Hundreds of Medicaid and Medicare recipients have been alarmed by a text message scam, according to health care provider EPIC Health.

On Wednesday, the Michigan attorney general issued a warning.

Watch Darren Cunningham's video report below: Medicaid, Medicare text scam scares hundreds during federal government shutdown

Sarah Lattimore, a Medicaid recipient, said she received one of those text messages on Thursday. For a moment, she thought her visit to the doctor on Friday would be impossible because the text claimed she no longer had Medicaid coverage.

"Basically saying that my insurance is cut off and I cannot see any doctors for any of my conditions, Lattimore told 7 News Detroit.

She said she was instantly concerned.

"I can't pay out of pocket like everybody else can, Lattimore said.

The text message had a link for her to click and submit personal information to resolve the problem. Instead, Lattimore made the wise choice to call her health care provider EPIC Health.

She learned it was scam and at least 200 other EPIC Health patients received similar text messages from scammers exploiting the federal government shutdown as a way to scare Medicaid and Medicare recipients.

"Today, we saw a huge drop off in the number of our scheduled patients," Dr. David Wash told 7 News Detroit.

Wash is the supervising physician at EPIC Health.

When asked what implications there are when someone receives and believes the text messages, Wash said, Delayed care.

Basically what that's going to do is inundate our emergency room where people are gonna start using emergency room as their primary care, or some people are just not going to go, the doctor explained.

And what that's going to do is that's going to delay care and cause increase, possibly emergencies because we have a lot of people who have uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure that need that constant preventative long-term care and management.

Wash referenced also the attorney general's warning. Attorney General Dana Nessel advises the following:

Block the text, email or call Don't click links or open attachments Report the spam Delete the text or email from their device

EPIC Health district manager Cora Fitzpatrick said the health system is also doing its part to clear confusion.

"We reassure them by letting them know, 'Hey, you are covered, she said. When they're calling us (and) when they're coming in, we let them know, You are covered. You can be seen today.

You can report scams and file complaints with the attorney general's consumer protection team on the state's website.

For those who follow the economy closely like Bankrate's Mark Hamrick the first Friday of the month is typically spent looking over new jobs data.

"A typical jobs report Friday is often the most consequential day of the month for those of us monitoring the economy, because the job market is so important," Hamrick said.

But because of a government shutdown, this Friday was different. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, which releases the monthly labor data, is closed.

"Lacking this data, we're having to sort of walk with blinders on for every stakeholder in the U.S. economy, which is just about everybody," Hamrick said.

That includes the Federal Reserve, which relies on government economic data when it makes its interest rate decisions, says economics professor Abby Hall.

"This makes it much, much more difficult for them to assess and do their jobs," Hall said.

There are private companies that release jobs data, including payroll processor ADP and HR data tracker Revelio Labs. But each gets their data differently and provides different estimates.

RELATED STORY | Here's how the government shutdown will affect federal benefits programs

"Of course, we're going to get different answers," said Loujaina Abdelwahed, a senior economist at Revelio Labs. "I personally don't think that anyone can 100% replace the BLS."

For September, Revelio labs reported the U.S. added 60,000 total jobs, while ADP reported private sector jobs dropped by 32,000.

The difference shows the need for more in depth government data, says Hamrick.

"The data we get from the Labor Ddepartment on the job market is the gold standard," he said. "And so lacking that, we don't have an important piece of the puzzle trying to understand what is happening with the broader economy and the job markets."

After months of negotiations, Michigan state lawmakers have finally approved an $81 billion budget that includes significant funding increases for education and continues free school lunch programs for all students.

The budget allocates more than $24 billion to fund K-12 schools, colleges and universities across the state. Public schools will receive just over $10,000 per student, representing a 5% increase from previous funding levels.

Watch Tiarra Braddock's video report below: Michigan lawmakers pass $81 billion budget with education funding boost

"I think at the end of the day, the people of Michigan are benefited by the fact that we had to make some tough decisions together, but we put the priorities of the people first and long overdue investments in infrastructure, continued investment in education," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.

The budget also maintains free school lunch programs for all students, a provision that has drawn support from parents and lawmakers alike.

Hear more from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on the state budget below: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks after legislature passes budget

"I think that's great. I don't think no kids should go hungry," said Renee Papageorgiou, a parent from Madison Heights.

Papageorgiou believes the free lunch program should continue regardless of budget constraints.

"I think they should keep free lunch for everybody regardless of the budget, what not. I feel like we can find a way to make sure all kids eat," Papageorgiou said.

State Rep. Jamie Thompson from Flat Rock echoed similar sentiments about the importance of the program.

"I know that is extremely important to all families, whether they be middle-income families, low-income families, families that are just very busy and just struggling to make sure lunch is prepared for the kids," Thompson said.

While lawmakers expressed relief at reaching a budget agreement and avoiding a government shutdown, some education leaders criticized the timing of the approval.

"It's more than three months overdue and that means no matter how good or bad a budget may be, it can't possibly work as well as it should for schools simply because it's so late," Robert McCann said. "Our schools have been back, helping students, serving their needs for over a month now without any certainty of how much funding they would have, not just for the basics of operations."

Robert McCann, executive director of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan, said the budget was approved far too late in the process.

Hear more from Robert McCann below: Extended interview: Executive director of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan weighs in on budget

"This can't happen again. If you want to claim that you are pro-education and that schools and students are your priority, you cannot complete a budget three months after it's due, one month into the school year," McCann said.

The budget now heads to Whitmer's desk for her signature.

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.

Pop icon Taylor Swift's "Life of a Showgirl" is the 12th record of her career, recorded with the same produces that collaborated with her on hits like "22" and "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."

The 12-song album was released less than 24 hours ago at midnight and already has millions of downloads.

To learn more about the album and what it says about Swift as an artist, Scripps News speaks with Harvard University English professor Stephanie Burt, who teaches courses on Swift's work and has written the book "Taylor's Version: The Poetic and Musical Genius of Taylor Swift."

Swift "is much more interested at this point in her life on how to write different kinds of stories, on how to push back and how to find your people, and how to make the life for yourself that you need, and then how to reach out and help other people do that, too," Burt says.

RELATED STORY | Taylor Swift brings The Life of a Showgirl to the big screen for 3 days only

"That's what she's trying to do with a lot of this album, which is so much fun and so much more aesthetically and sonically varied that a lot of us had expected or indeed feared," Burt says. "She's doing that with her Shakespeare story. She's doing that on "Eldest Daughter," which is the one that speaks most directly to me. You know, as an eldest daughter, as an only daughter I've got some younger brothers I think a lot about meeting expectations and doing what institutions and doing what adults want you to do. And for some of us, that's the right path, but it's also exhausting. And it does seem like Taylor has found the life partner as well as the songwriting partners who will let her not relax, because she doesn't do that but let her really experience a kind of confidence that she hasn't had before."

Watch the full interview with Burt in the video above.

It's Italian Heritage Month, and tucked away in Rochester with minimal signage sits a hidden gem that's been serving authentic Italian cuisine for more than a decade.

Silver Spoon restaurant is the product of a chance meeting between two Italian men at London's airport almost 30 years ago. Chef Daniele Dell'Acqua and owner Rito Lisi crossed paths while leaving their homeland and have been working together ever since.

Watch Jeffrey Lindbom's video report below: Local Rochester restaurant brings authentic Italian flavors to Michigan

"We met in the airport in London," Dell'Acqua said.

"The chef is from Milan. I am from the south," Lisi said.

Despite their different regional backgrounds, the two have built a lasting partnership, though they admit they don't always see eye to eye.

"Thirty years, we've been working together. I see more of him than my wife," Lisi said.

Their chance relationship has evolved into a long-lasting friendship over a shared passion for food. From the start, their goal has been authentic Italian dining.

"We just stick with what is the food in Italy," Lisi said.

"So you can have a nice dining experience without having to go to Italy," Dell'Acqua said.

The restaurant maintains its authenticity through traditional methods, including a manual prosciutto slicer that requires hand cranking to produce perfectly sliced meat.

"I'm happy when I make people happy," Dell'Acqua said.

"Make people feel like home when they're still at the table," Lisi said.

Lisi channels his Italian roots by making bread behind the scenes and has opened roughly 45,000 bottles of wine over the last five years. The corks now serve as keepsake decor throughout the restaurant.

"We are like a family," both men said.

Dell'Acqua describes his cooking philosophy as "easy food" nothing over the top, just a few quality ingredients with a menu mostly made from scratch. He prides himself on his steady hands while holding a pan and skills honed since his grandmother stood beside him long ago. He still carries some of her recipes today and believes she would be proud.

"It's good because everyone is happy. If everyone eats, it means she taught me something nice," Dell'Acqua said.

"I hope they leave super happy and say, 'wow. What a beautiful experience we had,'" Lisi said.

"That would make me very proud of my staff and to do the job that I'm doing," Dell'Acqua said.

Silver Spoon shared a recipe for Spaghetti ai frutti di mare:

Serving 4

Ingredients:

Spaghetti 0.7 lb

Mussels 2.25 lb

Optional 4 medium size sea scallops

Clams 2.2lb

Calamari (squid) 0.66 lb

Shrimp 8

Cherry tomatoes 0.66 lb

Extra virgin olive oil 4tbsp

Garlic 1 clove

Parsley 1 spig to be chopped

White wine 3 tbsp

Fine salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

To prepare the seafood spaghetti start cleaning the mussels and clams, than place a colander over a container so that it does not touch the bottom and fill it with cold running water leaving the clams to purge any sand. Pour out the water and repeat.

Next clean the mussels, remove any dirt from the shell with the back of a knife, if needed tear off the beard that comes out of the shell.

Heat 2 table spoon of olive oil in a large sauce and when is hot pour in the clams and the mussels, cover immediately with a lid and wait until they are all completely open, about 3 4 minutes, remove the lid an pour them in to a container. Do not discard the cooking liquid but strain it and keep it warm. Than shell both the clams and the mussels, set aside (keep some shells for decoration)

Cut the calamari in strips . Clean the scampi, and cutt the tomatoes in half.

Drizzle a pan with 2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and add a clove of garlic

Once is golden, pour the squid and add a pinch of salt

Cook for 5 minute then sweat with the white wine.

Let the wine evaporate, remove the garlic

Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water.

Add the shrimp to the sauce, season with salt and pepper.

Drain the spaghetti directly in to the pan 4 minute before their cooking time is up

Continue cooking and pour the mussels and clams cooking water you had set aside

Lastly add the shelled mussels and clams

At the end of the cooking, turn off the heat, season with chopped Italian parsley and toss one last time. Serve it very hot.

BUON APPETITO FROM THE SILVER SPOON!

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.

Congo President Flix Tshisekedi says his country is ready to supply the United States with the critical minerals that power phones, cars, and the electric grid but only if Washington helps secure peace in the east of the country.

In an exclusive interview with Scripps News, Tshisekedi highlighted the Democratic Republic of Congo's dominance in cobalt production. The country produces nearly three-quarters of the world's supply and holds more than half of known reserves.

"We think that since the United States, with President Trump in the lead, are interested in these strategic minerals, their first reflex will obviously be to guarantee the security of these investments," Tshisekedi said.

Eastern Congo is in turmoil as the M23 rebel group seizes mineral-rich territory near Goma. United Nations investigators say Rwanda backs the group an accusation Kigali denies. At the U.N. General Assembly, Tshisekedi called for sanctions on "the perpetrators of economic crimes, but also of war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide committed in the east of my country."

The United States helped broker a peace deal in June, calling for Rwandan forces to withdraw and Congo to dismantle border militias. Former President Donald Trump has claimed credit.

"The Congo and Rwanda, they said it was impossible to settle," he said. "I got every one settled, seven of them, seven."

But fighting continues. Tshisekedi told Scripps News the deal is not dead but said Rwanda has disguised its role by backing M23.

"Rwanda is coming to get the minerals and they're using M23 like a puppet to steal and to do all these things that they are doing."

RELATED STORY | In General Assembly speech, Trump criticizes UN over wars, migration and climate change

For Tshisekedi, the path forward is clear: the U.S. can help secure eastern Congo and invest in processing minerals locally. "We will no longer simply serve as an extraction land," he said, "but we will also be a land of transformation."

Asked about U.S.China competition, Tshisekedi said he does not play favorites. "No. No. In fact, we don't have a preference. We are friends with everyone." Still, he has renegotiated a major mining deal with Beijing that he described as "not a win-win."

Amid the geopolitical struggle, Congo faces a deadly new Ebola outbreak in Kasai province. Authorities have reported 57 cases and 35 deaths since September. Tshisekedi noted the U.S. once played a major role in funding Ebola response but has since cut support.

In the heart of downtown Oxford, Angie Green and her two sons have gone from humble beginnings to launching a national brand, making up to 1,000 stuffed bagels a day.

Her message about working with family and sharing baked goods made with love is quickly spreading to 25 states and 400 stores.

Watch Simon Shayket's video report below: Oxford family-owned bagel shop goes national

I visited the community and learned about how the family-run business has flourished all the way to Colorado and Florida by selling stuffed bagels with a unique twist.

Inside a kitchen within Evergreens Coffee and Bakeshop, you can feel something special being made by Green and her two sons Hunter and Gavin.

A couple years ago, my sons said everyone loves the stuffed bagels at Evergreens, we need to take it a step further, Green said.

A proud mom, Green not only shares her love of baking, but this venture has blossomed into a thriving business.

Just rewind to two years ago and it was a trade show where the familys brand Bros & Dough won a Golden Ticket from Meijer, placing their goodies in several locations.

Its definitely been a ride, but it's been fun fun. I wouldnt change it for the world. Definitely some real-world experience before you hit adulthood, Gavin Green said.

Very unique. Nothing else really like it. We pour a lot of passion into it, family business. We have our picture right on the back, Hunter Green said.

Now, the brothers are not only making as many as a thousand stuffed bagels a day, but their packaged products are being distributed to 400 stores in 25 states.

Everyday customers in Oxford are still enjoying the various flavors.

You can get your standard bagel somewhere but to get something handcrafted, right here, and its always super fresh and theyre really good, customer Gabby Rodela said.

A key ingredient is sticking by one another, whether its marketing, meeting order deadlines or lending an extra hand.

Angie Green says her prior career as an emergency room nurse helped pave the way for her sons to learn about responsibility.

There are stuffed bagels out there just stuffed with cream cheese. We took it a step further, stuffed them with things like bacon. Who doesnt love bacon? Angie Green said.

Now, the family is savoring moments together as co-owners.

Theyre seeking a larger facility, so they can keep up with demand and expand to each and every state.

Bros n Dough says they use natural ingredients without preservatives, and they hope to be in larger stores like Kroger and others soon.

Two men on trial for allegedly posing as DTE workers in a deadly home invasion in October 2024 have both been found guilty on all counts.

A jury on Friday evening found Joshua Zuazo and Carlos Hernandez guilty of first-degree murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment.

Watch the verdict for Joshua Zuazo below: Joshua Zuazo found guilty in deadly home invastion after allegedly posing as DTE worker

In an unusual legal arrangement, the two defendants were being tried simultaneously but with separate juries that were selected earlier this week.

Both men were denied bond and are scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 9.

Watch the verdict for Carlos Hernandez below: Carlos Hernandez found guilty in deadly home invastion after allegedly posing as DTE worker

During testimony this week, the juries heard from the widow of the jewelry store owner killed last year in his Rochester Hills home. She provided emotional testimony in Oakland County Circuit Court Wednesday about the home invasion that left her husband dead and herself injured.

The two suspects allegedly posed as DTE utility workers to gain entry to their home.

Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report below: Widow testifies in trial of men accused of posing as DTE workers in deadly home invasion Watch Ryan Marshall's video report Widow testifies in trial of men accused of posing as DTE workers in deadly home invasion

Linda Murray testified about the events of Oct. 11, 2024, when her 73-year-old husband, Hussein "Sam" Murray, was killed inside their home.

"I was screaming and Hernandez hits me in the face to cover my mouth," Linda Murray testified when asked about her reaction to seeing blood at the scene.

Joshua Zuazo and Carlos Hernandez are accused of posing as DTE Energy workers who initially visited the Murray home on Oct. 10, 2024, claiming they needed to check for a gas leak. The family turned them away due to the late hour, but prosecutors say the men returned the following morning.

According to testimony, the suspects allegedly took Sam Murray to the basement, where they tied him up and killed him. Linda Murray was upstairs making breakfast when the men came upstairs demanding jewelry and cash.

Previous coverage: Court records detail how Rochester Hills murder suspects were caught Documents reveal new details on home invasion arrests

Hernandez's attorney claims his client never intended to kill Murray, while Zuazo's attorney maintains his client was wrongly identified and was not present at the scene.

President Donald Trump called on Israel to immediately stop strikes in Gaza after Hamas said Friday it would agree to portions of a proposed peace deal.

"Israel must immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly! Right now, its far too dangerous to do that," President Trump wrote on social media.

Hamas said in a statement it has agreed to cede administration of the Gaza Strip to independent leadership and says it will release "all occupation prisoners, alive and dead bodies, according to the exchange formula mentioned in President Trumps proposal."

"As for other issues mentioned in President Trumps proposal related to the future of the Gaza Strip and the authentic rights of the Palestinian people, these are linked to a comprehensive national position based on relevant international laws and resolutions, and will be discussed through a comprehensive Palestinian national framework in which Hamas will participate and contribute responsibly," the statement read.

It is not clear from the statement whether Hamas intends to disarm, which was another central component of the peace proposal.

The development comes after President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday, unveiling what he described as a "comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict" between Israel and Hamas.

Israel has agreed to the proposed deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday.

"I support your plan to end the war in Gaza, which achieves our war aims," he told President Trump. "It will bring back to Israel all of our hostages, dismantle Hamas' military capabilities and its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel."

RELATED STORY | Trump sets Sunday deadline for Hamas to agree to deal for ending the war in Gaza

The 20-point plan calls for an immediate end to the war, the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces to an "agreed upon line," and the demilitarization of Gaza which includes Hamas giving up all of its weapons.

President Trump's plan also calls for Israel to release more than 1,700 Gazans imprisoned in Israel, and for Gaza to be governed under a "temporary transitional governance" which will be supervised by a so-called "Board of Peace," headed and chaired by President Trump.

IN RELATED NEWS | Over 60,000 Palestinians killed in the 21-month Israel-Hamas war, Gazas Health Ministry says

President Trump said at the time he was confident Hamas will accept the proposal, but warned that if it's rejected, then Israel would have his "full backing to finish the job of destroying the threat of Hamas."

This is a developing story and will be updated.

On Sunday, October 5, Spotlight on the News will interview the leaders of three important public spaces in Southeast Michigan. How are they transforming these popular areas? We'll also learn the national early childhood expansion plans for Detroit-based Brilliant Cities. Our guests will include Amy McMillan, CEO of Huron-Clinton Metroparks; Leona Medley, Executive Director, Joe Louis Greenway; Meagan Elliott, President & CEO, Belle Isle Conservancy; Cindy Eggleton, Co-Founder & CEO, Brilliant Cities; and Tarsha Gale, Executive Director, Brilliant Detroit.

Spotlight on the News, now in its 60th season, is Michigan's longest-running weekly news and public affairs television program. It airs every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 in Detroit, is streamed live on wxyz.com and broadcast at 11:30 a.m. on 23.1 WKAR-HD in East Lansing.

A controversial statue of President Donald Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is back on display on the National Mall in Washington.

Titled "Best Friends Forever," the piece shows the two bronze-colored figures holding hands with a plaque celebrating friendship month.

The artwork was dismantled and damaged last week when the National Park Service ordered its removal for violating permit rules.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | House panel releases lewd Epstein letter that Trump denies signing

However, the group behind it says a new permit, approved just before the government shutdown, cleared the way for its return.

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.

U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach shared designs for a potential $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump, timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

One side of the coin shows a side profile of Trump. The reverse depicts him raising a fist in front of an American flag, with the words fight, fight, fight encircling the image.

Beach said additional details would be released soon, once the federal government shutdown ends.

Congress previously authorized the U.S. Mint to issue new $1 coins with designs emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial. If produced, Trump would be the first living president to appear on a $1 coin. From 2007 to 2016, the Mint released four coins annually honoring deceased presidents, and in 2020, it issued a coin honoring George H.W. Bush after his death.

In recent years, the Mint has also released $1 coins recognizing innovations from all 50 states and honoring Native American leaders. However, due to a surplus of $1 coins, production since 2011 has been limited to quantities meeting collector demand, with coins largely absent from general circulation.

It remains unclear whether the semiquincentennial coins will be intended for wide circulation or for collectors.

President Donald Trump said the U.S. military struck a boat off the coast of Venezuela on Friday that he claimed was loaded with enough drugs to kill 25 TO 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced the strike, which officials said targeted a vessel linked to a terrorist organization.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the vessel was affiliated with a designated terrorist group and that four narco-terrorists were killed in the operation.

The strike was conducted in international waters just off the coast of Venezuela while the vessel was transporting substantial amounts of narcotics headed to America to poison our people, Hegseth said in a statement on X.

It was the fourth known strike on a boat the administration said was attempting to smuggle drugs into the U.S. in recent weeks. Hegseth warned that these strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over!!!!

Scripps News learned this week that Trump sent Congress a memo designating drug cartel officials as unlawful combatants engaged in an armed conflict.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the presidents authority to carry out the drone strikes, saying the cartels are at war with us through fentanyl trafficking.

The U.S. Postal Service will implement holiday pricing increases starting Saturday to help cover additional handling costs during the busy shipping season.

The temporary price increases are designed to ensure a successful holiday season, according to a press release from USPS.

The price increases will depend on the size of the package and how far it's traveling, based on shipping zones. The lowest increase is 40 cents and the highest increase, for oversized packages traveling long distances, is $16.

RELATED STORY | Santas mailbox opened as USPS holiday letter program returns

The new prices will take effect Oct. 5 and last until Jan. 18.

A complete list of the prices can be found on the Postal Regulatory Commission's website.

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.

Apple has removed an app from its App Store that allowed users to anonymously report sightings of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

The app, called ICEBlock, had gained popularity as President Donald Trump intensified his immigration crackdown. The company behind it said it had more than 1 million users.

In a post on Bluesky, the company wrote: We just received a message from Apples App Review that #ICEBlock has been removed from the App Store due to objectionable content. The only thing we can imagine is this is due to pressure from the Trump administration.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | ICE officer relieved of duties after viral video shows him shoving immigrant woman

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed to The Associated Press that her office demanded Apple remove the app, saying it was designed to put ICE agents at risk just for doing their jobs.

The apps developers argue it is intended to keep communities informed in response to what they described as ICEs civil rights abuses and failures to adhere to constitutional principles and due process.

ICE has faced growing criticism, and in some cases, the backlash has erupted into violence.

Last month, a man opened fire on an ICE facility in Dallas, killing two detainees before taking his own life.

The superintendent of Iowas largest school district, who was detained last week by immigration agents, was charged Thursday in federal court with possessing firearms while in the U.S. illegally, prosecutors said.

Ian Roberts resigned this week as Des Moines superintendent of schools, just days after he was pulled over and fled from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who ultimately arrested him with the help of officers from the Iowa State Patrol. When he was arrested, federal agents found a handgun that was wrapped in a towel inside the Jeep Cherokee he was driving, according to court papers.

Roberts, who is originally from Guyana, had been jailed in Sioux City, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Des Moines, since late Friday afternoon. Officials said he was taken into custody on a federal arrest warrant for the weapons charge and appeared by video before a federal magistrate judge.

Roberts' attorney, Alfredo Parrish, said his client will plead not guilty.

RELATED STORY | ICE detains Des Moines, Iowa, public school leader, school board says

Our position at this time he has a presumption of innocence, Parrish said. He will exercise his right to indicate to the court, if he is indicted, that hes not guilty, Parrish said, adding that there has not been an indictment returned by the grand jury.

Roberts, 54, is alleged to have been in possession of four firearms, according to court documents. Authorities said Roberts had been authorized to work in the U.S. between December 2018 and 2020 but has since not had lawful employment authorization, according to the complaint.

Federal authorities said Roberts had a final removal order that was issued last year, and an immigration judge denied a motion to reopen Roberts' immigration case in April this year. The complaint released Tuesday alleged that Roberts had that final removal order in a different car at his residence.

Roberts had been under the impression from a prior attorney that his immigration case was resolved successfully," his attorney has said.

It has been my pleasure to represent you throughout this process, and I am pleased to report that your case has reached a successful resolution, Texas attorney Jackeline Gonzalez wrote on March 27.

An aide to Gonzalez confirmed to The Associated Press Tuesday that the law firm had represented Roberts but gave no immediate comment.

Gonzalez spoke earlier this week to federal officials and said the letter she sent had informed Roberts that the immigration case with Gonzalez's office was being closed, according to court papers. Roberts had an unpaid legal bill with her office.

Gonzalez added that the letter was not intended to convey that his case with the court had been completed, the court documents said.

Gonzalez declined to tell authorities, however, about her communication with Roberts about the immigration judge's denial of the motion to reopen his case, which was sent to her office.

One firearm, the one found under the driver's seat of his school-issued vehicle when he was arrested, was a pistol believed to have been purchased by Roberts wife, authorities said. The other three a pistol, a rifle and a shotgun were found during a search of Roberts' home, the complaint said, and all were allegedly loaded.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that Hamas must agree to a proposed peace deal by Sunday evening, threatening an even greater military onslaught nearly two years into the war sparked by the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Trump appears keen to deliver on pledges to end the war and return dozens of hostages ahead of the second anniversary of the attack on Tuesday. His peace plan has been accepted by Israel and welcomed internationally, but key mediators Egypt and Qatar, and at least one Hamas official, have said some elements need further negotiation, without elaborating.

An Agreement must be reached with Hamas by Sunday Evening at SIX (6) P.M., Washington, D.C. time, Trump wrote Friday on social media. Every Country has signed on! If this LAST CHANCE agreement is not reached, all HELL, like no one has ever seen before, will break out against Hamas. THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

Trump's plan would end the fighting and return hostages

Under the plan, which Trump unveiled earlier this week alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas would immediately release the remaining 48 hostages around 20 of them believed to be alive. It would also give up power and disarm.

In return, Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of the territory, release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allow an influx of humanitarian aid and eventual reconstruction. Plans to relocate much of Gaza's population to other countries would be shelved.

RELATED STORY | Trump unveils plan to end war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza

The territory of some 2 million Palestinians would be placed under international governance, with Trump himself and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair overseeing it. The plan provides no path for eventual reunification with the Israeli-occupied West Bank in a future Palestinian state.

A Hamas official told The Associated Press this week that some elements of the plan are unacceptable and need to be amended, without elaborating. Palestinians long for an end to the war, but many view this and previous U.S. proposals as strongly favoring Israel.

US and Israel seek to pressure Hamas

Israel has sought to ramp up pressure on Hamas since ending an earlier ceasefire in March. It sealed the territory off from food, medicine and other goods for 2 1/2 months and has seized, flattened and largely depopulated large areas of the territory.

Experts determined that Gaza City had slid into famine shortly before Israel launched a major offensive aimed at occupying it. An estimated 400,000 people have fled the city in recent weeks, but hundreds of thousands more have stayed behind.

Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office, said she saw several displaced families staying in the parking lot of Shifa Hospital during a visit on Thursday.

They are not able to move south because they just cannot afford it, Cherevko told The Associated Press. One of the families had three children and the woman was pregnant with her fourth. And there were many other vulnerable cases there, including elderly people and people with disabilities.

Trump wrote that most of Hamas' fighters are "surrounded and MILITARILY TRAPPED, just waiting for me to give the word, GO, for their lives to be quickly extinguished. As for the rest, we know where and who you are, and you will be hunted down, and killed.

Most of Hamas' top leaders in Gaza and thousands of its fighters have already been killed, but it still has influence in areas not controlled by the Israeli military and launches sporadic attacks that have killed and wounded Israeli soldiers.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Famine declared in Gaza City as Israel escalates fighting

Hamas has held firm to its position that it will only release the remaining hostages its sole bargaining chip and potential human shields in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu has rejected those terms, saying Hamas must surrender and disarm.

Second anniversary approaches

Thousands of Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, attacking army bases, farming communities and an outdoor music festival, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 others, most of them since released in ceasefires or other deals.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 66,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or combatants. It says women and children make up around half the dead.

The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, and the U.N. and many independent experts consider its figures to be the most reliable estimate of wartime casualties.

The offensive has displaced around 90% of Gaza's population, often multiple times, and left much of the territory uninhabitable.

Both the Biden and Trump administrations have tried to end the fighting and bring back the hostages while providing extensive military and diplomatic support to Israel.

After weeks of controversy about a top elected officials side jobs, Oakland County Executive David Coulter is unveiling sweeping ethics reforms.

Thats something other County leaders have been asking for as well, and now Coulter is calling on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to adopt financial disclosure statements similar to those adopted by state lawmakers in 2023. But Coulters says he wants the transparency requirements to go farther by extending the rules to the spouses/domestic partners of Oakland County elected officials and Coulters appointees.

Watch Heather Catallo's 7 Investigation below: 'Oakland County is better than this.' Coulter unveils sweeping ethics reforms after 7 Investigation

Oakland County is better than this. I will not allow recent political discord and lack of transparency to undermine the trust our residents place in and us and the progress we are making, said Coulter in a press release.

The announcement follows several stories by the 7 Investigators, including investigations into the role Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chair Dave Woodward has played related to his side job as a consultant for the Sheetz gas station chain.

"I fully support Executive Coulter's proposal," Woodward said in a statement shortly after the announcement. "The Board of Commissioners stands ready to review and act on it quickly. I believe in doing what's right, always leading with integrity and holding ourselves to the highest standards as we continue to deliver for the people of Oakland County."

The 7 Investigators were the first to report that county records revealed Woodward appears to have used his position with other county employees for a proposed Waterford Sheetz location.

Coulters proposal uses the state of Michigans Public Officers Financial Disclosures Act as its base, but hes also asking for additional requirements, including:

Spouse/domestic partner reporting Household adult dependent reporting Assets/interests held by certain trusts related to a person required to report Requirement to amend financial disclosure midyear with any new outside income source greater than $10,000.

Coulter says he wants the financial disclosures to be kept by the County Clerk, and they will be available online.

Watch below: Did commission head use position to help along possible Sheetz in Waterford?

Did commission head use position to help along possible Sheetz in Waterford?

The county executive is also asking that the county create an Ethics Ombudsperson who can receive referrals from members of the public and other whistleblowers about allegations of conflicts of interest among county leadership and employees.

Ethics and transparency are not about playing gotcha they are about building trust with the public, said Coulter. "An independent ombudsperson will guarantee ethical concerns are handled fairly, above politics and beyond personalities.

I'm being 100% transparent and ethical, Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward told the 7 Investigators during an on-camera interview in August, as he maintained he does not have a conflict of interest with his outside jobs.

Even though Woodward makes $82,500 as Board Chair, he also owns two companies: Woodward & Associates L.L.C. and a political consulting business.

Through his Woodward & Associates, Woodward has been appearing at public meetings on behalf of the Sheetz gas station chain.

Site plans for a proposed Sheetz on Highland Road in Waterford Township included a curb cut onto the countys airport exit road.

While Woodward has said I havent been part of anything involving the county, records reviewed by the 7 Investigators suggest otherwise.

Related Video: Oakland County commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest

Oakland Co. commission head defends Sheetz side job, denies conflict of interest

Those records from late July show Oakland County Aviation Manager Cheryl Bush told another county employee that We have agreed to allow egress access to Patterson Parkway to a neighboring landlord for development of a Sheetz gas and service station.

Bush went on to say, Chairman Woodward has been a strong proponent of this, along with support from [Deputy County Executive] Sean Carlson. (Honestly, this is strongly against my better judgment, but I have been overruled.).

Even though Woodward has maintained he has no conflict with his Sheetz job, many of his fellow elected officials say they disagree.

I don't think what Dave Woodward is doing is ethical, it's just not, said Waterford Township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta during an interview earlier this summer. Bartolotta said Woodward called him to set up a meeting with himself and representatives from Sheetz.

I think it's outrageous. The people have a right to know if the person that they elected has personal conflicts of interest, financial conflicts of interest, said Oakland County Commissioner Kristen Nelson (D-Waterford).

With all the items in the press these days relative to the county, it's not putting the county in a good light, said Oakland County Commission Minority Caucus Chair Michael Spisz (R-Oxford).

Spisz told the 7 Investigators he agrees that financial disclosure rules are needed. Woodward has thus far declined to disclose his other clients.

How do you know as a member of the finance committee and a member of the board whether you're voting on things that [Woodwards] actually financially benefiting from? asked 7 Investigator Heather Catallo.

We dont, said Spisz. It's concerning. It should be concerning for all of us as commissioners, for any of us to be in that position that we're voting or another colleague is voting on something that is potentially a conflict of interest.

Commissioners Nelson and Charlie Cavell (D-Ferndale) say they left the commissions Democratic caucus when their efforts to expand transparency and financial disclosure rules were shut down by Woodward earlier this year.

Watch below: Oakland County commissioners say they're facing retaliation over transparency push

Oakland County commissioners say they're facing retaliation over transparency push

There is a pattern of bad behavior, said Cavell. We asked to be heard, to make our community stronger, and have people trust that government is working for them. And we were told no.

Commissioner Nelson released a statement to the 7 Investigators about Coulter's proposal: "I am cautiously optimistic and glad to see Executive Coulter making ethics and financial disclosure a priority for Oakland County. These reforms must be meaningful, and I am eager to see the details of what will be proposed. I also want to acknowledge the important role investigative journalism has played in bringing these issues to the forefront, and I am deeply grateful to the many citizens who have reached out to me and Commissioner Cavell to support our ongoing reform efforts. Their voices have been essential in keeping this conversation alive and moving it forward."

There have been other things facing scrutiny in Oakland County government, including an investigation into how a $450,000 IT contract got awarded to a current county employee. After a whistleblower pointed out the conflict, the contract was canceled and a third-party review of how that happened has been under way.

Regarding the airport easement, Bush told the 7 Investigators in September that Woodward made introductions to her to the Sheetz representatives.

I knew that Dave Woodward was interested in the project, but he has also expressed to me, always stay true to what is best for the airport, said Bush. He made introductions to the Sheetz folks.

Nick Ruffner, the public affairs manager for Sheetz, released a statement to 7 News Detroit in the past that reads, "We want to emphasize that Sheetz is not engaged in any business, applications, or requests before the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. From the outset, we recognized the importance of maintaining a clear line between Daves public service and this part-time advisory role. We proactively took steps to ensure that no conflicts of interest exist and continue to uphold that commitment."

After the 7 Investigators started asking county officials about the easement at the airport, they announced they were not going to approve the easement/curb cut.

Coulter says he has directed his staff to immediately finalize language with the Board of Commissioners so they can introduce a resolution at their next board meeting on October 16 and have a vote on it before the end of the year.

If you have a story for Heather Catallo, please email her at hcatallo@wxyz.com

Video from the Macomb County Sheriff's Office shows two members of the department rescuing a deer from a tangled hammock.

You can see the rescue in the video below

Video shows Macomb County deputies rescue deer tangled in backyard hammock

According to the sheriff's office, deputies were called to a home in Harrison Township after a deer had gotten itself tangled in the hammock and was unable to break free.

A sergeant and deputy arrived on scene and worked together to free the animal.

"After a few tense moments, they were able to cut the deer free. It quickly ran off back into the woods," the sheriff's office said.