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Democratic senator blasts arrest of wildfire workers in immigration enforcement push

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., is demanding answers after U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents reportedly arrested two contractors working at a wildfire in Washington state on Wednesday.

The Seattle Times reported that officials required about 400 contractors helping battle the wildfire to identify themselves. KOMO-TV reported that two of those contractors were allegedly in the U.S. illegally, and one had an outstanding removal order.

The Department of Homeland Security disputed that the detained workers were firefighters. The agency said they were not actively fighting the fire but were assisting with firefighting efforts.

RELATED STORY | 'Alligator Alcatraz' detainee faced 'life-or-death situation,' attorney says

"They were there in a support role, cutting logs into firewood. The firefighting response remained uninterrupted the entire time," Homeland Security said. "No active firefighters were even questioned, and U.S. Border Patrols actions did not prevent or interfere with any personnel actively engaged in firefighting efforts."

Murray condemned the arrests and said she is demanding immediate answers from the Trump administration about conducting immigration enforcement during active wildfires.

"This administrations immigration policy is fundamentally sick. Trump has wrongfully detained everyone from lawful green card holders to American citizensno one should assume this was necessary or appropriate," Murray said. Here in the Pacific Northwest, wildfires can, and have, burned entire towns to the ground. We count on our brave firefighters, who put their lives on the line, to keep our communities safethis new Republican policy to detain firefighters on the job is as immoral as it is dangerous."

Social Security whistleblower who claims DOGE mishandled Americans' sensitive data resigns from post

A Social Security whistleblower whose complaint alleged that Department of Government Efficiency officials mishandled Americans' sensitive information says he's resigning because of actions taken against him since making the claim.

Charles Borges, the agency's chief data officer, alleged that more than 300 million Americans Social Security data was put at risk by DOGE officials who uploaded sensitive information to a cloud account not subject to oversight. His disclosure was submitted to the special counsels office on Tuesday.

In a letter to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano, Borges claimed that since filing the complaint, the agency's actions make his duties impossible to perform legally and ethically and have caused him physical, mental and emotional distress.

After reporting internally to management and externally to regulators, serious data and security and integrity concerns impacting our citizens most sensitive personal data, I have suffered exclusion, isolation, internal strife, and a culture of fear, creating a hostile work environment and making work conditions intolerable, Borges added.

The Government Accountability Project, which is representing him in his whistleblower case, posted Borges' resignation letter on its website Friday evening. Borges declined to comment.

He no longer felt that he could continue to work for the Social Security Administration in good conscience, given what he had witnessed, his attorney Andrea Meza said in a statement. She added that Borges would continue to work with the proper oversight bodies on the matter.

In his whistleblower's complaint, Borges said the potentially sensitive information put at risk by DOGE's actions includes health diagnoses, income, banking information, familial relationships and personal biographic data.

Should bad actors gain access to this cloud environment, Americans may be susceptible to widespread identity theft, may lose vital healthcare and food benefits, and the government may be responsible for re-issuing every American a new Social Security Number at great cost, said the complaint.

Borges had served as the Social Security Administration's chief data officer since January.

The SSA declined to comment on Borges resignation or allegations against the agency in his letter to colleagues.

President Donald Trumps DOGE has faced scrutiny as it received unprecedented access from the Republican administration to troves of personal data across the government under the mandate of eliminating waste, fraud and abuse.

Labor and retiree groups sued SSA earlier this year for allowing DOGE to access Americans sensitive agency data, though a divided appeals panel decided this month that DOGE could access the information.

Final β€˜not so fast!’ β€” Lee Corso ends headgear era on β€˜College GameDay’

After nearly three decades, Lee Corso donned a college mascot head for the final time Saturday on ESPNs College GameDay.

Earlier this year, the longtime analyst announced he would retire from the college football-themed show. Corso joined ESPN in 1987 and first put on mascot headgear in 1996, choosing Brutus Buckeye, Ohio States mascot.

As fate would have it, the biggest game on the opening full week of the college football season was at Ohio State, where the defending national champions hosted No. 1 Texas.

This pick has become iconic. Not because of the matchup, but because of the man, College GameDay co-host Kirk Herbstreit said.

Saturdays broadcast marked the 431st time Corso wore a mascot head. It was also the 46th time he chose Brutus.

This is one of the easiest picks Ive ever made, Corso said before putting on Brutus head for the last time.

Corso's prediction came true as No. 3-ranked Ohio State toppled No. 1 Texas 14-7.

Before his College GameDay career, Corso was head coach of the USFLs Orlando Renegades and served as head coach at Indiana and Northern Illinois.

3 dead, including 2 kids, after crash in Pontiac on Friday night

Two children and an adult were killed and a third child is in critical condition after a crash in Pontiac on Friday night.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the intersection of Joslyn and Montcalm around 8:20 p.m. on a report of a vehicle that went airborne and a child ejected.

Deputies say a 2022 Honda Civic, being driven by a 21-year-old Pontiac resident, crossed into oncoming traffic, hit multiple signs and poles, and then got back on Montcalm Rd. where it collided with a Chevy Malibu stopped at a red light.

According to the sheriff's office, a 37-year-old Pontiac resident who was driving the Malibu was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 6-year-old and a 4-year-old in the Malibu were transported to McLaren where they were pronounced dead, and a 9-year-old child in the Malibu is in critical condition at Corewell Health Royal Oak.

The 21-year-old driving the Civic is in stable condition.

Speed is believed to be a factor in the crash, the sheriff's office said, and they are investigating if alcohol or drugs were involved.

Updated COVID vaccines unavailable in parts of US as CDC delays approval

Amid uncertainty at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CVS says it is restricting its COVID-19 vaccine rollout in 16 states.

Previously, anyone age 6 months or older was eligible for the vaccine. In the following states and Washington, D.C., CVS now requires a prescription to receive it:

Arizona Colorado District of Columbia Florida Georgia Kentucky Louisiana Maine New York North Carolina Pennsylvania Utah Virginia West Virginia

In Massachusetts, Nevada and New Mexico, the vaccine is currently unavailable to all patients, CVS says.

In the rest of the United States, access is limited to people age 65 and older or those with underlying medical conditions.

The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has not yet met this year to consider reapproving distribution of updated COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the anticipated winter season. Some states do not allow pharmacists to administer the vaccine without the panels approval, which is expected in the next couple of months.

Federal health officials have issued mixed signals about the future of the vaccine. Some appointees under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. argue it is unnecessary for most people because of widespread immunity, while also questioning its safety and effectiveness.

Most medical experts say the vaccine is both safe and highly effective at preventing severe illness.

Kennedy has downplayed the need for widespread vaccination but says vaccines will remain available for those who want them after consulting a doctor.

These vaccines are available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors, Kennedy said earlier this week.

In previous years, updated COVID-19 vaccines were widely accessible through pharmacies and clinics without prescriptions.

Arts, Beats & Eats returns to downtown Royal Oak Labor Day weekend

Foodies and festivalgoers are invited to taste the excitement as the Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank returns to downtown Royal Oak this Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29Sept. 1.

In addition to live concerts from both local and national acts and dozens of artist booths, this years event offers a flavorful celebration of culinary creativity, featuring more than 50 restaurants, caterers, food trucks and eateries from across metro Detroit, along with exclusive new menu items developed through a continued partnership between Baker College and local restaurateurs.

For more information, including hours and admission costs, visit https://artsbeatseats.com/

Taking a dip Labor Day weekend? Swimmers face fecal contamination at beaches along US coastline

Thousands of Americans will head to beaches for one last summer splash this Labor Day weekend, but taking a dip might be out of the question: Many of the beaches will caution against swimming because of unsafe levels of fecal contamination.

Beaches from Crystal River, Florida, to Ogunquit, Maine, have been under advisories warning about water quality this week because of elevated levels of bacteria associated with fecal waste. The advisories typically discourage beachgoers from going in the water because the bacteria can cause gastrointestinal illness, rashes and nausea.

There have been closures this week at some of the country's most popular beach destinations, including Keyes Memorial Beach in the Cape Cod village of Hyannis in Barnstable, Massachusetts; Benjamin's Beach on Long Island in Bay Shore, New York; and a portion of the Imperial Beach shoreline near San Diego. Even on the pristine, white sand beaches of Hawaii, the Hawaii State Department of Health is warning of a high bacteria count at Kahaluu Beach Park on the Big Island.

It's a longstanding and widespread problem. Nearly two-thirds of beaches tested nationwide in 2024 experienced at least one day in which indicators of fecal contamination reached potentially unsafe levels, conservation group Environment America said in a report issued this summer.

The group reviewed beaches on the coasts and Great Lakes and found that 84% of Gulf Coast beaches exceeded the standard at least once. The number was 79% for West Coast beaches, 54% for East Coast beaches and 71% for Great Lakes beaches.

The report also said more than 450 beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least 25 percent of the days tested. A key reason is outdated water and sewer systems that allow contamination from sewage to reach the places where people swim, said John Rumpler, clean water director and senior attorney with Environment America.

These beaches are a treasure for families across New England and across the country. They are a shared resource, said Rumpler, who is based in Boston. We need to make the investment to make sure that literally our own human waste doesn't wind up in the places where we are swimming.

Other factors have also played a role in contaminating beaches, including increasingly severe weather that overwhelms sewage systems, and suburban sprawl that paves over natural areas and reduces the ecosystem's ability to absorb stormwater, Rumpler said.

But many people plan to jump into the ocean anyway. Despite a two-day warning of elevated fecal indicator bacteria last month at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, beachgoer Yaromyr Oryshkevych was not concerned.

I really dont expect to be in any kind of danger of fecal contamination, said Oryshkevych, a retired dentist. He said he didnt think Rehoboth was close enough to notable pollution to be concerned, and he expected the oceans natural currents to take care of any problems with contamination in the area.

Dana West, a federal worker visiting Rehoboth Beach, recalled an instance earlier this year where a dozen members of his vacationing party experienced gastrointestinal issues. The symptoms occurred after they went on a snorkeling excursion, an activity that increases the likelihood of swallowing seawater, off the coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

It was an unpleasant experience, but he doesn't expect a repeat this weekend in Delaware.

But generally, I have no concerns about the level of fecal and bacterial matter, said West while admiring Rehoboths shore. I assume the local authorities will tell us if there are higher levels than normal.

Despite West's confidence, some beaches in the area of Rehoboth, including nearby Rehoboth Bay and Dewey Beach bayside, were indeed under water advisories this week. Such advisories are not always posted on public signs.

Environment America assessed beach safety in its report by examining whether fecal bacteria levels exceeded standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that trigger an alert to avoid the water. Fecal bacteria at those levels can cause illness in 32 out of every 1,000 swimmers.

In North Carolina, five beaches were under advisories in late August because of elevated levels of fecal bacteria. The beaches are open, but swimmers are advised that going in the water could be risky, said Erin Bryan-Millush, environmental program supervisor with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

Hurricane Erin caused extensive erosion and storm surge in some coastal areas, according to the Department of Environmental Quality. Heavy rain events this summer also exacerbated the contamination problem in some areas, Bryan-Millush said.

Those storm drains carry everything, Bryan-Millush said. It could be really bad for someone who is immune compromised.

4th annual Peacenic event to take place in Detroit's Skinner Park on August 30

More than 50 community organizations and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and Detroit residents will gather on August 30, 2025 for food, fellowship and fun, all in the name of peace.

The 4th annual Peacenic event will take place at Skinner Park (12800 Kelly Road) from 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. This event will feature vendors offering a variety of resources like job training, literacy programs, mental health and medical screenings, utility assistance, educational and vocational opportunities, tutorial and career

development programs, expungement assistance and more. In addition to the resources, there will be various inflatables, face painting, and games.

To learn more, visit

https://www.facebook.com/detroitpolice/photos/2025-peacenic-%EF%B8%8Fjoin-us-this-saturday-august-30th-from-2-pm-7-pm-at-skinner-park-/1074294288207895/

'Alligator Alcatraz' detainee who faced 'total nightmare' while in custody fights to return home to Venezuela

A Venezuelan man who was the subject of a high-profile health scare at Alligator Alcatraz this month aimed to return to his home country on Friday, his lawyer said.

This comes as a federal judge denied requests from both state and federal governments to pause the order to dismantle the immigration detention facility in the Everglades, and as the Scripps News Group has learned that detainees were already being removed from the facility, even before last week's court order was issued.

WATCH BELOW: 'Alligator Alcatraz' detainee faced 'life-or-death situation,' attorney says

'Alligator Alcatraz' detainee faced 'life-or-death situation,' attorney says

Lawyers and court documents reveal that some detainees are being deported while others are being transferred to ICE facilities like Krome in Miami-Dade County.

One immigration attorney said he has "never worked so hard to get a client deported" after his client experienced what he described as a life-threatening situation at the facility.

"I've practiced immigration law for over a decade. I deal with a lot of terrible situations of detainees. I've never experienced anything as terrible as the life-or-death situation, which my client still finds himself in," said attorney Eric Lee.

Lee represents Luis Manuel Rivas Velasquez, who is known to his 166,000 Instagram followers as car enthusiast "Luis Frio."

"Luis Velasquez is a 38-year-old Venezuelan man who came to the United States lawfully and was paroled into this country in 2024. In the last month, he's found himself living a total nightmare," Lee said.

According to Lee, Velasquez was detained in Alligator Alcatraz in early August when he became seriously ill.

"He caught some disease which is going viral inside of this facility, and as a result, was essentially unable to breathe. He collapsed," Lee said. "If it wasn't for one of his cellmates, who happened to have been a nurse from Cuba, he may very well have passed away in Alligator Alcatraz."

The incident occurred around Aug. 6. The following evening, in response to widespread rumors that a detainee had died, Homeland Security officials stated that Velasquez had fainted, was taken to the hospital and then returned to Alligator Alcatraz.

Lee said that in the days that followed, his client was taken to a facility in another state.

"They shipped him away to the new Fort Bliss facility that has just opened up outside of El Paso, Texas," Lee said.

According to Lee, no one including Velasquez's family knew where he was until he called Lee last week.

"He was begging to be released. He had sounded like there were tears in his eyes, and he was asking me, 'Please, lawyer, get me out of here. They're denying me access to my medication. I'm worried I'm going to die in here. All I want to do is go home and see my family,'" Lee said.

Over the course of at least a week during which Lee alleges Velasquez hadn't been allowed to change clothes, was denied access to his blood pressure medication, and wasn't allowed to self-deport Velasquez's name was missing in ICE's detainee locator.

"Disappearances like the type that the Trump administration has engaged in, in the case of Mr. Velasquez, are unlawful," Lee said.

This comes despite statements encouraging self-deportation from Gov. Ron DeSantis and top Trump administration officials.

Eventually, Lee says Velasquez was moved to an ICE processing facility in El Paso, where the hope is to get him on a flight back to Venezuela on Friday. But Lee was reportedly unable to board a flight on Friday as his lawyer was told the flight was full.

"We don't know if his ongoing detention is in retribution for his courageous decision to tell the truth about what's happening to him, but that is increasingly what it looks like," Lee said.

The Florida Department of Emergency Management, which runs Alligator Alcatraz, forwarded questions to ICE.

ICE and other Homeland Security have acknowledged they have received our emails with questions about Velasquez, but so far have not provided any information.

This article was written by Jamie Ostroff for the Scripps News Group in West Palm Beach.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.

Federal judge issues order blocking Trump effort to expand speedy deportations of migrants

A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from carrying out speedy deportations of undocumented migrants detained in the interior of the United States.

The move is a setback for the Republican administration's efforts to expand the use of the federal expedited removal statute to quickly remove some migrants in the country illegally without appearing before a judge first.

President Donald Trump promised to engineer a massive deportation operation during his 2024 campaign if voters returned him to the White House. And he set a goal of carrying out 1 million deportations a year in his second term.

But U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., suggested the Trump administration's expanded use of the expedited removal of migrants is trampling on individuals' due process rights.

In defending this skimpy process, the Government makes a truly startling argument: that those who entered the country illegally are entitled to no process under the Fifth Amendment, but instead must accept whatever grace Congress affords them, Cobb wrote in a 48-page opinion issued Friday night. Were that right, not only noncitizens, but everyone would be at risk.

The Department of Homeland Security announced shortly after Trump came to office in January that it was expanding the use of expedited removal, the fast-track deportation of undocumented migrants who have been in the U.S. less than two years.

The effort has triggered lawsuits by the American Civil Liberties Union and immigrant rights groups.

Before the Trump administration's push to expand such speedy deportations, expedited removal was only used for migrants who were stopped within 100 miles of the border and who had been in the U.S. for less than 14 days.

Cobb, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, didn't question the constitutionality of the expedited removal statute, or its application at the border.

It merely holds that in applying the statute to a huge group of people living in the interior of the country who have not previously been subject to expedited removal, the Government must afford them due process, she wrote.

She added that prioritizing speed over all else will inevitably lead the Government to erroneously remove people via this truncated process.

Cobb earlier this month agreed to temporarily block the Trump administrations efforts to expand fast-track deportations of immigrants who legally entered the U.S. under a process known as humanitarian parole a ruling that could benefit hundreds of thousands of people.

In that case the judge said Homeland Security exceeded its statutory authority in its effort to expand expedited removal for many immigrants. The judge said those immigrants are facing perils that outweigh any harm from pressing pause on the administrations plans.

Since May, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have positioned themselves in hallways to arrest people after judges accept government requests to dismiss deportation cases. After the arrests, the government renews deportation proceedings but under fast-track authority.

Although fast-track deportations can be put on hold by filing an asylum claim, people may be unaware of that right and, even if they are, can be swiftly removed if they fail an initial screening.

Detroit couple delivers baby at home after unexpected arrival

A Detroit family is celebrating the arrival of their newest member after an unexpected home delivery on the city's east side.

Enaika and Christopher Harris welcomed baby Gianna on Aug. 23, her due date, but not in the way they had planned. The couple found themselves delivering their daughter at home when she arrived faster than expected.

Watch Christiana Ford's video report below: Detroit couple delivers baby at home after unexpected early arrival

"We weren't thinking she was going to be actually born on that date," Enaika Harris said.

Less than 5% of babies are born on their due date, but Gianna decided to defy the odds.

"Everybody said like she's making her grand entrance," Enaika Harris said.

The grand entrance came after a long night of contractions that began around midnight.

"It was at such an inconvenient time because it was like midnight when it started, so I'm like everybody's sleeping, so I'm like we'll just wait to the morning," Enaika Harris said.

When the couple woke up bright and early, the husband and wife both thought they had plenty of time to prepare for the hospital trip.

"I thought I had way more time, so I'm like trying to pack a to-go bag," Enaika Harris said.

But the baby was coming fast. Enaika Harris found herself holding onto the kitchen counter as the pressure intensified.

The last thing Christopher Harris wanted was for his wife to lie down on their kitchen floor and begin pushing.

"I laid down, he's like no, don't lay down," Enaika Harris said.

But Christopher Harris quickly jumped into action calling her mother who then called emergency responders.

"Basically on third what seem like push, she came out. It was like half her body out and it was like after that, the baby came out all the way," Christopher Harris said.

Baby Gianna arrived weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces and perfectly healthy.

"It was pretty hectic. I was in a daze because I'm like I can't believe I just had a baby at home," Enaika Harris said.

While it may have been a wild delivery, after five boys, the Harris family finally got their girl.

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.

VIDEO: Suspect caught breaking into Warren restaurant, helping himself to a drink, stealing cash

A Warren restaurant owner is turning a heartbreaking theft into an opportunity to help her community after a burglar stole sentimental items from her business early Thursday morning.

Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report below: Suspect caught breaking into Warren restaurant, helping himself to a drink, stealing cash

Just Smash It, a burger restaurant on 8 Mile in Warren, approaching its one-year anniversary, was broken into when a suspect broke the lock to gain entry around 2:40 a.m. Thursday.

You can watch the surveillance video below: WEB EXTRA: Video shows suspect breaking into Warren restaurant, helping himself to a drink, stealing cash

Owner Matashia Dykes discovered the thief had taken irreplaceable mementos that held special meaning to her and her business.

"He took something that meant a lot to us. Our first customers had came in, and just, like, as a gift they blessed the restaurant. We had three hundred dollar bills with just good luck messages and things like that on the money," Dykes said.

These keepsakes represented the restaurant's first large sales and gifts meaningful tokens that marked the beginning of what has become a successful business that has expanded to include locations in downtown Detroit and inside Ford Field.

Surveillance footage shows the suspect helping himself to a beverage from the refrigerator, searching unsuccessfully for more cash, and quickly leaving the premises.

"Literally like a thief in the night," Dykes added.

Despite the violation, Dykes refuses to let the incident dampen her spirit or commitment to the community. Instead, she's planning to offer discounted food items for one hour each day throughout the weekend. She's calling it "power-hour" and says she will announce the times on social media.

"Just because we're gonna turn something bad into something good," Dykes said.

The restaurant owner, known for her generosity, regularly donates extra food to homeless people in the Jefferson area and helps customers who come up short on cash.

Dykes expressed that the suspect could have simply asked for help rather than resorting to theft.

"If he needed anything, he could've literally just asked," Dykes said.

Anyone with information about the incident or who recognizes the suspect is asked to contact the Warren Police Department.

____________________

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.

Missouri is next to answer Trump's call for redrawn maps that boost GOP in 2026

Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe said Friday that he is calling Missouri lawmakers into a special session to redraw the states U.S. House districts as part of a growing national battle between Republicans and Democrats seeking an edge in next years congressional elections.

Kehoe made the announcement just hours after Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a new congressional voting map designed to help Republicans gain five more seats in the 2026 midterm elections. It marked a win for President Donald Trump, who has been urging Republican-led states to reshape district lines to give the party a better shot at retaining control of the House.

Missouri is the third state to pursue an unusual mid-decade redistricting for partisan advantage. Republican-led Texas took up the task first but was quickly countered by Democratic-led California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking voters to approve a map aimed at giving his party five more seats.

Kehoe scheduled Missouri's special session to begin Sept. 3. He released a proposed new map that targets Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleavers Kansas City-area district by stretching it eastward into rural Republican-leaning areas.

His agenda also includes another Republican priority a proposed constitutional amendment that would make it harder to approve citizen-initiated ballot measures, such as abortion-rights and marijuana legalization amendments adopted in recent years.

Kehoe cast both items as a defense against liberal politicians and activists.

Missouris conservative, common-sense values should be truly represented at all levels of government," he said in a statement.

Democrats were quick to express outrage. Missouri state House Minority Leader Ashley Aune called Kehoe a Trump puppet attempting to steal a congressional seat for Republicans and gut the ballot initiative process.

It marks the worst threat to the integrity of our state government since pro-slavery lawmakers voted for Missouri to join the Confederacy in 1861, Aune said in a statement.

Missouri is represented in the U.S. House by six Republicans and two Democrats Cleaver and Rep. Wesley Bell in St. Louis.

Cleaver called the proposed redistricting an attack on democracy perpetrated by Trump.

This attempt to gerrymander Missouri will not simply change district lines, it will silence voices. It will deny representation, Cleaver said in a statement while vowing not to concede the seat.

RELATED STORY | Texas governor signs new voting maps pushed by Trump to gain five GOP seats in Congress in 2026

Missouri Democrats have little ability to prevent Republican lawmakers from enacting a new map. Unlike in Texas, where Democrats left the state for two weeks to delay a vote, Missouri Democrats' absence would not prevent a quorum for business. And although Democrats could filibuster in the Senate, Republicans could use procedural maneuvers to shut that down, as they did earlier this year to pass a proposed constitutional amendment restricting abortion.

Republicans won a 220-215 House majority over Democrats in 2024, an outcome that aligned almost perfectly with the share of the vote won by the two parties in districts across the U.S., according to a recent Associated Press analysis. Although the overall outcome was close to neutral, the APs analysis shows that Democrats and Republicans each benefited from advantages in particular states stemming from the way districts were drawn.

Democrats would need to net three seats in next years election to take control of the chamber. The incumbent presidents party tends to lose seats in the midterm elections, as was the case for Trump in 2018, when Democrats won control of the House and subsequently launched investigations of Trump. Seeking to avoid a similar situation in his second term, Trump has urged Republican-led states to fortify their congressional seats.

In Texas, Republicans already hold 25 of the 38 congressional seats.

Texas is now more red in the United States Congress, Abbott said in a video he posted on X of him signing the legislation.

Newsom, who has emerged as a leading adversary of Trump on redistricting and other issues, tauntingly labeled Abbott on X as the presidents #1 lapdog following the signing. Democrats already hold 43 of Californias 52 congressional seats.

Voting rights groups filed a lawsuit this week ahead of Abbotts signing the bill, saying the new map weakens the electoral influence of Black voters. Texas Democrats have also vowed to challenge the new map in court.

Some Missouri Republicans had pushed for a map that could give them a 7-1 edge when redrawing districts after the 2020 census. But the GOP legislative majority ultimately opted against it. Some feared the more aggressive plan could be susceptible to a legal challenge and could backfire in a poor election year for Republicans by creating more competitive districts that could allow Democrats to win three seats.

Republican officials in Florida, Indiana and elsewhere also are considering revising their U.S. House districts, as are Democratic officials in Illinois, Maryland and New York.

In Utah, a judge recently ordered the Republican-led Legislature to draw new congressional districts after finding that lawmakers had weakened and ignored an independent commission established by voters to prevent partisan gerrymandering. Republicans have won all four of Utahs congressional seats under the map approved by lawmakers in 2021.

Federal appeals court rules many of Trump's tariffs are unconstitutional, setting up Supreme Court appeal

A federal appeals court ruled Friday many of President Donald Trump's tariff policies are unconstitutional but the ruling allows the measures to stay in place while the administration appeals to the Supreme Court.

The panel of 11 judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled President Trump lacks the legal authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which has underpinned many of the orders that have increased tariffs on imports to the U.S.

"We discern no clear congressional authorization by IEEPA for tariffs of the magnitude of the Reciprocal Tariffs and Trafficking Tariffs," the court wrote in its ruling on Friday.

"We conclude Congress, in enacting IEEPA, did not give the President wide-ranging authority to impose tariffs of the nature of the Trafficking and Reciprocal Tariffs simply by the use of the term 'regulate . . . importation.'"

But the ruling also does not order the immediate end to tariffs. The 7-4 decision eliminated that requirement and gives the Trump administration until October 14 to potentially appeal its decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

If the ruling stands, the government may be required to refund certain import taxes from the $142 billion it has collected through the new tariffs since they were enacted.

RELATED STORY | Tariff exemptions on small shipments expire under new Trump administration rules

The ruling applies to tariffs President Trump imposed on "Liberation Day" on April 2 and to tariffs imposed in February against Canada, China and Mexico.

Certain other tariffs are not affected by this ruling, including those President Trump imposed on steel and aluminum and on automobiles.

President Trump on Friday indicated his administration would appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.

"ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT!" The president wrote on social media. "Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end."

"With the help of the United States Supreme Court, we will use them to the benefit of our Nation."

Sheriff Michael Bouchard blasts 'low bond' set by magistrate in multiple cases

The Oakland County sheriff is sounding off on a magistrate who he said is going soft on crime.

Magistrate Angelina Marie Thomas-Scruggs is accused of setting bond too low in more than one case. The latest case involves domestic violence and shots being fired.

Legally, the suspect shouldn't have been anywhere near his girlfriend in the first place.

Watch Darren Cunningham's video report below: Low bond in domestic dispute case sparks outrage

On Tuesday, Sheriff Michael Bouchard said Robertlee Rogers and his girlfriend got into an argument at her home at the Spring Lake Village apartments.

When she tried to leave in her vehicle with her 2-year-old, investigators said Rogers shot at them. Fortunately, the bullet hit the front bumper.

He ran, but deputies caught him.

Despite being charged with five felonies in this incident, the magistrate gave him a $1,000 personal bond.

Bouchard criticized the bond amount.

"When you've got a violent offender that shoots a gun at a child and a woman, who's back out on the street before the paper is dry, that's wrong and someone is going to get killed or hurt in cases like this. We've seen it time and time again," he told 7 News Detroit.

"We received an email from the mother of that victim angry that that person had got out. I agree. He shouldn't haven't got out. The mother of this victim said he had been violating her repeatedly over time, and he's going to end up killing her or her grandchildren," the sheriff explained.

The sheriffs department said Rogers shouldn't have been near the victim because of a domestic violence incident in June. In that case, we're told the magistrate issued an injunctive bond order. It's similar to a personal protection order and told him to stay away from the woman.

According to authorities, Rogers received a $4,000 cash or surety bond, which is higher than what he received this week.

"The very same magistrate had another individual we had charged with multiple, multiple serious counts. Drug related, guns related, weapons related, multiple convictions on weapons offenses and got out for like $500. It's frustrating because again, somebody's going to get killed before this stops, and it shouldn't be that way," Bouchard said.

In a statement to 7 News Detroit, Jeff Wattrick with the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office wrote:

"The Oakland County Prosecutor's office has charged Robertlee Rogers with 5 felonies. The court set a personal bond without a prosecutor present, and our office is preparing an emergency motion to increase the bond to an amount that better reflects the seriousness of the allegations in this case."

The court administrator told 7 News Detroit that the court has no comment and that the bond is under review.

Royal Oak giving away gift cards to local businesses during Arts, Beats and Eats festival

As the 28th annual Arts, Beats and Eats festival takes place in Royal Oak, the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority is distributing $80,000 worth of gift cards through its Downtown Dollars program to encourage visitors to shop at local businesses.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report: Royal Oak giving away gift cards to local businesses during Arts, Beats and Eats

The $20 gift cards can be used at participating downtown businesses throughout September, providing festival-goers with an incentive to explore Royal Oak's retail and dining scene beyond the weekend event.

Local restaurant owner Mario Cutraro, who runs Trattoria da Luigi with his family, has participated in Arts, Beats and Eats since its inception. He appreciates the city's Downtown Dollars initiative.

"Whenever we see the Royal Oak dollars, it's usually familiar faces, but it's nice the city does for those people," Cutraro said.

When asked about his favorite part of the festival, Cutraro highlighted the community atmosphere.

"Favorite parts, hands down, is seeing everybody grilling sausages, staying out, walking the streets. It's the best," Cutraro said.

Susan Barkman, interim executive director of the Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority, said the festival serves as an introduction to the city for newcomers.

"It helps people get familiar if you're not familiar with Royal Oak; it's a good opportunity to come down and check it out," Barkman said.`

For business owners, the festival creates lasting connections with customers who return throughout the year.

Festival attendees interested in receiving Downtown Dollars can sign up with employees at the festival entrance ways.

The Arts, Beats and Eats festival runs from Friday through Monday.

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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.

Detroit Jazz Festival returns for 46th year with world-class performers and free admission

An annual celebration of jazz has returned to the Motor City.

Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report: Detroit Jazz Festival returns for with world-class performers and free admission

The Detroit Jazz Festival gets underway Friday night for the 46th time, showcasing the city's jazz history and dozens of musicians from around the world. The four-day event marks another opportunity to highlight Detroit's deep connection with the genre.

"Jazz has greatly influenced the culture of this city, but Detroit, many of the artists, many of the cultures of Detroit have significantly influenced the actual language of jazz," said Chris Collins, President and Artistic Director of the Detroit Jazz Festival.

From Hart Plaza to Midtown, there will be four days of music across four stages featuring some of the most well-known names in jazz.

"Kenny Barron, we have the great Chucho Valdes and Paquito D'Rivera, Maria Schneider Orchestra, our artist-in-residence, the great Jason Moran," Collins said.

Daniel Winshall, who is performing at the Detroit Jazz Festival, says this is his third time being part of the event. He says the fact that it's free makes the atmosphere feel special.

"You get a soulful audience and people who really want to be there, and it's great. Everyone's having a good time, everybody's vibing, I love it," Winshall said.

7 News Detroit also caught up with a group performing from Tottori, Japan.

"Our compositions are based on Tottori and really melodious and bopish," Takumi Inoue said.

Inoue said it's an honor to share a piece of his hometown with other places around the world.

"We are bringing Tottori jazz to Detroit jazz," Inoue said.

In addition to musicians, vendors say they're looking forward to being part of the Detroit Jazz Festival. Some of them are big fans of the music themselves.

"My first album was Herbie Hancock. My brother-in-law gave it to me in 1970, and ever since, I've been a jazz fan, 105.9 WJZZ, Rosetta Hines, and the whole crew back then. This is just my kind of music," said Tony Shaw, co-owner of Big Dog Hot Dog Street Grill.

About one-third of jazz festival attendees are from outside of the region, providing an opportunity to show what Detroit is about.

"They really get an experience, and they get to taste Detroit culture and hospitality, and it really sets a lot of people straight," Collins 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.

Nurse accused of sexually assaulting woman at Detroit hospital; police say there may be more victims

A local nurse has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman at Detroits DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital, and were sharing his photo because investigators believe more victims could be out there.

Watch Simon Shaykhet's video report: Nurse accused of sexually assaulting woman at hospital; police fear more victims

Prosecutors will not confirm that the alleged victim was a patient, but previous allegations against Wilfredo Figueroa-Berrios involve patients at a mental health facility in Livonia.

The 47-year-old nurse was arraigned in Detroit's 36th District Court Thursday on three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree and two counts in the fourth degree.

Detroit police released the photo of Figueroa-Berrios, who is accused of sexually assaulting the woman on August 18 at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit.

Online records show he's been a licensed nurse since 2012.

Court records show Figueroa-Berrios was given a $50,000 personal bond and made to wear a GPS tether. With a personal bond, a defendant can be released without posting any money unless they violate conditions of their bond.

7 News Detroit visited the home of Figueroa-Berrios, but there was no answer at the door. His defense attorney also declined to comment.

Outside the hospital, 7 News Detroit Anchor Simon Shaykhet found people whose loved ones are currently or have been patients at the hospital over the years.

Its a lot of crazy things going on. I would never expect that to happen at a hospital," said Jesse Rodgers.

While the investigation is ongoing, prosecutors have been careful not to release more details that they say could put their case at risk.

However, police are encouraging anyone else who could be a victim to come forward.

Its supposed to be a safe place to go to. Not like that. Ive never heard of that. Thats the first," said Rodgers.

While looking into the prior history of Figueroa-Berrios, Shaykhet also found charges were requested by Livonia Police for sexual assault in 2021 for a 2020 incident involving a patient at a mental health facility, but their warrant request was denied due to insufficient evidence. Another warrant request was submitted in February 2022 for a 2021 incident involving another patient at the same facility.

Livonia Police said they're still waiting for prosecutors to make a charging decision in that 2021 case.

Shaykhet asked a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office why theres been little to no updates for more than 3 years, and in a statement regarding that case, a spokesperson said, There were no documents in our case management system for this warrant from Livonia PD. This was recently discovered and WCPO immediately requested and received the warrant request this week from Livonia. The case is currently being reviewed. Until the review process has been completed, we cannot predict that charges will issue.

Shaykhet did reach a family member of the defendant, who declined to talk about this but expressed surprise.

7 News Detroit reached out to DMC Sinai-Grace for comment and to find out the employment status of Figueroa-Berrios, but a spokesperson would not release any information and instead referred us to the prosecutor's office.

Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy protection again

Budget carrier Spirit Airlines said Friday that it has filed for fresh bankruptcy protection months after emerging from a Chapter 11 reorganization.

The no-frills airline said it intends to conduct business as normal during the restructuring process, meaning passengers can continue to book trips and use their tickets, credits and loyalty points. The company said its employees and contractors would still be paid.

Spirit President and CEO Dave Davis said the airline's previous Chapter 11 petition focused on reducing debt and raising capital, and since exiting that process in March "it has become clear that there is much more work to be done and many more tools are available to best position Spirit for the future.

In a quarterly report issued earlier this month, Spirit Aviation Holdings, the carrier's parent company, said it had substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern over the next year which is accounting-speak for running out of money. Spirit cited adverse market conditions" the company faced after its most recent restructuring and other efforts to revive its business.

That included weak demand for domestic leisure travel, which Spirit said persisted in the second quarter of its fiscal year, and uncertainties in its business operations that the Florida company expects to continue for at least the remainder of 2025.

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Known for its no-frills, low-cost flights on a fleet of bright yellow planes, Spirit has struggled to recover and compete since the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising operation costs and mounting debt eventually led the company to seek bankruptcy protection in November. By the time of that Chapter 11 filing, the airline had lost more than $2.5 billion since the start of 2020.

When Spirit emerged from bankruptcy protection in March, the company successfully restructured some of its debt obligations and secured new financing for future operations. Spirit has continued to make other cost-cutting efforts since including plans to furlough about 270 pilots and downgrade some 140 captains to first officers in the coming months.

The furloughs and downgrades announced last month go into effect Oct. 1 and Nov. 1 to align with Spirit's projected flight volume for 2026, the company noted in its quarterly report. They also follow previous furloughs and job cuts before the company's bankruptcy filing last year.

Despite these and other cost-cutting efforts, Spirit has said it needs more cash. As a result, the company said it may also sell certain aircraft and real estate.

And as discount carriers struggle to compete with bigger airlines many of which have snagged budget-conscious customers through their own tiered offerings Spirit is attempting to tap into the growing market for more upscale travel. It is now offering flight options with tiered prices, the higher-priced tickets coming with more amenities.

Spirits aircraft fleet is relatively young, which has also made the airline an attractive takeover target. But such buyout attempts from budget rivals like JetBlue and Frontier were unsuccessful both before and during the bankruptcy process.

Spirit operates 5,013 flights to 88 destinations in the U.S., the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Panama and Colombia, according to travel search engine Skyscanner.net

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