Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

Latest updates: Cheboygan Dam water levels reach "READY" status as crews add more pumps

Officials with the State of Michigan are continuing to monitor the fluctuating water levels around the Cheboygan Dam and Lock complex in Northern Michigan.

Over the weekend, water levels continued to rise, and officials have prompted the "Ready, Set, Go," safety approach. That means:

Ready: When water is 12 inches below the top of the dam with levels rising 3 inches a day or more. Plan and/or pack in the event an evacuation becomes necessary. Set: When water reaches 6 inches below the top of the dam, with water levels rising at a rate of 3 inches per day or levels rising 3 inches per day and predicted to top the dam within 48 hours. Prepare by packing and preparing your family, pets and vehicle for potential departure. Go: When water levels are 1 inch below the top of the dam with a high probability of topping it, with the potential for failure occurring. Follow evacuation orders; roadblocks may be installed around the perimeters.

On Friday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer activated the Michigan State Emergency Operations Center and later declared a state of emergency over the rising water levels.

"Record snowfall last month and recent rain have elevated water levels, which could lead to possible flooding for local communities. State officials have been closely monitoring water levels all week, and there's a comprehensive plan in place to protect Michiganders and property. Activating the SEOC will help support local communities with the resources they need to keep people safe," Whitmer said in a statement last week.

The State of Michigan has also launched a new website where people can get the latest updates on the dam.

Below are the latest updates on the dam complex. We'll continue to update this article as we learn more information.

Monday, April 13 - 5:26 a.m.

The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office said water levels have reached the "READY" mark, meaning it is 12 inches below the top of the dam and rising 3 inches or more per day.

What to do now for those between the Cheboygan DNR Dam and Lake Huron.

Prepare a go-bag (medications, important documents, etc.) and review your family plan. Secure outdoor items and move valuables to higher levels. Avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas. Monitor official updates and be ready to act.

Sunday, April 12 - 7 p.m.

Officials said the US-23 bascule bridge in Cheboygan will be raised on Monday to protect against potential damage from debris flowing down the Cheboygan River and to keep vehicle occupants and pedestrians safe.

During the closure, US-23 traffic will be detoured south to the Lincoln Avenue Bridge, which is upstream from the dam complex. There is no timeline for reopening the US-23 bascule bridge, which will need to be inspected before it can be opened. An operator is also on site ready to open the bridge if an emergency is needed.

Sunday, April 12 - 1:19 p.m.

The State of Michigan said that DNR crews have activated five pumps to divert water around the Cheboygan Dam and Lock complex. The team is also working to prodcure additional pumps.

All of the dam gates on the DNR-managed portion of the dam are fully open to handle this flow. The pumps add to the capacity, Richard Hill, the Gaylord District supervisor for the DNRs Parks and Recreation Division, said in a statement. We are putting through as much water as we can.

The state is also working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which regulates the dam, to look at options to reopen a hydroelectric generation station at the dam site to move more water.

Saturday, April 11 - 6:37 p.m.

Work crews placed more sandbags around the Cheboygan Lock and Dam on Saturday.

The DNR is actively engaged with our partners to prevent the failure of the dam to the fullest extent possible, said Mike Janisse, leader of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Incident Management Team.

Friday, April 10 - 5:55 p.m.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to the rising water levels. That authorizes the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations.

Earlier in the day, she also activated the state's emergency operations center.

Oil prices surge after Trump orders blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices are on the rise again after President Donald Trump over the weekend ordered a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz which typically sees about 20% of the world's oil pass through it.

U.S. Central Command announced that it will blockade all Iranian ports beginning Monday at 10 a.m. ET. Trump also ordered the U.S. Navy to seek and interdict any vessel that has paid a toll to Iran for safe passage through the strait. The move suggests tensions between the U.S. and Iran may be getting worse after peace talks between the two sides failed to produce a deal.

RELATED STORY | How high could gas prices go? Record not out of the question

"I think Iran is in very bad shape. I think they're very desperate. We had a meeting that lasted 21 hours. We understand the situation better than anybody," Trump told reporters Sunday night.

"There is only one thing that matters IRAN IS UNWILLING TO GIVE UP ITS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS!" he added in a post on his Truth Social platform.

U.S. Central Command said the blockade "will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports." It added that U.S. forced "will not impede" vessels traveling to and from non-Iranian ports.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Inflation was already high before Iran war drove up gas prices, new report shows

Both oil and gas prices have seen increases in the hours after the order as uncertainty abounds for the current ceasefire in Iran and what may happen next in the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is considering resuming limited strikes on Iran. In the meantime, Iran's parliamentary speaker warned Americans will continue to face high gas prices.

"Enjoy the current pump figures. With the so-called 'blockade,' Soon you'll be nostalgic for $4-$5 gas," he said in a post on social media.

High gas prices sparking a surge in EV and hybrid searches

Is it time to rethink buying a hybrid or fully electric vehicle?

Higher gas prices and high car loan rates this spring are prompting many drivers to give fuel-efficient cars another look. 

Gas prices rose by more than $1 on average from the end of February to the end of March.

This increase has renewed shopper interest in EVs, with Cars.com reporting an average 25% surge in total EV searches during the same period.

New EV searches were up 23.8%, while used EV searches rose 25.5%.

Hybrids have also seen a healthy bump with new hybrid searches up 12.5%. 

RELATED STORY | How high could gas prices go? Record not out of the question

"As an EV owner myself, I will say right now, it's a really good feeling to drive past the gas station," Jenni Newman, editor-in-chief at Cars.com, said.

WATCH car buyers explain why they are now looking at hybrids and EVs:

Hybrids and EV's suddenly popular again, as gas prices surge

EVs and higher upfront costs

Newmans advice to any driver considering an EV is to think about range, how many miles they drive daily, and their ability to charge at home.  

If you own an EV, Level 2 charging is often recommended for longer range and quicker charging times. While Level 2 chargers are convenient, they are also an added expense.  

"We've installed EV chargers at some of the houses of our expert car reviewers here at Cars.com," Newman said. "We found the range in price was all over the place. It was as little as $1,500 to as much as $6,000 because this person had to do a trench; they had to get a new panel."

Electric vehicles require much less maintenance due to fewer parts and no engine oil. But they are more expensive upfront. 

 

According to Cox Automotive, the average transaction price for new EVs in January was $55,715. 

RELATED STORY | Beyond gas: Price hikes American consumers are experiencing from the Iran war

Manufacturers are releasing more affordable, mass-market EVs in their new lineups. The redesigned 2026 Nissan Leaf starts at $31,535. The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt starts at $28,995. 

Used EV trends

The used EV market is emerging as a sweet spot for buyers.

The average listing price for used EVs was $35,442 in January, down 5.1% year over year. 

"You can get a brand-new Model Y for what, $60, $70,000? You can get a used one for $29, $30,000," Karl Albright, general manager at National City Auto Center in National City, California, said.  

According to CarGurus, shopper interest is translating into real demand, with used EV sales up nearly 30% year over year.

The Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Chevy Equinox EV, and Nissan Ariya are seeing some of the biggest gains. 

Shopper Anthony Kemper is considering buying a used EV. 

"You don't pay that high sticker price on the lot, and you don't lose any value right away," Kemper said. 

Corey Haire with CarMax said the company launched its own EV hub to answer common questions from consumers. 

"Giving the consumer that information so that they can make that right decision, because it can be kind of a lifestyle change," Haire said. 

Shopper Bridget Babbe checked out the fully electric Mustang Mach-E, which has an energy efficiency equivalent to 90 miles per gallon of gas. 

"It would be great to save on gas, especially with the prices on gas," Babbe said. 

An EV will save you thousands at the pump, but know the full upfront cost before you buy, so you dont waste your money. 

____________________________

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. 

________________________________

"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").

Follow John:

Facebook: John Matarese Money Instagram: @johnmataresemoney X/Twitter: @JohnMatarese

For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com

Michigan gas prices down 13 cents since 2026 high set last week, up 3 cents in metro Detroit

After setting a 2026 high last week, gas prices have declined by 13 cents per gallon in Michigan, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

Michigan drivers are now paying $3.96/gallon for regular unleaded fuel, up 38 cents since this time last month and up 88 cents since this time last year.

Drivers are now paying an average of $60 for a full 15-gallon tank of gas, up $9 from last year's highest prices.

In metro Detroit, gas prices are up slightly, with the current average sitting at $3.92/gallon, up three cents since last week and up 80 cents since last year.

Here's a look at the priciest and cheapest gas in the state.

Most expensive gas price averages:  Benton Harbor ($4.11), Grand Rapids ($4.02), Jackson ($4.01) Least expensive gas price averages: Flint ($3.88), Metro Detroit ($3.92), Saginaw ($3.95)

For more information on gas prices near you, click here.

'The roads are just trash': Pothole Payback Contest repaying drivers for pothole damage to raise awareness

We all know Michigan's roads can be rough, and this time of year, potholes are at their worst. Now, a campaign is giving drivers a chance to turn their costly repairs into cold, hard cash.

Watch Ali Hoxie's report below Pothole Payback Contest aims to shine spotlight on Michigan road funding problems

It's the Pothole Payback contest, and it's designed to shine a spotlight on the state's ongoing road funding problems.

I first told you about this program last April, and now, this contest is back for Year 2. It's meant to both help drivers with up to $800 in repair costs and remind lawmakers about ongoing infrastructure issues.

Watch our previous report Pothole Payback Contest: Program will reimburse Michigan drivers for damage from potholes

It was only a few weeks ago in March, on his way into work, that Chris Coon hit a pothole on Eureka Road near I-275. The damage was so bad that his 2017 Ram 1500 caught fire.

"The roads are just trash, they're beating up people's vehicles, and it's insane," Chris told me. "I got about five miles from work, and it ended up catching on fire, and it blew out the tire, so I had to get the wrecker, the fire department, all that good stuff.

His car suffered from pretty hefty damage, and with it, a pretty hefty price tag.

Ive replaced everything on the passenger side, as far as the brake caliper, the brake line, the knuckle, the wheel bearing, the CV shaft, and a new tire. I put two new tires on it," Coon said. "I've probably got $1100 just in parts."

It's drivers like Coon that the contest is looking to help.

That would be great get some of my money back," he said.

The contest is through the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation program, or MITA. For the next three months, up to five winners from Michigan will receive up to $800 each. Why $800? That's the average cost of pothole-related repairs.

I asked Rob Coppersmith, the Executive Vice President for MITA, about why they brought the contest back.

"Well, the potholes are coming back," Coppersmith responded.

He tells me soome funding has come through to fix Michigan roads, to the tune of $1.8 billion. However, it's about half of what MITA was advocating for to bring 80 percent of roads to 'good' or 'fair' conditions.

We needed an additional $3.9 billion annually, to put us on a trajectory to good and fair over the next 20, 30 years. The current trajectory is a little bit slower than that," Coppersmith said.

According to the most recent data from the American Society of Civil Engineers, about 40 percent of roads in Michigan are in 'poor' condition. And it is drivers that pay the price.

We pay unbelievable rates for our licensing, our registration, and then the gas tax. Thats just crazy, and we get nothing for it except busted up vehicles that we have to repair, replace, and fix ourselves," Coon said.

The contest runs from now through June, and you can enter it at this link. Make sure you add pictures of the damage to your car for a chance to win $800.

Where Your Voice Matters

Swalwell suspends bid for California governor amid sexual assault accusations

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday following sexual assault allegations that he continues to deny.

I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made but thats my fight, not a campaigns, Swalwell said in a social media post.

Democrats quickly abandoned him after allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. The reports came as Swalwell began to emerge as a leader contender in the crowded race.

His exit from the race comes less than a month before ballots go out in advance of the June 2 primary and as Democrats have been engaged in a messy primary campaign. Swalwell's Democratic rivals were among those who swiftly urged him to exit the race, but his support also cratered among allies in Congress and labor unions who had endorsed him.

Some Democrats also urged Swalwell to resign his seat in Congress, but he made no mention of that Sunday.

The 48-hour period marked a rapid reversal for a candidate who appeared to be gaining momentum in the packed field to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cant seek a third term.

Though Swalwell has denied the allegations, he has seemingly referenced infidelity in multiple statements.

To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment Ive made in my past, he wrote. That followed a video post on Friday where he apologized to his wife.

Swalwell's exit shakes up campaign

The accusations reordered a wide-open gubernatorial race that had Democrats fretting the partys large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. Thats because California has a top-two primary system in which two candidates advance regardless of party.

Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle's report.

His departure from the race will leave his rivals scrambling to win over his supporters and donors. Other prominent Democrats in the race include billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer and former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter. The major Republican contenders are former Fox News host Steve Hilton, who has Trumps backing, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults because she was afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that appeared to come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of other sexual misconduct.

Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to comment.

The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorneys Office said it's investigating. That office urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division.

House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

As Swalwell's campaign flailed over the weekend, fellow California Reps. Jared Huffman, Ro Khanna and Sam Liccardo said Swalwell should resign, as did Reps. Teresa Leger Fernndez of New Mexico and Pramila Jayapal of Washington state.

This is not a partisan issue, Jayapal said Sunday. This cuts across party lines. And it is depravity of the way that women have been treated.

Some representative said they would support the rare step of expelling him should he refuse to step aside.

It all added to the mounting political pressure on Swalwell, which began with allies like Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Jimmy Gomez cutting their support. Gomez had helped run Swalwells campaign and said he was immediately ending his role.

With the House returning to session Tuesday, the question of whether to expel Swalwell could come to a head quickly. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said Saturday that she would be filing a motion to start the process.

Expulsion votes in the House are rare and require a two-thirds majority, but there is recent precedent for taking the step. Republican George Santos of New York in 2023 became just the sixth member in House history to be ousted by colleagues for his conduct.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales ends reelection bid after admitting to affair with aide

Huffman, Jayapal and Leger Fernndez said they would vote to expel Swalwell from the House, though they said they also support expelling Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who admitted to an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters. He is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald Trumps second impeachment trial during his first term in early 2021.

Pope Leo says he does not fear Trump, citing Gospel as he pushes back in feud over Iran war

U.S.-born Pope Leo XIV pushed back Monday on President Donald Trumps broadside against him over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, telling reporters that the Vaticans appeals for peace and reconciliation are rooted in the Gospel, and that he doesnt fear the Trump administration.

To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is, Leo told The Associated Press aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria. And Im sorry to hear that but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.

Historys first U.S.-born pope stressed that he was not making a direct attack against Trump or anyone else with his general appeal for peace and criticisms of the delusion of omnipotence that is fueling the Iran wars and other conflicts around the world.

I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: Blessed are the peacemakers, Leo said.

I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and looking for ways to avoid war any time thats possible

RELATED STORY | Pope Leo XIV steps up criticism of US-Iran conflict, urges end to war

Speaking to other reporters, he added: Im not afraid of the Trump administration or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel, which is what the Church works for.''

We are not politicans. We do not look at foreign policy from the same perspective that he may have,'' the pope said, adding, I will continue to speak out strongly against war, seeking to promote peace, promoting dialogue and multilateralism among states to find solutions to problems.

"Too many people are suffering today, too many innocent people have been killed, and I believe someone must stand up and say that there is a better way,'' he said.

Trump says Leo is not doing a very good job

Trump delivered an extraordinary broadside against Leo on Sunday night, saying he didn't think the U.S.-born global leader of the Catholic Church is doing a very good job and that he's a very liberal person," while also suggesting the pontiff should stop catering to the Radical Left.

Flying back to Washington from Florida, Trump used a lengthy social media post to sharply criticize Leo, then kept it up after deplaning, in comments on the tarmac to reporters.

Im not a fan of Pope Leo, he said.

Trump's comments came after Leo suggested over the weekend that a delusion of omnipotence is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran. While its not unusual for popes and presidents to be at cross purposes, its exceedingly rare for the pope to directly criticize a U.S. leader and Trumps stinging response is equally uncommon, if not more so.

Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy, the president wrote in his post, adding, I dont want a Pope who thinks its OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon."

Italian politicians across the spectrum showed their solidarity with Leo. Premier Giorgia Meloni sent a message of support for his peace mission while the leader of the main opposition party, Elly Schlein, was more direct, calling Trumps attacks extremely serious.

Trump repeated that sentiment in comments to reporters, saying, We dont like a pope who says its OK to have a nuclear weapon.

Later, Trump posted a picture suggesting he had saint-like powers akin to those of Jesus Christ. Wearing a biblical-style robe, Trump is seen laying hands on a bedridden man as light emanates from his fingers, while a soldier, a nurse, a praying woman and a bearded man in a baseball cap all look on admiringly. The sky above is filled with eagles, an American flag and vaporous images.

Leo's opposition to war irked Trump

All of that came after Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peters Basilica on Saturday, the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan during a fragile ceasefire. The pope didnt mention the United States or Trump by name, but his tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.

Leo, who is on an 11-day trip to Africa starting Monday has previously said that God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them. He's also referenced an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, saying that even though you make many prayers, I will not listen your hands are full of blood.

Before the ceasefire, when Trump warned of mass strikes against Iranian power plants and other infrastructure and that an entire civilization will die tonight, Leo described such sentiments as truly unacceptable.

In his social media post on Sunday night, however, Trump went far beyond the war in Iran in criticizing Leo.

The president wrote, I dont want a Pope who thinks its terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States. That was a reference to the Trump administration having ousted Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro in January.

I dont want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because Im doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, Trump added, referencing his 2024 election victory.

He also suggested in the post that Leo only got his position because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump.

If I wasnt in the White House, Leo wouldnt be in the Vatican, Trump wrote, adding, Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. Its hurting him very badly and, more importantly, its hurting the Catholic Church!

In his subsequent comments to reporters, Trump remained highly critical, saying of Leo, I dont think hes doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess and adding, Hes a very liberal person.

Bishops say the pope is not a politician

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement saying he was disheartened by Trump's comments.

Pope Leo is not his rival; nor is the Pope a politician. He is the Vicar of Christ who speaks from the truth of the Gospel and for the care of souls, Coakley said.

The Italian Bishops' Conference expressed regret over Trump's words, and underlined that the pope "is not a political counterpart, but the successor of Peter, called to serve the Gospel, truth and peace.''

In the 2024 election, Trump won 55% of Catholic voters, according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. But Trump's administration also has close ties to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders and has claimed heavenly endorsement for the war on Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Americans to pray for victory in the name of Jesus Christ. And, when Trump was asked whether he thought God approved of the war, he said, I do, because God is good because God is good and God wants to see people taken care of.

Police suspect swatting incident prompted active investigation in Marine City

A shelter-in-place order has been issued for parts of Marine City amid an active investigation in the area.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report below Police suspect swatting incident prompted active investigation in Marine City

According to the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office, people in the area of Union St. and Water St. in Marine City are asked to shelter in place.

Right now, the spokesperson said that no one has been confirmed shot, only that the alleged suspect called 911 and dispatch.

A source tell 7 News Detroit that officers are checking a chiropractor's office nearby, but police also suspect it's a swatting incident.

No one has also reported hearing any shots in the area. Video from the scene shows officers in the area.

Homers from Dingler, McGonigle & Carpenter power Tigers past Marlins; Detroit completes 3-game sweep

Tarik Skubal outpitched Sandy Alcntara in a matchup of Cy Young Award winners, Dillon Dingler, Kevin McGonigle and Kerry Carpenter homered and the Detroit Tigers earned a three-game sweep with an 8-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Sunday.

Detroit has bounced back from a stretch of losing nine of 11 with its three-game winning streak.

Skubal retired the first nine batters he faced and the two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner had a no-hit bid broken up by Austin Slater's bloop single with two outs in the sixth.

Skubal (2-2) allowed a run and a season-low two hits with seven strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

Alcntara (2-1) allowed seven runs and 10 hits after allowing a total of two earned runs and 10 hits over his first three starts of the year.

The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner allowed Dingler's three-run homer in the first inning.

McGonigle hit his first career homer in the fifth inning to make it 4-0 and Carpenter added a two-run homer run in a three-run sixth inning.

Miami's Otto Lopez had a sacrifice fly in the seventh to drive in Jakob Marsee and added a solo homer in the ninth.

The Marlins dropped to .500 with their seventh loss in 10 games.

Up next

Miami RHP Eury Perez (1-1, 5.06 ERA) opens a series at Atlanta on Monday night when the Braves' Grant Holmes (1-1, 2.55) makes a scheduled start.

Detroit is off Monday before hosting Kansas City on Tuesday. LHP Framber Valdez (1-1, 4.76) and Kansas City LHP Cole Ragans (0-3, 5.93) are the scheduled starters.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán concedes defeat after 'painful' election result

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbn conceded defeat on Sunday after what he called a painful election result, ending 16 years in power for a powerful figure in the far-right movement allied with U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Partial official results show opposition leader Peter Magyar's party dominating the vote, in a bombshell election result with repercussions around Europe and beyond. Thank you, Hungary!'' Magyar posted on X, as thousands of his supporters thronged the banks of the Danube in Budapest.

Across town, Orban told his followers that I congratulated the victorious party.''

We are going to serve the Hungarian nation and our homeland from opposition as well,'' he said.

With 60% of the vote counted, Magyars Tisza party had more than 52% support to 38% for Orbn's governing Fidesz party. That proportion will change as more votes are counted.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Vance in Hungary to back Trump ally Viktor Orban ahead of Sunday's election

It's a major blow for Orbn, the European Unions longest-serving leader and one of its biggest antagonists, who has traveled a long road from his early days as a liberal, anti-Soviet firebrand to the Russia-friendly nationalist admired today by the global far-right.

The parties of both Orbn and Magyar said they had received reports of electoral violations, suggesting some results could be disputed by both sides.

Voters showed up in droves

Turnout by 6:30 p.m. was over 77%, according to the National Election Office, a record number in any election in Hungarys post-Communist history.

Im asking our supporters and all Hungarians: Lets stay peaceful, cheerful, and if the results confirm our expectations, lets throw a big, Hungarian carnival, Magyar said.

Orbns chief of staff, Gergely Gulys, said the record high turnout showed that Hungarian democracy is extremely strong.

Choice between East or West

Orbn has repeatedly frustrated EU efforts to support Ukraine in its war against Russias full-scale invasion, while cultivating close ties to President Vladimir Putin and refusing to end Hungarys dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports.

Recent revelations have shown a top member of his government frequently shared the contents of EU discussions with Moscow, raising accusations that Hungary was acting on Russias behalf within the bloc.

The election was closely watched in countries around Europe and beyond, which is a testament to the outsize role Orbn occupies in far-right populist politics worldwide.

Members of Trump's Make America Great Again movement are among those who see Orbn's government and his Fidesz political party as shining examples of conservative, anti-globalist politics in action, while he is reviled by advocates of liberal democracy and the rule of law.

After casting his vote, Magyar told reporters that the election was a choice between East or West, propaganda or honest public discourse, corruption or clean public life.

Casting his ballot in Budapest, Marcell Mehringer, 21, said he was voting primarily so that Hungary will finally be a so-called European country, and so that young people, and really everyone, will do their fundamental civic duty to unite this nation a bit and to break down these boundaries borne of hatred.

Strained relationship with the EU

During his 16 years as prime minister, Orbn has launched harsh crackdowns on minority rights and media freedoms, subverted many of Hungary's institutions and been accused of siphoning large sums of money into the coffers of his allied business elite, an allegation he denies.

He also has heavily strained Hungary's relationship with the EU. Although Hungary is one of the smaller EU countries, with a population of 9.5 million, Orbn has repeatedly used his veto to block decisions that require unanimity.

Most recently, he blocked a 90-billion euro ($104 billion) EU loan to Ukraine, prompting his partners to accuse him of hijacking the critical aid.

Serious challenger on the rise

Magyar rapidly rose to become Orbn's most serious challenger. The 45-year-old leader of the center-right Tisza party, which led in independent polls, campaigned on issues affecting ordinary voters including Hungarys faltering public health care and transportation sectors and what he describes as rampant government corruption.

A former insider within Orbn's Fidesz, Magyar broke with the party in 2024 and quickly formed Tisza. Since then, he has toured Hungary relentlessly, holding rallies in settlements big and small in a campaign blitz that recently had him visiting up to six towns daily.

In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, Magyar said the election will be a referendum on whether Hungary continues on its drift toward Russia under Orbn, or can retake its place among the democratic societies of Europe.

Tisza won 30% of the vote in European Parliament elections in 2024, and Magyar took a seat as an EU lawmaker. Tisza is a member of the European People's Party, the mainstream, center-right political family with leaders governing 12 of the EU's 27 nations.

Uphill election battle

Magyar and Tisza face a tough fight. Orbn's control of Hungary's public media, which he has transformed into a mouthpiece for his party, and vast swaths of the private media market give him an advantage in spreading his message.

The unilateral transformation of Hungary's electoral system and gerrymandering of its 106 voting districts by Fidesz also will require Tisza to gain an estimated 5% more votes than Orbns party to achieve a simple majority.

Additionally, hundreds of thousands of ethnic Hungarians in neighboring countries had the right to vote in Hungarian elections and traditionally have voted overwhelmingly for Orbn's party.

Fidesz and Tisza both have launched platforms for reporting irregularities, accusing their opponents of planning to commit election abuses.

Russian secret services have plotted to interfere and tip the election in Orbn's favor, according to numerous media reports including by The Washington Post. The prime minister, however, has accused neighboring Ukraine, as well as Hungary's allies in the EU, of seeking to interfere in the vote to install a pro-Ukraine government.

Such accusations are part of why many in the EU see Orbn as a danger to the bloc's future.

But across the Atlantic, Trump and his MAGA movement are all-in for another Orbn term. Trump has repeatedly endorsed the Hungarian leader and U.S. Vice President JD Vance made a two-day visit to Hungary last week meant to help push Orbn over the finish line.

Suspect arrested after allegedly shooting & killing man in Pontiac robbery attempt

A 36-year-old man has been arrested after police say he shot & killed another man during a robbery attempt in Pontiac this weekend.

Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at a home in the 100 block of Crystal Lake just after 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 10.

Police found a man who had been shot in the back. That man identified as 28-year-old Kevonte Javon Smith was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses told police that the suspect fled the area after the shooting. He was found three hours later, thanks to the help of a K-9 unit and drones.

Detectives say that the two men knew each other. They also say that the suspect was on probation on a drug conviction and had served prison time for an unarmed robbery conviction in 2016.

It is so sad to see when lives are lost for absolutely no reason, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a press release. We look forward to this individual being held to account for the suspected violent homicide. I am proud of our team that within three hours we were able to identify, locate, take into custody a suspect and recover the suspected murder weapon and clothing. A full team effort.

2 teens shot and killed in Inkster as police search for suspect

2 teens have died after being shot in Inkster this weekend, police tell us.

Watch Ryan Marshall's video report below 2 teens shot and killed in Inkster as police search for suspect

Police responded to a call around 4:50 a.m. on Sunday morning to a report of a man who had been shot at a home in the 2600 block of Penn.

First responders performed life-saving measures on the teen, 17, but those attempts were unsuccessful and the victim was pronounced dead at the hospital.

While canvassing the area, investigators found a trail of blood leading to a backyard on the same block, where a gun was found. A second gunshot victim was also found at that location, with that 15-year-old being pronounced dead at the scene.

Inkster Police say there is no immediate threat to the public, with this being investigated as a double homicide. No suspect has been identified by police in this case.

1 dead, 3 hospitalized in head-on Orion Township crash

One man has died, and three people have been hospitalized after a head-on crash that happened in Orion Township this weekend, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office tells us.

We're told the crash happened just after 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon (April 10) near Lapeer Road and Greenshield Road.

Investigators say that a 63-year-old Hazel Park man was heading northbound on Lapeer Road in a Ford Fiesta when he left the roadway. Police say it's unclear why he left the roadway.

The Hazel Park man proceeded to drive through the median and into the southbound lane of Lapeer Road, striking the driver of a Lincoln MKX head-on.

The driver of that Lincoln, 86-year-old Alfred Henry Young, died in the hospital after the crash, we're told. His 86-year-old wife, the Hazel Park man, and his 60-year-old wife were all hospitalized with what authorities are calling critical injuries.

The Sheriffs Office Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating the incident. Alcohol, drugs and speed do not appear to be factors in the crash, the Sheriff's Office said.

DPD officer arrested, placed on adminstrative leave after getting involved in OWI hit-and-run crash

A Detroit Police officer has been arrested and placed on administrative leave after she was driving while impaired and got involved in a hit-and-run crash, authorities tell us.

We're told that the incident happened late Friday night, when police in Sterling Heights responded to a crash at the intersection of Metropolitan Parkway and Van Dyke Avenue.

No injuries were reported by police in that crash. Investigators say that a 17-year-old driver was heading eastbound on the Parkway through a green light when the driver of a blue Camry came through the intersection and struck the young driver.

The incident caused the 17-year-old's vehicle to strike a fire hydrant. After the car suffered front-end damage, the driver of the Camry fled the scene, police tell us.

Sterling Heights police made contact with the driver of the Camry after obtaining her license plate, tracing her back to a Sterling Heights house. The officer was arrested on suspicion of Operating While Impaired and placed in the Macomb County Jail. Anyone with more information on the crash is asked to contact the Sterling Heights Police Department.

On Sunday afternoon, DPD provided us with a statement below on the officer:

"That type of conduct is not in line with our core values. Internal Affairs is conducting an administrative investigation, and we will ensure the officer is held accountable.The officer has been placed on Administrative duty."

Viral TikTok video saves a 19-year-old's struggling Michigan taco restaurant from closing its doors

A 19-year-old restaurant owner in Taylor whose business was on the brink of closure is now selling out nearly every night after a heartfelt plea on TikTok went viral.

Watch Faraz Javed's video report below Viral TikTok video saves a 19-year-old's struggling Michigan taco restaurant from closing its doors

Alexander Quinones, a Taylor High School graduate, opened Detroit Loves Tacos 2 last November. He invested $5,000 of his savings and graduation money into the business, and his mother, Julie Stevens, also contributed to keep the dream alive.

However, the restaurant struggled to bring in customers. Stevens said Quinones was making just enough to cover daily expenses and his one employee. Just two weeks ago, they faced a breaking point.

"We had a difficult discussion that day. We're gonna have to close if something doesn't give," Stevens said.

"I felt like I was failing in life a little bit. I put all my money into this, I put all my time into this. So it really, really hurt me," Quinones said.

Facing closure, Quinones posted a 30-second video on TikTok.

"No shortcuts, no big investors, just me working every single day, long nights, with a vision," Quinones said in the video.

"I woke up in the morning, and he was viral, literally, like overnight. It was like a blessing," Stevens said.

The video drew Mexican food lovers from across Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Canada. Siblings Breanna Huynh and Jordan Huynh drove across the border from Windsor to support the business.

"It's really good," Breanna Huynh said.

"It's just amazing, balanced bite, it's great," Jordan Huynh said.

Isabel Zuniga and Breanna Niese made a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Ohio after seeing the video.

"This place is great," Niese said.

"Worth the drive," Zuniga said.

Another customer, Dallas, also praised the menu.

"They got this pineapple pork, and I love it," Dallas said.

Quinones discovered his passion for the restaurant business at age 12 at Detroit Loves Tacos in Corktown, which stemmed from Stevens' catering business. Now, Stevens helps in the kitchen at the Taylor location due to the overwhelming customer response.

"He is the first one in, the last one to leave. He has watched me his whole life. That's how my mom raised us," Stevens said.

"His work ethic has always been stellar," Stevens said.

"Restaurant's like my passion. I love serving people with food. I love seeing their smiles. It means the world to me," Quinones said.

Quinones said he is grateful for the community support and tries to ensure he has enough inventory to feed everyone, as the restaurant almost completely sells out every day.

"That's crazy," Niese said.

"All I thought was a simple video, just to get my name out there," Quinones said.

"I'm so grateful, I've almost sold out, almost completely everyday out of the week. But I try and make sure that I have enough inventory, just to feed everybody," Quinones said.

Quinones plans to expand, including opening more stores and food trucks. He hopes his story encourages others to never give up on their dreams.

"Definitely lean on the people around you," Breanna Huynh 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 $1 million Picasso is due to be sold for just $116

For the price of a dinner in Paris, somebody will soon walk away with a Picasso valued at more than $1 million.

The 1 Picasso for 100 euros raffle offers entrants the chance to take home the artists 1941 gouache Tte de Femme. The price of a ticket is as the name of the contest suggests 100 euros, or about $116.

A total of 120,000 tickets are available for the drawing on April 14. Proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimers Research Foundation, which supports clinical research into the disease across Europe.

This is the third edition of the campaign. The first 1 Picasso for 100 euros was held in 2013, with funds donated to the preservation of Tyre, a historic city in Southern Lebanon. A second edition in 2020 supported clean water and hygiene programs during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Superman No. 1 comic found in attic sells for $9.1M, breaks world record

Olivier Widmaier Picasso, grandson of the legendary Spanish artist, told CNNs Paula Newton that his grandfather created Tte de Femme in the same studio where he painted his masterpiece Guernica.

He said he believed the work is being undervalued. Its worth much more than $1 million, Widmaier Picasso said, so it will be really a big prize.

Picassos have fetched staggering sums at auction in the past. Les Femmes dAlger (Version O) sold for more than $179 million in 2015.

The Opera Gallery, which donated the painting, says Pablo Picasso was in Paris when he painted Tte de Femme. World War II was raging across Europe and much of France was under German occupation.

Tte de Femme is about 15 inches tall and 10 inches wide. The womans expression, painted in different shades of gray, is intentionally distorted in Picassos signature Cubist style. The Opera Gallery says the gouache reflects a moment of introspection and concentrated studio work for the artist.

Widmaier Picasso says that a friend of his came up with the 1 Picasso for 100 euros initiative.

She thought it was a modern vision of charity by offering people the option to get a real artwork of my grandfather and to participate in humanitarian operations, he said.

Widmaier Picasso believes his grandfather would support 1 Picasso for 100 euros.

My grandfather was a pioneer in many ways, he said. I think that he was always very interested in participating in new things. I would say that today he would have been interested in video or maybe in artificial intelligence.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | The largest known Martian meteorite just sold for more than $5 million

Widmaier Picasso says whoever wins Tte de Femme is free to do whatever they would like with it. The winner of the first contest, for example, decided to display their prize in a museum.

Anyone can do what they want, he said. They can keep it in the living room, they can show it in an exhibition or they can resell it.

Widmaier Picasso said his grandfather would agree with letting the winner decide, because thats how he operated.

He said his grandmother, Marie-Thrse Walter, who was only 17 years old when Picasso began a romantic relationship with her, was showered with art. The artist was in his mid-forties at the time, married with a young son.

Marie-Thrse Walters features appeared in Picassos work over the next decade. Widmaier Picasso says his grandfather repaid her for the years of inspiration.

When my grandfather was giving artworks, it was forever, he said. It was a decision you do what you want with it. Pablo gave a lot of artworks to his lady, and she kept everything until she died. So Im offering all options.

The-CNN-Wire & 2026 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Red Wings extend NHL's longest current playoff drought that has dragged on for a decade

The Detroit Red Wings sat on the bench, stewing in stunned silence, after their latest loss sealed their fate as a franchise relegated to watching the NHL playoffs on TV.

Again.

Detroit lost three leads in its last home game, falling 5-3 to the out-of-contention New Jersey Devils on Saturday, in what coach Todd McLellan called a microcosm of a disappointing season that extended the NHL's longest postseason drought that has dragged on for a decade.

Red Wings fans, the relative few who stayed in their seats until the bitter end, let their voices be heard with a chorus of boos.

To hear that is very difficult, captain Dylan Larkin said. We're down. I'm as down as I could be right now.

McLellan said the team deserved it.

That's what we earned, he said.

Detroit was expected to compete for a spot in the playoffs this season and it did, holding a playoff position for nearly 80% of the season. The Red Wings became the second team in NHL history to have at least 69 points in the first 53 games and miss the playoffs. The Canadiens, who also had 69 points, did it in 1969-70.

The Red Wings were in a playoff position for 148 days of the season, according to Sportradar, to raise expectations higher than theyve been since the hockey-crazed state experienced a 25th consecutive postseason in 2016.

In late January, the Red Wings led the Atlantic Division and were one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Even though Detroit slipped in the standings, it was still clinging to a wild card as late as March 21.

We put ourselves in a really good position coming out of the Olympic break, and we let it slip away from us, winger Lucas Raymond said. You look back in a lot of games where you lost late leads or came up flat, and you just cant afford that at this time of the year.

In the loss that allowed the Red Wings to make tee times for next weekend, they went ahead against New Jersey in the first, second and third periods and lost every lead.

On an odd-man rush, New Jersey's Jesper Bratt scored the go-ahead goal for his second score of the game from the left circle off a perfect pass from Jack Hughes as John Gibson flailed around in an attempt to stop the puck.

The fourth (goal) is on me, Larkin said softly in the team's dressing room, which is adorned with photos of the team's all-time greats above each locker stall. It's my responsibility to stay back and cover for the D.

McLellan entered his first full season on the bench this year, trying to get the team to be physically harder to play against, mentally resilient and to manage games better.

I thought we were making gains in those areas, but since the Olympic break, we didn't have much of that and that cost us, he said. That starts with me.

Detroit dashed hopes with a late-season slide, raising more questions about general manager Steve Yzermans plan to turn around the team he led as a Stanley Cup-winning captain. The franchise brought Yzerman back seven years ago to turn things around and it simply has not happened.

It's been too many years in a row, we've been right there just havent been able to get it done, Raymond said. We got to figure it out and we got to figure it out fast, and take the next step.

"We got to look ourselves in the mirror, everyone here in this building, and we got to be better than this.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Trump threatens Strait of Hormuz blockade after US-Iran ceasefire talks end without agreement

President Donald Trump on Sunday said the U.S. Navy would immediately begin a blockade of ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, after U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks in Pakistan ended without an agreement.

U.S. Central Command announced that it will blockade all Iranian ports beginning Monday at 10 a.m. ET.

CENTCOM said the blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations. It said it would still allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump wants to weaken Irans key leverage in the war after demanding that it reopen the strait to all global traffic on the waterway that was responsible for 20% of global oil shipping before fighting began.

Traffic in the Strait has been limited even in the days since the ceasefire. Marine trackers say over 40 commercial ships have crossed since the start of the ceasefire.

RELATED STORY | Vance says talks with Iran have ended without an agreement to end war

going to be all or none, and thats the way it is," Trump told Fox News.

Trump said on social media that he told the Navy to "seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas. He said other nations would be involved but did not name them.

Freedom of peaceful navigation is a basic principle of international maritime trade.

Iran says if you fight, we will fight

Irans Revolutionary Guard later said the strait remained under Irans full control and was open for non-military vessels, but military ones would get a forceful response, two semi-official Iranian news agencies reported.

During the 21-hour talks, the U.S. military said two destroyers had transited the strait ahead of mine-clearing work, a first since the war began. Iran denied it.

Trumps plan to use the Navy to block the strait is unrealistic and he will have to concede on some issues with Iran, said Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer in security studies at Kings College London. There isnt any tool in the toolbox in terms of the military lever that he could use to get his way, Krieg said.

Trump said Tehrans nuclear ambitions were at the core of the talks' failure. In comments to Fox News, he again threatened to strike civilian infrastructure.

Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who led Irans side, addressed Trump in a new statement on his return to Iran: If you fight, we will fight.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Pope Leo XIV steps up criticism of US-Iran conflict, urges end to war

No word on what happens after ceasefire expires

The face-to-face talks that ended early Sunday were the highest-level negotiations between the longtime rivals since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Neither indicated what will happen after the ceasefire expires on April 22.

We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, said Vice President JD Vance, leading the U.S. side.

Iranian negotiators could not agree to all U.S. red lines, said a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to describe positions on the record. These included Iran never obtaining a nuclear weapon, ending uranium enrichment, dismantling major enrichment facilities and allowing retrieval of its highly enriched uranium, along with opening the Strait of Hormuz and ending funding for Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthi rebels.

Iranian officials said talks fell apart over two or three key issues, blaming what they called U.S. overreach. Qalibaf, who noted progress in negotiations, said it was time for the United States to decide whether it can gain our trust or not.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said his country will try to facilitate a new dialogue in the coming days. Iran said it was open to continuing dialogue, state-run IRNA news agency reported.

The European Union urged further diplomatic efforts. The foreign minister of Oman, located on the Strait of Hormuz's southern coast, called for parties to make painful concessions." The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized his readiness to help bring about a diplomatic settlement in a call with Iran's president.

Iran's nuclear program is a key sticking point

Irans nuclear program was at the center of tensions long before the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28. The fighting has killed at least 3,000 people in Iran, 2,055 in Lebanon, 23 in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, and damaged infrastructure in half a dozen countries.

Tehran has long denied seeking nuclear weapons but insists on its right to a civilian nuclear program. The landmark 2015 nuclear deal, which Trump later pulled the U.S. out of, took well over a year of negotiations. Experts say Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium, though not weapons-grade, is only a short technical step away.

An Iranian diplomatic official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of closed-door talks, denied that negotiations had failed over Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Inside Iran, there was new exhaustion and anger after months of unrest that began with nationwide protests against economic issues and then political ones, followed by weeks of sheltering from U.S. and Israeli bombardment.

We have never sought war. But if they try to win what they failed to win on the battlefield through talks, thats absolutely unacceptable, Mohammad Bagher Karami said in Tehran.

Elsewhere in the region, airstrikes calmed over the past day except in Lebanon.

More questions as Israel presses ahead in Lebanon

Irans 10-point proposal for the talks called for a halt to Israeli strikes on the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has said the ceasefire did not apply there, but Iran and Pakistan said it did.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited parts of southern Lebanon under Israeli control on Sunday, for the first time since the current fighting. Attacks on southern Lebanon have intensified alongside the ground invasion renewed after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel in the wars opening days.

Negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are expected to begin Tuesday in Washington after Israels surprise announcement authorizing talks despite their lack of official relations. Israel wants Lebanon to assume responsibility for disarming Hezbollah, but the militant group has survived efforts to curb its strength for decades.

The day the Iran ceasefire deal was announced, Israel pounded Beirut with airstrikes, killing more than 300 people, according to the Health Ministry.

Lebanons state-run National News Agency reported six people were killed Sunday in Maaroub village near the coastal city of Tyre.

Artemis II's moon-traveling astronauts return home to cheers after a record-breaking trip

Still marveling over their moon mission, the Artemis II astronauts received a thunderous welcome home Saturday from hundreds who took part in NASA's lunar comeback that set a record for deep space travel.

The crew of four arrived at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center and Mission Control, flying in from San Diego, where they splashed down just offshore the evening before.

After a quick reunion with their spouses and children, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada's Jeremy Hansen took the hangar stage, surrounded by space center workers and other invited guests. They were introduced by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, among the first to greet them aboard the recovery ship Friday.

Ladies and gentlemen, your Artemis II crew, Isaacman said to a standing ovation.

RELATED STORY | New reentry strategy guides Artemis IIs historic return to Earth

The jubilant crowd included flight directors and the launch director, Orion capsule and exploration system managers, high-ranking military officers, members of Congress, the space agencys entire blue-suited astronaut corps and even retired ones, and more.

Their homecoming was poignant: They returned to NASA's Houston base on the 56th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 13, whose Houston, weve had a problem refrain turned a near-disaster into triumph.

This was not easy. an emotional Wiseman said. Before you launch, it feels like its the greatest dream on Earth. And when youre out there, you just want to get back to your families and your friends. Its a special thing to be a human, and its a special thing to be on planet Earth.

Added Glover: I have not processed what we just did and Im afraid to start even trying."

Hansen said the four of them embodied love and extracting joy out of that as the four joined together to stand in a row, embracing one another. When you look up here, youre not looking at us. We are a mirror reflecting you. And if you like what you see, then just look a little deeper. This is you.

During Artemis II's nearly 10-day mission, the astronauts voyaged deeper into space than the moon explorers of decades past and captured views of the lunar far side never witnessed before by human eyes. A total solar eclipse added to the cosmic wonder.

On their record-breaking flyby, the astronauts reached a maximum 252,756 miles (406,771 kilometers) from Earth before hanging a U-turn behind the moon, eclipsing Apollo's 13 distance record.

The mission also revealed a new side of our planet with an Earthset photo, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray, pockmarked moon. The image echoed the famous Earthrise shot from 1968 taken by the worlds first lunar visitors, Apollo 8.

Honestly, what struck me wasnt necessarily just Earth, it was all the blackness around it. Earth was just this lifeboat hanging undisturbedly in the universe, Koch said. Planet Earth you are a crew.

RELATED STORY | Heat shield data from Artemis II could define timeline of future lunar missions

Despite the accomplishments, Artemis II astronauts had to contend with a more mundane problem a malfunctioning space toilet. NASA promised a design fix before longer moon-landing missions.

Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen were the first humans to fly to the moon since Apollo 17 closed out NASA's first exploration era in 1972. Twenty-four astronauts flew to the moon during Apollo, including 12 moonwalkers.

Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell who also flew on Apollo 8 cheered the Artemis II crew on in a wake-up message recorded before he died last summer.

It was crucial for NASA that Artemis II go well. The space agency is already preparing for next year's Artemis III, which will see a new crew practice docking its capsule with a lunar lander in orbit around Earth. That will set the stage for the all-important Artemis IV moon landing in 2028, when two astronauts attempt a touchdown near the lunar south pole.

The long wait is over. After a brief 53-year intermission, the show goes on, Isaacman said.

❌