Motorists can expect intermittent ramp closures in both directions of I-96 between Kent Lake Road and I-275 on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2.

The intermittent closures will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

The closures, which will last for about an hour at each ramp, will allow crews to make pavement markings as part of a multi-year reconstruction of I-96 in western Oakland County.

Weather affects all work and may results in delays or cancellations.

The construction project, which is nearing completion, also includes the creation of flex lanes in each direction of the freeway between Kent Lake Road and I-275.

A flex lane uses a highway’s shoulder as a traveling lane during heavy traffic periods in the morning and afternoon. The flex lanes will go into effect early next year.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — Halloween has plenty of traditions, from candy to jack-o’-lanterns — and the annual spectacle of Heidi Klum’s costume.

The supermodel-turned-TV personality is fond of surprising her guests with her elaborate costumes, like in 2022, when she arrived at the event on the end of a fishing line, encased in a slithering worm costume.

“I just wanted to be something random,” she explained while lying on the floor for maximum worm-like effect. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone being a rain worm before.”

Last year, she enlisted the help of several Cirque du Soleil performers as the tail feathers to her peacock costume.

“A lot of planning goes into it, you know,” Klum said through her peacock beak, with husband Tom Kaulitz next to her, dressed as an egg. “Because first, you have to have an idea.”

At her 2008 party she dressed as Kali, the Hindu goddess of death and destruction — complete with multiple arms, dangling heads and a deep coat of blue body paint.

Klum told The Associated Press she would immediately be planning her look for the following year. “After tonight I’ll be thinking about what I’ll do next year. It’s always got to be different. Completely different,” she said.

Other notable Klum costumes over the years have included a giant Transformer, a clone (complete with several Klum-lookalikes) an elderly version of herself, and an alien experiment gone awry.

The star has also transformed into a terrifying butterfly, an ape, a cat, a crow — and cartoon characters including Jessica Rabbit and Fiona from “Shrek.”

Her tip to those still trying to decide what to wear this Halloween? Leave the store-bought masks at home.

“I personally don’t like it when people hide behind those full masks. I prefer when people get a little bit creative and they play with their face, when they put a lot of makeup on,” she told the AP in 2007. “I always love that the most on me, I really go scary on the face.”

The end of daylight saving time is near. And come Sunday, time will shift back an hour for most of the U.S.

When is daylight saving time?

For states that follow daylight saving time, it begins on the second Sunday of March, when clocks “spring forward,” and ends when clocks “fall back” on the first Sunday of November each year.

This year, daylight saving time began on March 10 and will end on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 a.m., so mark your calendar and enjoy an extra hour of sleep. Sunrise and sunset will shift to be about an hour earlier.

Time will “spring forward” again on March 9, 2025.

How did daylight saving time come to be?

Some say Benjamin Franklin invented daylight saving time while others point to different individuals. According to an article published on the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health website, pushing clocks forward during the warmer months to make more use of daylight and thus conserve energy was adopted during WWI.

The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established a standardized system of daylight saving time throughout the U.S.

Who doesn’t observe daylight saving time?

Hawaii and Arizona, except the Navajo Nation, don’t observe daylight saving time. Guam, American Samoa, North Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, all U.S. territories, also don’t observe daylight saving time according to the Department of Transportation, which oversees timezones.

In 2022, the U.S. Senate passed a bill that would have made daylight saving time the new permanent standard time beginning in November 2023, but the legislation didn’t pass in the House of Representatives. In recent years, state legislatures have considered at least 650 bills and resolutions to institute yearlong daylight saving time should federal law allow it, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Maryland Del. Brian Crosby, a Democrat from St. Mary’s County, sponsored legislation in 2021 to establish Eastern Daylight Time in the state year-round. The bill didn’t pass in 2021, nor did subsequent iterations introduced again by Crosby in 2022 and 2023.

DETROIT — Free agency technically began Thursday, but the Tigers could skip the preliminaries.

They finished the 2024 season with no free agents, so there are no early negotiations or decisions on qualifying offers to tend to. The one player with an option — a team option — is pitcher Casey Mize, but that is a mere formality.

The Tigers won’t exercise that $3.1 million option for 2025. Instead, they will pay Mize a $10,000 buyout and retain control. Mize can either re-sign or head to arbitration.

That’s not to say team president Scott Harris and his staff don’t have some decisions to make. They have until Monday to either reinstate or remove four players from the 60-day injured list to or from the 40-man roster.

The four players are shortstop Javier Báez (hip), right-handed pitchers Alex Faedo (shoulder), Sawyer Gipson-Long (Tommy John surgery) and Brendan White (elbow). Báez, Faedo and Gipson-Long are expected to be put back on the 40-man.

White, who debuted in 2023 but has struggled to stay healthy, could be designated for assignment.

Players currently on the 40-man roster who may be vulnerable include pitchers Ricky Vanasco and Bryan Sammons, and utility players Ryan Vilade and Bligh Madris.

The Tigers also have until Monday to add any potential minor-league free agents to the roster. They did so last year with pitcher Keider Montero. There are no obvious candidates this year, but here is a partial list of soon-to-be minor-league free agents:

Pitchers: Miguel Diaz, Wilkel Hernandez, Jake Higginbotham, Garrett Hill, Freddy Pacheco, Angel Reyes, Devin Sweet, Andrew Vasquez, Troy Watson, Adam Wolf.

Catchers: Eliezer Alfonso, Anthony Bemboom, Tomas Nido.

Infielder: Riley Unroe.

Outfielder: Oscar Mercado.

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI and REBECCA BOONE

DENVER (AP) — A national campaign is backing ballot measures in six states to end partisan primaries, seeking to turn down the temperature in a polarized country by removing a process that gives the most active members of both major parties an outsize role in picking the country’s leaders.

The $70 million effort to replace traditional primaries with either nonpartisan ones or ranked choice voting is run by Unite America, a Denver organization dedicated to de-polarizing the country.

“People are losing faith in democracy itself,” said Kent Thiry, the group’s co-chair and the former chief executive officer of the kidney dialysis firm DaVita Inc, during a Denver debate about the initiative on the Colorado ballot.

Nick Troiano, Unite America’s executive director, said the goal is to end a system where 85% of congressional seats are effectively filled in partisan primaries because the districts are so overwhelmingly Democratic or Republican that whoever wins the relevant primary is virtually guaranteed victory in November.

Troiano said the Republican congressmen who voted to overturn the 2020 election after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol almost all represented noncompetitive districts and have had to answer only to their party’s voters.

Supporters are excited at the breadth of the campaign.

“It’s eclipsed by the presidential election, but this is the most important year for this sort of structural reform that I can recall,” said Edward Foley, a law professor at Ohio State University.

But some skeptics contend that changing the structure of primaries won’t make much of a difference in polarization given how so much of the country lives in either heavily Democratic or heavily Republican communities — and will naturally elect people who occupy those ideological extremes.

“It seems like it’s adding political complexity, weakening political parties, and it’s not clear what problem they’re solving,” said Lee Drutman of the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C.

The ballot measures include proposals to switch to ranked choice voting in reliably Democratic Colorado, evenly divided Nevada and two reliably Republican states where a sharp swing to the right among GOP primary voters have left traditional Republicans scrambling — Idaho and South Dakota.

Swing-state Arizona and conservative Montana both have measures to shift from partisan primaries to nonpartisan ones. In deep blue Oregon, an initiative would allow parties to still run their own primaries but require them to use ranked choice voting in certain statewide and federal races.

The ballot initiatives come as an unusual number of measures affecting voting are on state ballots in November.

Eight states will consider conservative-led measures to ban voting by noncitizens, which is already illegal under federal law. Connecticut voters will decide whether to allow anyone in their state to vote by mail, and Ohio whether to have a nonpartisan commission draw their state’s legislative lines.

The biggest change in U.S. elections could come from increased adoption of ranked voting. It requires every voter to rank candidates in order of preference. If one does not get a majority, the lowest-scoring candidate is eliminated and that politician’s votes are reallocated to whoever their voters picked second. This continues until one candidate wins more than 50% of the vote.

Ranked voting is a more complex way of running elections that is touted as producing winners who better represent the whole electorate. The process is used in two states — Alaska and Maine — as well as a handful of cities such as New York and San Francisco.

It allowed a Democrat, Rep. Mary Peltola, to win the race for Alaska’s single congressional seat in 2022 even as the state’s GOP governor and senator also won re-election. That result angered many Republican activists, who then pushed bans on the process in Republican-controlled states such as Florida and Tennessee. Now, even as additional states consider adopting ranked voting, Alaska voters will consider a ballot measure to repeal it.

Critics contend the campaign to attack partisan primaries is an effort to mute the voices of ideologically committed voters.

“This is trying to bring centrism back,” said Jason Lupo, a conservative political strategist in Colorado who opposes the measure in that state, during a recent debate in Denver. “This is a way to eliminate progressives; this is a way to eliminate conservatives.”

Critics also warn the proposed changes come as conservatives have become more distrustful of election processes following Trump’s lies about fraud costing him the 2020 race.

“It does make elections more complicated, and that in turn makes elections harder to trust,” said Trent England, the founder of the conservative group Save Our States, during a recent debate on the Idaho ballot measure. “Do we really think that now is the time to be doing that?”

Still, advocates of the ballot measures contend that something has to change.

Chuck Coughlin, a veteran Republican strategist in Arizona who used to work for Sen. John McCain, in 2022 wanted to support a Democrat running for Congress in one primary and incumbent Republicans running for county supervisor in the other. But he was allowed to vote only in one primary in a state where the Republican Party had swung sharply to the right.

“I’m like ‘I can’t do this anymore,”‘ Coughlin said after 2022, in which every candidate he worked for lost the Republican primary and the GOP nominees for governor, attorney general and secretary of state all lost to Democrats in November because they were too extreme for the state’s evenly-divided electorate. “I can’t just run elections to the fringe.”

Coughlin was thrilled to get help from Unite America, which donated $5 million to his Arizona initiative earlier this month.

The group was founded in 2013 to promote political independents. Troiano, who ran unsuccessfully as an independent for a Pennsylvania congressional seat, arrived to take it over three years later. He’s helped steer it toward investing more in structural changes to democracy such as nonpartisan redistricting.

Unite America has several wealthy supporters, such as board members Kathryn Murdoch, daughter-in-law of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, and Kenneth Griffin, founder of the hedge fund Citadel. Its resources have become a target for opponents of its ballot measures, who contend that ranked choice voting and other changes to partisan primaries will mainly help deep-pocketed candidates win elections.

Opponents of the measures zero in on the funding as a reason to oppose the switch.

“It’s not the type of people I want writing my election law,” said Sean Hinga, a labor leader spearheading opposition to the Colorado ballot measure.

Boone reported from Boise, Idaho. Associated Press writers Becky Bohrer in Juneau, Alaska, and Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon, contributed to this report.

By CHRISTINE FERNANDO

CHICAGO (AP) — Billboards with the words “STOP Child Gender Surgery.” Pamphlets warning about endangering minors. “PROTECT PARENT RIGHTS” plastered on church bulletins.

As voters in nine states determine whether to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions, opponents are using parental rights and anti-transgender messages to try to undermine support for the ballot proposals.

The measures do not mention gender-affirming surgeries, and legal experts say changing existing parental notification and consent laws regarding abortions and gender-affirming care for minors would require court action. But anti-abortion groups hoping to end a losing streak at the ballot box have turned to the type of language many Republican candidates nationwide are using in their own campaigns as they seek to rally conservative Christian voters.

“It’s really outlandish to suggest that this amendment relates to things like gender reassignment surgery for minors,” said Matt Harris, an associate professor of political science at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, a state where abortion rights are on the ballot.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated constitutional protections for abortion, voters in seven states, including conservative Kentucky, Montana and Ohio, have either protected abortion rights or defeated attempts to curtail them.

“If you can’t win by telling the truth, you need a better argument, even if that means capitalizing on the demonization of trans children,” said Dr. Alex Dworak, a family medicine physician in Omaha, Nebraska, where anti-abortion groups are using the strategy.

Tying abortion-rights ballot initiatives to parental rights and gender-affirming is a strategy borrowed from playbooks used in Michigan and Ohio, where voters nonetheless enshrined abortion rights in the state constitutions.

Both states still require minors to get parental consent for abortions, and the new amendments have not yet impacted parental involvement or gender-affirming care laws in either state, said David Cohen, a law professor at Drexel University.

“It’s just recycling the same strategies,” Cohen said.

In addition to Missouri and Nebraska, states where voters are considering constitutional amendments this fall are Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and South Dakota.

Missouri’s abortion ballot measure has especially become a target. The amendment would bar the government from infringing on a “person’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom.”

Gov. Mike Parson and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, both Republicans, have claimed the proposal would allow minors to get abortions and gender-affirming surgeries without parental involvement.

The amendment protects reproductive health services, “including but not limited to” a list of items such as prenatal care, childbirth, birth control and abortion. It does not mention gender-affirming care, but Missouri state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a Republican and lawyer with the conservative Thomas More Society, said it’s possible that could be considered reproductive health services.

Several legal experts told The Associated Press that would require a court ruling that is improbable.

“It would be a real stretch for any court to say that anything connected with gender-affirming care counts as reproductive health care,” said Saint Louis University law and gender studies professor Marcia McCormick. She noted that examples listed as reproductive health care in the Missouri amendment are all directly related to pregnancy.

As for parental consent for minors’ abortions, she pointed to an existing state law that is written similarly to one the U.S. Supreme Court found constitutional, even before Roe v. Wade was overturned.

Most states have parental involvement laws, whether requiring parental consent or notification. Even many Democratic-leaning states with explicit protections for transgender rights require parental involvement before an abortion or gender-affirming care for minors, said Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law.

A state high court would have to overturn such laws, which is highly unlikely from conservative majorities in many of the states with abortion on the ballot, experts said.

In New York, a proposed amendment to the state constitution would expand antidiscrimination protections to include ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and “sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health care and autonomy.” The constitution already bans discrimination based on race, color, creed or religion.

The measure does not mention abortion. But because it is broader, it could be easier for opponents to attack it. But legal experts noted that it would also not change existing state laws related to parental involvement in minors getting abortions or gender-affirming care.

The New York City Bar Association released a fact-sheet explaining that the measure would not impact parental rights, “which are governed by other developed areas of State and federal law.” Yet the Coalition to Protect Kids-NY calls it the “Parent Replacement Act.”

Rick Weiland, co-founder of Dakotans for Health, the group behind South Dakota ‘s proposed amendment said it uses the Roe v. Wade framework “almost word for word.”

“All you have to do is look back at what was allowed under Roe, and there were always requirements for parental involvement,” Weiland said.

Caroline Woods, spokesperson for the anti-abortion group Life Defense Fund, said the measure “means loving parents will be completely cut out of the equation.” Weiland said those claims are part of a “constant stream of misinformation” from opponents.

If this campaign strategy failed in Michigan and Ohio, why are anti-abortion groups leaning on it for the November elections?

Ziegler, the University of California, Davis law professor, said abortion-rights opponents know they may be “playing on more favorable terrain” in more conservative states like Missouri or in states like Florida that have higher thresholds for passing ballot measures.

“Anti-abortion groups are still looking for a winning recipe,” Ziegler said.

Associated Press writer Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed to this report.

The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

By MARC LEVY

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Billions of dollars in advertising are raining down on voters across the Rust Belt, Rocky Mountains and American southwest as the two major political parties portray their opponent’s candidates as extreme in a struggle for control of the U.S. Senate.

In three races alone — Ohio, Pennsylvania and Montana — more than $1 billion is projected to be spent by Nov. 5.

The race in Ohio could break the spending record for Senate races. The race in Montana will go down as the most expensive Senate race ever on a per-vote basis. And, late in the game, Democrats are sending millions more dollars to Texas, a GOP stronghold where the party has new hopes of knocking off two-term conservative stalwart Sen. Ted Cruz, an upset that could help them protect their majority.

Republicans need to pick up two seats to capture a surefire majority, and one of those — West Virginia — is all but in the bag for the GOP.

Other races are more volatile and less predictable.

For Democrats, the brutal math of this year’s election cycle is forcing them to defend eight seats in tough states. Losses by established incumbents could amount to an extinction-level event for Democrats who represent reliably Republican states.

The election also will test the down-ballot strength of both parties in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, the premier presidential battleground states known as the Blue Wall for their relatively reliable Democratic voting history. Wins there by Republicans would dramatically alter the Senate playing field.

All told, data from political ad tracking firm AdImpact projects that more than $2.5 billion will be spent on advertising in Senate races in this two-year campaign cycle, slightly more than the 2022 total.

That includes a half-billion dollars in Ohio alone, another $340 million in Pennsylvania and $280 million in Montana, population 1.1 million, or less than one-tenth of the population of either Ohio or Pennsylvania. The most expensive Senate race ever was Democrat John Ossoff ‘s victory in a Georgia contest that went to a runoff in 2021 and decided Senate control, according to data from the campaign finance-tracking organization Open Secrets.

Generally, campaign strategists say Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is polling ahead of his party’s Senate candidates in Senate battleground states, while Democratic candidates in those states are polling ahead of their presidential nominee, Kamala Harris.

That means there is a slice of voters who could vote for Trump but not back Republicans in Senate races — or who could split their tickets with Democratic Senate candidates.

Such splits have been rare. In Maine, in 2020 voters backed Democrat Joe Biden for president and re-elected Republican Sen. Susan Collins, for instance.

Republican strategists said they expect the party’s major super PACs to spend until election day in seven states where Democrats are defending Senate seats: Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where polls show competitive races, but also Nevada and Arizona, where Republicans are encouraged by strong early voting numbers.

Republicans are most confident about flipping the seat in deep-red Montana, where Republican Tim Sheehy is challenging third-term Democratic Sen. Jon Tester. They are also optimistic about reliably red Ohio, where Republican Bernie Moreno is challenging third-term Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Torunn Sinclair, a spokesperson for a pair of Republican-aligned super PACs, said one — American Crossroads — is pulling $2.8 million out of Montana, while the pair are plunging several million more into Pennsylvania.

There, Republican David McCormick is trying to knock off three-term Democratic Sen. Bob Casey in a presidential battleground undercard that both sides say is close.

McCormick, a former CEO of the world’s largest hedge fund, has hammered the message in two debates that Casey is a “sure thing” to back the Biden-Harris administration’s agenda.

In recent days, Casey began running an ad in conservative areas that touts his “greedflation” legislation to pursue price-gouging. The ad says “Casey bucked Biden to protect fracking” and “sided with Trump” on trade and tariffs.

Republicans say Casey’s ad showing Trump is similar to a TV ad that Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin is airing and speaks to both Democrats’ need to protect themselves against Harris’ vulnerability in their states.

“They’re hoping to peel off enough Trump voters to win,” Sinclair said.

Still, Casey ran a similar ad in 2018’s midterm election when he won easily — even though that ad didn’t mention Trump — while Casey’s campaign notes that he has long split with Democrats by opposing free trade agreements and supporting fossil fuel-power projects.

Democrats, conversely, say they are forcing competitive contests late in the campaign in two red states, Texas and Nebraska. Ousting incumbent Republicans from one or both of those seats could help Democrats to at least a 50-50 split in the Senate should Democrats lose in Montana or Ohio.

In Texas, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, a former professional football player, has proven adept at raising small-dollar donations in his challenge to incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. Allred has outraised every Senate candidate nationally, except Tester and Brown.

The ad spending advantage for Allred has been 3-to-2, according to AdImpact, with the Democratic-aligned Senate Majority PAC touting a new seven-figure digital ad buy and a separate $5 million TV ad buy attacking Cruz on a key issue for Democrats, abortion rights.

On top of that, Democrats hope Harris’ rally in Houston on Friday with Allred and Beyoncé can help Allred by boosting Black voter turnout.

In Nebraska, independent Dan Osborn — a tattooed former labor leader who supports abortion rights — appears to have consolidated Democratic and independent voters while making some inroads with Republicans, Democratic strategists say.

While Osborn is running as an independent and hasn’t said which party he’d caucus with, he’s getting support from a liberal super PAC that has helped him amass a significant spending advantage over Republican Sen. Deb Fischer.

In both states, Republicans acknowledge that they’ve had to spend money unexpectedly to shore up their incumbents’ prospects, but they also say they expect to win comfortably.

In Ohio, Brown has tried to personalize his appeal by appearing in most of his own ads and speaking directly into the camera.

“I’m Sherrod Brown and I have a question,” Brown says, looking into the camera and leaning his elbow on what might be a wood-working shop table. “Have you ever heard Bernie Moreno talk about what he’s going to do for Ohio?”

Brown also makes a personal appeal to potential swing voters, saying he has spent his career fighting for workers and veterans and working with law enforcement and “presidents of both parties to do what’s best for our state.”

Elsewhere, strategists expect first-term Florida Sen. Rick Scott will fend off a challenge from Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and that Democrat Angela Alsobrooks in deep-blue Maryland will beat former Gov. Larry Hogan to fill a seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin.

Associated Press reporter Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter.

By CALVIN WOODWARD, JEFF AMY and JONATHAN J. COOPER

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the millions of Americans on the radar of the Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campaigns and those of their allies, the apocalypse is only a text message away.

The very future of the republic is at stake, some of the texts say and many others imply. But you — yes, YOU, Sally, Jose or insert-your-first-name here — can save it. For as little as $7.

Texting is a cheap and easy way to reach potential voters and donors, without all the rules meant to keep traditional paid broadcast advertising a bit honest. Both sides are working the texting pipeline aggressively. In the last days of the campaign, the pinging of phones can be relentless.

“All day, every day,” Robyn Beyah said of the torrent as she stood in line to get into a Kamala Harris rally outside Atlanta last week. “They have my number. We’re practically besties.”

Beyah is cool with that. She considers the text bombing “harmless” because it’s for a candidate she believes in. She even invites the Harris campaign to “harass me with text messages.” Not all voters are so charitable.

“To be honest with you, at this point, I’ve tuned it out of my brain,” said Ebenezer Eyasu of Stone Mountain, Georgia, standing in the same Harris rally line. He said the dozen or so texts he gets each day have become “background noise.”

Sarah Wiggins, a 26-year-old graphic designer from Kennesaw, Georgia, who supports Harris, prefers face to face persuasion. “I feel like it’s all about people around you,” she said. “Word of mouth is underrated.” As for the texts, “I just delete, to be honest. I don’t want to read it.”

Many Trump supporters also get pestered. Several at his rally in Tempe, Arizona, last week professed low-grade aggravation about that.

“They’re more of an annoyance than anything else,” said Morse Lawrence, 57, a physician assistant from Mesa, Arizona. “I get bombarded by text messages outside of political things as well. People wanting to buy my house, people wanting to sell me insurance, it’s all of it.”

He figures it’s an effective marketing strategy for campaigns even if the great majority of recipients don’t bite. “You go fishing and you catch two fish, you’ve got a meal for the day.”

Jennifer Warnke, 57, of St. John’s, Arizona, also at the Trump rally, expressed mixed feelings about what’s happening on her phone.

“They’re at least reaching out, because for years nobody ever called me,” she said. “I’ve been a registered Republican all my life and nobody ever called.”

She added: “It’s annoying, but it’s almost over.”

The campaigns spin a fantasy

Trump’s campaign, although uniquely fixated on selling hats via text, shares certain traits with the Democrats.

Both sides traffic in dire warnings should the other side win. Both cook up phony deadlines to get you to hurry up with your money. Both play on the fantasy that luminaries — whether Harris, Trump, George Clooney, Nancy Pelosi or Donald Trump Jr. — are texting you personally, instead of the machinery that really is.

Texts under the name of Trump Jr. come with a twist, if a transparent one: “Please don’t give $5 to help dad before his critical deadline. I’m serious. Don’t. … Let me explain.”

The explanation is a link to a page asking for lots more than $5. You can choose $20.24 if you are a basic Trump supporter in 2024 or $47 if you think the 45th president was the greatest ever and want to make him the 47th.

Trump himself seems to be heavily into merch. “I’m shipping you a Gold MAGA Hat!” say texts in his name. “Should I sign it?”

Tap through and you see the MAGA hat with gold lettering will cost you $50. But there’s more.

“Here’s my offer to you,” the digital Trump says. “If you place your order before the midnight deadline, I may add my signature and a quick personal note right on the brim!” May — or may not.

Thirteen days from Election Day, as she prepared to take the stage for a CNN town hall, Harris took a moment to confide in a Virginian she doesn’t know at all. At least that’s the scene sketched by a text in her name.

“Hi Chris, it’s Kamala Harris,” says the message. “It would mean the world to me if you added another donation to our campaign before my town hall on CNN tonight. Donald Trump and his allies are currently outspending us across the battleground states.”

A donation of $40 is suggested. No hat is offered. Despite the message’s angst over cash, Harris’ campaign and affiliated Democratic groups have raised over $1 billion in mere months and kept a large financial advantage over Trump in the campaign’s last leg.

The pings keep coming

Ping: “It’s Elizabeth Warren. ”

Ping: “From Trump: I JUST LEFT MCDONALD’S.”

Ping: “We’ve asked NINE TIMES if you support Kamala Harris … but you never completed the poll.”

Ping: “I just got off the debate stage.” — signed by Harris running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Ping: “This is a BIG F#@%ING DEAL.” — in the name of Democratic strategist James Carville.

Ping: “It’s Nancy Pelosi. I need you to see this.”

Ping: “But you haven’t stepped up to defend our Senate majority!?! Rush $7 now.”

Ping: “I have a McGift for you! It’s President Trump. Want to take a look?”

Are they legit?

Despite the sucker-born-every-minute undertone of some of the presidential campaign texts, experts say you can be reasonably confident that donations to the official candidate campaigns or the main party organizations will be used for your intended purpose.

But many more groups are pitching for your election-season cash, not all of them are legit and sorting that out takes work. Some voter-mobilization groups that claim to be funded by the left, for example, may be mischief-makers from the right, or just out to collect personal information on you.

This month, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin wrote to the U.S. and state attorneys general to report that thousands of fraudulent text messages from an anonymous source were sent to young people threatening $10,000 fines or prison time if they vote in a state where they are not eligible to cast ballots.

The scam was meant to intimidate students from out of state who are legally entitled to vote in Wisconsin if they are attending college there, or to vote back at home instead, the letter said.

Last weekend, thousands of Pennsylvania voters received a text message that falsely claimed they had already voted in the election, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday. It was from AllVote, which election officials have repeatedly flagged as a scam, the paper said. The group said the false claim was the result of a typo.

Experts say to read the fine print at the bottom of any fundraising link you open. It must outline the name of the group and where the money will go.

From there, people can go to sites such as OpenSecrets or the Federal Election Commission to see breakdowns of revenue and spending by groups that are registered political action committees. High overhead and low or no spending on ads or canvassing are red flags.

For all those traps, Beverly Payne of Cumming, Georgia, who has already voted for Harris and volunteers for her, welcomes the pings.

“I get texts every 30 minutes and I answer every single one of them,” Payne said. One favorite was about an ice cream flavor rolled out for Harris by Ben & Jerry’s, Kamala’s Coconut Jubilee layered with caramel and topped with red, white and blue star sprinkles. “I had to donate to that,” she said.

“It’s our culture now, we’re all addicted,” Payne said of texts and Harris’ use of them. “Maybe that’s why she has a billion dollars.”

Amy reported from Atlanta, Cooper from Tempe, Arizona. Associated Press writer Brian Slodysko contributed to this report.

By SCOTT BAUER, CHARLOTTE KRAMON, GARY D. ROBERTSON and LISA MASCARO

CROSS PLAINS, Wis. (AP) — At this stage of the election, the arguments have been made, the airwaves flooded with ads, the inboxes and doorsteps stuffed with flyers. What’s left is to get out the vote.

It’s a crucial step that can make or break campaigns, turning Americans into voters by nudging them to the polls — or the mailbox or ballot drop-box — with their choices.

Democrats this year are relying on a traditional strategy of targeted phone calls, text messages and door-knocking, from the party and its allies, to encourage turnout for Vice President Kamala Harris. Former President Donald Trump has outsourced much of the Republican operation to groups such as America PAC, the organization supported by billionaire Elon Musk, which has taken the unorthodox and possibly illegal step of giving away $1 million a day in prize money.

Now the two sides are going head-to-head to get their voters out in battleground states:

WISCONSIN

Kathy Moran never thought she’d be standing on the street at sunset, political flyers in a bag slung over her shoulder, trudging door to door trying to persuade people to vote.

But Moran, a 64-year-old retired employment attorney, said on a crisp late October night that she couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer.

“With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which I couldn’t imagine, I just had to get involved,” she said while canvassing the streets of Cross Plains, a village of about 4,000 people on the outskirts of Wisconsin’s liberal capital city of Madison.

It’s volunteers like Moran who Democrats hope will make the difference in swing states like Wisconsin, where four of the past six presidential elections have been decided by 21,000 votes or less.

The Democrats’ approach to getting out the vote is clear: they are tapping a vast network of activists, volunteers, Democratic Party faithful and others to spread out across the country to ensure their voters go to the polls.

What America PAC is doing for Trump is less clear.

America PAC is targeting infrequent voters in Wisconsin by canvassing neighborhoods and sending mailings and digital and text ads, said the organization’s spokesperson, Andrew Romeo.

However, America PAC refused a request from The Associated Press to observe the work in person.

Republicans have privately expressed concerns about whether America PAC is doing enough to get out the vote for Trump in crucial battleground states. Whatever their methods, more Republicans are voting early than in past elections, another sign of high enthusiasm.

“A get-out-the-vote operation can’t turn a jump ball into a landslide,” said Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Ben Wikler. “But it can absolutely turn a 50-50 race into a 49.5-50.5 race.”

Moran said she logs between 8,000 and 14,000 steps on a typical night of canvassing and encounters mostly Harris voters as she knocks on the doors of houses decorated with skeletons, grave markers and a few political signs.

One woman refuses to engage with Moran, saying through the closed glass screen door it’s “none of her business.” Another man says he’s already voted but wouldn’t say for whom.

Another spots her “Harris/Walz” and “, la” buttons, smiles and says, “I see you’re with Harris.” He assures her that everyone in his house is voting for her.

Moran enters notes on an app so voters committed to Harris aren’t bothered again.

GEORGIA

The Harris campaign has more than 40,000 volunteers plus a staff of 220 working out of 32 field offices across the state. The campaign says its volunteers and staff have knocked on more than a million doors, including more than 100,000 last weekend alone, and has made two million phone calls.

“The ground game is very, very busy,” said state Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, a Dawson Democrat. “We are knocking on doors everyday, but the communities are huge. There’s a lot of ground to cover, but we have extremely diligent volunteers going out and putting their all into this race.”

Sims said she’s unsure who will win Georgia because she’s seen similar on-the-ground enthusiasm from Republicans.

The Trump campaign says it has nearly 25,000 volunteers working in Georgia, and has hosted more than 2,000 events there over the last three months.

At one event, eight women in matching pink Trump jackets with ‘47’ emblazoned on the sleeves and personalized etchings of their names marched into a spacious ranch south of Atlanta as part of Team Trump’s Women’s Tour.

The audience in South Fulton was small, but RNC co-chair Lara Trump and former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler urged supporters to rally their friends to vote for Trump.

Kim Burnette signed up to phone bank with the Trump campaign this year, calling infrequent voters who are registered Republicans.

“A lot of people are saying they’re going to vote,” Burnette said. “It’s looking good.”

Candace Duvall drove about 30 miles to the event and showed up decked out in gold Trump merch — she patched sparkly letters spelling out his name onto her t-shirt and wore earrings that displayed his mug shot. She rushed to the polls on the first day of early voting to vote for Trump, but she’s still receiving a flurry of texts, calls, and paper flyers from his campaign.

“He’s our only chance,” Duvall said. “I really think he was chosen by God, and I think this is good vs. evil.”

Camilla Moore and Lisa Babbage, chair and vice chair of the Georgia Black Republican Council, also showed up to support the women for Trump.

The pair has been mobilizing Black voters in South Fulton through events over the last few months.

“It has been easier this time than ever before,” Moore said.

People are less shy about supporting Trump now than they were in 2020, Moore said. They’re more open to conversation as they make the case for the former president.

NORTH CAROLINA

Charles Benson, 68, of Kinston, North Carolina, said he’s getting contacted several times a week, mostly by text, about the election and voting.

Benson, who is retired, attended Trump’s rally in nearby Greenville in late October, two days after he voted early in person. Still, candidate mailers keep filling his mailbox.

“I’m ready for it to be over,” Benson said. “I’m tired of taking that stuff out of the mail every day.”

Emma Macomber, 76, of New Bern, another Trump supporter at the Greenville rally, said she’s been contacted regularly, largely through text, being asked for political donations and to make sure that she votes.

Macomber said she’s already cast her ballot and has made some contributions.

“I want it to be over, but I’m scared for it to be over,” she said. “Because I don’t know what’s in the future, and I think everyone’s afraid of the unknown.”

Kramon reported from Atlanta, Robertson from Raleigh, North Carolina, and Mascaro from Washington.

By SUSAN HAIGH

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes isn’t a member of the historically Black sororities and fraternities known as the “Divine Nine.”

But throughout her hotly contested reelection campaign this year, Hayes, the first Black woman to represent Connecticut in Congress, has sometimes felt like she’s a fellow soror, the term used by Black Greek organizations for sorority sisters. On their own, members have shown up to call voters, organize fundraisers, knock on doors, cheer Hayes on at campaign events and even offer pro bono legal help.

“I had people from Massachusetts come in to volunteer,” said Hayes, a Democrat who is seeking a fourth term. “I’ve had people who had previously been considering going to a battleground state like Pennsylvania and are saying, ‘No, we’re going to stay right here and help out in this race in Connecticut.’”

Downballot candidates like Hayes — particularly Black women — have benefited from a surge in support this year from volunteers who happen to be members of Black Greek organizations, many energized by Kamala Harris’ presidential run. The vice president is a longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., which was founded at her alma matter, Howard University, in 1908. Harris pledged AKA as a senior at Howard in 1986.

Collectively known as the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the nine historically Black sororities and fraternities are nonpartisan and barred from endorsing candidates because of their not-for-profit status. The organizations focus on voter registration drives, civic engagement and nonelectoral initiatives and are careful not to show favor to a particular candidate. But many of the groups’ members, as individuals, have been “extremely active” in federal and state races around the country this year, said Jaime R. Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

“I think that’s a part of the Kamala Harris effect,” Harrison said during a recent visit to Connecticut.

There were women affiliated with all the D9 sororities on a recent get-out-the-vote bus tour through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland to support Black women on the ballot.

Along with other volunteers, they knocked on hundreds of doors, made thousands of calls and sent out hundreds of postcards, urging people to vote. The trip was organized by the Higher Heights for America PAC, a nearly 13-year-old organization that works to elect progressive Black women.

Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. showed off their crimson and cream colors while stumping in Maryland for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks, a fellow Delta who is in a closely watched race against former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan.

Volunteers who are D9 sorority members also campaigned for Democratic U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha who is running for the U.S. Senate. If both candidates were elected, it would mark the first time two Black women have served in the Senate simultaneously.

Latosha Johnson, a social worker from Hartford, recently participated in a get-out-the-vote phone banking session for Hayes along with other Black women who, like her, are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha. She said there’s a realization among many Black and brown voters that the stakes in the election are particularly high. And if Harris wins, she’ll need allies in Congress, Johnson said.

“If we don’t get her a Congress that’s going to be able to move things,” Johnson said, “that becomes hard.”

Hayes is in a rematch against former Republican George Logan, a former state senator who identifies as Afro-Latino but has not seen an outpouring of support from D9 members, according to his campaign.

Both Harris and former President Donald Trump are courting Black voters in the final days of the presidential race. Harris’ campaign has expressed concern about a lack of voting enthusiasm among Black men.

While Republicans have made some inroads with Black voters, two-thirds still identify as Democrats. About 2 in 10 identify as independents. About 1 in 10 identify as Republicans, according to a recent poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Voter registration and nonpartisan get-out-the-vote efforts by the sororities and fraternities, coupled with the mobilization of individual members, could potentially have an impact on some of these races, said Darren Davis, a professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame.

“In local elections, in statewide elections, where the Black vote is more powerful and concentrated as opposed to in national elections, D9 organizations have this tremendous untapped ability to reach and to mobilize disaffected voters,” Davis said.

The D9 fraternal groups were founded on U.S. college campuses in the early 1900s when Black students faced racial prejudice and exclusion that prevented them from joining existing white sororities and fraternities. In a tradition that continues today, the organizations focused on mutual upliftment, educational and personal achievement, civic engagement and a lifelong commitment to community service.

Many of the fraternities and sororities served as training grounds for future civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. member Brandon McGee is a former Democratic state representative who now leads Connecticut’s Social Equity Council on cannabis. As the father of two daughters, he is excited about helping Harris and Hayes win.

“I want my babies to see me working for a female who looks like their mother. And even beyond looking like their mother, a female,” he said. “And I want my babies to know, ‘You can do the same thing.’”

This story has been edited to correct that Alpha Phi Alpha is a fraternity not a sorority. Also, Latosha Johnson is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, not Delta Sigma Theta.

Which bookend is best?

If you have a sizable collection of books, you know the struggle of trying to keep everything organized and upright on the shelf. Entropy takes over, and books end up toppled over or stacked on top of each other. Leaning, sagging books tend to become damaged as the spines warp under all that pressure.

Bookends are an excellent way to corral your books and preserve their quality. They also add an organized aesthetic to your library. Bookends can be decidedly minimalist or highly decorative. They come in a range of styles with varying degrees of functionality and durability. For a set of bookends that keeps your books organized and supports even the heaviest of books, Officemate Bookends Heavy-Weighted Steel are the top choice.

What to know before you buy bookends

Function

The primary consideration for most people buying bookends is function. Bookends keep your books supported by holding up each end of a row of upright books. To do this effectively, you need sturdy, nonslip bookends.

Design

The most common design for bookends is the basic L-shaped model with a thin metal base that slides underneath books for support and a vertical wall that holds books in place. Many bookends are also visually ornate or feature other unique design elements. If you’re buying bookends for your personal library, try matching them to other design elements in your space. You can find bookends with wood finishes, chrome finishes, natural stone finishes, botanical wrought-metal designs and more.

Size

Bookends come in large, industrial styles and in smaller sizes for paperbacks and other small books. A standard bookend is between 6 and 12 inches high. When selecting a set of bookends, think about how many books you have and how large they are. You might wish to select varying sizes for different book dimensions in your collection.

Material

The most basic, budget-friendly bookends are made of clear acrylic. Steel and sheet metal bookends are a good utilitarian choice for holding many books without warping or sliding. Stainless steel costs a bit more, but it tends to be extra durable and aesthetically pleasing. If you want more ornate choices, wood, marble and agate bookends are gorgeous options.

What to look for in quality bookends

Adjustable

Some bookends feature adjustability that allows you to make them shorter or taller to accommodate all book sizes. You can also find accordion-style bookends with expandable metal bases that secure up to 18 inches of books in place.

Secure

While bookends stay in place primarily through the weight of the books and the force of friction, they can easily jostle out of place when you take a book off the shelf. To prevent this, look for bookends with slip-resistant rubber bases that provide a secure grip to keep your bookends from moving out of place.

How much you can expect to spend on bookends

A basic set of plastic bookends can cost as little as $15. For between $15-$30, you’ll find heavy-duty bookends in various sizes and styles. More expensive bookends feature high-quality stone and wood materials or ornate hand-wrought metal designs.

Bookends tips

• For a gorgeous and functional library, try not to fill your shelves with books. Leaving a bit of empty space and adding other elements like lamps, essential oil diffusers, vases or sculptures can create a more sparse, thoughtful aesthetic.
• To keep your bookends neat and clean, be sure to dust them frequently.
• Be careful when using bookends alongside heavy books on shelves that can’t support a ton of weight, such as floating shelves.
• Bookends also work well for organizing other media, such as CDs and vinyl, DVDs, board games, files, journals and more.
• You can use bookends in different places other than shelves, such as on your counter to hold your cookbooks, on your desk to organize your notebooks or on your bar cart to hold mixology guides.

Bookends FAQ

Are bookends suitable for paperbacks and hardbacks?

A. Paperbacks and hardbacks both work well with bookends. You should only hold hardbacks with heavy-duty metal bookends; otherwise, you may find the bookends warp under the pressure of the books or slide out of place. Paperbacks are suitable for use with most bookends, but keep in mind that a larger set of bookends visually overpowers smaller books, which may create an aesthetic you don’t love.

How many bookends do I need per shelf?

A. You generally need at least one pair of bookends per shelf to keep your books propped up and aligned effectively. If you have long shelves with many books on them, having a couple pairs of bookends per shelf helps ensure your bookends aren’t overly taxed with weight.

Can I permanently affix my bookends to the shelf?

A. Some people like the idea of creating permanent sections on their shelves using bookends. While this is possible, it requires getting creative with wood glue or a drill, as bookends don’t feature predrilled holes or fixatives for this purpose. Be sure you really want to do this before you commit. Part of the functional appeal of bookends is that you can move them into any configuration you like, which is especially useful as you grow or shrink your library collection.

What are the best bookends to buy?

Top bookends

Officemate Bookends Heavy-Weighted Steel

What you need to know: It doesn’t get any more durable and heavy-duty than this set of no-nonsense bookends.

What you’ll love: These bookends are ideal if you want a minimalist set that emphasizes function over flair. This set doesn’t falter under the weight of even heavy textbooks. They are perfect for spots where you need a very supportive product, such as up high on a floating shelf.

What you should consider: These are a bit pricey, but they will dependably keep your books upright.

Top bookends for the money

CY craft Set of 4 Clear Acrylic Bookends

What you need to know: This is a set of four functional, dependable bookends at a fraction of the price of other options.

What you’ll love: The bookends offer a minimal design with a money-back guarantee, and they are ideal for holding everything from books and DVDs to files. They are made from high-quality, durable acrylic.

What you should consider: Some users report that the bookends aren’t as sturdy as heavier-duty options, although, for the most part, this set is known to support heavy books.

Worth checking out

JIC Gem Decorative Polished Geode Agate Bookends

What you need to know: This heavy-duty pair of decorative bookends is a unique find: aesthetically pleasing, durable and effective.

What you’ll love: The bookends feature pure agate stone in various colors for a strikingly beautiful solution to book organization. Each bookend has a rubber-padded base to prevent damage to furniture surfaces.

What you should consider: This set is visually stunning but won’t fit everyone’s style.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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Which Thanksgiving games to play with the family this year are best?

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for life’s blessings and the loved ones that surround you. It is a special time of year when family members come together to appreciate all that they have and to feast. Family time is a key component of Thanksgiving, and precious moments are set aside to bond with loved ones. The perfect way to spend time with those you hold closest to your heart this holiday season is with a game night. There are various Thanksgiving-themed games that will bring you closer to your family and keep the spirit of the season alive. When searching for a Thanksgiving game to play with your family this year, consider the materials you will need, the portability and the strategy of the game.

What to look for when purchasing Thanksgiving games to play with the family this year

Strategy

When choosing a Thanksgiving game to play with your family this year, consider the objective and strategy of the game. A good game to play with your family will consist of mild competition that could lead to laughs and the creation of fun memories. The objectives and strategies will vary depending on the style of game that you are playing. For example, the strategy will be different if you are doing a family puzzle rather than Thanksgiving bingo because puzzles are more collaborative. Games with collaborative and competitive styles offer you a chance to bond while spending time with your family.

Components

When purchasing a Thanksgiving game to play with your family this year, consider how many pieces the game contains and if any assembly is required. A good game for the whole family will feature an easy, time-efficient setup that is simple to play. If the game’s components are too intricate and there are many pieces and factors involved, it will be harder for multiple people to play this game and will take longer to figure out. The best Thanksgiving games to play with your family this year will consist of simple ideas with few components.

On-the-go use

When purchasing a Thanksgiving game to play with your family this year, consider one that is easily transportable. Often, family parties are held at different locations, and it is convenient to play the game on the go. The best games are those that can be securely and quickly packaged without many pieces and parts. A game that is simply designed and is compact will be the most convenient game this season.

How much you can expect to spend on Thanksgiving games to play with the family this year

The best Thanksgiving games to play with your family this year will be priced anywhere from $6-$30, depending on the style of game, its popularity and what it is made from.

Thanksgiving games to play with the family this year FAQ

What are common Thanksgiving-themed symbols to include in games?

A. Common Thanksgiving symbols that can be included in various forms of gameplay are turkeys, leaves, pilgrim hats, pumpkins and cornucopia flowers. These symbols will likely be included in your Thanksgiving-themed games and can be symbols to look out for when searching for themed games.

What DIY games can I make using common craft supplies?

A. There are various Thanksgiving-themed games that can be made with items around the house. Games such as bingo, tic-tac-toe and charades can be made using simple construction paper and other common components that can be found around the house. Users looking to create Thanksgiving games themselves will want to search for holiday-themed paper and other supplies, such as scissors and markers that are needed for design purposes.

Best Thanksgiving games to play with the family this year

Tektalk 1000 Piece Harvest Jigsaw Puzzle

This puzzle is harvest-themed, making Thanksgiving the perfect time to solve it. It comes with 1,000 pieces in an organized, compact container for storage and can be used by teens and adults. It is time-consuming and requires strategy and teamwork, allowing for family bonding during the holidays.

Thanksgiving Bingo Cards

These bingo cards feature various Thanksgiving-themed images, like pie, leaves, a turkey, a pilgrim’s hat and more. The cards and chips are made from sturdy cardboard and can be used over and over again. It comes with two call-out cards.

Amscan Thanksgiving Turkey Craft Kit

This item features four paper turkeys and multiple paper feather attachments in a pack. The paper is of good quality and users are allotted space on the front of the turkey to write out what they are thankful for during the holiday season. Writing utensils and glue are not provided and there are many pieces to keep track of with this family Thanksgiving activity. This allows children to be a part of the holiday cheer, as well as adults to write down and discuss what they are thankful for.

Gobble Gobble Mad Libs

These mad libs come in the form of a booklet and include various fill-in-the-blank games to allow for greater recognition of Thanksgiving traditions and symbols. Each game tells a story and the games are recommended for those ages 8 and above. This game can also be played by adults.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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TROY – At last, Rochester Adams put a ball in the back of the net that Saline couldn’t answer.

The Highlanders, who led three times at Troy Athens Wednesday evening between the 100 minutes of regulation and overtime, finally dispatched the feisty Hornets in a shootout, 5-4, to reach Saturday’s D1 state final.

After Alex Rosin, Logan Lilla, Jameson Smith and Anthony Page had all made theirs, senior Salvatore Dinoto stepped up and converted the fifth kick to send the Highlanders in celebration from their own bench across the field and into a sea of fans awaiting on the opposite sideline.

“It was a battle,” Adams head coach Josh Hickey said. “I’m really impressed by them, to be honest. We didn’t know a whole lot about Saline over there, but they’re really good, man. They deserved to be there just as much as just, we just got fortunate at the end there with those penalties.”

On a night when the players between the sticks stayed busy, Adams senior Reid Dennis came up clutch on Saline’s third penalty, diving to his right to palm away the only shot stopped in the shootout.

“It’s all instincts,” Dennis said. “It’s also part luck, too. There was a little bit (of a tell), but sometimes you’ve just got to go (and react).”

On his goalkeeper, Hickey added, “This year, we were just confident if we had to go to penalties. We were ready for it because we’ve got Reid back there, but also because we’ve got some guys that can finish those.”

Adams (17-2-4), who like Saline hadn’t been pressed into PKs this postseason, jumped ahead when Logan Lilla’s layoff near the edge of the box allowed an opportunity for Dinoto to drive in a shot from the left edge of the 18 just under nine minutes into the contest.

Between the trade of openers, Saline senior netminder Eric Friedholm had several key actions, including the denial of a Rosin goal after Adams’ star senior nicked the ball off a Hornets defender. That immediately led to a chance on the opposite end for Saline’s Jaedyn Sifuna, which pressed Dennis into action to snuff out the attack, and Dennis parried away another good chance with two minutes left in the half that led to a corner but nothing else for the Hornets.

Adams’ lead held for over an hour of play before the match traversed into classic territory.

Saline erased the lead when it earned a free kick that resulted in a series of deflections before junior forward Zach Heisler tied it up with 16:16 left in regulation.

On the Highlanders’ second goalscoring sequence, Rosin produced a pass that few others at the same level are capable of. The Notre Dame commit bent a ball across and behind the defense to Dinoto, whose shot reverberated off the right crossbar and back along the face of goal before Lilla pounced on the rebound with 11:09 left.

Just 25 seconds later, the Hornets drew a penalty through Sifuna, and Juan Martin Balda didn’t miss from the spot, making it 2-2.

About a minute later, Adams may have been lucky not to fall behind for the first time when Nadig Bryce’s shot ricocheted off the wrong side of a goal post, and both teams had A-grade chances to prevent extra time in the last 90 seconds of the second half, but couldn’t avert overtime.

In the first 10-minute period of overtime, Heisler and Adams junior Chase Blackmore both had efforts that would have been unsavable had they not blazed just wide of the mark.

With 1:41 left in that first OT, the Highlanders appeared to have their state final ticket punched when Rosin’s corner kick found Smith at the far post for a header in, making it 3-2.

While not as fast as the second leveler, the Hornets dissolved Adams’ lead for the final time when Heisler scored his second goal with a shot from the top of the box off the post to the right of Dennis and over the line 53 seconds into the second overtime period.

“Oh, (they were) daggers, man,” Hickey said. “When you go up a goal and they tie it in like 30 seconds or something … I’m proud. That’s the thing about my team, I’m proud of, they’re mentally tough. They didn’t let that phase them. We had to switch formations a bunch to counter that, and they went right into it. Everything I asked of them, they did.”

To reach the final, Adams beat a Saline team that hadn’t been defeated since Clarkston did so back on Aug. 24.

“I think we were confident, as well as resilient going into it, but yeah, it’s just one save that makes all the difference,” first-year Saline head coach Bartley Lydy said.

Rochester Adams vs. Saline D1 boys soccer semifinal photo gallery

The Highlanders, champions two seasons ago, now head to their fifth state final all-time for a chance at a third title banner.

Ranked fifth in the final D1 poll, the Highlanders, armed with a handful of D1 talents who had previously been plying their trade at the club level, will be favored Saturday in Grand Ledge against unranked Byron Center, who defeated Oxford Wednesday night, also in PKs.

"I'm just happy they get that stage," Hickey said. "Once you get to the game, it is what it is. You have to battle. Both teams are going to be ready to be there, just like they were this game, but to give them that stage that they earned, you know, that's what I'm proud of them for. They deserve it."

Detroit’s Huntington Place will be, as the Vapors sang, turning Japanese this weekend as the 19th annual Youmacon settles in for a four-day run through Sunday, Nov. 3.

The gathering celebrates Japanese pop culture, including anime, gaming, art and music. The festivities include video and tabletop game competitions, panel discussions, art and memorabilia exhibits, a full marketplace, dance parties and an elaborate costume contest that’s an annual highlight — all for an expected crowd of up to 26,000.

Celebrity guests include Jason Douglas, a voice actor in popular games such as Dragon Ball Super and Borderlands 2 and 3. He’ll be joined by notables such as Suzie Young, John Bentley, Britt Baron, Kirk Thornton, Briana White and others. Voice actor Keith Silverstein will present “The Art of Being Evil” on Sunday, Nov. 3, along with a Behind the Mic: Women in Video Games panel.

A concert at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1, will feature SSJ Live, mic jack, Hiro x Noveliss, Crim and DJ Mark Cooper.

Daily admissions and weekend passes are available between $30-$80. More information is available via youmacon.com.

On sale 10 a.m. Nov. 1

• Oakland University vs. Michigan State University: Dec. 17, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, ticket prices vary.

• Nick Cannon: Dec. 22, Little Caesars Arena, ticket prices vary.

• Kelsea Ballerini, MaRynn Taylor and Maisie Peters: Feb. 4, Little Caesars Arena, ticket prices vary.

• We Them Ones Comedy Tour: March 7, Little Caesars Arena, hosted by Mike Epps and featuring Kountry Wayne, Kalous Miller, Lil Duval, Corey Holcomb, Mojo Bookzz, Haha Davis, Bubba Dub and Tony Roberts, lineup subject to change, ticket prices vary.

• Darcy & Jer, comedy duo: March 10, The Fillmore, Detroit, LiveNation.com, ticket prices vary.

• Tyler, The Creator: July 3, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, ticket prices vary.

• Ghost: July 24, Little Caesars Arena, ticket prices vary. (Presale began Oct. 29)

Postponed

• Shakira: May 22, (previously scheduled for Dec. 15), Little Caesars Arena, Detroit

Note: Events are subject to change; check with venues for updates. Tickets on sale at 313Presents.com, LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster.com or the XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena.

Beats

• Insane Clown Posse: 3 p.m. Oct. 31, Masonic Temple Theatre, 500 Temple St., Detroit, www.themasonic.com, ticket prices vary.

• The Crystal Method & Rabbit In The Moon: 7 p.m. Oct. 31, The Magic Bag, 22920 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, www.themagicbag.com, all ages, $35+ adv.

• Los Tigres del Norte: 8 p.m. Nov. 1, Fox Theatre, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• King 810: 6 p.m. Nov. 1, The Crofoot Ballroom, 1 S. Saginaw, Pontiac, all ages, https://thecrofoot.com/events, $25+.

• Dave Matthews Tribute Band: 8 p.m. Nov. 1, Emerald Theater, 31 N. Walnut St., Mt Clemens, 586-630-0120, TheEmeraldTheatre.com, doors at 7 p.m., ages 18+, $20+.

• Streetlight Manifesto: Nov. 2, Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W 4th St. Royal Oak, www.royaloakmusictheatre.com, 248-399-3065, ticket prices vary.

• El DeBarge, Dave Hollister: Nov. 2, Music Hall Center, 350 Madison St., Detroit, www.musichall.org, ticket prices vary.

• Mark & Andrea Forester: 6 p.m. Nov. 2, First General Baptist of Waterford, 2933 Frembes Road, wgbchurch.com, 248-673-6481, free admission, donations welcome.

• Drive-By Truckers: 7 p.m. Nov. 5, Saint Andrew’s Hall, Detroit, livenation.com, doors at 6:30 p.m., ticket prices vary.

• Jelly Roll, Ernest, Shaboozey and Allie Colleen: 7 p.m. Nov. 6,  Little Caesars Arena, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Lauren Sanderson, Kami Kehoe: Nov. 7, The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 248-820-5596, thelovingtouchferndale.com, all ages, doors at 7 p.m., $23+.

• Kenny Nelson: 8 p.m. Nov. 7, at 20 Front Street, Lake Orion, 248-783-7105, www.20frontstreet.com, doors at 7:30 p.m. all ages, $20+.

Shows

• Ann Arbor Stamp Club’s annual show: Nov. 1 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Saturday Nov. 2 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), Morris Lawrence Building of the Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, admission and parking are free, sign-in registration, www.annarborstampclub.org, 734-761-5859.

• Shoppe Sylvan: Noon-4 p.m. Nov. 3, at Sylvan Lake Community Center, 2456 Pontiac Drive, Sylvan Lake, $1 admission.

• Motor City Comic Con: Nov. 8-10, at Suburban Collection Showplace, Pop Culture event featuring comic book and multimedia dealers from across the country offering pop-culture merchandise, including comics, art, t-shirts, movie memorabilia, posters. Also featuring actors including John Cusack, Dave Coulier, and Robert Englund, comic book creators, writers and artists, www.motorcitycomiccon.com, ticket prices vary.

• Waterford Festival of the Arts craft and vendor fair: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 9, at Waterford Recreation Center, 5640 Williams Lake Road, Waterford Twp., 248-674-5441, admission is $1 per person.

Theater

•“The Seagull”: Through Nov. 2, Metamora Opera House, Metamora,  Actor’s Lab show presented by Oxford Wildcat Professional Theatre Co., www.oxfordwildcattheatreco.org, ticket prices vary.

• “Junie B. Jones The Musical Jr.”: 2 p.m. Nov. 2-3, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Twp., www.macombcenter.com, 586-286-2222, $15-$17+.

• “Witch”: Through Nov. 3, The Marlene Boll Theatre inside the Boll Family YMCA, 1401 Broadway, Detroit, DetroitMercyArts.com, ticket prices vary.

• “Strangers On a Train”: Through Nov. 3, at Meadow Brook Theatre, on the campus of Oakland University, 248-377-3300, www.mbtheatre.com, $39+.

• “Fat Ham”: Through Nov. 3, Detroit Public Theatre, 3960 Third St., Detroit, 313-974-7918, www.detroitpublictheatre.org, $49+.

• “MJ-The Musical”: Through Nov. 3, Fisher Theatre, 3011 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, www.broadwayindetroit.com, ticket prices vary.

• “Elf The Musical”: Nov. 6-10, Fox Theatre, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• “The Hobbit”: Nov. 7-10, at Avondale Performing Arts Center 2800 Waukegan St., Auburn Hills presented by the Avondale Theatre Company, avondaletheatrecompany.ludus.com, general admission-$10; streaming Nov. 9-$10; and students-$7.

• “Frozen Jr.”: Nov. 8-10, Oxford Middle School, 1420 Lakeville Road, Oxford, www.oxfordwildcattheatreco.org, $10-18, student discount available.

• “Crimes Of The Heart”: Nov. 8-23, Avon Players Theatre, 1185 Washington, Rochester, 248-608-9077, https://www.avonplayers.org, $28+.

• “Next to Normal” musical: Through Nov. 10, presented by Birmingham Village Players, 34660 Woodward Ave., Birmingham, www.birminghamvillageplayers.com, $30.

• “Good Riddance”- A Gnarly 1990’s Murder Mystery party: Nov. 13, Andiamo Warren, 7096 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, photo opportunities, games and costume contest with fantastic prizes, ages 21+, includes two drink tickets (cash bar also available),  strolling dinner, and live music from Funhouse, ages 21+, $79.95+ per person. Tax and gratuity are not included, cash bar,  www.andiamoitalia.com.

Art

• Ofrendas-Celebrating Día de Muertos: Through Nov. 3, featuring 11 ofrenda altars, Artist Talk is at 2 p.m. Nov. 3, Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dia.org.

• Drop In Workshop: Sugar Skulls is 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 1, and noon-4 p.m. Nov. 2-3, Detroit Institute of Arts, Art-Making Studio, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, www.dia.org.

• “Florilegium & Fairy Tales”-Lori Zurvalec: Through Nov. 1, Color | Ink Studio, 20919 John R Road, Hazel Park, open 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday, and at other times by appointment, and at ColorInkStudio.com, 248-398-6119.

• South Oakland Artist Association Museum Show & Sale: Nov. 2-16, at the Royal Oak Historical Museum, 1411 W Webster Road, Royal Oak, opening receptions and awards ceremony is 2-5 p.m. Nov 3, open to the public, https://southoaklandart.com.

• Natural Crafting workshop: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 4, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, conference room of the Dairy Barn, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, for ages 10+, children under 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult, www.rochesterhills.org.

• Seniors @ the Center: 10 a.m.-noon, Nov. 5, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook, Birmingham, monthly drop-in art-making workshop for ages 65+, of all skill levels, $10/person, includes all materials. The November project is Watercolor Greeting Cards, https://bbartcenter.org.

• Snowman Stroll Artist Reception: 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 7, at the Chief Financial Credit Union Community Room, 20 S. Main St., Rochester. Snowman Stroll, a public art event featuring 5’ fiberglass snowmen along Main Street, designed by local artists. This year’s snowman design renderings will be on display and light refreshments will be served. The Snowman Stroll will debut on Dec. 1. For information, visit www.DowntownRochesterMI.com or call the Rochester DDA at 248-656-0060.

• Axel Timm public lecture: 6 p.m. Nov. 7, Cranbrook Art Museum, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, https://cranbrookart.edu/event/public-lecture-axel-timm, free. Cranbrook’s deSalle Auditorium. Cranbrook Art Museum is open late and free to all on Thursdays, arrive early to explore their current exhibitions.

• GIG – The Art of Michigan Music: Nov. 8-10, at Art 634 in Jackson, ttps://lifeinmichigan.com/gig, $25 for one day or $45 for the weekend. A three day arts and music show featuring 22 Michigan visual arts who create the imagery for the music scene (gig posters, concert photography, album covers)

• JC Rivera: Exhibit through November, on the second floor of Detroit Shipping Company, 474 Peterboro St., Detroit, www.detroitshippingcompany.com, RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/art-gallery-opening-jc-rivera-tickets-1035017684757.

• Patrick Alston and Heather Day: Through Dec. 21, Library Street Collective, 1274 Library St.. Detroit, open Wednesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m., lscgallery.com.

• “Grace Under Fire”: Through Jan. 11, the Shepherd, 1265 Parkview St., Detroit, lscgallery.com, open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.

• How We Make the Planet Move: Through March 2, The Detroit Collection Part I, Detroit-based artists and designers, featuring Subtleism” Neha Vedpathak with Agnes Martin and Toshiko Takaezu “Worlds Within,” cranbrookartmuseum.org, general admission-$10, free for ArtMembers.

• Oak Park Community Mural: Recently completed by local artist and Oak Park native, Desiree Kelly, on the Oak Park Public Library, 14200 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, www.oakparkmi.gov.

• “The Lion and the Mouse” and “Hippo” sculptures: Formerly at Eastland Center in Harper Woods are now on display at Ascension St. John Hospital, 22101 Moross Road, Detroit.

• “The Art of Dining-Food Culture in the Islamic World”: Through Jan. 5, Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dia.org.

• Tiff Massey-“7 Mile + Livernois”: Exhibit through May 11, 2025, Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dia.org.

• Thursdays at the Museum: 1 p.m. Thursdays, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, self-guided visit of our collections for adults 55 and older. Groups of 25 or more in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties can receive free bus transportation, www.dia.org/events/thursdays.

• The Hawk Makerspace: The Hawk – Farmington Hills Community Center, featuring craft space, specialized equipment including a laser cutter, 3D printer, and sewing lab. Makerspace users may purchase passes to use the equipment during Open Studio hours. Classes are also offered, fhgov.com/play,-explore-learn/the-hawk/amenities/makerspace.

• Drop-in Design: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, self-guided art-making activities in the Cranbrook Art Museum, Art Lab, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, cranbrookartmuseum.org, general admission-$10.

• University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 South State St., Ann Arbor, 734-764-0395, umma.umich.edu, ticket prices vary.

• DIA Inside|Out: High-quality reproductions of artworks from the DIA’s collection are at outdoor venues throughout Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, through October, https://dia.org/events/insideout-2024. The city of Rochester is participating, for locations visit www.downtownrochestermi.com/dia-insideout.

Beats, continued

• Sweet: 8 p.m. Nov. 8, Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 7096 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, doors at 6:30 p.m., andiamoshowroom.com, $25-$59+.

• Verve Pipe: 8 p.m. Nov. 9, The Roxy, 401 Walnut Blvd., Rochester, 248-453-5285, www.theroxyrochester.com, doors at 7 p.m., ages 21+, $40+.

• Close to You Carpenters Tribute with Lisa Rock: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9, at River Raisin Centre for the Arts Theatre, 114 S. Monroe St., Monroe, 734-242-7722, www.riverraisincentre.org.

• Split Shifters: 8 p.m. Nov. 9, Max Dugan’s, 844 E 10 Mile Road, Hazel Park, 248-677-3059, www.facebook.com/maxsdugans248, costume contest, $5 cover.

• Matthew Ball – The Boogie Woogie Kid: 1-2 p.m. Nov. 12, City of Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Road, Troy. For seniors, register at 248-524-3484.

• City and Colour: 7 p.m. Nov. 12, The Fillmore Detroit, www.thefillmoredetroit.com, ticket prices vary.

• Everclear: 8 p.m. Nov. 15, Flagstar Strand Theatre, Pontiac, www.flagstarstrand.com/performancesandevents, ticket prices vary.

• Simply Sinatra—Starring Steve Lippia: 7:30 Nov. 15, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Twp., www.macombcenter.com, 586-286-2222, $50-$69+.

• Kelley O’Connor and Robert Spano: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Seligman Performing Arts Center, 22305 West 13 Mile Road, Beverly Hills, www.chambermusicdetroit.org/season81, $30+ each.

• Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening: 7 p.m. Nov. 23, The Fillmore Detroit, www.thefillmoredetroit.com, ticket prices vary.

Books/Lectures

• Storied-The Grunge Era: 8 p.m. Nov. 2, The Berman Center for Performing Arts, 6600 W Maple West Bloomfield Twp., https://tickets.thejdetroit.org/storied-grunge, $25-$45.

Choruses

• Chamber Choir Festival: 7 p.m. Nov. 12, at Varner Recital Hall 371 Varner Drive, Rochester, https://calendar.oakland.edu/smtd, free.

• The Macombers Fall Extravaganza: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Twp., www.macombcenter.com, 586-286-2222, $12-$18+.

Classical/Orchestra

• Fall Chamber Music with U of M Students: 7 p.m. Nov. 1, Hawk Community Center located at 29995 W 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, TheHawkTheatre.com, free but reservations required.

• Rachmaninoff & Prokofiev: Nov. 2-3, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Hall, 3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dso.org, $20+.

• Oakland Symphony Orchestra: 3 p.m. Nov. 3, Oakland University Varner Recital Hall, 371 Varner Drive, Rochester, www.oakland.edu/smtd, $25 general, $12 students.

• Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony: 2 p.m. Nov. 3, Hawk Community Center located at 29995 W 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, TheHawkTheatre.com, $15 in advance, $20 at the door, $6-student.

• Woodwind, High Brass, Low Brass recitals: Nov. 10, Woodwind recital at 1 p.m., High Brass recital at 3 p.m. and Low Brass recital at 7 p.m., at Varner Recital Hall, 371 Varner Drive, Rochester, https://calendar.oakland.edu/smtd, free admission to all 3.

• Michigan Philharmonic-A Veterans Day Salute: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, St. Kenneth Church, 14951 N Haggerty Road, Plymouth, michiganphil.org, $35 gen adm., $10 students.

• Macomb Symphony Orchestra: 3 p.m. Nov. 17, Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, Clinton Twp., www.macombcenter.com, 586-286-2222, general admission-$25, first responder and military-$15, MCC students- $12, 12 and younger-free at the Box Office.

Comedy

• One Night Stans: Carlos Mencia-Nov. 1-2; Ron Feingold-Nov. 7-9; at 4761 Highland Road, Waterford Twp., www.onenightstans.club, 248-249-1321, ages 18+, ticket prices vary.

• Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle: Geoffrey Asmus-Nov. 1-2; Jiaoying Summers-Nov. 6; T. Barb-Nov. 7; Pauly Shore-Nov. 8-10, at 310 S. Troy St., Royal Oak, www.comedycastle.com, 248-542-9900, ages 18+, ticket prices vary.

• Steve Martin and Martin Short: 8 p.m. Nov. 2, Fox Theatre, Detroit, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

• Comedy Night for a Cause: Nov. 14, Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 7096 E. 14 Mile Road, Warren, Motown Mark Dabiero presents comedy showcase featuring Sal Demilio and Steve Lott, dinner at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m., doors at 6 p.m., www.Motownmark.com, $50+.

Dance

• Mark Morris Dance Group-“The Look of Love”: Nov. 2-3, Detroit Opera House, Detroit, the songs of Burt Bacharach,  musical arrangements by Ethan Iverson, https://detroitopera.org, ticket prices vary.

• Disco Diwali: 6-11 p.m. Nov. 9, Shankar Distillers, 1030 Chicago Road, Troy, dance party celebrating the Hindu festival of lights, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/disco-diwali-tickets-1014966280467?aff=op.

Film

• “Night of the Living Dead” (un-rated but the theater is treating admissions as a PG-13), is 9:30 p.m. Oct. 31, at the Farmington Civic Theater, 33332 Grand River Ave., Farmington, www.thefct.com. Tickets, available online and at the box office, are $10 and include a large popcorn and large pop.

• Open caption film screenings: Sunday and Wednesday afternoons throughout November at select Emagine Theatres, Emagine-Entertainment.com, ticket prices vary. Also sensory-friendly screenings are offered Nov. 2 and Nov. 16, and dementia-friendly screenings are offered Nov. 13.

• “Jurassic Park” Q&A screening with Wayne Knight: 8 p.m. Nov. 8, Emagine Theatre, Novi, www.MotorCityComicCon.com, $40+.

• Robert Englund Q&A screening: 8 p.m. Nov. 9, Emagine Theatre, Novi, screening of “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, www.MotorCityComicCon.com.

• “Goodboy” screening: 4-6 p.m. Nov. 10, Phoenix Theatres State Wayne, 35310 W Michigan Ave., Wayne. Presented by Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, proceeds to benefit shelter pets at Friends for Animals in Dearborn, www.metrodetroitanimals.org/event/goodboyfilm.

• Detroit Film Theatre at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, dia.org, ticket prices vary.

• Milford Independent Cinema: 945 E Summit St., Milford, milfordcinema.org/tickets, $5+.

• Redford Theatre, 17360 Lahser Road, Detroit, redfordtheatre.com, ticket prices vary.

Fundraisers

• PurpleLight ceremony: 6 p.m. Nov. 3, at Gilda’s Club Detroit – Garden, 3517 Rochester Road, Royal Oak, hosted by Michigan Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, register at https://pancan.org, www.facebook.com/groups/pancanmichigan.

• Step Up to the Plate: Nov. 3-8, dine out at participating restaurants to benefit Troy schools, turn in receipts to Troy school of choice, https://troychamber.com.
• Meadow Brook Gala: Nov. 8, Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester featuring a glamorous evening at the estate that includes a special look inside the newly opened De Carlo Visitor Center, alongside an exquisite evening of live strings and fine dining at the historic mansion, including a champagne toast and full bar, live music, a five-course gourmet dinner, glittering reception. Tickets are $500, at meadowbrookhall.org/gala.

• The Zekelman Holocaust Hosts its 40th Anniversary Benefit Dinner, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 10, at Huntington Place, 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit. The annual fundraising event will celebrate honorees Marcie and Rob Orley and features keynote speaker Mitch Albom. Purchase tickets at https://holocaustcenter.org/events/anniversary-benefit.

• Paint a Miracle hosts Miracle at Meadow Brook exhibit event is 7 p.m. Nov. 13, Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester. The event will feature a curated exhibit of unique, one-of-a-kind art pieces created by Paint a Miracle artists, available for viewing and purchase. Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy self-guided tours of Meadow Brook Hall. All proceeds from art sales will directly benefit the talented artists of Paint a Miracle. Ticket sales will close at noon on Nov. 4. Tickets can be purchased at https://paintamiracle.cbo.io. Tickets are $100 each, two for $175, or six for $450.

• Yoga Moves MS’s Gratitude Gala: Nov. 16, at The MINT, in Lathrup Village. Yoga Moves MS provides free adaptive yoga to those in need through in-person, virtual, and online programming. The gala features dinner, live music, auction, wine pull, purchase tickets at www.yogamovesms.org, https://cbo.io/tickets/ymms24/tix24, tickets are $150+ each.

• GMAR Gives Back is 6-10 p.m. Nov. 15, at Fifth Avenue, 215 West 5th Street, Royal Oak, to support Shades of Pink, ages 21+, includes two drinks and appetizers, tickets are $50 until Oct 31, then $60 up until the day of the event, Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors, https://gmaronline.com/event/2024-11-15/gmar-gives-back.

• Volunteers of America Michigan Holidays of Hope Gala is 6 p.m. Nov. 16 at M1 Concourse, 1 Concourse Dr, Pontiac. The fundraiser will feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, gourmet dinner catered by Andiamo, live and service auctions, slot car racing, professional drivers, cocktail attire requested, www.voami.org/holidaysofhope, tickets are $175+.

Haunted attractions
• Azra Chamber of Horrors: Through Nov. 2, at 31410 John R, Bldg. 2, Madison Heights, 734-718-0088, https://azrahaunt.com,  ticket prices vary.

• Erebus Haunted Attraction: Through Nov. 2, at 18 South Perry St., Pontiac, www.hauntedpontiac.com, 248-332-7884, ticket prices vary.

• Rotten Manor Haunted Attraction: Opens at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays in October, and Nov. 1-2, at 13245 Dixie Hwy., Groveland Twp., www.facebook.com/RottenManor,  tickets sold on site, cash only, (ATM on site). Manor, forest, hayride attraction ticket prices vary.

• Hush Haunted Attraction: Open select dates through Nov. 2, at 37550 Cherry Hill Road, Westland, https://hushhauntedattractions.com, ticket prices vary.

• Immersive & Illuminated Forest Experience: Open Thursday to Sunday evenings, through Nov. 3, at Glenlore Trails, 3860 Newtown Road, Commerce Twp., “Enchanted” themed outdoor event, all-ages, tickets at GlenloreTrails.com, ticket prices vary.

Holiday activities

• All Things Detroit-The Holiday Experience: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 3, Detroit’s Eastern Market, 2934 Russell St. Detroit, Sheds 3, 4 and 5. Tickets are $5 at the door, $10 Beat the Crowd tickets are soldonline only at https://events.allthingsticketing.com/events/ATDHoliday2024.

Downtown Rochester Holiday Expo: 5-7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, at the Royal Park Hotel. Over 60 businesses will be showcasing their products and services, just in time for the holidays. Attendees are encouraged to shop, discover holiday ideas and inspirations, and explore all that the businesses have to offer. Admission is free and includes light refreshments and door prize drawings, downtownrochestermi.com.

• Palmer Woods Holiday Home Tour & Soirée: Dec. 7. Guests will be invited to tour five homes in Palmer Woods plus the Soirée home, the former residence of Detroit icon, Aretha Franklin. Contact hhtour@palmerwoods.org or 313-744-2624. www.palmerwoods.org.

Misc.

• Cold Case Live-true crime show: 8 p.m. Nov. 1, Flagstar Strand Theatre, Pontiac, www.flagstarstrand.com/performancesandevents, ticket prices vary.

• Gold Over America Tour starring Simone Biles: 7 p.m., Nov. 3,  Little Caesars Arena, 313Presents.com, ticket prices vary.

Museums

• Bank of America customers receive free admission: Nov.  2-3, and the first weekend of each month to museums and cultural institutions across the country, including Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, Michigan Science Center, Arab American National Museum, Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, and Motown Museum, bit.ly/2NvmECM.

• “He Rode With Custer-Rochester’s Samuel Harris”: Nov. 7, Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, free for Rochester-Avon Historical Society members. Nonmembers are asked to consider a $5 suggested donation at the door. Registration is required at www.rochesteravonhistoricalsociety.org/events, or call 248-266-5440 and leave a message.

• Speaker Series-Eddie Game: 6-8 p.m. Nov. 7, Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, “Eavesdropping on Conservation in the Asia Pacific with Q&A,” https://science.cranbrook.edu/visit/events/2024-11/speaker-series. Registration is free, but required.

• Lost Mariners Remembrance: 6 p.m. Nov. 10, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Detroit, tribute to sailors lost on the Great Lakes, presented by the Detroit Historical Society. The event marks the anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, features performance by Lee Murdock, a celebrated balladeer of the Great Lakes. The evening closes with the playing of Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” coupled with a bell ringing, $10 members, $15 general public, detroithistorical.org/membership.

• Westin Book Cadillac at 100 Exhibition: Westin Book Cadillac, 1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit, presented with Detroit Historical Society, exhibit explores the 100-year history of the Book Cadillac hotel, https://detroithistorical.org.

• Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci): 5020 John R St., Detroit, 313-577-8400, www.mi-sci.org. Regular museum gen. adm. is $18+. Standard Mi-Sci films are available as a $6 add-on to general admission tickets. Mi-Sci is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday and until 8 p.m. the first Friday of each month. “Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family” exhibit is open through Jan. 12.

• Michigan Science Center Illuminate: 6-10 p.m. Nov. 8, celebration of National STEM Day, (Mi-Sci): 5020 John R St., Detroit, 313-577-8400, www.mi-sci.org.gourmet cuisine and libations, suggested donation of $75.

• The Zekelman Holocaust Center: 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills, www.holocaustcenter.org, 248-553-2400.

• Motown Museum, 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, motownmuseum.org, 313-875-2264. Motown Mile outdoor, walkable art installation, “Pushin’ Culture Forward,” open through early fall, along the Detroit Riverwalk, free admission.

• The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, Ford Rouge Factory Tours Monday-Saturday, purchase tickets online, prices vary, thehenryford.org.

• Ford Piquette Plant Museum: 461 Piquette Ave, Detroit. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10-$18. Optional guided tours take place daily at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., www.fordpiquetteplant.org, 313-872-8759.

• Ford House: Historic estate of Edsel and Eleanor Ford, 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, fordhouse.org/events, 313-884-4222, admission is $7 per adult and $5 per child, ages 6+, free for 5 and younger.

• Dossin Great Lakes Museum: 100 Strand Drive, Belle Isle, Detroit, detroithistorical.org.

• Detroit Arsenal of Democracy Museum: Seeks volunteer groups from veteran and military groups to assist with restoration. The museum is also seeking building materials and equipment to support the ongoing restoration of its vintage industrial space at 19144 Glendale Ave., Detroit, including floor grinders, clear epoxy and Thinset products for floor repairs, www.detroitarsenalofdemocracy.org.

• Pontiac Transportation Museum: 250 W. Pike St., Pontiac. Admission to the museum is $10, $8 for seniors and veterans, $6 for children ages 6-12, free for children ages 5 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, www.pontiactransportationmuseum.org.

• Detroit Historical Museum: 5401 Woodward Ave. (NW corner of Kirby) in Midtown Detroit, detroithistorical.org. Permanent exhibits include the famous Streets of Old Detroit, the Allesee Gallery of Culture, Doorway to Freedom: Detroit and the Underground Railroad, Detroit: The “Arsenal of Democracy,” the Gallery of Innovation, Frontiers to Factories, America’s Motor City and The Glancy Trains, regular museum general admission is $10.  Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. “Detroit Lions: Gridiron Heroes,” exhibition featuring the history of the Detroit Lions, detroithistorical.org.

• Cranbrook Institute of Science: 39221 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills, https://science.cranbrook.edu, $14 general admission, $10.50 for ages 2-12 and seniors 65+, free for children under age 2.

• Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm: Drop in tours on Fridays and Saturdays from noon-3 p.m., at 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, with a guided tour of the Van Hoosen Farmhouse at 1 p.m., www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms, museum members-free, non-members-$5/adults, $3/seniors and students, no registration needed.

• The Wright: The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, 313-494-5800, open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, closed on Mondays, reserve timed tickets at thewright.org, $30+ gen adm., $20 for seniors 62+, $15 for youth, ages 5-17, free for under 5.

• Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society: Open 1st/2nd/4th/5th Sundays of the month and 3rd Fridays, 1-4 pm, (holidays excluded) with exhibits including “Four Communities” exhibit at The Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road, Orchard Lake. Admission is free, donations are welcome, www.gwbhs.org, 248-757-2451.

• Meadow Brook Hall offers Guided House Tours and Self-Guided Tours, check available times and purchase tickets at meadowbrookhall.org/tours, ticket prices vary. Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive, Rochester, on the campus of Oakland University.

• Royal Oak Historical Society Museum: Hours are 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 1411 W. Webster Road, Royal Oak, royaloakhistoricalsociety.com, 248-439-1501, $10+ suggested donation.

Submit events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.

The Royal Oak City Commission voted unanimously on Monday, Oct. 28, to approve an employment contract with Joseph Gacioch to serve as the next city manager.

The commission chose Gacioch, currently serving as city manager in Ferndale, over one other candidate who was interviewed Oct. 12.

Gacioch will begin his new role as top administrator on Jan. 6. He will be responsible for managing Royal Oak’s day-to-day operations, implementing policies set by the commission, and collaborating with residents, businesses and stakeholders.

Gacioch holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration, according to a release from Royal Oak.

He has 20 years of experience in municipal management and will bring expertise in strategic planning, public finance, parking system administration, priority-based budgeting, employee engagement and crisis communications, the release said.

He is involved in several professional and civic organizations, including the Michigan Municipal Executives, where he serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Additionally, he is a credentialed manager under the International City/County Management Association.

“A longtime advocate for sustainability and community engagement, Gacioch led the development of Ferndale’s first climate action plan and has established himself as a skilled coach in employee engagement improvement,” the release said.

Two interim city managers have served the city since last December, when former City Manager Paul Brake resigned.

Two other Oakland County cities – Berkley and Troy –  have recently hired or are in the process of hiring new city managers.

Today is Thursday, Oct. 31, the 305th day of 2024. There are 61 days left in the year. This is Halloween.

Today in history:

On Oct. 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi, India’s Prime Minister for more than 15 years, was assassinated by two of her own security guards.

Also on this date:

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation making Nevada the 36th state, eight days before the presidential election.

In 1913, the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile highway across the United States, was dedicated.

In 1941, work was completed on the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, begun in 1927.

In 1950, Earl Lloyd of the Washington Capitols became the first African-American to play in an NBA game; Lloyd would go on to play for nine seasons, winning an NBA championship in 1955 with the Syracuse Nationals.

In 1961, the body of Josef Stalin was removed from Lenin’s Tomb as part of the Soviet Union’s “de-Stalinization” drive.

In 1999, EgyptAir Flight 990, bound from New York to Cairo, crashed off the Massachusetts coast, killing all 217 people aboard.

In 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court.

In 2011, the United Nations estimated that world population had reached seven billion people (world population is greater than eight billion today).

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Lee Grant is 99.
• Former CBS anchorman Dan Rather is 93.
• Actor Stephen Rea is 78.
• Olympic gold medal marathoner Frank Shorter is 77.
• TV host Jane Pauley is 74.
• Football coach Nick Saban is 73.
• Film director Peter Jackson is 63.
• Rock drummer Larry Mullen Jr. (U2) is 63.
• Rock musician Johnny Marr is 61.
• Baseball Hall of Famer Fred McGriff is 61.
• Actor Dermot Mulroney is 61.
• Country singer Darryl Worley is 60.
• Actor-comedian Mike O’Malley is 58.
• Rap musician Adam Horovitz (Beastie Boys) is 58.
• Rapper Vanilla Ice is 57.
• Actor Leticia Wright is 31.
• Singer Willow Smith is 24.

Rochester Adams was perfect in penalty kicks to defeat Saline 4-3 (SO) in a D1 state semifinal Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 at Troy Athens High School. The Highlanders advance to face Byron Center in Saturday’s title game in Grand Ledge.

FARMINGTON HILLS – Pontiac Notre Dame Prep fought off Williamston Wednesday night for a 2-0 win and its first trip to the state finals since 2000.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we came out here. We gave it our all. Every single one of us came out and we all left everything on the pitch,” Fighting Irish senior Henry Graff said. “It’s a dream, really. Last year, we made a district final (and lost to Country Day) and that really hurt.

“But really I don’t have any words. It’s a dream-and-a-half, seriously. Every single one of us want it, and it’s here.”

Notre Dame Prep opened the scoring with 6:27 to play in the first half when Jack Kilpatrick fired a cross from deep on the right wing toward the far post and Benjamin Liparoto roofed a volley into the top of the net for a 1-0 Fighting Irish lead.

Notre Dame sealed the game late on a breakaway goal by Matthew Marsheh, who slotted in a shot with 2:27 remaining.

But in-between, and essentially all night, the Fighting Irish simply managed the game. When Williamston sat back early, Notre Dame Prep controlled the ball and pressed their advantage. When the Hornets came forward, they managed the pressure and left Williamston largely shooting from long range, though Fighting Irish keeper Thomas Offer was forced to make one very good diving save with his team clinging to a 1-0 lead.

But for the most part, the Fighting Irish, using a bit of a makeshift lineup due to missing one of their top players, were able to make the tactical adjustments on the fly to control the game much of the night. Notre Dame Prep outshot the Hornets 16-6 overall, including a 9-3 advantage in shots on net.

“We made a lot of adjustments today to our starting lineup,” Notre Dame head coach Rob Suffredini said. “This was not a lineup we played all year. Tactically, they listened. I thought that (Williamston) is a very dangerous team, so to keep them off the sheet is impressive because they’ve got some really good forwards. I’m proud of the guys.”

With the win, Notre Dame Prep (22-2) advances to its first state final since 2000, when they lost to Plainwell, 2-0, in the D3 finals. The Fighting Irish will play Elk Rapids in this year’s Division 3 final on Saturday at Grand Ledge High School.

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep vs. Williamston D3 boys soccer semifinal photo gallery

“These guys worked so hard. We started training June 3, the first day possible, three or four days a week,” Suffredini said. “Having to go through our rival Country Day (in districts) and beating a very difficult Flint Powers team, I think our path is what has made us galvanized here. I think our strength of schedule and our path has really battle-tested these guys. I’m anxious to see what they do Saturday.”

He added that, “This is a special team. This is the best team Notre Dame Prep has had. I’m just honored to coach them, and I can’t wait to showcase them Saturday.”