As millions of Americans prepare to travel for Spring Break, health officials are warning about a surge in measles cases across the United States.

Dr. Giridhar Mallya, senior policy officer for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, said there have already been almost 1,300 confirmed measles cases nationwide so far this year. He emphasized vaccination is the best way to keep that number from rising.

RELATED STORY | South Carolina measles outbreak shows little sign of slowing, surpasses Texas' 2025 total

"Measles is a highly, highly contagious illness. It's spread through the air," Mallya told Scripps News. "And if you're unvaccinated and exposed to somebody who has measles, there's close to a 90% chance that you may contract it yourself. So the most important thing that you can do for yourself and for your children is to make sure you're up to date on your measles vaccines."

Busy travel seasons can increase the risk of measles spreading, Mallya noted, because crowded spaces such as airports, planes and buses create ideal conditions for the virus to transmit.

"I think people across the country should be on alert and to be sure that they have gotten their two doses of measles vaccine," he said. "Most people have gotten them in childhood. But if you're unsure about your measles vaccine status, you can actually get a quick blood test through your doctor to make sure you have immunity for measles."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Measles cases prompt lockdown at ICE facility in Texas

"The good news is that the measles vaccine is incredibly effective," Mallya added. "If you get the two doses of the vaccine, it is 97% effective at preventing measles illness and all the complications that come alongside it."

Watch Scripps News full interview with Dr. Giridhar Mallya in the video player above.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Were taking a closer look at how lifestyle choices like diet and exercise may influence risk.

As a gastroenterologist, colon health is something I focus on every day. One of the concerning trends were seeing is that more adults under age 50 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Now, researchers are still working to understand exactly why, but lifestyle factors are getting a lot of attention.

 

Studies show that people who follow healthier eating patterns tend to have a lower risk of colorectal cancer. That means eating more fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains.

 

On the other hand, diets high in red meat and processed meats like bacon, sausage and hot dogs are linked with a higher risk. Recent research also shows that eating a lot of ultraprocessed, ready-to-eat foods on average, about 10 servings per day may increase the risk of precancerous polyps in the colon. 

 

Ultraprocessed foods are often high in sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and additives. So, theyre very easy to overeat because theyre designed to taste good. That can contribute to weight gain and obesity, which also raises colorectal cancer risk. I often advise my patients to take the time to cook meals at home when possible and focus on nutrient-dense whole foods.

 

Getting regular physical activity is a key factor.  Even moderate exercise like brisk walking most days of the week can support overall health and help reduce risk.

Also, its important to avoid smoking and limit alcohol.  Alcohol breaks down into a potent carcinogen that can damage cells.   

Unfortunately, early-onset colorectal cancer cases are expected to more than double over the next 10 years. Many of these cancers are still being found at later, more advanced stages, when theyre harder to treat. 

As a gastroenterologist, one of the most powerful prevention tools I talk about with patients is screening. Colonoscopies help us detect and remove precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. Theyre the gold standard, but stool-based tests can also help catch colorectal issues early. Right now, screening is recommended starting at age 45 for people at average risk, and earlier if you have a family history or certain symptoms.

The encouraging news is that everyone can take proactive steps to curb colorectal cancer cases with healthy eating, staying active, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping up with recommended screening.

MDOT has announced emergency lane and ramp closures at westbound I-96/M-14 at the I-275 interchange due to poor road conditions.

According to MDOT, westbound I-96/M-14 from I-275 to Sheldon Road will be reduced to 1 lane, and the southbound I-275 ramp to WB M-14 will be closed. The restrictions are expected to last the rest of the year.

MDOT says the areas were scheduled to be closed sometime in the next few weeks as part of the M-14 reconstruction project, but recent weather changes caused "major deterioration" to the roads, forcing the closure to be moved up to today.

The detour for the southbound I-275 ramp closure to westbound M-14 is to continue further south to westbound I-94 to northbound US-23 to M-14.

A recall of Manila clams is impacting restaurants and food retailers across nine states over possible norovirus contamination.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, the clams were collected by Lummi Indian Business Council and sent to Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Washington.

Oysters harvested from the same area by Drayton Harbor Oyster Company could also be infected, the FDA said. Those oysters were sold in Washington.

ICYMI | Trader Joe's issues frozen food recall over glass contamination concerns

Both the clams and oysters were collected between Feb. 13 and March 3.

The FDA said the seafood should be thrown away. Officials warn that norovirus-infected food can look, smell and taste normal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus symptoms usually develop 12 to 48 hours after being exposed.

The most common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.

REVIEW THE LATEST RECALLS

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority on Wednesday announced toll rates for the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

Drivers of passenger vehicles will pay a standard toll fee of $8 CAD/$5.75 USD per crossing. For members of the new toll discount program called "Breakaway," drivers will receive a 25% discount on rates, according to the WDBA.

Commercial trucks, oversized vehicles and larger passenger vehicles will pay a standard toll of $12 CAD/$8.75 USD per axle; the Breakaway rate will be $9.60 CAD/$6.90 USD per axle.

The Breakaway program will be available for business accounts at first, with a rollout of personal accounts at a later date. The program reportedly allows for drivers to proceed to any open toll lane and have charges applied to their accounts. For more information and registration, click here.

Announcing our toll rates and launching Breakaway represent a significant step in preparing to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge to traffic. Weve established

a customer-focused toll program that helps travellers and businesses move goods, grow businesses, and cross the border toward their destination with flexibility and convenience," said Chuck Andary, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Legal Officer, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, in a statement.

According to the WDBA, toll rates were established based on a range of factors that took into account affordability and the amenities the bridge offers.

The bridge is currently undergoing quality reviews, testing, and commissioning ahead of its projected opening this spring. An exact date has not yet been set, and, according to the bridge authority, it is contingent on the completion of those activities.

Ukraine is sending teams to the Middle East to help Gulf nations counter Iranian drones, sharing lessons learned during years of war with Russia.

Ukrainian teams are deploying this week to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Their mission is to train local forces to hunt Iranian drones the same way Ukraine has done to defend Kyiv.

Irans Shahed drones, widely used in attacks, cost about $35,000 each. Patriot missiles used to shoot them down can cost around $3 million apiece. Ukrainians have found a cheaper solution interceptor drones costing roughly $3,000 to $5,000.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | US reverse-engineers captured Iranian drone, deploys new version to Middle East

The smaller interceptors are faster than the Shahed drones and are designed to chase them down in the air.

Ukrainian officials say about 70% of the Shahed drones shot down around Kyiv are now destroyed using those interceptor drones.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Zelenskyy says US requested assistance to combat Iranian drones

Ukraine developed the tactics through years of war with Russia, enduring casualties and widespread damage to critical infrastructure as it adapted to waves of drone attacks.

Gulf nations, which have faced a barrage of drone attacks after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, are hoping to avoid that kind of devastation with help from Ukraine.

Researchers at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming have spotted the first grizzly bear of the 2026 spring season.

According to the National Park Service, biologists working in the northern part of the park witnessed the grizzly on March 9 in the backcountry, feeding on the remains of a bull bison carcass. This is a common tactic among bears emerging from hibernation, with many seeking elk or bison that died over the winter.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Famous Yellowstone grizzly bear '399' killed after a vehicle collision

Male grizzly bears are usually the first to come out of hibernation in early March, while females with cubs tend to emerge in April or early May. The earliest grizzly sighting at Yellowstone last year occurred on March 14. In 2024, the first reported sighting came slightly earlier, on March 3.

Park officials warn visitors to avoid getting close to or interacting with the bears, as they may react aggressively. Here are some tips to protect yourself from a potential encounter:

Carry bear spray, know how to use it and ensure it is readily accessible. Travel in groups of at least three, stick to maintained trails and make noise. Avoid hiking at dusk, dawn or night. Never run from a bear. Stay at least 100 yards one football field away from black and grizzly bears. Approaching them from within that distance is strictly prohibited. Store all food, garbage, grills or other items that may attract a bear in vehicles or in bear-proof food storage containers provided at nearly all developed roadside campgrounds. Report any bear sightings or encounters to a park ranger.

RELATED STORY | Yellowstone pleads with visitors to leave wildlife alone

Officials note that bear spray has proven effective at deterring bears if they attempt to approach you. While firearms are allowed in the park, discharging a firearm violates park regulations.

For more safety tips when visiting Yellowstone, click here.

Stryker's headquarters in Portage, Michigan, closed Wednesday as the medical technology company deals with a cyberattack that's affecting its global systems.

The Scripps News Group in Grand Rapids has learned Stryker fell victim to the attack, which is wiping phones and computers tied to the company's systems, according to Portage Public Safety. The Wall Street Journal reported that the logo of an Iran-linked hacking group has appeared on login pages.

A Stryker spokesperson confirmed it was targeted through its Microsoft suite of technology which disrupted its networks in facilities across the world. The company said it has contained the situation, noting no evidence of ransomware or malware has been found.

The scope of the impact was still being evaluated as of Wednesday afternoon. Stryker said it was continuing to support customers and partners through the cyberattack.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Hackers say they wiped out $90 million from Iran cryptocurrency exchange

Meanwhile, a sign posted on the front door of Stryker's headquarters reads:

"Stryker is currently experiencing a Global Systems Issues. As a precaution, we are closing the 1941 facility for the day. Please stay off the network and refrain your computer and connecting to WiFi on phones until systems are restored. For work phones it's recommended to remove the Stryker Management profile."

When the Scripps News Group's Julie Dunmire called Stryker for details on the situation, an automated message said the facility was experiencing a "building emergency." The parking lot at Stryker's headquarters which would typically be full of cars on a weekday was also empty.

Stryker employs more than 50,000 employees globally.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.This story was originally published by Julie Dunmire with the

Scripps News Group in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Nothing hits the spot after a long day in the sun quite like something cold and refreshing.

Whether youve been at the beach, by the pool or out enjoying summer activities, these hydrating popsicles are the perfect sweet treat to cool you down.

Click on the video as Scripps News food and wellness contributor Jessica DeLuise, PA-C, shows you what youll need and how to make them.

Melon-cucumber popsicles

Makes 6-10 popsicles

Ingredients

Layer 1 - Watermelon Melon Chia

2 cups blended melon (watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew) 1-2 tbsp chia seeds 1 tbsp lemon juice, about 1 large lemon Optional: sweetener to taste

Layer 2 - Cucumber and Lime

1 cup chopped cucumber cup plain yogurt 1 tsp vanilla Juice of 1 lime 1 tbsp lemon juice Optional: sweetener to taste

Instructions

Puree the melon and lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Stir chia seeds into blended melon and let sit for 5 minutes until thickened. Fill the popsicle molds about of the way with melon chia mixture. Add popsicle sticks to the molds in the middle of each well. Freeze 6090 minutes until semi-firm. Blend cucumber, vanilla, yogurt, and lime juice in a blender or food processor. Pour the yogurt, cucumber mixture on top of the melon chia popsicle. Freeze the popsicles for 46 hours until solid. Run molds under warm water to release and serve.

A Washtenaw County adult has been diagnosed with measles, the county's health department says. It's the first measles case reported in the state of Michigan in 2026.

We're told that the adult is unvaccinated and was recently in Florida, where health officials say they likely contracted measles.

Related Report: Measles cases climbing across the U.S. Why has the US already seen 4 times as many measles cases as we see in a year?

The adult was at the following Ypsilanti and Canton locations last week, between getting back from Florida and being diagnosed, officials tell us (with the department adding two hours to each contagion window) :

Sidetrack Bar & Grill on Cross Street, 7:45 p.m. on March 4-1 a.m. on March 5 T-Mobile on Whittaker, 6-8:40 p.m. on March 5 Cricket Wireless on Ellsworth at the Roundtree Place Shopping Center, 6:55 p.m.-8:55 p.m. on March 5 CVS Pharmacy on Michigan Avenue, 4-6:07 p.m. on March 6 Cricket Wireless on Ellsworth, 7-10 p.m. on March 6 The Ypsilanti Urgent Care on Michigan Avenue, 7:15-9:27 p.m. on March 7 The Canton Urgent Care on Ford Road, 4:30-7 p.m. on March 8

If you were at any of the above locations, you are asked to monitor for symptoms of measles for the next three weeks.

Importantly, there is no cause for ongoing concern at these locations, said Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, the health department's medical director, in a press release. The individual was isolated as soon as measles was suspected and is recovering.

Symptoms of measles include:

High fever (may spike to over 104F) Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis) Tiny white spots on the inner cheeks, gums, and roof of the mouth (Koplik Spots) 2-3 days after symptoms begin A rash that is red, raised, and blotchy that usually starts on face, spreads to the trunk, arms, and legs 3-5 days after symptoms begin

If symptoms develop, you are asked to contact your doctor, urgent care, or a nearby hospital before seeking treatment.

For more information on confirmed Measles cases in the state of Michigan, click here.

Jill Biden is breaking her silence about Joe Biden's decision to abruptly end his 2024 presidential reelection bid under pressure from Democrats concerned about his age, health and viability against Republican Donald Trump in a rematch of their 2020 campaign.

A political spouse for nearly 50 years, Jill Biden said she has never publicly discussed her feelings about the three-week stretch when her husband ended his political career, instead saving her thoughts for the pages of her soon-to-be-released memoir.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Jill Biden's first husband charged with killing wife in domestic dispute at their Delaware home

Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, on Wednesday announced that her book, View from the East Wing: A Memoir, is scheduled to be published June 2.

Jill Biden told The Associated Press in a brief telephone interview that the book is a reflection of my four years as first lady and that writing it was somewhat healing.

It was kind of cathartic for me to write it, and I wrote about all the, you know, sometimes painful but other times, most of it really beautiful moments that Joe and I shared during his presidency, she said.

Jill Biden declined on Tuesday to discuss any of those moments, good or bad including watching her husband work his way to the decision to end his five-decade-long political career by dropping out of the 2024 presidential race.

In an announcement video shared on Instagram, she said she wants to set the record straight.

The last chapter of her husband's political career

In April 2023, then-President Joe Biden was 80 and the oldest president in U.S. history when he announced he was running for a second term. His age and fitness to serve another four years which would take him to age 86 became a source of concern for the public. Some fellow Democrats began to pressure him to step aside after he turned in a disastrous debate performance against Trump in June 2024 in which he struggled, in a raspy voice, to land his debating points and often appeared to lose his train of thought. Aides blamed the poor performance on a cold.

Joe Biden at first insisted that he would stay in the race, but after a few weeks he withdrew from the campaign and endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris, his vice president. Harris became the partys presidential nominee but lost to Trump in the November 2024 election.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING | If shes shining, hes dimmed: Kamala Harris recounts strained ties with Biden team

Jill Biden said that, with the book, I have put things in perspective, presenting what she describes as a more balanced view of her husband's time as president.

The memoir is also a tribute of the sorts to women who, like herself, juggle multiple roles.

It's also a story about my being able to balance life, you know, as a working woman and as a mother, a grandmother, a first lady, she said.

During her four years in the role, Jill Biden, 74, made history as the first first lady to continue the career she had before entering the White House. She had taught English and writing for decades at the community college level, and she continued teaching twice a week at a Northern Virginia school while serving as first lady.

Joe Biden doing well after his cancer diagnosis

The former president's office announced in May 2025 that he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bones. He's receiving treatment.

RELATED STORY | Former President Joe Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer

Jill Biden said it was quite a shock getting the diagnosis for her husband, who's now 83.

The fact that it is in his bones means that he will have cancer, you know, all his lifetime, Jill Biden said. She said the doctors say he will live out his natural life.

Like most retired couples, he'll probably drive me crazy till the end of it, she joked.

She said he visits Washington at least once a week for meetings or to give speeches.

A unique period in American history

The former first lady also writes in the book about serving during a unique period in U.S. history, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the publisher.

Her husband was sworn into office on the steps of the Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021, just two weeks after a mob of Trump supporters, spurred by his false claims that the Republican lost because of election fraud, stormed the building in a violent attempt to keep lawmakers from certifying Joe Biden's victory.

Joe Biden's first year in office was dominated by the federal response to the pandemic and, while he mostly stayed at the White House, Jill Biden wore face mask and traveled around the country to encourage people to get their vaccinations. She also continued her advocacy on behalf of military families, education and community colleges, cancer prevention and women's health initiatives.

Before she became first lady, Jill Biden was second lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017, when her husband was Barack Obama's vice president. She currently chairs the Milken Institute's Women's Health Network.

Jill Biden is also the author of Where the Light Enters, published in 2019, in which she writes about meeting Joe Biden, then a U.S. senator from Delaware, and marrying and building a life with him. She also has written three children's books.

Congress may soon face pressure to fund the growing costs of the U.S. war with Iran, as military spending climbs into the billions of dollars.

The Pentagon has spent billions in the first week of the conflict, much of it from funds not already included in the defense budget.

Retired Col. Mark Cancian, a military analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, estimated the first 100 hours of the war cost roughly $3.7 billion.

RELATED STORY | Pentagon says about 140 US troops wounded in Iran war

However, costs have declined as the U.S. military has gained control of Iranian airspace, allowing forces to rely more on shorter-range and less expensive weapons.

Cancian now estimates the conflict is costing about $500 million per day.

Were spending far, far less on munitions than we were in the first couple of days, he said.

The White House has not yet formally requested additional funding from Congress. But sources told Scripps News that a request is expected as concerns grow about the supply of the United States most advanced weapons.

President Donald Trump acknowledged those concerns in a post on Truth Social, writing: At the highest end, we have a good supply, but are not where we want to be.

Cancian said some of the weapons being used are extremely expensive. A single Tomahawk cruise missile can cost more than $4 million.

RELATED STORY | Iran strikes U.S. allies as fighting threatens oil routes in Strait of Hormuz

The financial impact of the conflict extends beyond military spending.

GasBuddy estimates Americans are spending about $187 million more per day on gasoline than they were a week ago.

A separate analysis by investment firm Raymond James found that if oil prices remain at current levels, higher energy costs could erase any tax savings Americans might see this year from President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill.

The International Energy Agency agreed Wednesday to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history, in a bid to counter the effects on energy markets of the war in the Middle East.

The Paris-based organization said it will make 400 million barrels of oil available from its members emergency reserves. Its a larger stock than the 182.7 million barrels that were released in 2022 by the IEA's 32 member countries in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

IEA member countries currently hold over 1.2 billion barrels of public emergency oil stocks, with a further 600 million barrels of industry stocks held under government obligation.

RELATED STORY | Iran strikes U.S. allies as fighting threatens oil routes in Strait of Hormuz

In response to US and Israel strikes, Iran has attacked commercial ships across the Persian Gulf, escalating a campaign of squeezing the oil-rich region as global energy concerns mount.

Iran has effectively stopped cargo traffic in the narrow Hormuz Strait through which about a fifth of all oil is shipped from the Persian Gulf toward the Indian Ocean. It has also targeted oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab nations, aiming at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the United States and Israel to end their strikes.

G7 Energy ministers on Tuesday said they supported in principle the implementation of proactive measures to address the situation, including the use of strategic reserves."

According to the IEA, export volumes of crude and refined products are currently at less than 10% of pre-war levels.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.

BERLIN (AP) Germany and Austria said Wednesday they are releasing parts of their oil reserves following an International Energy Agency request for members to release a record 400 million barrels to help temper energy price spikes due to the Iran war.

Japan also said it will release some of its reserves starting Monday.

RELATED STORY | Pentagon says about 140 US troops wounded in Iran war

Group of Seven energy ministers met Tuesday at IEA headquarters in Paris to look at ways to bring down prices that have risen because of the Iran war. IEA executive director Fatih Birol said afterward that they discussed all available options, including making IEA emergency oil stocks available to the market.

The largest-ever previous collective release of emergency stocks by IEA member countries was 182.7 million barrels, in the wake of the energy shock prompted by Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The reserves were established in 1974 following the Arab oil embargo.

IEA members currently hold over 1.2 billion barrels of public emergency oil stocks, with a further 600 million barrels of industry stocks held under government obligation.

It was not immediately clear how much Germany and Austria were releasing.

The Group of Seven is comprised of the leading industrialized nations of Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, Germany and Britain. Austria is not a member. Leaders of the G7 were set to hold a meeting via videoconference later Wednesday to discuss energy issues.

Germanys economy minister Katherina Reiche said the country would release parts of its oil reserves following the IEA request to release oil reserves amounting to 400 million barrels, which is a good 54 million tons.

She said it would take a couple of days before the delivery of the first quantities.

Germany stands behind the IEAs most important principle of mutual solidarity," Reiche said.

In response to U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran has attacked commercial ships across the Persian Gulf, escalating a campaign of squeezing the oil-rich region as global energy concerns mount. Iran has effectively stopped cargo traffic in the Strait of Hormuz through which about a fifth of all oil is shipped from the Persian Gulf toward the Indian Ocean.

Iran has also targeted oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab nations, aiming at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the United States and Israel to end their strikes. Reports of sea mines allegedly laid by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz have also fueled concerns about the security of international energy supplies.

G7 energy ministers on Tuesday announced they supported in principle the implementation of proactive measures to address the situation, including the use of strategic reserves.

According to the IEA, export volumes of crude and refined products are currently at less than 10% of prewar levels.

Austrian Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer said his country was releasing part of the emergency oil reserve and extending the national strategic gas reserve, adding: One thing is clear: in a crisis, there must be no crisis winners at the expense of commuters and businesses.

The German government also said it will introduce a measure to allow gas stations in Germany to raise fuel prices no more than once a day. The federal government wants to introduce this as quickly as possible, Reiche said.

In Austria, starting Monday, price increases at gas stations will be allowed only three times a week, the countrys economy minister said.

Oil reserves have been tapped when the market has faced major disruption in the past, including wars in Iraq, Libya and, most recently, Ukraine.

Boxing legend Tommy Hearns is now under guardianship and conservatorship.

Different sides of his family have claimed the champion boxer beloved in Detroit was being kept from them, and Adult Protective Services officials testified in court that they are looking into whether hes been the victim of financial exploitation and alleged kidnapping by some relatives.

On Wednesday, Oakland County Chief Probate Judge Pro Tempore Daniel A. OBrien appointed Ronald Hearns, Tommys oldest son, as the sole guardian and conservator for his father. That means Ronald Hearns has the power to make all the medical and financial decisions for his father.

Tommy Hearns spoke exclusively to the 7 Investigators about the court battle.

Im fine. I want the world to know Im doing fine. I feel good, Hearns told 7 Investigator Heather Catallo.

This is a developing story. Stay with wxyz.com for more information.

The boil water advisories in Novi and Walled Lake have now been lifted following a 48-inch water main break on 14 Mile Road in Farmington Hills early Saturday morning.

The Great Lakes Water Authority announced on Wednesday morning that the second set of water quality tests have come back clear and lifted the advisories.

Crews are continuing to work on the original site as well as replace 60 additional feet of main that's west of the break site; both replacements should be done by March 15, GLWA says.

I want to thank the residents and businesses of Novi and Walled Lake for the patience as we work to first return water service and then lift the boil water advisories caused by the break on our 14 mile water main, said Suzanne R. Coffey, Chief Executive Officer, GLWA, in a statement. You have not received the service from GLWA that you deserve or require and for that I am sincerely sorry. The number and frequency of breaks on this water main are unacceptable, and we are committed to developing a comprehensive and long-term solution to help avoid future catastrophic failures of this water main.

For more information, click here.

Iran launched what it called its most intense attack since being struck by the United States and Israel nearly two weeks ago, firing missiles overnight at targets in Israel and U.S. assets across the Middle East.

Irans paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the assault included long-range ballistic missiles.

The attacks extended beyond Israel. Two Iranian drones struck the perimeter of Dubai International Airport, the worlds busiest international travel hub, wounding four people. Officials said the injured included nationals from Ghana, Bangladesh and India. Air traffic control operations continued and the airport remained open.

RELATED STORY | Pentagon says about 140 US troops wounded in Iran war

Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted six drones targeting an oil field. Kuwaiti authorities reported shooting down eight drones over their territory.

In Bahrain, officials said a residential building was struck, killing a woman.

Iran said it has launched nearly 1,500 drones at the United Arab Emirates since the conflict escalated, though officials say all but about 50 have been intercepted.

By targeting the U.S. partners, Iran appears to be attempting to expand the economic consequences of the conflict across the region.

Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route, has effectively become a combat zone.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency confirmed Wednesday that three separate commercial vessels were struck by unknown projectiles.

RELATED STORY | New footage raises questions about who's responsible for deadly strike on Iranian girl's school

The most serious incident involved a Thai-flagged cargo ship that was hit near its stern, sparking a fire that forced the crew to abandon ship. Twenty sailors were rescued, while three remained missing.

The incidents followed a major preemptive strike by U.S. Central Command. Late Tuesday, U.S. forces destroyed 16 Iranian vessels believed to be capable of laying naval mines.

The operation was aimed at preventing Tehran from blocking the strategic waterway, which carries about 20% of the worlds oil supply.

President Donald Trump has warned Iran of military consequences at a "level never seen before if mines are placed in the strait.

Inflation stayed stubbornly elevated last month as gas prices rose in a snapshot of what consumer prices looked like before the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran sent energy costs soaring.

Consumer prices rose 2.4% in February compared with a year earlier, the Labor Department said Wednesday, matching Januarys 2.4% increase. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices climbed 2.5% from a year ago, also matching Januarys level, which was the lowest in five years. Both figures are above the Federal Reserve's 2% target.

Wednesdays data has been overtaken by the conflict that began when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, which has caused wild gyrations in oil prices as shipping lanes through the Persian Gulf have suffered a rare shutdown. Gas prices have already jumped and are expected to push inflation much higher when inflation data for this month is released in early April.

RELATED STORY | The number that moves markets every month just got a new formula. Here's what changed.

The price spike will challenge officials at the Federal Reserve and could slow consumer spending, which drives two thirds of the nations economic growth each year. The increase could be a one-time event and potentially reverse if the war ends soon, as President Donald Trump has hinted. But the spike in gas prices threatens to worsen inflation for at least a few months with Americans already worn down by nearly five years of stubbornly high prices. Affordability is already a thorny political issue for congressional Republicans who will face voters in midterm elections later this year.

On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.3% in February from the previous month, up from 0.2% in January. Increases at that pace for an extended period would push yearly inflation higher. Core prices moved up just 0.2%, down from a 0.3% rise in January.

Grocery prices rose more quickly, continuing a trend that has hammered family budgets. They rose 0.4% in February and were up 2.4% from a year earlier. Gas prices increased 0.8% last month, though were down 5.6% compared with a year ago.

Oil prices soared as high as nearly $120 a barrel late Sunday before falling closer to $87 by Wednesday after Trump suggested that the conflict would be a short-term excursion. Still, he has also threatened ongoing attacks and it isnt clear when the conflict might end.

Some analysts warn prices will move much higher if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, which has removed roughly three-quarters of the Persian Gulf region's oil production from world markets, according to Wood Mackenzie, an energy analytics firm. On Wednesday, a projectile hit a Thai cargo ship off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it ablaze.

Iran is also targeting oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab nations, aiming at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the United States and Israel to end their strikes.

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Oil prices could soar to $150 a barrel in the coming weeks, the firm forecasts, if shipments don't resume.

That would push gas prices still higher in the United States, where they jumped to $3.58 a gallon on average nationwide Wednesday, according to AAA, an increase of about 20% just in one month.

Higher oil prices will lift other costs as well, including air fares and shipping costs, which could make groceries and restaurant meals more expensive.

At the same time, given the volatility of oil prices U.S. crude prices rose 3% Wednesday after falling nearly 9% to $86.55 the day before it is difficult to forecast how big the impact will be. If shipments resume in a week or so, gas prices will likely decline fairly soon, though they typically fall much more slowly than they rise.

Laura Rosner-Warburton, senior economist at MacroPolicy Perspectives, a consulting firm, expects inflation could jump by as much as 0.9% in March from the previous month, when that data arrives in early April. It would be the largest monthly gain in nearly four years. Yearly inflation could easily surpass 3% in that case and potentially near 4% in the following months.

The jump in gas prices so far this month has been the largest since March 2022, and before that since June 2009, Rosner-Warburton said.

That is enormous, she said. Increases of that magnitude are highly unusual.

Core prices will be much less affected this month, but could tick higher over time as more expensive gas pushes up airline fares and shipping, and other transportation costs. Core inflation is expected to have increased 0.3% in February from the previous month.

Even if the sharp rise is short-lived, it will almost certainly delay any interest-rate cut by the Federal Reserve, which meets next week. It cut its key rate three times last year before leaving it unchanged at its last meeting in January.

The Fed is already deeply divided over whether it needs to keep its rate at its current level of about 3.6% to push inflation down closer to its 2% goal, or whether it should reduce the rate to support borrowing, spending, and hiring.

Last Friday, the government reported an unexpectedly sharp job loss in February, as employers slashed 92,000 jobs and the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4%, from 4.3%.

The weak jobs report puts the Fed in an especially difficult position: It would normally reduce rates to boost growth and hiring, but it typically raises rates or at least keeps them where they are if they are worried about inflation.

That's always the worst-case scenario for the central bank, said Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, on Bloomberg Friday. "As we get more uncertainties, I kind of think that the time at which it makes sense to act keeps getting pushed back.

Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon, a consulting firm, said that normally the Fed would expect an oil price shock to have at most a temporary impact on inflation and might still cut rates if the economy needed lower borrowing costs.

But Fed policymakers were burnt just a few years ago when they initially said the post-COVID inflation spike in 2022-23 the worst in four decades would be temporary, Daco said. As a result, they will be reluctant to take the risk of prematurely lowering rates. A few officials even mentioned during the January meeting that they might have to hike rates soon, rather than cut them, according to the meeting's minutes and that was before the Iran war.

They do not want to be burned again, Daco said.

Two people, including a teen, have been hospitalized in two separate crashes that happened within 2.1 miles of each other in Warren on Wednesday morning, police tell us.

We're told the crashes happened on Frazho and Tecla and Hoover and 10 Mile.

In the Frazho crash, we're told that a 17-year-old boy was crossng the street and hit by a vehicle. Authorities tell us he's in stable condition.

In the Hoover crash, we're told that a pedestrian who was not in the crosswalk was struck. We're told that this is not a fatal situation, with the victim, a man in his 20s, in the hospital in critical condition.

At this time, it does not appear that the two crashes are related.

Major storms whipped up tornadoes in parts of Illinois and Indiana that leveled homes, killing at least two people and injuring others, and another round of rain, hail and strong winds made its way through the region Wednesday, authorities said.

Please do not come here. Do not try to help right now, Newton County Sheriff Shannon Cothran said in a video update in front of what looked to be a destroyed home in the small northwestern Indiana community of Lake Village.

The deaths in Lake Village were confirmed by Laurie Postma, a spokeswoman for the Lake Township Fire Department, at a news conference held by the sheriff, state police and local authorities on Wednesday. Their names were not released.

She said fewer than 10 people were hurt in Tuesday's storms, which also knocked down trees and power lines.

Multiple homes in the community were destroyed in an apparent tornado, and Indiana State Police Cpl. Eric Rot said people had been injured. He wasn't able to provide an exact number or their conditions.

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David Ferris, a paramedic in a neighboring county who lives in Lake Village, just south of the area that was hit, said he, his wife, and their dogs rode it out in our downstairs bathtub. They were unscathed, except for losing power. He went out to help with rescue efforts and helped people who suffered cuts, scrapes and bumps to the head.

We had another house where a guy crawled out, Ferris told The Associated Press in an interview. He was having some trouble breathing because he was covered in house insulation.

Ferris said the local Family Dollar store was destroyed, as well as a gas station across the street. He said multiple large trees were uprooted.

Severe storms dumping rain and hail in parts of the Midwest were threatened to bring intense tornadoes, damaging winds and very large hail from the southern Plains to the southern Great Lakes, according to the National Weather Service. Parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio were under a tornado watch Wednesday morning.

Several tornadoes formed across northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, but the exact number wont be available until officials conduct damage surveys, said Andrew Lyons, a meteorologist with the weather service Storm Prediction Center.

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said in a post on the social platform X that he'd been briefed on the storm and tornado damage.

Keeping in our thoughts all Illinoisans impacted by the severe weather well be here to help them recover, he said.

A tornado struck down near the Kankakee fairgrounds, about 57 miles (92 kilometers) south of Chicago, before traveling northeast into Aroma Park, where it caused extensive damage, according to the Kankakee County Sheriffs Office. No injuries have been reported.

I want to remind area residents to check on their neighbors and loved ones but to avoid unnecessary travel, if at all possible, Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey said in a statement.

In video shared on social media, the twister is seen ripping across a field of farmland near an airport while vehicles lined the road.

More than 2 million Americans were at a moderate risk of severe weather in Illinois and Indiana. Nearly 22 million were at a slightly lesser risk in a zone that includes Chicago, Fort Worth, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.