A U.S. and Israel-led attack on Iran, now in its fourth day, is drawing sharp and divided reactions from Michigan's Iranian American community with some welcoming the push toward regime change and others condemning the military action as unjustifiable and dangerous.

The conflict has left hundreds injured with a rising death toll. Iran has also launched a counterattack on Israel and U.S. bases in Middle Eastern countries.

Watch the video report below: Iran war sparks deep divisions among Michigan's Iranian American community

In Dearborn Heights, the Imams Council of Michigan is denouncing what it calls "unjustifiable aggression" against Iran, warning the U.S. is on the brink of another costly and unnecessary war.

Council member Imam Steve Mustapha Elturk said the timing of the military action undermines ongoing efforts to find a peaceful resolution.

"This escalation comes at a time when diplomatic talks and negotiations were reportedly underway, making the turn to force both premature and unjustifiable," Elturk said.

Watch more on the Imams Council denouncing the war below: Imams council denounces war in Iran

Elturk said Iran poses no imminent threat to the United States and has repeatedly claimed its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

"Military action was undertaken without authorization from the United States Congress and without sanction from the United Nations," Elturk said.

The council also warned that the action risks entangling Americans in another prolonged conflict despite past promises to end what it called "endless wars."

"President Donald Trump pledged to end endless wars, not to initiate new ones. One cannot credibly speak of peace, nor aspire to global recognition as a peacemaker while opening the door to another devastating war. The American people deserve leadership that prioritizes diplomacy, stability and the preservation of life," Elturk said.

The council is calling on the U.S. government to halt all acts of aggression, de-escalate, return to negotiations and seek diplomatic solutions.

Not everyone in the community shares that view. For Iranian American Mandana Lezgi of Waterford, the moment while painful feels historic.

"Finally, we can get rid of that regime, terroristic regime after 47 years. Of course, I have family members, my mom, brothers and cousins and friends are there. I am afraid of their lives," Lezgi said.

Lezgi, who moved to the U.S. in 2017, described growing up in Iran as an experience defined by state-imposed ideology.

"It was all brainwashing and about radicalism and actions against the other countries," Lezgi said.

She said she wants justice for Iran and defined what that means to her.

"The opportunity to have a free election," Lezgi said. "Our free election under Reza Pahlavi will give us the opportunity to have the equal citizenship for everyone, regardless of their gender, their sexual orientation, their religion."

Related video: Anti-war protesters rally at Michigan Capitol, support War Powers Resolution Anti-war protesters rally at Michigan Capitol, support War Powers Resolution

Lezgi also described the personal restrictions she lived under.

"What's happening in Iran right now under this dictator regime is that I had to cover my hair. I had to go and pray three times a day when I was in the school. I just want justice for Iran," Lezgi said.

For Ann Arbor attorney Blaine Coleman, the war hits closer to home. His wife, Dr. Mozhgan Savabieasfahani, an Iranian American, is currently in Tehran caring for her elderly parents and is caught in the middle of the bombardment.

"There's no place in Iran right now that would be safe from the Israeli and U.S. bombardment," Coleman said.

Coleman said his wife's parents are in their 90s and her father is seriously ill.

"Her parents are in their 90s, and her father is very ill and cannot be moved. But she has a wheelchair there and if she has to, she'll move him. But the question is, where?" Coleman said.

In audio recorded from Tehran, Savabieasfahani described the conditions on the ground.

"An hour ago, there was heavy, heavy bombardments all across our neighborhood," Savabieasfahani said. "Israel has been bombing schools, they've killed children, they have bombed hospitals, they've bombed clinics and they are constantly bombarding multiple neighborhoods in Tehran."

Related video: Families in metro Detroit struggle to reach loved ones as internet goes dark in Iran Iranian-Americans in metro Detroit struggle to reach family as internet goes dark in Iran

Savabieasfahani also pushed back on the justifications used for the military campaign.

"They've threatened for years. They have lied about Iranian capabilities. They've lied about Iran being a threat to the United States," Savabieasfahani said.

Related video: Michigan soldier and families reflect on the cost of service amid rising tensions Families wait for developments from those who answered the call to serve

Coleman, who has been visiting Iran for more than a decade, argued that military force will not improve life for ordinary Iranians.

"There are 92 million highly educated Iranians, very literate society. They know how to run their country. They know how to complain when they want to complain. Bombarding Iran and committing a genocide on Iran is not going to help anybody in Iran," Coleman said.

He also drew comparisons to previous U.S. military engagements.

"Iraq got bombed to smithereens and now 20-some years later, what is Iraq like? Afghanistan got bombed to smithereens. And after all these decades, what's Afghanistan like?" Coleman said.

Related video: Gas prices jump in Michigan, stocks plunge as U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict enters day 5 Gas prices jump in Michigan, stocks plunge as U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict enters day 5

Coleman also described Iran's diverse population.

"Iran has a large Jewish population. They have a Christian population. They have a Zoroastrian population. They have all kinds of ethnicities and all kinds of religions there, and everybody lives normally," Coleman said.

Coleman remains in limited contact with his wife due to a communications blackout in Iran. Both remain hopeful the fighting will end 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 metro Detroit doctor says he has treated more than 30 young patients for slope-related injuries this month alone a number he says he has never seen before. With March historically bringing some of Michigan's harshest winter conditions, icy slopes are adding to the danger.

Watch Faraz's report below

Metro Detroit Pediatric orthopedic surgeon sees dramatic rise in ski and snowboard injuries among kids this winter

Thirteen-year-old Gabriel Cline should be in school, playing with his friends. Instead, he's at the doctor's office recovering from a skiing accident that shattered both bones in his right leg.

"White Lightning was a black diamond I gained too much speed, hit a bump, crashed twisted my leg like that," Gabriel said.

Gabriel says it happened on a slope far above his skill level and in seconds, he went from thrill to trauma. X-rays confirmed the extent of the damage.

"This is where his leg or tibia broke in half in a spiral fashion, so it twisted. And it was significantly displaced, and it required surgery," Dr. Ahmed Bazzi, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon with Michigan Orthopaedic Surgeons, said.

With a steel rod stabilizing the bone, Gabriel was back on his feet within weeks a recovery Bazzi calls remarkable.

"I learned how to walk again this week and it's not really been that painful at night anymore," Gabriel said.

But Gabriel's accident is part of a troubling trend Bazzi has been tracking this winter.

"This season specifically I've seen a really big uptick in ski and snowboard-related injuries just this season alone," Bazzi said.

This month alone, Bazzi said he has treated more than 30 young patients for slope-related injuries a number he says he has never seen before.

Bazzi points to a combination of riskier behavior, limited training, poor equipment fit, and harsher slope conditions. With March still part of Michigan's winter season, icy, compacted snow means more speed and a harder landing.

"Natural snow has packed up, thawed, frozen, become icy... and then more artificial snow goes on top. What you're landing on is harder, slicker," Bazzi said.

Those conditions are translating into a rise in serious injuries that can sideline kids for weeks or impact their growth long-term.

"Shoulder injuries, elbow fractures, femur fractures, knee ligament tears and in children, growth plate injuries," Bazzi said.

Gabriel wants to turn his painful experience into a cautionary message for his three younger siblings.

"I learned not to pressure myself into going down hills too advanced for me and I learned my limits," Gabriel said.

Bazzi says prevention starts before getting on the lift.

"Proper instruction, fitted gear, checking your bindings, learning how to fall, and stretching before and after skiing that's critical," Bazzi said.

If you are heading out to the slopes, the right gear, a little caution, and preparation for the sport can all make a difference.

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 Pittsburgh man is stuck in Dubai and Michigan residents with ties to the region face uncertainty as the US-Israel offensive against Iran enters its second day.

Watch Faraz's report below

US and Israel launch strikes on Iran; Americans stranded as Middle East erupts

More than 24 hours after the United States and Israel launched major daylight strikes on Iran, the Middle East remains in chaos. Iranian counterstrikes have intensified across the region especially following the killing of the country's supreme leader and flight operations across key hubs have been suspended, leaving travelers stranded and families on edge.

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the US and Israel launched the strikes aiming to cripple Iran's military and wipe out its nuclear program. Experts say unlike June's overnight raids, this offensive could last for days.

In response, Iran has launched a wave of attacks across the region, targeting Israel and areas near US bases in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.

The latest round of talks between Iran and the US on Thursday ended without a deal, though Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, who served as a mediator, said the talks made significant progress and that a "peace deal is within our reach ... if we just allow diplomacy the space it needs to get there."

To understand the implications and possible fallout, 7 News Detroit's Faraz Javed spoke with Dr. Saeed Khan, associate professor at Wayne State University with 22 years of experience in geopolitics.

"Over the next 24 to 48 hours, I would look at, first of all, what is going to be the American and the Israeli military posture. Is there going to be an escalation? Is there going to be sustained attacks on Iran? And then, of course, taking a look and seeing what are going to be Iranian responses and retaliations," Khan said.

Khan also addressed the danger facing Americans in the region and the disruption hitting travelers with ties to Michigan.

"I don't think that Americans, per se, are necessarily going to be targeted by what's going on in this. They may be, unfortunately, collateral damage depending on the missiles and the attacks. At the same time, as you mentioned, there is going to be tremendous disruption to aviation because at least two of the world's largest airlines, Emirates, which is hubbed in Dubai, Qatar Airways, which is hubbed in Doha, the airspace over Qatar and the UAE have been suspended, particularly for those in the Detroit metro area. There are a lot of people who have ties to the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond, and Doha and Dubai are very, very popular sites for people to use," Khan said.

As soon as the strikes began, neighboring countries closed their airspace leaving travelers like Pittsburgh native Brian Kolowitz stranded. Kolowitz had just wrapped up his second golf trip in the UAE and was preparing to fly home from Dubai International Airport when the attacks began.

"Number of rockets flying from Iran into Abu Dhabi, which is where we at earlier in the week, and those rockets being intercepted over the city and debris falling," Kolowitz said.

I spoke with Kolowitz on Saturday evening as he sat on the plane, watching international news coverage of the strikes unfold.

"You know, because we were still in the plane, I thought we would be able to get out. But as the time went on, we all knew we would not make it today," Kolowitz said.

Kolowitz is now back in his hotel room in Dubai, waiting for further instructions.

"It's a very concerning situation, I think my biggest concern is kind of understanding, how long the situation is going to unfold, and how long I will be stranded," Kolowitz said.

Kolowitz said he has already reached out to US officials for guidance.

"Yes, I left a voicemail with contact information, and right now it's shelter in place," Kolowitz said.

I spoke with Kolowitz again Sunday morning and he remains stranded in Dubai. Flight operations in the UAE are suspended until Monday evening.

The moment is also being felt deeply by members of Michigan's Iranian-American community. Dr. Armand Ash-Rafzadh, a University of Detroit Mercy professor who moved to the US from Iran in 1978, called the moment historic.

"Currently I feel very well, because of the activities that is being conducted by the people inside of Iran. Who are demonstrating for a change," Ash-Rafzadh said.

Ash-Rafzadh said he hopes the upheaval leads to lasting political change in Iran.

"I like the establishment of democracy and freedom in Iran," Ash-Rafzadh said.

He acknowledged, however, that not everyone in Iran shares that view.

"Our point of view is based on democracy and freedom and separation of religion from the government; they want religion to be involved with the government," Ash-Rafzadh said.

With family and friends in the Middle East, Javed is also hearing about continuous missile alert warnings and shelter-in-place advisories being issued to the public. The UAE is considered one of the safest countries in the world, and authorities there are working with the US and other countries to de-escalate the situation as well as keep residents and visitors safe. Channel 7 will continue following developments in the Middle East closely.

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.

Lawrence Newsom, 35, says he was tased while still in motion during a chase. Warren police say the officer believed Newsom's feet were on the ground at the time.

The Detroit man is speaking out after dash camera footage captured a Warren police officer deploying a Taser at him while he was still moving on a minibike raising questions about whether department policy was violated and whether the incident could prompt a review of use-of-force guidelines.

Watch Faraz Javed's video report below: Warren police pursuit ends with Taser fired at moving minibike rider, raising questions

The incident happened on Sept. 27, 2025, around 1:17 a.m. on Outer Drive near 7 Mile in Detroit. Dashcam footage shows Warren police first making contact with Newsom on his minibike before a chase, lasting nearly eight minutes.

Newsom said he had just finished building the bike for someone and was testing it out when officers approached.

"I was riding on my bike on the southbound side of 8 Mile," Newsom told me at the scene where the Taser was deployed.

Newsom retraced the moments leading up to the incident. He said fear drove his decision not to stop.

"Initially, I was just fearful for my life. I was just minding my business, and the next thing you know, I had police officers trying to run me off the sidewalk," Newsom said.

Warren Police Lt. John Gajewski said a pursuit was initiated after Newsom refused to stop, noting that riding a minibike on the sidewalk is prohibited and that Newsom did not have a valid driver's license.

Warren police say Newsom's license was suspended due to seven prior traffic warrants. Following this incident, his license was revoked.

Watch the bodycam video below: Body-worn camera of arrest extra

Dashcam footage shows an officer jumping out of a patrol car and deploying a Taser as Newsom's minibike skids while Newsom was still in motion. Body camera audio captures the officer claiming Newsom was not moving at the time the Taser was used.

"He was stopped. I tried to tase him and he was taking," the officer said on bodycam.

"As soon as he drove away, I stopped."

But the dashcam footage contradicts that account, appearing to show the officer firing while Newsom accelerates.

Newsom said at least one Taser prong made contact.

"They had to cut the sleeve on this side to remove a taser prong," Newsom said. "The one that went underneath my arm here did."

Community activist Oliver Gantt said the use of the Taser on a moving subject violates established guidelines.

"Officers are bound to not deploy their tasers to anything moving," Gantt said.

Gantt drew a comparison to the 2017 death of Damon Grimes, a 15-year-old Detroit boy who died after a Michigan State Trooper tased him while he was riding an ATV, causing a fatal crash. The trooper, Mark Bessner, was convicted of second-degree murder and is serving 15 years in prison.

"It is egregious to me because it's similar to Damon Grimes' case," Gantt said. "The only difference is Damon Grimes is deceased, and this young man is alive after being tased."

Watch our previous coverage on the Damon Grimes' case below: Family of teen killed on ATV by state trooper settles wrongful death lawsuit for $12M

Gantt said he is calling for accountability.

"I'm looking for accountability because they knew that they shouldn't have fired that taser at a moving target. They know that's against the law," Gantt said.

Gantt also noted the number of times officers attempted to deploy the Taser.

"That minibike never stopped, but this young man was still shot at eight times," Gantt said.

Gajewski defended the officer's judgment, citing the conditions at the time of the incident.

"So obviously, the officer's assessment at the time was that Mr. Newsom's feet were on the ground and that because of that, he felt the use of the taser was appropriate to incapacitate him to prevent a pursuit from continuing. And again, we're talking about, it's 1 a.m. it's dark. This is a high stress fluid environment. We have Mr. Newsom, who's ignored multiple commands to stop," Gajewski said.

When asked whether the incident could lead to a policy review, Gajewski left the door open.

"And that's a great question, right? Because obviously, you know, real life doesn't happen in a frame-by-frame analysis, right? We're always looking around here to improve our tactics and our approach. If he would have pulled over, cooperated with the officers, maybe you get a ticket, maybe you do end up going to jail, but it's only for a misdemeanor, not a felony, which could have far lasting consequences for his future," Gajewski said.

Newsom was charged with two felonies fleeing police and resisting arrest as well as a misdemeanor for driving with a suspended license. Court records show Newsom pleaded guilty to fleeing.

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 19-year-old man walked away without injuries after being trapped under 40,000 pounds of concrete when a parking structure partially collapsed in Dearborn Friday night, thanks to a dramatic rescue operation by firefighters who worked through bitter cold and unstable debris.

Watch Faraz Javed's video reports: Inside the Dearborn parking deck collapse rescue Teen walks away uninjured after rescue from collapsed Dearborn parking structure

The collapse occurred at 8:45 p.m. at a parking structure on Garrison Street, just off Outer Drive. The second floor of the garage pancaked onto the first floor, trapping the teenager inside his vehicle under massive concrete slabs.

"It looked like a big collapse, a pancake collapse the second floor collapsed on the first, which collapsed on the car," Dearborn Fire Chief Joseph Murray said.

The rescue operation required crews from multiple stations responding to one of the highest-level dispatch calls the department issues.

"Not often, it's a high-risk, low-frequency type call," Murray said.

Dearborn Assistant Fire Chief of Special Operations Kelly Meister and her team arrived within minutes, facing frigid single-digit temperatures and an extremely dangerous situation.

"100% it was a race against time we didn't know how stable the concrete was, if there would be secondary collapses," Meister said.

Initially, rescue crews couldn't even see the car buried under the debris. They feared they would need to cut through massive concrete slabs to reach the victim, which would have added hours to the operation in the freezing conditions.

However, the teenager's survival came down to an extraordinary stroke of luck. Murray showed the exact location where the young man was pinned, revealing how close he came to death.

"Six inches either way, and he would have been crushed," Murray said. "So very, very fortunate that he was able to make that out alive because it fell just in a manner where there was a void area in there where he was able to make it out, trapped but uninjured."

The T-beams underneath the collapsed floor created a small void space that protected the teenager from being crushed. The same space became the passage rescue teams used to reach the driver's side window.

"With a little bit of pressure, we were able to get him out through the window no further vehicle extrication needed," Meister said.

Throughout the rescue, a Dearborn firefighter stayed on the phone with the teenager, keeping him calm. After being freed, the young man made sure to find the firefighter and thank her before going to the hospital for a precautionary check.

"Stars aligned for him to have walked away from that scene like that," Meister said.

WEB EXTRA: Drone video shows parking deck that partially collapsed WEB EXTRA: Drone video shows parking deck that partially collapsed

The parking structure remains unsafe, with struts now holding up parts of the building as inspectors investigate what caused the collapse. Officials have expanded the fencing around the structure to keep people further back.

Murray said several factors could have contributed to the collapse, including water, freezing temperatures, and wind.

Specialized rescue units from across western Wayne County assisted in the operation, which initially was expected to take hours but was completed much more quickly due to the fortunate positioning of the debris.

Officials are urging everyone to stay away from the area as inspectors continue to investigate the building's structural integrity.

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 Detroit woman's routine trip from Chicago to metro Detroit turned into what she describes as a "nerve-wracking and dangerous ride" when she discovered her bus driver was using his phone while driving on snowy roads at highway speeds.

Watch Faraz Javed's video report: Bus driver caught using phone while transporting passengers on snowy freeway

Marta Carvajal captured video footage showing the Quintessence Travels bus driver texting, talking on the phone, and even using a calculator app while driving 31 passengers on slippery roads during snow showers. She said the driver was traveling at 70 mph and at times had both hands off the wheel.

Watch: Passenger captures bus driver using phone while driving Passenger captures video of bus driver using phone while driving

"He was eating, driving, talking on the phone, and texting," Carvajal said. "Not only texting, he also wanted to do some math."

The incident occurred this past Sunday when Carvajal's Amtrak train from Chicago was replaced with bus transportation provided by the Chicago-based charter company. Despite suffering from car sickness, Carvajal said she had no other travel options.

"I didn't have other options," Carvajal said.

When shown the video evidence, Quintessence Travels owner Steven Holmes called the driver's behavior "totally unacceptable."

"I don't know, but that right there is unacceptable with the law. Totally unacceptable," Holmes said.

Holmes said his company has partnered with Amtrak for nearly four years and this is the first complaint of its kind. He confirmed the driver will be terminated.

"I have not, you know, called him into a meeting or whatever, but he will be, he will be terminated," Holmes said.

Carvajal has filed a complaint with Amtrak and is still waiting for a response. She paid $150 for a round-trip train ticket and said this wasn't the service she expected.

"I just got on my knees and I kissed the ground and I say, 'thanks God,'" Carvajal said about finally arriving safely in Dearborn.

Holmes apologized to passengers and said the company is reviewing its processes, including installing cameras on buses.

"For me to apologize for everybody for to have to deal with that with a driver," Holmes said.

Michigan State Police confirmed this behavior violates the state's hands-free driving law, with violators facing civil infractions.

Amtrak has not yet responded to questions about how it vets charter bus partners.

his 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 64-year-old Dearborn man's daily battle with uncleared sidewalks has sparked a conversation about winter accessibility, while the city cracks down on snow emergency violations to keep streets safe for everyone.

Watch Faraz Javed's video report: Dearborn works to clear sidewalks and streets after snow emergency

Faraz Javed is 7 News Detroit's Dearborn beat reporter. If you have a story idea for him, email him at Faraz.Javed@wxyz.com

Kenny Rehandorf doesn't drive after a drunk driver crashed into him years ago, and right now, he can't afford a car. Working for a temp agency at $13.73 an hour, his three to four weekly grocery trips become treacherous journeys when snow falls, and sidewalks remain uncleared.

"It's people not shoveling or salting their sidewalks," Rehandorf said.

His usual 30-minute walk to Kroger on Michigan Avenue and Outer Drive can take an extra 30 minutes when sidewalks are covered in snow. The mile-long trek becomes even more dangerous when he's carrying groceries.

"I'm really frustrated, especially if I have to carry some items. I try not to bring anything breakable, like eggs or any glass, just in case I do slip and fall. At least I won't hopefully get cut," Rehandorf said.

He has fallen multiple times on his grocery runs.

When 7 News Detroit's Faraz Javed shared Rehandorf's story with Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor joined me to see the challenging path firsthand, particularly near Kroger along Outer Drive.

"For example, this is not a city road, but sometimes there are stretches of roadway, which technically nobody is responsible for shoveling, which makes it extremely difficult," Hammoud said.

The mayor acknowledged that while some areas may not be the city's governmental responsibility, Rehandorf is a Dearborn resident, making it his responsibility to find solutions.

"Kenny, we got your back, and we'll do everything that we can as Dearborn residents, as the mayor of this city, to make sure that you have a safe and easy access to and from work or to and from your grocery store," Hammoud said.

City enforces snow emergency with hundreds of tickets Watch the report on the ticketing: Dearborn issues more than 500 parking citations during snow emergency

The city's commitment to winter safety extends beyond sidewalks to street clearing. During the most recent snow emergency declared on Sunday, Dearborn police issued more than 500 citations by Monday morning to vehicles blocking snowplows.

"We have 300 miles of roadway in the city of Dearborn. We have to plow all of those streets. And so we need to get the cars off the street so that we can get emergency vehicles down the road, and that's so people can safely drive," said Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin.

Lifelong Dearborn resident Darryl Bartlett learned about the city's zero-tolerance approach the hard way, receiving a ticket last year after parking for just 25 minutes during a snow emergency.

"I totally see the benefit of moving the vehicles off the street, especially this street. Garrison is a secondary Main Street, so they plow it very quickly. They try to get this street open in case anything happens on Michigan Avenue," Bartlett said.

The enforcement isn't limited to vehicles. Residents must also clear their sidewalks and driveways within 24 hours of a snow emergency. During last week's snow emergency, about 100 citations were issued to businesses and homeowners for unshoveled sidewalks.

Communication improvements and weather challenges

Mayor Hammoud said the city has improved its communication efforts around snow emergencies, using sirens, social media, and text messages to keep residents informed. The city deploys more than 20 trucks for plowing and salting operations.

However, extremely cold temperatures present challenges for pre-treatment efforts.

"Right now in this cold of temperature, the salt below 20 degrees is actually ineffective and inefficient. And so we don't want to just pour a bunch of salt on the road and then come out and plow it off when we're plowing the snow," Hammoud said.

For residents without parking spaces during snow emergencies, the city offers help finding alternatives.

Rehandorf later texted to say he's already seeing improvements and thanked the city for listening. Mayor Hammoud encourages residents to reach out with their concerns.

"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."

At the Epiphany Glass Studio in Pontiac, art takes on a deeply personal meaning as owner and artist April Wagner transforms cremation ashes into stunning memorial glass sculptures.

Watch Faraz's story in the video player below

Pontiac glass studio turns ashes into memorial art to help families heal from loss

"Very interestingly, human or pet bone material is super similar in chemical makeup to the makeup of our glass formula," Wagner said. "So we're able to take cremation ash and incorporate it into the glass to create one-of-a-kind artworks."

The studio has been crafting art of various shapes and sizes for years, but Wagner recently took her craft in this meaningful direction. Each piece is handcrafted, with a small portion of ashes fused into molten glass, whether ordered online or made in person during special workshops.

Wagner calls the process "healing through beauty," and for many clients, it provides a way to channel grief into something lasting and beautiful.

"People tell me that it's great to have their loved one immortalized in a piece of art or to be able to view instead of just an urn with a bunch of ash in it, something colorful," Wagner said. "If it's the shape of a heart or a flower, or in the case of a pet, if it looks like your cat with the coloration, it just really keeps that memory alive."

For Lish Dorset, creating a memorial piece for her beloved cat Ronnie became part of her healing journey. Ronnie was the first cat Dorset adopted as an adult when she moved out on her own.

"She and I were together on our own for a couple of years, and then I met my husband, she met my husband, and we were just kind of a little trio for the longest time," Dorset said.

When Ronnie passed away at age 13 on Dorset's birthday, the loss hit particularly hard.

"I wasn't expecting to spend my birthday that way, and so it was really, really difficult," Dorset said.

As part of her healing process, Dorset created a glass piece in person at the studio.

"It does make me a little bit emotional when I see it, but it's just a little piece of her and it feels like a little bit of her spirit," Dorset said. "It's just kind of moving throughout the glass piece."

Studio Manager Shannon Teeple explains that the creation process takes about 15 minutes. The studio offers an entire line of memorial pieces available on their website in different styles and colors, and twice a year, provides a unique opportunity for clients to create pieces themselves with the artists.

The workshops bring together people from different walks of life, each with their own story to tell and person to celebrate.

"When I came for the workshop that day, everyone came from a different walk of life, had a different story to tell, and a different person to celebrate," Dorset said.

For Dorset, the experience provided the closure she needed.

"It really was. And now I get to see this every day. And it's just a happy reminder," she said.

From the heat of the furnace to the cool touch of glass, these creations serve as far more than dcor they're bridges between goodbye and forever, helping families hold onto memories in a tangible, beautiful way.

To learn more, visit the studio's website at this link.

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.