A visitor at Zion National Park in southern Utah has died after falling from the popular Angels Landing Trail, prompting a search and rescue operation.
The National Park Service confirmed they were first called to reports of a fall on the Angels Landing Trail at 2 p.m. Friday. Due to the recovery attempts, the West Rim Trail, including Scout Lookout and Angels Landing, were immediately closed.
By late Friday afternoon, rangers were still clearing out the area and bringing everyone down from the landing. People coming down the trail said it was chaos, but they did not know exactly what happened and were just told to come back down.
On Saturday, the National Park Service confirmed the death and that a body had been recovered. Officials are waiting to notify next of kin before releasing additional information.
The trails were reopened Saturday morning.
Both the West Rim and Angels Landing trails are among the most visited at the park, with Angels Landing consistently being ranked as one of the most dangerous trails in the national park system.
FOX 13 Investigates: Hikers pay deadly price on Zion's Angels Landing trail: FOX 13 Investigates: Hikers pay deadly price on Zion's Angels Landing trail
Angels Landing can only be reached by permit. It is a thin, precarious trail that people climb with only a chain to hang on to, with drops of 500 to 1,000 feet down the side of the trail.
According to records, well over a dozen people have fallen from the trail since 2000. Of those, 13 died of their injuries.
At an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Zion National Park Lodge earlier in the day, U.S. Sen. John Curtis spoke about his love of Angels Landing.
"Well, I like Angels Landing, and I feel so bad that it takes a permit to get here because I wish everybody could come and have that experience," Curtis said.
Pope Leo XIV said Saturday that it was not in my interest at all to debate U.S. President Donald Trump about the Iran war, but that he would continue preaching the Gospel message of peace.
Leo spoke to reporters aboard the papal plane flying from Cameroon to Angola as part of his 11-day tour of Africa.
He addressed the spiraling back-and-forth saga of Trumps critiques of his peace message, which have dominated news headlines this week. But the American pope also sought to set the record straight, insisting that his preaching isnt directed at Trump, but reflects the broader Gospel message of peace.
Theres been a certain narrative that has not been accurate in all of its aspects, but because of the political situation created when, on the first day of the trip, the president of the United States made some comments about myself, he said.
Much of what has been written since then has been more commentary on commentary, trying to interpret what has been said.
Trump launched the criticism on his social media platform Truth Social on the night of April 12, when he criticized Leos preaching about peace as the war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28 and was followed by Irans retaliation, raged on. Trump accused Leo of being soft on crime, cozy with the left and said that the first American pontiff owed his election to Trump.
Leo has issued consistent calls for peace and dialogue, and has denounced the use of religious justification for war. Specifically, he called Trumps threat to annihilate Iranian civilization truly unacceptable.
The Vatican has stressed that when Leo preaches about peace, he is referring to all wars ravaging the planet, not just the Iran conflict. The Russian Orthodox Church, for example, has justified Moscows invasion of Ukraine as a holy war.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Leo referred specifically to his remarks earlier this week to a peace meeting in Bamenda, Cameroon. The city is the epicenter of a separatist conflict that has been raging in the western, Anglophone region of the country for nearly a decade.
Leo said that his remarks, in which he blasted the handful of tyrants who were ravaging Earth with war and exploitation, were written two weeks ago, long before Trumps criticisms began.
And yet as it happens, it was looked at as if I was trying to debate again the president, which is not in my interest at all, he said.
Looking ahead, however, he said that he would continue preaching the Gospel.
I primarily come to Africa as a pastor, as the head of the Catholic Church to be with, to celebrate with, to encourage and accompany all the Catholics throughout Africa, he said.
He drew attention to some upcoming liturgical readings about what it means to be Christian and to follow Christ, promote fraternity and brotherhood, but also looking for ways to promote justice in our world, promote peace in our world, he said.
Leo arrived later Saturday in Angola, the third stop on his four-nation tour. A message of peace would be especially relevant for the southern African country, which was ravaged by a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002 but has left deep scars.
Leo will meet with Angolan President Joao Lourenco and deliver his first speech before government authorities, when he hopes to bring joy and encouragement to Angola's long-suffering people.
Record Store Day this year comes with a WDET collaboration with Third Man Records and a pretty great Detroit story.
Back in 1999, the first live radio broadcast of The White Stripes aired on WDET. That performance has now been pressed to vinyl by Third Man Records, with a limited run available at their Midtown storefront starting at 11 a.m. this Saturday. We’ll also be broadcasting live from Third Man on Record Store Day.
A long time coming
WDET archives are surprisingly sparse, in part due to the losses the station experienced when the old studios at the top of the Maccabees Building had a destructive fire. Resource scarcity of non-commercial public media also deflected attention from archival work to the daily grind of timely programming.
So, you can imagine my surprise when one of our producers brought a burned CD to my attention just a few weeks after starting at WDET. On that blank disc scrawled with sharpie was 6 songs by the White Stripes that originally aired live on Willy Wilson’s radio program on February 5, 1999. Those six songs include “Sugar Never Tasted So Good,” “The Big Three Killed My Baby,” “Do,” “Jimmy the Exploder,” “Screwdriver” and “Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground.”
I knew that WDET had a proud history of recording sessions with some legendary acts —especially prior to the format changes of the 00’s that briefly abandoned the music legacy Detroit Public Radio had become famous for—but I was delighted at the quality and energy of the performance, and even more shocked that these recordings had not been shared since the original broadcast.
The audio from these live sessions is uncanny—here is a home-grown product of the burgeoning garage rock scene on the cusp of greatness, and we have this distillation of something powerful, just seething and ready to burst.
Cass Corridor collaboration
Luckily, WDET has great neighbors and friends here in the Cass Corridor and the good folks at Third Man Records agreed this was something they could and should approach the band with. It passed the muster, and the band and label agreed to release a limited edition run to aid WDET in fundraising.
We couldn’t be happier to see this music available to fans, and to celebrate the connection between the incredible artists that make our city what it is, and the station that’s been committed to reflecting it.
A big thanks from WDET to the White Stripes, and to Roe Peterhans, Dave Buick and the great staff at Third Man Records. And to Jack White—whose commitment to Detroit’s music culture continues to create moments like this—we’re grateful for all he’s done to help keep that legacy alive.
Jam with us at Third Man
If you want to get your hands on this vinyl-pressed piece of Detroit’s music mythos, join us at Third Man Records on Canfield starting at 11 a.m. on Record Store Day. We’ll be broadcasting live from the store with Ann Delisi, Rob Reinhart, and Jon Moshier.
This release is available in-store only, and each customer is limited to one purchase of the record for $101.90. The net proceeds of the album will support WDET in days yet to come. This is a limited edition pressing and we know it will sell out fast, so don’t delay!
Happy record store day from the staff at WDET!
Support local journalism.
WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
Chavezs remains were discovered among 55 boxes of remains handed over to the United States by North Korea following a summit with President Donald Trump in 2018.
"He was wounded while defending his position near the Jangjin (Chosin) Reservoir, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and evacuated to an aid station on Nov. 30," the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said. "He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, when his convoy was ambushed by opposing forces in route to Hagaru-ri. The U.S. Army did not receive any indication that he was ever held as a prisoner of war and with no evidence of his continued survival, issued a presumptive finding of death on Dec. 31, 1953. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for continuing to man his position despite his wounds during the Nov. 30 attack."
President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an executive order directing increased federal research into psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, which has been studied as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
The White House announced $50 million will be made available for terminally ill patients to use ibogaine under the federal Right to Try law. The drugs will remain classified as Schedule I substances, meaning they are generally illegal outside clinical settings.
Administration officials promoted the drugs as possible alternatives to antidepressants, saying existing treatments are not doing enough to improve mental health outcomes in the United States.
Asked by Scripps News if he would consider using them himself, Trump said he probably wouldnt.
In many cases, these experimental treatments have shown life-changing potential for those suffering from severe mental illness and depression, including our cherished veterans, Trump said. Our veterans are having a tremendous hard time. You know, the suicide rate we have it down a little bit but they are having a hard time.
A 2024 Stanford University study found ibogaine can be effective when taken with magnesium. The small study of 30 participants reported no serious side effects.
No other drug has ever been able to alleviate the functional and neuropsychiatric symptoms of traumatic brain injury, study author Nolan Williams said. The results are dramatic, and we intend to study this compound further.
U.S. animal shelters are reporting their biggest drop in euthanasia since 2020. New data shows 34,000 fewer cats and dogs were euthanized for space in 2025 compared with 2024.
About 4 million dogs and cats were adopted from shelters last year, pushing the country closer to no-kill status defined as a 90% save rate for animals entering shelters. More than two out of three U.S. shelters reached that benchmark in 2025, and nearly half of the remaining shelters would need to save fewer than 100 additional pets to get there.
2025 was a turning point for animal sheltering in the U.S., and the data shows an undeniable momentum for the movement to end the killing of healthy, treatable pets in shelters, said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. The number of no-kill shelters in this country is at an all-time high, with 68% of shelters reaching this milestone last year, and of those that are not yet no-kill, nearly half have fewer than 100 additional pets to get there. This progress didnt happen by chance or by working alone. This is a clear example of what happens when pet lovers, shelters, and rescue groups work together to save lives.
Best Friends Animal Society said that shelters that have adoption rates of over 90% are considered "no-kill" because less than 10% of animals are suffering from irreparable medical or behavioral issues. These pets are generally not able to be rehomed.
A federal judge has blocked a $6.2 billion merger of local television giants Nexstar Media Group and rival Tegna until an antitrust lawsuit is resolved.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley in Sacramento, California, made the ruling late Friday afternoon, finding that eight attorneys general and DirecTV were likely to prevail in their legal bid to stop the merger. The attorneys general, all Democrats, and DirecTV contend the merger will lead to higher prices for consumers, stifle local journalism and that the deal runs afoul of federal laws designed to protect against monopolies.
The deal, announced last year and approved by the Federal Communications Commission, would create a company that owns 265 television stations in 44 states and the District of Columbia, most of them local affiliates of one of the Big Four national networks: ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC.
That would likely give Nexstar the power to raise the retransmission fees it charges to video programming distributors like DirecTV, which means higher bills for consumers, Nunley wrote. The company also has a track record of consolidating local television news stations when it owns more than one station in a market, the judge said, meaning viewers will lose options for where to get their local news.
The deal could also force distributors like DirecTV to comply with Nexstars demands for higher broadcast fees or risk leaving subscribers potentially unable to watch things like Sunday NFL football games, the judge said.
Stopping the merger for now is in the public interest, Nunley wrote.
Attorneys representing Nexstar and Tegna did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nexstars attorneys told the court the deal has already been reviewed and cleared by the FCC and the Department of Justice. They said the FCC order commits the company to expand local journalism and programming, not shrink it.
The merger needed the approval of the Republican Trump administrations FCC because the government had to waive rules that limit how many local stations one company can own. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in March that the company had agreed to divest itself of six stations.
The judge said the FCC clearance process for the deal was unusual, and that the regulatory oversight did not curb the manifest anticompetitive effects of this acquisition.
The Department of Justice, which is tasked with conducting antitrust reviews of these types of mergers, announced it was closing its investigation of the deal in March through early termination, the judge noted, ending the review process sooner than is normally required by statute.
In unusual circumstances with the FCCs quasi-adjudicatory licensing proceeding still pending the President himself weighed in publicly in February and urged federal regulators to approve the deal to knock out the Fake News, Nunley wrote.
The preliminary injunction is designed to keep things as they are until the lawsuit is fully decided, Nunley said.
New York Attorney General Letitia James called the ruling a critical victory in a statement released Friday evening.
Consolidating hundreds of local TV stations under one corporate owner would mean higher prices and lower quality programming for consumers, she wrote. She later continued, We will keep fighting our case to ensure fair competition among local TV stations that serve communities across the country.
The dueling blockades in the Strait of Hormuz lurched into uncharted waters on Saturday. The United States pressed ahead with its campaign to choke off Iranian ports and Iran reversed an initial move to reopen the waterway, firing on a ship attempting to pass.
Confusion over the critical chokepoint threatened to deepen the energy crisis roiling the global economy and push the two countries toward renewed conflict, even as mediators expressed confidence a new deal was within reach.
Irans joint military command said on Saturday that control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state ... under strict management and control of the armed forces. It warned that it would continue to block transit through the strait as long as the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.
Two gunboats from Irans Revolutionary Guard opened fire on a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said on Saturday. It reported the tanker and crew as safe, without identifying the vessel or its destination. TankerTrackers.com reported vessels were forced to turn around in the strait, including an Indian-flagged super tanker, after they were fired on by Iran.
Iran announced earlier Saturday it was reimposing restrictions on the strait in response to a U.S. blockade on Iranian shipping and ports. Iran has prevented vessels from crossing throughout the seven-week-long war, except for ones it authorizes.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliaments National Security Commission, said that the strait was returning to the status quo, which he had earlier described as ships requiring Iranian naval authorization and toll payment before transiting.
The shift came a day after Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared the strait open while a 10-day truce was announced between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. An end to Israels war with Hezbollah was a key demand of Iranian negotiators, who previously accused Israel of breaking last weeks ceasefire with strikes on Lebanon. Israel had said that deal did not cover Lebanon.
U.S. President Donald Trump first appeared to take a similar position on reopening the strait before later saying the American blockade will remain in full force regardless of what Iran does until a deal is reached, including about Iran's nuclear program.
Even as the U.S.-Iran ceasefire appeared to hold, the back-and-forth over the strait through which roughly one-fifth of the worlds oil typically passes highlighted how easily it could unravel
Control over the strait has proven to be one Irans main points of leverage and prompted the United States to deploy forces and initiate a blockade on Iranian ports as part of an effort to force Iran to accept a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire to end almost seven weeks of war that has raged between Israel, the U.S. and Iran.
A data firm, Kpler, said movement through the strait remained confined to corridors requiring Irans approval.
U.S. forces have sent 21 ships back to Iran since the blockade began on Monday, U.S. Central Command said on X.
The Detroit Pistons are getting ready to tip off the first round of the playoffs at Little Caesars Arena, but they are not the only team putting in the work on the court ahead of Sunday's big game.
The Pistons dance team is preparing to put on a big show as well. While fans see the energy, lights and music on game day, that is only half the story. Many of the dancers have full-time jobs outside of the gig.
Watch Carli Petrus' video report below: Detroit Pistons dance team prepares for playoffs while balancing full-time jobs, motherhood
"It's a long season. There's 42 home games," Natalie Miramontes said.
Miramontes, the Pistons dance team head coach, said the team is a major commitment.
"We see each other more than our own families," Miramontes said.
Third-year Pistons dancer Giulianna Somero graduated from Wayne State last May and passed her exams to begin law school.
"My days this season looked like being at the library all day and then coming straight to a game, straight to practice," Somero said.
Somero's next stop is law school, but dance remains non-negotiable.
"I want to go to law school to advocate for creatives and dancers and entertainers and people working in fashion," Somero said. "I feel like it's important for me to continue pursuing my passions while being a student."
She is not alone. Verleyria Miggins is a business owner and a mother to a 2-year-old son. She said trying to balance everything can be tough.
"Sometimes, I feel like I have too much on my plate at one time instead of just pouring into one thing," Miggins said.
However, walking away is not an option.
"For all the mothers out there, for sure, it's never too late. Always chase your dreams, chase your goals no matter what you have to do. Don't worry about the circumstances," Miggins said.
Even though the lifestyle is not easy, the dancers remain dedicated.
"We all make it work because it's just something we love so much and it's something we're so passionate about," Somero said.
With the playoffs here, the energy is on another level.
"It's a different feeling and excitement for me because before it's like you're going to the playoffs, but you're the 8-seed. Now we're the first, so now we just feel more hopeful," Miramontes said.
"We've been working really hard just to not only perform but really represent for the city, for the team and the organization," Somero said.
The team is excited to show off their new routine to fans. Tipoff is Sunday at 6:30 p.m.
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.
Amazon's Prime Air drone delivery service is expanding in Bloomfield Township, bringing packages directly to doorsteps but also raising concerns among some residents about noise and privacy.
Bloomfield Township Police Department Community Relations Officer Heather Glowacz said she received numerous phone calls, emails and visits regarding the drones. To get answers, she met with the operations manager of Amazons Prime Air program in Pontiac.
Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Drone debate taking off in Bloomfield Township
"To my understanding, they have to stay under 400 feet. They fly at approximately 70 miles an hour. Theyre going pretty quick and they weigh about 80 pounds," Glowacz said.
Last month, Glowacz created a Facebook post to answer residents' questions, which received more than 400 comments. Some called the drones loud and obnoxious, while others expressed concerns about privacy, job losses and potential harm to birds and wildlife.
"The drones, once theyre in the air, its in federal air space. We dont have any control over that with any local ordinances because its being controlled by the federal government," Glowacz said.
Prime Air is an optional delivery service. The drones only operate during daylight hours and will not fly in inclement weather.
David Peterson, a Bloomfield Township resident, expressed his doubts about the service.
"Im not sure if its something our society needs. Its extra noise. Its our personal place and we like it to be quiet," Peterson said. "The more time goes on and the more technology advances for all these things that are supposed to make our lives easier, Im not sold on it," Peterson said.
Watch video of a drone delivery below: Web extra: Video of Amazon drone delivery
Amazon addressed the privacy and safety concerns in a statement.
"Prime Air is designed to safely deliver packages to customers in under an hour using state-of-the-art drone technology The privacy of our customers and communities is something we take very seriously. Any data we collect when making deliveries is used to help ensure safe operations," Amazon said.
Not everyone minds the new technology. Nicolas Kiselewski, who works in Bloomfield Township, said he sees the drones flying around all the time.
"Youre coming up Telegraph, you can see them. Into the neighborhoods, you can see them," Kiselewski said. "Jetsons is what it looks like," Kiselewski said.
During his interview, a drone flew directly overhead.
"Oh, there you go! Thats one right there, and thats about the path!" Kiselewski said. "I mean, we have semitrucks driving around all day every day. Thats much noisier to me. Theyre in and out. Its not really a thing," Kiselewski said.
Bloomfield Township Police plan to have Amazon speak to township leaders about the drones. Residents who wish to share their concerns directly with Amazon at amazondronefeedback@amazon.com.
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.
The Trump administration on Friday extended a temporary waiver of sanctions on Russian oil and petroleum products, despite Treasury Secretary Scott Bessents public statement Wednesday that his agency would not.
The updated waiver published late Friday evening and signed by Bradley Smith, director of Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control authorizes the sale of such products at sea through May 16. It follows previous moves by Treasury to issue waivers on oil and petrochemicals from Russian and Iranian origin, which the Trump administration said were needed to help offset the rising cost of oil resulting from the Iran conflict and would not significantly benefit the sanctioned nations.
As recently as Wednesday, Bessent said Treasury would not be extending the sanctions waivers for either nation, suggesting they served their purpose.
We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil, and we will not be renewing the general license on Iranian oil, Bessent said during a White House press briefing. That was oil that was on the water prior to March 11. So all that has been used.
A source familiar with the situation claimed the reversal came at the request of partner nations, as economies around the world grapple with the energy crisis brought about by the war.
On the sidelines of Bank Fund and G-20, partner nations requested the U.S. extend the waiver due to ongoing pressures in Asia, the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly, told Scripps News.
Despite positive stock market moves Friday in response to news that the White House and Iran had made progress in negotiations to end the war, many nations around the world remain struggling with the sudden surge in energy costs. Asian economies in particular have been severely impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Economic experts and a U.S. government analysis have suggested it will take months if not longer for the global energy market to recuperate once traffic in the Strait returns to historic levels.
Some U.S. lawmakers, meanwhile, have already expressed anger at the extension.
This decision is shameful and a 180-degree reversal from Secretary Bessent, just two days after he pledged not to extend sanctions relief for Russia,Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) in a statement joined by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
The Democrats highlighted Russias Thursday bombardment of Ukraine, the fiercest so far this year killing at least 16 people, suggesting the Trump administrations response is to relax sanctions on the Kremlin yet again. What kind of message does this move send?
The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries about the move.
Oil prices plunged Friday after Irans foreign minister announced that the Strait of Hormuz is completely open for commercial ships for the rest of the ceasefire.
President Trump later said that Iran agreed to never close the strait again, though Iranian media reports officials there dispute that claim, as well as some other details of the straits reopening.
Still, global oil markets are responding.
"Oil prices are crashing by over 10%," said GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan.
That's a huge decline, but the price of oil is still well above its pre-war level.
International leaders meeting in Paris cautiously embraced the news.
We welcome the announcement that was made during our meeting, but we need to make sure that this is both lasting and a workable proposal, said UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer.
"I expect over the week and the national average could fall below the $4 gallon mark again," De Haan said. "And ultimately in another week or two, we could see the national average falling to $3.85. The decrease could be five to 15 cents every week or two, for the next few weeks."
But travelers flying this summer are still set to face higher prices, with airlines increasing fares due to higher jet fuel costs.
"This probably still will affect airfares for the next month or two until jet fuel prices completely normalize again," De Haan said. "I think airfares will probably remain elevated for most of the summer before we start to see some relief in fall."
A heart surgeon has made a major donation to create a safe space for boys surviving childhood trauma in Redford Township, honoring the memory of a 13-year-old patient who died from heart complications.
The donation from Dr. John Dentel establishes "The Den" at MCHS Family of Services off 6 Mile Road. The recreation room serves as a safe space for the 24 boys currently living at the nonprofit facility.
Watch Tony Geftos' video report below: Surgeon honors life of young patient
Dentel met Mikey Novak in 2021. Novak was born with congenital heart disease and lived at MCHS, a facility for boys who survived childhood abuse and trauma.
Knowing everything he had been through and knowing his relationship with adults in general, but just knowing his kind and loving heart just drew us all in to who Mikey is and who Mikey was, Dentel said.
Dentel first performed a valve replacement surgery on Novak, then placed him on a device to support his heart. Eventually, Dentel performed a heart transplant on the teen.
Getting to the transplant was difficult because Novak did not have a legal guardian.
So, when we decided to give him a transplant, we werent sure if the state was going to allow him to get a transplant because he didnt have a guardian. So, I actually stepped away during rounds and called my sister and I said, If I adopt this kid, will you come and help me? Dentel said.
Novaks biological grandmother was able to adopt him instead. However, months after the heart transplant, the 13-year-old experienced complications and did not survive.
Dentel, who is now based in Florida, never forgot about his patient in metro Detroit. MCHS Family of Services President and CEO Kevin Roach said the deep connection between the surgeon and the boy surprised him a little bit.
Dentel decided to honor Novak's memory by funding the new space at MCHS.
He always referred to me as The Bear, to kind of overlook him, and him The Cub because he was like a son to me. So, thats where the name came from. The Den is a place for safety. Its a place for everyone to get energy, to transform, to unite, Dentel said.
At the end of the day, its a recreation space for our young people. For them to play games, for them to hang out, for them to have that space that they can come to and just be boys, Roach said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
After 491 days held hostage by Hamas, Eli Sharabi returned home to unimaginable losshis wife and two daughters were gone. In this deeply moving conversation, he shares how he survived captivity, the mental strength that kept him going, and why he still chooses life every single day.
Eli recounts the horrors of October 7, the physical and psychological toll of being held underground, and the moment he finally learned the truth about his family. Despite it all, his message is one of resilience, purpose, and hope. Through unimaginable grief, Eli explains how he continues to move forwardhonoring his family while helping others heal.
Hes one of the most powerful politicians in southeast Michigan, and hes been the subject of several 7 Investigations, but now Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward is the focus of a recall campaign.
Watch Heather Catallo's video report: Recall effort launches against Oakland County Commission chair Dave Woodward
Woodward has come under fire for his consulting work with private companies like Sheetz, and last week, hundreds of Oakland County voters shouted him down at a packed meeting where they say Woodward refused to let them speak before a crucial vote.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Did Oakland County commission head use position to help along possible Sheetz in Waterford? Did commission head use position to help along possible Sheetz in Waterford?
The Oakland County Board of Commissioners has already approved the Flock drone trial agreement, despite protests from county residents who said they did not want the deal to go through for many reasons.
Now the 7 Investigators have confirmed that Commission Chair Dave Woodward (D-Royal Oak) traveled to Flock headquarters last fall, which other county leaders say Woodward did not reveal prior to his vote on the drone contract.
You are wrong, Dave! Dave, you are wrong, yelled members of the public who had wanted to speak about the drone plan at the meeting on April 8.
Residents say they were upset when Commission Chair Dave Woodward and other commissioners moved the public comment to the end of the board meeting, long after the vote on the drones that they were there to discuss.
Now some of those voters are mobilizing to try to recall Woodward from his elected position in District 1, which includes parts of Royal Oak, Birmingham, and Troy.
I do want to share that recall language has been officially submitted to Oakland County as of yesterday, Mike Flores, organizer of the I Am Oakland County recall campaign, told volunteers at an organizing meeting Thursday night. So that officially kicks off the process!
Flores and another Troy resident, Justine Galbraith, are organizing the I Am Oakland County recall effort.
Having them take the vote before they had to hear from any of us just felt really disdainful, and it was just kind of an egregious subversion of democracy, said Galbraith. Decisions that affect millions of people should not be made this way. So, it's a big deal.
I think what constituents are saying is that yes, we do deserve a voice. We want to be heard at every level. And since we weren't heard on April 8th, this is the step that the process allows us to do to make sure that our voices are being heard, said Flores.
And while the Flock drone contract is a key part of the recall, they say its not their only concern with Woodward.
To me, the bigger issue is democracy. You had hundreds of residents of the county there who didn't get to be heard on a really fraught issue, said Galbraith. The people have the power. Thats what this is about.
I think that it's a really telling moment here in Oakland County where constituents from across the county, not just District One, are coming together and saying, hey, what happened on April 8th was not appropriate. It was not something that really made them feel engaged, and we really want to feel engaged, and we want to be heard, said Flores.
Both Flores and Galbraith say theyve been paying close attention to what they call Woodwards poor treatment of the public at board meetings, and theyve followed our 7 Investigations into Woodwards ties to the Sheetz gas station chain and his treatment of his fellow Democrat commissioners whove pushed for more transparency.
PREVIOUS STORY: Oakland Co. commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest Oakland Co. commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest
Woodward has denied he has any conflict of interest with his Sheetz consultant job, but has refused to disclose who his other consulting clients are.
Now the 7 Investigators have confirmed through county records that Woodward, along with two Oakland County Sheriffs employees, traveled to Flock headquarters in Atlanta last fall. Even though Woodward co-sponsored the resolution for the Flock drone project, it does not appear his visit was disclosed during the board meeting. Several commissioners have told the 7 Investigators they were unaware of Woodwards visit to Flock.
The board resolution authorizes Woodward, as Board Chair, to execute all necessary agreements with Flock.
Woodward released this statement to the 7 Investigators:
The job of an elected official is to make informed decisions in the best interest of my community, so I do my homework and I do my research. I was invited to attend a meeting with the leadership of Oakland County Sheriffs Office to learn more about the service. It was an opportunity to better understand the technology and address my privacy concerns directly with the companys senior leadership. We also visited a local police department thats currently using this tool and spoke with the police chief and his staff about its effectiveness in supporting public safety.
After asking several times, Woodward finally confirmed to the 7 Investigators that Flock paid for the visit to Atlanta.
An undisclosed, all-expense-paid trip from The Flock Group is exactly why stronger ethics and financial disclosure policies are needed in Oakland County. This continues a troubling pattern. Once again, the question is: Are decisions being made in the publics best interestor about personal financial interests? said Oakland County Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford) in a statement.
As for the recall, in a separate statement, Woodward called that effort a ridiculous stunt:
Im proud to champion Democratic values and deliver real results for our community, and my colleagues and I remain focused on boosting incomes for working households, protecting the most vulnerable among us, and ensuring our communities are healthy and safe. Their efforts will not be a distraction from our work in Oakland County as we continue to respond to the needs of our residents, protect public safety, and expand opportunities for all families.
The voters pursuing the recall say they do not view this as a stunt.
Im joining this effort to ensure that our elected officials are held accountable to the people of Oakland County -- the people who voted for them and the people who gave them their power. If hes not going to listen to us, then hes not the right man for the job, frankly, and Id like to see him recalled, said Sam Garin, who attended Thursdays I Am Oakland County meeting. It doesnt matter if youre a Republican, youre a Democrat, whatever party you are fundamentally, you have to answer to the people. And Dave Woodward chose not to listen to the people of Oakland County. And thats just wrong.
The I Am Oakland County organizers will need about 9-thousand signatures from Woodwards district in Royal Oak, Troy, and Birmingham. If their effort is successful, the recall could prompt a new election in November.
If you have a story for Heather Catallo, please email her at hcatallo@wxyz.com
Brian Bulgarelli has been waiting for a kidney transplant for three years, and his perfect match is his wife, Catherine Bulgarelli.
On April 27, the couple will undergo major surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Catherine Bulgarelli is donating her kidney to her husband to save his life.
Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: Michigan wife donates kidney to save her husband
"I should be scared probably, but I am not," Brian Bulgarelli said.
"I just want to see him back to his normal self," Catherine Bulgarelli said.
For the last 10 years, Brian Bulgarelli has battled chronic kidney disease caused by membranous nephropathy. He is now on the verge of kidney failure, requiring nightly at-home dialysis just to keep going.
"I don't feel good. There's toxins in my body, I am tired, my breath stinks and it's a challenge. When I come home from work, I am ready for bed," Brian Bulgarelli said. "As we've equated it before, it starts to feel like a piano hanging over your head and the strings are popping, but you never know when that piano is going to fall."
Brian Bulgarelli has been on a living organ donor transplant list for three years. The couple took to social media to find a match.
"It's been a real challenge. I have B positive blood type which, is semi-rare. So the average wait time is for a B positive recipient is about six years," Brian Bulgarelli said.
Catherine Bulgarelli stepped up to take the donation survey. She discovered she is a universal donor and a perfect match for her husband.
"Obviously, I was very excited and nervous and then we had to decide what should we do? Should I do it? Or should we wait to see if somebody else is a match," Catherine Bulgarelli said.
The couple decided not to wait.
"How could I not do it? He's my best friend, my partner in life, the father of my child," Catherine Bulgarelli said.
The road ahead will involve both of them facing recovery at the same time.
"We're going to need somebody here every day, not all day, but every day for sure," Catherine Bulgarelli said.
According to Gift of Life Michigan, 2,000 people in the state are in need of a kidney transplant, and finding a perfect match can be challenging. I spoke with the organization about the couple's situation.
"It's very rare for that spouse to be a match," Patrick Wells-O'Brien said.
As the couple prepares for their journey, they hope their story raises awareness about organ donation.
"You can save somebody's life," Catherine Bulgarelli said.
The Bulgarelli family has set up a GoFundMe page. If you wish to donate, visit the page.
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.
Three people received sentences of jail time for an insurance fraud scheme that alleged a bear had damaged luxury vehicles. Only there was no bear, just a person wearing a bear suit and wielding claw-style utensils.
California authorities say Alfiya Zuckerman, 39, Ruben Tamrazian, 26, and Vahe Muradkhanyan, 32, were sentenced for their roles in a scheme that netted more than $140,000 in insurance payouts for damage to luxury vehicles.
Video footage shows someone wearing the bear suit staged attacks on the cars, which were then claimed against insurance. The vehicles involved included a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350.
All three individuals pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud. They were sentenced to serve 180 days in jail on weekends, pay more than $100,000 in restitution and serve two years of probation.
A fourth individual, 39-year-old Ararat Chirkinian, is expected in court in September of 2026.
Macomb Township celebrated a $2 million renovation of Fire Station 2 on Friday, bringing modernized amenities and expanded spaces to the growing community's oldest functioning station.
Watch Evan Sery's video report: Macomb Township unveils a $2 million renovation at Fire Station 2
"This was our oldest functioning station, and it was well in need of some updating," Macomb Township Supervisor Frank Viviano said.
Originally built in 1984, the facility on 21 Mile near Romeo Plank now features a fitness room, a new kitchen, recreation spaces, additional sleeping quarters, and a turnout gear room. The station also added a couple of new state-of-the-art engines.
Macomb Township Fire Chief Bob Phillips showcased the new amenities.
"We have a dedicated drying room, humidity and temperature controlled, so we can dry everything as soon as we bring it in. None of this existed until the remodel; this was just a drive-through bay where we parked trucks," Phillips said, pointing to the new turnout gear room.
"It's something we've been saving up for in our capital improvement plan the last few years. The improvements here are better for the firefighters; it's more efficient, more effective," Viviano said.
I also spoke with 98-year-old Milton Miller, the only original volunteer Macomb Township firefighter still alive. Miller started with the department in 1953.
"It's almost too lush, they've got everything," Miller said.
When Miller was a firefighter, the township's population was under 3,000.
"All farm, pretty much all farm at that time," Miller said.
Today, Macomb Township has ballooned to a community of about 100,000 residents, ranking among the top 10 most populous in the state.
Phillips said the renovations are critical for the mental and physical well-being of the 36 full and part-time firefighters who handle the increasing workload.
"Call volume, last year we did around 7,400, 20 years ago, we were around 2,200 to 2,300, so, certainly, has increased every year. As you can see here, we've added sleeping quarters, additional space so we can continue to grow staffing as the township continues to grow," Phillips said.
During an August township board meeting, some firefighters demanded more staff, citing safety risks. Viviano said those concerns are being addressed.
"Every department across the township is always being evaluated, so it's something we'll continue to look at. We did hire 7 new firefighters last year, we're thrilled to have them, and if circumstances warrant, we'll continue to look at it," Viviano said.
Residents are also happy about the renovations.
"All about taking care of firefighters and police, making sure it's safe here," Macomb Township resident Karly Brow said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
An innocent person has died and a suspect was shot during a pursuit in Inkster Friday afternoon after Michigan State Police were working to execute a search warrant.
The incident happened around 2:45 p.m. on Parkwood Street near Middlebelt Road and Michigan Avenue.
Watch Brett Kast's video report below: Innocent driver killed, suspect shot after state police chase in Inkster
According to Michigan State Police, troopers were preparing to execute a search warrant on a home when a male exited, got into an SUV with a female passenger inside and drove away from the home.
The driver went down Parkwood. When troopers approached the vehicle for a traffic stop, the suspect took off. He ran a red light at Middlebelt and Parkwood and hit another vehicle.
The suspect, who investigators say is 19, then got out of the vehicle and took off on foot, leaving the passenger, who was injured. The passenger is expected to be OK.
As the suspect ran, shots were fired and the suspect went down. Troopers provided first aid to the suspect, who had a gunshot wound in his lower body. He was then taken to the hospital and is stable.
Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Mike Shaw provides details in the video below: MSP provides details after innocent person dead, suspect shot during pursuit in Inkster
Two weapons were found on the suspect. At this time, it's unclear if the suspect fired shots or pulled out a weapon.
The driver of the vehicle the suspect hit was pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity is being withheld as MSP works to notify family.
"Unfortunately, when bad guys run away from the police, they don't care about anyone but themselves, resulting in this traffic crash," Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Mike Shaw told reporters.
Shaw says the suspect is involved in several investigations of homicides, narcotics and trafficking. One of the incidents was the double homicide of a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old in Inkster on Sunday. Family of the suspect told 7 News Detroit that the 15-year-old was the suspect's younger brother.
Detectives with MSP's first district will take over the investigation and submit their report to the attorney general.
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