Christmas Eve brought emotional reunions to Detroit Metro Airport as travelers from across the world arrived home to spend the holidays with family.

The McNamara Terminal buzzed with hugs, happy tears and holiday cheer as Michiganders made their way back from destinations ranging from Orlando to Kuwait.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: Christmas Eve reunions fill Detroit Metro Airport as families gather for the holidays

"I was really grateful to get the time off and to come back home," said Olivia Skierski, who traveled from Orlando.

Hannah Sheikh and her family waited eagerly for Olivia's arrival, welcoming her with warm embraces. For Skierski, being surrounded by loved ones made the season even more meaningful.

"This time of year, I really love it, so being around family makes it even more special. So I am grateful to get the time to spend even if it's just for a few days," Skierski said.

Michael Heugh experienced an especially poignant homecoming after serving in Kuwait for a year. His father John Heugh greeted him with a big hug at the gate.

"It's honestly a magical moment. Honestly because overseas, it's an entirely different experience," Michael Heugh said.

"Very excited. Very excited," John Heugh said.

The airport scenes captured the essence of long-awaited reunions, with some families seeing each other for the first time in months or even years.

Fred Edmund beamed as he welcomed his son Eric back from Seattle.

"I just love having him here. He's the best," Fred Edmund said.

"It's just really nice to see family and spend time with them and see my friends from high school and all their kids grown up," Eric Edmund said.

For Kristin Nash, the homecoming held extra significance as her first trip back to Michigan since 2019.

"This is my first time home since 2019, so it's really nice," Nash said.

While some travelers enjoyed smooth flights, others faced holiday travel challenges including cancellations and rebookings.

"We still ended up with a canceled flight and rebooking and layovers, but we made it," said Megan Backer, who traveled from California.

Despite the obstacles, every arrival told a story of distance overcome and anticipation fulfilled. For many families, Christmas truly began the moment their loved ones walked through the airport doors.

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 $1 million Powerball ticket was sold at Mr. A's Party Shoppe on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms, marking the second million-dollar winner on the east side in just months.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Million-dollar Powerball ticket sold at Grosse Pointe Farms party store

The winning ticket has left customers and the store owner wondering who the lucky winner might be.

"I am happy for my customers," said Vince DiLorenzo, who has owned Mr. A's for over 30 years.

DiLorenzo said he's excited for whoever won the prize, especially since many of his customers are regulars.

"We've got a lot of regular customers, and I am glad for them because it could be one of them. I could know who won," DiLorenzo said.

WEB EXTRA: Lottery players talk about store selling $1 million winner WEB EXTRA: Lottery players talk about store selling $1 million winner

This marks the second time in recent months that a million-dollar Powerball ticket has been sold on the east side. In September, a million-dollar Powerball ticket was sold at a CVS just half a mile away from Mr. A's.

According to the lottery commission, the odds of winning $1 million are one in 11,688,054.

"It doesn't matter where you play. It just matters that you do play. That's what is going to give you a chance to win," said Jake Harris from the Michigan Lottery Commission.

The Powerball jackpot has grown to over $1.6 billion, with the next drawing scheduled for Monday night. The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292 million, according to the Powerball organization.

"You never know when you might be purchasing that lucky ticket that is going to win you a big prize. It doesn't matter if you play at your local retailer or online, your odds to win the prizes are exactly the same," Harris said.

Regular customers at Mr. A's are hoping for their own lucky break. William Lindsey, who has won at the store before, bought several tickets for the upcoming drawing.

"I am going to try tonight. Tonight's going to be the night," Lindsey said.

Lindsey previously won $10,000 at the store, describing the moment he discovered his prize.

"I had won 10,000, and I kept scanning my ticket here and wondering what's going on, the readers not working, and come to find out it was 10 grand," Lindsey said.

Other customers like Sherry Freeman initially thought they might have won the million-dollar prize.

"I still wish it was me, but congratulations to the winner," Freeman said.

Players are already making plans for what they would do if they won Monday's jackpot.

Dan Riordon said he's "hoping to get a little piece of it," while Paula Riordon said she would share her winnings: "Some for me and some for everybody else."

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 massive tunnel boring machine has arrived in southwest Detroit as part of an $87 million infrastructure project aimed at protecting neighborhoods from flooding during heavy rain events.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: GLWA launches $87 million tunnel project in southwest Detroit to reduce flooding

The Great Lakes Water Authority is launching the ambitious project to carve a tunnel 35 feet below the streets of southwest Detroit. The tunnel will stretch two-thirds of a mile and serve as part of an updated wastewater system designed to redirect excess water during storms.

"We're anticipating 12 to 18 months of tunnel boring," said Chris Nastally, director of engineering at GLWA.

The tunnel will help redirect excess wastewater during heavy rains and lower the risks of overflows into the Rouge River. This will help protect water quality and nearby neighborhoods from destructive flooding that has plagued the region.

"We can move flow around to keep as much flow in the pipes, out of basements, out of the river. It's just going to give us that type of flexibility," said Susan Coffey, CEO of GLWA.

Southwest Detroit resident Thomas Myers supports the project despite some concerns.

"I feel like it's a good project. That way, we don't have flooding out here like we had in southwest Detroit," Myers said.

However, Myers and other neighbors worry about vibrations from the massive tunnel boring machine affecting older homes in the area.

"You're going to feel the vibrations from that. And these are older homes. It's going to cause a lot of cracks in the walls," Myers said.

Despite the concerns, Myers remains supportive of the project's goals.

"But if it stops them from getting flood damage and houses falling in, then do what you're doing," Myers said.

GLWA officials say they will monitor the vibration situation during construction. Tunnel construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026.

Another southwest Detroit resident, Tim Boettger, expressed cautious optimism about the project: "I hope it works."

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A piece of Great Lakes maritime history is hitting the auction block this weekend at DuMouchelles in Detroit, offering collectors a rare opportunity to own artifacts from one of the most famous shipwrecks in the region's history.

An orange life ring marked "S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald" and a wooden plank believed to be from lifeboat number one are being auctioned after spending decades on display at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The artifacts were found along the shores of Lake Superior just eight days after the freighter sank during a storm on Nov. 10, 1975, claiming all 29 lives on board.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: Edmund Fitzgerald life ring from historic Great Lakes shipwreck heads to auction

The rarity of these items has drawn significant attention from maritime history enthusiasts and potential bidders.

"This is always something that a museum would be picking up, and to be in a public auction is really quite unique," said Rich Williams, a bidder who traveled from Grand Rapids to view the artifacts.

Roger Wensen from Detroit expressed surprise that such historically significant items would be sold privately.

"You'd think something like that would have been put into a museum or something," Wensen said.

Robert DuMouchelle, auctioneer and general manager of DuMouchelle's, emphasized the historical significance of the pieces.

"It's a part of maritime history, U.S. history," DuMouchelle said.

The seller is 77-year-old Larry Orr, who discovered the life ring on his 27th birthday. The memory of finding the artifact remains vivid for him decades later.

"It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and it still does to this day," Orr said.

Despite selling the artifacts, Orr hopes they will eventually return to public display for future generations to appreciate.

"Ideally, I would like to see someone purchase it and loan it back, ideally to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point," Orr said.

The historic Edmund Fitzgerald artifacts are starting with a bid of $11,250. Williams noted the extreme rarity of such items in private hands.

"From what I am aware of, there's only one other private firm, if you will, private interest that has a life ring," Williams said.

Williams, who has a passion for maritime history particularly the Edmund Fitzgerald plans to bid on the life ring with specific intentions for its future.

"It will likely be in my office and at some point in the future donate it to a museum," Williams said.

The life ring will remain on display through the weekend, with the auction beginning Friday, Dec. 19, through DuMouchelles both in person and online.

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.

As snow continues to blanket metro Detroit, one Ann Arbor nonprofit is stepping into action to make sure sidewalks are clear for community members.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Snow Buddy nonprofit faces equipment repairs during Ann Arbor snowfall

Snow Buddy is a group of volunteers that plows neighborhood sidewalks, ensuring residents stay safe on the snowiest days. The organization has three different snow removal machines responsible for clearing 16 miles of Ann Arbor neighborhood sidewalks, but for the first time in five years, they weren't out after Wednesday's storm because their machines need repairs.

"It's really nice to wake up and look at the snow and think about going out to shovel and then thinking, remembering oh yeah... Snow Buddy," Jim MacDonald said.

MacDonald, an Ann Arbor resident, was out clearing his driveway and sidewalk after Wednesday's storm. He hopes Snow Buddy will be up and running to clear the sidewalks soon.

The Ann Arbor nonprofit helps keep the sidewalks in the Water Hill neighborhood clear of snow during the winter months.

"We started with one tractor," Kary Kocher said.

Kocher serves as Snow Buddy's operations manager. The organization was founded 12 years ago and has since expanded to three snow removal machines and eight volunteer plow drivers. However, all three machines are currently in for repairs.

"We had an electrical problem with one vehicle and a leaky valve cover," Kocher said. "The second unit had to go in because it's leaking hydraulic fluid. And the third one is just being unbent today."

Snow Buddy relies heavily on donations from Ann Arbor residents in the Water Hill neighborhood. To successfully operate, they need $45,000 to $50,000 per year to help cover everything from fuel to maintenance and repairs.

"We depend on our neighbors, and they're very generous, and they do pitch in. But year after year, they move away, and people move in and don't know about the cause," Kocher said.

"It's a small price to pay when the machines are down," MacDonald said.

Middi Potter lives in the neighborhood and volunteers his time to help Snow Buddy maintain their machines.

"Whenever they have a mechanical problem, they'll come over," Potter said.

Potter emphasized the community spirit behind the organization's mission.

"I've lived here for 45 years, and it's all about helping the neighbors out," Potter 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.

Americans are heading into this year's holiday season carrying more credit card debt than ever before. Paying off that debt in the New Year could be an even greater challenge due to factors like inflation, high rent, and high interest rates.

Watch Peter's report in the video player below How to keep holiday spending in check as American credit card debt reaches record high

According to the New York Federal Reserve, outstanding credit card balances jumped to a record $1.23 trillion in the third quarter of this year, up six percent from last year.

With Christmas just weeks away, shoppers are flocking to stores to check off their gift lists, and they're hoping to do it in a way that won't break the bank.

"I put away money aside just to make sure i would have it for Christmas and not have to get into that debt this year," said Clinton Township resident Alexander Luckas.

"You don't want to get yourself in too deep," said Andre Harris of Roseville.

As the 2025 Holiday shopping season is underway, so are the shopping sprees. This is not because shoppers are feeling more confident; many are simply relying on credit to keep up.

"There's a budget to start, and usually by mid-December the budget expands to a lot more than you had hoped for," said Katie Batts from Clinton Township.

I caught up with Batts outside of Target. She was out Christmas shopping with her friend, Amy. Katie said while the budget expands, it is still in check, and she said it's not worth going into debt over.

"We give back, so if we cannot give back to other people as much as we are giving to ours, we won't," Batts said.

Megan Wigley calls herself a 'budgetista' when it comes to spending. She plans at least six months ahead for holiday shopping and sets a strict budget to stick to.

"It's so important, especially again in today's economy and climate, to stay on a budget and to refrain from getting into debt," Wigley said. "I don't use credit cards because by the time I buy a 35-dollar item in Target, that interest is going to be 35 dollars plus."

According to a 2025 report by the American Institute of CPA's, 47 percent of Americans plan on taking that risk and going into debt from buying gifts and holiday travel expenses.

I spoke with Jennifer Bloom, financial strategist with Bloom Advisors, on what shoppers should do if they have already overspent this holiday season.

"You need to pick a realistic holiday number, not a wish list," Bloom said. "If you've already overspent this holiday season, make a plan for how you're going to pay off that high-interest credit card debt immediately. Really start to figure out how we're going to siphon money to pay off this high-interest credit card debt to make sure that it goes away before it becomes a bigger and bigger snowball."

Other tips include having a spending and budgeting plan, and sticking to them, as well as using debit or cash to keep your spending in line so you don't overspend.

"100 percent I've gone into debt shopping for Christmas and would never do it again," Luckas said.

Luckas learned the hard way a few years ago and is warning shoppers not to do what he did.

"It took me two to three years to pay off my credit card debt, and now I'm finally paid off all my debt," he said.

Andre Harris said he has gone overboard before and is still working to pay it off.

"I went a little over. I went almost maybe $9,000 over," he said.

A little planning now can help keep your finances bright and merry well into the new year.

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The unusually cold temperatures sweeping through Michigan may not be welcome news for everyone, but there's at least one industry banking on them ski resorts.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Cold weather brings relief to Michigan ski resorts after difficult years

The past few years have been difficult for area ski slopes, and this weather is exactly what they need. Alpine Valley, Mount Holly, Mount Brighton, and Pine Knob are all open now, giving winter sports enthusiasts reason to celebrate.

At Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort in Independence Township, the sound of snow guns has been the soundtrack of the week as crews work around the clock to give skiers and snowboarders a reason to smile.

"It's just fantastic to be here. My wife's and mine 11-year anniversary that we are celebrating, so the kids are at school and we snuck out," David Fudge said.

The colder temperatures are helping crews get a solid base for the start of the ski and snowboard season.

"We got a little bit of a late start this year with Mother Nature not cooperating, but once they were here, they were here," said Andy Brown, Assistant Snow Sports Director at Pine Knob.

Brown said the snow-making crew has been working around the clock since Thanksgiving, trying their best to cover more ski runs in snow so they can open them.

"We've been pumping 5,000 gallons a minute, so about 300,000 gallons of water onto the hill. We're almost 100 percent open on the sixth day of the season for us, so it's going good," Brown said.

With the chairlifts running and skiers and snowboarders carving out turns on the hill, many had smiles on their faces and were excited to buckle in for the day.

"There's not too much wind right now, the sun's out it's absolutely gorgeous for anybody," said Michael Hooper of Clarkston.

Charlotte Oliver from Detroit was making the most of her time off.

"If I don't use my PTO, I lose it, so tick tock on the clock," Oliver said. "We only get to ski one or two days per year, so the more snow, the more odds are we can get out on the hills."

Hooper, who has been skiing for 55 years, was excited to get some runs in at the start of the season.

"You know it's manageable if you've got some edges you can work with it," Hooper said.

David and Jennifer Fudge were impressed by how much work the crew at Pine Knob put in to get most of the hill open.

"I mean, the crew here is to blame for how great it looks and that it's open," Fudge said.

Pine Knob is hoping to have all of their runs, including the terrain park with all of its jumps and rails, open soon.

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 retired U.S. Marine who lost his leg in an IED blast in Afghanistan received the keys to a brand new, mortgage-free smart home in Monroe County today, designed specifically to accommodate his disabilities and restore his independence.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Marine vet gets mortgage-free accessible home

Lance Cpl. Mitchell Underwood and his family were presented with the home by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation during a ceremony in Carleton, surrounded by first responders and community members.

"I really don't know how to put it into words. We're so happy and relieved it doesn't even feel real," Underwood said.

For 14 years, Underwood and his family lived in a multi-story home that created daily challenges for the veteran.

"There's days where I can't do the stairs. I'd be stuck in the bedroom for a couple of days," Underwood said.

In 2011, Underwood deployed to Afghanistan as a SAW gunner. His lead vehicle was hit by an IED that killed two of his fellow Marines and left Underwood in a coma with severe injuries.

"Next thing I know, it's a little over a month later, and I am in a hospital room," Underwood said.

The blast cost Underwood his leg and required more than 50 surgeries as part of his recovery. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice.

"It's been 14 years, but it definitely doesn't feel like it," Underwood said.

The new home was specifically designed for Underwood's injuries and includes accessibility features throughout. All doors are 36 inches wide to accommodate wheelchair access, and the home includes smart home technology and other upgrades to help restore independence.

"This home is specifically designed for his injuries. Everything is wide, so when he is wheelchair bound, he does walk with a prosthetic, but when he is wheelchair-bound, all of the doors are 36 inches, so he can get through it and total accessibility from all the doors," said Tom O'Connor, retired FDNY lieutenant and Tunnel to Towers board member.

Underwood's wife, Samantha, expressed gratitude for the life-changing gift.

"This home is going to change everything so drastically for our family," Samantha Underwood said.

For the Marine veteran, the home represents a return to the independence he lost after his injuries.

"It's going to give me the ability to live without being hindered by my disabilities," Underwood 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.

Small businesses in downtown Howell are on high alert after a new wave of fake cash started hitting registers. Several shops have been impacted and say the counterfeit bills are affecting their bottom line as the holiday season ramps up.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Small businesses in downtown Howell targeted by counterfeit cash scheme

I spoke with two small business owners who say they're keeping their guard up against the fraudulent currency.

M Street Bakery tells me they're a victim of counterfeit cash. The fake $100 bill wasn't noticed until they went to deposit it at the bank. They're hoping police catch the deceitful shoppers sooner rather than later.

Emily Mazaris, owner of M Street Bakery Co., described the impact on local businesses.

"It hurts small businesses. It hurts, really, any business when something like that happens," Mazaris said.

Several local shops in downtown Howell have been seeing a trend of counterfeit cash coming into their stores.

"Whether they bought a $3 item and got $97 real dollars back, or they bought $100 worth of real items. We still lose out in the end," Mazaris said.

Mazaris told me the situation is upsetting, and they are now taking precautions when accepting cash.

"We have chosen to just not accept anymore of the old-style $100 bills for right now," Mazaris said.

Just around the corner at the sandwich shop, The Crunchy Pickle, they've encountered the same problem.

Andrea Sydor, owner of Crunchy Pickle, said her staff was deeply affected by the incident.

"Our staff was devastated," Sydor said.

Sydor and her husband own the sandwich shop. Despite being approached three times, they only fell victim once.

"These bills do pass the marker test. We do use markers on $100 bills, but it does pass it, and we kind of noticed later that clearly the bill was a fake," Sydor said.

Sydor said the person only ordered something small off the menu.

"We're preparing it. They walk out with the change. They're ordering something small off the menu, and they never come back for their order," Sydor said.

There are three ways you can spot a fake bill: feel the bill, tilt the note, check with light, or take the bill to a local bank.

"We are aware of the counterfeiting activity, but cannot comment on an ongoing investigation. If you suspect counterfeit money, do not spend it, and report it to your local police, Livingston County sheriff's office, or the local U.S. Secret Service field office," said Howell Police Chief Michael Dunn.

Sydor has a message for the people using these counterfeit bills.

"I hope they do get caught and they learn the lesson of what that means to not only small businesses and this community as well, and all of our staff members," Sydor said.

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Travelers at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport experienced relatively smooth operations Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, despite concerns about a looming winter storm that could impact return flights over the weekend.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: Detroit Metro Airport sees minimal delays as Thanksgiving travelers eye weather

I spent the day at Detroit Metro speaking with passengers flying out and arriving for the holiday. While delays have been minimal so far, the approaching winter weather system has many keeping a close watch on their return travel plans.

"We're willing to accept any weather issues that occur," said Raed Albuliwi, who was traveling to New York City.

Jason Moran, another traveler, described his experience as manageable despite some turbulence.

"A little bumpy, but it was pretty simple," Moran said.

Some passengers arriving in Detroit had already encountered delays due to weather and air traffic control staffing issues in other parts of the country. Andrew Calhoun, traveling from Milwaukee, experienced a delay when his plane needed deicing.

"Had to deice the plane, so it ran a little late," Calhoun said.

Robert Tomsyck faced a different issue with his flight.

"Got delayed because they were saying because of the controllers. There wasn't as many or something," Tomsyck said.

Departing passengers also faced some challenges. Heidi Guyer and her sons had their original flight to South Carolina canceled, forcing them to rebook on a later departure.

"This morning, woke up to an alert that the flight was canceled and we would go out on the 4:23 flight this afternoon," Guyer said.

However, it's not Wednesday's departures from Detroit that have travelers most concerned. Many are worried about the potential winter weather later this weekend that could impact their return home.

Albuliwi said he has a backup plan if weather disrupts his return flight.

"You know, worst case, it's New York City. We could always grab a rental and drive home," Albuliwi said.

Dr. Monisola Olatunde, traveling to Washington, expressed cautious optimism about her return journey.

"We are a little bit worried, just a little bit. But we are hoping that the weather will change because we can't really say. So yeah, just a little bit worried," Olatunde said.

John Olatunde, also heading to Washington, emphasized the need for flexibility.

"We just have to play it by ear. Go ahead have a great holiday with the family and come home and pray that everything is good," Olatunde 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.

A petition calling for Ann Arbor Public Schools to ban cell phones during school hours is gaining momentum, with over 700 parents signing on to support the policy change.

The petition asks the district to implement a "first bell to last bell" policy that would prohibit cell phone use throughout the school day. Ann Arbor School Board members discussed the issue during a meeting on Friday.

Hear from parents in the video below

Ann Arbor parents petition for cell phone ban in schools as debate over safety, focus intensifies

Parents supporting the ban say they want their children to focus in school without screen distractions, while opponents argue it's a matter of safety.

"We all want our kids and students to flourish," said Amiel Handelsman, who started the petition.

Handelsman's children attend Ann Arbor Public Schools, and he says phone use during school hours is spiraling out of control.

"This has an impact in the classroom. It has an impact in the hallways," Handelsman said. "The district has made some efforts. They did a pilot but we are applying a healthy nudge to do more."

Sharon Sorkin, whose children attend Ann Arbor Public Schools, founded a nonprofit called Focus On Education A2 and supports the petition. She says cell phone addiction is impacting both academic performance and mental health.

"I am told you see the kids during lunch all sitting at the table eating their own lunch looking at their phones," Sorkin said. "In education we also know that academic performance goes up, mental health goes up, attention goes up when the kids are not distracted during school hours."

But some parents, like Krystal Kane, fear losing contact with their children during school hours, especially given concerns about school shootings.

"This day and age, you never know what's going to happen," Kane said. "I would feel safer knowing that I could get a hold of my child."

"I would say take the phone. But the fact that these phones have saved children's lives and parents have been able to locate their children. I think it's a must in this day and age," Kane said.

The Ann Arbor School District sent a statement that reads in part: "As the board of education researches and explores this issue, district administrators continue their ongoing work with the existing procedures already in place within our schools to limit phone use during instructional time."

A change in policy likely won't take place this school year.

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.

Detroit city leaders officially broke ground on an $80 million affordable housing development in the Brush Park neighborhood today, marking what officials are calling one of the most significant affordable housing investments the city has seen in years.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report:

Detroit breaks ground on $80 million affordable housing project in Brush Park

The ceremonial groundbreaking took place next to the historic Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center, where Mayor Mike Duggan and other officials gathered to kick off the project that will bring 211 affordable housing units to the area.

"The beauty is we're building this right downtown right next to this beautiful community center," Duggan said. "It's the quality of life and the quality of housing that our residents deserve, and we are very excited about it today."

The development will feature four new buildings designed to serve different housing needs in the community. One building will be dedicated specifically to Detroiters facing chronic homelessness, offering programs to help residents get back on their feet. The remaining three buildings will provide 159 affordable apartments for the broader community.

Rental prices will start at $368 for one-bedroom units and $438 for two-bedroom apartments. Each unit will include a sizable footprint and in-unit washer-dryers.

Van Fox, president of MHT Housing, outlined additional amenities planned for the development.

"We will have the soccer field, football field, we're going to have the pocket parks, we are going to have all the appropriate inclusive parking," Fox said.

The project has generated excitement among longtime Brush Park residents who have watched the neighborhood transform over the years.

"To see the transformation in Detroit as a whole has been amazing. Truly amazing," said Beatrice Spears, a Brush Park resident.

Uraina Fisher, another neighborhood resident, expressed particular enthusiasm about the recreation center's revival. She recalled bringing her children to the facility after school for homework help and swimming.

"We fought hard to keep this building alive because they wanted to get rid of it, but we fought as a family, and we kept it," Fisher said.

For younger Detroit residents like Bobreese Hicks, who recently left foster care, the affordable housing represents crucial support.

"I feel like any little help that you can get is vital, especially housing," Hicks said. "Everybody needs somewhere to stay."

"I will say just having affordable living is a good thing," he added.

Construction crews hope to complete the entire project by the beginning of 2027.

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.

Some residents in Grosse Pointe Farms say an odor coming from a sewage pumping station has become so unbearable that they're considering moving away from the area.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Grosse Pointe Farms residents say sewage pumping station odor is 'unbearable' Watch Ryan Marshall's video report Grosse Pointe Farms residents say sewage pumping station odor is 'unbearable'

The sewage pumping station is located on Chalfonte Road near Hillcrest Avenue and is operated by the Southeast Macomb Sanitary District.

You can faintly smell the odor on cooler days, but residents who live near the pumping station say this is nothing compared to what they've dealt with when it's warm outside.

"It smells like sewage, of course. But it's very foul," said Mark Montante, a Grosse Pointe Farms resident.

"You can smell it now, and this is just a light smell," said David Pitts, another Grosse Pointe Farms resident.

Pitts lives right across the street from the pump house. He's lived in the Farms for 24 years, but for the last 15 years, he says the smell is unbearable and has complained to the city of Grosse Pointe Farms about the issue.

"You can't sit out here in the summertime, the smell is all in my house. You can flush the toilet, you can run the water, you can smell it," Pitts said. "I can't have a barbecue here anymore because of the stink. I wish they would shut it down."

Montante moved to Grosse Pointe Farms two years ago and says the smell is nauseating when they're outside, and they've even considered moving.

"It's very frustrating for me. I put a lot of money into this home, and for me to deal with that, it's totally unfair," Montante said. "The last episode realistically was the day after Halloween, and it was bad."

The city and the Southeast Macomb Sanitary District say the odor is caused by stretches of little rainfall and is more noticeable in warmer and more humid weather, and is less noticeable in colder weather.

Montante has drafted letters and plans on sending them to the city, sanitary district, Wayne County, and the state.

"There needs to be regular scheduled maintenance with this pumping station over here. There are carbon filters that probably need to be changed on a regular basis, opposed to two to three years ago," Montante said.

City Manager Shane Reeside confirms that multiple complaints have been filed and says the city is working with the Southeast Macomb Sanitary District on a solution.

The director of the sanitary district says they have increased the odor control settings and provided a statement:

The SEMSD Kerby Pump Station has a carbon odor control system that is in continuous use to help mitigate odors at the station. Staff at the SEMSD performs inspections and maintenance daily to ensure that the system is operating as designed. We are always evaluating new technology in order to improve the Kerby Pump Station.

For residents like Montante and Pitts, they just want the smell to go away.

"I wish they would just shut it down," Pitts said.

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Monday marks the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the freighter S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, which went down during a storm on Lake Superior claiming the lives of all 29 crew members on board.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Edmund Fitzgerald 50th anniversary remembered at Detroit museum with events

The Edmund Fitzgerald was built in Detroit and was the largest ship constructed at the time, measuring 729 feet in length. For 17 years, she made over 6,000 trips on the Great Lakes before her final voyage 50 years ago.

"The ship was built to be the biggest and the best and it was for the 17 years it was running," said Joel Stone, retired Dossin Great Lakes Museum curator.

On Nov. 10, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald departed Wisconsin bound for a steel mill in Detroit carrying 29 tons of iron ore. The freighter sank in a fierce storm 17 miles north of Whitefish Point in Canadian waters of Lake Superior.

"The Fitzgerald kind of sailed right into the middle of it, right into the sweet spot and was in the wrong place at the wrong time," Stone said.

The tragedy has become embedded in Great Lakes culture and maritime history.

"It's become part of the Great Lakes Culture of tragedy that we would probably put in the same category of the Titanic," Stone said.

Video below shows worker removing bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck in 1995 Video shows worker removing bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald

Thomas Stretlien and John Gardner were visiting the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Friday and remember where they were when the tragedy struck.

"It was a grim day. When I got home from school, I heard the Edmund Fitzgerald was sinking or had sank it was pretty frightening," Stretlien said.

Related stories on the Edmund Fitzgerald below:

Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald: Events across Great Lakes memorialize 50th anniversary of sinking The 'Gales of November' shares the 'untold' story of the Edmund Fitzgerald & its 29 crewmen New book sheds light on how Gordon Lightfoot wrote The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Gardner was at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, when he received the news.

"We had to read the paper every day and reading about the loss of the Fitzgerald and the general thought was how can that happen because after all, it was just the Great Lakes," Gardner said.

This weekend, the Detroit Historical Society is hosting a special pop-up event at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle to remember the Edmund Fitzgerald and the lives lost.

"The ship is sadly gone. The families have made their peace with it, but the rest of us all keep that at the forefront of our minds," Stone said.

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The Detroit Red Wings are marking their centennial with a four-day fan festival in downtown Detroit, giving fans the chance to meet current and former players while celebrating a century of hockey history.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Detroit Red Wings celebrate Centennial with 4-day fan fest at Motor City Casino

The celebration kicked off Thursday at Motor City Casino, featuring exhibits, autograph sessions and memorabilia from the team's 100-year legacy in Hockeytown.

"It's incredible to see the history of 100 years," said Ryan McIntire, a Red Wings fan attending the event.

Jim McBroom, another longtime fan, was equally impressed by the scope of the celebration.

"It's really mind boggling and touching to see how far back this goes," McBroom said.

The festival showcases Stanley Cup trophies, vintage equipment and jerseys from legendary players, including the Russian Five. Fans can view Red Wings legend Terry Sawchuk's old mask and stick, along with Grind Line memorabilia and other historic artifacts pulled from the team's archives.

"If you're a Red Wings fan, if you're a hockey fan, you definitely want to come down and experience this," said Ron Colangelo, senior vice president of communication for Ilitch Sports and Entertainment.

For many attendees, the event brings back childhood memories of meeting their hockey heroes.

"I remember getting my autograph from Gordie Howe, and I was probably I don't know 12 years old or so," said Greg Best, a Red Wings fan.

The festival features appearances by Red Wings alumni, including Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller and Greg Stefan, who are excited to reconnect with fans.

"It's just going to be great seeing a lot of fans that I've seen over the years and a lot of my old teammates that I played with," Abdelkader said.

Miller praised the organization's efforts in putting together the celebration.

"I think the Red Wings are putting on a fantastic event here at the Motor City Sound Board. So signing with the fans, get to reminisce with them on some of the memories they have too, so all around it's a fun weekend," Miller said.

Stefan echoed the sentiment about the nostalgic nature of the event.

"I really enjoy weekends like this because it brings back a lot of great memories," Stefan said.

The Centennial Fan Fest runs through Sunday. Tickets start at $35, with VIP packages also available.

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If you think traffic is bad now on I-696, prepare for significant delays as the Michigan Department of Transportation's "Restore the Reuther Project" enters a major new phase.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Major traffic changes coming to I-696 as construction project enters new phase

Starting the weekend of November 15, westbound drivers will be shifted into the eastbound lanes, while the freeway will remain closed for eastbound drivers between Lahser and I-75 for the next year.

The traffic shift will require closing that stretch of freeway from around 4 a.m. Saturday, November 15, until 10 a.m. Sunday. By Monday morning, November 17, commuters will face a dramatically different driving experience.

Several I-696 exit and entrance ramps will be closed as part of this shift, including Evergreen, Greenfield, and Coolidge.

"We're going to close all westbound 696 ramps, which means if you don't get off at 75, you can't get off until M-10 going westbound," said Diane Cross from MDOT.

Cross warned that the changes will catch many drivers off guard.

"So once we shift you the weekend of Friday the 14th, you're only going to be able to exit starting Monday morning at Woodward or at Southfield Road, and that's going to catch a lot of drivers by surprise," Cross said.

Local drivers are already preparing for the impact on their daily commutes.

"I definitely feel like it is an inconvenience," said Barbra McCray of Southfield.

"I mean, it's disappointing as I'm sure it's going to be for everybody who commutes and who have to leave out extra early so that they can make sure that they're on time," McCray said.

However, some drivers are taking a more optimistic view of the construction project.

"It's just one of them things they're getting out there. They're getting it together. It's going to take some time, and we just got to just work with them while they're working," said Joe Jones of Southfield.

Fred Prime of Southfield echoed that sentiment.

"We all wanted it done. It's getting done, and we'll just have to manage the inconveniences as we work through it," Prime said.

The rebuild project is expected to be completed late next year.

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.

Warren police officers have a new way to patrol their community while connecting with residents: sleek, silent, three-wheeled electric scooters equipped with lights and sirens.

The Warren Police Department will debut four brand new scooters Friday night to assist with Halloween patrols. The scooters are designed to help officers move faster during community events and neighborhood patrols.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: Warren police debut electric scooters for community patrols and Halloween safety

"These scooters, we think, are a game changer for our community policing efforts," said Lt. John Gajewski of the Warren Police Department. "Officers and police departments across the country are always looking for ways to get officers out of the car and connect better with the community."

The scooters were purchased with leftover COVID-19 relief funds, so no local tax dollars were used. Gajewski said traditional foot patrols and bicycle patrols aren't practical due to the size of Warren.

"In our community, foot patrols and bicycle patrols just aren't that practical due to the size of our city. When we saw these and we tested them out, I think all of our hands were instantly up saying this is the vote we have to have," Gajewski said.

Hear more from Lt. John Gajewski below: Warren police lt. speaks on new scooters

The scooters have a top speed of 37 mph and can travel up to 30 miles when fully charged.

Warren residents are supportive of the new patrol method. Robert Pulice believes the scooters will be a great asset, especially for large events.

"It's a good way for crowd control, especially when there is a crowd," Pulice said. "Yeah, I am all for it."

Adam Mecher was setting up for Halloween outside his house and hopes to see one patrolling his street.

"It's good there's not patrol cars to jump in and out of. They're small, so they're not really a danger to anyone else," Mecher said. "They're not a bad idea."

Warren police say if residents spot one of the scooters rolling through their neighborhood, officers would be happy to stop and let them check it out.

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.