia and a respiratory crisis.

The 88-year-old pope did continue to receive high flow supplemental oxygen after Fridays coughing episode, which sparked fears of a new infection. Doctors again said his prognosis remained guarded, meaning he wasnt out of danger.

Francis, who earlier Sunday had a visit from the Vatican No. 2 and No. 3 officials, also attended Mass, rested and prayed, the Vatican said in its evening bulletin.

Francis continued his recovery from double pneumonia, but again skipped his weekly noon blessing to avoid even a brief public appearance from the hospital.

Instead, the Vatican distributed a message from the pope in which he thanked his doctors for their care and well-wishers for their prayers, and prayed again for peace in Ukraine and elsewhere.

RELATED STORY | The US Christian population has declined for years. A new survey shows that drop leveling off

From here, war appears even more absurd, Francis said in the message, which he drafted in recent days from the Gemelli hospital, the Vatican said. Francis said he was living his hospitalization as an experience of profound solidarity with people who are sick and suffering everywhere.

I feel in my heart the blessing that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord, Francis said in the text. At the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people.

Signs point to a recovery

It marked the third weekend in a row that Francis has canceled the Sunday appointment delivering the Angelus prayer in person. He could have done so from his 10th floor hospital suite at the Gemelli hospital if he were well enough.

But many signs indicated he was improving, especially after a respiratory crisis on Friday afternoon that resulted in him inhaling vomit during a coughing fit and raising the possibility of new infection.

The night was quiet, the pope is still resting, the Vatican said in its Sunday update. Francis was up, read the Sunday papers and had coffee and breakfast while continuing with his therapy.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin and his chief of staff, Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, also called on the pope Sunday morning, their second visit since Francis' Feb. 14 hospitalization, according to the Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni. There were no details of what was discussed, but the mere visit suggested Francis' condition was stabilizing.

Doctors on Saturday reported that Francis was in stable condition, with no mention of him being critical, and managed to take long periods of time off the noninvasive mechanical ventilation he needed to recover after Friday's respiratory crisis.

The 88-year-old pope had a good response in his gas exchange levels even while off the ventilator mask Saturday and only using high-flow supplemental oxygen, the Vatican said.

He had no fever or signs of elevated white blood cells, which would signal his body was fighting a new infection.

RELATED STORY | Pope Francis hurts his right arm after falling for the second time in just over a month

The fact that Francis was able to use just high-flow oxygen for long periods, without any significant effect on the levels of oxygen in his blood, was a sign his respiratory function was improving.

Doctors were cautious however and kept his prognosis as guarded, meaning he wasnt out of danger. He was eating and drinking and continued his respiratory physiotherapy, and spent 20 minutes in his private chapel down the hall on Saturday, the Vatican said.

The pope, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has lung disease and was admitted to Gemelli on Feb. 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened and turned into a complex pneumonia in both lungs.

Prayers continued to pour in

Francis hospitalization has come as the Vatican is marking its Holy Year, drawing pilgrims to Rome from all over. Many have added a pilgrimage destination to their itineraries so they can pray for Francis at the Gemelli hospital, which is around a 20-minute drive from the Vatican, longer in rush hour or on public transport.

The Rev. Riccardo Fumagalli had accompanied a group of young people from Milan to Rome for the Jubilee and would have attended Francis' Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square on Sunday if he had delivered it as usual. Instead, they went to Gemelli.

RELATED STORY | Texas education board approves optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools

It seemed good to us to come here to express our closeness, especially of these teenagers, to be close to the Holy Father to pray for him, to pray for this moment of illness, he said.

Cancer patient Antonino Cacace was also arriving Sunday at Gemelli from Milan for his own treatment, saying he has to undergo surgery in the coming days and was counting on Francis' prayers.

I am glad the pope is giving me help," he said. "I am on the ninth (floor) and he is on the 10th (floor). I hope to meet him and see him, he said.

Israel stopped the entry of all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip on Sunday and warned of additional consequences if Hamas doesnt accept a new proposal to extend a fragile ceasefire, while key mediator Egypt accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon.

Hamas accused Israel of trying to derail the ceasefire agreement hours after its first phase ended. It called the decision to cut off aid cheap extortion, a war crime and a blatant attack on the truce, which took hold in January after over a year of negotiations. Both sides stopped short of saying the ceasefire had ended.

RELATED STORY | Israeli official says the army won't withdraw from a Gaza corridor in potential jolt to truce

The first phase, which included a surge in humanitarian assistance after months of growing hunger in the territory, expired on Saturday. The two sides have yet to negotiate the second phase, in which Hamas was to release dozens of remaining hostages in return for an Israeli pullout from Gaza and a lasting ceasefire. Talks should have begun a month ago.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty condemned Israels decision as a flagrant and clear violation of humanitarian law, and called for the immediate implementation of the second phase.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which has facilitated the releases of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, said the ceasefire has saved countless lives, and any unraveling of the forward momentum created over the last six weeks risks plunging people back into despair.

Israel described the new proposal as a U.S. one. There was no immediate comment from the United States, and it was not clear when U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, expected to visit the region last week, would arrive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that under the existing agreements Israel could resume fighting after the first phase if it believes negotiations are ineffective. He said the ceasefire would only continue if Hamas keeps releasing hostages, telling his Cabinet there will be no free lunches. He said Israel was full coordinated with President Donald Trumps administration.

RELATED STORY | 'Trump Gaza is finally here': President shares AI video detailing 'golden future' for the region

The war has left most of Gazas population of over 2 million dependent on international aid. Hundreds of aid trucks had entered Gaza daily since the ceasefire began on Jan. 19, easing fears of famine raised by international experts.

But residents said prices doubled as word of the closure spread.

Everyone is worried, said Sayed al-Dairi in Gaza City. This is not a life.

Fayza Nassar in the heavily destroyed urban Jabaliya refugee camp said the closure would worsen already dire conditions.

There will be famine and chaos, she said.

After a topsy-turvy Oscar season in which frontrunners were constantly shuffled, old tweets hobbled a top contender and space was held for Wicked, the 97th Academy Awards get underway Sunday.

Sundays Academy Awards, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, will bring to a close one of the most unpredictable Oscar races in recent memory.

The ceremony kicks off 7 p.m. EST and will be broadcast by ABC and streamed on Hulu. Conan OBrien is hosting for the first time. The official red carpet preshow on ABC and Hulu starts at 6:30 p.m. Unofficial E! red carpet coverage begins at 4 p.m. EST and The Associated Press will livestream arrivals beginning at 3 p.m.

Light rain was in the forecast for Sunday morning in Los Angeles, which is still recovering from wildfires that devastated the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods earlier this year.

The fires affected many throughout the film industry and within the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Some even called for the cancellation of Hollywoods awards season. While his Pacific Palisades house was spared, OBrien has been living out of a hotel the last two months. Oscar producers have said the show will celebrate the citys resilience.

Is there an Oscar favorite?

The lead nominee is Netflixs Emilia Prez, with 13 nominations, but that film has seen its chances crater following uproar over years-old offensive tweets by its star, Karla Sofa Gascn, the first openly trans actor nominated for best actress.

The favorite is Sean Bakers Anora, about a sex worker who weds the son of a Russian oligarch. The Neon release, the Cannes Palme dOr winner, won with the producers, directors and writers guild. The only movie with the same resume to not win best picture is Brokeback Mountain.

Its closest competition is Conclave, the papal thriller starring Ralph Fiennes. It won at the BAFTAs and the SAG Awards, wins that came just as Pope Francis was hospitalized for double pneumonia. Oscar voting concluded before the pope fell ill.

Also in the mix are The Brutalist, nominated for 10 awards, and the musical hit Wicked, also with 10 nominations. Several of the early craft Oscars could be shared between Wicked and Dune: Part Two.

Will politics play a starring role?

For the first time, an actor is nominated for playing the sitting U.S. president. Sebastian Stan is nominated for best actor for his performance as a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice, as is his co-star, Jeremy Strong, for playing Roy Cohn. Trump has called those involved with the film human scum.

The political tenor of this years ceremony could be volatile, with the Oscars coming weeks into the second Trump administration and falling two days after the presidents dramatic rupture with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

Speaking earlier this week, OBrien said he'll strive to strike a delicate balance.

I cannot ignore the moment were in, he said. But I also have to remember its threading a needle. I also have to remember what were here to celebrate and infuse the show with positivity.

Will Timothe Chalamet win his first Oscar?

While the supporting acting categories feature overwhelming favorites in Zoe Saldana (Emilia Prez) and Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), both best actor and best actress are close contests.

In best actress, Demi Moore (The Substance) is most likely to win, but Mikey Madison (Anora) or Fernanda Torres (Im Still Here) could pull off the upset.

Adrien Brody is favored in best actor for his performance in The Brutalist. But Timothe Chalamet stands a decent chance of beating him, for his performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. The 29-year-old Chalamet, who won at the Screen Actors Guild, would become the youngest best actor winner ever, edging Brodys record, set in 2003 in his win for The Pianist.

Can the show lift a battered Hollywood?

This year's Oscars are unspooling after a turbulent year for the film industry. Ticket sales were down 3% from the previous year and more significantly from pre-pandemic times. The strikes of 2023 played havoc with release schedules in 2024. Many studios pulled back on production, leaving many out of work. The fires, in January, only added to the pain.

Last years telecast, propelled by the twin blockbusters of Oppenheimer and Barbie, led the Oscars to a four-year viewership high, with 19.5 million viewers. This year, with smaller independent films favored in the most prominent awards, the academy will be tested to draw as large of an audience.

With a not particularly starry array of best song nominees, the academy has done away with performances of original songs this year. But there will be music, including a performance by Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and a tribute to the late Quincy Jones, with Queen Latifah.

Last years acting winners Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, DaVine Joy Randolph will also take part in the ceremony. Though the academy initially said it would bring back the fab five style of presenting the acting awards, with five previous winners per category, organizers have reportedly abandoned those plans.

The ceremony will be taking place days following the death of Gene Hackman. The 95-year-old two-time Oscar winner and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead Wednesday at their New Mexico home.

After a topsy-turvy Oscar season in which frontrunners were constantly shuffled, old tweets hobbled a top contender and space was held for Wicked, the 97th Academy Awards get underway Sunday.

Sundays Academy Awards, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, will bring to a close one of the most unpredictable Oscar races in recent memory.

The ceremony kicks off 7 p.m. EST and will be broadcast by ABC and streamed on Hulu. Conan OBrien is hosting for the first time. The official red carpet preshow on ABC and Hulu starts at 6:30 p.m. Unofficial E! red carpet coverage begins at 4 p.m. EST and The Associated Press will livestream arrivals beginning at 3 p.m.

Light rain was in the forecast for Sunday morning in Los Angeles, which is still recovering from wildfires that devastated the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods earlier this year.

The fires affected many throughout the film industry and within the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Some even called for the cancellation of Hollywoods awards season. While his Pacific Palisades house was spared, OBrien has been living out of a hotel the last two months. Oscar producers have said the show will celebrate the citys resilience.

Is there an Oscar favorite?

The lead nominee is Netflixs Emilia Prez, with 13 nominations, but that film has seen its chances crater following uproar over years-old offensive tweets by its star, Karla Sofa Gascn, the first openly trans actor nominated for best actress.

The favorite is Sean Bakers Anora, about a sex worker who weds the son of a Russian oligarch. The Neon release, the Cannes Palme dOr winner, won with the producers, directors and writers guild. The only movie with the same resume to not win best picture is Brokeback Mountain.

Its closest competition is Conclave, the papal thriller starring Ralph Fiennes. It won at the BAFTAs and the SAG Awards, wins that came just as Pope Francis was hospitalized for double pneumonia. Oscar voting concluded before the pope fell ill.

Also in the mix are The Brutalist, nominated for 10 awards, and the musical hit Wicked, also with 10 nominations. Several of the early craft Oscars could be shared between Wicked and Dune: Part Two.

Will politics play a starring role?

For the first time, an actor is nominated for playing the sitting U.S. president. Sebastian Stan is nominated for best actor for his performance as a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice, as is his co-star, Jeremy Strong, for playing Roy Cohn. Trump has called those involved with the film human scum.

The political tenor of this years ceremony could be volatile, with the Oscars coming weeks into the second Trump administration and falling two days after the presidents dramatic rupture with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

Speaking earlier this week, OBrien said he'll strive to strike a delicate balance.

I cannot ignore the moment were in, he said. But I also have to remember its threading a needle. I also have to remember what were here to celebrate and infuse the show with positivity.

Will Timothe Chalamet win his first Oscar?

While the supporting acting categories feature overwhelming favorites in Zoe Saldana (Emilia Prez) and Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), both best actor and best actress are close contests.

In best actress, Demi Moore (The Substance) is most likely to win, but Mikey Madison (Anora) or Fernanda Torres (Im Still Here) could pull off the upset.

Adrien Brody is favored in best actor for his performance in The Brutalist. But Timothe Chalamet stands a decent chance of beating him, for his performance as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. The 29-year-old Chalamet, who won at the Screen Actors Guild, would become the youngest best actor winner ever, edging Brodys record, set in 2003 in his win for The Pianist.

Can the show lift a battered Hollywood?

This year's Oscars are unspooling after a turbulent year for the film industry. Ticket sales were down 3% from the previous year and more significantly from pre-pandemic times. The strikes of 2023 played havoc with release schedules in 2024. Many studios pulled back on production, leaving many out of work. The fires, in January, only added to the pain.

Last years telecast, propelled by the twin blockbusters of Oppenheimer and Barbie, led the Oscars to a four-year viewership high, with 19.5 million viewers. This year, with smaller independent films favored in the most prominent awards, the academy will be tested to draw as large of an audience.

With a not particularly starry array of best song nominees, the academy has done away with performances of original songs this year. But there will be music, including a performance by Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and a tribute to the late Quincy Jones, with Queen Latifah.

Last years acting winners Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, DaVine Joy Randolph will also take part in the ceremony. Though the academy initially said it would bring back the fab five style of presenting the acting awards, with five previous winners per category, organizers have reportedly abandoned those plans.

The ceremony will be taking place days following the death of Gene Hackman. The 95-year-old two-time Oscar winner and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead Wednesday at their New Mexico home.

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For full coverage of this years Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards

The Paczki Day Party kicked off today with Polish treats and feasts at Eastern Market.

Thousands of people attended the one-day event, which traditionally paves the way for Fat Tuesday.

45-year-old Rodney Srodek moved to Michigan from Poland in 1985.

"I love my Polish heritage," said Rodney.

"What do you love about it?" I asked

"The family aspect, Polish music, and Polish food," Rodney replied.

Rodney is the proud owner of Srodek's, an establishment that dates back to 1981.

"My grandparents started this shop. We have two bricks and mortars... Food truck, I started probably around 11 years ago," said Rodney.

"What is your specialty?" I asked.

"Pierogi and Kiszka," Rodney said.

"What makes your food authentic?" I asked.

"My great grandmother's recipe... it's passed down," Rodney said.

And that's why hundreds of people were in Detroit's Eastern Market to dive into Polish heritage as part of the annual Paczki Day Party.

"What's the one aspect of this event that you love?" I asked an attendee.

"I believe it's the Polish Vodka, their Paczki vodka and Paczki itself." Mike said.

Husband and Wife, Mike and Anne Wyszczelski attend the event yearly to pay tribute to their Polish roots.

"What's the secret recipe for being married for 35 years?" I asked.

"Lots of Polish Vodka," said Anne.

"Polish food," said Mike.

It turns out the party's host, Detroit City Distillery's top-selling item, is derived from something Polish.

"7 years ago, Steve, the boss of the distillery, went to Hamtramck and got 6 dozen Paczki. Through that, we create Paczki Day Vodka. That started super niche. A couple of hundred bottles, and now it's expanded to thousands of bottles across the state," Ryan said.

Even though this event wrapped up today, The Distillery's Ryan Klosowski says thousands of people attend the one-day event, and every year, it gets bigger and better.

"It's just something we really look forward to every year," said Ryan.

This year, Fat Tuesday falls on March 4th, and the city of Hamtramck is all set once again to celebrate the Polish culture.

A private lunar lander carrying a drill, vacuum and other experiments for NASA touched down on the moon Sunday, the latest in a string of companies looking to kickstart business on Earth's celestial neighbor ahead of astronaut missions.

Firefly Aerospaces Blue Ghost lander descended from lunar orbit on autopilot, aiming for the slopes of an ancient volcanic dome in an impact basin on the moons northeastern edge of the near side.

Confirmation of successful touchdown came from the company's Mission Control outside Austin, Texas, following the action some 225,000 miles (360,000 kilometers) away.

You all stuck the landing. Were on the moon, Fireflys Will Coogan, chief engineer for the lander, reported.

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An upright and stable landing makes Firefly a startup founded a decade ago the first private outfit to put a spacecraft on the moon without crashing or falling over. Even countries have faltered, with only five claiming success: Russia, the U.S., China, India and Japan.

A half hour after landing, Blue Ghost started to send back pictures from the surface, the first one a selfie somewhat obscured by the sun's glare. The second shot included the home planet, a blue dot glimmering in the blackness of space.

Two other companies landers are hot on Blue Ghosts heels, with the next one expected to join it on the moon later this week.

Blue Ghost named after a rare U.S. species of fireflies had its size and shape going for it. The squat four-legged lander stands 6-foot-6 tall and 11 feet wide, providing extra stability, according to the company.

Launched in mid-January from Florida, the lander carried 10 experiments to the moon for NASA. The space agency paid $101 million for the delivery, plus $44 million for the science and tech on board. Its the third mission under NASAs commercial lunar delivery program, intended to ignite a lunar economy of competing private businesses while scouting around before astronauts show up later this decade.

Fireflys Ray Allensworth said the lander skipped over hazards including boulders to land safely. Allensworth said the team continued to analyze the data to figure out the lander's exact position, but all indications suggest it landed within the 328-foot target zone in Mare Crisium.

The demos should get two weeks of run time, before lunar daytime ends and the lander shuts down.

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It carried a vacuum to suck up moon dirt for analysis and a drill to measure temperature as deep as 10 feet below the surface. Also on board: a device for eliminating abrasive lunar dust a scourge for NASAs long-ago Apollo moonwalkers, who got it caked all over their spacesuits and equipment.

On its way to the moon, Blue Ghost beamed back exquisite pictures of the home planet. The lander continued to stun once in orbit around the moon, with detailed shots of the moon's gray pockmarked surface. At the same time, an on-board receiver tracked and acquired signals from the U.S. GPS and European Galileo constellations, an encouraging step forward in navigation for future explorers.

The landing set the stage for a fresh crush of visitors angling for a piece of lunar business.

Another lander a tall and skinny 15-footer built and operated by Houston-based Intuitive Machines is due to land on the moon Thursday. Its aiming for the bottom of the moon, just 100 miles from the south pole. Thats closer to the pole than the company got last year with its first lander, which broke a leg and tipped over.

Despite the tumble, Intuitive Machines' lander put the U.S. back on the moon for the first time since NASA astronauts closed out the Apollo program in 1972.

A third lander from the Japanese company ispace is still three months from landing. It shared a rocket ride with Blue Ghost from Cape Canaveral on Jan. 15, taking a longer, windier route. Like Intuitive Machines, ispace is also attempting to land on the moon for the second time. Its first lander crashed in 2023.

The moon is littered with wreckage not only from ispace, but dozens of other failed attempts over the decades.

RELATED STORY | Rare 'Einstein Ring' spotted around a nearby galaxy for the first time

NASA wants to keep up a pace of two private lunar landers a year, realizing some missions will fail, said the space agency's top science officer Nicky Fox.

It really does open up a whole new way for us to get more science to space and to the moon," Fox said.

Unlike NASAs successful Apollo moon landings that had billions of dollars behind them and ace astronauts at the helm, private companies operate on a limited budget with robotic craft that must land on their own, said Firefly CEO Jason Kim.

Kim said everything went like clockwork.

We got some moon dust on our boots," Kim said.

The 72nd Annual Meguiar's Detroit Autorama, presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts, will take over Huntington Place in Downtown Detroit from February 28 to March 2.

Over 800 of the most amazing chopped, channeled, dumped and decked, hot rods and custom cars in the world will descend on the motor city with builders from across the country, competing for the highest honor in hot rodding,The Ridler Award. The Barbie Cadillac, as seen at Disney's Epcot Center, makes its debut at Autorama while the giant Megamorph Transformer will take up the high ceiling Atrium at Huntington Place. Both features will offer great photo opportunities.

For more information go to www.autorama.com or call 248-373-1700.

Mardi Gras is Tuesday, March 4, 2025 and Louisiana Creole Gumbo is the perfect place in Detroit to experience the flavors of New Orleans.

LCG is one of Detroits oldest Black-owned restaurants, serving authentic Creole cuisine for over 50 years. Its menu features gumbo, jambalaya, red beans & rice, po'boys, and soul sides like Mac & Cheese, Collard Greens, and Candied Yams.

Louisiana Creole Gumbo has two locations:

o Eastern Market: 2830 Gratiot, Detroit 48207

o Northwest Detroit: 13505 West Seven Mile Road, Detroit 48235

Orders are available for pickup and delivery via DoorDash, Uber Eats, and GrubHub. To learn more about LCG or to check out the menu, visit Louisiana Creole Gumbo | Southern Quick-Serve Cuisine

The owner of Jazz Cannabis Club on Telegraph and Six Mile is estimating up to $100,000 in damages due to the latest break-in.

They tied a chain to our front door and ripped the front door off and they broke into the selling area, said George Brikho, owner, Jazz Cannabis Club.

Brikho shared this surveillance video from around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday with us.

It shows multiple suspects wearing masks walking into the cannabis shop and taking items.

They went after inventory of marijuana flower, said Brikho.

Brikho says this is the third time in about six months or seven months his shop has been broken into.

Two other times they broke in. The first time they used a sledgehammer, they punched a hole in the wall, said Brikho. They were able to get in. The second time they, they drove a stolen U-Haul through it and they got in as well, but didn't get anything as well.

This time around, Brikho is offering a $10,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people behind the break ins.

We need to put a stop to this, and if I can help by offering this cash reward, you know, I would love to do it, said Birkho. it's really frustrating. We're here trying to make a living where it's, it's a it's a struggle.

Despite what happened on Saturday, Brikho was open for business.

We stayed open today because obviously business is business, the show must go on. We have a great community here, all our customers are not customers, theyre like family, said Brikho.

If you have any information that will help police catch the suspects in these break ins, call Detroit Police or the Jazz Cannabis Club at (313) 636-2582.

After devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles, the 97th Academy Awards are going forward.

Like the Grammys and other awards shows this year, the ceremony will be transformed by the fires and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has pledged to help its members and the broader film community recover.

Heres everything you need to know about this years show:

When are the Oscars?

The Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The show, to be broadcast live by ABC, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Eastern/4 p.m. Pacific.

Are the Oscars streaming?

In a first, the Oscars will be streamed live on Hulu. You can also watch via Hulu Live TV, YouTubeTV, AT&T TV and FuboTV. With authentication from your provider, you can watch on ABC.com and the ABC app.

Who's hosting the Oscars?

Conan OBrien is hosting the Academy Awards for the first time.

"I never have been invited to the Oscars," the late night host-turned podcaster and occasional movie star said at a news conference Wednesday. I only hosted so that I could be invited.

O'Brien said he would not hesitate to talk about the nation's fraught political situation.

I cannot ignore the moment were in," he said. "But I also have to remember its threading a needle. I also have to remember what were here to celebrate and infuse the show with positivity.

He said compared to all the other things he's done, hosting the Oscars is like for the first time getting to drive a Ferrari.

Id like to keep the tuxedo, he said. They made me an absolutely beautiful tuxedo. Its the nicest thing Ive ever put on in my life.

How have the wildfires altered the show?

The wildfires that consumed large parts of Los Angeles in early January led some to call for the cancellation of the Academy Awards. The academy twice postponed the announcement of nominations but never pushed the March 2 date of the ceremony. Academy leaders have argued the show must go ahead, for their economic impact on Los Angeles and as a symbol of resilience.

The fires will be addressed during the show both directly and in its themes, and viewers will be able to make donations.

Theres been so many people that have been touched by this devastation, Raj Kapoor, the show's executive producer and showrunner, said Wednesday. Theres been so much outreach, and we really wanted to create some really beautiful moments on stage that celebrate this amazing city that we live in.

For many involved in the Oscars, the fires have been felt acutely. O'Brien's Pacific Palisades home survived but his family has been unable to go back to it. O'Brien's assistant and podcast co-host Sona Movsesian lost her home.

I know so many people who lost their homes and Im just, was ridiculously lucky, OBrien told The Associated Press. So we want to make sure that that show reflects whats happening and that we put a light on the right people in the right way.

Who's presenting at the Oscars?

The academy on Wednesday added to its extensive lineup of presenters. Dave Bautista, Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Margaret Qualley, Alba Rohrwacher, Zoe Saldaa and Rachel Zegler will all present.

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They join a roster of previously announced presenters including Selena Gomez, Oprah Winfrey, Joe Alwyn, Ana de Armas, Halle Berry, Scarlett Johansson, Bowen Yang, Lily-Rose Depp and Sterling K. Brown.

Last year's acting winners Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, DaVine Joy Randolph will also take part in the ceremony. Though the academy initially said it would bring back the fab five style of presenting the acting awards, with five previous winners per category, organizers have reportedly abandoned those plans for Sunday's ceremony. Nick Offerman will serve as the show's announcer.

Will there be any performances?

The academy has announced that, unlike previous years, the original song nominees will not be performed this time. That doesn't mean there won't be music, though.

Producers said Wednesday that Queen Latifah will be part of a musical tribute to the late Quincy Jones, who was honored in November with one of the academy's Governor's Awards just weeks after his death.

Doja Cat, LISA of Blackpink, Queen Latifah and RAYE will also perform, as will Wicked's Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. (The songs from Wicked weren't eligible for best song since, hailing from the Broadway musical, they aren't original to the movie.) The Los Angeles Master Chorale will also appear.

What's nominated for best picture?

The 10 nominees for best picture are: Anora; The Brutalist; A Complete Unknown; Conclave; Dune: Part 2; Emilia Prez; Im Still Here; Nickel Boys; The Substance; Wicked

RELATED STORY | 'The Brutalist,' 'Emilia Perez' triumph at Golden Globes

How can I watch the Oscar-nominated films?

Some of the nominees are still in theaters, but many of this years Oscar nominees are streaming on various platforms. The AP has this handy guide to help with Oscar cramming.

Who are the favorites?

More than most years, thats a tricky question, but a front-runner had emerged after Anora took the top awards at the Producers Guild, Directors Guild and Independent Spirit Awards. The best picture race had been seen as unusually wide open, with Anora, Conclave, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown and Emilia Prez all having legitimate hopes of winning the hopes of Conclave further boosted by its Screen Actors Guild ensemble win.

In the acting categories, Demi Moore (The Substance) is favored for best actress, although Mikey Madison's BAFTA and Independent Spirit wins for Anora makes it more of a race. Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) is most likely in best actor though SAG winner Timothe Chalamet could threaten while Zoe Saldaa (Emilia Prez) is the supporting actress front-runner and Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) is the favorite for best supporting actor.

What's the deal withEmilia Prez?

Jacques Audiards Emilia Prez, a narco-musical about a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirming surgery, comes in with a leading 13 nominations. The film, at one point, seemed like Netflixs best chance yet to land the streamer its first best picture win. Its star, Karla Sofa Gascn, made history by becoming the first openly trans actor nominated for an Oscar.

But no nominee has had a rockier post-nominations Oscar campaign. After old offensive tweets by Gascn were uncovered, the actress issued an apology. The fallout, though, has badly damaged a movie that was already a divisive contender, and led Netflix to radically refocus its flagging campaign.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the deployment of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team and General Support Aviation Battalion to the U.S.-Mexico border on Saturday to bolster security at the southern border.

The Defense Department stated that about 3,000 troops will be included in the deployment. This will bring the total number of military personnel at the U.S. border to 9,000.

These deployments will bring additional agility and capability to further efforts to stop the flow of illegal migrancy and drugs at the southern border, said Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of United States Northern Command.

RELATED STORY | Trumps border crackdown faces hurdles as immigration judges are terminated

United States Northern Command noted that about 2,400 of the troops will be used for detection and monitoring; administrative support; transportation support; warehousing and logistics support; vehicle maintenance; and engineering support. An additional 500 soldiers will assist in the movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies, and provide aerial medical evacuation capabilities.

It is unclear how long their deployment will last. Officials did not specify where along the border the troops will be located.

"These forces will arrive in the coming weeks and their deployment underscores the Department's unwavering dedication to working alongside the Department of Homeland Security to secure our southern border and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States under President Trump's leadership," the Defense Department said in a statement on Saturday.

RELATED STORY | Trump administration creates registry of unauthorized immigrants, partners with local law enforcement

Under U.S. law, troops are unable to directly conduct law enforcement missions at the border.

Both the outgoing Biden administration and the new Trump administration have reported a decline in border crossings in recent months.