Neighbors in Northville came face to face with state leaders Friday night to discuss the surge of data center proposals in Michigan.

From Southfield to Lyon Township, data center proposals are popping up all across Southeast Michigan. The goal of the town hall meeting, held at Northville High School, was to give the community a voice before any ground is broken on the massive facilities.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: State leaders discuss the surge of data center proposals in Southeast Michigan

The meeting was a chance for residents from all over metro Detroit to learn more about these hyper-scale centers, the resources they require and the impact they might have on consumers.

"Im a consulting engineer and I have many ideas on how data centers dont have to use as much electricity, as much gas or as much water as a lot of them are doing," Jim Newman said.

Newman was one of dozens of people to participate in the town hall hosted by Sen. Rosemary Bayer, who was joined by Attorney General Dana Nessel and state environmental leaders.

"What the challenge is helping people understand theyre really big. I mean, a regular data center is about a football field size. These are like 17 to 18 football fields one building. Think about that," Bayer said.

Not only are the facilities massive, but they also require a lot of energy to power and cool down servers. A data center in Saline Township, approved by energy regulators late last year, would require 1.4 gigawatts of energy. State leaders say that is equivalent to adding 1 million homes to the grid overnight.

Related video: Michigan Public Service Commission approves DTE contract for Saline Township data center project MPSC approves DTE contract for Saline Township data center project

"These data centers are probably coming one way or the other, so we might as well have as many guardrails so that we make sure we get this right so that the data centers that come to town, the centers arent going to affect our rates, theyre not going to affect our water and its going to protect Michigan ratepayers and taxpayers in the future," Nessel said.

Nessel said she is working to make sure there is full transparency and clear rules before more deals are approved, and keeping customers from paying for this new infrastructure through higher bills. Meanwhile, Bayer is working on legislation that aims to protect communities.

Related video: Google announces it's behind massive data center proposal in Van Buren Township Google announces it's behind massive data center proposal in Van Buren Township Google announces it's behind massive data center proposal in Van Buren Township

"I came here because its good to see thought leaders in our community and our elected officials trying to put a framework around and make it work for everyone because right now, its not sustainable and its not something that works," Christopher LaDuke said.

In January, the Northville City Council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data centers, halting the review of any data center applications.

Related video: Northville City Council unanimously approves 12-month data center moratorium Northville City Council unanimously approves 12-month data center moratorium

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A Detroit family says the process of getting a new sewage line through a city plumbing grant has been frustrating, leaving them with a messy yard and a separated driveway.

Evelyn Keathley, 76, applied for the city's Private Sewer Repair Program after experiencing several floods in her basement. The project started in July, and while the repairs have not cost the family anything, they quickly ran into issues.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Detroit family frustrated by delays with city plumbing grant repairs

"Its been frustrating. Im not going to lie. Its been frustrating," Keathley said.

Evelyn's daughter, Tamika Keathley, said the company contracted to do the work left a pile of concrete in front of the home for weeks.

"The trash, it sat there for about over a month she got a ticket about that. Thats first and foremost," Tamika Keathley said.

The family contacted 7 News Detroit on Aug. 25, 2026, and we reached out to the city. The concrete was removed that same day.

"So they came and finally picked that up. Then they came and put the dirt in here and about another month later, they laid the sod. Was it quickly? No. But did it happen? It did," Tamika Keathley said.

In February, the family noticed another problem. The ground underneath their driveway had somehow separated.

"We werent looking because the snow was down, right, so you didnt see it until the snow melted, and we saw the concrete was up above the ground," Tamika Keathley said.

Rico Razo, the chief of Home Repair and Neighborhood Services for the Housing and Revitalization Department, explained the potential cause.

"I imagine it was a combination of the ground settling and the weight of the driveway and having a car on top of that," Razo said.

Tamika Keathley said they had a difficult time getting someone out to fix the driveway, so we called the city again. Crews arrived on Wednesday and filled the hole with sand.

"I don't think the sand is going to do the job," Tamika Keathley said.

We looked it up and found that sand is not a long-term structural solution because it can wash away. However, the city will return in April to do more work.

Razo said the city has serviced 1,200 homes through this grant program and has never had an issue like this.

"Whoever laid the concrete, I just want it laid properly, so she doesn't have to worry about it a year from now, two years from now. Concrete should last about 20 years before you start laying repairs," Tamika Keathley said. "When you come out to someones home to complete a task, you need to do it properly."

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A local rabbi is responding to Thursday's attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield by opening his synagogue's doors to anyone in the community seeking comfort, prayer or a place to gather.

Rabbi Aaron Starr, an 18-year veteran of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, said the synagogue will remain a welcoming space for all members of the Jewish community in the wake of the attack.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Neighboring synagogue embraces community

Starr said Thursday was a day filled with anxiety, beginning with news that his own son was placed on lockdown at his school.

"This morning, I woke up angry, frustrated that we have to go through this, that our children have to go through this," Starr said.

Despite the fear, Starr said the events at Temple Israel also revealed something hopeful.

"What happened at Temple Israel yesterday shows that there are good people left in this world, that there are heroes, that we can stand up for ourselves, that we can protect ourselves," Starr said.

Congregation Shaarey Zedek has its own history with violence. On Feb. 12, 1966, a gunman opened fire during Saturday morning Shabbat services, killing a beloved rabbi.

"Sixty years and 1 month ago, a member of the synagogue murdered our beloved Rabbi, Rabbi Morris Adler, a blessed memory. So for 60 years, we know what it's like to experience a trauma in our sacred home," Starr said.

Starr said his response to hate has always been the same.

"Fear is a choice and we choose not to be afraid," Starr said. "I'm certainly hopeful. I'm hopeful that all of our security measures are in place."

Related video: Metro Detroit police boost patrols at houses of worship after West Bloomfield Temple Israel attack Metro Detroit police boost patrols at houses of worship after West Bloomfield Temple Israel attack

He said his doors are open to any families who need a space to gather, pray and find support, and that his message extends beyond the Jewish community.

"We respond to these kinds of situations, these sort of moments with prayer and with acts of kindness," Starr said. "I think also there's a message out there for our non-Jewish neighbors and friends that we would love their help to stand up against hate, to say that we will not tolerate violence against any religion, against any faith group and that we stand with each other."

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Jeanne Findlater became vice president and general manager of WXYZ-TV in 1979, making history as the first woman in the U.S. to lead a TV station in the top 10 markets Detroit was No. 7.

Now 97 years old, Findlater is reflecting on a career that spanned decades and left a lasting mark in broadcasting and beyond.

Watch the video report below: Former WXYZ GM Jeanne Findlater elected to Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame

"WXYZ-TV recruited me to come over there to produce their public affairs show. And while there, I just went to executive producer to assistant program director to program director, and finally to general manager," Findlater said.

Before joining WXYZ, Findlater worked at the Detroit Free Press and a PBS station in Detroit. She served as general manager of WXYZ from 1979 to 1987, using her platform to advocate for causes including fair housing, women's health issues and literacy.

"The most important thing of all to me in my career was 'Learn to Read' series," Findlater said.

Her literacy program was distributed to every ABC station in the country that chose to air it and was also used in prison programs to teach adults how to read. Findlater is also credited with launching popular programs including 'Good Afternoon Detroit' and 'Kelly & Company.'

Breaking barriers came with scrutiny, she said.

"I felt like a butterfly pinned to a board. Everything I did was examined, always evaluated, not just, was this a good decision but first, this is a woman who made the decision," Findlater said.

When asked what it was like to lead in a male-dominated industry, she kept her answer simple.

"You're given a job and you work as hard as you can do it," Findlater said. "I sort of operate on nature's principle: there's a vacuum, you fill it. If someone wasn't doing the job, I did it."

Mike Murri, WXYZ's longest-serving vice president and general manager, says Findlater led the station during the first five years of his career.

"And I can remember being in so many different meetings where Jeanne was really leading the way and leading the community, the Detroit community to do the right thing for so many different groups," Murri said.

"So, to be able to learn and see her and see her lead the way was truly an honor, and I feel like it shaped my entire career."

Those who know her say she treated her colleagues like family a sentiment Findlater echoes.

"People in the station liked me. I loved them," Findlater said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFfe8wm5fOE

In 2014, Findlater was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. She received the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Lifetime Achievement Award the following year. She will be inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame next month.

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The Archdiocese of Detroit is in the middle of a major restructuring effort that could result in church closures across southeast Michigan, as leaders grapple with declining attendance and a growing priest shortage.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Archdiocese of Detroit speaks about restructuring effort

More than 200 priests gathered Tuesday at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit for what the Archdiocese is calling "Phase 2" of the restructuring effort.

The Archdiocese of Detroit was once home to more than a million Catholics, but that number is now closer to 900,000.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Restructuring the Archdiocese of Detroit Restructuring the Archdiocese of Detroit

There are currently 209 parishes across Southeast Michigan, but with attendance shrinking and a priest shortage projected to decline by 40% in the next few years, leaders say it is not enough to keep every parish open.

Archbishop Edward Weisenburger said the situation calls for a new approach.

"The way I look at it, it's just my personal analogy. I don't know that it's perfect, but if Detroit had 100 hospitals, but the same amount of doctors, nurses, and technicians, it would be awfully hard for us to keep people well in the medical world," Weisenburger said.

Weisenburger addressed hundreds of priests Tuesday as they met to discuss the future of the Archdiocese.

"When a church gets so small, a parish community is so small, what you don't realize anymore is, you're not experiencing community. So, it's kind of redirecting our energies and our efforts so that we can really go back to that mission of the church as opposed to just kind of maintaining buildings," Weisenburger said.

WEB EXTRA: Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenburger speaks on restructuring plan for Archdiocese Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenburger speaks on restructuring plan for Archdiocese

Father Mario Amore, Executive Director of the Department of Parish Renewal, said priests are now reviewing plans for each area of the diocese.

"So much of their time in January was focused on their specific planning area, but now they're going through each area and hearing what the models are for each of the parishes," Amore said.

Amore said the Archdiocese expects to move several priests across the diocese to serve the different pastorates, or groupings of parishes. Meaning a majority of Catholics could have a new priest by 2027.

Mark Justice, a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit, has served as an usher there for nearly 30 years. He said the uncertainty is weighing on his fellow parishioners.

"I'm feeling just what everybody else is feeling right now," Justice said. "People are nervous, people are scared, they don't know what's going to happen, but I also try and give them the other side as to the whys. Why is it necessary? We have some beautiful churches here in the Archdiocese, but they all cost in order to run."

As a way to keep parishioners informed, the Archdiocese is releasing workbooks online for all 209 parishes containing demographic and financial information. Travis Greer, Director of Pastoral Strategies, called the release a major milestone.

Read part of the workbook released by the Archdiocese:

Arcdiocese of Detroit Workbook_WXYZMarch3 2 by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit

"It's really a historic moment for the archdiocese. We've never shared this level of information publicly before, and it will be information that's available to all parishioners on March 4 on the restructuring.aod.org website," Greer said.

Parishioners will be able to review the information as the process moves forward. Each parish will host two listening sessions between April and June, and registration opens Saturday, March 14.

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A globally recognized brand is celebrating a Detroit invention that put the world on wheels. LEGO Group has teamed up with Ford Motor Company to build the Model T.

Its a project that started a year ago, and the LEGO set officially comes out Monday.

Watch Jolie's piece in the video player below: LEGO & Ford create a Model T set honoring 'the car that changed the world'

A Ford archivist and LEGO enthusiast was able to work on this project thats right in his wheelhouse.

We always, always build with the kids. So, I missed the ability to build with the kids, so I just said, 'heck, I'm gonna start getting them myself,'" said Ted Ryan, archives and brand manager for the Ford Motor Company.

Ryan says it was his passion for LEGOs and his passion for Ford that brought this amazing project together.

Ive got the Colosseum and the Eiffel Tower and once you get the bug, it's, you just get it," he said.

LEGO and Ford have done a number of LEGO sets over the years, but he says the replica of a Model T is different.

In this particular case, the questions and the level of details that the designer was looking for it made me know that she was really invested in making the project exactly as perfect as it could be," said Ryan.

And to get it just right, Ryan flew to Billund, Denmark, LEGOs headquarters, where he met with the designers in person and shared original artifacts.

It was a one-of-a-kind, unique experience getting to be in the LEGO campus at LEGO Idea House, seeing a prototype of something that I'd only seen pictures of," he said.

From classic old school tires and rims to a folding cloth top, this 1,000+ piece LEGO set is highly detailed and historically accurate.

"The wheels were white because the tire manufacturers hadn't switched to dyeing or to creating black wheels, so they did that," he said.

Designers also included a gas tank, which was under the main seat back in the day.

The group that actually produced it within the LEGO Group is called the LEGO Icons Team. And so they're the ones that look for things in culture that are significant enough to turn into a LEGO set, and they chose the Model T because it's the car that changed the world," said Ryan.

It's a Detroit invention that's still celebrated in 2026, more than a century later.

It's putting the Model T back up on a pedestal that it rightly belongs to be on," he said.

A Siberian Husky stranded on ice near the Gordie Howe Bridge in Detroit was rescued by first responders after spending at least 24 hours in bitter cold temperatures, showing signs of hypothermia in its paws.

Two fishermen, Cedric Humphrey and his uncle Walter Cross of Detroit, spotted the 2-year-old dog Sunday around 8:30 a.m. while out on the water.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Stranded dog rescued from Detroit River

The pair, who are part of group known as the Metro Detroit Walleye Stalkers, noticed the husky stuck on a sheet of ice in front of what appeared to be a culvert and immediately tried to help.

"It stood out... being a white dog with a black silhouette of a drainage tube behind it. It stood out like a sore thumb if you were pretty vigilant and you were looking," Humphrey said.

Cross said the discovery was almost accidental.

"We hit the river and we weren't catching anything, so we said let's go to another area and see if there's fish there. We were riding up river, and it was actually Cedric that spotted it," Cross said.

Humphrey said the dog did not appear aggressive, only frightened.

"It just looked more scared than anything. Uncertain of which way to go or what to do," Humphrey said.

The two attempted to reach the dog themselves but were unable to get close enough.

"Thought we were going to be able to pull up in there, but the pillars were too close together," Humphrey said. "and then there was part of a seawall that was under the water... that you couldn't see."

Cross then contacted his wife who called an emergency rescue group known as The Karens. Co-founder Chantal Rzewnicki and her team arrived on scene but could not access the culvert because it was fenced in.

"My guess is it probably jumped down when everything was frozen. Just over the last couple of days, it warmed up and kind of broke and now it's stuck," Rzewnicki said.

Rzewnicki contacted Michigan Humane, and first responders arrived Monday morning. The Detroit Fire Department deployed a ladder and crews attempted to coax the dog out of the tunnel with treats, but the dog was too scared to come out at first.

After a couple of hours, crews successfully got the dog out of the tunnel and up over the wall. Michigan Humane thanked everyone involved, saying the rescue is exactly why they train.

"

Michigan Humane puts resources to work for those that need it the most. Thank you to those that were the voice for this dog. Collaboration got the job done. Thank you to Detroit Police Department, Detroit Fire Department, Detroit Animal Care and Control, and our dedicated rescue team, along with supporters who help make this work possible," Matt Pepper, Michigan Humane CEO and president, said in a statement.

It is still not clear how the dog ended up on the ice. For Humphrey and Cross, the experience reinforced a simple but important lesson.

"It could save your life, you could save someone else's life, a dog's life at that it pays off to be aware and vigilant while you're out and about not just on the water, but just in everyday travel" Humphrey said.

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Tuesday marks one year since a massive water main break devastated neighborhoods in Southwest Detroit, sending a wall of icy water rushing through streets, trapping cars, and flooding homes.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Detroit's water main mess one year later

The disaster forced families from their homes, some with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

While the city says recovery has been remarkable, with nearly 100% of claims settled, some residents like Mike and Michelle Muzzey are still dealing with the aftermath.

"The container, look on the bottom shelf here. There's still water, there's still water," Mike Muzzey said, showing damage that persists in his home.

The Muzzeys say they're still wringing out water from their belongings one year later.

"I could not believe it was coming through the windows. I mean, my windows were sealed with caulk, and it still came through the windows," Mike Muzzey said.

The water main break damaged 200 homes in Southwest Detroit. For the Muzzey family, the flooding was devastating.

"We lost everything in our basement, I mean, there was nothing we could save in our basement. Nothing," Michelle Muzzey said.

Water rushed into their basement and rose all the way up to the eighth step of their stairs, destroying their furnace, water tank, pictures, and power tools.

PREVIOUS STORY: Streets of Southwest Detroit lined with dead, frozen cars after major flooding Streets of Southwest Detroit lined with dead, frozen cars after major flooding

"When we came outside, you couldn't see nothing out here, all the trash cans were gone. The water was halfway up my car, it was halfway up my husband's truck, so a lot of us lost our vehicles here," Michelle Muzzey said.

Dust and grime still cover many of Mike Muzzey's items from the flood damage.

Gary Brown, director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, said the break wasn't preventable.

"These 54-inch pipes are under pressure, there's water flowing through them, they're not easily accessible...and we expected this particular pipe to have another 50 years of life," Brown said.

Brown said the city has settled almost 100% of their claims, with only 2-3 claims remaining. He said every household affected is back in their home.

"I want to thank all of the residents who were affected. This was a horrible situation to be put through, I thank them for their patience," Brown said.

The city estimates the total cost of recovery and repairs at roughly $12 million, split among the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, the Great Lakes Water Authority, and the City of Detroit. Officials say they're keeping a close eye on aging infrastructure.

The Muzzey family says it's been a long road to recovery, but they're managing.

"We've pretty much gotten to a point where we've done some repairs...and I'm still kind of dealing with some of it," they said.

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A Livingston County mother has filed a lawsuit against rideshare company Lyft, alleging one of their drivers transported her 14-year-old daughter to a sexual predator who assaulted her.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the incident occurred three years ago on February 13, 2023 when a man allegedly arranged a Lyft to pick up the teenager from her Brighton home and take her to his residence in Dearborn Heights.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Brighton mother suing Lyft, says teen daughter was driven to sexual predator

The family claims he sexually assaulted her, gave her drugs and forced her to take nude photos.

"It's even hard for me to talk about it. It was surreal," said the mother, who is identified as "M.L" in the lawsuit. For the safety and privacy of her child, she asked to remain anonymous.

The mother says her daughter got into a Lyft to meet a man believed to be in his 20s. The two had met on Wizz, a Tinder-like dating app that was removed from Apple and Google stores in 2024 for safety concerns.

"I start calling her phone, trying to figure out where she is. I can see her moving on her Life 360, and Im like, where is she going? I think she was on the expressway heading towards Novi. At that point, I go into full blown panic mode, and then she shuts her phone off on me," the mother said.

The mother says she reached out to her daughter's friend who told her the teen was meeting a guy in Dearborn Heights. After calling local and state police, the mother says she repeatedly called Lyft to try and stop the ride but wasn't able to.

"The female driver even asked her if she was OK because clearly, she didn't look OK in the Lyft, and the female driver did nothing," the mother said.

She says she found her daughter hours later, after sending an alert to her phone that revealed her location.

The lawsuit claims policies were violated by driving an unaccompanied minor and failing to verify the passenger's age. The family's attorney, along with the mother who briefly drove for Lyft, says drivers can sometimes be punished for canceling rides.

"If a driver cancels a ride even once, they can be prohibited for weeks from doing another drive and potentially have their ability to be a driver terminated. So, what is a driver supposed to do," attorney Elizabeth Abdnour said.

Abdnour says her client is suing Lyft for violations of the TVPRA, or Trafficking Victim Protections Reauthorization Act, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

She adds the man has fled the country and is believed to be in Morocco. She says criminal charges have been filed and there's an active warrant for the man's arrest.

7 News Detroit reached out to Lyft on multiple occasions but haven't heard back. The family believes the assault could have been prevented if the driver had stepped in.

"I don't want this to ever happen again. There should be some sort of alert system or panic button. There's got to be something better," the mother said.

Both Lyft and Uber offer family profiles that allow parents to receive a notification the second a ride starts and track the car's movement in real time. You can also set it up so that a trusted contact, like a parents, must receive a unique pin before the ride can begin.

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A Madison Heights family who found a missing 6-year-old boy with autism safe in their home is now receiving community support after their house sustained extensive water damage from the incident.

La'Bron Brinkley and his family discovered Johnathan in their upstairs bathtub filled with water after the boy wandered away from his home for hours on Feb 1. The child, who has autism and is nonverbal, had entered through their side door while the family was away.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Community rallies to help family whose home was damaged after finding missing boy with autism

"I never experienced the idea of the community all coming together to find Johnathan, but even in this, they stepped in. There were random people that I've never seen, never known, different walks of life directly messaging me like, 'What can we do?'" Brinkley said.

The Brinkley family is now living in a Troy hotel after an inspector detected a concerning smell in their home. The water damage has made their house uninhabitable.

"Right now, we have no access to either bathroom, the ceiling of the basement caved, that and the walls are knocked down. We have blowers trying to dry out what's going on in the home. It's just ongoing and so we can't exactly stay there right now," Brinkley said.

The family initially thought the smell would dissipate after a few days, but it persisted.

"When they came out, they thought that the scent would eventually make us all sick and we should move on it right away," Brinkley said.

Previous coverage: 'He was sitting in this bath.' Neighbor describes finding missing boy inside his home 'He was sitting in the bath.' Neighbor describes finding missing boy in his home

Without access to their kitchen and belongings as well as family members looking after their dog, daily life has become challenging for the family of four.

"Food she (his wife) would normally cook, she can't cook right now. It's a lot of those dynamics that we're trying to fight our way through," Brinkley said.

Community members and strangers have rallied to help, raising nearly $5,000 for the family. Krista Skodak from Royal Oak was among those who contributed.

"The least we could do is try to help them when they need help when they were able to inadvertently help in such a big way," Skodak said.

The family's landlord is providing extra time to pay rent while they navigate their next steps. The total cost of repairs remains unknown as the water needs to dry completely before a full assessment can be made.

Despite the challenges, the Brinkley family remains grateful for the outpouring of support.

"This entire process has been tough, but God has held our hands," Brinkley said. "And I hope that people can see the miraculous works of God."

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Twenty dogs are getting a second chance at life thanks to Bark Nation, a nonprofit dedicated to saving dogs from difficult situations.

The organization recently took in the animals from The Devoted Barn, a rescue that has faced legal troubles. The Devoted Barn's owner, Melissa Borden, is currently serving six months in jail for animal cruelty and abandonment in a case involving other animals including pigs, llamas and goats.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Volunteers help give dogs a second chance

"We had known about these dogs and their situation and all the animals, but didn't know when exactly we'd be able to step in and honestly, the pieces just came together," said Marissa Gregg, operations director at Bark Nation.

The rescue happened after Bark Nation reached out to The Devoted Barn volunteers.

"One day, we were just like 'what if?' We sent an email and the next day, a volunteer called and was thrilled that we had reached out. You know, they were so hopeful, but it's also unlikely that an organization would be able to take all the dogs," said Jenna Hudy, shelter coordinator at Bark Nation.

In just two weeks, Bark Nation has provided the senior dogs with medical and behavioral treatment. The organization has also partnered with training centers like K9 Turbo in Ferndale to prepare the animals for new homes.

"We pretty much uprooted one whole side of our shelter and we just planned for the worst and hoped for the best, and it has honestly exceeded and blown us away at how resilient these dogs have been," said Christina Babcock, a staff member and volunteer.

Previous coverage: Animal sanctuary owner sentenced to 6 months in jail, restitution for cruelty to pigs, llamas, goats Owner of animal sanctuary sentenced to 6 months in jail, restitution for cruelty

The Devoted Barn responded to our request for comment, stating in part:

"Our volunteers decided this was the best decision for everyone involved. Our volunteers partnered with the Bark Nation team to ensure our dogs had everything they needed for a seamless move to their facility. While it was so difficult to see their time with our rescue end, we are excited that our dogs have the chance to meet many new people and potentially find foster homes when they are ready."

Chelsea Murphy of Harrison Township is hoping to adopt one of the rescued dogs.

"It's really like I feel honored to be able to help one of them to become a happy house dog," Murphy said. "I think that it's that moment when they trust. There's a moment where you can tell almost a little switch flips in their head, you know. You're just this person that feeds them and cleans up after them to like there's a bond there."

While none of the dogs have been placed in homes yet, Bark Nation says adoptions will begin as soon as next weekend.

"This piece is just one little step in the next part of their journey, and it's huge to be able play a part in that," Gregg said.

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Faye Baker is breaking barriers in Warren as the city's only Black female home developer, turning her passion for homeownership into a mission to help families build wealth and create brighter futures.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Woman developer is breaking barriers by building in Warren

The Detroit native discovered her calling at age 21 when she purchased her first home.

"I had one son at the time. I just so happened to look down the street, and I saw a home for sale, and I thought, " Wow, how does that work?" Baker said.

After going through the homebuying process, Baker realized the transformative power of homeownership.

"Understanding finance and housing, I felt like if it could change my life, it could change everyone's life," Baker said.

Today, Baker serves as the CEO and president of Baker & Associates and leads the Empowerment and Development Housing Resource Center, a nonprofit offering free services including homebuyer education, credit coaching, and financial literacy programs for families.

But Baker's impact extends beyond education she's actively building homes too.

"I acquire raw land and develop it into housing," Baker said.

Currently, Baker is developing 20 modular homes in Warren, with three already completed, and plans to finish the remaining homes by summer.

Her work has transformed lives like that of Tannisha Hurd, who grew up in low-income housing. With Baker's guidance, Hurd and her husband purchased their first home in 2014 for around $80,000, later selling it for nearly four times that amount in 2022 and moving into a $400,000 house in Macomb Township.

"I didn't think it was possible, and when I realized that it was, I was happy, blessed, thankful to be able to do that," Hurd said.

For Baker, homeownership represents more than just property ownership it's about generational change.

"I have a passion for homeownership. So, whatever it takes to get you from A to Z, that's what I do," Baker said. "That is how you change your life, and the life of your kids."

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.

Royal Oak's switch to ParkMobile at the start of the year is getting positive reviews from residents and business owners who say it's simpler and more user-friendly than the previous system.

"I thought it was really easy. Everything is spelled out for how to do it," Suzanne Abbott of Harrison Township said.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Are Royal Oak's parking changes making a difference

Kelly Dobson of Livonia agreed, noting the familiarity of the system.

"They have similar machines in Ann Arbor, which I go to a lot, so it was not that hard to figure it out," Dobson said.

However, some residents acknowledge there's a learning curve for less tech-savvy users.

"You know, I'm pretty tech savvy, but there's people in places right here, they couldn't," Phillip Stephens of Royal Oak said.

The new ParkMobile system eliminated the city's controversial back-in parking spaces and camera technology, providing relief for many businesses, especially those on South Washington Avenue, who felt the old system drove customers away.

"It used to be daily, weekly complaints about not being able to back in, not understanding the system, the app not working, and now it's the exact opposite," said Julia Manzella, who works at Rail & Anchor gift shop.

Manzella has worked at the gift shop for six years and has noticed increased foot traffic since the switch.

"The anxiety is gone about parking here now. It's way more welcoming to come back to the city," Manzella said.

City officials say creating a welcoming environment was exactly their goal.

"The hardest part should be deciding where you want to go for dinner, not how to park," City Commissioner Brandon Kolo said.

Previous report: Royal Oak shares exclusive sneak peek of new downtown parking meters ahead of January 2026 launch Royal Oak shares exclusive sneak peek of new downtown parking meters ahead of January 2026 launch

Kolo and fellow City Commissioner Rebecca Cheezum wanted a parking system already used in other communities. The ParkMobile system is also used in Ferndale and Birmingham.

"So it's really familiar to people and I think people are really enjoying the ease of our on-street parking," Cheezum said.

The new system eliminates back-in parking spaces but still requires payment even when meters are bagged. Users should look for orange signs and kiosks, then follow the listed steps including entering the zone number and license plate number.

Other payment options include downloading the ParkMobile app, paying online or texting "PARK" to 77223.

"Our downtown is really important to us. We want people to come downtown. We want visitors in our community. That's really important to us, to our business owners, to our residents... and so it was really essential that we get it right," Cheezum said.

Previous report: Royal Oak returns to pull-in parking, ending controversial back-in spaces City of Royal Oak begins parking changes

The city has already started removing the old meters, with the process expected to be completed by April.

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.

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.