A former nurse at Sinai Grace Hospital just faced a judge on new sexual assault charges.
Wilfredo Figueroa-Berrios is accused in eight cases. Today, he was arraigned on four of the newest cases.
Watch our previous coverage
Former DMC Sinai Grace Hospital nurse facing charges in 5 new sexual assault cases Press conference: Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announces new cases involving former Sinai Grace nurse accused of sexual assaulting patients
He's accused of sexually assaulting four women at Sinai Grace when he worked there as a nurse. One case is from 2024, and three are from 2025. He was arraigned today on several sex crime charges.
The judge set bond in each case at $500,000. If he does happen to get released, he'll have to wear a GPS tether and stay on house arrest. Both he and a hospital spokesperson continue to deny wrongdoing.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday backed a proposed fan boycott of World Cup matches in the United States because of the conduct of President Donald Trump and his administration at home and abroad.
Blatter was the latest international soccer figure to call into question the suitability of the United States as a host country. He called for the boycott in a post on X that supported Mark Pieth's comments in an interview last week with the Swiss newspaper Der Bund.
Pieth, a Swiss attorney specializing in white-collar crime and an anti-corruption expert, chaired the Independent Governance Committee's oversight of FIFA reform a decade ago. Blatter was president of the world's governing body for soccer from 1998-2015; he resigned amid an investigation into corruption.
In his interview with Der Bund, Pieth said, If we consider everything weve discussed, theres only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA! Youll see it better on TV anyway. And upon arrival, fans should expect that if they dont please the officials, theyll be put straight on the next flight home. If theyre lucky.
In his X post, Blatter quoted Pieth and added, I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.
The United States is co-hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico from June 11-July 19.
The international soccer community's concerns about the United States stem from Trump's expansionist posture on Greenland, and travel bans and aggressive tactics in dealing with migrants and immigration enforcement protestors in American cities, particularly Minneapolis.
Oke Gttlich, one of the vice presidents of the German soccer federation, told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper in an interview on Friday that the time had come to seriously consider boycotting the World Cup.
Travel plans for fans from two of the top soccer countries in Africa were thrown into disarray in December, when the Trump administration announced an expanded ban that would effectively bar people from Senegal and Ivory Coast following their teams unless they already have visas. Trump cited screening and vetting deficiencies as the main reason for the suspensions.
Fans from Iran and Haiti, two other countries that have qualified for the World Cup, will be barred from entering the United States as well; they were included in the first iteration of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration.
The Justice Department has withdrawn its request for five arrest warrants tied to a protest at a Minnesota church during a demonstration against immigration enforcement.
The protest followed the killing of Renee Good, who was shot by a federal officer during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Protesters appeared to be attempting to confront a pastor who is reportedly affiliated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Three people have already been charged in connection with the protest. The Justice Department had sought additional arrest warrants for others, including journalist Don Lemon. A magistrate judge previously rejected charges against Lemon.
The Justice Department did not say why it withdrew the request for the arrest warrants or whether it still plans to pursue charges.
In an exclusive interview with Scripps News on Friday, Lemon said he believed the Justice Department would still try to charge him, despite insisting he was at the church in his capacity as a journalist.
I was not a protester, Lemon said. Its very clear about that. If you look at all the evidence, Im not a protester.
The Oakland County prosecutor has announced charges against 34-year-old Amanda Ileana Hernandez, the wife of one of the two men convicted in the 2024 murder of a local jewelry store owner.
Amanda has been charged with Conspiracy To Commit First Degree Home Invasion, Accessory After the Fact, and Conspiracy to Commit False Impersonation of a Utility Worker.
Sam Murray was a beloved father and husband. His family continues to grieve this loss, said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald in a statement. Im grateful to the investigators who continued to pursue everyone involved in this horrible crime. We will continue fighting for justice for the Murray family.
Joshua Zuazo and Carlos Hernandez were convicted of first-degree felony murder and unlawful imprisonment in separate trials for their roles in the murder of 73-year-old Hussein Murray of Rochester Hills. Judge Yasmine Poles sentenced both men to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Watch the full sentencing in the video below Suspects convicted of killing jewelry store owner in Rochester Hills sentenced to life
Investigators say the two posed as DTE workers to gain entry into his home, then once inside they killed Murray and tied up his wife.
During the hearing, Murray's three sons spoke, and one read a poem that Murray's widow wrote about him.
Hear more from the victim's sons in the video below Sons of Hussein Murray speak during sentencing their father's killers
According to testimony, the suspects 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.
"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.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is investigating actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Eagle County, Colorado, following reports that agents left ace of spades playing cards inside the vehicles of people they detained.
The ace of spades playing card has long been associated with racism and death, dating back to the Vietnam War.
The ace of spades card reads ICE Denver Field Office, according to Alex Snchez, president and CEO of the nonprofit Voces Unidas. He said the cards were left inside at least two vehicles last Wednesday.
Voces Unidas is a nonprofit based in the Western Slope. We have physical offices in Frisco, Avon, and Glenwood Springs, and soon in Grand Junction. We have been operating in the 15 counties of the traditional Western Slope since January 2025. We have been operating a 24/7 hotline. It is fully staffed with paid employees, and we are providing services and support for families and individuals who are detained at the Aurora Detention Center. Last week, on Wednesday, we had an uptick in activity in the Eagle-Vail valley, Snchez said.
Snchez said they received several calls from the family members of people who ICE agents detained.
We did independently verify that at least nine individuals were detained that Wednesday by ICE in the Eagle-Vail Valley. There are eight individuals who were detained in what we refer to as fake traffic stops, and one individual who was detained as he was walking to a bus stop, Snchez said. We started to hear from at least two families in two different vehicles, suggesting that they had found this card, and they wanted to know the significance of it."
Snchez said ICE agents decision to leave those cards inside the vehicles of those they detained constitutes psychological harassment.
This is disgusting. This is sickening. This is not law enforcement. This is not dignified public servants doing their job on behalf of the American people as federal law enforcement agents; we absolutely call on our congressional delegation for accountability. We want our Colorado congressional delegation to use their powers as members of Congress to demand accountability from the federal government, Snchez said. Is this a practice of the Denver field office? Is this a policy of the Department of Homeland Security? Is this just rogue agents who happen to have extreme views that probably don't belong in law enforcement?
DHS condemned the alleged actions in a statement to the Scripps News Group. They released the following statement:
ICE is investigating this situation but unequivocally condemns this type of action and/or officer conduct. Once notified, ICE supervisors acted swiftly to address the issue. The ICE Office of Professional Responsibility will conduct a thorough investigation and will take appropriate and swift action. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is held to the highest professional standard. As our brave law enforcement arrests and removes dangerous criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, rapists, and gang members from our communities, America can be proud of the professionalism our officers bring the job day-in and day-out.
Sanchez said Voces Unidas has not been contacted by DHS, but they hope to speak with the department about the investigation.
DHS investigates 'death cards' ICE agents reportedly left inside detainees' cars in ColoradoThis article was written by Micah Smith for the Scripps News Group in Denver.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will have a security role during the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games, according to information shared with local media by sources at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. The Associated Press independently confirmed the information with two officials at the embassy.
The officials who confirmed ICE participation on Tuesday said that federal ICE agents would support diplomatic security details and would not run any immigration enforcement operations.
During previous Olympics, several federal agencies have supported security for U.S. diplomats, including the investigative component of ICE called Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the officials said. They could not be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly.
HSI has a global footprint, and its common for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide security support at major international events.
The State Departments Diplomatic Security Service does this as well, routinely supporting events like the Olympics. The use of U.S. law enforcement agencies in these contexts isnt unusual. During the 2016 Rio Olympics, the Transportation Security Administration deployed officers to assist with airport screening due to the surge in visitors and the potential threat of attacks.
Citing images of masked ICE agents that have dominated coverage of unrest in Minneapolis, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said that ICE would not be welcome in his city, which is hosting most ice sports during the Feb. 6-22 Winter Games.
"This is a militia that kills, a militia that enters into the homes of people, signing their own permission slips. It is clear they are not welcome in Milan, without a doubt,'' Sala told RTL Radio 102 before ICE's deployment to the Games was confirmed.
ICE's role had been reported over the weekend by the Italian daily il Fatto Quotidiano, prompting conflicting statements from Italian authorities who did not want to appear to confirm the agency's role.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said Saturday he had not received confirmation of ICE's deployment, but added that "I don't see what the problem would be,'' the news agency ANSA reported.
The Interior Ministry on Tuesday repeated that the U.S. has not confirmed the makeup of its security detail but insisted that at the moment there are no indications that ICE USA will act as an escort to the American delegation."
U.S. Vice President JD Vance will lead a delegation attending the Feb. 6 opening ceremony. The delegation will also include second lady Usha Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the White House announced earlier this month.
The confirmation of ICE's role in Olympic security comes after RAI state TV aired video Sunday of ICE agents threatening to break the glass on the vehicle of a RAI crew reporting in Minneapolis, where ICE operations have sparked mass demonstrations. In the past three weeks, federal officers in Minneapolis have shot and killed two protesters against deportations and immigration enforcement.
A federal judge in Oregon dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit seeking Oregon's unredacted voter rolls on Monday in another setback to wide-ranging efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to get detailed voter data from states.
In a hearing, U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai said he would dismiss the suit and issue a final written opinion in the coming days. The updated docket for the case showed that Oregon's move to dismiss the case was granted.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield welcomed the move.
The court dismissed this case because the federal government never met the legal standard to get these records in the first place, he said in an emailed statement. "Oregonians deserve to know that voting laws cant be used as a backdoor to grab their personal information.
Kasubhai scheduled the hearing after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz dated Saturday, the same day federal immigration agents fatally shot 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, which has seen widespread protests over increased immigration enforcement and the previous killing of Renee Good by an immigration officer.
In her letter, Bondi asked the Democratic governor to support immigration officers and shared three simple steps to help bring back law and order" including by giving the Justice Department the ability to access voter rolls to confirm that Minnesota's voter registration practices comply with federal law.
Bondi also asked for the state's records of its Medicaid and food assistance programs, and for the repeal of sanctuary policies that limit local officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
The Justice Department has been seeking detailed voter data that includes names, dates of birth, residential addresses, drivers license numbers and partial Social Security numbers. Officials in many states have said turning over such information would violate both state and federal privacy laws.
The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against at least 23 states and the District of Columbia as part of its effort to collect such data. Last week a federal judge in Georgia dismissed such a suit after ruling the federal government had sued in the wrong city, and earlier this month a federal judge in California dismissed a suit there after finding the governments request was unprecedented and illegal.
The department has said it needs to access detailed voter data to ensure election officials are following federal election laws. Election officials have disputed that and raised concerns that federal officials are trying to use the sensitive data for other purposes, such as searching for potential noncitizens on the rolls.
In a July letter, the department asked Oregon for an electronic copy of its statewide registration list and details on the steps it has taken to remove ineligible voters, court filings show. It sent another letter in August saying it needed the voter list to assess compliance with federal law, and that the list must include information such as full names, birth dates, drivers license numbers or partial Social Security numbers.
Oregon officials responded in August that the department lacked the authority to request the list and offered to provide the publicly available list, court filings show. The department argued it has the authority to request the data under multiple federal laws and is complying with privacy laws.
Kasubhai called for the Monday hearing in Oregon's lawsuit so that attorneys on both sides could provide additional arguments on how Bondi's letter was relevant in interpreting the basis and purpose of the department's request for voter data.
The department argued it had authority under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to request voter records, as the law says such records are to be made available to the U.S. Attorney General upon a demand in writing that states the basis and purpose of the request. Yet Kasubhai said the department's August letter did not satisfy the law's requirement for stating a basis and purpose when requesting voter records. He added that he read the congressional record of the time when the law was passed, and found it was unequivocal on the release of records being associated with investigations involving discrimination in elections.
The Justice Departments outreach has raised alarm among some election officials because the agency doesnt have the constitutional authority to run elections. That power is granted to states and Congress. Federal law also protects the sharing of individual data with the federal government.
The chief federal judge in Minnesota says the Trump administration has failed to comply with orders to hold hearings for detained immigrants and ordered the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear before him Friday to explain why he shouldnt be held in contempt.
In an order dated Monday, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz said Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, must appear personally in court. Schlitz took the administration to task over its handling of bond hearings for immigrants it has detained.
This Court has been extremely patient with respondents, even though respondents decided to send thousands of agents to Minnesota to detain aliens without making any provision for dealing with the hundreds of habeas petitions and other lawsuits that were sure to result, the judge wrote.
The order comes a day after President Donald Trump ordered border czar Tom Homan to take over his administrations immigration crackdown in Minnesota following the second death this month of a person at the hands of an immigration law enforcement officer.
Messages were sent Tuesday to ICE and a DHS spokesperson seeking a response.
Respondents have continually assured the Court that they recognize their obligation to comply with Court orders, and that they have taken steps to ensure that those orders will be honored going forward," Schlitz continued in the order. "Unfortunately, though, the violations continue.
The judge said he recognizes that ordering the head of a federal agency to appear personally was extraordinary. But the extent of ICEs violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed, Schlitz wrote.
Schlitzs order lists the petitioner by first name and last initials: Juan T.R. It says the court granted a petition on Jan. 14 from the person to provide him with a bond hearing within seven days. On Jan. 23, the persons lawyers told the court the petitioner remained detained.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that her father, Richard Whitmer, passed away on Monday evening.
Richard Whitmer, who graduated from Western Michigan University and earned his law degree from the University of Michigan, served in state government in Michigan, including as Commerce Secretary to Governor Bill Milliken. He also worked as CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan.
The governor issued the following statement about the passing of her father:
"My beloved father passed away last night.He held a lot of impressive positions in his long life. He led major non-profits, sat on statewide boards, and served in the cabinet of one of my predecessors, Governor Milliken. But for me, he was just dad.He was the one who always saw my potential and believed in me, from the first speech I gave in fifth grade to my States of the State as governor. He was always there, whether in the back of the classroom or in the front row of the House Chamber, cheering me on.He was the one who picked me up when I was down or told me to get my act together when I screwed up. When my grades were slacking in high school, he inspired me to live up to my potential. Because of his encouragement, I did.He was the one who suggested I consider public service. As a student at MSU who dreamt of a life in sports broadcasting, he was the one who told me to check out an internship at the capital to see how state government really worked. I havent looked back since.My siblings and I have a ton of beautiful memories and hilarious stories about our dad. And I was thrilled that my girls got to make their own memories with him too. I got to see my dad become a proud, doting grandfather. He was always quick to laugh, happy to offer advice, and proud most of all that his children and grandchildren had grown up with those fundamental Michigan values of kindness, respect, and humor that he taught us and lived up to every day of his life.He was my best friend, most trusted counselor, and next-door neighbor until I moved into the Governors Residence. I would not be where I am and who I am without my dad. Today, Im sad, but Im grateful too. Im grateful for the time we got to spend together, for the things he taught me, and the stories Ill carry with me forever."
Nearly a quarter of working-age adults have health insurance that leaves them underinsured, according to recent estimates. While having some coverage might seem better than none at all, experts say the potential risks are remarkably similar.
"We always see people who avoid the hospital because of costs," said Dr. Anahita Dua, vascular surgeon, associate professor of surgery, and founder of the medical community coalition Healthcare for Action.
Dua says health care providers are seeing more patients skip or delay care out of fear they won't be able to afford it, even with insurance coverage.
"Patients are concerned that if they come in with their wrists sprained, and then they tell the doctor, 'Well, I sprained my wrist by falling down the stairs,' the doctor might say, 'Well, did you hit your head? We need a CT scan of your head,' which we do," Dua explained.
The numbers paint a stark picture of America's health care coverage crisis.
In findings from the Commonwealth Fund, roughly 9% of working-age adults are uninsured, but another 23% are underinsured meaning the coverage they pay for doesn't provide affordable access to care.
"What we're really saying is that maybe their deductible is too high. They can't get to that high number before their insurance kicks in," Dua said. "Or their insurance doesn't cover the things that they need. It'll cover one doctor's visit, but not four doctors' visits."
As president of Accessia Health, Tiara Green says she sees this issue firsthand. The nonprofit provides support for people living with rare or chronic health conditions.
"They need access to specialty medications and treatments and specialty providers," Green said. "They become underinsured or considered underinsured when they don't have access to those things."
Green says Accessia Health works to close the gap so patients can access the care they need.
Dua says free clinics can also help bridge coverage gaps. But most importantly, she urges patients to never delay care.
"The most important thing is your life. Everything can be worked out. Hospitals do eat major costs, so do not delay," Dua said.
The situation may worsen with the expiration of enhanced tax credits for those who purchased plans on the ACA marketplace. Experts fear more new cases of people going uninsured and underinsured.
"It could lead to a number of individuals choosing high-deductible plans that may not necessarily cover their costs and lead to higher out-of-pocket costs," Green said.
Police in Maple Grove took 24 people into custody Monday evening outside a hotel where Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were believed to be staying.
The Maple Grove Police Department said some protesters engaged in unlawful behavior, including damaging property and throwing objects at officers.
Police ordered the crowd to disperse, and those who remained were detained. Police said charges ranged from unlawful assembly to rioting. Officials said they would provide more details on the type of charges at a later time.
Hotels believed to house ICE agents have been frequent targets of protesters, who use whistles and other noisemakers in an effort to disrupt agents sleep.
Video from outside the SpringHill Suites showed dozens of people banging pots and pans, beating drums and using other noisemakers.
Maple Grove police said the department has not been involved in immigration enforcement activities. However, local police agencies have responded to anti-ICE protests.
Mondays protest came amid heightened immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities area. On Saturday, a Customs and Border Protection officer fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old man who had been filming immigration enforcement activities in Minneapolis.
His death sparked additional protests in the region.
More than 7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease, including over 200,000 people in Michigan, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Watch Jolie's report in the video player below
Local program supports families facing dementia and their caregivers
For families facing this devastating diagnosis, finding support can make all the difference in managing the challenges ahead.
Janet Schwamb knows this reality all too well. Her husband, Freddie, was diagnosed with dementia three years ago, though warning signs appeared much earlier.
"It really goes back about 8 years. He had balance problems about 8 years ago, and he had some ambulatory problems, walking," Schwamb said.
Freddie Schwamb spent decades as a teacher and assistant principal in New York. Even after retiring in Michigan to be closer to family, he returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher until his condition made it impossible to continue.
"It's always a challenge, and it limits your mobility. You know, getting your wheelchair in and out of the car," Freddie Schwamb said.
The couple of 50 years describes dementia as one of the biggest challenges they've faced.
"So as a caregiver to Freddie, it's all encompassing as the symptoms progress and increase, I do more for him. I do more for the care of the house, the finances, all of the things that life requires us to do on a daily basis," Janet Schwamb said.
In 2024, Mr. and Mrs. Schwamb found support through the Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program, known as the Brown Center, which operates locations in West Bloomfield and Southfield. The program works in partnership with Gesher Human Services and Jewish Senior Life.
"We do cognitively stimulating activities, we do physical activities, things that just treat the whole person," said Sharilyn Rowe, a social worker at the center.
The Brown Center has been serving people living with dementia and their caregivers for nearly 30 years, providing both structured activities and crucial respite for families.
"So, [caregivers] get that chance to drop that person off and know that they're safe and cared for, and they can go and do what it is that they need to do whether that's running errands, taking a nap, having some me time, whatever it is," Rowe said.
Beyond daily programming, the center connects families to critical resources.
On Thursday, January 29, the Brown Center is hosting a free webinar from 2-4 p.m. on the latest advances in Alzheimer's care, where experts will discuss new FDA-approved treatments and how to access them.
Families must register by Tuesday, January 27, by emailing jdorfman@jslmi.org or calling the center at (248)661-6390. Participants will receive a link and can tune in from home.
For the Schwamb family, this type of support has been life-changing, providing both practical help and emotional comfort in knowing they're not facing this journey alone.
"The help is super. They're very empathetic...and fun to be with, and that's a big part of getting through the day," Freddie Schwamb said.
"The longer that we can keep him mobile and the longer we keep him actively engaged, the slower the progression," Janet Schwamb said.
The Brown Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
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.
Gary Brown, the Director of the Board of Water Commissioners for the city of Detroit, said that workers with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department are working to repair a "couple dozen" water main breaks throughout the city of Detroit. These water main breaks are turning city streets into frozen rivers.
VIDEO: Watch more from Gary Brown in the player below Gary Brown, the Director of Detroit's Board of Water Commissioners, speaks on water main breaks
Brown said that workers with the Department of Public Works have been called in to clear the drains before DWSD workers start making repairs.
"This is historic, regionally, to have this deep of a freeze for this long of a time, because it looks like it's going to go on another week, maybe 10 days," Brown said. "We're asking people to be patient, we can't get to everyone at the same time, but we're going to make sure people have water and that we get the streets cleared and that everybody's safe."
We're told that it's unclear if any residents are without water as a result of these breaks, but Brown said that was not the case as of Monday evening. He also said that those without water will be the priority fixes throughout this process.
We were monitoring two water main breaks earlier this morning: one on Laing, near Grayton, and the other on Dequindre, near East State Fair. The water has been pouring into the streets all morning, and in these frigid temperatures, it's causing problems for people living in the area and for drivers. On Laing, you can see trash cans and even cars frozen in place.
Watch Brittany's report in the video player below Two water main breaks freeze over streets on Detroit's east side
These water main breaks come amid a bitter cold snap, which we know is top of mind for so many across metro Detroit today. Right now, a cold weather advisory is in effect for the entirety of Southeast Michigan. That's because our wind chills are well below zero degrees, which has already closed over 100 schools.
We talked with a nurse stuck in a vehicle in the middle of Laing, with water coming up to her tires. She tells us she doesn't even live on this block, turned down on her lunch break at 2:30 a.m., and didn't see water or ice covering the street.
"Im on lunch break. So I was coming, I was driving to this gas station, and its so dark on this block, I was coming to go around the block and ran into this," Brandy told us. "I'm just frustrated. Just frustrated. Its late. Im trying to get back to work, and I'm just a little frustrated.
Brandy was one of multiple vehicles surrounded by water. She was stuck for about 30 minutes when we talked to her, running her vehicle to stay warm. Thankfully, shes back at work safe. She was stuck in her car for over an hour. Her vehicle and others have since been removed.
No timeline was provided for when these breaks will be repaired.
Stay with wxyz.com for updates on this developing story.
The wind chills far below zero degrees have many students across metro Detroit starting this week with back-to-back days off from school.
So far this morning, we have seen over 100 school closures or delays. Some of the districts include Detroit Public Community School District, Harper Woods, and River Rouge. On Monday, over 650 schools across our area were out of the classroom.
Watch Ryan's report in the video player below
Metro Detroit parents concerned about juggling jobs & watching kids with multiple snow days
It's been a nice, long weekend for many students across the metro area, but not so much for the parents having to figure out what to do about their kids. But they may have to keep juggling work and watching their kids for the foreseeable future.
Many superintendents are making daily decisions whether or not to have classes. They're weighing various factors like the recent sub-zero temperatures, road conditions, and being able to provide enough heat for their buildings.
To complicate matters, the state only allows each district six built-in inclement weather days without having to extend the school year.
Many districts have already been closed for three or four days this school year. If they go over, then those districts are able to apply for a state waiver for those missed days to be made up at the end of the school year. Parents we spike weighed in on the impact these weather-related school closures are having on them and their kids.
(I'm getting to the point that I dont like the cold and snow anymore," said Livonia resident Bill Hendricks. "But, when we do have a snow day, wanna get the kids out and try and enjoy it like we did when we were kids.
Weve got a couple of high schoolers who drive. So, theres always the concern about the kids driving in the snow, the new drivers. So, you know, if its a matter of safety, then I know Im not opposed to the snow days," said Livonia resident Sarah Hendricks.
Honestly, our kids get out of school early June. So, Im actually fine having them go into the summer a little bit more. I dont wanna go too far into the summer. But, do what you gotta do to get all the education in," said Livonia resident Elisa Derrig.
Elisa also gave a piece of advice for parents: stay strong and keep your sanity.
A nonprofit animal wellness center in Livonia is facing an uncertain future after a devastating flood left the facility under water and forced its temporary closure.
Laura Kuchinski, founder of Tailwaggers, discovered the flooding when she arrived at the center on Sunday for some weekend work. What she expected to be a quiet day turned into a nightmare as she found herself wading through water that had completely flooded the building.
Watch Jeffrey Lindblom's video report below: Livonia animal wellness center faces uncertain future after devastating flood
"Opening up Pandora's Box. The bathroom has about 2 inches of water in it," Kuchinski said.
The flooding extended throughout the facility, including the clinical areas where Tailwaggers serves upward of 70 pets per day. Water levels reached 1 to 3 inches across the floors, with the lobby resembling a lake.
"There's water everywhere everywhere," Kuchinski said. "The lobby looked like a lake."
Despite feeling defeated initially, Kuchinski called in her staff for support. Kelly Ewald, a veterinary assistant, was among those who responded to help with the crisis.
"Woah, this is a lot of water. What happened?" Ewald said upon seeing the damage.
The flooding destroyed the cat room and damaged numerous other areas of the facility. The only animals present during the incident were office cats, all of which have rescue stories. Staff had to wrangle them to safety, though Kuchinski noted they were scared but would recover with love and attention.
"They're scared, but they'll get over it. They get a lot of love and attention from us," Kuchinski said.
A plumber determined the cause was a clog 85 feet parallel to a pipe beneath a drain, which has since been cleared. However, the aftermath continues to present challenges for the nonprofit.
Kuchinski expressed relief that the facility's servers and 45,000 active animal files remained intact, calling their potential loss "a disaster."
The founder is currently working with insurance companies and expects upward of $20,000 in covered damage. However, this doesn't include drywall and flooring that will need replacement to maintain safe operations, which she hopes her landlord will address.
"Can we open? Should we open? We have bills and rent to pay and staffing, so it scares me a lot," Kuchinski said.
Tailwaggers relies entirely on revenue from its wellness center operations. The facility is currently closed as negotiations continue with the landlord regarding repairs and reopening. They're expecting to reopen Tuesday.
Kuchinski is asking the community for help through donations to supplement losses and replace damaged items like cat towers. Despite the overwhelming situation, she remains determined to continue the organization's mission.
"We're not quitters. We plug away and try to keep a positive outlook and a smile on our faces, but inside I think I'm crying a little bit," Kuchinski said.
The future of Tailwaggers remains uncertain as discussions with the landlord continue and the organization works to recover from the extensive water damage.
If you would like to donate to help Tailwaggers, you can do so at this link.
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.
Students at the University of Michigan are mourning the death of 19-year-old Lucas Mattson. His body was found on Cambridge Road near Washtenaw Avenue in the freezing temperatures on Saturday.
"Its undeniably a tragedy," sophomore Blake Becker said.
Watch Darren Cunningham's video report below: University of Michigan students mourn death of classmate found in freezing temperatures
Sophomore Riley Maczik told 7 News Detroit, I was really upset about it. A lot of my friends were at the same venue that Lucas was at, so its really sad to see that that could literally happen to anybody. It doesnt matter who you are (or) where youre at.
Sophomore Matthew Like said, We have sense of community, even with people you dont know at the university. So to see anyone, even if you dont know them personally from your community pass like that, its tragic.
Ann Arbor police said Mattson was last seen walking on Hill Street around 1 a.m. on Friday after leaving a party at Delta Chi fraternity. According to investigators, he didnt have on a coat in the frigid temperatures and wasn't reported missing until about 15 hours later.
The search began and Mattsons body was found at 12:05 p.m. on Saturday on Cambridge. He was located around the corner from Delta Chi.
Police said it appears he died of exposure to the frigid temperatures, but theyre working to learn an exact cause of death. An autopsy was scheduled to take place Monday.
Its just really heartbreaking, Maczik said.
The University of Michigan said Mattson was not a member of Delta Chi nor was he a pledge of the fraternity, but he was a guest at the party.
In that same letter to the campus community, university President Domenico Grasso said:
We must let the investigators complete their work and refrain from speculation until the facts are known.
He went on to say hes instructed the
vice president for student life and executive director of public safety and security to retrace the events that occurred this weekend. We want to better understand what transpired and identify possible steps to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Maczik said, We always need to hold each other accountable. Make sure you never leave anywhere alone. Like its unsafe no matter where youre at and just make sure youre always there for your friends and talk to somebody when they need anything.
The university has counselors on hand for anyone who needs support.
7 News Detroit spoke with Mattsons grandmother who was too distraught to do an interview. We learned he was an engineering student from Alaska.
Immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota over the weekend are now reverberating far beyond the state. Protesters are now forcing new questions about when, and how, corporate America chooses to speak up.
More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies including executives from Target, 3M, Best Buy and General Mills signed and released an open letter organized by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce calling for calm and an immediate de-escalation of tensions though the letter did not specifically call out ICE, nor did it directly criticize federal enforcement tactics.
That omission is drawing backlash from immigrant advocates and grassroots organizers, who are urging consumers to pressure or boycott companies they say do business with immigration enforcement agencies. Multiple calls for actions have been circulating online, listing corporations like Amazon, Fedex, and AT&T.
Organizers argue that corporate neutrality isn't neutral at all that companies wield influence over policy through contracts, lobbying and public messaging, leaving companies to decide whether neutrality actually protects their brand, or if silence, or omission becomes its own statement.
The delicate dance for corporations to balance corporate social responsibility has been a tough one over the last several years some businesses choosing to step up and comment on political issues like the overturn of Roe v. Wade, siding with the desires of their customers. While more recently, weve seen some of these same companies pull back DEI initiatives at the request of the federal government, despite anger from consumers.
In a sharp contrast, several tech CEOs including Apples Tim Cook, were at the White House this weekend for a private-screen of a new Amazon-produced documentary about Melania Trump, underscoring how closely some business leaders remain tied to the administration.
Federal judges heard two separate cases Monday regarding immigration action in Minnesota.
The first case involves Minnesota's attorney general calling for an end to Operation Metro Surge and for agents to leave the state.
Following the shooting death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti over the weekend, attorneys for the state of Minnesota wrote to the judge and asked for a quicker remedy. In the letter they described the situation as "grave" and said they believed the Trump administration is acting unlawfully.
Judge Katherine Menendez heard arguments for more than two hours Monday, but did not immediately make a ruling.
The judge acknowledged that Minnesota was in "shockingly unusual times," but said she didn't know if that gave her leeway to seek a remedy under the 10th Amendment, which constitutionally protects states' rights.
A letter this weekend from Attorney General Pam Bondi to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accused local authorities of breaking federal rules.
"The Pam Bondi letter, it's kind of reveals what this is all about," said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. "This is not about fraud and it's not even about immigration. And it's certainly not about law enforcement. It's about handing over documents of the state of Minnesota, private information including voting information to the federal government. That's what this is about. And that makes that's why we're fighting it."
Is a separate hearing Monday, a federal judge in St. Paul was considering a case that would force the federal government to preserve any evidence that could be used in future court proceedings, especially when it comes to people in the state of Minnesota who are harmed by ICE activities.
Judge Eric Tostrud ordered Saturday that the Trump administration would be stopped from "destroying or altering evidence" related to Pretti's shooting. An attorney for the state sought the ruling in order to secure evidence from federal officials that Minnesota hasn't reviewed yet.
As the Wayne County Airport Authority continues its investigation into a car that crashed into the McNamara Terminal, questions continue to swirl about the incident.
Video of a car inside Detroit Metro Airport's McNamara Terminal continues to draw attention as travelers checked into their flights Monday following Friday night's crash that injured six people.
Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report below: Concerns raised over how a man drove his car into Metro Airport
The incident occurred when a man drove a Mercedes vehicle through one of the airport's entrances.
Cathy Smith, a traveler at the airport, was originally scheduled to fly that day but had moved her flight.
"I could've been there. I could've been in international getting checked in and this whole car came into the airport. Like what the heck happened," Smith said.
Watch Demetrios Sanders' report when the car crashed through the airport below: Mercedes slams into McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport
Many travelers expressed relief that more damage wasn't done.
"You know, it gets a lot busier during certain times. That could've been really bad and we don't need that at this terminal, at this airport because it's really nice, right? And you don't expect something like that to happen," Pete Fisher said.
The incident has left many wondering how such a breach could occur.
"It seems like it's a little too easy to be able to do something like that to harm large crowds of people," Fisher said.
While the intent of the driver remains unclear, the Wayne County Airport Authority says the man behind the wheel has been petitioned for medical evaluation.
Video: Traveler recalls car slamming through Detroit Metro Airport Interview: Traveler recalls car slamming through Detroit Metro Airport
Regarding changes to prevent similar incidents, airport officials declined to go on camera but provided a statement addressing their security review.
"As a result of this incident, WCAA is reviewing our security and safety measures and will make any improvements or adjustments as necessary. Additionally, WCAA continuously reviews safety and security measures for improvement in general," the statement read.
Andy Bartnowak, a former FBI supervisor, expressed surprise that someone was able to maneuver a car into the airport.
"Because the number of times I've been to Metro Airport, especially to drop somebody off, it's usually three lanes deep of vehicles," Bartnowak said.
While posts currently block the terminal's entrances, Bartnowak believes the airport needs to examine its vulnerabilities more thoroughly.
"Which in this case, could be as simple as adding some additional security barriers," Bartnowak said.
The Wayne County Airport Authority says any charges for the driver have yet to be determined.
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.
Login
