The more you drive, the more you paythats the basis for a new system the states studying, called a road usage charge, or pay-per-mile.

Watch Carli's report in the video player below: Gas tax replacement? Michigan studying potential road usage charge

"This is a viable option, a substitute of the gas tax," said Nate Bryer, road usage charging business lead, who is speaking in Lansing this week to try to give the plan some momentum.

I think Michigan and any other state thats interested in making sure theres long-term sustainability of the funding model that goes into paying for roads and bridges and maintenance would be interested in it," Bryer told us.

The plan has already been adopted in other states. Bryer says if Michigan begins using it, it could eventually replace the gas tax as a way to help fund our roads as electric vehicles become more popular.

EV owner Nader Faraj believes we should still be incentivizing people to go electric rather than steering them away from the idea with a proposed road usage charge.

I think its too soon, honestly. I think when we can get the majority of people to get into these EVs, and I think the technology has gotten so good and its only getting better every single year, then at that point I would be all for the tax," said Faraj.

With about 50,000 registered electric vehicles in Michigan, as of 2023, according to the US Department of Energy, finding a long-term, sustainable road funding system has been deemed a 2025 priority of Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Shes included $7.8 million in her budget to explore road funding options.

"People are wondering how the miles are going to be counted, is there going to be a tracker put on the car, how does that work? I asked.

"Theres going to be options and in the studies and pilots Ive been involved in, states have tried four or five different methods from something very low tech which is just collecting your odometer through a manual means, and then on the very other end, you have the high-tech solution thats very involved and generally its either a built in device meaning the vehicle manufacturer built it in or an after market device that tracks the vehicle," said Bryer.

For years now, the state has been discussing a road usage charge.

Bryer says running a pilot program is the first step to making this happen.

"If the money in the budget is approved and the money for the pilot is set aside for it, still some ifs there, but if that is the case, it is a good idea that they probably would want to start the first of the year in 2026," he said.

As summer festival season kicks into high gear across Metro Detroit this weekend, event organizers are taking extra precautions to keep attendees safe during an extreme heat watch affecting most of Michigan.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: Metro Detroit festivals prepare for extreme heat wave this weekend Heat dome set to bring unusually warm temperatures to the US Midwest: Heat dome set to bring unusually warm temperatures to the US Midwest

At Opa Fest in Troy, fans are running, and tents are set up to provide shade for the thousands of visitors expected throughout the weekend.

"This gives you the full experience of what it's like to be in Greece," said Katina Cloutier, parish president for the annual Troy event.

She outlined multiple cooling strategies they've implemented.

"We have ordered extra water, we've got extra fans set up, we've got misters for people to cool off, and then, of course, people can always cool off in the air-conditioned area of our larger hall," Cloutier said.

The American Polish Festival in Sterling Heights is also preparing for the heat wave, with organizers planning to set up cooling stations throughout the event grounds.

Ask Dr. Nandi: Tips for navigating the heat Ask Dr. Nandi: Tips for navigating the heat

Dr. Jaime Hope, an emergency room doctor for Corewell Health, emphasizes that staying hydrated is crucial during extreme heat.

"Outdoor events are a lot of fun. They're part of our traditions, and we really look forward to them, so we want to find ways to beat the heat," Hope said.

She recommends several protective measures for festival-goers: "Protecting yourself from the sun, if you can't be in a shady area, whether it's a hat, sunblock, even utilizing an umbrella to help block you from the sun, make sure you have plenty of access to fluids, that you're not straining yourself too much when you're outside, and in particular at those events that serve alcohol, that's a time to be extra cautious."

Dr. Hope warns that people should watch for signs of heat-related illness, such as fatigue, confusion, and weakness, in themselves and others when outdoors in sweltering conditions.

Keeping kids safe in extreme heat Keeping kids safe in extreme heat

When asked why people should take heat warnings seriously, Dr. Hope emphasized the potential dangers.

"Well, we pay attention to these extreme heat warnings because it's serious, and every year we have patients die or have permanent damage to their organs from a preventable situation. So, that's why it's important to stay cool, utilizing things like moving air if you don't have air conditioning, the hydration, and recognizing those signs and symptoms early so we're not losing another loved one to this heat wave," Hope 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.

A Clinton Township animal rescue is urgently seeking community support after severe flooding damaged their facility and displaced dozens of animals.

Rejoyceful Animal Rescue experienced significant flooding Wednesday when an afternoon storm sent water rushing into one of the main housing areas, reaching approximately 2 inches deep at its worst point.

"The panic in that moment. I can't tell you how helpless it feels," said Chelsea Murphy, a volunteer at the rescue.

The flooding began when a pipe inside the shelter burst. Murphy believes it was due to pressure from the storm.

"It sounds like the water outside filled the storm drain and filled up everything so rapidly that it backs up into the building, and it backed up with enough pressure that there's a little cap here, and this cap popped right off," Murphy said.

Staff members quickly moved to protect the animals as water spread throughout the facility.

"We started immediately hustling them to the front of the building. We put a dog in the bathroom, we put a dog in the other bathroom, we put a dog in the offices," Murphy said.

All 50 animals are now temporarily safe with foster families, but Director Michelle Heyza says this is only a short-term solution.

"Some of the fosters can only hold them until tomorrow, so then we're likely going to be faced with moving animals over to a boarding facility, and that's going to be an exorbitant expense. Some boarding facilities charge upwards of $50 a day," Heyza said.

Bridget Lobzun, a long-time foster volunteer, is urging community members to consider temporarily fostering an animal.

"Getting them out of here is extremely important, especially with the water on the ground; we don't want them in there. Also, it's just hectic here. There's people coming in and out, and it would be a lot for the dogs and the cats," Lobzun said.

The rescue now faces significant cleanup costs and replacement of damaged supplies. While the landlord is responsible for structural repairs, the non-profit must replace food, bedding, and toys lost in the flooding.

Making matters worse, Heyza learned their insurance claim was denied.

"We found out right before you guys came that the insurance company has denied our claim. They're saying we don't have coverage for this type of flooding to happen. There was a rider on the policy that we don't have, that that's not going to cover us," Heyza said.

When asked why community members should donate to help the rescue, Heyza emphasized their community impact.

"Because we give so much back to our community," Heyza said. "We're the resource here helping the community and pets to stay in their homes, so if people love animals, they should support us in order for us to keep our doors open."

Those interested in helping Rejoyceful Animal Rescue can donate supplies or money here.

To foster a displaced animal, click here to fill out a foster form.

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 new program in southwest Detroit's Delray neighborhood is working to rescue surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away and distribute it to families in need across metro Detroit.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: Detroit organizations partner to turn food waste into meals for hungry families

Thousands of pounds of fresh produce that doesn't meet retail standards, but is still perfectly edible, is being sorted, packed, and shipped to food pantries throughout the region.

"The charitable food system is seeing a higher demand than it's ever seen. There are more people asking for food from the charitable food system than at the peak of the pandemic," said Chad Techner, founder of Metro Food Rescue.

Metro Food Rescue has partnered with the national organization Sharing Excess to address both food waste and hunger in the Detroit area. Their warehouse, located across from Detroit's Produce Terminal, serves as a hub for collecting and distributing surplus food.

"We're throwing away over 40% of our food supply in the United States, more than enough food to feed everybody who's hungry," said Evan Ehlers of Sharing Excess.

The organization's focus is on rescuing produce that vendors consider not good enough to sell, but is still nutritious and edible. This includes items that might be slightly smaller or have minor imperfections.

WEB EXTRA: Evan Ehlers of Sharing Excess talks about using surplus food WEB EXTRA: Evan Ehlers of Sharing Excess talks about using surplus food

"Sometimes it's a little bit smaller, like this wouldn't be perfect for retail, but you can still make a meal out of it. This is something that you can cut up for soup, or tacos, or a salad. We shouldn't be letting this slip through the cracks when we have such a high rate of food insecurity in Detroit and across America," Ehlers said.

Cathleen Anderson, a volunteer for Madison Heights Food Pantry, sees the direct impact of this partnership on the community they serve.

"We have about 130 people that come on Saturday. They pull up the cars, we bring the boxes that are already made for them," Anderson said. "The food is so important to these people, and they love to see it when we have vegetables or fruits because they can't afford those in the stores anymore."

The initiative is funded in part by grants from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Berman Foundation, the Delta Dental Foundation, the DTE Foundation, the MacGregor Fund, and the City of Detroit American Rescue Plan Act funds. Since opening two months ago, Metro Food Rescue and Sharing Excess have provided more than 617,000 pounds of food to families in metro Detroit.

Their goal is to save and distribute approximately 5 million pounds of food annually.

For Techner, this work is deeply personal.

"I have four little kids of my own, and I can't imagine the anguish of not being able to feed your kids. It was just something that bothered me so much that I knew I needed to be part of the solution," Techner 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.

Listening to customer feedback has paid off for one Grosse Pointe restaurant that completely transformed its concept from a cocktail lounge to a sushi restaurant.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: Grosse Pointe restaurant transforms into sushi spot after customer feedback

Ryuu Sushi, formerly known as Shift Kitchen and Cocktails, has been open for about a month on Kercheval Avenue, bringing a much-requested dining option to the community.

Sushi chef James Lee was recently hired by Mark Adamo and his business partners to lead the kitchen at the newly transformed restaurant.

"It was like a cocktail bar with small plates," Adamo said.

The decision to pivot to sushi came directly from community input.

"We really serve the family aspect of that community, but the Shift concept wasn't really capturing that because it was a higher-end cocktail bar. We started to ask around and we realized that sushi just wasn't available in the space," Adamo said. "We're asking people, and they're saying sushi. We're reading through the groups in the communities that people want sushi, so we're like, we should probably bring sushi to the village."

With the current challenges facing restaurant owners, making Ryuu Sushi stand out in a competitive market was crucial to keeping their doors open.

When asked about these difficulties, Adamo offered a pragmatic perspective.

"When I hear the difficulties, we feel it too, but I don't feel like, as a restaurant owner, we should be talking about how hard things are. Nothing anybody does is really easy at the end of the day, so why does it matter if it's hard for us? Why should somebody care at the end of the day? So, we need to do what we know is necessary. We have to deliver a consistent product, we have to deliver a high-quality product, and we have to make sure we're listening to our customer base," Adamo said.

The restaurant has been receiving positive feedback since opening, with community members like Luke Sorensen eager to try it out.

"It's always refreshing seeing a company listen to their customers and altering their menu or their service, so I love it, I'm excited to try," Sorensen said.

Still in a soft opening phase, Chef Lee said the menu currently consists mostly of rolls, including California rolls and their signature Red Dragon Roll, but he's planning to expand the offerings soon.

"Like noodles and more different kind of fish too," Lee said.

Adamo emphasized his commitment to the community and hopes for the restaurant's future.

"It's been just overwhelming support from the community, and we've heard just nothing from great feedback, so we're happy to be a part of it, we want to be a part of it for a very long time. We know that that's the type of community where if you do it right as a business owner, if you provide a quality product and you don't let the quality go away, I think we can be there 20, 30, 40 years," Adamo said.

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Volunteers are setting up stages at Hart Plaza in Detroit as the countdown to Motor City Pride begins, with organizers expecting tens of thousands of attendees this weekend.

The event will feature over 140 vendors and approximately 150 performers across three stages, all celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

"We look forward to welcoming everyone down to the festival," said Dave Wait, Motor City Pride chairperson.

Wait says Motor City Pride has been running for more than 50 years, and this year's celebration comes at a particularly important time.

"With the rhetoric and what's happening around the country with different LGBTQ legislation threatening trans individuals, renaming various different things, people aren't feeling safe and comfortable," Wait said.

FULL INTERVIEW: Dave Wait, Motor City Pride chairperson, speaks about the annual event FULL INTERVIEW: Dave Wait, Motor City Pride chairperson, speaks about the annual event

While Motor City Pride lost only one unnamed sponsor this year, larger markets like New York City and San Francisco have seen major brands distancing themselves from pride events.

"We're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Alex Davidson, professor for the Illich School of Business at Wayne State University.

Davidson believes there are several factors behind the sponsorship pullback, including the current political climate and potential public backlash.

"If you look at what happened with Bud Light and their partnership with Dylan Mulvaney, they got hit with boycotts, a lot of criticism, their sales dropped, their stock took a hit," Davidson said.

However, Davidson suggests economic considerations are likely the biggest reason for sponsorship cutbacks.

"If we look at the Motor City Pride events, they really haven't seen a drop in sponsors the way other cities have, like New York or San Francisco. Why is that? Well, one potential reason is these sponsorships for pride events in Detroit cost less than they do in major cities like New York," Davidson said.

Wait confirmed the financial differences, noting, "Our contributions will range from, most of them are about $6,000, we have one at $40,000, but they're much smaller than what the larger prides on the different coasts have to raise."

Despite some sponsors stepping back nationally, Wait emphasizes that the community's support matters most.

"I think what most affects events like Pride is the people, it is the LGBTQ community, it's the people that support the community. I think this goes beyond just sponsorships. I don't think sponsorships are responsible for growing the causes of the community," Wait said.

The event aims to "celebrate the progress we've made towards equality while also advocating for full equality and protections for all individuals," according to Wait.

For more information on Motor City Pride, visit https://motorcitypride.org/ .

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 new bookstore dedicated exclusively to romance novels has opened its doors in Canton, joining a growing trend of specialty bookshops popping up across Michigan and the country.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: New romance novel bookstore Mon Coeur opens in Canton

Mon Coeur, owned by Carolyn Haering, offers romance book lovers a dedicated space to find their next favorite read and connect with fellow enthusiasts.

"I've been thinking about it for a while," Haering said.

Haering was inspired to open her own romance bookstore after visiting a similar shop in New York.

"I was, like, I love every single book here. I know if I pick something up, I'm going to be really excited about it," Haering said.

The store has already attracted customers from across metro Detroit, including book clubs looking for their next great read.

"I love it, I think it's so cool," said Miriam Kurt, who visited the store with members of her book club. "I have seen other stores like this in different states like New York and Florida, but I never thought Michigan would be lucky enough to get one."

Mon Coeur isn't Michigan's first romance-only bookstore. A shop called "Read My Lips" has found success in Marquette, and its owners recently announced plans to open a location in Birmingham soon.

When asked about the sustainability of a niche bookstore concept, Haering emphasized the enduring popularity of the romance genre.

"Well, romance books have been around forever. I mean, they used to have, like, Fabio on the cover, right? And so this isn't a new genre, this isn't a new kind of market, this is just a market that people have kind of like pushed aside and people didn't really want to talk about, and now it's becoming easier for people to be able to talk about their favorite romance authors or their favorite romance books without feeling judged or feeling icky about it," Haering said.

Beyond books, Mon Coeur also sells locally made apparel and merchandise. Haering envisions the store as a community gathering space.

"I want people to know that they're welcome here. That they're welcome to chat about their favorite books, they're welcome to hang out and ... and read a couple chapters if they're unsure about a book, they're welcome to talk to other people if they want. I really just want people to kind of gather and just to share their love of books," Haering said.

This story was reported 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 Monroe couple with decades of experience in the movie theater business is breathing new life into Memory Lane Drive-In, just weeks after the beloved venue announced it would be closing permanently.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: 'It's special': Monroe drive-in theater reopening after couple steps in to save it

Kevin and Sue Christy have taken on management of the drive-in theater, which is now preparing for its reopening weekend after a brief scare that it might be gone forever.

"It's special out here," Kevin Christy said.

The original owners, Todd Williams and Donald Collins, who built the drive-in from the ground up in 2021, had announced its closure after struggling financially.

"Gut-wrenching," Collins said.

"Hard to take," Williams said.

Williams explained they had tried various approaches to attract more customers before deciding to close.

"And we tried everything. We tried car shows, rentals, theme nights, anything we could do to try to get the attention of the people that it's here," Williams said.

The announcement sparked an outpouring of sadness from the community including Monroe-area resident Cammie Anderson.

"I have Memory Lane on my Facebook, so I was able to see the news that is was closing down," Anderson said.

The Christys, who bring extensive experience in theater operations, weren't ready to see the local attraction disappear.

"Literally, the first time I operated a drive-in was April of 1975 and I've been in them ever since," Kevin Christy said. "Monroe really didn't realize what it had until it was going."

Hear more from the Christys in the video player below: FULL INTERVIEW: Couple talks about saving Monroe County Drive-In theater

Williams described the Christys stepping in as managers as a blessing for the business.

"For him to say I'm not letting this happen without putting up a fight, you know, I'm very thankful for that," Williams said.

When asked how the community can ensure the drive-in remains open, Kevin Christy had a simple answer.

"Just support us," he said.

The new managers note that purchasing food from the snack bar is crucial to keeping Memory Lane open, something Anderson plans to do this summer with her nine grandchildren.

"Really excited that a local business can thrive and stay here," Anderson said.

Sue Christy emphasized their vision for the drive-in's future.

"We want families here, we want them to enjoy this experience and have great memories with it," she said.

This story was reported 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.

Six-year-old Tieauna Radney found her smile again thanks to a special four-legged visitor at Children's Hospital of Michigan. After a week in the hospital following surgery for complications from a sinus infection, Tieauna's spirits were lifted by therapy dogs making their rounds.

Watch Carli's full story in the video player below: Therapy dogs bring healing and smiles to patients at Children's Hospital of Michigan

"I was tore up. I never had a situation like this and this is my first big situation like this, so it had kind of put a toll on me," said Timothy Radney, Tieauna's father.

Watch: 'She feels like a bear.' Tieauna gets a visit from therapy dogs 'She feels like a bear.' Watch therapy dog interaction with young patient

The visit from therapy dogs Ollie and Ness marked the first time Timothy had seen his daughter smile since they arrived at the hospital.

"It's a good thing that she has the dog to keep her company," said Radney.

Providing company and emotional support are key parts of the job for therapy dogs like Ollie and Ness, who visit sick and injured children at the hospital almost every other Monday with their handlers.

"I'm his handler, I'm the one that takes care of him, I'm the one that's in charge of him," said Cathy Bray, who has been training therapy dogs for about 14 years.

Bray has been by Ollie's side for around one and a half years and says he has a natural ability to bring joy to people.

"That's what means so much to me, that we definitely make an impact on children and people that we visit," said Bray.

The positive impact extends beyond just patients and their families, with hospital staff also benefiting from the canine visitors.

"Dogs just have that innate nature to bring that anxiety down," said Maureen Stys, manager of child life at the hospital.

Stys emphasized the importance of the pet therapy program in a healthcare environment where people often experience some of their most difficult days.

VIDEO: Watch the sweet interaction between this therapy dog and a patient Watch sweet interaction between therapy dog and patient

"For a couple minutes, for 30 minutes, you're not thinking about the surgery that's upcoming or a diagnosis that you just learned about. It kind of really brings that all together and lets kids be kids and it's something really familiar to people who have pets at home," said Stys.

For Tieauna, the therapy dog visit helped reduce her pain level to zero, according to her interaction with Ollie and his handler.

"The nurses and the dog got us through it so we just on the road to recovery," said Radney.

Those interested in getting their dogs involved in volunteering at the Children's Hospital of Michigan can apply through the hospital's website.

This story was reported 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.