This year, about 500 wishes will be granted to kids facing critical illnesses in Michigan, thanks to Make-A-Wish Michigan and generous donors across the state.

One of those kids is 14-year-old Devin Tefend of Gibraltar. He wished to be a Detroit Red Wing! A year ago, he got to meet all of the players, spend time in the locker room, go on the ice for the National Anthem, and even be in the official team picture for the year.

See the full story in the video below

Gibraltar teen spends day with Detroit Red Wings thanks to Make-A-Wish Michigan

"Is this the jersey you got there?" I asked.

"Yeah, its the jersey that [Dylan] Larkin presented to me when I was just sitting on the bench talking to everybody," he said.

"Did you ever think that your wish would be granted? I asked.

"I thought it wasn't going to be all of that, but it really was and more! he said.

Devin got a surprise meet-and-greet with Red Wings legend and current GM Steve Yzerman.

And the Red Wings liked him so much, they invited him back to skate with the Red Wings in a practice session during their Olympic break.

This was a dream come true for the travel hockey team player.

His mother, Courtney, said when Devin was just 8 days old, he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis a condition which causes damage to lungs, digestive system, and other organs in the body.

He must perform three lengthy breathing treatments every day and take medication. He had several surgeries when he was very young.

"How did this wish impact your lives?" I asked.

"It's really given him a light, a little spark of, you know, just a little bit of hope," Courtney said.

Make-A-Wish Michigan grants life-changing wishes to children facing critical illnesses when they need it most.

"How many wishes has Make-A-Wish granted over the years?" I asked Make-A-Wish Michigan Chief Diversity and Engagement Officer Sherri Collins.

"We've granted more than 12,500 wishes, and that's all to Michigan children," she said.

That's happened in the 42 years the non-profit has been operating in Michigan.

"And for every wish that's granted, you know, that's a child, it's a family, it is a whole community. So, the wish impacts -- the ripple effect is really amazing," Collins added.

"Was there a 'pinch me' moment where you're like, 'I can't believe I'm seeing this or meeting this person?'" I asked.

"Larkin walks up, starts talking to me. And he gives me this [hockey] stick that he signed. And it said,'To Devin, Keep scoring goals and catching fish,'" Devin told me, smiling brightly.

If you'd like to support Make-A-Wish Michigan, you can join me at the Walk for Wishes at the Detroit Zoo on Saturday, May 2. You can register online or make a donation here.

I've been emceeing this walk for the past 17 years. It's one of my favorite events of the year, and I hope to see you all there.

Where Your Voice Matters

More than 67,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. There is no standard test to diagnose it, and symptoms can often be vague and overlooked.

Later this month, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is hosting a special fundraising walk called Purplestride.

Rose Black, of St. Clair Shores, will be taking part by running the Survivor's Tent.

See the full story in the video below

Two-time pancreatic cancer survivor shares her story ahead of PanCAN event

"You're the double survivor? What does your t-shirt say?" I asked Black.

"It says double survivor, and PanCAN made it for me several years ago. [I] wear it often," she said.

Black is a two-time pancreatic cancer survivor. She had her first surgery in 2009.

"What were the first symptoms you noticed?" I asked.

"

I had a bloating in my stomach, and I was starting to lose weight," she said.

Her doctor dismissed the symptoms a couple of times until she finally insisted on a CT scan, which found the tumor.

What a difficult summer that must have been for you," I said.

"It was. It was nerve-racking because at that time, pancreatic cancer meant a death sentence to most people," she said.

She and her husband, Ron, began volunteering with PanCAN in 2011, participating at Purplestride each April and lobbying lawmakers to do more to fight the disease.

The cancer came back in 2016. She treated it with chemotherapy and underwent a second surgery.

"An important part of this is to be able to share your story and realize that you're not alone out there," Black explained.

"

Our mission is always to increase the five-year survival rate," Renee Clearman, the chair of Purplestride, said.

Her mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016. Her mom passed away after courageously fighting the disease in January 2018. Clearman has been working with PanCAN ever since.

"

What is the one message you want people to remember?" I asked.

"I've met and seen many survivors with many different stories, and the one common theme on those that really keep going and fighting is just that they're positive, they're advocating, they're looking for trials, they are looking for options. And, so, really just fight for yourself," Clearman said.

"

When you look at the 13% five-year survival rate and your journey, what message do you want to tell people out there?" I asked Renee Black.

"Sometimes you have to be your own advocate," Black said.

"

Had you not kept going back to your doctor, you never would have found the tumor?" I asked.

"That's correct. And so, I kept after him, and finally we found it," she said.

You can register and walk with Black and others in this year's Purplestride Michigan event. It's happening on Saturday, April 25 at Milliken State Park in Detroit. You can register here.

You can find out more about pancreatic cancer here.

 

Tickets are sold out for the Detroit Tigers' home opener, but if you're thinking about buying tickets for other home games this season, you're probably aiming to score some deals. So, I took a look at the best sites to buy affordable seats, and I also talked with some Tigers fans about their ticket-buying strategy.

Watch Alicia Smith's report in the video below

Tips and tricks to save big on Tigers tickets this baseball season

For Tigers fans, cheering on our team at home is something to look forward to. I asked a few fans how many games they try to attend each season.

Yeah, I try to when it's nice out," said Dominic Montoni from Dearborn.

Related: Everything you need to know before the Tigers Home Opener

"At least, at least four or five. At least!" said Ashley McGrew.

"At least one a year (together)," said Stacey McGrew, Ashley's Mom.

"Depends on the year. Last year, we were pretty good. I probably went to like three," said Nick Heitchue of Macomb.

I was going to say three to four a year I try to make it to," said Neko Licavoli of Macomb

But first, you have to snag tickets for those seats! I asked these fans for their ticket-buying strategy.

"I'll wait till the last second, whatever ticket's cheapest available, that's the one I'll go for usually," Nick Heitchue said.

"You gotta go to MLB.com. You have to. You get the best deals, you go straight to the source, it's the best route," Ashley McGrew said.

If you want the highest level of security and access to primary inventory, buy tickets through MLB.com or the official MLB Ballpark App. This route often comes with higher service fees and less flexibility in price compared to secondary ticket marketplaces. However, through this direct option, you can find single-game tickets, giveaways, special ticket packages, and value offers.

For resale tickets, let's compare SeatGeek, Gametime, and StubHub. I asked fans which option they typically go with.

"Usually you go to SeatGeek for low prices and like quick tickets," Heitchue said.

I asked Montoni why SeatGeek is his favorite option for buying tickets on the secondary market.

"(It's) probably the easiest one, it's kind of just straightforward," he replied.

SeatGeek is the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of Major League Baseball. It's best for overall, verified tickets with the highest inventory since it partners with the MLB. It's known for its "Deal Score" to rate ticket value. Pricing is all-in with fees upfront. Tickets are 100 percent guaranteed, and delivery is through the MLB Ballpark App.

Gametime is best for its "last call" or last-minute tickets and is generally known for offering lower fees. Fees are all-in and upfront. Users consider it very fast and easy. Tickets are 100 percent guaranteed, and they are delivered through an app or email.

StubHub is a former MLB partner, best for high inventory and variety of tickets. But fees are not all-in; they're added at checkout. The app is traditional with tickets verified through "FanProtect Guarantee," and they'll delivered through the app or email.

No matter how you get your tickets, fans can all agree on one point:

"Go Tigers!" Ashley shouted.

And one deal fans need to remember is the Tigers' 313 Value games. They take place every Tuesday home game at Comerica Park, offering discounted tickets starting around $19, with special $3 concession pricing on hot dogs, chips, soda pop, and water at select locations throughout the concourse or from the brightly green-dressed staff selling in the stands.

Related: Everything you need to know before the Tigers Home Opener

World Down Syndrome Day is Saturday, March 21, and this year's theme is "Together Against Loneliness."

I recently visited Gigi's Playhouse in Southfield, and had a chance to hear from a young man who's a leader there, his aunt and the executive director on how it's helping participants find friendship, connection and joy.

See the full story in the video below

How Gigi's Playhouse Detroit is helping those with Down syndrome be included & fight loneliness

Trevor Dunn, 15, is a rising star at Gigi's Playhouse, a Down syndrome achievement center in Southfield, which provides free education, therapeutic and career development opportunities for all individuals with Down syndrome.

Trevor is a co-leader of the LMNOP Program, where he helps teach songs, sign language and ore to other kids witH Down syndrome.

Describe to me what your first experience was like at Gigi's Playhouse," I asked Trevor.

Well, I feel, like, happy and accepted," he said.

He also helps make others feel that way. His aunt, Dawn Conn, comes with him one a month to co-lead the sessions.

"How have the programs here at Gigi's Playhouse really helped Trevor not feel lonely?" I asked.

"Honestly, when you speak about loneliness, I can remember a time when Trevor had said to me that he was lonely and that was during COVID and when everybody was, you know, stuck at home. But coming here gives him that opportunity to be with other kids and just really get involved. And he really has shaken that loneliness," Conn said.

She said Trevor's friendships have really blossomed and he's even become more confident and active at school, and this is important.

A study found 39% of people with intellectual disabilities often feel lonely, compared to 14% of people without disabilities.

How do the programs here really help the people who are taking part not feel lonely? I asked Veronica Cruz, the executive director at Gigi's.

"We see families come in day one, and participants come in, you know, shy, just not making eye contact, things like that. And as soon as they get involved in our programs, over the upcoming weeks, they come in and give us high fives, smile, give us hugs," Cruz said.

That's where this year's theme for World Down Syndrome Day comes in. The focus is on "real inclusion" in schools, jobs and community life; not just being there, but taking part. Also, having welcoming spaces, safe from stigma, and enjoying meaningful relationships with friends, family and partners.

"Do you ever feel lonely when you come here?" I asked Trevor.

"No. Because I feel happy when people are around me," he said.

Trevor's leadership shows that inclusion has the power to erase isolation, one smile, one connection, and one interaction at a time.

Volunteers also make a big difference at Gigi's Playhouse. You can learn more about volunteering by visiting their website.

Where Your Voice Matters

Criminals are once again posing as deputies and other law enforcement agents, claiming you've missed jury duty, need to bond out a loved one from jail, or have unpaid tickets.

Watch Alicia's report below

New warnings issued over deputy impersonation scams in Oakland County

However, in the last week, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard has issued a new warning, because there's a twist in their tactics.

Candise Watts was one of the targets of a deputy impersonation scam. She received a voicemail that said, "This is Sergeant Parker with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office trying to establish contact with the one Candise Watts.

That voicemail started the mother and retired teacher from Waterford Township. She received the message on March 6, indicating she needed to call a number to deal with an "ongoing legal matter," so she did.

"He proceeded to explain to me that I failed to show up for jury duty," Watts said.

She never recalled receiving a summons, but then he texted her several official-looking documents, including a detailed arrest warrant.

The scammer also sent her a statement from the attorney general about surety bonds, and a QR code she needed to use to send her bond money to avoid 48 hours in jail.

"I was very scared," Watts said. "So, I went into my credit union, and I withdrew the $4,500. Then I got back into the car, and he gave me to another person. He gave it to me, Lieutenant Burton. And that gentleman proceeded to tell me where to go to get the voucher.

He sent her to a gas station to deposit the cash in what he called a "bond machine," but she didn't find one there. So he told her to try a liquor store down the street. That's when she realized he was directing her to Bitcoin machines.

She rushed to the nearest patrol services building and a real deputy told her it was a scam.

"What would you say is the most common imposter scam that you're seeing in Oakland County? I asked Bouchard.

Either jury duty or you've got a warrant for some kind of ticket.

Bouchard recently issued a warning about how the deputy imposter scam is evolving, but it always ends with these criminals wanting a large sum of money.

"How concerned are you by the longevity of this particular scam?" I asked.

Well, you know, it's really frustrating because we've seen people lose a lot of money and lose sleep. So, that's why we're constantly thanking media outlets like yourself that are bringing this to the public's attention because people are still getting calls, still getting texts, still getting emails, and they're falling for it," he said.

Remember, no deputy or legitimate law enforcement agency will ever call and demand money on the spot.

It's embarrassing, but sad, and sad that this happens all the time," Watts said.

If you get a call like this, hang up immediately, then report it to your local law enforcement agency or the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov/scams.

Another new tactic? Scammers telling people to keep them on the line, but leave the phone in the car while targeted victims go into the credit union, because they supposedly don't want to overhear bank information. However, they really don't want tellers to interfere, and they don't want people to hang up until sending them the money.

Where Your Voice Matters

Next week is National Consumer Protection Week, and Americans lost $1.2 billion from scams in 2025.

It's a sobering statement, and one of the reasons the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) is raising awareness about red flags consumers should never ignore.

I had the chance to interview Eric Shen, the inspector in charge of USPIS. He said one of the problems is many scammers are using artificial intelligence.

Why do you think AI-powered scams are harder to detect and more convincing? I asked.

Well, Alicia, with voice cloning, even image cloning, you may think that that person's actually calling you or a video that's sent to you. You're seeing some of that manipulation of an actual person. So, it's harder to really differentiate. And that's why we always tell everyone now especially your viewers is to kind of take a step back and do some homework. Make sure that the person that's calling you is actually that person," Shen said.

Shen wants you to know how to stop scams in their tracks.

If you receive a phone call from a relative or government agency wanting money or personal information, hang up and verify it's really them by using known numbers Ignore unknown texts or emails and never click on links you recieve Paus before acting on fear or urgency, because scammers rely on pressure tactics Report mail-related scams to USPIS.gov/report

Shen said even if a scam starts on the phone or digitally, mail is often utilized in some form during fraud schemes. That's why USPIS wants you to include them when you report to law enforcement about being targeted by a scam

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