President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Michigan Republican Party Chairman Pete Hoekstra to be the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Trump announced on Wednesday.
Hoekstra was officially recognized as chairman by the national Republican Party in February during a clash over leadership with the state party about the removal of Kristina Karamo as the party's chair. Karamo was voted out during a meeting on Jan. 6 and did not accept the results.
Trump had endorsed Hoekstra over Karamo. Both were loyal supporters of Trump.
Hoekstra was present at many campaign events Trump held during his recent campaign.
Hoekstra served as ambassador to the Netherlands during Trumps first term. Prior to that, he was a U.S. House representative from 1993 to 2011.
Trump released a statement about Hoekstra's nomination:
I am very pleased to announce that former Ambassador, and former Congressman, Pete Hoekstra, has been nominated as my United States Ambassador to Canada. Pete is well-respected in the Great State of Michigan - A State we won sizably. He represented Michigans 2nd District in Congress for nearly 20 years, where he was also Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and was a great help to our Campaign as Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. I overhauled the disastrous NAFTA Agreement, the worst Trade Deal in the History of the United States, which was switched to the USMCA (Mexico/Canada), which no one thought could be done. We brought Trade with Mexico and Canada to a level playing field for our wonderful Farmers and Working Families. In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST. He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role. Thank you, Pete!
Two people were critically hurt and others suffered minor injuries after a large explosion at a condominium complex in Orion Township on Tuesday.
It happened at Keatington New Town Association near Baldwin and Waldon roads.
Two people are unaccounted for Tuesday night. Authorities are working to learn if they were in the area at the time of the explosion as they're unable to get into some buildings that have not yet been deemed safe.
Fire Chief Ryan Allen and Township Supervisor Chris Barnett provide an update in the video player below: Officials provide update on explosion in Orion Township
Investigators believe one building in the complex exploded and caused a massive fire and damage to multiple units. It is being called a potential gas explosion.
At this time, initial reports say that it's possibly or probably a gas leak that caused an explosion, Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen said.
People are being asked to avoid the area.
7 News Detroit reporter Brett Kast reports live from the scene below:
Allen said victims were transported rapidly to the hospital.
Waldon Road will be closed between Joslyn and Baldwin roads in both directions, the sheriff's office said. Some buildings nearby have been checked by officials and deemed safe, according to the fire chief.
Watch video from near the explosion below: Viewer video of Orion Township explosion
Authorities are continuing to assess the area. Some parts of the area have not yet been deemed safe for crews to search.
DTE Energy and Consumers Energy helped officials at the scene. They are also using a gas detector at the scene as authorities continue the relief effort.
Watch drone video from above the scene below: Drone captures scene of explosion at Orion Township condo complex
Nearby churches have opened their doors for those who have been displaced. Residents have been urged to go to Woodside Bible Church if they need assistance.
Officials are planning longer-term relief plans.
Hear an earlier update from the fire chief in the video player below: Orion Township Fire Chief Ryan Allen on explosion
Several surrounding agencies responded to the scene.
7 News Detroit has crews at the scene and is working to learn more.
Stay with 7 News Detroit and WXYZ.com for the latest on this breaking news.
An animal shelter in Pontiac is reaching out to fill the plates of cats and dogs this Thanksgiving.
A $25 donation will provide a pet-friendly holiday meal to animals at the Michigan Animal Rescue League. It includes special versions of classics like savory green beans and sweet potatoes.
Donations will also go toward rescuing and caring for animals at MARL.
A 15-year-old Detroit teen has been charged after shooting two people, including killing another teen and injuring his mother.
These charges stems from an incident that happened last week, on November 7. Around 6 p.m. that day, officers responded to the area of Seward Street and Second Avenue for a reported shooting. Upon arrival, first responders found that both victims have been shot. The teen, 14, was transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries. The mother was hospitalized and released upon treatment.
Investigators say that the teen was shot multiple times in the head, left arm, right hand, and left thigh, following an argument with the 15-year-old. The mother was also shot in her right arm.
WATCH OUR PREVIOUS COVERAGE Woman shot by teen recalls senseless altercation, boy critically injured 16-year-old shoots another teen in head, mom in arm during dispute in Detroit Police: 16-year-old shoots another teen in head, mom in arm during dispute in Detroit
The teen has been adult designated, meaning the judge has the choice between sentencing the teen as an adult or not.
The teen has been charged with Second-Degree Murder and Felony Firearm. He has a court appearance later this afternoon.
Four people have been charged in connection to a shooting that killed two people and injured five others last weekend in Detroit.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Johnny Lee Marsh III, 25, Eladeo Javier-Antonio Garcia, 22, Alfonso Anaya, 18, all of Detroit, and Amber Renee-Sue McIntee, 21, of Lincoln Park, in the shooting.
It took place at a home where a party was happened in the early morning hours of Nov. 3. A 15-year-old Detroit boy and 19-year-old Gage Schmaltz of Southgate were killed in the shooting. A 16-year-old boy from Pontiac, two 17-year-old boys from Pontiac, an 18-year-old woman from Detroit and an 18-year-old man from Pontiac were injured in the shooting.
Police were called to the home in the 6300 block of Devereaux St., near Livernois and I-94, around 1:34 a.m. on a report of a large block party.
When they arrived, officers observed multiple gunshots being fired from a vehicle into a crowd of people before they fled the scene.
Officers pursued the vehicle and then chased the suspects on foot. Garcia and Marsh were taken into custody after the chase. Further investigation led to the arrests of Anaya and McIntee.
Police say the shooting stemmed from an argument that escalated, and then the suspects opened fire on the crowd, hitting Schmaltz and the 15-year-old in the head, the 16-year-old in the face, the first 17-year-old in the chest and arm, the second 17-year-old in the face, the 18-year-old woman in the leg and the 18-year-old man several times.
Marsh III and Garcia are each been charged with two counts of First-Degree Murder, four counts of Assault with Intent to Murder, two counts of Discharge from a Motor Vehicle Causing Death, five count of Discharge from a Motor Vehicle Causing Injury, one count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, 14 counts of Felony Firearm, and one count of Resting and Obstructing a Police Officer.
Anaya has been charged with two counts of First-Degree Murder, four counts of Assault with Intent to Murder, two counts of Discharge from a Motor Vehicle Causing Death, five count of Discharge from a Motor Vehicle Causing Injury, one count of Carrying a Concealed Weapon, 14 counts of Felony Firearm, one count of Resting and Obstructing a Police Officer, and one count of Third-Degree Fleeing and Eluding a Police Officer.
McIntee has been charged with Tampering with Evidence and Lying to a Peace Officer During a Violent Crime Investigation.
Marsh, Garcia and Anaya were all arraigned on the charges on Saturday and remanded to jail. McIntee was given a $75,000 personal bond.
American Legion Post 149 in Holly suffered "significant structural and roof damage" during a severe storm event one day before Veterans Day.
WATCH: American Legion Post in Holly suffers "significant structural" damage after storm American Legion Post in Holly suffers "significant structural" damage after storm
According to the Legion Post's Facebook page, the damage came after the storm hit Holly around 7 p.m. on Sunday evening. A large portion of shingles got blown off the roof, with a horizontal crack forming in a major section of the hall.
The Legion has been getting messages asking how community members can help, they ask that you follow their facebook for updates and any fundraisers.
"For safety reasons, entry into the building is strictly prohibited as we address these structural concerns," the Post said via social media. "While initial observations suggest that strong winds may have lifted the soffit, causing the roof to shift and break a mortar joint separating it from the wall, these are only early speculations. A professional assessment is necessary to determine the full extent of the damage."
The Legion Post also thanked the Holly Fire Department for their prompt response to the storm damage, saying in part that "their professionalism and support mean so much to us." Thankfully, no one was injured during this event. With the Post temporarily closed, all rentals and gatherings at the building are suspended until further notice.
No word yet on when the American Legion Post will re-open.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is calling on Michiganders to put their creative thinking caps on and come up with a name for a special turkey.
The naming contest for the turkey in this year's turkey pardon is now open.
Thanksgiving is a time to spend quality time with your loved ones, and the annual turkey pardon is a tradition I always look forward to, said Governor Whitmer in a statement. I look forward to reviewing all the fun, creative names that Michiganders come up with this year. Submit your name ideas and find out if you picked the winner to be pardoned next week!
The contest runs through Tuesday, November 12, at 11:59 p.m.
Last year, the winning name was "Dolly Pardon" and in 2022, the governor pardoned "Mitch E. Gander."
In the years, months, weeks and days leading up to the 2024 general election, some families and friends have been dealing with fractures in relationships that split along party lines.
It may have been as simple as unfriending someone on social media to disruptions among coworkers or family members.
"A good friend decided he couldn't be our friend anymore because he didn't like our political beliefs," one woman wrote on our WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Facebook page.
Another viewer wrote, "I think it's ridiculous. People fight over it and relationships are ruined. Everyone has a right to their opinion. People who get nasty about it aren't good people."
"I'm feeling good that it's finally over. It's been a lot," said Michelle Satanvy, who is choosing to protect her peace instead of blocking and unfriending people. "We're all people we all come from different situations...if you don't agree just scroll past it. It's not the time or ruining the relationship or unfriending somebody."
"Of course you always have friends and family who maybe don't feel the same as you," said Meredith Mcilhargey. "My parents and I have always been on different sides in different elections."
7 News Detroit reporter Christiana Ford spoke to clinical psychologist Dr. Moten , who suggests having an open conversation with the other person and focusing on shared values and common ground.
"If we can focus on those shared values, maybe we can avoid a lot of the potential difficulties that the next several days and certainly weeks will have in navigating these relationships," Moten said.
Click on the video above to hear more from Moten and others as they try to navigate moving their relationships forward.
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin will win the U.S. Senate race in Michigan, ABC News has projected.
Wednesday afternoon, the congresswoman addressed news media in a ballroom at Motor City Casino.
Slotkin said, So as your senator, my primary job will be to expand the middle class by creating jobs with dignity, attacking the costs that are eating through biggest bites out of peoples budgets and creating a tax policy that lets Michiganders keep more of what they earn.
She also thanked supporters and retiring U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.
"If everything works, on January 3rd, I will be stepping into the shoes of one really amazing leader, my dear friend and mentor Senator Debbie Stabenow," Slotkin said.
Republican Mike Rogers, a former U.S. representative, has conceded to Slotkin.
Rogers issued the following statement on Wednesday afternoon:
Congratulations to Congresswoman Slotkin on her victory, I wish her the best as she serves the people of Michigan in the Senate.I am humbled and honored for the millions of Michiganders who embraced our campaign, shared their thoughts, their concerns, their ideas, and put their faith and trust in me to serve our great state as their U.S. Senator. Im also proud to have run on the ticket with our President-elect, Donald J. Trump, and I have no doubt that he is going to help move Michigan and America forward.Michigan will always be home, and serving our state has been the honor of my life. While it wont be in the U.S. Senate right now, I will continue to serve Michigan now and into the future. Finally, I want to thank my partner in life and in this campaign, my wife Kristi, who has dedicated her life to service and was instrumental in helping us bring light to the issues that so many families are facing. She has been my rock and sacrificed to help bring needed change to Michigan.Thank You, Michigan. Related Video: Watch Slotkin's press conference on Wednesday afternoon Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin speaks on Michigan Senate race
Slotkin, a Democrat who currently represents Michigans 7th Congressional District, beat out former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
Both were vying for the seat after Stabenow's retirement. She announced in 2023 her plans to retire after 24 years in the Senate.
Only one Republican has won a U.S. Senate race in Michigan dating back to the 1960s Spencer Abraham in 1995. He served one term and lost his re-election bid to Stabenow.
Her projected win comes after Republicans are projected to take back control of the U.S. Senate next year.
Slotkin grew up in Holly and according to her campaign page, she's a third-generation Michigander who spent time on her family farm in Holly. She went to Cranbrook, according to a 2018 article, and then went on to Cornell and Columbia University.
She said that after being in New York City on 9/11, she wanted to go into national security, and was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency.
During her time in the CIA, she worked in the George W. Bush administration and had three tours in Iraq with the U.S. military.
After her time in the military, Slotkin worked in the Department of Defense starting in 2011. She worked her way up to be the acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.
In 2017, Slotkin announced she was running for Congress and beat incumbent Mike Bishop. Slotkin received more than 50% of the vote compared to Bishop's 46.7%.
She has served on the House Agriculture Committee and House Armed Services Committee during her three terms in Congress.
Democrats Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Thomas have been elected to the Michigan Supreme Court, according to Decision Desk HQ projections. They beat out Republicans Andrew Fink and Patrick O'Grady.
The wins give Democrats a 5-2 majority on the Michigan Supreme Court on the seven-person court.
Bolden was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court and began her term on Jan. 2023. She was the first Black woman to serve as a justice on the state Supreme Court.
Hear from Bolden and Thomas from earlier on Tuesday in the videos below
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden speaks at watch party in Detroit Kimberly Anne Thomas speaks at watch party in Detroit
She was facing reelection after being appointed to replace Bridget McCormack, whose term ended in 2029. She will now serve out the rest of the term.
Bolden who grew up in Southfield got her law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and also served in the Michigan House of Representatives.
She was a judicial law clerk in the Wayne County Third Circuit Court and also worked in private practice as a civil litigation attorney.
Thomas who was nominated as a candidate by Democrats along with Bolden is currently a law professor at the University of Michigan where she runs the Juvenile Justice Clinic.
She also served on the Michigan Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform and she was honored with a U.S. Fulbright Scholar Award.
Thomas will replace retiring Republican Justice David Viviano.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson addressed the reported bomb threats that were called in to several voting sites in Michigan and other swing states.
Benson said the threats were called into four voting locations and an office in Lansing. She said they looked at them more as "swatting" attempts.
The threats were found to not be credible, and Benson said one of the differences between the threats in Michigan and the ones in Georgia is that "we didn't see any disruptions in the voting process as a result of these attempted bomb threats."
Benson said that election workers kept making sure things went smoothly and protected the ability for people to vote.
Other threats were called in to polling places in Georiga, Arizona and Pennsylvania.
The FBI did say many of the hoax bomb threats appeared to originate from Russian email domains.
After months of frequent visits to Michigan from both presidential campaigns, Election Day has finally arrived.
Here's a look at what's happening across metro Detroit.
If you want to check out all of our voter information and resources, click here.
Check out our live Election Day blog below:
Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
The City of Northville said that Precinct 1 has been relocated from the community center to Hillsdale Middle School, located at 775 N. Center Rd.
Consumers Energy was investigating a potential gas leak at the community center, which forced the precinct to move.
Tuesday noon
Macomb County is home to a lot of auto workers and a key county we will be watching as election results begin to come in tonight. The UAW has formally endorsed Kamala Harris, but some workers we've spoken to ahead of the election are supporting Donald Trump.
Our Faraz Javed spoke to the voters who play a crucial role in this year's election.
Macomb County in the spotlight for 2024 presidential election
Faraz was at Precinct 42 at Sterling Heights High School and spoke to Canaan Calhoun, an 18-year-old voting for the first time. He asked him what his experience has been, and what some of his research was to determine which candidate he would be voting for.
"I mainly watch the news, I watch the news," the first-time voter said. "I use the news to find and explore the different candidates, which one would be best for my future."
Canaan was at the polls with his mom and his two brothers. Faraz asked Canaan what the family conversations were like before heading to the polling place when it came to selecting the candidate.
"The main thing was come together," Canaan said. "We would just sit around the TV, watch some news, watch and listen to what they would say and mainly follow along. We watched the debate and we had a whole conversation on that, so that's the main thing we did."
Macomb County has traditionally voted Republican. In 2016, Trump won Macomb County by 48,000 votes, then again in 2020 by 40,000 votes. But in the end, Joe Biden did win Michigan in the last Presidential election.
This is an extremely important county to win: Faraz spoke with Carol, a chair for District 42, to walk us through what voters can expect when they walk in today.
"You come in and the first desk you are going to stop in is the application to vote," said Carol Calhoun. "You'll fill that paperwork out, then you will go to the next station, which is the poll book, that is where you will present your driver's license. We will scan you into the system, make sure that you are a registered voter, and from there we'll give you a ballot, you'll go into the various booth to vote, and then you'll get in line to the tabulator and cast your ballot."
We spoke with Carol about some of the challenges workers were facing when voters were coming in.
"Probably the main thing that we've encountered is people coming to the wrong precinct," Carol said. "They had lived in this area before and were Sterling Heights residents and had moved, so we needed to call the clerk's office, confirm that they were not registered voters here in Sterling Heights, and we had to send them to their respective cities to register and to vote."
We also asked Carol how the turnout has been a few hours in.
"It's been steady, we had 40 people in line when we opened," Carol said. "and it's been a steady flow throughout the day, I think we're at 250, maybe a little more than that, we do a count every hour."
Tuesday 10:50 a.m.
It was a steady stream of voters at Southfield City Hall on Tuesday morning. Many were pleasantly surprised by the wait time.
Waited less than five minutes. We went in and went right to our voting precinct," said Scott Clay.
Related Video: Voters cast their ballots in Southfield Voters cast their ballots in Southfield
Andrew Hartman says voting at the polling place was a breeze.
"Maybe 30 seconds. I parked my car. And, 10 minutes later, Im walking out," he said.
I heard some people waited like two hours on the early voting on Sunday. I think everyone was kind of scrambling. But today, I came in like five minutes ago. It literally took me five minutes," said Teresa Ross, a Southfield resident.
Dominick Thirkield and his wife, Nicole, said the well-organized polling center made it easy for their entire family.
I mean, they were very nice and very pleasant, you know, coordinated, letting us know where to go. And, we were out of there in less than 20 minutes," said Dominick.
Nicole said, I wanted to make sure that my kids were able to witness history and make sure that I document it so when they did get older, they were able to say I was there.
Tuesday: 10:45 a.m.
There has been a steady flow of voters coming into Pasteur Elementary on Detroits west side this morning.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson visited a short time ago talking about the turnout so far this Election Day.
Related Video: Watch Benson's update from Tuesday morning WATCH: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks on Election Day with polls now open
Benson says more than 3.3 million people in Michigan voted even before the polls opened this morning.
Benson says 82% of all absentee ballots were returned before Election Day, and many of those have already been processed.
There are long lines at polling places around metro Detroit and the Secretary of State says they have a field team of 100 people ready to respond to any allegations of trouble.
"People are engaged and people know the rules, which is that today is the last day to vote in this election. And whether people choose to vote in person here at precincts or returning their ballot at a local drop box, it's going to be a celebratory day, a hopeful day and a day where we can be proud that so many people are participating in our election. Already, 45.8% of registered active voters in our state have voted in this election, and we're on track to break turnout records yet again," said Benson.
Related Video: Michigan voters line up on Election Day to make their voices heard Michigan voters line up on Election Day to make their voices heard
"I just want to say everyone get out and vote do what youre supposed to do make it count," said Daveen Young, a voter.
"Its a good turnout, I like to see this," said Pamela Dann, another voter.
Benson says Michigan is on track for a record turnout.
We were at a few polling spots in Redford earlier today where some people were complaining they didnt have enough computers to check everyone in, so just keep in mind, its always a busy day so bring your patience.
Tuesday: 10 a.m.
7 News Detroit reporter Brittany Toolis was outside of Central United Methodist Church in Detroit, where inside there are two voter precincts. She's been there since right after polls opened.
Voters share excitement at Central United Methodist Church in Detroit
Only 15 voters are allowed in at a time, so they have seen a small line of voters. For one person, it's the first time they've cast a vote in about a decade.
"Im feeling happy and hopeful," said Sierra Spencer. "People seem ready."
Sierra is one of millions casting her ballot as the 2024 Presidential Election is now in voter's hands.
"We got up at like 6 this morning ... getting ready to vote today," said Josie Budnick and James Bennett.
All three Metro Detroit voters cast their ballots at the church on Woodward Avenue and East Adams, off of Grand Circus Park. It houses two precincts, and a small but steady line filing out the front door all morning.
"I was expecting to see a line I know most of my peers voted early," Sierra said. "I was a little worried about the wait but it actually wasnt bad."
"Hes late for work but were making it happen," said Josie. "My boss is OK with it. Were doing out duty. Were both excited."
All three voters say the process went smoothly for them. Now they're waiting for the numbers to start rolling in.
"Im happy that were finally going to have an answer moving forward as a country," Sierra said. "Just go out and vote if you havent already."
Polls are open until 8 p.m.
Tuesday: 7 a.m.
Polls have opened across most of Michigan as voters have until 8 p.m. to cast their ballots.
On Sunday, 189,442 people cast their ballot, according to the dashboard. That's the highest daily total in the state. The previous high was the day before with 145,955 people voting.
In all, 1,214,444 people cast an early in-person vote in Michigan for the 2024 general election.
Its that time of year again. Gardner Whites Twinkle Town tree decorating competition is back and WXYZ is ready to fight for the top spot for a good cause.
WXYZ anchors Carolyn Clifford and Mike Duffy along with Digital Director Alexandra Bahou teamed up with local designer Jon Gerych of Gerych's in Fenton to decorate a holiday tree for the benefit of a local charity.
Check out our tree last year:
WXYZ-TV picked Forgotten Harvest once again as their charity in the competition. The winning tree will get $10,000 toward their charity of choice.
The teams theme this year: Detroit Lions and Tigers and Christmas, Oh My!
During the Twinkle Town event on November 12, families are able to vote on 20 different trees, enjoy treats, a visit from Santa and more. The event will be held at Gardner Whites flagship store at 6500 East 14 Mile Road in Warren. You can register for the event here.
Voting for the trees will be open from November 12 through December 8.
To read more about Gardner Whites Twinkle Town event, click here.
Vice President Kamala Harris is returning to Michigan this weekend and will be stopping in metro Detroit just days before Election Day.
Her campaign announced that she will be visiting Detroit, Pontiac and East Lansing on Sunday.
She is scheduled to start in Detroit by attending service at a Black church, where she will also speak. She will then go to a restaurant in Detroit before stopping in Pontiac.
Details about the Pontiac stop were not immediately known.
Later on, Harris will travel to East Lansing to rally at Michigan State University with young voters. Shes expected to speak at MSU around 6:30 p.m.
Specific locations and times for Harris Detroit and Pontiac stops have not yet been released.
Harris campaign says Sunday will be her 11th visit to Michigan, with six stops in Detroit and two in Lansing. Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz visited Ann Arbor on Monday with singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers to rally with young voters.
A 21-year-old man faces weapons and assault charges after allegedly shooting at three people in Macomb Township over the weekend.
Investigators say these charges revolve around an incident involving shots being fired after an argument at a home in the 46300 block of Gabriell Drive in the early morning hours on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Police say that three people drove up to the address, where the man being charged, Kevin Price was. One of the people got into an argument with him before the trio drove away. The trio says they saw Price pull out a gun and load it with ammo before they left. Authorities say that Price proceeded to follow those three people, firing two shots. No one was hit, and the trio was able to drive away.
Price was charged with the counts below in 41A District Court earlier this week. If convicted, he faces up to 29 years in prison.
One Weapons charge, involving shooting from a vehicle, a 10-year felony. One Malicious Destruction of Personal Property charge, a five-year felony and a fine between $1,000 and $20,000. Three counts of Assault with a Dangerous weapon, each a four-year felony (12 years total) Four counts of Weapons felony firearm, a two-year felony
Bond was set at $500,000 cash/surety for Price. The judge required that Price be placed on house arrest with a GPS tether upon release.
The US Supreme Court has denied an injunction request by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that would have ordered Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to remove him from the general election ballot.
According to an order on the Supreme Court's website, the Court denied the request, with only Justice Neil Gorsuch dissenting. The order quotes this as Gorsuch's dissent:
Respectfully, I dissent for substantially the reasons given by Judges Thapar, Readler, and McKeague. See <i>Kennedy</i> v. <i>Benson</i>, case No. 24-1799, (CA6, Oct. 16, 2024), pp. 1319 (Thapar, J., dissenting from denial of rehearing en banc); <i>id</i>., at 2032 (Readler, J., dissenting from denial of rehearing en banc); <i>id</i>., at 3537 (McKeague, J., statement respecting denial of rehearing and denial of rehearing en banc).
The denial comes a day after Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson filed her response to Kennedy's request for an injunction. In her filing, Benson wrote that removing Kennedy was not possible as thousands of ballots had already been cast in the state.
Kennedy filed a request Friday for an injunction to Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who presides over the Sixth Circuit of which Michigan is a part, Kennedy says in not removing his name, Benson is violating his rights. The case has made it's way through both the Michigan state courts and the federal district court, as well as the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
U.S. District Court Judge Denise Hood denied a preliminary injunction request in September, one day after she heard arguments from Kennedy's lawyers and lawyers for the Michigan Secretary of State's Office.
Kennedy is the presidential nominee in Michigan for the Natural Law Party. However, in late August, he suspended his campaign and threw his support behind former President Donald Trump. Since then, he's been fighting to get his name off the ballot in several states.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a post on X in August that Michigan law says candidates who accept a minor party's nomination shall not be permitted to withdraw.
In the 18-page ruling, Hood disagreed with several claims made by Kennedy and his lawyers for reasons that he should be off the ballot.
"Plaintiff had the opportunity to bring his additional constitutional claims at the time that he filed his initial complaint with the Court of Claims. Plaintiff now pleads before this Court seeking a second bite at the apple, to which he is not entitled," Hood wrote in the ruling.
Kennedy sued Benson on Aug. 30, but in the hearing, lawyers for Benson said that as of Sept. 17, 90% of the total ballots had been printed and it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to reprint them in Wayne County alone.
Michigan election law requires absentee ballots to be issued starting Sept. 26 for voters in the state.
7 News Detroit is reaching out to Benson's office and will update this story once they comment.
More than 145,000 people participated in early voting across the state on Saturday.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that 145,134 Michiganders cast their vote on day one, saying the turnout exceeded expectations.
Benson noted that 12 early voting sites had visits from more than 1,000 voters today.
Im thrilled to see so many enthusiastic Michigan citizens turning out all across the state in record numbers to make their voices heard, Secretary Benson said in a statement. Were starting a new tradition of early voting here in Michigan, so we dont just have Election Day, we have Election
Days,
and options that let you decide whats most convenient for you. Theres still time to get out and vote vote from home and return your ballot to your clerks ballot drop box, vote early any day between now and Sunday, November 3, or come cast your vote on Election Day. No matter which you choose, your vote is secure, and the results will reflect the will of the people.
Early voting will run through November 3 for the general election. To find your early voting site, click here.
A water main break has forced a portion of Fort Street to close at the Detroit-Lincoln Park border.
Northbound Fort Street is closed from Outer Driver to Visger Street, which is south of Schaefer Highway, the Michigan Department of Transportation said.
One of the suspects who is charged with the murder of a Rochester Hills man was arraigned and remanded to jail on Friday afternoon.
Carlos Hernandez is charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment. He was arraigned on those charges in Rochester Hills district court on Friday and given no bond.
Hernandez was taken into custody earlier this month in Shreveport, Louisiana. A second suspect in the murder was also arrested days later and charged..
WATCH: Scene video of man arrested in Louisiana after alleged murder in Rochester Hills (courtesy KTBS in Shreveport) WATCH: Scene video of man arrested in Louisiana after alleged murder in Rochester Hills (courtesy KTBS)
The Oakland County Sheriffs Office said this happened on Newcastle Drive near Adams and Dutton roads earlier this week. On Saturday, the sheriff's office identified the victim as 72-year-old Hussein Murray.
"Our family is deeply saddened by the loss of my grandfather Hussein," Hussein's grandson said in a statement sent to 7 News Detroit on behalf of the Murray family. "My grandfather was a man with a heart of gold, who treated all those around him with kindness and compassion. He has made a lasting impact with our family and community, and Im beyond proud to call him my grandfather. I am eternally grateful for the support the community has shown our family in this difficult time. We are also grateful for the Oakland County Sheriffs Departments tireless work in seeking justice for my grandfather, and compassion for our grieving process. We are heartbroken by the news of his death, but our family will bond through this with the resolve he has instilled in us by being the man he was."
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says the two men, who had a white pickup truck with a DTE placard, rolled up to the house Thursday night and tried to get in but were denied.
On Friday, officials say the men tried again, claiming that they were investigating a gas leak in the area.
Bouchard says the husband went to the basement with the workers but never came up again. The wife reportedly told officials that the men came upstairs, bound her with duct tape and looked through the house for about 20 minutes before leaving the scene.
The wife is currently at the hospital recovering.
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Officials say the 72-year-old victim was a business owner in Wayne County. 7 News Detroit learned he owned Gold & Glitter Jewelry in Hamtramck.
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A loving guy, owned a business, cared about his neighborhood and his community. Shouldn't have been a target of this. No one should ever be a target of this, Bouchard said.
The sheriff said the department believes the incident was targeted.
"It wasn't random, they're not just knocking on doors and doing this. We think they were specifically looking to violate this family and obviously, the one link we're looking at initially is because they own a business," Bouchard said. Were going to check every direction and every potential motive.
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