A Dexter mother found an unexpected way to connect with her nonverbal autistic son through art.

Crissy Stratford, an artist showcasing her work at the Kensington Metropark Art Fair, said art has taken on a meaning far deeper than creative expression in her life.

See the full story in the video below How a Dexter mom is using art to connect with her autistic son

"Art means to me, oh my goodness, art means communication," Stratford said.

That communication traces back to her son, Chad, who is 27 years old and largely nonverbal. He was diagnosed with autism at age 3.

"I didn't know what to do with that. So I just resorted to what I know best, which is drawing," Stratford said.

Stratford began drawing books filled with images she knew would capture Chad's interest. The approach worked.

"I drew Chad's book and I drew things I knew that he would be interested in. And he loved these because they were areas of high interest. So he would be able to look at them and read them," Stratford said.

She then gave Chad blank books of his own. What came back surprised her.

"He was able to tell me without words what was on his brain. And here he is, here we are in the living room. Here he is playing with his little toy when he was little. It's not that he would be able to communicate with me without using his words, which is really cool," Stratford said.

The discovery caught her completely off guard.

"Oh, yeah. Oh, it most certainly did, yes," Stratford said.

Chad's drawings reveal a rich inner world scenes from family life, favorite places, and cherished memories. Among them are illustrations of the Country Bear Jamboree at Disney World, a place he loves.

"Just like things that he loves. Like he couldn't tell me, I love writing this right, but he could actually write, this is Christmas. I love presents. He couldn't say that, but he can draw," Stratford said.

Through his artwork, Stratford said she has been able to experience a side of her son she never knew existed. Looking at his drawings still moves her.

"Always. Yeah. Oh, totally. Yeah, I love looking at his work," Stratford said.

Stratford encourages other families navigating similar challenges to lean into visual communication.

"I recommend making everything more visual for your student or for your child. Visual is so important for people who have disabilities or who have autism," Stratford said.

Stratford was among more than 130 artists participating in the 10th edition of the Kensington Metropark Art Fair. The Fair wraps up Monday, May 25th. To learn more about the fair head to: http://kensingtonartfair.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.

Authorities in Southern California on Friday were racing to figure out how to prevent the explosion of a storage tank that has been leaking a hazardous chemical used to make plastic parts, as some 40,000 people were under evacuation orders in the area.

A storage tank holding between 6,000 and 7,000 gallons (22,700 and 26,500 liters) of methyl methacrylate overheated Thursday and began venting vapors into the air at an aerospace plastics facility in Garden Grove, a city in Orange County, the local fire authority said.

The tank could fail and crack, releasing the chemical onto the ground, or it could explode, Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey said Friday.

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This thing is going to fail, and we dont know when, Covey said. Were doing our best to figure out when or how we can prevent it.

Officials ordered residents in Garden Grove to leave and expanded evacuation orders Friday to some residents of five other Orange County cities Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster after being unable to stop the leak overnight on the tank at GKN Aerospace, which makes parts for commercial and military aircraft.

No injuries or deaths have been reported, authorities said.

In an update later Friday, Covey said authorities have been able to maintain the tank's temperature, buying time to figure out how to fix it.

RELATED STORY | Study finds 'forever chemicals' in reusable period products like menstrual cups

Garden Grove is about 38 miles (61 kilometers) south of downtown Los Angeles and next to Anaheim, home to Disneylands two theme parks, which were not under evacuation orders Friday.

Danny Pham said he was deep in a dream when his roommate banged on his door around 7 a.m. Friday morning and told him he needed to leave immediately. Pham had been working late the night before at a Vietnamese restaurant and had not seen the news.

It was shocking to me, said Pham, who lives only a couple blocks from the plastics plant. I didnt know how serious it would be. I never knew that a thing like this could happen.

He left minutes later, grabbing only his wallet and passport, and took shelter at a friends restaurant in a neighboring city.

By late Friday afternoon, Pham was still trying to figure out where he would stay the night and worrying that he had only the clothes on his back, possibly for days to come.

Covey said crews have created containment barriers with sandbags in case there is a chemical spill from the tank to prevent the toxic chemical from getting into storm drains or reaching creeks or the nearby ocean.

Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the county health officer, said if the chemical heats up, it can release a vapor that is harmful to peoples health. It can cause respiratory issues, itching and burning eyes, nausea and headaches.

Crews were initially successful and were able to neutralize one of two damaged tanks, but Covey said they determined Friday morning that the remaining tank was in the biggest crisis.

GKN Aerospace said specialized hazardous material teams are assessing the situation.

There are no reports of injuries at this time and our priority remains the safety of our employees, responders, and the surrounding community, a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. We will provide verified updates as soon as more information becomes available.

Kim Yen, a retiree in Garden Grove, was settling in for the night Thursday when she heard a sirenlike sound coming from her phone. An alert told her she needed to leave her home, which was just two blocks from the chemical leak.

As Yen drove to her daughters house in Seal Beach, she worried that others in the local Vietnamese community might ignore or not understand the evacuation alert because it was in English.

They are family, she said. Im hoping they stay alert and listen to the news and the authorities. This is scary.

Yen, who is originally from Vietnam and has lived in Orange County since 1980, quickly stopped by her house Friday morning to grab important documents and medications. By then her neighborhood was a ghost town, and she was comforted to see police officers going door to door to make sure everyone had evacuated.

We understand that this is frightening, Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein said. But the evacuation orders are in place for your safety.

Local Vietnamese television stations translated updates from officials and urged residents to take the situation seriously.

A Coopertown, Tennessee, man says the IRS sent him a $20,000 tax refund by mistake and that trying to return it cost him years of frustration, interest charges, and eventually his entire tax refund.

Wilson Perry Kirby, 76, a retired Montgomery County Highway Department worker who describes himself as plain-spoken and country, received the erroneous refund on May 10, 2022. He says he immediately tried to give the money back, but ran into wall after wall, even with his accountant's help.

"She didn't make a mistake, I didn't make a mistake, they made a mistake," Kirby said.

After years of back and forth with the agency, Kirby says the IRS not only charged him interest on the money he had tried to return it kept his entire refund this year.

"Oh, I cried. It hurt me," Kirby said.

The IRS would not discuss the specifics of Kirby's case because of federal privacy law.

Kirby says he reached out to everyone he could think of for help.

"I've tried the president, governor, mayor, they don't mind asking you to vote for them, but when you need help you can't get ahold of nobody," Kirby said.

RELATED STORY | Tax refunds are rising, but most Americans are spending the money on necessities

Kirby lost his wife, Norma Jean, in August 2024 and has been fighting the battle largely on his own since then.

"She knew how to text, she got a computer in there. I don't even know how to cut it on," Kirby said. "But she stuck by me and I wouldn't have what I have today."

Kirby says things finally started moving after I got involved. By the end of the month, he says he is expecting this year's refund, which would bring the case to a close.

"And if it hadn't been for you I wouldn't of gotten nothing done," Kirby said.

Kirby has also done significant advocating for himself throughout this process and never gave up something he credits in part to his own stubbornness.

RELATED STORY | What happens if you missed the deadline to file your taxes?

"I'm hard-headed, and I get set in my ways, and I'm that way," Kirby said.

"Might've helped," I said.

"Yeah," Kirby said.

Running into problems with the IRS?

The Taxpayer Advocate Service can be a good first step. It is an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers navigate issues and resolve problems.

This article was written by Hannah McDonald for the Scripps News Group station in Nashville.

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.

When Dev Shah won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2023 and Faizan Zaki took the title last year, they posed for remarkably similar photos on the confetti-strewn stage. Standing next to them, beaming, was a bespectacled man in an aloha shirt, holding up a copy of his book Words of Wisdom.

For Scott Remer, the champion spellers' coach, posing for a picture was more than just a celebration. It was a business necessity.

While nearly every National Spelling Bee champion over the past 15 years has worked with a coach, the 32-year-old Remer is the country's only full-time, professional tutor for elite spellers. Most coaches are former spellers who are still in college or even high school.

When the field of 247 spellers at this year's bee which begins Tuesday and concludes Thursday in Washington is cut down to 10 or so finalists, it's all but inevitable the group will include multiple Remer students.

Hes probably one of the most influential figures in spelling over the past 10 years, said Shah, now 17.

Remer has coached five national champions, and since the bee emerged from the pandemic disruptions of 2020 and '21, he has scaled up the coaching profession. He claims 34 spellers as his students this year and has worked with no fewer than 29 during each of the past four bees.

He charges more than other coaches: up to $180 for an hourlong private lesson. If spellers finish in the top 10 and earn a cash prize, he receives up to 10% of their winnings, which he called a performance-based bonus.

Many spellers and their families believe Remer is worth it despite, or perhaps because of, the intense personality that emerges during his lessons.

Always earnest and gregarious on any spelling-related topic, Remer describes coaching as a passion that grew out of his disappointing fourth-place finish in 2008, his final year as a speller. He says he's motivated by sharing his knowledge, helping kids reach their potential and the challenge of discovering spelling bee-worthy words.

This is really about the love of language and the love of the competition. Part of it is once you're stung by the bee, there's kind of no going back, Remer said. I'm not going to deny that it pays well, because it does. But I don't know that there's anything wrong with that.

The last two champions he coached say he was crucial to their victories.

Even though his classes are more expensive, it's definitely worth it, Faizan said. I saw results.

Faizan's father, Zaki Anwar, said he negotiated a reduced rate of $120 an hour for Remer's services because Faizan was already an accomplished speller. Remer took home 7% of the champion's prize haul of $52,500 a bonus of $3,675.

After winning, it doesn't really matter, Anwar said.

Expensive and demanding, Remer is not for everyone

Remer drills his students on roots, language patterns and the exceptions to those patterns. He seeks to instill a deep understanding of languages that will allow spellers to figure out a word even if they have never seen or heard it before, as Shah did with rommack in 2023.

But Remer's pricing, and his coaching style, have led some spellers to seek help elsewhere.

I found it prohibitively expensive, said Navneeth Murali, a University of Pennsylvania student who competed through 2020 and now coaches spellers, charging roughly $50 for an hourlong lesson. It wasn't a realistic option for me.

Grace Walters, who coached 2022 champion Harini Logan, charges $75 an hour. She and Murali take a handful of students each year.

I'm very much quality over quantity. It's really important to me that I'm able to get to know each speller as a whole person, not just as a speller, and tailor my curriculum to them as individuals, said Walters, a graduate student in linguistics at the University of Kentucky. But I have to give credit where it's due: If everyone was doing it like me, there wouldn't be enough coaches for all the spellers out there.

Sree Vidya Siliveri was coached by Remer before her 60th-place finish in 2024 but didn't respond well to his methods, said her father, Sreedhar Siliveri. She found a new coach and finished 10th in 2025.

We were looking for alternatives and found some of the fresh, like, high school students who can be friendlier and charge less, Sreedhar Siliveri said.

Even spellers and their parents who swear by Remer say he can be brusque and demanding of his middle school-age pupils. Simone Kaplan, who finished runner-up to the octo-champs of 2019, appreciated Remer's tough coaching but said it's not for everyone.

Scott is a true logophile, a master of languages. He pushes his students to keep up with him, Kaplan said. That can inspire some spellers to learn and succeed, but it can also leave a student feeling like they've disappointed him if they don't spell every word right. And that's difficult for a kid.

Remer said his goal is to be supportive while giving spellers the feedback they need to avoid repeating mistakes.

I try to be tough but fair, and I also try to modulate my teaching methods, based on the kids' needs and the kids' personalities, he said. Whether I'm always successful at that is I guess an open question.

From the Ivy League to full-time spelling coach

Remer graduated from Yale in 2016 and earned a master's degree from Cambridge a year later. His first study guide, Words of Wisdom: Keys to Success in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, was published in 2010, when he was a teenager. That was also the year he coached his first champion, Anamika Veeramani.

He has published three other books and has worked for the Council on Foreign Relations and as the communications coordinator for an LGBTQ-friendly synagogue in New York. Since 2020, he has been a full-time spelling coach while also offering tutoring in Chinese, Spanish, writing and standardized test prep. Born and raised in the Cleveland suburbs, he now lives in Mexico City.

Remer has written an op-ed about the bee for the Guardian every year since 2019. He emails out lists of his students and sends updates on their progress, calling them my spellers even if they have multiple tutors. (Faizan had three coaches last year.) During bee week, Remer is a constant presence, giving lessons on-site and sitting with spellers' families while the television cameras roll.

He knows he has to market himself, but he says he doesn't enjoy it.

I think I'm trying not to be particularly self-aggrandizing in general, Remer said, so if the question is, does it come naturally to me to do that sort of promotional and marketing work, the answer is no.

Scripps, the Cincinnati-based media company that has run the Bee for a century, does not endorse coaching, but Corrie Loeffler, the Bee's executive director, described the practice as inevitable, given the intensity of the competition.

Loeffler gently pushed back at the idea that any coach should claim credit for a speller's success.

It's hard work, it's study ethic, it's perseverance, she said. These kids are doing pretty incredible things at a really high level, especially at a young age, and I want them to be able to take credit for that themselves, knowing that it's a community and they've had so much support along the way.

Kyle Busch died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications, according to a statement released by his family.

Dakota Hunter, vice president of Kyle Busch Companies, said in a news release the family received the medical evaluation on Saturday.

Busch, a two-time NASCAR champion, died at 41 on Thursday, a day after passing out in a Chevrolet simulator.

RELATED STORY | NASCAR's Kyle Busch was short of breath, coughing up blood day before his death, 911 call reveals

Sepsis is considered a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the body has an extreme, overactive response to an infection, causing the immune system to damage its own tissues and organs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Typically the immune system releases chemicals to fight off pathogens like bacteria, viruses or fungi, but with sepsis the response goes into overdrive. The results can cause widespread inflammation, form microscopic blood clots and make blood vessels leak.

Busch was thought to have had a sinus cold while racing at Watkins Glen on May 10 and radioed in to his team saying that he needed a shot from a doctor after the race.

Busch, who was preparing to race Sunday at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, was testing in the Chevrolet racing simulator in Concord on Wednesday when he became unresponsive and was transported to a hospital in Charlotte, several people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

RELATED STORY | 2-time NASCAR champion Kyle Busch dead at 41 after battling severe illness

During the emergency call placed late that afternoon, an unidentified caller calmly told the dispatcher: Ive got an individual thats (got) shortness of breath, very hot, thinks hes going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.

The caller said Busch was lying on the bathroom floor inside the complex and told dispatch he is awake, according to audio provided by the Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office. The man then gave directions on where emergency responders should go and asked that they turn off any sirens upon arrival.

Busch won 234 races across NASCARs top three series, more than any driver in history.

All 39 drivers in the field for Sundays race will race with a black No. 8 decal on their car to honor Busch.

Iran on Saturday signaled narrowing differences in negotiations with the U.S. after Pakistans army chief held more talks in Tehran and the United States weighs a new round of attacks on the Islamic Republic.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists in India that theres been some progress made" and there may be news later today.

Iran has rebuilt military assets after weeks of war and then a fragile ceasefire, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said after the meeting with Field Marshal Asim Munir, state TV reported.

Qalibaf, the lead negotiator in historic face-to-face talks with the U.S. last month, also said the result would be more crushing and more bitter than at the start of the war if U.S. President Donald Trump resumes attacks.

Separately, Irans official IRNA news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying that nuclear issues are not part of the current negotiations, as Tehran first seeks to end the war before discussing its nuclear program that has long been at the heart of international tensions.

Baghaei said the sides are trying to finalize a memorandum of understanding and positions have moved closer in recent days.

Over the past week, the trend has been toward narrowing differences, he said. We will have to wait and see what happens over the next three or four days.

Rubio said that "even as I speak to you now there is some work being done. There is a chance that whether its later today, tomorrow, in a couple days we may have something to say.

Rubio repeated the U.S. stance that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon and must turn over its highly enriched uranium, and the Strait of Hormuz must be open.

Trump earlier said he was holding off on a military strike against Iran because serious negotiations were underway, and at the request of allies in the Middle East. Trump has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off.

RELATED STORY | Good signs in Iran negotiations but US weighing backup plans

The U.S. and Israel sparked the war with attacks on Feb. 28, cutting short talks with Iran. Tehran retaliated by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the regions oil, natural gas and fertilizer, causing global economic pain.

The U.S. then blockaded Iranian ports, and the U.S. Central Command on Saturday said U.S. forces had turned away more than 100 commercial vessels and disabled four since the blockade began April 13.

There was progress in the talks between Pakistans army chief and Irans leadership, two officials in Islamabad said, describing the discussions as moving in the right direction. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media on the record.

Munir also met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Masoud Pezeshkian and other senior officials, the two officials said, adding that Islamabad continues efforts to arrange a second round of direct negotiations.

RELATED STORY | Senate advances bill aimed at ending Iran war as Cassidy, after primary loss, flips to support it

It was not clear whether Pakistan's army chief met with Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, who heads Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, has become a major player in formulating Irans tough stance in talks.

Earlier this month, Texas Roadhouse announced it had quietly raised menu prices by 1.9%, a change that did little to slow business. Chief Financial Officer Mike Lenihan said comparable sales at restaurants climbed 6.5%.

The company said that customers have responded well despite the increases, with spending per check up 2.6%. Vice President of Investor Relations Michael Bailen said higher spending has offset inflationary pressures from increased labor and food costs.

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Obviously the value proposition that we have in our menu, the taste profile of our food, and the hospitality we provide continues to tell us the things we are doing are absolutely working and people are responding to that, CEO Jerry Morgan said. We know theres a lot going on in the industry and with all kinds of things. What we really focus on is opening, operating and closing quality shifts, and providing great places for our employees to work and for our guests to join us and spend their time and money.

For some, price increases may not have been too noticeable.

At one Ohio location, a pulled pork dinner went from $14.99 in late 2025 to $15.49. A country fried steak dinner now costs $17.49, a 50-cent increase from a year ago. And a 16-ounce sirloin now sells for $26.99 up $2 from last year.

Although customers may be spending more to dine at Texas Roadhouse, Bailen said higher gas prices have not dampened spending.

RELATED STORY | Hooters rebranding as a 'family friendly' restaurant

I dont think weve ever been able to find a correlation between gas prices and our traffic trends, he said. People still want that simple luxury of a casual dining meal with friends and family. Theyll be picky about where they go, and if someone is trying to watch what they spend because theyre paying more at the gas pump, Texas Roadhouse becomes a great option for them.

Changes by the Trump administration involving student loans could contribute to a shortage of doctors and nurses in the coming years, Todd Pickard, president and chair of the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Physician Associates, warned.

The Department of Education is updating its definition of professional degrees. Under the new rule, students studying to become physician associates (PAs) would no longer be eligible for higher levels of federal student loans. PA programs require a masters degree, thousands of hours of clinical training and a license in every state.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, advanced nursing and several other medical fields have also been reclassified from professional degrees to general graduate degrees.

Under the change, students in these programs would be limited to $20,500 annually and $100,000 total in federal loans, compared with up to $50,000 a year and higher lifetime limits previously.

Pickard said the move could make these degrees inaccessible for many prospective students.

Im most concerned about decreasing the pipeline of health care providers in the United States, he said. At a time when we should be investing in health care, divesting is not the right answer. Patients should expect that if there are fewer providers, it will take them longer to be seen, and their health conditions may worsen.

RELATED STORY | Big student loan changes hit July 1, but most borrowers say they're not ready

Pickard said rural health care networks would be especially hard hit, noting they already face shortages.

We have workforce shortages of physicians. There are not enough nurses or PAs. Theres just more demand, he said. There are more patients than there are health care providers. In the next five to six years, half of all medical providers will be physicians and the other half will be PAs and nurse practitioners. We need to make sure all of our pipelines are not being impacted negatively.

In response, 25 state attorneys general or governors have filed lawsuits against the federal government over the new rule, which is set to take effect July 1.

The American Academy of Physician Associates is also seeking an injunction to stop the rule.

Pickard said the Department of Educations goal appears to be lowering tuition costs for medical education by reducing loan limits.

PA school and most medical education is not just about tuition. It is about housing, transportation, food, books and supplies, he said. At this time, I have not heard of a single PA program or other medical education program lowering tuition costs. This is a fair conversation to have, but I think this is the wrong tool for the job.

RELATED STORY | Federal student loan repayment rules are changing in 2026: What borrowers need to know

The Department of Education said 95% of nursing graduates borrow below the new caps and would not be affected. The administration also argues that allowing students to borrow for the full cost of attendance has contributed to rising costs.

Before Stephen Colbert made his debut on "Late Night" in 2015, he stopped by Monroe, Michigan, where he interviewed Eminem on the Monroe public TV show "Only in Monroe."

During his final show on CBS on Thursday, Colbert alluded to that when he said, "Tonight is our final broadcast from the Ed Sullivan Theater. We were lucky enough to be here for the last 11 years, all right? Cant take this for granted, though technically our first show in July of 2015 was from a public access station in Monroe, Michigan for an audience of 12 people."

Well, on Friday, he returned to Monroe, according to LateNighter, where he hosted "Only in Monroe" once again.

This time, he was joined by Jack White and Jeff Daniels.

You can watch the 2015 and 2026 episodes below.

2015

2026

With the 2026 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix rapidly approaching, a former Detroit Lions player is helping local youth get in on the action.

Julius Curry is partnering with several community leaders to launch a free five-week summer program called "Mentorship & Karting in Motorsports." The initiative combines mentorship, academics, and hands-on motorsports training to expose youth to real career pathways.

For more information, visit https://www.currymotorsports.com/

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard faced a tough time during her tenure in the Trump administration, said Jamil N. Jaffer, founder and executive director of the National Security Institute.

Gabbard will leave the Trump administration June 30, saying she will be supporting her husband, who has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Jaffer said that over time, it became clear Gabbard was not part of President Donald Trumps inner circle. He noted several actions showing she was not aligned with Trump on foreign adversaries.

She came into it with limited experience, Jaffer said. She had some military experience, of course, but limited experience in the intelligence field. Her reputation preceded her in terms of her relationship with staff and her views on information from Russia and the like. But even when she got to the Trump administration, she faced challenges.

RELATED STORY | Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to resign next month

Among her actions, Gabbard posted a video last year critical of nuclear weapons, glossing over the fact that the United States is among a handful of nations with a large nuclear arsenal.

"This isn't some made-up science fiction story. This is the reality of what's at stake, what we are facing now, because as we stand here today, closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before, political elites and warmongers are carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers," Gabbard said in the video.

Jaffer also noted that Gabbards appearances at White House events were infrequent. She was not a visible presence during U.S. military actions in Venezuela and Iran this year.

She didn't defend it, but she didn't come out against it either, Jaffer said of Gabbards stance on the war in Iran. Thats obviously a real problem for the White House, which was very forward leaning on that conflict. She didnt support the Venezuela operation. She didnt support the Iran operation. The president has been much more interventionist than his base thought he would be, and that reflects on her as well. President Trump does not like having people around him who do not support where hes going.

Trump posted his support of Gabbard on Truth Social.

"Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her," he said.

Gabbard drew scrutiny from Democrats after stating in 2025 that she did not believe Iran was working on building nuclear weapons. Trump has cited his desire to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons as his justification for launching an attack on the nation.

Gabbard was confirmed weeks after Trump began his second term in 2025. She previously served as a Democratic member of Congress and was a presidential candidate before joining the Republican Party and endorsing Trump. Her confirmation did not receive bipartisan support, and former Republican leader Mitch McConnell voted against it.

Gabbard said she is committed to a smooth transition. Trump announced that Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director.

Jaffer said there will be concerns about having a director leading national intelligence who is not Senate-confirmed.

RELATED STORY | Gabbard grilled on Iran war, Fulton County presence at Senate hearing

We are in a heightened state of threat today in this country, not just because of the Iran war, not just because of the Venezuela conflict, not just because of whats happening with Russia and Ukraine, but because China is constantly looking at us and is in a constant adversarial posture toward us, he said. There remain terrorist groups focused on the United States, attacking us here at home and our allies abroad.

This is a time of great moment for our nation. We are at probably the highest threat weve been since even before 9/11, given all the nation-state threats and terrorist threats against our country. So not having a director of national intelligence is a challenge.

The annual Kensington Art Fair returns Memorial Day Weekend, May 2325, 2026, transforming scenic Maple Beach at Kensington Metropark into one of Southeast Michigans premier outdoor art destinations.

This year's event showcases the works of 100 juried artists from across the country art across a variety of mediums. The 3-day event also includes live artist demonstrations, unique shopping, and a relaxed, family-friendly lakeside atmosphere.

Admission is free with a Michigan Recreation Passport or $11 without. To learn more, visit kensingtonartfair.com.

Matthew Perry paid Kenneth Iwamasa $150,000 a year to be his live-in personal assistant. His role for the Friends star would expand to drug messenger, addiction enabler and de facto doctor, according to court filings.

Iwamasa injected Perry with the doses of ketamine that would prove fatal on Oct. 28, 2023, and then left the actor to run errands. He returned to find Perry dead in the Jacuzzi.

The ex-assistant became the first to reach a plea deal of five people indicted in connection with Perry's death. On Wednesday, he'll become the last to be sentenced. Prosecutors are asking for a prison term of three years and five months. That's more than the 2 1/2-year sentence of the doctor who sold Iwamasa ketamine and taught him to inject it into Perry, but far less than the 15-year sentence of the admitted drug dealer who sold Iwamasa the final doses.

RELATED STORY | Drug counselor who gave Matthew Perry fatal ketamine gets 2 years in prison

Iwamasa, 60, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and became the cases most important witness in the indictments of his four co-defendants. That is virtually certain to lead to a lighter sentence.

Family members blame the assistant above all others

I have no sympathy for Kenny Iwamasa, Perry's younger sister Caitlin Morrison wrote in a letter to the judge. I wasnt there the night my brother died. I cannot read Kennys thoughts. I will never know if the lethal dose of ketamine was only lethal by accident. But I know that when Kenny left the house, he was doing one of two things. He was either escaping from something he knew he had done or he was willfully abandoning a vulnerable person in a dangerous situation.

Perry's mother Suzanne Morrison wrote that her son and the family had known Iwamasa for decades, and that relatives were relieved when Perry, who'd had recurring struggles with addiction throughout his life, hired the assistant in 2022.

Mathew trusted Kenny. We trusted Kenny. Kennys most important job by far was to be my sons companion and guardian in his fight against addiction, she wrote. We trusted a man without a conscience, and my son paid the price.

Iwamasa's lawyers argued that he was an employee doing the bidding of his boss.

In a presentencing filing, they said Iwamasa had a particular vulnerability to the relationship dynamic which he fell into with the victim. In short, he could not 'simply say no.' That inability had tragic consequences.

Suzanne Morrison said Iwamasa knew he could call any family member should Perry start making drug demands, and his job would be safe.

Family disgusted by Iwamasa's behavior following Perry's death

Perry's mother wrote, When he had killed my son, he kept a sharp eye on me. He sent me songs, he drew a little map to help me find my way around the cemetery. If he saw a rainbow one of Matthews favorite things he would call me. He insisted on speaking at Matthews funeral. He clung to me and the family as if he was somehow the good guy who tried to save Matthew.

She said Iwamasa expected a financial payout, and when it was clear he wouldn't get one, he threatened legal action.

RELATED STORY | 'Ketamine Queen' gets 15 years in prison for selling Matthew Perry the drugs that killed him

Iwamasa did speak at the funeral, which would later leave the family disgusted.

The person responsible for my brothers death stood up and addressed the people who loved him most, another sister, Madeline Morrison, wrote. That is like a cruel joke I still struggle with. He didnt just take my brothers life he tainted our final memories of saying goodbye.

Truth about the ketamine was slow to come out

The LA County Medical Examiner found that ketamine, a surgical anesthetic that has become widely used for other purposes both legal and illegal, was the primary cause of Perry's death. Drowning was a secondary cause.

On the day of Perry's death, Iwamasa gave police a list of all the medications Perry was taking, but he left off ketamine and said nothing about the injections, prosecutors said.

After investigators served a search warrant on the house in January 2024, that began to change, and he would slowly admit his role in Perry's death. Iwamasa said he had been giving Perry six to eight injections of ketamine per day in the last days of his life, and that Perry had told him, Shoot me up with a big one on the day he died.

Iwamasa said he had worked with middleman Erik Fleming, who was sentenced to two years in prison May 13, to get drugs from dealer Jasveen Sangha.

In his first text to Fleming, Iwamasa said, Alfred here batmans butler. He said I can text you directly.

Madeline Morrison wrote that when the truth emerged, It felt like my brother died all over again. Everything I believed about the day he diedeverything Kenny told uswas a lie. I had to relive Matthews death from an entirely new and devastating perspective.

Iwamasa pleaded guilty in August 2024 before the case became public. Wednesday will be his first court appearance since.

Perry, who died at 54, became one of the biggest stars of his generation as Chandler Bing on Friends, NBCs culture-changing sitcom that ran from 1994 to 2004.

He was my Matso, my Manew, his mother wrote. He was, in spite of all we went through, my heart and my soul.

A flag football league built by Detroit Community Violence Intervention groups wrapped up its championship games Friday at the Chandler Park Field House.

The league, which started a few months ago, is led by CVI groups including Force Detroit. Organizers say the mission is to keep kids engaged and out of trouble.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report below: Detroit CVI flag football league wraps up season amid concerns over youth violence

The championship came about a week after a "teen takeover" downtown, where large groups of teenagers gathered on a Sunday, fights broke out and a shooting left a 14-year-old injured.

Previous report: Detroit teen recovering at hospital after being shot during teen takeover event Detroit teen recovering at hospital after being shot during teen takeover event

LaDavion Mills, a participant in the league, said he was downtown when the violence started and chose to leave.

"Like come on. It's time to leave. It's time to go. We shouldn't be here. They're causing trouble down here," Mills said.

Mills said the league gives him and his peers a better option.

"I'm here to keep me out of trouble like stay out the way," Mills said. "Everybody coming together, no violence, everybody's playing football, no fighting, none of that."

Previous report: Detroit youth flag football league launched by Community Violence Intervention groups Detroit youth flag football league launched by Community Violence Intervention groups

Fellow participant Jekaiden Moore agrees.

"Just stick to sports. If you know it's something you can do with your life other than playing with guns, then just stick to sports," Moore said.

One parent, Jasmine McBride, said she enrolled her son in the league to give him something to do and to keep him from going downtown unsupervised.

"The kids run wild. It's like it's no control over the kids. It's the younger kids doing most of the crime and it's because the parents. They don't know where their kids are or the kids are saying they're one place and they're in another," McBride said.

Latina Mack with Force Detroit, who lost her son to gun violence in 2023, said seeing teens safely enjoying themselves brings her peace of mind.

"These young men and young ladies have made the decision to just actively be involved. They want to do something different and we're just giving them an opportunity to do that," Mack said.

As the flag football season ends, Force Detroit is already planning its next program. Ciera Renee, director of programs at Force Detroit, said a basketball league will launch June 27.

"That starts up June 27th, so same concept. We'll do it at a different recreational center, at Coleman A. Young. They've already solidified that we'll be able to be there and that's what we'll be doing over the summer for the next 10 weeks on Saturdays at 9 a.m.," Renee 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.

Hooters says it wants to rebrand into a family friendly restaurant.

Longtime CEO Neil Kiefer says the restaurant chain initially started as a beach-themed, family style restaurant, and now he will make sure the famous servers wear the original uniform instead of the now iconic short shorts.

He says some locations under different ownership implemented clothing that was more revealing and too sexualized.

Kiefer also says some restaurant locations used the wrong wing sauce, and he promises to go back to the original recipe.

Kiefer, who started as an attorney for the chain in 1983, became CEO in 1992.

RELATED STORY | Wendys debuts blue-themed restaurants in Project Fresh push

The brand sold its rights to private equity in 2001, which took over management of some locations as Hooters of America. The chain experienced some financial struggles through 2008 and the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

Hooters of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025. Kiefer and other original co-owners reacquired the rights and announced plans to return more than 100 locations to the brand's original roots.

UPDATE: Eaton County Sheriff Tom Reich confirmed Friday that the man who had 36 dogs packed in his van in Delta Township has agreed to work with the Humane Society.

Authorities say deputies first came in contact with the man on May 15. The Sheriffs office says they evaluated the situation and 12 of the dogs, including 2 pregnant ones, were passed over to the Humane Society.

The Capital Area Humane Society then posted on Facebook, and said one of the pregnant dogs arrived at the shelter in active labor and has since given birth to six healthy puppies.

Were told 24 of the dogs are still with the man, but the Human Society has agreed to spay, neuter and vaccine all of them for free.

The Sheriffs Office says while the man appears to be unhoused, if he chooses to stay in Eaton County, it is his responsibility to get all of the dogs in his possession licensed, if they are over the age of 4 months.

Stay with FOX 47 News for updates.

ORIGINAL STORY: A video circulating online shows a van packed with dozens of dogs of various breeds, raising questions about animal welfare in Delta Township.

The Eaton County Sheriff's Office, which oversees animal control, confirmed there were originally 36 dogs in the van. The driver is unhoused.

Officials said the man has agreed to turn over 10 of the dogs to the humane society. The sheriff's office is continuing to work with him to determine what to do with the remaining dogs.

However, authorities say there is only so much they can do because there is nothing on the books that prohibits this.

Residents who saw the video expressed shock and concern.

"I have never seen this many dogs in one vehicle," one person said.

"It's just unsanitary," said Anthony Johnson.

"That is sad I would never do anything like that," said Tiara Hardister.

"No matter how niche their hands are tied they still need to get them dogs and rescue them because they don't deserve that," another said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

A Temple Israel teacher is speaking out about the March 12 attack on the West Bloomfield Township synagogue Michigan's largest Jewish temple.

Elise Otis, the lead teacher of the childcare toddler program at Temple Israel, said the day is one she will never forget.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Teacher recalls keeping children safe during Temple Israel attack

"Within seconds, we heard a crash and we didn't know what it was. And I was like oh my gosh, somebody fell through the ceiling. There was construction happening at the temple, so I just assumed it was the construction. I ran in the hall and I looked up, and it was like the ceiling had fallen in," Otis said.

Her classroom of children just 15 to 20 months old was 10 feet away from where the attacker burst through the doors with his truck and $2,000 worth of explosives. Otis was back in her classroom when she heard gunshots.

"All I could think about was just lay across them, just lay across them," Otis said. "It will just be you, it'll just be you, and they'll be fine."

There were 140 children and more than 50 staff members inside the building at the time of the attack. While in lock down, Otis received numerous text messages from family and friends but said her only focus was her eight students.

"I was going to do anything I needed to protect them. If it meant I was going to lose my own life, it wasn't a question," Otis said.

Otis had recently completed active shooter training, where she learned to keep children calm. She played Elmo and gave them Cheerios.

Previous coverage: West Bloomfield dispatchers describe initial moments of Temple Israel attack response West Bloomfield dispatchers describe initial moments of Temple Israel attack response

After about 40 minutes, staff and students were escorted out of the building and into a neighborhood nearby, where a resident offered them a safe place to gather in his garage.

"We tried to sing songs in the garage, and I don't know how long we were in the garage. I mean, I have no sense of time," Otis said.

The FBI characterized the attack as a Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism late last month. When asked about a recent attack on a place of worship in San Diego, Otis said she felt for those affected and that speaking out was important to her.

"It's insane. My chest got tight. I mean, one of the reasons I do want to speak is because it's going to happen again it already has, it already has," Otis said.

Previous coverage: Temple Israel shares photographs of attack aftermath from inside building Temple Israel shares photographs of attack aftermath from inside building

She said the days, weeks and months since the attack have been difficult, but she is also deeply grateful that everyone made it out alive.

"Every teacher in that building did something right. Every teacher put their kids in the right safe place," Otis said.

Temple Israel says it is continuing to rebuild, not only the building but as a community, and hopes to be back in at least a portion of the building by the fall.

By plane, train and car, millions of Americans are getting away for the holiday weekend.

More than 39 million Americans will hit the roads, according to AAA.

And theyll face the highest Memorial Day weekend gas prices in years. The national average for a gallon just topped $4.50.

"So, very high prices, close to record levels," said GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan. "Collectively over the weekend, Americans are going to be spending about $2 billion more than they did last year."

RELATED STORY | Flight canceled? Here's what you're owed and what you might still have to pay

Higher fuel costs are also driving airfares up.

The TSA is expecting to screen more than 18 million passengers over the long weekend. But those steeper airfares have some travelers reconsidering future summer travel.

If you are planning travel in the months ahead, experts say:

You must book now. It's not going to get cheaper. It's just not, said Cheri Young, associate professor of hospitality management at the University of Denver. The person who waits till the last minute to book their flight is impacted most heavily right now because the prices just keep going up.

And if youre looking to save some money on your road trip:

"Try to try to be a little easier on the accelerator," said De Haan. "Setting the cruise control for a slightly reduced speed can go a long way to giving you essentially the equivalent of one to two free gallons every fill up."

MORE HOLIDAY NEWS | Memorial Day barbecues to cost more this year as food, gas prices surge

Inside a Michigan prison, an unlikely partnership is changing lives on both sides of the bars.

Watch Jeffrey Lindblom's video report: Michigan inmates train rescue dogs for veterans, first responders

Blue Star Service Dogs pairs prison inmates with rescue dogs animals pulled from the streets or the pound and trains them to become service animals for veterans and first responders. The program has shaped more than 200 dogs for first responders and touched the lives of 350 inmates across 4 Michigan prisons.

Every Thursday at Thumb Correctional Facility the program's longest-running location selected inmates teach dogs to sit, walk, pick up a leash if it's dropped, and assist during medical emergencies, all while ignoring distractions. Handlers keep their dogs by their side 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for between 4 and 6 months.

Trish Barnes, Executive Director of Blue Star, said the mission is personal. A former animal control officer who says she witnessed animals living in disturbing, difficult, and debilitating conditions, Barnes has seen firsthand how the bond between humans and dogs can be transformative.

"God put me in the right place at the right time. It's amazing," Barnes said. "And there were times when I thought suicide was the answer. This dog gives you a purpose. I can't imagine a life without service animals."

Mathew Sica, Blue Star's Director of Training, has been with the organization for 15 years. After facing tragedy in his family, his driving motivation has remained the same since he joined in 2011.

"Suicide prevention," Sica said. "We're really good at making good dogs great. You can change someone's life."

Inmate Kevin Campbell has been a handler for 5 years and is serving a life sentence.

"I've been incarcerated for 37 years," Campbell said. "We broke rules. We broke laws."

Campbell's current dog, a puppy named Titan, is preparing to transition to his new owner, Army veteran Estin Cantrell.

"To know that we can turn these dogs over to a deserving veteran who served our country you can't put that into words," Campbell said.

Cantrell, who sustained injuries during his service as an Army infantryman and has difficulties getting out of bed, is ready to bring Titan home.

"When that vest comes on, I have to treat him like a medical device," Cantrell said. "I may say I don't want to get out today, but the dog will say, I have to get out because I'm a dog."

Fellow inmate Darius Huntington is also serving a life sentence and described how the program has helped him through his darkest moments.

"It was a robbery gone bad," Huntington said. "When I'm going through my worst days, this dog helps me. I'm better than I was. I'm grateful for Blue Star."

Barnes said the impact on inmates goes beyond dog training.

"And they say the first time they felt love is through a dog's eyes," Barnes said.

Prison counselor Tonya Wysong echoed that sentiment.

"People love dogs, and they're learning new things in their lives that they've never had before," Wysong said.

Veteran Alexis Naveen, who has interacted with the program's dogs, said the work being done inside prison walls carries meaning far beyond them.

"Whether they're in here or out there, they're making a difference," Naveen said.

For Campbell, saying goodbye to Titan after months together is difficult but the purpose behind it makes it worthwhile.

"He's a special one for me. He'll always be a part of this program and a part of me," Campbell said.

Blue Star Service Dogs is funded through grants and donations.

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.