Some retailers say they have run out of pennies and cant get more from their banks, forcing them to make changes at the cash register.
At Richardson Farms in White Marsh, Maryland, President Leslie Richardson said his bank stopped delivering pennies late last year.
We were no longer getting pennies delivered to us, he said. The bank told us it would be coming, and sure enough, a couple of weeks later, we havent seen a penny.
While the store still accepts pennies, Richardson said it generally does not have them unless customers bring them in. As a result, he activated a register setting that rounds cash totals to the nearest five cents.
The U.S. Mint stopped producing pennies last summer because the cost to make one nearly four cents exceeded its value. But Jeff Lenard, spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores, said billions of coins already in circulation are sitting unused.
When you get change, you stick it in a jar, you stick it in an ashtray, you stick it somewhere else. It doesnt recirculate, Lenard said. When theres not many around, you need constant new pennies. Thats not happening right now, and thats why we have this shortage.
He called the situation the great penny mess and said rounding in favor of customers could cost the convenience store industry roughly $1 million a day.
Lawmakers have introduced the Common Cents Act, which would standardize rounding nationwide. Under the bill, cash totals ending in 1 or 2 cents would round down to the nearest five cents, while totals ending in 3 or 4 cents would round up. Amounts ending in 6 or 7 cents would round down, and 8 or 9 cents would round up.
The Treasury Department is encouraging shoppers to spend the pennies they have and recommends rounding cash transactions to the nearest five cents. However, it says retailers should still accept pennies and provide penny change if they have it.
So far, no vote has been scheduled on the federal measure.
As part of his first tour in nearly a decade, Bruno Mars is set to perform at Ford Field this spring, as part of The Romantic Tour.
The 16-time Grammy winner is set to perform with Anderson .Paak and Leon Thomas for the tour, with the trio playing stadiums across the country.
The concert at Ford Field is set for Saturday, May 9, with tickets going on sale on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 12 p.m. EST.
You can find more info and purchase tickets through Ford Field at this link. If you are a Lions Loyal Member, you will receive more details on Monday, Jan. 12, with additional information about an exclusive presale, which starts on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 10 a.m. EST.
Renee Nicole Good, 37, was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday. She was a former resident of Kansas City, Missouri, who had recently moved to the Twin Cities.
Renee was one of the kindest people Ive ever known, Ganger told the newspaper. She was extremely compassionate. Shes taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.
Authorities said Good was driving an SUV and pulling away when an ICE agent fired at her. While the Trump administration defended the agents actions, local officials in Minneapolis, including the citys mayor and Minnesotas governor, called the shooting unjustified.
A Kansas City neighbor said Good lived there for about two years. Neighbors told Scripps News Kansas City that they were saddened when she moved about eight months ago. One neighbor, who declined to be identified, said she was an awesome neighbor who was great with her kids.
The Scripps News Group confirmed that Goods vehicle was registered to a Kansas City address. Court records show she had three children and, in October 2023, petitioned to change her name to match her partners.
The Star Tribune also reported that Good was previously married to Timmy Ray Macklin Jr., who died in 2023.
Good was a graduate of Old Dominion University in Virginia, where she earned a degree in English, university President Brian I. Hemphill confirmed.
Now that the season of giving is over, maybe we can gift ourselves a good deal. I got this tip from one of our technical directors here at Channel 7, Zara Maldonado, who said he creates his own deals by taking advantage of gift card promotions.
Watch Kiara's report in the video player below
7 Smart Shopper: How to make your own deals by taking advantage of gift card promotions
For example, if you know you get a coffee every morning. Get a gift card from Kroger or any place that is running a promotion. Right now, Kroger is offering four times the fuel points, meaning the same money you would have spent will now go towards savings at the pump!
"So oftentimes during the week I'll think about, alright on Wednesday nights we have sporting events, or Saturday we're busy all day. So I'll take advantage and buy a gift card at a restaurant I know we will be close to. So again, I'm saving time, I'm saving stress, and I'm getting additional fuel points," said Amy Luna, a Customer Communication Manager at Kroger. "Super easy, scan your plus card, and you're good to go."
Buying a gift card, is also a good way to keep track of what we are spending at certain places! So thank you, Zara, for that tip.
And if you have any money saving tips to share, send me an email at Kiara.Hay@WXYZ.com
Protesters gathered outside the ICE field office in Detroit and marched down Michigan Avenue, calling the fatal shooting of a protester by an ICE agent in Minneapolis "unacceptable" and demanding ICE leave Michigan.
Just hours after protests erupted in Minnesota, multiple groups organized a demonstration in downtown Detroit, voicing their anger over the shooting and loudly chanting they want ICE out of Michigan.
Watch Brett Kast's video report below: Protesters march in downtown Detroit following ICE shooting in Minneapolis Watch Ryan Marshall's video report below Protesters march in downtown Detroit following ICE shooting in Minneapolis
Kassandra Rodriguez of the Detroit Community Action Committee planned the protest. Like many marching along, she saw video of the shooting on social media.
"I was disgusted and to be fair, quite angry," Rodriguez said. "This was completely unwarranted and shouldn't have happened.
Steve Conn, a protester, also viewed the video footage.
"I saw the video. It was outrageous, disgusting. It's just murder cold blooded murder," Conn said.
Daanyal Syed, an activist with the Detroit Anti-War Committee, shared similar sentiments.
"I think you can see the video and you can clearly say there's no reason why that ICE officer should've shot that woman at all. It's murder that's what it is," Syed said.
Related video: ICE agent shoots and kills woman during Minneapolis immigration crackdown Woman killed by ICE officer in Minneapolis
Officials on both sides of the isle offered vastly differing responses to the shooting. Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain posted on X: "This is what happens when Democrats continue to DEMONIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT."
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, saying the woman who was shot "was very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, who seems to have shot her in self defense."
Meanwhile, Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan called the shooting horrific and avoidable.
"The Department of Homeland Security's public statements about this incident are not only reckless they appear to be outright falsehoods. If this Administration can label anyone a domestic terrorist to deflect responsibility, then every American is at risk. Video evidence indicates that this was an unacceptable use of deadly force," Peters said.
As protesters in Detroit responded to the shooting, they echoed their calls for ICE to leave Michigan and also called for Detroit to become a sanctuary city.
"It's up to all of us to respond and let people know that this is not something we're going to accept or tolerate or let alone let happen here in Detroit," Rodriguez said.
But Sen. Aric Nesbitt, the Republican Senate leader in Lansing, called for the opposite approach.
"We need to stand with law enforcement, we need to ban sanctuary cities, we need to make sure that local law enforcement is working with state law enforcement is working with federal law enforcement. That's common sense," Nesbitt said. I welcome law enforcement... to do their job, enforce our laws and make sure every criminal illegal alien is deported from this country.
As ICE operations continue, so too do the protests.
"This is a moment in history. You must stand up for yourselves, for your community, the immigrants, all of us together," Conn said.
The group protesting said they plan to show up at a Jan. 13 Detroit City Council meeting, pushing for Detroit to become a sanctuary city.
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 Salt Lake City are searching for the gunman who shot and killed two people and injured six others at a funeral outside of a church on Wednesday night.
Of the six who are injured, three are in critical condition, police said.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Police do not have a concrete description of a suspect or their vehicle, although they said they are following leads.
Despite a suspect not being in custody, police said there is no further danger to the public.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said the shooting did not appear to be a random act.
"We don't believe this was a targeted attack against a religion or anything like that," said Redd. "We don't believe, at this point, that this was random."
In a statement released after the shooting, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the church is cooperating with law enforcement, "and is grateful for the efforts of first responders."
"We extend prayers for all who have been impacted by this tragedy and express deep concern that any sacred space intended for worship should be subjected to violence of any kind."
A Kroger store in Orion Township remains closed after a state inspection found mouse droppings on store shelves, prompting officials to temporarily shut down the location.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or MDARD, received a complaint on Dec. 8 and conducted an inspection the following day. Inspectors discovered mouse droppings in multiple aisles, including the pet food aisle, bread aisle and other sections of the store.
Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Kroger store in Orion Township closes temporarily after mice droppings found on shelves
The state agency had given the store until Dec. 30 to address the rodent problem, but the store failed to meet that deadline, resulting in the temporary closure this week.
"MDARD is in touch with the store following an inspection that resulted in a voluntary closure by Kroger," the department said in a statement. "We're unable to share anything more at this time due to it being an ongoing investigation."
Signs posted outside the store read: "Sorry for the inconvenience. Our store is temporarily closed until further notice."
Shoppers expressed surprise and concern about the closure.
"Probably not going to be shopping here for a while. It's kind of gross," Gaines said. "This is the first time this has happened, so I'm kind of surprised. I thought they took better care of this establishment."
One customer reported seeing a mouse in the bread and chip aisle and warned other shoppers not to purchase items from those areas. The customer provided photos that appear to show rodent droppings throughout the store.
David Griffin of Auburn Hills took a more understanding approach to the situation.
"I've worked in retail, I've worked in restaurants. Things happen. They're on it. Hopefully, they get it taken care of. Hopefully, nobody got sick," Griffin said.
Kroger responded to the situation in a statement, saying the company took immediate action once aware of the problem. The statement reads:
"We take the health and safety of our customers very seriously. As soon as we were made aware of the incident, we took immediate action to voluntarily close. Our professional pest control company conducted an immediate inspection to ensure any activity is removed from our store. Additionally, we have implemented strict sanitation protocols, initiated a thorough deep cleaning and will maintain ongoing inspections. With these additional steps taken, we anticipate reopening the store as soon as possible."
A state inspector confirmed the store is working with pest control company Eco Lab and has installed equipment to prevent pests from entering the building.
The store hopes to reopen as soon as possible, though no specific timeline has been announced.
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 Michigan family is back on American soil after being stuck in the Caribbean during conflict in Venezuela.
Derrick and Athena Chriss and their two children traveled for a holiday trip and were supposed to return Saturday. But conflict in Venezuela involving the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, halted flights, leaving the Chriss family stuck on St. Kitts with mounting bills and threats to be kicked out of their hotel.
Listen to our phone interview after the family's return to the U.S. below: Phone interview: Family returns to US after being stuck in Caribbean during conflict in Venezuela
The family reached out to Michigan lawmakers and Congresswoman Lisa McClain secured them seats to Miami then Detroit, ending days of stress.
Her and her office did a great job. They really did a lot to help and they really stood their ground in doing what they said they were going to do for us. So we cant thank them enough for what they did, Derrick Chriss said.
Watch our previous report when the family was stranded below: Michigan family stranded in Caribbean as Venezuela conflict disrupts flights
McClain said she was happy to help.
But its our job. I mean, it shouldnt have to be that way that we have to make calls and stuff, but Im glad we could do it, said McClain, who also credits her staff.
A Minneapolis woman shot and killed by a federal agent during the Trump administrations latest immigration crackdown on a major U.S. city Wednesday was originally from Colorado, her family confirmed to Scripps News Group.
The woman, identified by the Minnesota Star Tribune earlier in the day as 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, was born in Colorado Springs, according to her uncle, Robert Ganger. He told Scripps News Group via phone late Wednesday afternoon news of her passing were especially difficult for the family since Good's older sister was celebrating her birthday today.
Her killing after 9:30 a.m. was recorded on video by witnesses, and the shooting quickly drew a crowd of hundreds of angry protesters. By evening, hundreds were there for a vigil to mourn the death and urge the public to resist immigration enforcers.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, while visiting Texas, described the incident as an act of domestic terrorism carried out against ICE officers by a woman who attempted to run them over and rammed them with her vehicle. An officer of ours acted quickly and defensively, shot, to protect himself and the people around him.
In a social media post, President Donald Trump made similar accusations against the woman and defended ICEs work.
Hours later, at an evening news conference in Minnesota, Noem didn't back down, claiming the woman was part of a mob of agitators. She said the veteran officer who fired his gun had been rammed and dragged by an anti-ICE motorist in June.
Any loss of life is a tragedy, and I think all of us can agree that in this situation, it was preventable, Noem said, adding that the FBI would investigate.
But Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey blasted Noem's version of what happened as garbage and criticized the federal deployment of more than 2,000 officers to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul as part of the immigration crackdown.
Frey accused immigration agents of causing chaos," and said he had a message for ICE: Get the f*** out of Minneapolis.
WATCH: Mayor of Minneapolis to ICE: Get the f*** out of Minneapolis. Minneapolis mayor: This was not self-defense, that's B.S.
What they are doing is not to provide safety in America. What they are doing is causing chaos and distrust, Frey said, calling on the immigration agents to leave. Theyre ripping families apart. Theyre sowing chaos on our streets, and in this case, quite literally killing people.
It was a sentiment echoed by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who said he was "angry" and accused the Trump administration of instigating unrest.
"From here on, I have a very simple message: We do not need any further help from the federal government," he said. "To Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, you've done enough."
"Minnesota will not allow our community to be used as a prop in a national political fight," Walz added. "We will not take the bait."
A shooting caught on video
Videos taken by bystanders with different vantage points and posted to social media show an officer approaching an SUV stopped across the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door and grabbing the handle. The Honda Pilot begins to pull forward and a different ICE officer standing in front of the vehicle pulls his weapon and immediately fires at least two shots into the vehicle at close range, jumping back as the vehicle moves toward him.
It was not clear from the videos if the vehicle made contact with the officer. The SUV then sped into two cars parked on a curb nearby before crashing to a stop. Witnesses screamed obscenities, expressing shock at what theyd seen. After the shooting, a bystander can be heard imploring with federal agents to let him through to check the woman's pulse, claiming to be a physician. One agent refuses, telling the man "I don't care" as another agent reassures him emergency medical technicians were on their way.
Watch three different angles from the fatal Minneapolis shooting by ICE in the video player below: Three different angles from Minneapolis shooting
She was driving away and they killed her, said resident Lynette Reini-Grandell, who was outdoors recording video on her phone.
The latest immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities called for the deployment of roughly 2,000 federal agents and officers, with a focus on targeting Somali immigrants who are unlawfully living in the country.
The Associated Press and Scripps News Group contributed to this report.This story was
A crowd of peaceful demonstrators held an evening vigil Wednesday in Minneapolis, in the neighborhood where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a driver earlier in the day.
The vigil began at the intersection where the shooting took place. Demonstrators held candles and lights aloft, as well as signs emblazoned with the word "remember" and a graphic of a butterfly. Other signs called for the expulsion of ICE from the city.
The Rev. Ingrid Rasmussen, who is a pastor of the community's Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, said clergy attended the vigil to be in community with a neighborhood thats hurting and a city that feels under siege.
After the shooting, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey accused immigration agents of causing chaos," telling them to get the f*** out of the city.
"What I can tell you is the narrative that this was just done in self-defense is a garbage narrative," Frey said. "That is not true. It has no truth."
The Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the victim has been identified by their mother as 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. The Scripps News Group can also confirm that the car she was driving was registered to an address in Kansas City, Missouri, according to the state Department of Revenue.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem referred to the incident as "an act of domestic terrorism" and said the ICE agent acted in self defense.
The idea of longevity has become an obsession, driven not by the healthcare industry but instead by tech giants corporations and engineers who view aging as a technical problem in need of a solution.
One such company showcasing at CES is Dephy, whose product Sidekick tackles mobility issues from the ground up, literally. It's an exoskelton anchored at the ankle.
"It gives you a customized boost as you walk based on your very specific gait," said Aaron Cobb, Dephy product marketing manager. "So what that all means is basically walking farther, faster, longer, with less fatigue, less effort."
And for an all-encompassing body composition review, Withings Body Scan 2 measures over 60 biomarkers like heart rate, muscle mass, and blood oxygen levels.
"We want to measure longitudinal data," says Louise de Vazelhes, Withings product marketer. "The whole point is the trends."
Scripps News' Maura Barrett: What do you think it says about this moment that people are so interested in knowing those finite details that you provide?
De Vazelhes: I think it's all about the shift from cure to care. It doesn't have to be massive changes, but just adapt your lifestyle to ensure that your health and long-term health is trending in the right direction.
One step on the company's scale gives you a wealth of information at your fingertips or toes through a quick cardio-metabolic assessment.
Barrett: youre getting so much more out of a 60 second scan than a typical doctors appointment.
These days, nearly half of wearable usage like smart rings or watches is by those with chronic disease or for preventative monitoring, not just steps or workouts.
And with big growth comes big business: the market is valued at more than $200 billion, which is likely why so many companies have brought something to show off at this years CES.
"People are wanting to live longer, healthier lives, and that's what this is going to give you," Dephy's Cobb said. "It's a life expander."
While public high school enrollment across Michigan has been declining since 2013, one non-traditional program in Oakland County is bucking the trend with remarkable growth that has administrators and education experts taking notice.
The International Academy West in White Lake, a public school of choice within the Huron Valley Schools district, has seen its enrollment double in the past year, with similar growth expected for the upcoming school year.
Watch Christiana Ford's video report below: Huron Valley school see surge in enrollment
"The International Academy West specifically is seeing massive increases in enrollment, specifically a double in last year, and we expect the same in the upcoming school year," said Paul Salah, superintendent of Huron Valley Schools.
The International Academy has multiple locations in the area and ranked U.S. News and World Report #8 Best High School in the U.S. and #1 in Michigan. As far as college readiness, it ranked top national and state for College Readiness & Curriculum Breadth.
Niche.com ranked #1 in Michigan for Best Public High Schools & Best College Prep Public High Schools.
The school offers the International Baccalaureate program and is free. The west campus is open to students from Oakland County and neighboring counties. Classes focus on preparing students for their next steps after graduation, which parents say is a major draw.
Senior Nicholas Marinescu said the program has been rewarding.
"It's definitely been challenging, that's for sure. But I think it's safe to say that this program has armed me with all the tools I need to kind of succeed and know how to orient myself and my day-to-day life," Marinescu said.
Fellow senior Asahi Natsume praised the school's approach to encouraging independent thinking.
"Within classes as well, you're very much encouraged to form your own thoughts, to have an opinion, to speak up about what you may feel is important to you," Natsume said.
Both students have received college acceptance letters and are looking forward to applying International Baccalaureate (IB) credits toward their post-secondary education.
They will also graduate with IB Diploma Programme, which is globally recognized.
Principal Ryan Parrott said the school's collaborative environment sets it apart from traditional high schools.
"The biggest difference is we are a program of choice for students. All of our students are coming in together and understand that they're going to be working all four years together throughout this international baccalaureate program. It is a highly collaborative environment. Students really get to know each other," Parrott said.
Parent Karin Bottomley, whose daughter will be an incoming freshman and third child to attend the program, says she encouraged her children to attend.
"We just kind of realized this was a hidden gem within the Huron Valley school district and we really encouraged our kids to come here," Bottomley said.
The school's success comes as state data shows enrollment at Michigan public high schools has been declining since 2013. Jon Margerum-Leys, dean of the School of Education and Human Services at Oakland University, attributes the overall decline to population changes and increased educational options.
"What was once a monolithic option and a really good option again, I want to say how important community-based public schools are but as we've added these other options inevitably, the main option sees less students, fewer students and in Michigan. That means less money, so the finances get really complicated for the schools," Margerum-Leys said.
According to the Michigan Department of Education, the state's declining birth rate has contributed to enrollment decreases in traditional public schools. The rapid increase of charter schools has also played a role, with the number jumping from a cap of 150 in 2011 to 366 as of the 2024-25 school year.
As Michigans <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.mdch.state.mi.us/osr/natality/tab1.1.asp__;!!FJkDyvWmnr4!c39JK3QUnumtW7qCAb9QpjT4NufwGO1qI4yNj7B5dE4wsGoYGPrzaDXfdEn5MnbdSSvC3iafereXGcCtcELQee4CnjgL$">birth rate has declined [mdch.state.mi.us]</a>, enrollment in traditional public schools has been decreasing slightly in recent years. Local school districts and Michigan are working collaboratively to attract more students in numerous ways, including new laws and other measures to improve student literacy, expanding preschool and secondary school programs, developing and hiring more outstanding and highly qualified teachers, providing better school mental health services and advocating successfully for school funding increases. The state has shown improvements in many metrics that measure progress toward goals in <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/top10/top_10_mi_strategic_ed_plan_promising_practices_1_pager.pdf?rev=10f3f05c8cb140989b91565cc9364ff8&hash=08EF0354AD856A371B5D55C3E0C30C0B__;!!FJkDyvWmnr4!c39JK3QUnumtW7qCAb9QpjT4NufwGO1qI4yNj7B5dE4wsGoYGPrzaDXfdEn5MnbdSSvC3iafereXGcCtcELQeaN0mqgf$">Michigans Top 10 Strategic Education Plan [michigan.gov]</a>, including record-high metrics for graduation rates, participation and success in Advanced Placement exams and participation in Career and Technical Education programs. We support parents right to choose the most appropriate educational setting for their children, however, the proliferation of charter schools in the state has contributed to enrollment losses in traditional public schools along with the declining birth rate. The number of charter schools in the state, which was capped at 150 until a change in state law in 2011, had jumped to 366 as of the 2024-25 school year.
Margerum-Leys, a third generation educator, has had experience interacting with families and administrators of all school types. He believes having options can benefit families but says the decision can be complex involving various factors.
"It's good for each family to have some choices and some positive ways to do what's best for their own kids," Margerum-Leys 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.
The possibility of federal funding freezes is raising new concerns for local daycares and families. Providers say even the threat of cuts could mean higher costs and fewer childcare options.
Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: Federal funding freeze concerns threaten local daycares and families
For centers like All God's Children Developmental Learning Center, margins are already thin. Director Arleen Allen says many programs rely on a mix of subsidies and tuition, and any disruption can quickly turn into a crisis.
"Currently, we have 30, and out of the 30 children, I'm going to say we have 3 paid families," Allen said.
In Washington, ongoing budget talks and the threat of federal funding freezes are leaving childcare providers across the country in limbo.
Allen says without reliable funding, even paying her staff becomes a daily question mark.
"We cannot pay our teachers. And then this check, they say we're good. What about the next two weeks? Do we have these teachers work? And then they work, and we tell them we can't pay you," Allen said.
For parents, the uncertainty is just as stressful. Working mom Raina Ambrose says childcare isn't a luxury it's a lifeline.
"Not being able to get my 1-year-old to daycare so that I can go to work to have some type of sustainability of life, it's It's crazy," Ambrose said.
And it's another financial pressure many families feel is pushing them to the edge.
"It almost makes it impossible to have a family in America, and today, it really does," Ambrose said.
Back at the center, Allen says the worst part is not knowing what tomorrow brings for staff or for parents.
"I like to provide the parents with the service that they can trust that they know they're gonna get up in the morning, and childcare is open," Allen 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 school secretary's gut instinct and quick decision making prevented a potential tragedy at Romulus Middle School on Tuesday, when a 44-year-old man armed with a handgun attempted to enter the building.
Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report: Secretary's quick thinking prevents tragedy at Romulus Middle School Watch Brittany Toolis' video report below 'She could just tell': Secretary's quick thinking prevents tragedy at Romulus Middle School
The incident unfolded just before 10 a.m. when the suspect approached the front entrance and rang the doorbell, attempting to gain access like any normal visitor. However, Secretary Maria Scott had an immediate feeling something was wrong and refused to buzz him in.
Principal Paul Niedermeyer praised Scott's adherence to protocol and her instincts.
"She totally followed protocol. As soon as he arrived at the door, she spoke to him. And as soon as she spoke to him, she could tell that something was wrong and if she would've hit the button and buzzed him in, it would've been a lot different story," Niedermeyer said.
When Scott refused entry, the man began banging on the door while brandishing his firearm. Within seconds, the school was placed on lockdown and police were called.
"That's the first thing you worry about, right? It's like how do we keep them safe, for sure," Niedermeyer said about his immediate thoughts regarding student safety.
Police arrived within minutes, followed shortly by Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Edmondson.
"When I was driving over, it felt like it was a 9/11 moment for me. It was so surreal," Edmondson said.
The superintendent emphasized that safety has always been a priority for Romulus Community Schools. The district conducts multiple active shooter trainings throughout the school year and has installed weapons detection systems at all school buildings within the last few years.
However, Edmondson noted that sometimes, experience and intuition are just as important as technology and training.
"If we had had a guest, it looks different. If we had had a guest at that desk, it looks different," Edmondson said, highlighting the importance of Scott's experience and instincts.
Watch our previous report when the incident happened below: Man arrested after allegedly trying to enter Romulus Middle School with gun
Scott took Wednesday off to decompress from the incident, while district social workers remained at the middle school to provide support for students.
While acknowledging that communication wasn't perfect some parents didn't receive automated emails or calls about the lockdown Edmondson said the district will work on improvements while celebrating that everyone remained safe.
"I'm not perfect. We're not perfect. But you know what everything worked out perfectly," Edmondson said.
The suspect is expected to be arraigned within the next few days, when more details about the incident may be revealed.
_________________
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
The death toll is climbing amid an emerging flu surge across the United States.
Massachusetts health officials say at least four children have died from flu complications in recent weeks. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also reports at least 29 adult flu deaths so far this season.
The wave comes as flu activity rises nationwide. Forty-seven states and territories are reporting high case levels, and 19 states currently have the highest level of flu activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Recent CDC data estimates there have been 120,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths this season, including at least nine confirmed pediatric deaths.
Flu activity typically reaches its peak between December and February in colder months around the holidays.
Health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated immediately. The CDC says 130 million doses of the flu vaccine have been distributed this year, available as both a shot and a nasal spray.
"The vaccine helps prevent hospitalizations, which is important,"
said Dr. Jon Gonella, a physician assistant at MedStar Health Urgent Care.
"It may not prevent you from getting the flu. We know that. I see patients all the time who have been vaccinated but still get the flu, but they usually have a pretty uneventful course. Getting the flu vaccine can help prevent you from ending up in the hospital."
Some health experts are concerned about recent steps by the Trump administration to reduce the number of vaccines it recommends for children, leaving decisions about vaccines like the flu shot to families and doctors.
In December, President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to review how other countries handle vaccine recommendations and consider revising U.S. guidance to align with theirs.
"To see this kind of a dramatic change where the CDC is no longer recommending vaccination against diseases that cause so much harm in children to me, its absolutely shocking,"
said Dr. Richard Besser, a former acting director of the CDC.
OpenAI on Wednesday launched ChatGPT Health, a "dedicated space" to manage health data and conversations in ChatGPT.
OpenAI says the platform will securely manage medical records and connections to personal fitness applications to personalize its conversations and responses.
The app is meant to provide health advice, interpret test results and give other feedback on health topics like insurance plans and doctor's visits. OpenAI says the tool is meant to streamline management of your health care, but not replace the formal role of doctors or other clinicians.
ChatGPT Health "is designed to support, not replace, medical care. It is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Instead, it helps you navigate everyday questions and understand patterns over timenot just moments of illnessso you can feel more informed and prepared for important medical conversations," OpenAI writes.
ChatGPT's "Health memories" will exist separately from other conversations you hold with the chatbot and can be deleted at any time. OpenAI says that health data is protected by additional encryption and supported by other protections from b.well, an existing network that manages health data.
The tool will be available for a small subset of users at first, before it's rolled out to everyone on iOS and web platforms.
New dietary guidelines have been released by the federal government. Updated every five years, they emphasize more protein and whole foods while reducing added sugars and highly processed foods.
Americans urged to avoid processed foods, added sugar in new dietary guidelines
Officials released a new version of the food pyramid, flipping it upside down from the old version, with protein, dairy, healthy fats and fruits and vegetables at the top, and whole grains at the bottom.
So, how much more protein is recommended? Previously, adults were advised to get 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Today, the recommendation is 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram. For a 150-pound person, thats an increase from roughly 54 grams a day to between 82 and 109 grams. Thats a big jump.
The guidelines also call for limiting added sugars, saying that no amount is considered part of a healthy diet. They suggest keeping it very low, ideally no more than about two teaspoons per meal. Thats important, since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that most Americans consume about 17 teaspoons a day.
When it comes to highly processed foods, the guidelines recommend avoiding packaged, prepared, ready-to-eat, or other foods that are salty or sweet, like chips, cookies, and candy that have added sugars and sodium. Instead, focus on nutrient-dense foods, cook more at home and choose healthier options when eating out.
Also, they suggest choosing whole-food sources of saturated fat - like avocados, whole-fat dairy or meat while keeping saturated fat to no more than 10% of daily calories.
They recommend two to four servings of fiber per day. And for alcohol, limits have been removed. Now, the advice is simply to consume less alcohol for better health.
There are some concerns about the new recommendations. The guidelines say when adding fats to meals, prioritize oils with essential fatty acids like olive oil, which is healthy. But other options include butter or beef tallow, which previous guidelines advised to avoid.
Also, the American Heart Association says more research is needed on how much protein people should eat and which sources are healthiest. For now, they recommend focusing on plant-based proteins, seafood and lean meats, and limiting high-fat animal products like red meat, butter, lard and tallow. Thats because theyre linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
On the plus side, I like the eat real food message. Ive always believed that food is medicine. When you eat foods that look close to how they came from the earth, a plant or the sea, youre giving your body the nutrients it needs to work better. That can help lower the risk of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Workers are putting in 10-12-hour days to transform Huntington Place into a car lover's paradise as the 2026 Detroit Auto Show approaches its January opening.
Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Detroit Auto Show preparations in full swing with one week to go before opening
With just one week remaining until the public opening, crews are racing against time to empty dozens of crates and position hundreds of cars, trucks and SUVs for display at one of the auto industry's biggest events.
"We are a week away, man. We're right there. We're going to do it," said Brandy Reid, a carpenter who has been helping build displays for the past seven years.
The 2026 Detroit Auto Show will feature over 40 brands under one roof at Huntington Place, offering visitors a warm indoor environment to explore the latest automotive offerings.
"There's no other place where you can come under one roof in January in a nice warm environment and really check out a showroom of cars," said Todd Szott, chairman of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show.
This year's show brings back popular test drive tracks after last year's success with 100,000 test drives across four tracks. The event will also include a special track for children in the atrium.
Some manufacturers have created elaborate displays designed to showcase the durability of their SUVs, adding to the spectacle of the massive event.
Reid emphasized the collaborative effort required to pull off such a large-scale production, with multiple unions working together around the clock.
"It's pride with all of the unions. We bring all of the unions together. We have the electricians, the teamsters, the carpenters, we all come together with unity and make this show happen for our community," Reid said.
The dedication involves long hours and hard work right up until opening day.
"A lot of dedication, hours, sweat, some blood and tears but we make it happen every year," Reid said.
Vendors are also preparing for the influx of visitors. Greg Chaudoin is setting up his booth for the second year, featuring model cars for collectors and car enthusiasts.
"We've got small stuff, large stuff, high-end stuff a little cheaper stuff. We've pretty much a variety for everyone," Chaudoin said.
The vendor expressed excitement for this year's show and encouraged visitors to stop by his booth for the diverse selection of collectibles.
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.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has invited President Donald Trump to deliver his State of the Union address on Feb. 24.
In a formal invitation, Johnson praised Trumps leadership and pointed to recent legislative achievements.
"As our nation marks the Semiquincentennial Anniversary of American Independence, the United States stands stronger, freer, and more prosperous under your leadership and bold action," Johnson wrote. "Together in 2025, your administration and the 199th Congress delivered one of the most consequential agendas in history, and Americans across the great country will experience the tangible results of commonsense governance."
The address will be Trumps sixth speech before a joint session of Congress. Such speeches typically allow the president to outline priorities and offer a vision for the nation.
In 2025, Trump spoke for nearly two hours, setting a record for the longest presidential address to Congress. His remarks focused on familiar themes, including the economy, immigration and national security.
This years address comes as Trump faces declining poll numbers, partly over concerns about his handling of the economy. It also takes place in an election year, as Republicans work to maintain control of both the House and Senate.
Login
