Drivers in Macomb Township can expect a few major road improvement projects heading their way by next year.

Watch Whitney Burney's video report: Macomb Twp. set to make historic investment in road improvement

The township approved $14 million in its most recent budget to repave, extend, or widen several roadways, including Romeo Plank Rd. and Broughton Rd. near the municipal complex.

The money accounts for the largest investment in road improvements in the township's history, and township leaders say it's long overdue. Some of the funding comes from federal dollars that were in the previous years' budget that the township was unable to spend due to regulatory hurdles.

"They definitely need to start doing some repavements because those potholes are getting worse by the day," said driver Steven Bloom of roads in the township.

The project on Romeo Plank Rd is set to include repaving from 22 mile Rd. to 23 mile Rd, which is riddled with potholes and crumbling asphalt. It will also mean widening the two-lane road to five lanes to ease traffic congestion.

"Romeo Plank is actually pretty rough. So, if thats what theyre working on, thatd be perfect," said Thomas Vukpalaj.

Vukpalaj owns a Lettuce, a fresh food restaurant at 23 Mile and Romeo Plank Rd. He says he's definitely seen his fair share of potholes and congestion in the area.

"Mornings, its pretty congested, backs up. We get customers saying its hard to pull into the plaza. Usually, the turn lane is backed up," said Vukpalaj.

"We have 95,000 people who live in Macomb Township, and when youre traveling on all two-lane roads everywhere, its hard to get anywhere," said Township Supervisor Frank Viviano. "I can literally tell you, since I travel Romeo Plank to go home, that on busy days its backed up a mile heading south."

Viviano says it's the reason the road improvements are more important now than they've ever been.

"One of the things about Macomb Township is it has grown faster than any community in the state of Michigan over the last 30 years. We have literally tripled in size, and one of the things that has lagged behind is our roads," said Viviano. "Its not easy to come up with funding to build or expand these major roadways, and over the course of the past 5 years, weve put an increasing amount of focus on it."

Viviano says another large portion of that $14 million will be spent on Broughton road where the township is looking to fulfill a decades long wish of building a downtown/city center.

"I think the downtown area has been in talks for a long time," said Rick Roeske who lives in the township. "I think everyones building it. You look at new Baltimore or Partridge Creek: thats what that was supposed to be, but now its mostly restaurants, and so I dont know if we need a downtown. Well see if its supported by businesses."

The road would be a boulevard and include street parking, roundabouts, and aesthetic improvements. The township says they're currently in talks with the private land owner about acquiring the land needed to extend Broughton Rd through to 24 Mile Rd. They've also spoken to several developers about potentially bringing in residential and commercial spaces once completed.

Township Supervisor Frank Viviano says he's hopeful that once finished, the projects will mean improved travel for all and economic growth.

"Once weve made these road improvements, I expect there will be great demand for both commercial and residential portions," said Viviano. "Its going to be something that people havent really seen before, and thats whats going to make it unique. We think its going to be an anchor, not just for Macomb Township but for this region of Macomb County."

The township hopes to start work on Romeo Plank by spring of 2026 and then, in summer or fall of the same year, begin work on Broughton Rd. Both projects are expected to take up to two construction seasons.

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Multiple Michigan lawmakers were on the list of the alleged Minnesota shooter, their teams have confirmed to 7 News Detroit.

Watch Brett Kast's video report: Seven Michigan lawmakers on alleged Minnesota shooter's list

Vance Boelter surrendered to police Sunday after they found him in the woods near his home following a massive manhunt that stretched over two days. He is accused of fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.

Authorities say he also shot Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, who lived just a few miles away.

Officials said the list had dozens of names from several states. Those names included Democratic officials, plus others with ties to Planned Parenthood or abortion rights movements, according to CNN.

Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell was on the list, her aide confirmed to 7 News Detroit.

West Michigan Rep. Hillary Scholten was also on the list, her office confirmed to 7 News Detroit. Scholten was set to host a town hall on Monday evening in Muskegon, but it was canceled out of an abundance of caution.

Dingell chose to hold her planned town hall at Dexter High School on Monday, where there was a heavy police presence.

Some people wanted me to cancel tonight and I was not going to cancel tonight, she said during her town hall. I've got a great chief, and the sheriff from here said to me, 'you just got to be a little more careful.'

Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer says more than two dozen deputies, along with state and local police, were at the event screening people at the door and keeping a close eye on the crowd.

Armed security accompanied the congresswoman.

"We stand ready to protect all of our elected officials as well as our community in this county, Dyer said. "It's critical. To be able to participate in democracy without fear of harm is really important.

Spokespeople for Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin and U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar told 7 News Detroit that all three officials' names were also in the suspect's notes.

A source familiar with the matter also confirmed U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib's name appeared on the list.

A spokesperson for U.S. Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement from her on the list:

My heart is with Rep. Hortman, Sen. Hoffman, and their families in the wake of last week's attacks.  Political violence has no place in our communities. My office is in touch with law enforcement about my being included in the perpetrator's materials, and I am grateful for everything they have done and continue to do in the wake of this tragedy.

Despite the threat, Dingell said it was crucial the town hall event went on as lawmakers call for unity.

All of us, every single one of us has to help dial down the level of rhetoric. We are normalizing violence and that is not OK, Dignell said.

Dingell has another town hall scheduled for Wednesday in Belleville.

Thanedar says he was informed Sunday night by Detroit police and state Capitol police but says it didn't appear the threats were credible.

Certainly, I was concerned, but I was also concerned about my wife, he said. There were names of about 80 different members of Congress, but there were no addresses associated with these names and what FBI say to us is there was no follow-up plan.

In a press conference on Sunday after the suspect, Vance Boelter, was arrested, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said states on the list included Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and more.

Boelter meticulously planned the attacks, carrying out surveillance missions, taking notes on the homes and people he targeted and disguising himself as a police officer just before the shootings, acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said on Monday.

It is no exaggeration to say that his crimes are the stuff of nightmares, he said.

Federal prosecutors announced Monday that they charged Boelter, 57, with federal murder and stalking offenses. He already faces state charges, including murder and attempted murder. Hours later at a federal court hearing in St. Paul, Boelter said he could not afford an attorney and a federal public defender was appointed to represent him.

Watch below: Suspect in Minnesota lawmaker shootings visited 4 homes of elected officials Suspect in Minnesota lawmaker shootings visited 4 homes of elected officials

Boelter had many notebooks full of plans that appeared to be months in the making, Thompson said. Underscoring what law enforcement officials said was the premeditated nature of the attacks, Boelter wrote out in one notebook a list of internet-based people search engines, according to court records.

But authorities have not found any writings that would clearly identify what motivated him, Thompson said. Though the targets were Democrats and elected officials, Thompson said it was too soon to speculate on any sort of political ideology.

His writings included the names of 45 state and federal elected officials in Minnesota, Thompson said.

Authorities declined to name the two other elected officials who escaped harm. But it was clear the shootings were politically motivated.

This was a targeted attack against individuals who answered the call to public service, said Alvin Winston, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Minneapolis field office.

Watch below: Suspect in shootings of 2 Minnesota lawmakers crawled to officers, surrendered, authorities say Suspect in shootings of 2 Minnesota lawmakers crawled to officers, surrendered, authorities say

Boelter sent a text to a family group chat after the shootings that said: Dad went to war last night ... I dont wanna say more because I dont wanna implicate anybody, according to an FBI affidavit.

His wife got another text that said: Words are not gonna explain how sorry I am for this situation ... theres gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I dont want you guys around, the affidavit said.

Police later found his wife in a car with her children. Officers found two handguns, about $10,000 in cash and passports for the wife and her children, according to the affidavit.

The Minnesota shootings have been triggering for other Michigan politicians who have faced political violence themselves. In 2020, then-Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson faced a slew of threats while serving on a committee investigating alleged voter fraud in the presidential election.

"Im sickened by this," an emotional Johnson said as she reflected on the Minnesota assassinations."We just need to pray for our country."

After receiving a voicemail from an angry voter, Johnson posted its contents online. The message called for Johnson to be lynched and referred to her as racial slurs. She says she received thousands more like it.

"I was being attacked for a whole six days," Johnson said. "It was scary. I felt like I was so alone. I didnt feel like I had any support."

Watch Whitney Burney's video report: Dingell & others from Michigan were on alleged Minnesota shooter's hit list

Johnson says it's on lawmakers to calm the rhetoric and narratives that perpetuate said political violence.

"Its all peoples responsibility but particularly it is the elected officials. Its our job but everybody is not on the same page," Johnson said. "When you have legislators and you have elected officials who are helping with this narrative, what do you expect the people to do? They are following leaders or so they think theyre following leaders."

Professor Pontus Leander has studied political violence like this for a decade at Wayne State University. He is the director for the university's Center for Peace and conflict studies department.

"I think as a lot of people, Im shocked as a human but as a member of society is it really that shocking? Or do you get that feeling of 'oh no! Not again,'" Leander said.

Watch below: Pontus Leander, Director, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Wayne State University, talks about political violence and its effects FULL INTERVIEW: Pontus Leander, Director, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Wayne State University, talks about political violence and it's effects

Leander says desensitization to the violence is a contributing factor to it perpetuating.

"People, not only do they process it more quickly, but they have less to process about it because its already been processed so many times before and so what gets focused on now is what makes this situation unique or different," the professor added. "Frustration, conflict, dismay: this is all part of life. Helplessness is part of life, not knowing how to move forward in a complex world is part of life. That does not cause shootings, that does not cause political violence. That might energize it, but it's energy potential. What gives that form and shape and direction are the narratives that are coming down from up high and that can be media narratives. That can be public figures, respected individuals. That could be the language that gets used."

Leander says it's important that people continue to denounce the violent behavior and not accept it as normal.

"It is on all of us to do something and what we can each individually do is very simple: we dont accept this as normal. We dont let it normalize. Be shocked every time."

Around 350 nurses walked off the job and hit the picket line Monday morning outside of Henry Ford Rochester Hospital.

Watch the full story in the video player below Hundreds of nurses hit picket line at Henry Ford Rochester Hospital over staffing shortages

The strike is the first in the health system's 110-year history. Overwhelmed nurses with OPEIU Local 40 are now demanding that the hospital hire more workers to improve patient care.

After 7 years on the front lines, ER nurse Amanda Clark was one of the hundreds of Henry Ford Rochester Hospital nurses making their voices heard Monday morning.

"Theres strength in numbers. Hopefully, the hospital comes to the table after this," Clark said.

Clark says she's been at the Rochester medical facility for a little over a year, and the entire time, they've faced staffing challenges.

"Typical (Intensive Care Unit) should be a 1:2 ratio, one nurse to two patients. Sometimes I have up to four ICU patients in the ER, and I just dont think thats safe," said Clark. "Its a little disheartening because you really want to spend the time helping that person feel better, but sometimes youre so stretched thin that just somebody asking for a cup of water almost feels like an impossible task because you have so many other critical things youre doing."

The nurses say they originally started negotiations in August of 2022. At the time, the hospital was under Ascension Healthcare. Healthcare workers went on strike against Ascension in September 2023, then Henry Ford took over operations in October of 2024. Workers are now on their second strike of this contract campaign after walking off the job Monday. This marks nearly three years of negotiations.

"Our biggest issue is (the) safety of the community. That is what we stand for first and foremost," said Danielle Drouillard, who is the vice president of OPEIU Local 40 nurses. "I think a lot of it stems from when big hospital chains absorb tiny hospitals, such as what happened to ours. You get a corporate entity that runs their 'not for profit' like a business, and when theyre so revenue driven and focused on a business model, the care is second to them."

Drouillard, who works as a Pre-Op nurse at the hospital part-time, says they're also fighting for equitable pay raises among every unit and for union protections to remain in place.

"We all see the solution as being very transparent and easy, and the hospital doesnt want to discuss that because they want to treat all of their hospitals the same," said Drouillard.

Watch our full interview with Danielle in the video player below VIDEO: Watch our full interview with Danielle Drouillard, Vice President of OPEIU Local 40 nurses

Monday's strike is now one of several that have taken place in Metro Detroit in recent years. Just this February, 7 News Detroit was there as nurses at DMC Huron Valley Sinai in Commerce Twp. took hosted an informational picket voicing similar concerns.

"Staffing (issues) did not start with COVID. Ive been with D.C. Nurses since 2002 and negotiated contracts for over 23 years now and each time theres issues with staffing," said Edward Smith who is the executive director of the D.C. Nurses Association.

"Where do you see this going in the next 10 years? Do you see this persisting?" 7 News Detroit Reporter Whitney Burney asked.

"Yes. In a short answer, yes. The more detailed answer is that it will persist until the employers start working with nurses and other healthcare professionals about delivering good patient care," said Smith. "Nurses care and a lot of them say its a 'calling' and they mean it so when we talk about patient care and having nurses, patient ratios thats exactly what were here to do: to try to make sure we have enough support, not just nurses but ancillary staff like techs, people to answer phones and the like."

A representative from Henry Ford Rochester Hospital sent the following statement in response to the ongoing strike:

Henry Ford Healths greatest priority is and always will be the wellbeing of our patients, team members and the community. Henry Ford Rochester Hospital has a process in place to ensure our units are staffed in a way that provides the safe, high-quality care patients deserve. We deeply respect our nurses unique, professional expertise and include nurse leadership in any staffing decisions. Mandatory staffing ratios, like the one the union is proposing, hinder our ability to continuously adjust staffing based on patient need. Henry Ford Health complies with all applicable federal labor strike laws, which take precedence over state statutes. We respect our employees right to strike; at the same time, its crucial for us to engage contracted nursing staff during the strike to ensure there is no disruption to patient care or hospital operations. We would have preferred to have our Henry Ford Rochester Hospital nurses working in our hospital, but the striking nurses were unwilling to provide us with any assurances they would provide care for our patients. As a result, we were forced to make difficult decisions about staffing and needed to make patient care our priority. We look forward to welcoming them back to work.

The hospital has temporary staff in place and plans to remain open during the strike.

Nurses participating in the strike say they originally planned to strike through Wednesday, but say they have effectively been "locked out" of the hospital through Saturday in light of the contract between the hospital and the temporary staff hired.

The nurses in Rochester now plan to picket outside the hospital until Saturday. They say they are looking forward to meeting at the bargaining table again at the end of the month.

Where Your Voice Matters

Michigan's nearly 400 breweries are bracing for potential price increases as new tariffs on steel and aluminum take effect.

"It's been a little bit hard for breweries in general and one more bit of pressure is not really welcome," Scott Graham said.

Graham is the executive director at the Michigan Brewers Guild, which represents about 250 brewers across the state. He notes that the now-50% tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration stand to add more financial strain to beer companies that are already dealing with higher costs for labor, barley and other materials.

Watch our interview with Scott Graham below: Full interview: Michigan Brewers Guild executive director breaks down tariff impacts on breweries

"It really is probably going to add to their costs," Graham said. "A brewery can't just pass every cost on. It kind of has to think of what the price of its beer is to the consumer and how much they can pass on."

With consumers changing their habits in the last year and many families eating out less, Graham says brewers could face stiffer competition if they're forced to raise prices.

Related video: Tariffs on steel and aluminum double President Trump's steel and aluminum tariff goes into effect

When asked about hopes for the brewing industry moving forward, Graham said, "I similarly like to be optimistic and I'm hoping that deals get worked out and negotiated and things settle down. One of the worst parts of this is hearing news and not knowing what's going to happen and being uncertain. Businesses don't like uncertainty."

Graham says it's unclear how long it might take before consumers see impacts on shelf prices on their favorite craft beers if the new tariffs continue as implemented.

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.

State employees in Oakland County are raising concerns about what they describe as unsafe working conditions at their Michigan Department of Health and Human Services office.

Nearly 300 MDHHS employees working in the building at Woodward Avenue and Clinton River Trail held a picket Tuesday afternoon, citing air quality issues and accessibility concerns for clients with disabilities.

The concerns began a few weeks ago when Oakland County kicked off a demolition project on the Phoenix Center, a once-thriving amphitheater that had sat idle for 15 years. The MDHHS building is located directly next to the construction zone.

"When I come into the office, I wear a mask because first of all, some days you can smell the dust. One of the coworkers said how the dust was in their mouth," said Sylvia Peel, an MDHHS employee.

Peel expressed particular concern for colleagues with health issues.

"Some people have compromised health concerns that's working in the office," she said.

The $50 million demolition project is part of a larger effort to revitalize downtown Pontiac, but employees worry about the impact on both workers and visitors to the building.

"It's not just us that's coming into this building. You have civilians coming in, you have the general public coming in whether it's for parenting time because of a court involvement or if it's to get food stamps or government assistance," said Ray Hesser, an MDHHS employee.

Hesser suggested potential solutions to address the concerns.

"I think we can endorse something like being in satellite campuses. We have more than one building around here that the (MDHHS) has, so we could possibly do that or make ourselves hybrid a little bit more," he said.

Despite voicing their concerns to state officials, Hesser says they have still been required to work in the building.

7 News Detroit reached out to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for a statement, but no one was immediately available.

Our team also reached out to the county, which owns the building. They sent the following statement back on behalf of the Farbman Group, which is heading up the project:

Safety is always a top priority of the Farbman Group, and it has been the number one priority of our client, Oakland County, since they became owners of the building in 2023. We work closely to keep our respective tenants informed and to be responsive to all concerns brought to our attention. We know that as Oakland County works with the City of Pontiac and the State of Michigan to transform Downtown Pontiac, tenants may experience some inconveniences. We will strive to address these inconveniences as quickly as possible. Some of the work required to make this redevelopment vision a reality include the demolition of the Phoenix Center and were doing so while upholding the highest air quality standards. We are also currently working with the State of Michigan to minimize parking concerns. We continue to monitor all activity very closely, in collaboration with the demolition contractor, Adamo. We appreciate the interest in this project and continue to aim for a seamless experience for all as we move forward toward completion.

The demolition project is expected to continue through the end of the year.

This story was reported 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. Where Your Voice Matters