Some Detroit Tigers fans headed downtown Thursday afternoon to watch their team defeat the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series, despite the game being on the road.

Watch Brett Kast's video report below: 'A huge deal': Tigers fans celebrate win as playoff baseball returns to Detroit

The 3 p.m. game drew crowds to establishments like Tin Roof Bar, located directly across from Comerica Park, where fans gathered on the first floor and the rooftop to watch the action unfold.

"Detroit's an electric city. Even when it's an away game, you got a bunch of people out here, out supporting, watching the team," Tigers fan Tyler Weldon said.

The victory was especially sweet for fans who had doubted the team's playoff chances after a late-season slide.

"Until about the All-Star break, it was really exciting. Then late August early September, you started doubting this team would even make the playoffs," said Mike Czerniakowski, another Tigers fan. "Now being where we're at, even if we don't make it too far, it's nice to knock out Cleveland."

Postgame interview: Tarik Skubal in Tigers Wild Card celebration with Brad Galli Postgame interview: Tarik Skubal in Tigers Wild Card celebration with Brad Galli

Local businesses are also celebrating the playoff run, with bar staff preparing for increased crowds when the Tigers return home.

"For us being directly across the street from the park, obviously it's a huge sales day for us and since we work for tips, any day that's big on sales is big on tips," said Anna Anderson, a bartender at Tin Roof Detroit.

Anderson said the timing couldn't be better for downtown businesses, with the Detroit Lions out of town for the next couple of weeks.

"The Lions are out of town for the next couple of weeks so to have the Tigers playing at home, then we'll get the Lions back for Monday night later this month (Oct. 20). I mean, for all businesses downtown, those are huge games," Anderson said.

Despite the team's September struggles, fans remain optimistic about the playoff run.

"It was a rough skid there, but we snuck in and it's all up from here. Let's see how far we can take it," Weldon said. To be able to bring some games here into our city is going to be a huge deal. We all know we're going to turn out."

Related video: Kerry Carpenter on Tigers topping Guardians: 'We're going to Seattle and they're not' Kerry Carpenter on Tigers topping Guardians: 'We're going to Seattle and they're not'

The Tigers will return to Comerica Park on Tuesday after two games on the road in Seattle over the weekend. It's a best-of-five series, so the Tigers could also host another home game on Wednesday if necessary.

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

Nearly 200 people packed the pews of Grand Blanc United Methodist Church Tuesday night for a joint prayer service, reflecting and grieving for their neighbors who witnessed tragedy just three days earlier when a gunman drove a truck through the doors of the Grand Blanc Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened fire and set the building ablaze.

Churches across the Grand Blanc area have hosted prayer services and vigils, while nonprofits team up to offer mental health crisis support to those in need.

Watch Brett Kast's video report below: Grand Blanc community rallies with prayer and support services after church shooting

"We were finishing our service and I was out greeting members of our church and someone let me know what had happened," said Brian West, pastor of Grand Blanc United Methodist Church.

West says they quickly began working with other nearby churches to plan the joint service.

"Tonight was an incredible experience. It was emotional for me. I think it was emotional for just about everybody," West said. "It was a reminder to us the importance of community, being together, whether we know everybody or not."

Church members felt called to help their community heal.

"I don't know what good comes out of the tragedy, but for us to be able to do something like this tonight, we're just called to do it," said Melinda Elmore-Hajek, a member of Grand Blanc United Methodist Church.

Also in attendance were therapy dogs from Mid-Michigan Therapy Dogs, including Peppa, who have been visiting churches and local elementary schools throughout the week.

"There's something magical about dogs that just makes you smile," said Pam Bennett with Mid Michigan Therapy Dogs.

Bennett says some children expressed feeling unsafe after the incident.

"Some of the kids were saying they didn't feel safe, and we were there to reassure them that they are safe," Bennett said.

Hear from leader of the Grand Blanc Township church attacked below: Church leaders reflect on deadly Grand Blanc attack

Jamie Ayers and her dog Wiley are with Common Ground, a nonprofit providing mental health crisis services. They've responded to past tragedies in Oxford, East Lansing and Rochester Hills, and were called in by local officials to help at the Family Assistance Center.

"It's been pretty steady with traffic, and the nice thing is we have a lot of resources so people can come and take something and if they don't need something right now, they can take the resources and at another time, at least they'll have them," Ayers said.

Hear from doctors who helped treat the victims below: Doctors speak on treating victims of mass shooting, fire at Grand Blanc Township church

As the community begins a long healing journey, West is asking for prayers, support and solutions.

"Prayer is remarkably important, but we also know prayer by itself without action is empty," West said. "God calls us in our prayers to then respond and act and to reach out in care and concern to our community, but also to advocate to make sure we no longer have to have these kinds of services where we're responding to mass violence like this."

The Family Assistance Center is open at the Genysys Conference and Banquet Center through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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

Investigators are continuing to work and determine the motive behind a deadly shooting and arson at a Grand Blanc Township church that claimed the lives of four innocent people and the shooter.

John Bond, a Navy veteran and loving husband, father and grandfather, was identified by family as one of the victims who was shot and killed while attending Sunday service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township.

Watch Brett Kast's video report below: Man killed in Grand Blanc Township church shooting was 'well known and loved'

"He was a well known and loved member of his family and active in his community. John was a Navy veteran serving for 9 years, a lover of golf and trains and always loved spending time with his family and grandkids," read a GoFundMe page created for Bond's family.

The suspect, 40-year-old Thomas Sanford, not only opened fire but also set the church on fire, creating additional dangers for those inside and challenges for investigators. Several other people were hurt and hospitalized.

"Anybody who has been through active shooter training, we teach to run hide barricade. But the act of fire changed everything. When you're teaching someone and a sympathetic response is to go barricade, that's the last thing you want to do when there's a fire," Genesee County Sheriff Christopher R Swanson said.

Swanson grew up in the area and knows the community personally.

"I grew up right down the road on the 8000 block of McCandlish Road. I know this community, I know the people," Swanson said.

The FBI is leading the investigation into what they describe as an act of targeted violence on the church. Investigators have interviewed more than 100 witnesses and are working with their Quantico labs division to analyze evidence from the scene.

Related video: Police say all accounted for after deadly church attack 'This was an evil act.' Police say all accounted for after deadly church attack

Inside the truck the suspect drove into the church, law enforcement found four improvised explosive devices, which were described as "fairly basic."

The fire has created additional challenges for investigators as they comb through the wreckage while working to determine a motive.

With the community on high alert, Swanson has added 31 marked patrol cars to ensure schools, churches and other gathering places are protected.

Related video: Council candidate recalls 'very dark' conversation with Grand Blanc Twp. church shooter Council candidate recalls 'very dark' conversation with Grand Blanc Twp. church shooter

The sheriff's office plans to host a security, safety and tactical briefing this week for any place of worship that wants to attend.

"People want to know when they gather, there's things they have to do. Law enforcement can't do it by themselves. So to create that outside perimeter, the inside perimeter, communications, we're gonna cover those things and I think that's going to help people," Swanson said.

The family of Bond has launched a fundraiser to help with memorial expenses. The Grand Blanc Township Police Department has also established a victim compassion fund through a local credit union.

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

A controversial concrete crushing facility in Waterford Township has lost its special operating permit after township officials alleged the site failed to meet requirements, but neighbors say the facility continues operating despite the revocation order.

The decision comes after more than a year of complaints from residents who say Bell Site Development poses a health risk to families and children at nearby Kettering High School.

Watch Brett Kast's and Ryan Marshall's video report below: Waterford concrete crusher loses permit, but neighbors say it continues operating Waterford concrete crusher loses permit, but neighbors say it continues operating

After months of complaints and pent-up anger, residents in Waterford Township broke out in cheers Tuesday night following a unanimous vote by the planning commission to revoke the special permit of Bell Site Development.

The commission revoked the permit after allegations that the concrete crushing facility violated the conditions required to operate.

"It was very exciting to see them (board) actually taking more of our side," said Jennifer Teal, who lives directly next to the facility.

Teal and many of her neighbors have been fighting the facility for years, arguing the site is a nuisance and health risk.

"The emissions from this site are not minor nuisances; they are real, toxic, persistent and unacceptable," said Wes Evans, who also lives near the facility.

Residents thought Tuesday night's decision was a temporary victory but less than 24 hours later, they say they heard noises again coming from the site.

"As far as I know, that was supposed to be a full work stoppage and today, he's working," Teal said.

Teal filmed video where loud noises can be heard coming from the facility. It's unclear exactly what the noise is but when asked if they were still operating on Wednesday, the owner declined to comment.

"Anger, anger. Really that's first and foremost, anger," Teal said when asked about her reaction to the continued noise.

Previous coverage: Waterford Township residents sound off about concrete crusher at trustee meeting Waterford Township residents sound off about concrete crusher at trustee meeting

Township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta says they were notified Wednesday morning that the site was allegedly operating and quickly contacted their township prosecutor to see what can be done.

"For them to be operating today, they should be shut down automatically," Bartolotta said.

"We were hoping they would be good neighbors. Obviously, they're not, so away we go to court and see what happens," Bartolotta continued. "It upsets me that owners, certain owners, think the rules don't apply to them and they do.

During Tuesday's meeting, an attorney alongside the owner argued with the commission, saying the only violations were site changes to improve the facility. This came after commissioners listed numerous instances where the site allegedly violated rules.

"You have made a number of statements now that are blatantly false," the attorney said during the meeting.

Previous report: Waterford residents concerned over noise, pollution from concrete crushing company Waterford Township neighbors concerned over concrete crushing company

The company returns to the planning commission next month for another hearing, and residents hope it stays quiet and clean until then.

"I feel that he thinks he can do whatever he wants and I feel he thinks there isn't any repercussions for his actions," Teal said.

"They're going to have to suffer the consequences and it's a shame. It really is a shame," Bartolotta said.

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

An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon over the weekend has led to mourning in metro Detroit, with the victims having direct ties to Dearborn.

Chadi Charara and three of his children 10-year-old Celine Charara and 18-month-old twins Hadi and Cylan were killed when their car was hit by an Israeli drone strike. The Israeli government confirmed the strike, saying it was targeting a nearby Hezbollah operative but acknowledged that innocent civilians were killed.

Watch Brett Kast's video report below: Dearborn family mourns loss of relatives killed in Israeli drone strike in Lebanon

The victims were not U.S. citizens but were in the process of obtaining visas to come to the U.S., according to family members. A 13-year-old sibling remains on life support, while the children's mother survived the attack.

"You know, every day you open the news, you see another family massacred till one day, you wake up and it's your own it hits different," said Mohamed Charara, a cousin of the victims.

Mohamed Charara had visited the family in Lebanon less than a week before the deadly strike. As he scrolled through photos on his iPhone, he showed images that were meant to bring joy but now bring heartache.

"This is me giving Hadi a gift, same gift they found his body with," Mohamed Charara said.

The Israeli military said they are reviewing the attack.

"The children were found dead on impact, completely maimed, their father just the same," said Shelia Charara, an aunt and sister-in-law of the victims. "We have an entire family massacred, leaving us heartbroken forever."

Shelia Charara described the close bond between the families, saying they spent summers together every year and their children were raised together.

"We spent our summers with them every year, our children are raised with his children. We are forever shaken. This whole community is shaken," Shelia Charara said.

Hundreds attended two days of mourning services in Dearborn, where the majority of the Charara family lives. Family members remembered Chadi Charara as a devoted father whose priority was raising his children.

"He made it clear to me his number 1 priority was raising his family, making sure his kids were fed and educated," Mohamed Charara said.

"I've known him for 27 years," Shelia Charara added. "This is the purest of gentlemen, purest of heart. Most hard working, honest goodhearted, like all the civilians in Lebanon."

The strike occurred despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel reached in November. The Charara family is calling on all the governments involved to bring the bloodshed to an end.

"People in this community are at a loss, but one thing we know is our voices put together will get justice. They're gone, but there needs to be justice, there needs to be accountability," Shelia Charara said. Are the lives and bloodshed of innocent civilians, whether they were soon-to-be U.S. citizens, Lebanese citizens, of no value? These are children.

The mourning services lasted two hours each day, reflecting the deep impact the tragedy has had on Dearborn's Lebanese American community.

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

A man police say was fleeing a shooting scene ended up crashing into an Ypsilanti building, igniting a fire that left damage.

The incident was caught on camera and the owners of the building say its in the process of becoming an ice cream shop.

Watch Brett Kast's and Brittany Toolis' video reports below: Car crashes into Ypsilanti building, owners say it's the 4th time in 3 years Car crashes into Ypsilanti building, owners say it's the 4th time in 3 years

The crash happened after 3 a.m. Sunday. Video shows the suspect trying to flee the scene on foot before he was surrounded and arrested in the parking lot.

See surveillance video of the crash below: Video: Car crashes into Ypsilanti business after driver allegedly fled shooting

Nicolas Arreola is one of the owners of the building, along with his brother Reyes Arreola. The two also own Dos Hermanos Market and Grill directly next door.

The two had no idea about the hole in their building until going through surveillance footage and seeing it for themselves.

I went through the security cameras and I see everything on the videos, Reyes Arreola said.

When you saw what happened on the video, how surprised were you?" I asked Reyes Arreola.

"Really surprised," he answered. "I mean, surprised, mad, sad, everything at the same time.

He was surprised to an extent because this is far from the first time this has happened. In fact, it's the fourth time in less than three years.

Video taken just last month shows another driver hopping the curb, hitting the front corner of the building. Another video from August 2024 shows a car hopping the curb, slamming into the guardposts without hitting a building. In 2023, a car traveled the same route, plowing into Dos Hermanos market, as seen from cameras inside the store.

This curve, nobody can get it. They're just going straight, Nicolas Arreola. "They just keep straight right here. I think they are just drunk or sleeping or something.

The building that was hit Sunday was under construction to become an ice cream store, serving Mexican-style ice cream and snacks. It is owned by the brothers and will be operated by Nicolas Arreola's son. The project now has to be delayed due to the crash.

We thought it would open in at least in a month, but with this thing, I don't know, Nicolas Arreola said.

As the brothers fix the building, they are looking to put a concrete wall at the edge of the parking lot, thankful this time no one got hurt.

Imagine if this happen during the day or a workday, it could kill someone or more than one person, Reyes Arreola said.

Police say the crash from Sunday is still under investigation, but charges have been submitted against the suspect.

Wayne State University's Board of Governors appointed a new interim president during a brief special meeting Wednesday, just hours after President Kimberly Andrews Espy's sudden resignation, citing personal reasons, was officially announced.

Watch Brett Kast's video report below: Wayne State University president resigns amid faculty tensions, board names interim leader

Richard Bierschbach, current dean of the law school, was named the university's interim president following Espy's departure as the school's 13th president.

"I know it seems like a challenging time. It's a challenging time in all of higher education, but it's also a great time for us," Bierschbach said.

Serving this institution has been an honor, and I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished togetherfrom advancing student success and expanding research innovation to strengthening the community through collaboration, Espy said in a statement. With the remarkable students who inspired me every day, this decision was not a simple one, and I look forward to spending more time with my family. I am confident in the universitys continued momentum and further success for the future.

Faculty cite ongoing tensions

The resignation, while surprising to some, was not entirely unexpected by faculty members who described mounting tensions in recent months.

"I don't think it came out of nowhere. I think there was a lot of dissatisfaction with the previous president," said Jennifer Sheridan Moss, president of the Wayne Academic Union, which represents faculty.

Watch our previous report when Espy's resignation was announced: Leadership shakeups at Wayne State University

Moss criticized Espy's communication style and campus presence.

"The previous president was not communicative. We got very robotic responses from her if we got a response at all. She wasn't seen around campus," Moss said.

Faculty and students pointed to several contentious issues during Espy's tenure, including the handling of a student encampment protesting the war in Gaza, which resulted in a lawsuit against the school.

Related coverage: Protesters released from custody after police raid encampment at Wayne State 12 arrested after police raid pro-Palestinian encampment at Wayne State University

"We thought she was turning the campus into a police state essentially after the Palestinian encampment, after that was broken up," Moss said.

"I think that it was a culmination of events that led up to this point, WSU senior Nuzmeya Abdrabboh said. "The ongoing lawsuit that Wayne State is experiencing against their students for violating their rights to free speech, taking down the encampment and arresting 12 students.

Medical school controversy adds to tensions

Students also expressed disappointment over Espy's handling of the medical school dean, who was recently placed on leave.

Medical student Safia Hanaiya Yusef described the dean's situation as particularly troubling.

"He was willing to go above and beyond for his students, so when he was placed on leave, we were all shocked to say the least," Yusef said. We want the university leadership to be held accountable for the way they handle everything number 1, and number 2, we would like for a fair and impartial review and should know substantiated allegations exist (against the dean).

Search for permanent replacement begins

Board Chair Shirley Stancato announced that the board has accepted Espy's resignation and will launch a broader search for a permanent president.

Despite the leadership upheaval, many remain hopeful optimistic about the university's future.

"I think Wayne State is such an important iconic institution in this city, in this community. All I hope is we continue to grow," said Sheryl Kubiak, dean of the School of Social Work. I've worked with Rick Bierschbach for seven years and he's a wonderful partner, great collaborator, incredibly smart and hes a builder.

The Board of Governors meeting lasted less than 10 minutes, with the transition taking effect immediately as the university moves forward just weeks into the fall semester.

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