MACOMB — Despite winning a combined 77 matches the past two years, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep hadn’t added to its cabinet of postseason trophies since reaching a regional final in 2022.

For a long stretch, playoff silverware felt like a given for the program considering the fact that, amongst the three state titles the Irish won in 2013, 2017 and 2021, they were district champs in all six seasons in-between.

Since nearly all of Notre Dame Prep’s seniors weren’t yet on varsity when they were freshmen, failure this week meant they could be the first class in several decades to graduate without the experience of lifting a trophy in the playoffs.

The Fighting Irish and their seniors avoided such a fate Thursday night at Lutheran North, where they defeated the host Mustangs 25-17, 22-25, 25-20, 25-11 for a D2 district title.

“We talk all the time about the legacy that was built before us and how every game we show up to play for them and the people who built this program, and I think that’s what we did tonight,” said Notre Dame Prep’s Ellie Whalen, one of the team’s five seniors, but the only one other than Samantha Broutin who was playing varsity during that regional run in 2022.

Irish classmate Grace Hannan added, “I think we started off the season rocky, and knew from the start we really had to build this program and that we were playing for our legacy. We came, we showed up and I think we all played for the team and really played our hearts out.”

When the Irish (31-14-2) won the first set by eight and were leading by four over midway into the second, it seemed as if the Mustangs have their night and season swept away on their own floor. Instead, Lutheran North evened the game at 21-11, then won four of the next five points as a hit by an Irish player sailed too far on the last one, evening the score at a set each.

“We just played better,” Mustangs head coach Paul Drdul said. “We had better offense going and made less mistakes, put more pressure on them, put it all together there. The third game was better, then obviously the wheels fell of a little bit.”

While Notre Dame Prep didn’t quite dominate the third game the way it did the last, the visitors were still in the driver’s seat throughout and led it at one point by eight (22-14). Lutheran North halved that advantage before senior Erin Eby lobbed a ball for junior hitter Nicole McDowell to smack down, winning the third set to open the floodgates.

Notre Dame Prep’s players experienced the same heartbreak as the Mustangs when eventual state champs Country Day beat the Irish on their own floor in the district final last fall.

“The past two years in districts, we’ve played some of the best teams in the state, and to be on the other side of it sucks,” Whalen said. “You kind of feel numb at that point, like, ‘How did I get here?’ I think (Lutheran North) did amazing. They played their hearts out, you could tell.”

“The seniors really just had to show down,” Hannan said. “We knew that this could have been our last game, but we had to show the underclassmen that this is worth fighting for and just bring the energy, help the underclassmen and hold them up, show them what leadership is.”

Photos of Macomb Lutheran North vs. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in D2 volleyball district championship action

Irish head coach Betty Wroubel heaped praise on her seniors and tabbed it the best performance of the year for several. "It was when we needed it the most," she said. "I didn't know that we could stop their middles. Now, they got their fair share, but we stopped a few of them and it gave us a little bit of momentum.

"I thought we served extremely well. We didn't serve-receive so well. And our freshmen had freshmen moments, but they settled in, thank God, and we came out with it. It's nice to add a number to our record boards."

Wroubel estimated she watched 50 hours of film in preparation for Thursday's final. "I was talking to our assistants on the way over and (told them) I haven't scouted or looked ahead (to regionals) because this game, I knew it was going to be a war ... We haven't gotten over that district (hump) in a few years, so I had to give my kids everything I could give 'em."

The Mustangs (25-11) had won eight of their last nine, a good sign going forward for a team that graduates just four seniors (Gisela Hanna, Grace Tobey, Lillie Meier, Kate Neumeyer).

"We were super young last year (when we) lost four seniors, and we're a little bit older and have everybody coming back except the four seniors, so it's one of those things where we just keep growing," Drdul said. "This is our second time being in the district finals, so hopefully next year, the third time will be the charm."

ND Prep will play either North Branch or Imlay City in regionals at Yale High School on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

OXFORD – When you step inside the Oxford High School gymnasium and look up at the volleyball championships banner, it seems like it must be a misprint.

The last district title for the Wildcats came in 2002?

Though it didn’t seem like 23 years had passed, it actually had.

It was something that stuck with first-year head coach Jen Bunting when she took over the program this fall, and she used it as motivation throughout the season.

That was definitely the driving force this week with Oxford hosting districts, as the Wildcats followed up a five-set semifinal win over Lake Orion on Wednesday with a dramatic five-set win over Clarkston on Thursday in the final to give Oxford its first district championship since 2002.

“This is my first year as varsity coach and I saw (the Volleyball banner), and I made our slogan this year on the back of our shirts say, ‘it was our year,’ because it is our year,” Bunting said. “I don’t even know what to say right now. I’m just in awe, but the girls fought for it. They started strong, and they finished strong. This means so much to me.”

The Oxford roster wasn’t even born the last time the Wildcats managed to win a district title, but Thursday they came away with a 20-25, 25-19, 25-17, 12-25, 15-12 victory.

After dropping the first set, the Wildcats (25-12-5) found a groove and took the momentum away from Clarkston (23-5-1). The Wolves struggled to finish points as Oxford’s blocking and defensive play kept rallies going before the Wildcats found ways to capitalize.

“We knew it was a quick tempo with the setter, the setter pushing those quicks out to the outside. I just said, ‘arms up, fast. Let’s get a block on it.’ We started blocking the line. We adjusted. I adjusted my defense around there. I have a strong middle back, left back. So, we focused blocking the line to take away that line shot, because I knew my defense on the left side was solid to dig anything that they were giving to us,” Bunting said of the defensive approach.

Oxford took the second and third sets to put Clarkston with its back against the wall. But, the Wolves responded in the fourth by scoring the final eight points thanks to a pair of kills from Kaylynn Johnson and Josie Seets, each, as well as two aces from Stella Smith.

The dominant fourth set could have shaken Oxford, but the Wildcats came out with a 4-0 start in the fifth set and never trailed in the final frame.

“We needed to be humble out there. We needed to play with pride, play with our minds and our hearts, and just be a team out there, and they pulled together,” Bunting said of what she told her team going into the fifth set.

The set would get to 8-8, but Oxford scored six of the next seven points to take control. Mazzee VanderKaay had two key aces, while the Wildcats won a long rally at 12-9 when Sienna Austin instinctively threw an arm out to keep the ball alive, and it found its way to the floor on Clarkston’s side. At that point, the title felt inevitable.

“We weren’t looking past them. I mean, they’re playing great volleyball. We played them early in the season and were able to get a win and, but they’ve been playing very good lately,” Clarkston coach Ali Smith said of Oxford. “They battled their butts off last night against Lake Orion, and they just find ways to keep the ball in play, and I think that was the difference tonight.”

Photo gallery of a D1 district volleyball final between Clarkston and Oxford

Clarkston fought off three match points but an attack error ended things and gave the Wildcats the win. The Wolves struggled to maintain an offensive flow throughout the match. When they were able to get in a grove, the Wolves pulled away in the first and fourth sets.

“I just thought our execution over the course of the entire night was very inconsistent, so it was really hard to really tell what we were going to get at any given moment,” Smith said.

Tara Swanson and Brenna Mirovsky led the defensive effort for Oxford with dozens of timely digs to keep points alive. Olivia Laura and Ellasyn Glaz each had three blocks in the win as well. Offensively, Mirovsky had 13 kills, while Alexia Decker had seven. VanderKaay recorded four aces, while Jessa Romine had three.

Maya Kuebler had 17 kills to lead Clarkston, while Johnson had 12 kills, and Seets had 10. Marlie Smith had 42 assists with five kills and three aces.

The Wolves will graduate four seniors from this roster but bring back a lot of experience in the 2026 season. Smith is hoping her players will carry Thursday’s loss with them into offseason training.

“I hope they remember this feeling for a long time, and it is fuel for the fire for next year,” Smith said. “I feel like every year we come back with something to prove, and unfortunately, if three points go a different way, we're in a different position. But, you know, just not our year.”

Oxford advances to next week’s Division 1 regional tournament at Clarkston. The Wildcats draw Chippewa Valley in Tuesday’s regional semifinal at 5:30 p.m.

Now the Wildcats can focus on ending a new streak, as they haven’t won a regional championship since 1997.

“Just keep being the team. Teamwork, trusting each other, trusting the team, and keep pushing hard,” Bunting said of advancing in regional play.

Oxford defeated Clarkston in a Division 1 district volleyball final at Oxford High School on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. The Wildcats won by scores of 20-25, 25-19, 25-17, 12-25, 15-12.

 

Pontiac Notre Dame Prep defeated host Macomb Lutheran North in four sets to win a D2 district title Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison boarded a Detroit Department of Transportation bus during Thursday evening rush hour to meet with riders and drivers about public transit safety, more than a year after DPD took over policing responsibilities for the city's bus system.

Watch Brett Kast's video report below: Detroit police chief rides DDOT bus to hear safety concerns from passengers

The roughly hour-long ride through Detroit gave Bettison a chance to gather feedback from passengers about their experiences and safety concerns on public transportation.

"I used to ride the bus as a kid. My mother didn't drive. She was a Detroit school teacher, and the bus transit got her to work on time and she was able to put food on the table," Bettison said.

Carroll Simpson, a Detroit resident who rides the bus daily, emphasized the importance of safety measures.

"It's very important, I think it should be one of the top priorities in the city," Simpson said.

While Simpson says she mostly feels safe, she has encountered problematic situations.

"We have some very rowdy people. A couple of days ago, a man got on the bus highly inebriated," Simpson said.

Siddhesh Chaubal, who moved to the U.S. from India a year ago and takes the bus to his downtown Detroit office, initially had concerns about using public transit.

"When I got here, I was very skeptical about traveling via bus, given I had heard some bad news about traveling via bus about criminal activity, especially at bus stops," Chaubal said.

His concerns were heightened by incidents over the summer including a shooting on a DDOT bus and a separate stabbing. However, Chaubal says he's noticed improvements with increased security at transit centers and more officers on buses.

"I have seen police officers quite a few times, they were standing right next to the driver," Chaubal said.

Transit advocate Michael Cunningham, known as Brother Cunningham, organized the chief's bus ride and distributed free bus tickets and information about low-income housing during the event.

"The people feel uplifted to see the chief out here. There's been some stabbings, there's been some shootings, there's been some drama," Cunningham said.

Cunningham, who was homeless for nine to 10 years and relied on buses for transportation, said he remains committed to helping others in similar situations.

"A lot of times when people get to the level they want to be at, they forget about all the people left behind. I'm not like that," Cunningham said.

Bettison distributed business cards and collected suggestions from passengers, emphasizing DPD's ongoing commitment to transit safety.

"We're responsible for providing safety when it comes to transit, so that's what we're going to do and continue to do, and this is not my first nor will it be my last time being on the bus," Bettison said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

The Waterford Corsairs youth football league is scrambling to find a new practice facility after learning their current home at the Waterford Recreation Center will soon be sold.

Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report below: Waterford youth football league searches for new home as recreation center faces closure

The organization, which has served the community since 1965, provides football and cheerleading opportunities for children ages 5 to 13. The league currently uses the field outside the Waterford Recreation Center for practices, but that will change when the facility closes at the end of the year.

"It's been a joy to coach some of these kids from ages 5 to 13. You develop a lot of relationships," said Rickey Anthony, head football coach with the Waterford Corsairs.

The recreation center closure is part of a cost-cutting measure by Waterford Township.

Township Supervisor Anthony Bartolotta said the center is in poor condition, and moving programming elsewhere will help reduce financial burdens while they wait for a new community center to be built.

"We pay a lot of money for utilities, maintenance, janitorial services. So, we're just basically cutting our costs and we can still do everything at the Leggett facility," Bartolotta said.

The township also plans to sell the recreation center property, with buyers already expressing interest.

"I'm talking with a local business in Waterford Township; I want to keep them here. And then a developer; I don't know what they want to do with it. That property is zoned light industrial," Bartolotta said.

For the Corsairs, this means finding a new practice location a challenge that has proven difficult.

"Waterford has kind of become a concrete jungle," Waterford Corsairs President Dan Bishop said.

The league serves hundreds of families during football season. Bishop said on a typical weekday during their season, roughly 300 to 500 people use the field, including kids, parents and siblings.

Despite searching throughout the community, the Corsairs haven't found a suitable replacement facility. Bartolotta said the team can continue using the current field until the township sells the property, but after that, permission would depend on the new owner.

"You know, we really want to work with the football team, but there's only so much you can do," Bartolotta said.

The uncertainty raises concerns about the future of youth football in Waterford.

"It could be detrimental to football in Waterford," Bishop said.

Coaches emphasize the importance of continuing to provide opportunities for local children.

"It's literally giving the kids a spot to come be themselves, have something to build off of in life," Anthony said.

The Corsairs are asking the community for help and say they're open to all ideas for green spaces where they can practice and play.

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.

Farmington Public Schools announced that all of its schools will be closed on Friday due to fiber line damage that was caused by a car crash in the area.

Damage to the fiber line has disrupted some network operations including internet and phone services that are critical for learning, communication and safety, the district said.

Crews are working to restore services quickly.

The district said it will share updates when the issue is resolved and families will be notified when school can safely resume.

The worlds richest man was just handed a chance to become historys first trillionaire.

Elon Musk won a shareholder vote on Thursday that would give the Tesla CEO stock worth $1 trillion if he hits certain performance targets over the next decade. The vote followed weeks of debate over his management record at the electric car maker and whether anyone deserved such unprecedented pay, drawing heated commentary from small investors to giant pension funds and even the pope.

In the end, more than 75% of voters approved the plan as shareholders gathered in Austin, Texas, for their annual meeting.

Fantastic group of shareholders," Musk said after the final vote was tallied, adding Hang on to your Tesla stock.

The vote is a resounding victory for Musk showing investors still have faith in him as Tesla struggles with plunging sales, market share and profits in no small part due to Musk himself. Car buyers fled the company this year as he has ventured into politics both in the U.S. and Europe, and trafficked in conspiracy theories.

The vote came just three days after a report from Europe showing Tesla car sales plunged again last month, including a 50% collapse in Germany.

Still, many Tesla investors consider Musk as a sort of miracle man capable of stunning business feats, such as when he pulled Tesla from the brink of bankruptcy a half-dozen years ago to turn it into one of the worlds most valuable companies.

The vote clears a path for Musk to become a trillionaire by granting him new shares, but it wont be easy. The board of directors that designed the pay package require him to hit several ambitious financial and operational targets, including increasing the value of the company on the stock market nearly six times its current level.

Musk also has to deliver 20 million Tesla electric vehicles to the market over 10 years amid new, stiff competition, more than double the number since the founding of the company. He also has to deploy 1 million of his human-like robots that he has promised will transform work and home he calls it a robot army from zero today.

Musk could add billions to his wealth in a few years by partly delivering these goals, according to various intermediate steps that will hand him newly created stock in the company as he nears the ultimate targets.

That could help him eventually top what is now considered Americas all-time richest man, John D. Rockefeller. The railroad titan is estimated by Guinness World Records to have been worth $630 billion, in current dollars, at his peak wealth more than 110 years ago. Musk is worth $493 billion, as estimated by Forbes magazine.

Musks win came despite opposition from several large funds, including CalPERS, the biggest U.S. public pension, and Norways sovereign wealth fund. Two corporate watchdogs, Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, also blasted the package, which so angered Musk he took to calling them corporate terrorists at a recent investor meeting.

RELATED STORY | Elon Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with online encyclopedia Wikipedia

Critics argued that the board of directors was too beholden to Musk, his behavior too reckless lately and the riches offered too much.

He has hundreds of billions of dollars already in the company and to say that he wont stay without a trillion is ridiculous, said Sam Abuelsamid, an analyst at research firm Telemetry who has been covering Tesla for nearly two decades. Its absurd that shareholders think he is worth this much.

Supporters said that Musk needed to be incentivized to focus on the company as he works to transform it into an AI powerhouse using software to operate hundreds of thousands of self-driving Tesla cars many without steering wheels and Tesla robots deployed in offices, factories and homes doing many tasks now handled by humans.

This AI chapter needs one person to lead it and thats Musk, said financial analyst Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities. Its a huge win for shareholders.

Investors voting for the pay had to consider not only this Musk promise of a bold, new tomorrow, but whether he could ruin things today: He had threatened to walk away from the company, which investors feared would tank the stock.

Tesla shares, already up 80% in the past year, rose on news of the vote in after-hours trading but then flattened basically unchanged to $445.44.

For his part, Musk says the vote wasnt really about the money but getting a higher Tesla stake it will double to nearly 30% so he could have more power over the company. He said that was a pressing concern given Teslas future robot army that he suggested he didnt trust anyone else to control given the possible danger to humanity.

Other issues up for a vote at the annual meeting turned out wins for Musk, too.

Shareholders approved allowing Tesla to invest in one of Musks other ventures, xAI. They also shot down a proposal to make it easier for shareholders to sue the company by lowering the size of ownership needed to file. The current rule requires at least a 3% stake.

Melissa Nann Burke, Max Reinhart, Anne Snabes and Ben Warren, MediaNews Group

About 1.4 million Michigan residents eligible to receive federal assistance to pay for food should get 65% of their monthly benefits for November, federal officials clarified Thursday morning.

But hours later, a federal judge in Rhode Island ruled late Thursday that the Trump administration must fully cover November benefits, reportedly saying the government had acted “arbitrarily and capriciously” when it moved earlier this week to only partially fund the program.

The competing orders added another day of confusion for Michigan residents who receive government assistance to pay for groceries through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as the ongoing federal government shutdown passed its record-setting 37th day.

“These benefits are a vital lifeline for many Michigan families, especially with the rising cost of food.”

Hertel’s agency said Michigan recipients who normally get their benefits on the third, fifth, or seventh day of the month will receive their partial SNAP allotment on Saturday. All other SNAP recipients would get their partial benefits on their normally scheduled date.

“I would say that that’s wonderful that they will be getting something,” said Christopher Ivey, a spokesperson for Metro Detroit food rescue organization Forgotten Harvest, of the SNAP news. “It’s unfortunate that that won’t be the full amount.”

The update came as local food pantries are tracking a 30% to 50% increase in the number of individuals seeking aid, according to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. Hertel noted that families can find local food pantries as needed by calling 2-1-1.

The USDA had planned to suspend payments starting Nov. 1 amid the federal government shutdown, but federal officials said Monday the program would be partially funded after two judges required the government to keep SNAP benefits flowing.

The reduction in food aid, while a partial restoration, is “diabolical,” said Natasha Bell, a downtown Detroit resident.

“What they give us is not enough already, and then for them to give us partial … it’s just not right, you know,” Bell said Thursday. “It’s just not right.”

Bell said she has cancer, so she can’t work. Amid the delay in SNAP benefits, she said she has been making more side items to accompany the meat in a meal, which allows her to stretch the meat out over more days.

Bell is also relying on food pantries and preparing meals that last more than one day, such as spaghetti or soup, she said.

“Something is better than nothing,” said Bell of the partial November SNAP benefits.

Brother Gary Wegner, executive director of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, said he thinks the USDA announcement is “good news.” Sixty-five percent is “certainly better” than 0%, he said.

“One hundred percent would be even better, but for now, at least, it’s going to give the people we serve who depend upon the SNAP benefits a better chance to fulfill what they need,” Wegner said.

Who is affected?

SNAP serves about 1 in 8 Americans, including about 1.4 million Michiganians. In the state, the average household assisted by the program receives about $335 in benefits a month, or about $5.68 per person a day. SNAP benefits support more than 492,000 Michigan children.

In Wayne County, 22.3% of households received food stamps last year, a figure amplified by the nearly 100,000 households in Detroit that benefit from the SNAP program.

A smaller share of the households in Macomb (11.9%) and Oakland (7.6%) received SNAP benefits, according to the Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey, which is the most recent year when full county-level data is available.

Outside of Metro Detroit, Genesee and Saginaw counties outstripped the state average for SNAP participation, with just under 20% of households. On the other end of the spectrum were Leelanau and Livingston counties, which each had 5% or fewer of their households enrolled in the program.

Across nearly every part of Michigan, households with children were far more likely to receive SNAP benefits than households overall. In almost every county, at least a quarter of households with children participated in SNAP, including more than half of those households in counties like Ottawa, Clinton and Gratiot.

About 78% of SNAP households in Michigan are working households, half of households have someone with a disability and 36% of households have seniors, according to state data.

Kate Bauer, a University of Michigan public health professor, said partial funding is better than nothing when it comes to SNAP benefits. It would “ward off, hopefully, the physical experience of hunger,” but leave families already stretched thin to fill the gap, she said.

“Under the current circumstances, what we need to know is that SNAP is critical to our families having enough food, and even the full benefit amounts are not enough,” Bauer said.

“I’m super glad our families are going to get something, but that is not the end of the story,” she added.

SNAP benefits are crucial for families with children, according to Bauer, “because they have more mouths to feed, and mouths that don’t earn an income.” With less money to buy food this month, she said, parents will likely make additional sacrifices, foregoing meals so their kids can eat.

One saving grace for families with children, she said, was free school meals.

“Many families are breathing a sigh of relief that their kid is getting, potentially, up to 10 meals a week.”

Joyce Bowens, a Detroit resident who uses SNAP, said Thursday that she’s “not too happy” with the government’s decision because 65% of benefits is “not enough.” She said some women have seven to 10 children.

“I don’t think it’s fair,” she said. “I don’t think it’s right.”

Bowens, who went grocery shopping at the Capuchin Services Center in Detroit on Thursday, said the past week has been “stressful.” The pause in benefits has affected how she plans meals. She said, “Everything changed just that fast.”

“OK, you would normally cook a meal, don’t worry about making it stretch,” she said. “Now, we have to think about making it stretch to the T.”

Eartha Harris, 45, who is friends with Bowens, said she thinks the government needs to give people their “full amounts when it comes to food.”

“But at least you could give somebody food, so no one go hungry, regardless of what’s going on,” said Harris, a Detroit resident.

The state Department of Health and Human Services said new applications for SNAP benefits filed in October and November still will be processed, but it is unclear whether those applicants will receive any benefits for November.

State aid to last 2 weeks

To help feed families amid the government shutdown, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week said the state would provide $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan.

Phil Knight, executive director for the Food Bank Council, said Thursday he expects that $4.5 million released by the state to last about two weeks. The $4.5 million allotment represents roughly 6 million meals, Knight said.

Local pantries have seen between a 30% and 50% jump in individuals seeking aid, he said.

“One of the things I think we kind of miss about this population that’s struggling … is that they’re very resilient,” Knight said. “They’re trying to resolve the problem on their own first. They’re turning inward to themselves, their family, whatever, and then they turn out to find resources.”

Gleaners Community Food Bank reported Thursday that its drive-up mobiles and partner network of 350 local pantries in five counties are seeing an increase of up to 50% in requests for help.

A partial restoration of SNAP support is a “positive development,” Gleaners spokeswoman Kristin Sokul said, “but we expect to continue seeing heightened community need while partial benefits catch up and full benefits remain unavailable, as well as while workers’ incomes are impacted by the prolonged government shutdown.”

Ivey, the Forgotten Harvey spokesman, said the last week has been “very difficult” for his organization. He said Detroit alone gets $58 million a month in SNAP benefits.

“Forgotten Harvest is doing everything they can do to fill that gigantic void that’s out there,” he said. “I mean, we’re never going to be able to be the complete supplement for all of that. It’s just too large for any organization to take on.”

He said Forgotten Harvest is receiving around 600 to 1,000 phone calls a day. Some are from people asking where they can find food. Others are from organizations that partner with Forgotten Harvest or are interested in partnering with it.

Knight of the Food Bank Council said he intends to submit a report next week to the governor and House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, on how the money was used and what might still be needed.

Hall said Thursday he and Whitmer will review that report and the federal situation to determine whether to release additional funding to the Food Bank Council for distribution to local pantries.

“We’re going to take this from week to week, working with the governor to assess the need,” Hall said.

The Democratic-controlled Senate last week approved a stopgap proposal that would target $50 million to aid low-income individuals and households in buying food and $21 million to food banks and other assistance programs that are expecting an onslaught of food requests.

The Republican-controlled House has not acted on the legislation.

Hall told reporters last week that the Senate bill was “political” since there was no way to act on the legislation before the Nov. 1 cutoff because of a rule requiring a five-day waiting period between chambers. There is not enough state funding to patch every hole that will develop as the federal shutdown continues, the speaker said.

“There’s a time for disagreements in politics,” Hall said then. “It’s not right now when literally people are about to lose their ability to feed their families.”

Beth LeBlanc contributed to this report.

By Summer Ballentine, MediaNews Group

The LaFontaine auto dealership suspended this week for allegedly selling used loaner vehicles as new cars is once again open for sales.

LaFontaine Chevrolet Buick GMC of St. Clair and the Michigan Department of State reached an agreement Wednesday that allows vehicle sales to resume, according to LaFontaine and state officials. The state had suspended the China Township dealership’s business license Tuesday.

The state fined LaFontaine $25,000 for selling loaner vehicles with as many as 6,000 miles of use as new vehicles, Department of State spokesperson Cheri Hardmon said in an email. LaFontaine also will be under increased state oversight through December 2026 and must conduct staff training.

LaFontaine has described the violation as a “clerical issue” and said no fraud was committed.”

“This issue was purely administrative in nature — stemming from confusion between automaker program requirements, dealer processes, and the State’s outdated regulatory statutes,” the dealership group said in a statement from spokesperson Max Muncey. “Frankly, the speed at which this matter was resolved reinforces our belief that the initial action was more of a headline-driven move by the State than a substantive compliance concern.’

This is the LaFontaine dealer group’s second penalty under Michigan’s used vehicle law, which requires loaner vehicles that have been titled and registered by dealerships to be sold as used.

Regulators identified LaFontaine’s latest alleged violations while checking its compliance under a 2024 agreement with the state for the same issue at its Livonia dealership.

LaFontaine Hyundai of Livonia shut down for one day in December 2024 after the state suspended its license for allegedly misrepresenting vehicles as new. The dealership agreed to pay a $25,000 penalty and complete a 24-month probation period in lieu of an administrative hearing.

LaFontaine Hyundai of Livonia was required to participate in dealer training for managers and employees and was subject to periodic unannounced inspections by MDOS regulatory staff as part of the 2024 agreement.

Travelers at airports across the U.S. are preparing to be grounded because of the record-long federal government shutdown.

The FAA announced this week it may reduce flights by up to 10% across 40 of the nation's busiest airports potentially causing delays and cancellations in and out of major hubs including Denver, New York, Houston and Chicago.

"When we see pressures building in these 40 markets, we just can't ignore it, and we're not going to wait for a safety problem to truly manifest itself when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating," said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.

A 10% cut could affect as many as 1,800 flights, according to one estimate, plus slow down cargo jets.

RELATED STORY | These 40 airports are reportedly among those facing cuts due to government shutdown

Ground stops are already snarling traffic at dozens of airports during the government shutdown. Some air traffic controllers are not showing up to work after not getting a full paycheck since October 1, straining an already understaffed system.

"The stresses, the pressure, the fatigue is setting in. Air traffic controllers are texting, 'I don't even have enough money to put gas in my car to come to work,'" said Nick Daniels, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

The U.S. saw more than 6,000 delays within, into our out of the country on Thursday, according to flight tracking site FlightAware. At least 190 flights were canceled.

As of Thursday evening, more than 800 flights had been canceled for Friday.

Airlines are now scrambling to review flight schedules, saying the vast majority will run as planned.

Delta and United say long-haul international flights won't be affected at all -- and are also offering refunds for any passengers who'd rather not fly.

All eyes are on South Florida from New York City residents wanting to move from the Big Apple now that Zohran Mamdani is officially the city's Mayor-elect.

There has been a political shift in New York City with Mamdani building his campaign around making the city more affordable, but his policies have raised concerns among some about potential tax increases and policy changes from his administration.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Mamdani makes history in NYC mayors race: 'We have toppled a political dynasty'

The Scripps News Group in West Palm Beach has uncovered that many New York City residents have already initiated whats being dubbed the "Mamdani Migration" as people are looking to make South Florida their new home full-time.

Rising demand in real estate

The real estate offices of Sutter & Nugget in North Palm Beach told the Scripps News Group that the Palm Beach County market is getting a surge in demand.

"The last two weeks, it's been completely a game changer," said CEO Talbot Sutter.

He said his New York City clients have been a mix of seniors, families, residents and workers whose companies are relocating to South Florida.

To meet this surging demand, Sutter shared that they are "having to hire more members to our team to handle the demand from New Yorkers wanting to move down."

So, where are New York City residents looking to move down to?

Sutter revealed that the top cities his New York City clients are targeting include Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Delray Beach, and Boca Raton. Impacts from the migration was further evidenced by recent offers.

"We've had directly two offers that were stalemated over the summer that we've had three showings Monday and Tuesday and offers today, Wednesday because of the race. Directly out of the buyer's mouth, they said they were waiting until Wednesday, and we got the offer this morning." Sutter said, emphasizing that issues surrounding taxes and quality of life are significant motivators for these New York City transplants.

In the past few years, Sutter estimates that around 30,000 New York residents have moved into Palm Beach County and Broward County alone.

Inventory concerns

"I'm seeing a lot of what I call a 'coke bottle' effect, where it's an influx of people, and not enough inventory," said Sutter. "Some people say inventory is up right now. We were just looking at stats this morning 56% from year to year, but that inventory is also being scooped up in the last month like that."

Despite a year-to-year increase in inventory, Sutter insists "that inventory is also being scooped up in the last month like that."

Boca Raton's appeal

On Tuesday, the Scripps News Group spoke with Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer about the city's efforts to attract New York City businesses and have them relocate their corporate offices to Boca Raton. Singer acknowledged the potential influx.

"We will expect to see that, but we can't accommodate everyone," he stated. "We're a fairly built-out city. We might have people trying to buy homes here, but we're not building to accommodate everyone who wants to come from New York."

Singer elaborated that new building projects arent primarily aimed at incoming residents but focus on creating space for New York City businesses that have already committed to relocating to the area. He calls Boca Raton the economic engine of Palm Beach County, highlighting that it is home to 40 publicly traded companies from industries such as financial services, financial technology, medical technology, AI, quantum computing, manufacturing and more.

"I think that's great; it provides the job and economic vitality we need in ensuring jobs for the next generation and beyond," Singer remarked.

Economic impact

Sutter acknowledged the potential for increased traffic but suggests where companies come, residents will follow. He noted that New York residents alone have contributed $9.2 billion in revenue to South Florida.

He also went through his inventory platform and told the Scripps News Group there are over 5,000 single-family houses available for purchase throughout Palm Beach County. However, Sutter fears that this inventory may not be enough, predicting they could be sold within the next three months from the surge in New York City residents.

"I've seen West Palm as the Wall Street not the new Wall Street and I see the area exploding," he warned.

To navigate the shifting landscape, Sutter has observed that his New York City clients are open to settling in communities further west. He said he has also heard from people in states like Illinois and California expressing interest in South Florida.

Advice for potential movers

Despite the fervent interest in relocating, Sutter advises potential movers to take their time.

"Don't rush into a property and research the areas," he advised.

He recommends buying property in a neighborhood that is in proximity to work, ensuring a smoother transition for new residents.

This story was originally published by Joel Lopez with the

Scripps News Group in West Palm Beach.

Waterford police have arrested a 36-year-old ex-convict in connection with a series of home break-ins that targeted residents along the Waterford-Pontiac border over three weeks.

Watch Christiana Ford's video report: Man arrested in string of home invasions

Prentice Slaton was charged Monday by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office with one count of second-degree home invasion, a 15-year felony. Police believe he is connected to at least five additional home invasions, with more charges pending.

The arrest came as part of what police called Operation "Kicked In," a joint investigation by special operations detectives from Waterford and White Lake townships.

"Same thing would happen, unscrew the light bulb over the door, and then they would kick the door in," Waterford Police Chief Scott Underwood said.

The break-ins typically occurred in the early morning hours. Slaton allegedly targeted homes near the Waterford-Pontiac border, taking advantage of the area's accessibility.

"It was easy to cross Telegraph and to get back to Waterford and to get into Pontiac back to Waterford as well," Underwood said.

One victim, Ashley Bruske, discovered someone had broken into her home after reviewing footage from her security cameras. The video, captured around 5:45 a.m., showed someone dressed in all black walking across her front lawn.

"Heart was racing, the officer was, like, just wait in your car. It was almost like I just want to drive away and be down the road, but at the same time, it was my house," Bruske said.

The surveillance footage helped lead to Slaton's arrest the following morning.

"The surveillance crew happened to spot him getting into this car. We were able to make a traffic stop with the help of the Oakland County Sheriff's deputies, and he was taken into custody," Underwood said.

"Between the video, the witnesses' statements, and like I said, some other investigative techniques, we were able to piece that all together, and that's what led to the arrest," he said.

Another Waterford resident, Michael Tollison, believes his family's home was also targeted.

"They ransacked our daughter's room, they ransacked our bedroom, broke the window in my son's room, and they stole some rings, they stole piggy banks of my sons, and pretty much ransacked the whole house," Tollison said. "I'm glad they were able to arrest them and get him off the streets."

Slaton has an extensive criminal history with multiple arrests for similar offenses, including home invasion and larceny, dating back to 2008. He was released on parole in August.

A second suspect who was originally arrested with Slaton as the driver has since been released pending further investigation.

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.

A federal judge Wednesday ordered the release of video taken during an hourslong deposition given last week by U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino.

The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Public Media petitioned U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis to release the recordings, which were filed under seal as part of a lawsuit led by the Chicago Headline Club, a nonprofit journalism advocacy organization, and a consortium of other media groups. The journalism organizations allege federal immigration enforcement officials have systematically violated the constitutional rights of protesters and reporters during President Donald Trump’s mass deportation mission, which began in early September and shows no sign of slowing down.

Ellis, who issued a temporary restraining order last month, announced Thursday that she will put longer-term restrictions on federal agents’ use of chemical agents on crowds and provide enhanced protections for protesters and members of the media.

The released videos can be seen in their entirety on the Tribune’s YouTube channel, but here are some of the highlights:

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol in Chicago

Bovino, who is leading Trump’s immigration enforcement effort in the Chicago area, testified that he is leading roughly 220 U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents as part of the so-called Operation Midway Blitz. He said he reports directly to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

‘More than exemplary’

Asked by veteran Chicago civil rights attorney Locke Bowman if he stood by remarks he made to CBS that the use of force at the Broadview ICE facility has been “exemplary,” Bovino at first surprised everyone by saying, “No.”

“The uses of force have been more than exemplary,” Bovino clarified.

In placing longer-term restrictions Thursday, Ellis disagreed.

“The use of force shocks the conscience,” she said.

‘Violent rioters’

During the deposition, Bovino said he had not witnessed his agents using tear gas or pepper-spray balls against protesters in Broadview, but chemical agents were used against “violent rioters” and “assaultive subjects.”

Definition of a protester

When asked to define “protester,”  Bovino said it’s a person “exercising their constitutional rights to speak — to speak their opinion, to speak their mind in a peaceful fashion … in accordance with laws, rules and with the Constitution.”

“We get protesters on both sides of the issue. Sometimes they protest against, say, a Title 8 immigration enforcement mission, tell us they don’t like it, we shouldn’t be there, we need to go home, use very foul language oftentimes,” he said. “And then there’s also protesters on the other side of the issue that say ‘hey, you should be there. We’re glad you’re here. Continue to be here.’ So, I look at those as peaceful individuals exercising their right to, one, be there and, two, speak their mind. It’s freedom of assembly, freedom of speech.”

Bovino then rattled off a list of public actions he said his agents have experienced, actions he uses to draw a distinction between protesters and “violent rioters” or “assaultive subjects”: “Removing masks, kicking agents, grabbing agents’ groins, assisting and abetting prisoners from escaping, shooting fireworks, knifing and slashing tires with weapons, throwing rocks through windows of vehicles to hurt agents and/or detainees.”

‘Not a reportable use of force’

On the video, Bovino is asked about an Oct. 3 arrest he made involving a man protesting outside the Broadview facility. According to the complaint, Bovino ordered a man to move down the street after the man told him, “you love to be on television.” As the man started to move, the complaint states, Bovino “stepped across a barrier,” tackled the man and arrested him.

During the Nov. 4 deposition, Bovino said the arrest “was not a reportable use of force. I placed him under arrest. I didn’t tackle him.”

More about Bovino’s interaction with the protester

Bovino was asked about an encounter with the man, Scott Blackburn, who was protesting at Broadview. The lawyer and Bovino disagreed over whether he used force when he tackled the protester.

“He doesn’t like the fact that you are instructing him to move down,” the lawyer said to Bovino.

Bovino objected to the lawyer’s characterization, saying instead, “That individual is failing to follow instructions to vacate the area.”

The video shows Bovino tackling the protester. But Bovino characterized it a different way.

“I’m imploring Mr. Blackburn, or whoever that individual was, to comply with leaving the area and to comply with instructions,” Bovino said.

Asked if he was “making physical contact,” Bovino said he was. But he denied that it was a use of force, saying it was different than using deadly force or “open-hand strikes.”

But he disputed that he used force against the protester.

“The use of force was against me,” Bovino said.

The judge, however, said she did not believe Bovino’s testimony about force that his agents and he personally inflicted in incidents across the Chicago area.

“In one of the videos, Bovino obviously attacks and tackles the declarant, Mr. Blackburn, to the ground,” Ellis said. “But Mr. Bovino, despite watching this video (in his deposition) says that he never used force.”

Pastor struck in the head

In video taken at a protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, the Rev. David Black walks toward the building and appears to talk with someone on the roof. A fellow demonstrator offers Black a bullhorn, which the Presbyterian pastor appears to ignore.

Seconds later, Black begins dodging pepper-spray projectiles fired at him, as another protester lifts his shirt and dances a jig as if daring someone to shoot at him. Black initially takes a few steps back, then moves forward with his arms outstretched, looking up toward the building and talking.

On the video, pepper-spray balls can be seen striking the ground in front of Black. He is then struck in the right arm by one. He appears to try and turn away before he is struck again, this time in the head.

Other protesters quickly gather around him as he kneels or falls to the ground, the recording shows. Bystanders lift him and help spirit him away.

Struck again

On the video, Black returns to sidewalk in front of the detention center with a megaphone in hand. As he appears to speak to someone on the roof, pepper-spray balls are fired in his direction.

A protester appears to try to shield him with a sign, but it doesn’t work. Black is hit in the head again.

Bovino on the incident with Pastor Black

Bovino was asked about Rev. David Black, a Presbyterian pastor who was shot in the head by a federal agent. He declined to answer the question, which was framed as a hypothetical, saying he was “unable to comment on that use of force.”

Pressed further, Bovino said: “I don’t know what the use of force was here. I can’t make a judgment either way because I don’t know.”

A sixth suspect has been arrested in connection to the alleged Halloween terror plot in Michigan, the FBI said.

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that a sixth person was arrested earlier this week in Washington state.

"This was another individual allegedly providing material support," Patel said.

Another suspect, Ayob Nasser, whose name was added to the 92-page federal complaint, appeared in front of a federal judge in downtown Detroit. He stood mute to the charges he's facing alleging domestic terrorism with multiple co-conspirators.

Three of Nasser's loved ones left federal court after declining to comment on his behalf. He's accused of helping to plan a terrorist attack in support of ISIS.

Watch Darren Cunningham's video report below: Federal judge denies bond in terror plot case

7 News Detroit spoke with former federal Prosecutor Matthew Schneider, who predicted more charges.

"Now another person has been charged, and I think additional people will be charged. Maybe not on the federal level but at least on the state level because this case involves juveniles," he explained.

The FBI said the people involved are 16 to 20 years old from Dearborn. The FBI raided homes on Friday and a storage facility in Inkster.

You can read the full updated criminal complain below:

Amended complaint in alleged terror plot by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit

Nasser is 19 and, according to the federal complaint, he and his alleged co-conspirators Mohmed Ali and Majed Mahmoud bought AR-style rifles and accessories, 1,600 rounds of ammunition, tactical gear and more, some of which was recovered at the storage facility in Inkster.

The suspects also allegedly underwent firearms training, conspired with others over group chats and allegedly scoped out Ferndale and Sandusky, Ohio, as possible targets to strike Halloween weekend.

"It looks like the conspirators were trying to go to Cedar Point and were, as the agents says, that they were assessing that to do a possible mass shooting. Of course, we don't know all of that yet, but it looks like that is the direction that the government's case is going, that they're going to show that it wasn't just a local issue but it's a conspiracy that crosses state lines," Schneider explained.

Previous report: 3 more men arrested in alleged Halloween terror plot, FBI investigates at Cedar Point 3 more men arrested in alleged Halloween terror plot, FBI investigates at Cedar Point

The complaint states Nasser and another person left Dearborn to visit Cedar Point on Sept. 18. They are seen in surveillance footage at the amusement park.

Investigators said the men occasionally entered areas that weren't open to the public and searched online for details about Cedar Point before their visit.

This week, two men from New Jersey were also charged.

7 News Detroit asked Schneider what some of the challenges and implications are with this being a multi-state investigation now, since New jersey is also involved.

"Now that the federal government is spreading this across the country, there is cooperation amongst the U.S. Attorneys Office in different states, the Justice Department is fully on board with this case. So, it looks like there's good cooperation among law enforcement. That makes it very difficult for the defense to overcome this," he explained.

Previous coverage: 2 Dearborn men charged in alleged Halloween terror plot targeting Ferndale 2 Dearborn men charged in alleged Halloween terror plot targeting Ferndale

Nasser is being represented by former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's former defense attorney Jim Thomas.

"It's also not surprising that you have really high-quality defense counsel in this case because you've got a sophisticated prosecution," Schneider said. "I don't think that the defense is going to fall down on this case. This will be heavily litigated and it'll be difficult and hard fought on both sides," he added.

Nasser's attorney declined comment at this time. All three suspects are due back in court Monday morning for their detention hearings.

UPS on Thursday identified three crew members who died aboard a cargo plane that crashed shortly after taking off in Louisville, Kentucky, earlier in the week killing at least 13 people in total.

"Words cant express the sorrow we feel over the heartbreaking Flight 2976 accident," UPS Executive Vice President Nando Cesarone said in a statement. "Its with great sorrow that we share the names of the UPS pilots on board UPS Flight 2976. Captain Richard Wartenberg, First Officer Lee Truitt, and International Relief Officer Captain Dana Diamond were operating the flight."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Several people killed in Tuesday's fatal UPS plane crash in Louisville, officials say

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, UPS Flight 2976 went down Tuesday around 5:15 p.m. local time after departing the airport. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 was headed to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when it crashed. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said two businesses were hit when the plane crashed.

The FAA said both the agency and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. Black boxes from the plane have been recovered, federal investigators said on Wednesday.

NTSB Member J. Todd Inman said that video reviewed by investigators shows a large fire on the left side of the aircraft and the planes left engine detaching from the wing. He added that the plane still managed to gain enough altitude to clear a fence at the end of the runway before crashing into two businesses just beyond airport property and sparking a fire that stretched roughly half a mile.

"We need to not only take drone coverage and video coverage of where every piece of this evidence is, but then we need to recover it and tag it, and those will give us even more pieces of information," Inman said.

FROM THE ARCHIVES | UPS replaces FedEx as primary air cargo provider for US Postal Service

Louisville is home to UPS's largest package handling facility, with around 300 flights a day leaving from the hub.

"Our hearts go out to every UPSer who has been impacted and all in our Louisville community supporting you and ensuring you receive the care and resources you need is our priority," Cesarone said. "This continues to be an incredibly sad time for our entire UPS family, and as our CEO, Carol Tom reminded us: 'United, we are strong.' We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our colleagues, and to the loved ones of those in the Louisville community."

After more than a decade of waiting, Detroit's crowdfunded RoboCop statue has finally secured a permanent location and is expected to be unveiled by the end of 2025.

Watch Evan Sery's video report: RoboCop statue finally finds permanent home in Detroit's Eastern Market

The 11-foot bronze statue will be installed at Eastern Market, on the patio of Free Age, a film production company. The statue was originally funded through a 2011 Kickstarter campaign organized by Detroit resident Brandon Walley, which raised thousands of dollars with the slogan "Part man, part machine, all crowd funded."

"Brandon reached out, said congrats on the building on the move, I'm glad you're staying in the market," said Jim Toscano, co-owner of Free Age. "Why don't we put RoboCop on your patio? We laughed it off. I said alright, thanks for the congrats, good talking to you. Called me back the next day and said we're serious."

Toscano and Walley agreed the location made perfect sense an iconic film character displayed at a film production studio.

The statue's journey to installation faced several delays over the years. Walley cited COVID-19 and the 2024 Eastern Market tailgate shooting as factors that complicated finding an appropriate home for the bronze figure.

"Everyone involved liked this spot. It's on the far end of the market, a little quieter. It could use some excitement," Toscano said.

The RoboCop statue has found support among local business owners, including Bethany Shorb, who operates Well Done Goods in Eastern Market and sells RoboCop merchandise.

"I like 80s nerd stuff. Is it the most positive depiction of Detroit? No, of course not, but it's poking fun, poking fun at a lot of not good things that can happen, and now we do have actual robocops," Shorb said.

The 1987 RoboCop film depicted a futuristic, apocalyptic version of Detroit, making the statue's placement in the city both symbolic and fitting for fans of the cult classic.

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.

The Louvre had an alarmingly weak password for its security surveillance system when it was hit by a group thieves, who made off with more than $100 million in jewels.

The brazen daylight heist took place on Oct. 18, triggering  a massive investigation that has since revealed the suspects used power tools to bust through the second-floor window of the Apollo Gallery around 9 a.m. The entire operation took under seven minutes, and none of the robbers were at anytime captured by the lone security camera outside the gallery.

During testimony before a French Senate committee last month, Laurence des Cars, the president and director of the Louvre, said the camera had been facing west and did not cover the window the thieves used to gain access to Paris’ most popular museum.

“The security system, as installed in the Apollo Gallery, worked perfectly,” he said, per ABC News. “The question that arises is how to adapt this system to a new type of attack and modus operandi that we could not have foreseen.”

Despite touting its functionality, France’s National Cybersecurity Agency was able to access a server managing the museum’s video surveillance by cracking its ridiculously simple password: “LOUVRE,” according to confidential documents obtained by Libération. The eponymous password was initially uncovered by the agency during an audit in 2014. Additional audits revealed “serious shortcomings” in the museum’s security systems, including the use of 20-year-old software.

So far, seven people have been arrested in connection with the heist, two of whom have partially admitted their involvement.

An investigation into the matter is ongoing, and the stolen jewels remain missing weeks later.

A Clinton Township high school teacher has transformed her classroom storage room into a food pantry to help students struggling with food insecurity during the ongoing SNAP benefit crisis.

Watch Evan's story in the video player below Clinton Twp. teacher's food pantry helps students during SNAP benefit crisis

Kim Johnston, who has taught social studies at Chippewa Valley High School for 18 years, launched the initiative on social media two weeks ago after recognizing the urgent need in her school community. With SNAP benefits on pause, Johnston decided to take action where her school lacked resources.

"I decided we had to do something here in our building, we do not have a food pantry," Johnston said.

The classroom pantry, stocked with pasta sauce, bags of pasta, mac and cheese, and canned foods, has already distributed 100 full meal kits since opening this week. Johnston posted signs throughout the school encouraging students to "grab a bag and take more if you want."

"I'm here to make life easier for them not harder, here to show I care about them," Johnston said.

The pantry's location was strategically chosen for student privacy. Students can exit directly to the parking lot after collecting food, allowing those who might feel embarrassed about needing assistance to leave discreetly.

Johnston's students have noticed the impact on their peers. Kayla Miglioraty, an 11th grader, said many of her closest friends are affected by the SNAP benefit situation.

"Yes a lot of my closest friends, are affected, they already struggle with the snap benefits," Miglioraty said.

Fellow student Natalie Ranieri praised Johnston's efforts.

"It's awful what they have to go through, but I'm really happy that she's taking a stand and helping out," Ranieri said.

The community response has been overwhelming, with donations pouring in after Johnston's social media call for help. The pantry will remain open for as long as needed, and the school has created an Amazon wish list to help maintain supplies.

"We can focus on the fact that people aren't in great situations or we can try to help and do something and I feel like with the donations and with the intensity, we've received them, shows people are desperate to help," Johnston said.

The food pantry represents more than just emergency assistance it reflects Johnston's 18-year commitment to her students, evident in the bobbleheads, handmade gifts, and flowers that fill her classroom shelves, tokens of appreciation from grateful students over the years.

If you'd like to help keep up with pantry demands, the school has come up with an Amazon wish list.

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.