A 15-year-old Carleton high school football player is recovering from a rare, life-threatening kidney injury after a tackle during a game last month, and it was the opposing team's athletic trainer who likely saved his life.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Teen recovering from near-death experience on the football field

The injury occurred when Brayden McClish, a running back for Airport High School's JV football team, came down on the ball, and another player landed on top of him, causing internal bleeding during a game on October 23.

"I just remember I was hyped going into the gameand I remember I was running the ball over and over and over. I had so much adrenaline," McClish said. "I just remember seeing him grab my jersey, seeing the ground, and me not getting back up."

Landon Lalonde, Avondale High School's athletic trainer, quickly recognized the severity of McClish's condition and took immediate action.

"So he kind of had two people's weight come down on top of the ball, and he was having pain in his abdomen and ribs on the left side," Lalonde said.

Lalonde evaluated McClish and immediately identified signs of internal bleeding, rushing him to get medical attention.

"We got Brayden onto the cart, took him around to the visitor's side, and told his mom, 'He has to go to the hospital right now, it cannot wait,'" Lalonde said.

The quick response proved crucial. Medical professionals told McClish that arriving 20 minutes later could have been fatal.

According to his kidney doctor, the injury is extremely rare. Out of thousands of children across the county, doctors typically see only about five similar cases per year.

"It was probably the scariest thing I've ever been through in my whole entire life. Thinking that your child could possibly not be here," said Ashley McClish, Brayden's mother.

Currently, one of McClish's kidneys is functioning normally while the other is operating at 25% capacity. His parents say the community's support has been overwhelming during this difficult time.

"We would be able to get through it without them. The phone calls, the texts, the messages, the all of it, the visits. They've just been so supportive. I mean, people that we aren't even close to, reaching out to say, 'If you need anything, we're here.' It's just very touching," said Jeff McClish, Brayden's father.

Despite the severity of his injury, the young athlete remains determined to return to the sport he loves.

"Oh yes, I see myself playing again. Give me that year to recover, and I'll be back on that field," McClish said.

Football continues to provide comfort during his recovery.

"And I've been falling asleep with my football...It's like my little teddy bear. It's my little teddy bear, I just hold it," McClish said.

After two weeks in the hospital, McClish is expected to return home this weekend. His parents say a full recovery could take up to a year, but they're grateful he's healing and heading home.

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.

Birmingham's iconic Community House, a century-old institution, will close its doors next year as it transitions to become the Birmingham Area Community Foundation. The change has left families and brides scrambling to find alternatives.

Watch Jolie's story in the video player below: The Community House closing in Birmingham

The Community House announced operations at the building will conclude on June 30, 2026, canceling all scheduled events after that date, including weddings and childcare services.

"I mean, it's like super upsetting," said Emily Goldvekht, who had recently booked her wedding at the venue for Labor Day Weekend 2026.

Goldvekht had just put down a deposit of around $2,000 last week when she received an unexpected email announcing the closure.

"It came at a complete shock. I got an email yesterday, like mid-morning, just stating 'Dear Valued Customer'. It wasn't even a phone call or, 'Hi, Emily. We're super sorry,'" Goldvekht said.

The email informed customers that "The Community House will be evolving to become the Birmingham Area Community Foundation...As part of this transition, operations at our building at 380 S. Bates will conclude on June 30, 2026. All events scheduled to take place after June 30, 2026, will be canceled."

The sudden announcement has created significant challenges for those who had made plans at the venue.

"We are hoping to still have that date, but we have family from out of the country that booked travel, we printed our save the dates, we've spent a lot of money. Literally this week, we were about to put down almost $20,000 for outside catering, which is insane that it costs that much to feed people, but it does," Goldvekht said.

The Community House confirmed that 10 events will be impacted after the June closure date, and all deposits will be fully refunded.

In a statement, they said: "We've made the decision to evolve The Community House thoughtfully and with careful consideration. While we know some individuals, families and patrons will be impacted we are sharing this news now to provide ample time to explore other options and make any alternative arrangements."

The Community House will become The Birmingham Area Community Foundation with a focus on supporting non-profits providing scholarships for students, and a large physical space is no longer required. The site will officially close on July 1, 2026 and the new owners, yet to be determined, will decide what's next for the space.

The transition will also affect the Early Childhood Center, which will complete its current session, which concludes in May 2026, impacting families who depend on the childcare service.

"We heard this morning that they're actually closing, and now we have to find somewhere for our 4-month-old in the spring," said Agata Bodie, a Birmingham resident.

Bodie said she had waited five months to secure a spot for her daughter, who just started in the program on Tuesday, only to learn about the upcoming closure.

Despite the disappointment, those affected are trying to remain optimistic.

"Yeah, we're pretty upset, but we'll figure it out, and we're looking pretty positive at it," Goldvekht said.

The Birmingham Area Community Foundation will host a series of discussions about the transition. Those are scheduled on the following dates and registration is required.

Wednesday, Dec. 10: 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 10: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 11: 8:30 - 10:00 a.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.

A 15-year-old Life Scout from Troy is making history while working toward one of scouting's highest honors.

Anson Pingree built an 1830s-style bread oven for Troy's Historic Village as part of his Eagle Scout project, creating a functional piece of history that will serve the community for years to come.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Teen builds historic bread oven for Troy's Historic Village as Eagle Scout project

"It's cool. It's like I built a little piece of history and it gets to stay here for as long as the village exists," Pingree said.

The ambitious teen wanted his Eagle Scout project to leave a lasting impression.

"I didn't want anything small. I wanted it to be long lasting and show people in the future how I was as a scout and a person," Pingree said.

The historic bread oven fulfills a long-held vision for the village's youth programs.

"It's really, really exciting for us," said Alex Konieczny, Troy's Historic Village youth program director. "I've had this vision of having a bread oven for baking bread and things like that."

Pingree began construction in July and spent four months building the oven from the ground up. His father, Dan Pingree, supported him throughout the project, continuing a family tradition of Eagle Scouts.

"I was a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout. My father was an Eagle Scout, and my grandfather was an Eagle Scout," Dan Pingree said.

The $1,300 project was funded through donations from family and friends. On Saturday, the oven was fired for the first time during a bread baking class at the village.

Jeff Pavlik, a historian and bread baking instructor dressed in 1830s-style clothing, taught participants using authentic period recipes.

"They're going to get their hands involved in history. They'll get to see how the yeast was made and how the yeast was utilized, the process and the techniques," Pavlik said.

Pavlik, also an Eagle Scout, helped with the oven project that will significantly support the village's operations.

"Being able to do programs like this, this is how we operate, this is how we stay open and serve the community and it lets us keep doing more and more cool stuff," Konieczny said.

Pingree hopes to complete his Eagle Scout Board of Review by the end of the year.

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 Madison Heights family is taking Halloween decorations to the next level with their elaborate skeleton displays that change every single day throughout October.

Ryan McDonald has been creating these unique displays since 2020, each inspired by movie scenes and funny scenarios that delight neighbors and passersby.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Madison Heights family creates new Halloween displays daily throughout October

"I do a lot of planning, I buy a lot of stuff on clearance, I buy a lot of zip ties," McDonald said.

What began as a simple display has evolved into a neighborhood attraction. McDonald's Halloween tradition started with just four small skeletons arranged around a bonfire.

"We had a lot of people just come by and really like it, and one person, I don't remember who it was, asked 'What are they going to be doing tomorrow?' And from that point forward, every year throughout the month of October, I change the scenes every single day," McDonald said.

The displays feature meticulous attention to detail, with McDonald recreating famous movie scenes and playful scenarios.

"I've done in the past, "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost." I did "Titanic," people really loved "Titanic." I did a duck-duck-goose one, which I thought was kind of cute," McDonald said.

McDonald maintains a spreadsheet of ideas rather than sketching his concepts. He builds each display from scratch, and on Halloween night transforms his backyard into a graveyard.

"Typically, my Halloween scenes are my cemetery scenes, so we're going to have this guy here coming out of the ground," McDonald said.

Neighbor Pati Ciofusmith believes more people should know about McDonald's creative displays.

"This is a small town and more people need to see the energy and creativity that he put into this... Somebody besides us needs to know what's happening over here," Ciofusmith said.

For McDonald, the joy comes from both the creative process and the community's reaction.

"I like that everybody likes it... it's fun to see the reactions from neighbors," McDonald said.

What started as Halloween fun has become a cherished tradition for McDonald and his family.

"You know, it's fun for me to do with my family, my kids and keeps the creative juices flowing," McDonald 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 price of Halloween candy is increasing this year, with some customers feeling the impact at checkout and others finding creative ways to save money.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Halloween candy prices hit scary high levels

"Very expensive. Two hundred pieces of chocolate for $25," said Jennifer Hartung of St. Clair Shores.

This Halloween season, candy prices might be scarier than the costumes themselves, with experts pointing to several factors driving up costs.

"The price increase that would eventually get passed on to the consumer is gonna be somewhere around 15 to 25%," said Jeff Rightmer, a professor at Wayne State University.

Rightmer, who teaches supply chain management, explained that inclement weather in West Africa which produces 70% of the world's cocoa is pushing chocolate costs even higher.

"You think of what's the worst-case scenario that could drive all of this up, and you're pretty much hitting it: inflation, poor crops, tariffs, so that it kind of is the perfect storm, if you will. That is just gonna drive the price up," Rightmer said.

A study by FinanceBuzz shows the price of Halloween candy has risen by 78% since 2020. The research also indicates a 100-piece bag of candy averages just over $16 this year, compared to about $9 five years ago.

Some consumers are taking the increases in stride.

"It's a luxury, so I have no problem paying more for it, especially if it's imported from West Africa, Colombia. Some of the poorer nations in the world," said Christine Novak of Royal Oak.

But for others, these sweet treats have left a sour taste.

"I think I had $100 in my cart at Walmart, and I think it was just 4 bags, and I started looking, I can get a 48-pack of ramen noodles for $10," Hartung said.

While Hartung will have plenty of candy for trick-or-treaters, she plans on also passing out ramen noodles, applesauce, and juice boxes as healthier alternatives.

"I always liked those things than the candy myself when I was growing up," she said.

Like Hartung, Dr. Rightmer suggests there are ways to save this spooky season.

"Gummy worms, hard candy, stuff like that's gonna be cheaper than if you're buying the chocolate-related products," he said.

Experts say it's common to see discounts as Halloween approaches and recommend looking out for the best deals when stocking up on treats.

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.

During Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a Commerce Township woman is sharing her journey of hope after experiencing the heartbreak of a stillbirth.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Commerce Township mother finds hope after stillbirth with birth of rainbow baby

On Monday, Joanna Hertz and her husband, Kevin Torongo, reunited with the nurses and doctors at DMC Huron Valley Sinai Hospital who helped bring their daughter, Lainey June Torongo, into the world back in July.

"She's truly the biggest blessing," Hertz said.

For the Commerce Township couple, the journey to parenthood has been marked by both tragedy and triumph. Before Lainey's birth, Hertz experienced a devastating loss.

"I think stillbirths, specifically, no one really knows what the word means. They haven't heard about it. It needs to be spread and people need to know about it," Hertz said.

On November 8, 2021, Hertz had a stillbirth at 36 weeks and 6 days with her son, Landon, whose pictures and footprints now hang on the walls of their home.

"It was devastating. I mean, at first, I think I was just really in shock about what happened," Hertz said.

She recalls having a routine check where everything seemed fine, but days later she started to feel less movement and was instructed to return to the hospital.

"The nurse, who was trying to find his heartbeat. I remember thinking maybe she's just new and not trained, and can't find it. And I just kept asking them: Are you sure? Are you sure? Can you do another ultrasound? Yeah, it was just really hard," Hertz said.

Through her grief, Joanna found support through therapy, support groups, and other mothers who had similar experiences.

When she decided to try for another baby, she connected with Dr. Bernard Gonik, a maternal-fetal medicine physician at DMC Huron Valley Sinai Hospital, who was involved in Hertz's prenatal care and decision-making up until delivery.

"When you have that sort of tragic event occur in your lifetime, everything else is tainted, everything else is changed. So, even simple decisions we might think are simple decisions get very complicated," Dr. Gonik said.

According to Dr. Gonik, there's a higher chance of complications after a stillbirth. Together, they created a comprehensive birth plan that included extra monitoring and a two-week hospital stay to ensure a safe delivery.

On July 1, 2025, their daughter, Lainey, was born healthy and safe.

In their daughter's nursery, the Hertz family keeps the "L" in Lainey's name blue to honor and remember their son, as it once spelled out "Landon" in his nursery a meaningful way to keep his memory alive as they raise their baby girl.

"We are just so grateful that she is here today, she was delivered safely, and we're just so grateful for her," Hertz 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.

Michigan has ordered a pause on SNAP benefits for November due to a lack of funding from the federal government shutdown, affecting 13% of households in the state, or approximately 1.4 million people.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Michigan pauses SNAP benefits due to federal shutdown, affecting 1.4 million residents

For Warren resident 26-year-old Kendyl McEvoy SNAP benefits are essential to feeding her family of five, including three young children.

"It's everything. It's what holds my family together. It's what feeds us," McEvoy said.

She and her husband receive about $300 monthly in SNAP benefits, which they use to feed their two sons, ages 6 and 4, and their 2-year-old daughter. She says her 4-year-old has autism and is sensitive to how food feels, smells and looks.

"He has food sensory, and that's his main issue. When I get my food stamps, I use it for that, and if I lose that, that's coming all out of pocket," McEvoy said.

The pause in benefits is already causing concern for local food assistance organizations, which are preparing for increased demand.

"I never thought the government shutdown would have me in this situation. It may not seem like much to most people, but it's a lot for me," McEvoy said.

Fred Cabras, director of social services at Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit, says they're already seeing more people seeking help.

"For us, that means we need to make sure that we have more product on the shelves, 'cause we're seeing more people coming in," Cabras said.

The soup kitchen typically serves about 175 families daily but is now approaching 190 families each day. Cabras expects those numbers to rise further as the benefits pause takes effect.

The organization is working to partner with other groups to secure additional products and donations. Cabras noted that beyond SNAP recipients, they're also preparing to assist federal workers who have been furloughed.

"They're gonna start knocking on our doors shortly because, you know, if they have savings, that's gonna start dwindling," Cabras said.

Meanwhile, McEvoy is stocking up on food while she can and worrying about what lies ahead.

"With everybody going (to food banks) in November, the worrisome part is is there going to be enough, and if so, what is going to be our limits," McEvoy said.

The state recommends calling 211 for assistance or visiting the Food Bank Council of Michigan to locate nearby food banks.

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 travel nurse who is based in Kansas is celebrating two major milestones this weekend in Detroit: completing her ambitious goal of running 50 full and half marathons in all 50 states by her 50th birthday.

Michelle Floyd will cross the finish line at the Detroit Free Press Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 19, marking the completion of a 15-year journey that began in 2010. She turned 50 on Friday.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: Nurse reaches milestone in Detroit on 50th birthday with 50th marathon in 50th state

"That was the main goal: 50 states by my 50th birthday," Floyd said.

Floyd's first race was in San Francisco, where her parents flew out to see her and support her from sidelines. What started as a single marathon evolved into an ambitious cross-country quest.

"I see a race and I can't not sign up," Floyd said.

Related video: Detroit Free Press Marathon runners prepare for race amid rainy weather forecast Detroit Free Press Marathon runners prepare for race amid rainy weather forecast

To achieve her goal, Floyd made significant career changes, becoming a travel nurse specifically to accommodate her racing schedule.

"It's 100% the reason why I quit my staff nursing jobs because at my staff nursing job, I wasn't able to take PTO because they were short-staffed all the time," Floyd said. "So, I had to say goodbye to my favorite place I worked to complete my goal, and it worked."

Floyd's mother, Jetta, watched her daughter's dedication grow over the years.

"She's always been very athletic extremely. She always likes to stay active. She likes to travel," Jetta Floyd said.

Throughout her journey, Floyd completed five full marathons in California, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and Illinois and half marathons in the remaining 45 states.

"It was just game on after that," Floyd said.

The Detroit Free Press Marathon will always hold special significance for Floyd as her final race.

"I'm super excited about this one. It's an international race; I get to go into Canada. It's going to be so exciting. I can't wait," Floyd said.

Floyd says this achievement isn't the end of her running career. She plans to continue racing and is considering participating in marathons in other countries.

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.