On Thursday, WeatherGard Cares presented seven local charities with checks totaling $50,000.
The charities benefiting included Blue Star Service Dogs, Cherry Health, Detroit Crime Commission, Habitat for Humanity, Michigan Humane, and Tamarack Camps.
We are proud to support these charities because the hard work they do makes our communities stronger, said WeatherGard Vice President Shlome BenEzra in a statement.
Since its creation in 2022, WeatherGard Cares has been able to donate $150,000 to area charities that are working to make a difference across communities.
The initiative aims to help local neighbors in need with an annual giving of $50,000 along with volunteering to help lift up local charities.
One of the benefiting charities, Blue Star Service Dogs, helps rescue shelter dogs, trains them and then pairs them with veterans. Their mission statement is rescuing one to heal another.
Another charity, Detroit Crime Commission, helps support projects to improve public safety in Southeast Michigan.
For more information on WeatherGard cares, click here.
In the last year, the population of the United States grew at the fastest rate in more than 20 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
New data shows that the U.S. population increased by almost 1% this year, or by 3.3 million people, surpassing 340 million. The South experienced the most population growth of all the regions by far, increasing by 1.8 million people.
Also helping to increase the population was the fact that births outnumbered deaths by nearly 519,000 between 2023 and 2024.
The voting-age resident population (ages 18 and over) grew to nearly 267 million in the last year, while the population of people ages 17 and under actually declined by 0.2 million to 73.1 million in 2024.
An annual growth rate of 1.0% is higher than what weve seen over recent years but well within historical norms, said Kristie Wilder, a demographer in the Census Bureaus Population Division. What stands out is the diminishing role of natural increase over the last five years, as net international migration has become the primary driver of the nations growth.
Only three statesVermont, Mississippi, and West Virginialost population in the last year. West Virginia had the largest population loss, as the state lost 516 residents.
A Missouri man who pleaded guilty to entering the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, will be allowed to travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the presidential inauguration next month.
Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan made the decision Thursday. Eric Peterson is slated to be sentenced on January 27, a week after President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office on the Capitol grounds. According to his plea agreement, in addition to whatever sentence he receives, Peterson must also pay $500 in restitution to the Architect of the Capitol.
The Department of Justice accused Peterson of knowingly entering and remaining in a restricted area with intent to impede and disrupt the orderly conduct of government business and official functions. The DOJ also accused him of engaging in disorderly and disruptive conduct within the United States Capitol Grounds.
The U.S. Capitol was also the site of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection when hundreds of his supporters entered, disrupting the counting of the Electoral College.
The Department of Justice also recently objected to allowing fellow Jan. 6 defendant Cindy Young to attend the inauguration during her supervised release after a misdemeanor conviction relating to the insurrection. A judge has not yet decided whether Young should be allowed to attend.
The White House said Friday it approved another $4.28 billion in student debt cancellation for 54,900 additional public service workers in what could be one of the Biden Administration's final act of loan forgiveness.
Friday's approvals bring the total number of Americans who have had their loans forgiven through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to 1.06 million.
Prior to President Joe Biden taking office, the White House said that a mere 7,000 had received forgiveness under the PSLF program.
The PSLF program is among several the White House has touted in its efforts to reduce the burden of student loan debt for millions of Americans. The PSLF program was approved by Congress in 2007 and signed into law by President George W. Bush.
Through the PSLF and other programs, the Biden administration has said it has approved forgiveness for 4.9 million borrowers, providing nearly $180 billion in aid.
Four years ago, the Biden-Harris Administration made a pledge to Americas teachers, service members, nurses, first responders, and other public servants that we would fix the broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and Im proud to say that we delivered, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a press release.
Public service workers are eligible for debt cancellation after making the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan while working full-time for an eligible employer.
When student loan borrowers began applying for loan forgiveness 10 years after the program went into effect, most were denied relief.
The White House said it made administrative fixes that broadened the definition of qualifying payments. The result has been far more cancellations of debt being processed by the Department of Education.
Since the program was created by Congress, it has not faced the kind of scrutiny from Republicans as other changes to student loans proposed by the Biden administration.
While President-elect Donald Trump has been critical of broad student debt forgiveness, he and other Republicans have not been as critical of the PSLF program. Rep. Mike Lawyer, R-New York, has even proposed the Affordable Loans for Students Act, which would lower student loan interest rates and preserve the PSLF program.
Sen. Mike Braun, R-Indiana, introduced a bill last year that would make it easier for those not currently working in public service to utilize the PSLF program.
Here at 7 News Detroit, we want to make sure you start your day off on the right foot, informed about weather, traffic, the latest news and more. That's why we have the 7 Morning Digest, where we'll get you out the door informed and ready to go.
What's the weather for today? Metro Detroit Weather: Snow chance for metro Detroit & cold this weekend
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Sanilac and St. Clair counties as lake effect snow will move through the area today. Light snow will continue for metro Detroit with totals of 1" to 3" depending on where you are.
Temps will drop overnight into Saturday morning with lows near 20 degrees, and highs will only get into the mid 20s. Wind chills will be colder.
Closer to Christmas, we'll see temps bouncing back and even climbing above average with snow & rain possible.
Any traffic issues? How is snow impacting the roads in metro Detroit
No major traffic issues to know about this morning, and our live drive cam showed that most roads were just wet this morning. Check it out in the video above.
The top stories to know aboutMichigan House adjourns until New Year's Eve as state reps speak out on lame-duck session Michigan House adjourns until New Year's Eve as state reps speak out on Lame Duck session
Michigan state Rep. Karen Whitsett wanted to focus on legislation putting $400 million toward Detroit Public Schools Community District debt and bills on criminal justice reform. Instead, she claims Democrats wanted her to vote for bills that have not been vetted.
Everything that was on the agenda in the House is dead, is how Rep. Laurie Pohutsky summed up their agenda as the lame-duck session waddled to a close.
They were holding out hope that Whitsett, a fellow Democrat, would help them move legislation forward when she arrived in Lansing on Thursday. She had been missing in action the past few sessions, saying she would not attend unless the bills she prioritized were taken up.
On Thursday, alongside Republican Minority Leader Matt Hall, Whitsett explained why last-minute deals to get her on board with Democrats fell through.
I want all my colleagues to know this wasnt me, Whitsett said. He would not negotiate, the speaker, would not negotiate in good faith.
"The truth of the matter is where we had a moment of just doing the procedural things, we had Republican colleagues including the Speaker-elect (Hall) just obstruct the entire way, Rep. Abraham Aiyash responded.
House Speaker Joe Tate issued a Call of the House, directing House Sergeants at Arms to bring absent members including Whitsett and the GOP who walked out last week to the chamber on its final scheduled session day of the year.
Moments later, Democrats adjourned until New Years Eve without a quorum and without taking up any bills.
Walled Lake Northern High School students bring giant toy drop to elementary kids High school students spread holiday joy with giant toy drop
Walled Lake Northern High School students collected over 5,000 presents for students at Allendale Elementary School. They say they feel every student deserves a good Christmas.
After 10 years of collecting gifts for elementary schools around the area, the drive for Allendale on Thursday broke the record for their largest collection yet. Over 900 boxes were filled with six items each: three to fulfill the students' needs along with three of their wishes.
"It's really cool seeing the looks on all the kids' faces and how surprised they are and appreciative they are of all of this." said Jesse Berman, senior and student council president at Walled Lake Northern High School.
The high school students enlisted the help of their community to gather items and wrap presents.
The generosity of the students holds a deeper meaning in the hearts of Melvindale police officers. The 8-year-old brother of Officer Mohamed Said, who was killed in the line of duty in July, was one of the kids at school who received presents.
Said is survived by his two younger brothers.
"I was wishing my brother was here to see all of this because that's why he wanted to do (it) for his whole life. And that's why he was doing (it) when he was being a police officer," Said's other brother Ahmed said.
As all the kids opened their presents, Ahmed Said and officers said that this act of kindness made the entire community's holiday a little brighter.
"By seeing these gifts, it reminded me of him. He would have been here he was here. He would have been happy," said Ahmed Said.
David Montgomery will avoid surgery for MCL injury & hopes to return for playoffs Lions RB David Montgomery reportedly won't have season-ending surgery, aiming for playoff return
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery is hoping to rehab his MCL injury and return in time for the playoffs instead of getting season-ending surgery. That's according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport reported that after consulting experts over the past few days, Montgomery decided to rehab the injury.
Earlier this week, head coach Dan Campbell said the team was in a holding pattern and that was positive news.
The Lions placed defensive tackle Alim McNeill, cornerback Carlton Davis and special teams ace Khalil Dorsey on injured reserve on Tuesday, putting an NFL-high 21 players on IR.
If you're finding store prices too high these days, you may be tempted to click on a social media ad offering a great discount. But here's a warning before you do: the Better Business Bureau says social media platforms are packed with fraudulent posts targeting holiday shoppers.
In a recent BBB study, 40% of online shopping fraud reports originated as ads found on Facebook and Instagram.
Popular shoes at deep discount
Alejandra Matos is the latest victim. She loves HeyDude shoes, so while scrolling through social media, she thought she had struck gold.
"It was on TikTok," she said. "It was an ad showing a genuine logo as if it was a HeyDude page."
It resembled the official HeyDude website, but the clearance deals were incredible.
"They were offering 20 pairs of HeyDude shoes for $50, or 10 pairs of HeyDudes for $35," she said.
"I was like I'm not going to miss that," Matos added.
She even received a shipping confirmation. But weeks later, no shoes. She took a closer look at the company's webpage and realized it was not the official HeyDude site.
"A lot of it was misspelled, incorrect spacing, wrong capitalization," she said.
Warning signs of an online scam
Those errors are the first signs of a fake or copycat website, according to Melanie McGovern with the Better Business Bureau.
"If one price is $39.99 with a dollar sign, but then another price has a different money sign from a different country... those are definite telltale flags," she said.
She says to always check the URL before you click and make a purchase. A fake may look legitimate but might incorporate extra words, letters, or numbers or use "dot-net" in its domain instead of "dot-com."
Another place to find clues, McGovern said, is the contact page.
"If there's no phone number, no brick-and-mortar location, if it's just a form, that could be a red flag that they don't have any customer service," she said.
Matos, now out $90, also wants to warn others.
"I guess I acted too quickly in placing the order," she said.
So check out any social media ad carefully to make sure it links to the real site, so you don't waste your money.
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"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").
Do you receive a lot of calls from unknown numbers? Robocalls especially? I feel your pain, because I was recently targeted, and yeah, it was a scam.
So, I asked folks on social media about this problem and spoke with an expert from the Federal Trade Commission to help you spot the red flags.
Earlier this month, my phone started blowing up with robocalls leaving this automated message: "for $200 is pending. We think it is an unusual activity. If it is not you, press one. If you want to continue with this transaction, ignore this call."
The 866 number left not just one or two voicemails, but nine different ones in just a few minutes, all identical, hoping I would press one thinking there would be a fraudulent charge.
I posted about this on our Facebook page and we got more than 100 comments.
Kathy Johnson wrote, "My phone rings constantly all day and night."
Um Jibreel said, "I receive 40 phone calls and unfinished messages a day."
Karie Krucker said, "Been getting a lot of calls from 855. Every time I block the number, they call from another number but same area code."
"How big of an issue is this here in the United States?" I asked Benjamin Davidson, an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
"It is a major issue. Unwanted calls are the top reported fraud category that we receive every year, and that's been consistent for many years," he said.
When you look at the top three, most were about medical and prescriptions, followed by reducing debt, and then calls from imposters, like what I received.
"The reason why the scammers want you to press one is why?" I asked.
Often scammers are trying to get you on the line. And if you press one, they're going to ask you questions and try to obtain personal financial information," he said.
The FTC has this advice if you receive one of the calls: Hang up, consider call blocking or call labeling, don't trust your caller ID and contact the company you think is contacting you by looking up the number yourself.
The bottom line: don't answer, don't trust, and independently verify. These scammers are persistent.
In the last year, the FTC said more than 2 million complaints have been made about calls to numbers on the "Do Not Call Registry."
With the holiday shopping season nearly over, many people are out getting last-minute gifts. I went to Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi to talk to last-minute shoppers about what they're looking for and what they're hopeful to find.
I am Christmas shopping last-minute, looking for my family, my daughter, my son some family, my mom," Tiffany Toffen Taormina said.
We decided to follow Taormina, whose trick is coming in with a plan.
What do we need to get? I need stocking stuffers I need a few bigger items for some girls," she said. Sometimes they have these little gift bags that have a little bit of everything in them you can kind of give someone a good gift with that.
She is also shopping in person from here on out.
Online shopping can be, you know, it says it's gonna be delivered and then theres a delay and things like that," she said. At the store at least I know Im leaving with exactly what I want."
Then we followed Michael Bachleda and his brother, who were shopping for a very special person.
We love our mom. Shes an absolute angel," Bachleda said. We're going to get some slippers for my mom. Alright lets go.
Their tactic is to look for anything they could find. They went store to store, but eventually found what they were looking for.
Todays gift tip. Split presents with your siblings for your parents," he said.
Michael Hale and his daughter were seeing what caught their eye. Their main idea is to keep it lighthearted to save your Christmas spirit.
"Just have fun & enjoy who youre shopping for," Hale said.
Friday is expected to be the start of a busy holiday travel season throughout the country.
It comes amid the chance that the U.S. government could shut down, with the deadline for a deal at midnight.
TSA agents, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and air traffic controllers are depending on that deal for a paycheck, otherwise, they will be working without getting paid as they are considered essential employees.
However, during the last government shutdown, many called in sick, and that could throw a wrench in a busy holiday season.
As the morning goes on, things are expected to get busier and busier at Detroit Metro Airport. Our Ryan Marshall is at the airport and noticed the significant increase in people between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.
We havent really had any issues or heard anything. We just wanted to make sure that we got here with plenty of time to where, it can be a relaxed experience instead of being rushed and really running here back and forth and trying to bust through the gates and all that. Get here early enough. And, we get to relax now and just enjoy it," Noah Guck from New Boston said.
AAA released its final travel forecast for 2024, projecting that more than 3.8 million Michiganders will travel over the year-end holiday season.
That projection would be a record high for the state by nearly 100,000 people compared to the previous high last year.
Across the country, AAA projects 119.3 million people will travel, meaning roads, airports and more will be crowded throughout December.
There's a new warning from the City of Detroit over scam texts asking for money for unpaid parking invoices.
The text you'll get says it's from Park Detroit and may read, "This is a notice from City of Detroit. Your vehicle has an unpaid parking invoice of $4.35. To avoid a late fee of 35$, please settle your balance promptly."
It includes a graphic taken from the city's parking app, Park Detroit, but it's not coming from the city.
Here's how you'll know:
If you have unpaid parking fees, the parking department will contact you through the mail, not through text The message includes what looks like a link to the city's website, but it's an incorrect version The phone number the text is coming from is not from the Detroit area
The city said if you get this text, you should ignore it and delete it.
A rush hour road rage shooting left a man in critical condition after he was shot in the head on the west side of Detroit near the intersection of Joy Road and Schaefer Highway.
According to sources, the 30-year-old suspect is now in custody after he turned himself in to Detroit police at the 2nd Precinct. The full circumstances are still unknown.
"In the moment this happened, I was working and I just heard one shot, said Marcos Dubon, who works at a collision shop nearby. "I hear the shot and come out, the body's already in the street. I don't know how it happened."
According to police, the shooting is a case of alleged road rage. Sources told us a man in a red Toyota Camry got out of his car to confront another driver. A few seconds later, that other driver shot him in the head.
A gun was found near the Camry, and police were seen swabbing it for evidence.
Police stayed late into the evening collecting evidence and animal control removed a dog from the car. Witnesses saw the victim lying on the ground and police say he was taken to the hospital. At last check, he remained in critical condition.
There was another guy holding his hand, took off his shirt, he was a nurse," said Ahmad Aoun, who also works at the collision shop. "Because it was cold out, he threw the stuff on there for him and he was trying to keep him warm because the guy was shaking on the floor... I hope hes still alive doing well.
Frito-Lay is recalling one of its most popular snack products over concerns it could cause a "life-threatening allergic reaction" if consumed.
The Texas-based company announced this week the recall impacts a "limited number" of 13-ounce bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips that were sold in Washington and Oregon and may contain "undeclared milk."
Frito-Lay said recalled bags must have both a "Guaranteed Fresh" date of Feb. 11, 2025, and one of the following manufacturing codes: 6462307xx or 6463307xx.
"If consumers have an allergy or sensitivity to milk, they should not consume the product and discard it immediately," the company said in a statement. "Frito-Lay has informed the FDA of this action."
To date, no allergic reactions related to the product have been reported. However, Frito-Lay is urging consumers with any questions or concerns to contact its consumer relations department at 1-800-352-4477.
A judge on Thursday refused to allow a Michigan school shooter to withdraw his guilty plea to two dozen charges, including terrorism and first-degree murder.
Ethan Crumbley's appellate lawyers cited his mental health and other factors when he waived his right to trial at age 16 and pleaded guilty to killing four students at Oxford High School in 2021.
But Oakland County Judge Kwame Rowe said Crumbley's guilty plea was knowingly, voluntarily, and accurately given.
The judge also said he would not set aside Crumbley's life prison sentence.
These are the right decisions under the law, and they allow us to continue doing the most important things focusing on the victims and their families, and on preventing future shootings, said prosecutor Karen McDonald.
Crumbley, now 18, was 15 when he brought a gun to school and killed four students and wounded others.
Earlier that day his parents were summoned to discuss violent drawings and agonizing phrases written on a math assignment. They didnt take him home, and no one checked his backpack for a gun.
James and Jennifer Crumbley are serving 10-year prison terms for involuntary manslaughter. They were accused of making a gun accessible at home and ignoring their sons mental health.
In a troubling incident at Lake Shore High School in St. Clair Shores, a substitute teacher was escorted from the school premises by police on Wednesday after being accused of sending explicit messages through social media to a female student.
Upon learning of the allegations, school officials removed the substitute teacher from the building.
The district has emphasized its commitment to student safety and has filed reports with Edustaff and the police as the investigation continues.
Parents have expressed their shock and concern regarding the situation.
Kevin, a parent of a female student at Lake Shore High School, says, You would think that you wouldn't have people like that, especially nowadays where media is all around.
Frank, another concerned parent, said, He was wrong. He should be fired. There should be consequences for your actions.
Parents have received communication from the district regarding the incident, which has sparked discussions among students in the hallways about the seriousness of the allegations.
Amy Dafoe, whose daughter attends Lake Shore High School, said, It's scary letting your kids go to school and not knowing what a teacher is doing.
She advocates for a more rigorous vetting process for educators, I think there needs to be stronger background checks.
Steven Anno, a father of two high school girls, expressed his frustration. This seems to keep happening all around other cities. There needs to be a better vetting process for these teachers."
In response to the allegations, the school district released a statement confirming the immediate removal of the Edustaff employee and the ongoing investigation.
We received a report that a substitute employed through Edustaff had sent inappropriate text messages through social media to a student. The Edustaff employee was immediately removed from the High School, a report was filed with Edustaff and the Police Department. We continue to investigate this matter and all findings will be directly reported to Edustaff and the Police Department. The conduct of inappropriately text messaging a student is an offense to our students, families and staff and persons engaging in this type of behavior must firmly be held accountable to protect our kids as well as the reputation of great teachers and staff that work tirelessly on behalf of our community.
Edustaff, the substitute's employer, also released this statement:
On December 17, 2024, we were made aware of a pending investigation concerning a student complaint against a sub teacher employed by Edustaff working within Lake Shore Public Schools. Upon learning of this, the employee was immediately removed from their assignment and placed on leave. At this time, they remain on leave status and are not permitted to work in any capacity under Edustaff while the investigation is pending. We take matters like this seriously and remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the students and communities we serve.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted late Thursday to reject a slimmed-down funding bill that would have averted a looming government shutdown.
House Republicans unveiled the 116-page bill down from over 1,500 pages Thursday afternoon and it quickly garnered the support of President-elect Donald Trump. However, 38 Republicans sided with nearly all Democrats in the House to reject the bill by a vote of 235- 174.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed reporters after the vote, blaming Democrats for the failure.
"The only difference in this legislation was that we would push the debt ceiling to January of 2027," he said. "I want you all to remember, it was just last spring that these same Democrats berated Republicans and said that it was irresponsible to hold the debt limit the debt ceiling hostage. What changed?"
The continuing resolution would have averted a government shutdown Friday at midnight and added a debt limit extension until January 30, 2027. It also included millions of dollars for disaster relief to help communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as money for farmers who have been impacted by droughts, wildfires and floods.
However, the bill did not include money for things like pay raises for members of Congress or the transfer of land for the NFL's Washington Commanders to build a new football stadium.
Ahead of the vote, Democrats also voiced frustration with billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who railed against the original bipartisan bill.
"The Musk, Johnson proposal is not serious," said Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. "It's laughable. Extreme MAGA Republicans are driving us to a government shutdown."
Inside a rehabilitation center in central Kyiv, young soldiers who have lost limbs in battle prepare for a different kind of fight. They are training to use some of the worlds most advanced bionic technologies an innovation borne out of necessity in a nation shattered by war.
Over the past three years, as many as 100,000 Ukrainians have lost limbs in combat. The staggering toll has turned Ukraine into an epicenter for groundbreaking advancements in prosthetic technology. Surgeons and experts from around the globe now descend on Kyiv, offering their skills to aid the wounded and test cutting-edge bionic solutions.
Among the patients is 35-year-old Serhiy Danilets, an infantry sniper whose life changed when a tank shell exploded near him in eastern Ukraine. The blast killed two of his comrades and left his arm shattered beyond repair. Surgeons were forced to amputate everything below his shoulder a severe case that would traditionally limit prosthetic options. However, Serhiys story took a different path at Kyivs Tytanovi Rehab clinic.
He has learned to control a bionic hand made by the Swedish biomedical company Integrum. Serhiy uses sensors that interpret micro-flexions in his chest muscles. Each movement from gripping objects to more intricate gesturesrequires mental and physical training.
Anton Ivantsiv, a triple amputee and Serhiys friend, explained the science behind the technology.
He has a very short amputation, Anton said, pointing to the sensors that capture Serhiys muscle signals and transmit commands to the prosthetic.
For Serhiy, the breakthrough means independence and a future where he can once again hold a weapon and teach survival skills to new recruits.
Bohdan Kovbasyuk, another patient at the center, has a different focus. After losing his leg in a rocket attack during a reconnaissance mission, the 28-year-old soldier faced an uphill battle. Despite enduring 52 surgeries, Bohdan is determined to reclaim his mobility.
I can already stand, he said, In Ukraine, there is almost zero accommodation for wheelchairs, and now I can get to almost any place.
Bohdan plans to marry his fiance, Daryna, in a few days. Though hell use a wheelchair to navigate the ceremony, he hopes wedding guests will contribute to his online fundraising for a permanent prosthetic le a cost of $90,000, half of which he must raise himself.
Some wounded soldiers travel 5,000 miles to Minneapolis, where the Ukrainian-American chief medical officer of the Protez Foundation, Yakov Gradiner, and his team have outfitted more than 200 soldiers with customized prosthetics.
Nobody knew before how vast the need would be, Gradiner said. We understand that we cannot take everybody.
The Esper Hand, a state-of-the-art bionic limb developed by a Kyiv startup, represents the next frontier. Using AI, the prosthetic adapts to users muscle signals, predicting the strength needed for various tasks. Roma, a 29-year-old soldier fitted with the Esper Hand, demonstrates its potential. Once a sniper, he is now remapping his brain to control the arms complex functions.
When I go to a rock concert, Ill do this, Roma joked, using his prosthetic to flash the universal rock-and-roll hand sign.
Despite his progress, Romas journey underscores the challenges amputees face. After losing his arm in a drone attack, Roma walked four miles to an evacuation point with a tourniquet on his arm for five hours.
I had adrenaline, he said. And I thought of my mom. She would get mad if I didnt make it home.
Ukraines amputees has become a passion project for one of the leading orthopedic doctors in the world: Rickard Brnemark, the founder and owner of the bionics maker, Integrum.
The Swedish surgeon, who owns has made multiple journeys to Kyiv for what he calls Mission Impossible operations, enabling bionic limbs for those with amputations so extreme they once would be unable to wear an advanced prosthetic until now. He is also training Ukrainian doctors to perform the procedures themselves.
In November, at an annual conference of global leaders in osseointegration the technical term for prosthetic medicineBrnemark brought a powerful message from Ukraines amputees: the urgent need for scientific breakthroughs.
The most pressing problem Brnemark is trying to solve is how to improve the signals picked up by sensors placed on the skin above muscles to control the bionics.
If you sweat or use it for long periods, or when you do movements, the skin might move and you will not pick up the right signal, he explains. To combat this, his team is developing implanted electrodes to directly capture signals
While implanting sensors is a promising possibility, it remains experimental. Were not there yet, Brnemark says. But the way this field has moved forward in the last ten years, I think its more than ever. So its a big shift now.
Brnemark is also acutely aware of the ethical considerations involved in experimental work with desperate patients.
The question is, can we use knowledge from their treatment to further advance for others? he reflects. Thats the problem.
Despite the challenges, Brnemark continues traveling to Ukraine, training doctors to treat victims with the most extreme amputations. His efforts have changed liveslike those of Bohdan and Serhiyand earned him the honorary title of Military Surgeon of Ukraine. I think about it every day, he says, recalling the emotional impact of his visits. I was crying every time on the plane home.
The resilience of these soldiers is perhaps best illustrated by their ability to find joy amidst hardship. At Bohdans wedding in October, his best man Serhiy has programmed his bionic hand to hold the rings.
This is probably the most important event in my life, Bohdan said, smiling.
Ukraines bionic revolution offers more than technological innovation its allowing amputees like Serhiy, Bohdan, and Roma to reclaim their independence. A few weeks after Bohdans wedding, Serhiy returned to his unit to teach the newly arrived how to survive and how to make sure they don't get killed so quickly.
Michigan state Rep. Karen Whitsett wanted to focus on legislation putting $400 million toward Detroit Public Schools Community District debt and bills on criminal justice reform. Instead, she claims Democrats wanted her to vote for bills that have not been vetted.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Michigan legislation in limbo as gridlock continues in lame-duck session Michigan legislation in limbo as gridlock continues in lame-duck session
Everything that was on the agenda in the House is dead, is how Rep. Laurie Pohutsky summed up their agenda as the lame-duck session waddled to a close.
They were holding out hope that Whitsett, a fellow Democrat, would help them move legislation forward when she arrived in Lansing on Thursday. She had been missing in action the past few sessions, saying she would not attend unless the bills she prioritized were taken up.
On Thursday, alongside Republican Minority Leader Matt Hall, Whitsett explained why last-minute deals to get her on board with Democrats fell through.
VIDEO: Michigan lawmakers speak out after state House adjourns VIDEO: Michigan lawmakers speak out after state House adjourns
I want all my colleagues to know this wasnt me, Whitsett said. He would not negotiate, the speaker, would not negotiate in good faith.
"The truth of the matter is where we had a moment of just doing the procedural things, we had Republican colleagues including the Speaker-elect (Hall) just obstruct the entire way, Rep. Abraham Aiyash responded.
Whitsett has been a lightning rod in Lansing during lame duck. Her absence created a logjam for Democrats, who have the majority in the House, but without Whitsett, they were unable to pass bills without Republican support.
How can you be a lawmaker and not a law-abider? Rep. Tyrone Carter asked. Name another job where you can be a no-call, no-show and still have a job.
House Speaker Joe Tate issued a Call of the House, directing House Sergeants at Arms to bring absent members including Whitsett and the GOP who walked out last week to the chamber on its final scheduled session day of the year.
Moments later, Democrats adjourned until New Years Eve without a quorum and without taking up any bills.
Ive got a DPSCD issue that we can work on, public safety trust stuff thats held up by people not being here, Carter said. "I want folks here to vote on some things that may not come around for another decade.
Hall is vowing to work with Whitsett and Democrats on some of those issues when Republicans take control of the House next year.
Shes been a champion of the public safety trust fund that Mayor Duggan has been championing," Hall said. "Were going to work with her to get that done.
Big Lots is now beginning "going out of business" sales at all of its remaining stores across the United States after a possible deal to sell the company to Nexus Capital Management fell through.
The company says it will continue to effort an "alternative going concern transaction" with Nexus or another company, but with no deal in sight, it is beginning the "GOB process."
Bruce Thorn, Big Lots' President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We all have worked extremely hard and have taken every step to complete a going concern sale. While we remain hopeful that we can close an alternative going concern transaction, in order to protect the value of the Big Lots estate, we have made the difficult decision to begin the GOB process."
The company has previously closed several locations as it went through the bankruptcy process, though some locations appear to remain open, according to Big Lots' website.
Walled Lake Northern High School students collected over 5,000 presents for students at Allendale Elementary School. They say they feel every student deserves a good Christmas.
After 10 years of collecting gifts for elementary schools around the area, the drive for Allendale on Thursday broke the record for their largest collection yet. Over 900 boxes were filled with six items each: three to fulfill the students' needs along with three of their wishes.
"It's really cool seeing the looks on all the kids' faces and how surprised they are and appreciative they are of all of this." said Jesse Berman, senior and student council president at Walled Lake Northern High School.
The high school students enlisted the help of their community to gather items and wrap presents.
The generosity of the students holds a deeper meaning in the hearts of Melvindale police officers. The 8-year-old brother of Officer Mohamed Said, who was killed in the line of duty in July, was one of the kids at school who received presents.
Said is survived by his two younger brothers.
"I was wishing my brother was here to see all of this because that's why he wanted to do (it) for his whole life. And that's why he was doing (it) when he was being a police officer," Said's other brother Ahmed said.
Related video: Flyover to mark First Day of School for younger brother of late Melvindale officer Flyover to mark First Day of School for younger brother of late Melvindale officer
As all the kids opened their presents, Ahmed Said and officers said that this act of kindness made the entire community's holiday a little brighter.
"By seeing these gifts, it reminded me of him. He would have been here he was here. He would have been happy," said Ahmed Said.
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