❌

Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Today β€” 19 May 2025WXYZ-TV Detroit

7 inmates still at large after escaping from New Orleans jail

19 May 2025 at 16:07

Authorities in Louisiana continue to search for seven inmates who were among a larger group that escaped the jail at the Orleans Justice Center in downtown New Orleans on Friday.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office said three members of the group of escaped individuals have been brought back into custody after being found in various areas.

Members of local, state and federal law enforcement are still searching for seven men at large:

Corey Boyd Derrick Groves Jermaine Donald Lenton VanBuren Antoine Massey Leo Tate Gary Price

A group of 10 men who were being held in the Orleans Parish Jail on a variety of charges including some with murder escaped from the facility in the early morning hours on Friday, the sheriff's office said.

The individuals were able to get out of their cells just after midnight due to faulty locks, the sheriff's office said.

Around 1 a.m., the detainees were able to go through a hole in the wall behind a toilet in one of the housing unit cells. The group was then able to leave the building through a back door used for unloading supplies and scale a wall before they were seen on surveillance running across a nearby interstate.

It is believed members of the sheriff's office may have aided in their escape, officials said.

The discovery of the missing inmates was made during a morning headcount at the jail around 8:30 a.m.

The sheriff's office acknowledged that this escape has highlighted several critical issues with the jail's infrastructure. Officials said in addition to the defective locks and wall opening, about one-third of the security cameras throughout the facility are currently inoperable, including three cameras in the unit from which the escape occurred.

"These security breaches, combined with ongoing staffing shortages, have made it difficult to maintain the level of security required. Currently, the OJC houses 24 pods, and the facility is operating with insufficient staff to properly monitor all areas at all times," the sheriff's office said. "We are committed to ensuring that the necessary repairs are made to restore full functionality to the facility and to improve the overall safety and security of both detainees and staff."

Former Highland Park teacher accused of sexual assault of young student

19 May 2025 at 15:45

A former teacher at a school in Highland Park has been arrested and charged with sexual assault.

Vincent Weaver, 29, was arrested at an off-site school event on May 16, the city said. Highland Park police officers worked with school security to identify Weaver, who was allegedly dressed in disguise so he wouldn't be recognized by staff members.

According to police, Weaver allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a student during a time when the student was between the ages of 10 and 12.

He was a teacher at George Washington Carver Academy starting in August 2023 as a fine arts teacher and also served as a coach of the school's dance team. He was fired this month.

Police say Weaver allegedly groomed the student, and it also included sexual acts performed while on school grounds.

Weaver is expected to be arraigned Monday afternoon on charges of:

Count 1: Criminal Sexual Conduct 1st Degree Count 2: Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd Degree Count 3: Criminal Sexual Conduct 2nd Degree Count 4: Misdemeanor Indecent Exposure

Highland Park officials are also holding a press conference at 4 p.m. and WXYZ will live-stream the press conference.

β€˜Sesame Street’ finds new streaming home on Netflix

19 May 2025 at 15:45

Sesame Street is coming to Netflix.

The iconic childrens series will debut its 56th season on the streaming platform later this year, along with 90 hours of previous episodes, Netflix and Sesame Workshop announced Monday. New episodes will also continue to air on PBS stations and PBS KIDS platforms on the same day.

Episodes will now center on one 11-minute story, allowing for even more character-driven humor and heart, Sesame Workshop said in a statement.

RELATED STORY | HBO to stop airing new episodes of 'Sesame Street' on Max

Under the agreement, Netflix will also gain the rights to develop video games based on both Sesame Street and its spinoff, Sesame Street Mecha Builders.

A release date for the new season has not been announced.

The move to Netflix comes after HBOs streaming service, Max, dropped the show following its 55th season as part of a shift in programming strategy. New episodes stopped airing on Max in January.

Pacifiers a go-to for soothing children, but weaning is a challenge, parents say

19 May 2025 at 15:19

Pacifiers may spark debate among parents, but a new poll shows they remain a go-to tool for helping young children self-soothe.

More than half of parents say their child currently or previously used a pacifier, according to a national survey by C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Among pacifier users, 79% did so at bedtime or naptime, while 47% used them when stressed or fussy. Nearly one in five parents said their child used a pacifier almost all the time.

RELATED STORY | Baby boom: 14 nurses are pregnant at the same time at a Green Bay hospital

Getting a child to stop using a pacifier can be challenging, and parents use a variety of tactics to help their child break the habit.

Around 30% limited use at bedtime, while 31% of parents said they hide the pacifier and about 20% said they explained that their child was too big for one. A third let the child decide when to stop.

Most parents believe pacifier use should end by age 2 (79%), while 57% felt the same about thumb-sucking. Some parents admitted they waited too long to intervene9% for pacifiers and 16% for thumb/finger-sucking.

Experts warn that prolonged use of either habit can affect mouth shape, teeth alignment, and even speech.

RELATED STORY | Discontinued teething sticks still at stores despite recall over choking concerns, Gerber says

Watch WXYZ-TV's Metroparks: Endless Experiences special on May 21

19 May 2025 at 15:16

Planning your summer? There are endless experiences right outside your door.

Watch WXYZ-TV's Metroparks: Endless Experiences special on Wednesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. to check out all of the great activities and experiences available through Huron-Clinton Metroparks, from hiking to camping to swimming and beyond.

The on-air encores will be held on the following dates:

WXYZ-TVSaturday, 5/24 at 11:30 a.m.Monday, 5/26 at 5 p.m.WMYDThursday, 5/22 at 6:30 p.m.

You can catch an encore of the show streaming on your favorite devices on the following dates:

Thursday, 5/22 at 8 p.m.Friday, 5/23 at 9 p.m.Saturday, 5/24 at 12 p.m.Sunday, 5/25 at 7 p.m.Monday, 5/6 at 10 a.m.

For more information on Huron-Clinton Metroparks, click here.

3-year-old boy dies after being pulled from a pool in Arizona

19 May 2025 at 14:49

A 3-year-old boy has died after being found unconscious in a pool in Chandler, Arizona last week, officials said.

The Chandler Police Department has identified the boy as Trigg Kiser.

Officials said the incident happened just after 6:45 p.m. last Monday at a home near the intersection of Cooper and Chandler Heights Roads.

First responders said the boy was unconscious when they arrived, and they immediately began CPR.

It is unknown how long the boy was in the pool.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the child's family and loved ones during this unimaginable time," the Chandler Police Department said on Sunday. "The investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident remain ongoing. This is still an open investigation. Out of respect for the familys privacy, we will not be releasing additional details until the investigation is closed."

This story was originally published by the Scripps News Group in Phoenix.

WNBA investigating racial slurs by fans made at Angel Reese during Indiana game

The WNBA is investigating racial comments directed toward Angel Reese by fans during the Chicago Skys loss to Caitlin Clark and the Fever at Indiana on Saturday.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the league had not publicly identified the subject of the taunts or who made the allegations.

The WNBA strongly condemns racism, hate, and discrimination in all forms they have no place in our league or in society, the league said in a statement. We are aware of the allegations and are looking into the matter.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | 2025 WNBA season set to tip off with three games on ION

Reese, who is Black, and Clark, who is white, met for the seventh time in their ongoing and much-talked-about rivalry. Clark was named Rookie of the Year last season and Reese finished second in the voting.

The WNBA Players Union released a statement soon after the leagues comment on the matter.

The WNBPA is aware of reports of hateful comments at yesterdays game in Indianapolis and supports the WNBAs current investigation into this matter. Such behavior is unacceptable in our sport, the statement said. Under the WNBAs No Space for Hate policy, we trust the league to thoroughly investigate and take swift, appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Sky president and CEO Adam Fox said later Sunday in a statement that the organization welcomes the league's investigation.

We will do everything in our power to protect Chicago Sky players, and we encourage the league to continue taking meaningful steps to create a safe environment for all WNBA players, he said.

The Sky and Fever will play four more times during the regular season.

We are aware of the allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during yesterdays game and we are working closely with the WNBA to complete their investigation, the Fever said in a statement. We stand firm in our commitment to providing a safe environment for all WNBA players.

Reese had 12 points and 17 rebounds in the 93-58 loss to the Fever. The Sky forward and Clark had an incident on the court with 4:38 left in the third quarter. It started with Reese grabbing an offensive rebound and Clark slapping Reeses arm hard enough to jar the ball loose and knock Reese to floor.

When Reese got up, she tried to confront Clark before Indiana center Aliyah Boston stepped in between the players. Clarks third personal foul was upgraded to a flagrant 1, while Boston and Reese each drew technical fouls following a replay review by the referees.

Both players downplayed the play after the game.

RELATED STORY | Serena Williams joins ownership group of new WNBA team in Toronto

The league launched No Space for Hate this season, a multi-dimensional platform designed to combat hate and promote respect across all WNBA spaces both online and in arenas.

The league is focused on four areas: enhanced technological features to detect hateful comments online; increased emphasis on team, arena and league security measures; reinforcing mental health resources; and alignment against hate.

This will be the league's first test of it.

It's nice in words, but we got to see actions, Aces star A'ja Wilson said Friday after practice. Hopefully people can take actions and understand this is bigger than basketball. We're true people behind it. Any shoe that we wear, any jersey we have on, we're human. People have to respect that. I hope they pay attention and listen to the words.

Trial resumes for Sean 'Diddy' Combs with former Danity Kane member's testimony

19 May 2025 at 14:24

The federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial for Sean "Diddy" Combs entered its second week on Monday with more witness testimony.

Dawn Richard, a singer and former member of the musical group Danity Kane, formed by Combs, was back on the stand after briefly testifying on Friday.

Combs, 55, faces a life sentence for charges of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering. He has pleaded not guilty.

Richard testified that she saw Combs frequently get violent with his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura Fine, who goes by "Cassie." Cassie was a key witness who testified during the first week of the trial.

RELATED STORY | Cassie's testimony against Sean 'Diddy' Combs ends after days of detailing abuse

According to CNN, Richard claimed she saw Combs punch, choke and kick Cassie on several occasions.

Cassie and Combs dated for a little over a decade from the early 2000s to 2018. She said the relationship was psychologically and physically abusive, but that she was young and in love and feared leaving him because he allegedly threatened to release videos of her performing sexual acts in what they called "freak offs."

Prosecutors allege Combs used his money, power and fame to orchestrate an empire of exploitation and coerced women into abusive sex parties. The music mogul's lawyers said he may have been violent at times, but maintain that all sexual acts were consensual.

RELATED STORY |Β Who are all of the celebrities mentioned during Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial and why?

This is a developing story that will be updated.

Stocks fall after latest downgrade of US government's credit rating

19 May 2025 at 14:09

U.S. stocks, U.S. bonds and the value of the U.S. dollar are all falling on Monday following the latest reminder that the U.S government seems to be hurtling toward an unsustainable mountain of debt.

The S&P 500 was 0.9% lower in early trading after Moodys Ratings became the last of the three major credit-rating agencies to say the U.S. federal government no longer deserves a top-tier Aaa rating. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 222 points, or 0.5%, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.3% lower.

Moodys pointed to how the U.S. government continues to borrow more and more money to pay for its expenses, with political bickering making it difficult to either rein in Washingtons spending or raise its revenue in order to get its ballooning debt under more control.

Its a blow because the downgrade essentially means investors globally should not lend money to Washington at such low interest rates. The yield on the 10-year Treasury jumped to 4.53% from 4.43% late Friday. That number shows how much in interest investors are demanding of the U.S. government to lend it money for 10 years.

RELATED STORY | Trump's tariffs may mean Walmart shoppers pay more, his treasury chief acknowledges

Perhaps even more joltingly, the yield on a 30-year Treasury leaped back above 5%, up from less than 4% in September. Shorter-term Treasurys, which move more on expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do with overnight interest rates than on what investors are feeling about the U.S. government and economy, moved by much less.

And if Washington has to pay more in interest to borrow cash to pay its bills, that could cause interest rates to rise for U.S. households and businesses too, in everything from mortgage rates to auto loan rates to credit cards. That in turn could slow the economy.

Nothing Moodys said is new, of course, and critics have been railing against Washingtons inability to control its debt for many years. Investors have likely already accounted for most of the well-known issues, according to Brian Rehling, head of global fixed income strategy and other analysts at Wells Fargo Investment Institute. Theyre expecting limited additional market impact following the initial reactions.

But the downgrade comes ahead of a key period for Washington, where its set to debate potential cuts in taxes that could suck away more revenue, as well as the nations limit on how much it can borrow. The downgrade also adds to a long list of concerns that have already been weighing on the market. Chief among them is President Donald Trumps trade war, which has already forced investors globally to question whether the U.S. bond market and the U.S. dollar still deserve their reputations as some of the safest places to park cash during a crisis.

The U.S. economy so far seems to be holding OK despite the pressures of tariffs, but big companies have been warning recently theyre uncertain about the future. Walmart, for example, has said it will likely have to raise prices because of tariffs. That caused Trump over the weekend to criticize Walmart and demand it and China eat the tariffs.

Walmart stock fell 1.8% Monday.

RELATED STORY |Β Trump criticizes Walmart for blaming tariffs as prices set to rise

Other big retailers are on the schedule to report their latest quarterly results this upcoming week, including Target, Home Depot, Lowes and TJX Cos.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were mostly lower across Europe and Asia.

Chinese markets fell after the government said retail sales rose less in April than expected. Growth in industrial output slowed to 6.1% year-on-year from 7.7% in March.

That could mean rising inventories if production outpaces demand even more than it already does. But it also may reflect some of the shipping boom before some of U.S. President Donald Trumps tariffs on Chinese goods took effect.

After an improvement in March, Chinas economy looks to have slowed again last month, with firms and households turning more cautious due to the trade war, Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a report.

In the foreign currency markets, the value of the U.S. dollar fell against everything from the euro to the Australian dollar.

Trump budget would cut Great Lakes data & leave boaters, anglers and forecasters scrambling for info

19 May 2025 at 13:57

Capt. Ed Enos makes his living as a harbor pilot in Hawaii, clambering aboard arriving ships in the predawn hours and guiding them into port.

His world revolves around wind speeds, current strength and wave swells. When Enos is bobbing in dangerous waters in the dark, his cellphone is his lifeline: with a few taps he can access the Integrated Ocean Observing System and pull up the data needed to guide what are essentially floating warehouses safely to the dock.

But maybe not for much longer. President Donald Trump wants to eliminate all federal funding for the observing system's regional operations. Scientists say the cuts could mean the end of efforts to gather real-time data crucial to navigating treacherous harbors, plotting tsunami escape routes and predicting hurricane intensity.

Its the last thing you should be shutting down, Enos said. Theres no money wasted. Right at a time when we should be getting more money to do more work to benefit the public, they want to turn things off. Thats the wrong strategy at the wrong time for the wrong reasons.

Monitoring system tracks all things ocean

The IOOS system launched about 20 years ago. It's made up of 11 regional associations in multiple states and territories, including the Virgin Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington state, Michigan, South Carolina and Southern California.

The regional groups are networks of university researchers, conservation groups, businesses and anyone else gathering or using maritime data. The associations are the Swiss army knife of oceanography, using buoys, submersible drones and radar installations to track water temperature, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, wave speeds, swell heights and current strength.

The networks monitor the Great Lakes, U.S. coastlines, the Gulf of Mexico, which Trump renamed the Gulf of America, the Gulf of Alaska, the Caribbean and the South Pacific and upload member data to public websites in real time.

Maritime community and military rely on system data

Cruise ship, freighter and tanker pilots like Enos, as well as the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, use the information directly to navigate harbors safely, plot courses around storms and conduct search-and-rescue operations.

The associations' observations feed into National Weather Service forecasts. The Pacific Northwest association uses tsunami data to post real-time coastal escape routes on a public-facing app. And the Hawaii association not only posts data that is helpful to harbor pilots but tracks hurricane intensity and tiger sharks that have been tagged for research.

The associations also track toxic algal blooms, which can force beach closures and kill fish. The maps help commercial anglers avoid those empty regions. Water temperature data can help identify heat layers within the ocean and, because its harder for fish to survive in those layers, knowing hot zones helps anglers target better fishing grounds.

The regional networks are not formal federal agencies but are almost entirely funded through federal grants through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The current federal budget allocates $43.5 million for the networks. A Republican bill in the House natural resources committee would actually send them more money, $56 million annually, from 2026 through 2030.

Cuts catch network administrators by surprise

A Trump administration memo leaked in April proposes a $2.5 billion cut to the Department of Commerce, which oversees NOAA, in the 2026 federal budget.

Part of the proposal calls for eliminating federal funding for the regional monitoring networks, even though the memo says one of the activities the administration wants the commerce department to focus on is collecting ocean and weather data.

The memo offered no other justifications for the cuts. The proposal stunned network users.

Weve worked so hard to build an incredible system and its running smoothly, providing data thats important to the economy. Why would you break it? said Jack Barth, an Oregon State oceanographer who shares data with the Pacific Northwest association.

What were providing is a window into the ocean and without those measures we frankly wont know whats coming at us. It's like turning off the headlights," Barth said.

NOAA officials declined to comment on the cuts and potential impacts, saying in an email to The Associated Press that they do not do speculative interviews.

Network's future remains unclear

Nothing is certain. The 2026 federal fiscal year starts Oct. 1. The budget must pass the House, the Senate and get the president's signature before it can take effect. Lawmakers could decide to fund the regional networks after all.

Network directors are trying not to panic. If the cuts go through, some associations might survive by selling their data or soliciting grants from sources outside the federal government. But the funding hole would be so significant that just keeping the lights on would be an uphill battle, they said.

If the associations fold, other entities might be able to continue gathering data, but there will be gaps. Partnerships developed over years would evaporate and data won't be available in a single place like now, they said.

"People have come to us because weve been steady," Hawaii regional network director Melissa Iwamoto said. Were a known entity, a trusted entity. No one saw this coming, the potential for us not to be here.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

'Click it or Ticket' enforcement begins across Michigan on Monday

19 May 2025 at 13:32

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning said "click it or ticket" enforcement begins Monday across the state.

The campaign will run from May 19 through June 1 as law enforcement agencies across the state conduct seat belt enforcement.

Watch below: Michigans new car seat laws are in effect: here's what you need to know

Michigans new car seat laws go into effect on April 2: here's what you need to know

According to data from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, there were 223 people killed while not wearing seat belts in 2023, which accounted for 39.5% of all fatalities for which seat belt use was known.

The number of unrestrained crashes rose to 4,579 in 2023 as well, statistics show.

The enforcement period is about saving livesplain and simple, OHSP Interim Director Alicia Sledge said in a statement. Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective way to protect yourself on the road, and yet far too many people still take that risk. As warmer weather draws more people outside, were urging everyonedrivers and passengers aliketo buckle up every trip, every time. Wearing your seatbelt is not just the safe thing to doits the law.

Michigan's seat belt law allows police to stop and ticket drivers if they, front-seat passengers and/or passengers under the age of 16 in any position are not buckled.

Trump set to speak with Putin, Zelenskyy in effort to broker Ukraine ceasefire

19 May 2025 at 12:39

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to engage in separate phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The discussions aim to advance efforts toward a potential ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A Kremlin spokesman confirmed that Trump's call with Putin is set for 10 a.m. ET.

"THE SUBJECTS OF THE CALL WILL BE, STOPPING THE 'BLOODBATH' THAT IS KILLING, ON AVERAGE, MORE THAN 5000 RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS A WEEK, AND TRADE," Trump said in a statement on social media.

On Sunday, President Zelenskyy met with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome, discussing the situation in Ukraine. In addition, Trump plans to talk with other NATO leaders as part of his initiative to broker an agreement in the region.

RELATED STORY | Zelenskyy meets US, EU leaders in Rome ahead of Trump-Putin call

The negotiations will come after Putin decided not to accept Zelenskyy's invitation for a face-to-face meeting. However, delegations involving officials from Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey met on Friday. The talks in Istanbul represented the first time government officials from Russia and Ukraine have met face-to-face since 2022.

The Associated Press reported that the two sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each. They also agreed to provide each other with detailed ceasefire proposals and to arrange a meeting by their heads of state, the AP reported.

President Trump indicated that Putin would not meet with Zelenskyy unless the American leader was present.

"They all said Putin was going and Zelenskyy was going. And I said, If I don't go, I guarantee Putin is not going, and he didn't go. And I understand that, but we're going to get it done," President Trump said on Friday.

7 Morning Digest: Protecting cars from rats, longtime coach retires & more

19 May 2025 at 12:24

Here at 7 News Detroit, we want to make sure you start your day off on the right foot, informed about weather, traffic, the latest news and more. That's why we have the 7 Morning Digest, where we'll get you out the door informed and ready to go.

What's the weather for today? Metro Detroit Weather: Cold front brings cool weather, with rain on the way

Today: Mostly cloudy to start then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Winds: NE 5-10 mph.

Tonight:Β Clearing skies with lows in the mid to upper 40s. Winds: NNE 5-10 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with rain arriving around 2 PM, breezy. Temps near 60. Winds: E 10-25 mph.

Any traffic issues?

So far, no major traffic issues to know about this morning. Be sure to check our live traffic map here.

The top stories to know about It's rat season in Ferndale: here's how you can keep the critters away from your car It's rat season in Ferndale: here's how you can keep the critters away

City officials in Ferndale say it's officially rat season: it starts now and gets worse in the fall. You may see them running through the streets or even inside your car, chewing through wires and damaging vehicles.

We first told you about this problem two years ago. Our Darren Cunningham spoke to a woman who paid over $600 to get her car fixed.

And it's not just rats, but squirrels and mice, too. But as we've learned, there are many things you can do to keep these critters away.

I told my customer, Bring me some Cholula! or some Red Hot,'" said Jason Collins, a technician at Ferndale Collision.

He says hot sauce can be used to keep rodents away from your engine bay.

He says those who live in Ferndale have been finding rats under the hood of their car. Experts tell us they see it as a warm, safe place and will oftentimes chew through the wires, causing significant damage.

When they take a nap, theyre just chewing. Theyll grab onto whatever is in front of them, wires, plastic containerthey just sleep and then they chew in their sleep," Collins said.

Others have found bite marks and damage to their vents, seat belts and car seats.

Utica baseball coach retiring after 50 years on the job Utica Baseball coach retiring after 50 years

Doing any one job for 50 years is a long time but for Utica High School baseball coach Dick Schoenberg, its the sport he grew up loving, and now after a lifetime of memories and lessons, he says its time to hang it up.

I was 8 years old, went to the ballgame and the Red Sox were there and Ted Williams was a member of the Red Sox and I thought this guy is so great, Im going to play that sport and Im going to be just like Ted Williams, said Schoenberg.

Just like his love of baseball happened by circumstance, going to the ballpark and seeing one of the greatest players ever, so did his coaching career.

I was first married and lived in royal oak, went to a church I went to. Had a softball team and they said we dont have anyone thats the manager. Youre the new guy, youre the manager, said Schoenberg.

Fast forward five decades and dick has seen and done just about everything the sport has to offer, but all the accomplishments wont compare to the impact hes had on people's lives.

Hes been coaching 50 years, thats like 50 years of kids, 50 years of parentsjust someone that you can talk to and theyve probably been in that situation before. Its been super invaluable. Its nice to show these guys that someone thats 90 has a lot to offer said Head Coach Mark Moehlig.

Its not about winning or losing its about being a participant and making something of yourself after you get out of here, added Schoenberg.

And just like an great athlete or coach, its always hard to say goodbye, so is this really it for dick?

In voice Im sure, in history probably not," he said.

Veterans treatment courts across Michigan helping to change lives Veterans treatment courts across Michigan helping to change lives

A specialized veterans treatment court in Dearborn is helping justice-involved veterans address underlying issues like PTSD and substance abuse instead of sending them through traditional criminal proceedings.

Eighty-eight percent of Veterans who entered the Dearborn Veterans Treatment Court graduated very few committing offenses once they left, according to the court's stats.

For Kevin Belisle, a former Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant known as "Gunny," admitting he needed help was the hardest part.

"That was the hardest thing, is like admitting that," Belisle said.

Belisle had been silently battling using alcohol to cope after his military service.

"With me coming out of the Marine Corps, I think ... it was one of the things that I kind of migrated to as a coping mechanism," Belisle said.

It wasn't until his second DUI citation that Belisle decided to apply to the Dearborn Veterans Treatment Court.

"A lot of times what happens is we have no fear, and then you start getting some alcohol in you and it's like no fear on steroids, and you get the ego and you know I can drive and all that stuff and got pulled over and ... I got a DUI so ... I told myself that I'm gonna make a right out of a wrong and I got through the program," Belisle said.

The pride that comes with being a Marine was one of the biggest hurdles for Belisle to overcome. It's the kind of emotional challenge that Veteran-Chief Judge and former Marine Eugene Hunt understood when he started the program.

"They're pretty significant, you know, there are alcohol and drug problems that get picked up when they're in the service and they're overseas, there's post traumatic stress which is, I mean there are a lot of different things that people come out, once they go into the military, they come back different," Hunt said.

The 12- to 18-month program addresses underlying issues like PTSD and mental health challenges that have contributed to legal trouble. It's one of 27 veteran treatment courts in Michigan.

Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis sparks support and political scrutiny

19 May 2025 at 12:15

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, prompting diverse reactions from the political arena. While many express their support, some past rivals are pledging to investigate his final actions while in office.

In a statement from his personal office, Bidens team revealed that he is reviewing treatment options with doctors following the diagnosis, which was confirmed Friday after he reported urinary symptoms. The statement noted that the prostate cancer has metastasized to the bone and described the cancer as "aggressive." However, it reassured that effective management is possible as the cancer is known to be "hormone sensitive."

WATCH | Doctor weighs in on former President Biden's cancer diagnosis

Doctor weighs in on former President Biden's cancer diagnosis

RELATED STORY | Biden audio release puts his age and health back in the spotlight

In response to his diagnosis, Biden, 82, shared a heartfelt message: "Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support."

Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support. pic.twitter.com/oSS1vGIiwU Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 19, 2025

Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Bidens recent medical diagnosis, President Donald Trump said in a statement. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.

Support for the Bidens is pouring in from across the political spectrum, emphasizing the personal challenges they face at this time. The Biden family has dealt with cancer before; Biden's son, Beau, passed away from the disease in 2015.

"Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family," former President Barack Obama said in a statement. "Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery."

It's a sentiment echoed by former Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Bill Clinton.

"Doug and I are saddened to learn of President Bidens prostate cancer diagnosis," Harris said in a statement. "We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time. Joe is a fighter and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery."

"My friend Joe Bidens always been a fighter," Clinton stated. "Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Trump's tax bill and Biden's health: 'Grounded' podcast host Maritsa Georgiou weighs in

The announcement arrives during a time of significant political uncertainty for Biden. Recent reports, including a prominent book, suggest his health during his presidency may have been compromised more than previously acknowledged. Despite these claims, the Biden team has denied any coverup.

Moreover, Biden's cancer diagnosis does not appear to deter the Trump administration from scrutinizing his actions, particularly concerning pardons.

Ed Martin, described as Trumps pardon attorney, stated on social media that there needs to be an investigation into the integrity of the American pardon system, asserting, Dear Fellow Americans, The integrity of the American Pardon system requires that we examine the Biden pardons and who did what. We will get the bottom of it. Count on us."

Biden is set to turn 83 in November. He has been a prominent advocate for cancer research, having spearheaded the cancer moonshot initiative during the Obama administration and re-launching it during his presidency.

This story was initially reported 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.

Trump's big bill advances in rare weekend vote, but conservatives demand more changes

House Republicans narrowly advanced President Donald Trump's big tax cuts package out of a key committee during a rare Sunday night vote, but just barely, as conservative holdouts are demanding quicker cuts to Medicaid and green energy programs before giving their full support.

Speaker Mike Johnson met with Republican lawmakers shortly before the meeting and acknowledged to reporters that there are still details to iron out. He said some changes were being made, but declined to provide details.

Its all setting up a difficult week ahead for the GOP leadership racing toward a Memorial Day deadline, a week away, to pass the package from the House. The Budget Committee, which just days ago failed to advance the package when four conservative Republicans objected, was able to do so Sunday on a vote of 17-16, with the four hold-outs voting present to allow it to move ahead, as talks continue.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Trump floats tax increase for the rich to pass 'big, beautiful bill'

The bill does not yet meet the moment, said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a leader of the House Freedom Caucus, in a social media post immediately after the late-night session. We can and must do better before we pass the final product."

The path ahead for Johnson is unclear as he tries to hold his narrow House majority together to pass the president's top domestic priority of extending the tax breaks while pumping in money for border security and deportations all while cutting spending.

Republicans criticizing the measure argued that the bills new spending and the tax cuts are front-loaded in the bill, while the measures to offset the cost are back-loaded. In particular, they are looking to speed up the new work requirements that Republicans want to enact for able-bodied participants in Medicaid.

Johnson indicated he wants to impose the the work requirements as soon as possible but acknowledged it may take states longer to change their systems. Those requirements would not kick in until 2029 under the current bill.

There will be more details to iron out and several more to take care of, Johnson, R-La., said outside the hearing room.

But Im looking forward to very thoughtful discussions, very productive discussions over the next few days, and Im absolutely convinced were going to get this in final form and pass it.

RELATED STORY | President Trump promised no taxes on tips, but workers are still waiting

More talks are ahead, but Johnson is looking to put the bill on the House floor before the end of the week.

Democrats have decried the cuts Republicans are proposing to Medicaid and food stamps to offset the costs of the tax breaks.

This spending bill is terrible, and I think the American people know that, Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., told CNNs State of the Union on Sunday. There is nothing wrong with us bringing the government in balance. But there is a problem when that balance comes on the back of working men and women. And thats what is happening here.

The first time that Republicans tried advancing the bill out of the House Budget Committee last week, the deficit hawks joined with Democratic lawmakers in voting against reporting the measure to the full House.

Those same four Republicans Roy and Reps. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma and Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia cast their present votes Sunday.

Norman pointed to a recent downgrade of the nations credit rating in making his arguments for steeper reductions.

Weve got a lot more work to do, Norman said. Were excited about what we did. We want to move the bill forward.

IN OTHER NEWS | A MAGA savings account? Little to do with Trump, everything to do with children

At its core, the sprawling legislative package permanently extends the existing income tax cuts that were approved during Trumps first term in 2017 and adds temporary new ones that the president campaigned on in 2024, including no taxes on tips, overtime pay and auto loan interest payments. The measure also proposes big spending increases for border security and defense.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group, estimates that the House bill is shaping up to add roughly $3.3 trillion to the debt over the next decade.

Johnson is not just having to address the concerns of the deficit hawks in his party. He's also facing pressure from centrists who will be warily eyeing the proposed changes to Medicaid, food assistance programs and the rolling back of clean energy tax credits. Republican lawmakers from New York and elsewhere are also demanding a much larger state and local tax deduction.

As it stands, the bill proposes tripling whats currently a $10,000 cap on the state and local tax deduction, increasing it to $30,000 for joint filers with incomes up to $400,000 a year.

Rep. Nick LaLota, one of the New York lawmakers leading the effort to lift the cap, said they have proposed a deduction of $62,000 for single filers and $124,000 for joint filers.

Rep. Jodey Arrington, the chairman of the House Budget Committee, said the bill remained under negotiation.

Deliberations continue at this very moment, Arrington said. They will continue on into the week, and I suspect right up until the time we put this big, beautiful bill on the floor of the House.

If the bill passes the House this week, it would then move to the Senate, where Republican lawmakers are also eyeing changes that could make final passage in the House more difficult.

Home projects that bring the best return at resale time

19 May 2025 at 11:14

If you're thinking about selling your home, certain remodeling projects can help attract more buyers and potentially increase your sale price.

Some others, though, won't increase your resale value a cent.

New research from the National Association of Realtors reveals which home improvement projects deliver the best return on investment when it's time to sell.

Installing a new steel front door ranks as the most worthwhile project, according to the report.

The top high-value improvements for 2025, according to the realtors' report, include:

A steel front door Closet renovations A fiberglass front door New vinyl windows

"When you pull up to the house to view it, you want to make sure that you feel welcome going into that house as a new buyer," said Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist at the National Association of Realtors..

Watch as a contractor shows some of the most worthwhile projects you can do to your home:

Most worthwhile home projects

Home improvement contractor Hannah Wells, owner of REP General Contracting, agrees that first impressions matter, especially in key areas of the home, like the kitchen.

"There's an old saying that kitchens and baths sell a home, and that does stand true," Wells said.

While full kitchen remodels can be effective, Wells notes homeowners don't necessarily need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to make their property more appealing.

"There are lots of clever ways to update your space and make it appear to be much more cosmetically pleasing without having to invest tens of thousands of dollars," Wells said.

The National Association of Realtors also recommends painting the entire interior, or at least one main room, and replacing an old roof before listing your home.

Wells cautions against improvements that are too personalized, such as custom office spaces.

"They are not going to have the biggest reaction from a potential buyer nor the biggest return on investment," Wells said.

According to realtors, 46% of home buyers are now less willing to compromise on a home's condition, making strategic improvements more important than ever.

That way you don't waste your money.

_______________________________

This story was reported 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.

Gas prices in Michigan up slightly heading into Memorial Day Weekend

19 May 2025 at 10:31

Gas prices in Michigan are up 12 cents since last week, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Michigan drivers are paying an average of $3.18 per gallon for regular unleaded fuel, the same exact price as this time last month and 38 cents less than this time last year.

This means that on average, Michigan drivers are paying an average of $47 for a full 15-gallon tank of gas, down $10 from last year's highest prices.

Many drivers across Michigan are seeing higher gas prices heading into Memorial Day," said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA-The Auto Club Group. "Despite this increase, drivers will still find lower pump prices compared to last year's holiday."

Gas prices also increased slightly in metro Detroit, with the average up two cents to $3.11/gallon, 46 cents less than this time last year.

Here are a look at gas prices across the state:

Most expensiveΒ gas price averages:Β  Lansing ($3.28), Grand Rapids ($3.26), Benton Harbor ($3.23) Least expensiveΒ gas price averages: Traverse City ($2.95), Marquette ($3.07), Metro Detroit ($3.11)

For more information on gas prices near you, click here.

Suspect arrested in Wayne after stealing car with kids inside

19 May 2025 at 10:10

Police in Inkster rescued three kids who were inside a car that was stolen from outside a gas station late Sunday night.

Watch Ryan Marshall's report below Suspect arrested in Wayne after stealing car with kids inside

Witnesses say a woman driving a blue Chevy Avalanche arrived at the Mobil Gas Station on Michigan Avenue and Venoy Road in Wayne around 11 p.m. on Sunday.

According to witnesses, she left her three young children unattended in the running vehicle and went into the convenience store. That's when a 25-year-old man reportedly jumped in and drove off, with the kids still inside. We're told he dumped the children at a separate location before driving off.

The vehicle was discovered parked in the 27000 block of Cherry Hill by an undercover police detective. A minute after the vehicle was located, dispatch received a call, with a caller saying they could hear children crying in the parking lot.

Several law enforcement agencies responded. Inkster police confirmed they assisted Wayne City police in the suspect's arrest just four miles away at the Marathon Gas Station on the corner of Inkster and Cherry Hill in Dearborn Heights.

The children, a three-year-old and two 18-month-old twins, were unharmed in the incident. EMS checked them out at the scene before they were returned to their mother.

Inkster police also say they assisted in locating and safely recovering the children. We spoke to witnesses there who say the suspect was arrested around 11:30 p.m., just three minutes after the initial carjacking.

It's rat season in Ferndale: here's how you can keep the critters away from your car

19 May 2025 at 10:00

City officials in Ferndale say it's officially rat season: it starts now and gets worse in the fall. You may see them running through the streets or even inside your car, chewing through wires and damaging vehicles.

We first told you about this problem two years ago. Our Darren Cunningham spoke to a woman who paid over $600 to get her car fixed.

WATCH OUR PREVIOUS COVERAGE BELOW Rats! Metro Detroiters spending hundreds after rodents chewed through car wiring

And it's not just rats, but squirrels and mice, too. But as we've learned, there are many things you can do to keep these critters away.

I told my customer, Bring me some Cholula! or some Red Hot,'" said Jason Collins, a technician at Ferndale Collision.

He says hot sauce can be used to keep rodents away from your engine bay.

And I just dump it on there, smear it around. If that animal comes back its going to smell that and just back off," Jason said.

He says those who live in Ferndale have been finding rats under the hood of their car. Experts tell us they see it as a warm, safe place and will oftentimes chew through the wires, causing significant damage.

When they take a nap, theyre just chewing. Theyll grab onto whatever is in front of them, wires, plastic containerthey just sleep and then they chew in their sleep," Collins said.

Others have found bite marks and damage to their vents, seat belts and car seats.

I noticed the engine light came on and it was real rough," said Jodi Sitkins.

Sitkins says she's certain a squirrel is causing her car troubles, as she parks under a big tree in her driveway.

He rules my whole front yard, doesn't let any of the squirrels on the porch, chases them off. I mean, if there's no food out there, he's on the window (taps on the window)...," Jodi said.

She says there was an entire nest under her air filter, and has had to bring her car in for service more than once. Jodi Sitkins says this has happened to her four different times. Last year, she paid $475 to fix her ignition wires, spark plugs, and get a cleaning and this year, she paid another $275. But it could cost even more, something like $3000-$4000 if you had to replace your while engine harness.

The easiest course of action for your average home owner is move the car, remove the scent trail, and ultimately find your path forward to get rid of those rats," said Laura Mikulski.

The Mayor Pro Tem runs Ferndale's rat patrol, a group that educates homeowners about this issue. She says to park your car in the garage or in a different spot on a regular basis, remove sources of food, and use electrical tape with cayenne pepper.

"Now is the time to get ahead of the problem," Laura said.

"It's just a crap-shoot on what they decide to chew on," Jodi said.

Where Your Voice Matters
❌
❌