Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reaffimed his firm refusal to cede any territory, resisting U.S. pressure for a painful compromise with Russia as he continued to rally European support for Ukraine.

Undoubtedly, Russia insists for us to give up territories. We, clearly, dont want to give up anything. Thats what we are fighting for," Zelenskyy said in a WhatsApp chat late Monday in which he answered reporters' questions.

Do we consider ceding any territories? According to the law we dont have such right. According to Ukraines law, our constitution, international law, and to be frank, we dont have a moral right either."

RELATED STORY | Russia launches massive missile barrage on Ukraine amid U.S.-led peace talks

In an interview with Politico released Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump again pressed Zelenskyy to accept the U.S. proposal that Ukraine cede territory to Putin, arguing that Russia retains the upper hand and that Zelenskyys government must play ball.

Zelenskyy met Tuesday with Pope Leo XIV at Castel Gandolfo, a papal residence outside Rome, and is to have talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni later in the day. The Vatican said the pope reiterated the need for the continuation of dialogue and expressed his urgent desire that the current diplomatic initiatives bring about a just and lasting peace.

The Holy See has tried to remain neutral in the war while offering solidarity and assistance to what it calls the martyred people of Ukraine. Leo, who has met three times with Zelenskyy and has spoken by telephone at least once with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has called for a ceasefire and urged Moscow in particular to make gestures to promote peace.

On Monday, Zelenskyy held talks in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to strengthen Ukraines hand amid mounting impatience from Trump.

Facing pressure from Trump

U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators completed three days of talks on Saturday aimed at trying to narrow differences on the U.S. administrations peace proposal.

A major sticking point in the plan is the suggestion that Kyiv must cede control of the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine to Russia, which illegally occupies most but not all of the territory. Ukraine and its European allies have firmly resisted the idea of handing over land.

You know, a lot of people are dying, Trump told Politico, claiming that other unnamed Ukrainian officials agree with the U.S. administration. His people loved the proposal. They really liked it. His lieutenants, his top people, they liked it, but they said he hasnt read it yet.

Russia, Trump reasoned, remains too powerful for Ukraine to continue fighting.

I give the people of Ukraine and the military of Ukraine tremendous credit for the, you know, bravery and for the fighting and all of that, he said. But you know, at some point, size will win, generally.

RELATED STORY | Documentary reveals Ukrainian medics fight to heal amid relentless war

Trump also amplified his calls for Ukraine to hold national elections even though the martial law doesn't allow it. and Zelenskyy, elected in 2019, had his five-year term extended because of the war.

Theyre using war not to hold an election, but, uh, I would think the Ukrainian people would ... should have that choice, Trump said. And maybe Zelenskyy would win. I dont know who would win. But they havent had an election in a long time. You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where its not a democracy anymore.

Trump has had a hot-and-cold relationship with Zelenskyy since winning a second term, insisting the war was a waste of U.S. taxpayers money. Trump has also repeatedly urged the Ukrainians to cede land to Russia to end the nearly four-year conflict.

Zelenskyy said Monday that Trump certainly wants to end the war. ... Surely, he has his own vision. We live here, from within we see details and nuances, we perceive everything much deeper, because this is our motherland.

He said the current U.S. peace plan differs from earlier versions in that it now has 20 points, down from 28, after he said some obvious anti-Ukrainian points were removed.

Europeans back Ukraine

Starmer, Macron and Merz strongly backed Kyiv, with the U.K. leader saying Monday that the push for peace was at a critical stage, and stressed the need for a just and lasting ceasefire.

Merz, meanwhile, said he was skeptical about some details in documents released by the U.S. We have to talk about it. Thats why we are here, he said. The coming days could be a decisive time for all of us.

European leaders are working to ensure that any ceasefire is backed by solid security guarantees both from Europe and the U.S. to deter Russia from attacking again. Trump has not given explicit guarantees in public.

Zelenskyy and his European allies have repeatedly accused Putin of slow-walking the talks to press ahead with the invasion as his forces are making slow buy steady gains while waves of missiles and drones are pummeling Ukrainian infrastructure.

Both sides exchange aerial strikes

Ukraines Air Force said Russia fired 110 drones of various types across the country last night. They said air defenses neutralized 84 drones, 24 more have struck their targets.

Several regions of Ukraine faced emergency blackouts Tuesday due to Russias prior attacks on energy infrastructure, according to Ukraines national energy operator, Ukrenergo.

Ukraine, in its turn, continued its drone attacks on Russia.

Russian air defenses destroyed 121 Ukrainian drones overnight above various Russian regions and occupied Crimea, Russias Ministry of Defense said Tuesday. In Chuvashia, a region about 900 kilometers (about 560 miles) northeast of the border with Ukraine, the attack damaged residential buildings and injured nine people, local governor Oleg Nikolayev said.

Ukraines Security Service carried out a drone attack on an LPG terminal at the port of Temryuk in Russias Krasnodar region on Dec. 5, according to an official with knowledge of the operation who spoke to The Associated Press.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly, said the strike sparked a large fire at the facility. More than 20 LPG storage tanks were set ablaze and burned for more than three days, he said. The attack also damaged railway tank cars, an intermediate refueling tank, and a loading and unloading rack.

By JOSH BOAK and MARC LEVY, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will road-test his claims that he’s tackling Americans’ affordability woes at a Tuesday rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania — shifting an argument made in Oval Office appearances and social media posts to a campaign-style event.

The trip comes as polling consistently shows that public trust in Trump’s economic leadership has faltered. Following dismal results for Republicans in last month’s off-cycle elections, the White House has sought to convince voters that the economy will emerge stronger next year and that any anxieties over inflation have nothing to do with Trump.

The president has consistently blamed his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, for inflation even as his own aggressive implementation of policies has pushed up prices that had been settling down after spiking in 2022 to a four-decade high. Inflation began to accelerate after Trump announced his sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs in April. Companies warned that the import taxes could be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices and reduced hiring, yet Trump continues to insist that inflation has faded.

“We’re bringing prices way down,” Trump said at the White House on Monday. “You can call it ‘affordability’ or anything you want — but the Democrats caused the affordability problem and we’re the ones that are fixing it.”

The president’s reception in the county hosting his Tuesday rally could give a signal of just how much voters trust his claims. Monroe County flipped to Trump in the 2024 election after having backed Biden in 2020, helping the Republican to win the swing state of Pennsylvania and return to the White House after a four-year hiatus.

As home to the Pocono Mountains, the county has largely relied on tourism for skiing, hiking, hunting and other activities as a source of jobs. Its proximity to New York City — under two hours by car — has also attracted people seeking more affordable housing.

It’s also an area that could help decide control of the House in next year’s midterm elections.

Trump is holding his rally in a congressional district held by freshman Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan, who is a top target of Democrats and won his 2024 race by about 1.5 percentage points, among the nation’s closest. Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democrat, is running for the nomination to challenge him.

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said on the online conservative talk show “The Mom View” that Trump would be on the “campaign trail” next year to engage supporters who otherwise might sit out a congressional race.

Wiles, who helped manage Trump’s 2024 campaign, said most administrations try to localize midterm elections and keep the president out of the race, but she intends to do the opposite of that.

“We’re actually going to turn that on its head,” Wiles said, “and put him on the ballot because so many of those low-propensity voters are Trump voters.”

Wiles added, “So I haven’t quite broken it to him yet, but he’s going to campaign like it’s 2024 again.”

Trump has said he’s giving consumers relief by relaxing fuel efficiency standards for autos and signing agreements to reduce list prices on prescription drugs.

Trump has also advocated for cuts to the Federal Reserve’s benchmark interest rate — which influences the supply of money in the U.S. economy. He argues that would reduce the cost of mortgages and auto loans, although critics warn that cuts of the scale sought by Trump could instead worsen inflation.

The U.S. economy has shown signs of resilience with the stock market up this year and overall growth looking solid for the third quarter. But many Americans see the prices of housing, groceries, education, electricity and other basic needs as swallowing up their incomes, a dynamic that the Trump administration has said it expects to fade next year with more investments in artificial intelligence and manufacturing.

Since the November elections where Democrats won key races with a focus on kitchen-table issues, Trump has often dismissed the concerns about prices as a “hoax” and “con job” to suggest that he bears no responsibility for inflation, even though he campaigned on his ability to quickly bring down prices. Just 33% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, according to a November survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Levy reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Ford Motor Company announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Renault Group as part of its next phase of European strategy.

In the announcement, Ford and Renault Group said they will work on passenger and commercial vehicles and expand Ford's electric vehicle offering.

According to Ford, the Detroit-based automaker will design two cars and use Renault's Ampere platform with the goal of bringing new affordable vehicles to Europe. Those new models will use Renault's EV assets and competitiveness on the continent and will be produced by Renault in the North of France.

Ford said that the first of the two vehicles is expected to arrive in showrooms in early 2028.

On top of the collaboration for passenger vehicles, Ford and Renault have signed a letter of intent for a light commercial vehicle collaboration, where the automakers will explore the chance to jointly develop and manufacture Ford and Renault-branded light commercial vehicles.

"Renault Group is proud to announce a new strategic cooperation with Ford, an iconic car manufacturer. This partnership shows the strength of our partnership know-how and competitiveness in Europe. In the long term, combining our strengths with Ford will make us more innovative and more responsive in a fast-changing European automotive market," Renault Group CEO Franois Provost said in a statement.

"The strategic partnership with Renault Group marks an important step for Ford and supports our strategy to build a highly efficient and fit-for-the future business in Europe. We will combine Renault Groups industrial scale and EV assets with Fords iconic design and driving dynamics to create vehicles that are fun, capable, and distinctly Ford in spirit," Ford CEO Jim Farley added in a statement.

The strategic partnership is part of the next phase of the automaker's European transformation, also announced on Tuesday.

That transformation, Ford said, is built on three pillars: Strengthening the Ford Pro commercial division; expanding the Ford passenger car range; and optimizing the industrial system to drive scale and cost efficiencies, all with the goal of building a profitable business.

The Federal Reserve faces an unusually contentious meeting this week that will test Chair Jerome Powell's ability to corral the necessary support from fellow policymakers for a third straight interest rate cut.

The Fed's 19-member rate-setting committee is sharply divided over whether to lower borrowing costs again. The divisions have been exacerbated by the convoluted nature of the economy: Inflation remains elevated, which would typically lead the Fed to keep its key rate unchanged, while hiring is weak and the unemployment rate has risen, which often leads to rate cuts.

Some economists expect three Fed officials could vote against the quarter-point cut that Powell is likely to support at the Dec. 9-10 meeting, which would be the most dissenting votes in six years. Just 12 of the 19 members vote on rate decisions. Several of the non-voting officials have also said they oppose another rate cut.

It's just a really tricky time. Perfectly sensible people can reach different answers, said William English, an economist at the Yale School of Management and a former top Fed staff member. And the committee kind of likes to work by consensus, but this is a situation where that consensus is hard to reach.

The debate, which has also been fueled by a lack of official federal data on employment and inflation during the government shutdown, could be a preview of where the Fed is headed after Powell's term as chair ends in May. His successor will be appointed by President Donald Trump and is widely expected to be Kevin Hassett, the top White House economic adviser. Hassett may push for faster cuts than other officials would be willing to support.

English said the potential for greater disagreement could be seen as a sign of healthy debate between different views. The Feds tradition of reaching unanimous or nearly-unanimous decisions has often been criticized as evidence of groupthink. Yet some Fed officials warn that there are downsides to sharp splits. If the committee votes end up as 8-4 or even 7-5, then financial markets could lose confidence in where the central bank is headed next.

Fed Governor Christopher Waller, for example, has said that in the case of a 7-5 vote, if just one official changed their view, it could bring about a significant shift in Fed policy.

For now, however, most economists expect what's called a hawkish cut the Fed will reduce rates, while also signaling that it may stand pat for some time to assess the economy's health. ("Hawks" refer to officials who generally support higher rates to combat inflation, while doves more often support lower rates to boost hiring).

RELATED STORY | What the federal interest rate cut means for you and the US economy

The president of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, Jeffrey Schmid, is expected to dissent for a second straight meeting in favor of keeping rates unchanged. He may be joined by St. Louis Fed president Alberto Musalem. Fed governor Stephen Miran, who was hurriedly appointed to the Fed's board by Trump in September, will likely dissent for a third straight meeting in favor of a larger, half-point reduction in the Fed's key rate.

After the Fed's last meeting Oct. 28-29, several policymakers said they would prefer to keep rates unchanged at the December meeting, leading Wall Street investors to briefly downgrade the odds of a third rate cut to less than 30%. But then John Williams, president of the New York Fed, said that this year's uptick in inflation appears to be a temporary blip driven by Trump's tariffs that would likely fade by the middle of 2026.

As a result, I still see room for a further adjustment in the Fed's short-term rate, Williams said. As president of the New York Fed and vice chair of the rate-setting committee, Williams gets to vote on every interest rate decision and is close to Powell. Analysts said it was unlikely Williams would have made such a statement without Powell's support. Investors rapidly lifted the odds of a cut, which now are at 89%, according to CME Fedwatch.

You're seeing the power of the chair, said Nathan Sheets, chief global economist at Citi and also a former top Fed staffer. Members of the committee, my instinct is, are wanting to underscore their support for Powell.

Powell has come under relentless attack from Trump, who just last month said he would love to fire his ass and called Powell this clown.

The Fed is required by Congress to seek low inflation and maximum employment, two goals that are potentially in conflict.

IN RELATED NEWS | How higher interest rates can earn you money

For now, Powell and many other Fed officials are more concerned about hiring and unemployment rather than inflation. While the official government jobs reports have been delayed, in September the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4%, the third straight increase and the highest in four years.

Payroll provider ADP, meanwhile, reported that in November, its data showed companies shed 32,000 jobs. And many large firms have announced sweeping layoffs.

Worries that the job market could get worse are a key reason a rate cut in December is likely but not necessarily beyond that. Fed officials will have up to three months of backlogged jobs and inflation data to consider when they meet in late January. Those figures could show inflation remains stubbornly high or that hiring has rebounded, which would suggest further cuts aren't needed.

What they may end up agreeing to do is cut rates now, but give some guidance ... that signals that theyre on pause for a while after that, Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide, said.

It has been since Sept. 6 that anyone has hit all six numbers in the multistate Powerball lottery, causing the jackpot to grow with each drawing.

On Monday, the streak of drawings without a winner grew to 40, as no one matched the five white balls and one Powerball. Without a winner, Wednesday's jackpot will hit $930 million, making it the seventh-largest jackpot in the lottery's history.

If someone wins the jackpot, they have the option of choosing the $930 million payment spread over 29 years, or a lump sum worth about $429 million before tax.

The Sept. 6 drawing, which marked the last time someone hit all six numbers, produced two winners. The winners opted to split that drawing's $1.7 billion jackpot.

Although Monday's drawing did not result in a jackpot winner, one player in Florida won $1 million by matching all five white ball numbers.

RELATED STORY | Jackpot claimed: About the $1.3 billion Powerball win

The numbers for Monday's drawing were 8, 32, 52, 56, 64 and red Powerball 23.

The odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 292 million.

Powerball also offers prizes ranging from $4 to $2 million, and the odds of winning a smaller prize are about 1 in 25.

Powerball is played in 45 states and Washington, D.C.

Since Powerball lengthened the odds of hitting all six numbers in 2015, the multistate lottery has generally had six to nine winners a year. All 10 of its largest jackpots have also occurred since 2015. The largest Powerball jackpot in history was $2.04 billion, won on Nov. 7, 2022.

Americans are heading into this year's holiday season carrying more credit card debt than ever before. Paying off that debt in the New Year could be an even greater challenge due to factors like inflation, high rent, and high interest rates.

Watch Peter's report in the video player below How to keep holiday spending in check as American credit card debt reaches record high

According to the New York Federal Reserve, outstanding credit card balances jumped to a record $1.23 trillion in the third quarter of this year, up six percent from last year.

With Christmas just weeks away, shoppers are flocking to stores to check off their gift lists, and they're hoping to do it in a way that won't break the bank.

"I put away money aside just to make sure i would have it for Christmas and not have to get into that debt this year," said Clinton Township resident Alexander Luckas.

"You don't want to get yourself in too deep," said Andre Harris of Roseville.

As the 2025 Holiday shopping season is underway, so are the shopping sprees. This is not because shoppers are feeling more confident; many are simply relying on credit to keep up.

"There's a budget to start, and usually by mid-December the budget expands to a lot more than you had hoped for," said Katie Batts from Clinton Township.

I caught up with Batts outside of Target. She was out Christmas shopping with her friend, Amy. Katie said while the budget expands, it is still in check, and she said it's not worth going into debt over.

"We give back, so if we cannot give back to other people as much as we are giving to ours, we won't," Batts said.

Megan Wigley calls herself a 'budgetista' when it comes to spending. She plans at least six months ahead for holiday shopping and sets a strict budget to stick to.

"It's so important, especially again in today's economy and climate, to stay on a budget and to refrain from getting into debt," Wigley said. "I don't use credit cards because by the time I buy a 35-dollar item in Target, that interest is going to be 35 dollars plus."

According to a 2025 report by the American Institute of CPA's, 47 percent of Americans plan on taking that risk and going into debt from buying gifts and holiday travel expenses.

I spoke with Jennifer Bloom, financial strategist with Bloom Advisors, on what shoppers should do if they have already overspent this holiday season.

"You need to pick a realistic holiday number, not a wish list," Bloom said. "If you've already overspent this holiday season, make a plan for how you're going to pay off that high-interest credit card debt immediately. Really start to figure out how we're going to siphon money to pay off this high-interest credit card debt to make sure that it goes away before it becomes a bigger and bigger snowball."

Other tips include having a spending and budgeting plan, and sticking to them, as well as using debit or cash to keep your spending in line so you don't overspend.

"100 percent I've gone into debt shopping for Christmas and would never do it again," Luckas said.

Luckas learned the hard way a few years ago and is warning shoppers not to do what he did.

"It took me two to three years to pay off my credit card debt, and now I'm finally paid off all my debt," he said.

Andre Harris said he has gone overboard before and is still working to pay it off.

"I went a little over. I went almost maybe $9,000 over," he said.

A little planning now can help keep your finances bright and merry well into the new year.

Where Your Voice Matters

By Max Reinhart, mreinhart@detroitnews.com

A Florida-based lending firm is suing a Michigan organization that administers retirement plans for government employees, claiming it deceptively convinced them to contribute tens of millions of dollars to an ill-fated coffee-growing venture in Hawaii.

In the lawsuit, filed Monday in a court in Polk County, Florida, AgAmerica alleges that between 2022 and 2024, the Municipal Employees’ Retirement System of Michigan (MERS) conspired with associated firms to get millions of dollars in loans to correct a long list of construction issues and sanitation violations at their Kona Hills coffee plantation.

AgAmerica claims it was led to believe the money would be used strictly to buy and grow coffee trees.

“… Instead of using the funds for the approved purpose of planting and developing coffee trees, they used a significant amount of the financing to redress the undisclosed … issues and violations of Hawaiian law,” the complaint states.

MERS CEO Kerrie Vanden Bosch called AgAmerica’s allegations “baseless and without merit.”

“While this specific investment experienced a loss, it was more than offset by strong gains in other private market investments,” Vanden Bosch said in an email to The News. “… We are confident that the facts will come to light through the court process. We remain dedicated to our mission and to the long-term financial security of those who serve Michigan’s communities.”

MERS manages pension funds for cities, counties and townships in Michigan.

According to AgAmerica, MERS was at the top of the corporate hierarchy managing the Kona Hills project. MERS allegedly oversaw Domain Capital Advisors, a private equity firm, which oversaw Kona Capital, which ran operations at the Kona Hills coffee plantation, located in the Holualoa area in Hawaii County, on the state’s largest island.

In 2021 and 2022, before the defendants sought funding from AgAmerica, Hawaii’s state public works and health departments visited the Kona project site, where inspectors found issues with flooding and drainage, as well as sanitation violations, including illegal cesspools and wastewater discharges onto the ground, the suit alleges.

Other issues at the site included environmental, legal, permitting, stormwater, wastewater, flooding and construction concerns, according to the complaint.

The issues needed to be corrected for the project to move forward. Fixing everything would cost about $16 million, AgAmerica claims.

When Domain came to AgAmerica to seek a loan, the company provided misleading financial projections that did not account for the extensive problems with the site, the suit claims. AgAmerica said MERS had knowledge of the violations as well.

Based on the allegedly fraudulent information provided, AgAmerica issued an almost $30 million loan.

The problems at the site in Hawaii weren’t disclosed to AgAmerica until MERS terminated Domain as the asset manager for the Kona Hills project and replaced them with Ospraie Real Assets, according to the complaint. Officials with Ospraie told the lender that the project was in dire financial straits due to the problems.

AgAmerica then approved a second tranche of more than $10 million to try and salvage its investment.

In January 2025, the lender learned there were serious problems with the coffee harvest and it would take tens of millions of additional dollars to make Kona Hills successful, according to the lawsuit. MERS and Osparie then dropped out of the project, Kona defaulted on its loans and AgAmerica foreclosed on the property.

Officials at Domain did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Efforts to reach other defendants weren’t immediately successful.

MERS manages more than $16 billion in plan assets, the complaint states. According to the company’s website, it administers retirement plans for more than 150,000 government employees from more than 1,000 Michigan municipalities.

Kona Hills, established in 2016, owns and operates about 1,983 acres of coffee plantations in Hawaii, having started planting coffee trees around 2018, according to the complaint.

Mark McCormick of California and Carolyn Seabolt of Georgia also are named as defendants in the suit. McCormick is identified in the lawsuit as the president and CEO of Kamco Land Co., another defendant which allegedly helped manage operations at the plantation; Seabolt is named as chief operating officer of Domain.

The lawsuit accuses MERS and the other defendants of fraudulent and negligent misrepresentation, as well as conspiracy.

AgAmerica is seeking a jury trial and judgment for an unspecified amount in damages.

Today is Tuesday, Dec. 9, the 343rd day of 2025. There are 22 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Dec. 9, 1965, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the first animated TV special featuring characters from the “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, premiered on CBS.

Also on this date:

In 1979, scientists certified the global eradication of smallpox, a disease which killed an estimated 300 million people in the 20th century.

In 1990, Solidarity founder Lech Wałęsa (lek vah-WEN’-sah) won Poland’s first free presidential election since 1926.

In 1992, the first U.S. Marines made a predawn beach landing in Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope; they were met by hundreds of reporters awaiting their arrival.

In 2006, the space shuttle Discovery launched on a mission to add to and rewire the International Space Station.

In 2013, scientists revealed that NASA’s Curiosity rover had uncovered signs of an ancient freshwater lake on Mars.

In 2019, an island volcano off New Zealand’s coast called Whakaari, or White Island, erupted, killing 22 tourists and guides and seriously injuring several others. Most of the 47 people on the island were U.S. and Australian cruise ship passengers on a walking tour with the guides.

In 2021, a cargo truck jammed with migrants crashed in southern Mexico, killing at least 53 people and injuring dozens more.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Actor Judi Dench is 91.
• Actor Beau Bridges is 84.
• World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Kite is 76.
• Actor John Malkovich is 72.
• Singer Donny Osmond is 68.
• Actor Felicity Huffman is 63.
• Empress Masako of Japan is 62.
• Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is 59.
• Rock singer-musician Jakob Dylan (Wallflowers) is 56.
• Actor Simon Helberg is 45.
• Olympic gymnastics gold medalist McKayla Maroney is 30.
• Actor Nico Parker is 21.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — John Gibson made 39 saves for his first NHL shutout in nearly three years, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 on Monday night.

James van Riemsdyk, Andrew Copp, Nate Danielson and Dylan Larkin scored for the Red Wings (16-11-3), who moved from just outside the crowded Eastern Conference playoff picture into first place in the Atlantic Division.

Detroit has earned at least one point in five consecutive games and is 3-0-1 since an 0-3-1 slide.

The 32-year-old Gibson improved to 7-7-1 in his first season with the Red Wings after 12 with Anaheim. It was his 25th career shutout and first since a 2-0 win for the Ducks over Dallas on Jan. 4, 2023. He is 13-5-2 against Vancouver with four shutouts.

Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen was removed after making 10 saves on 13 shots over two periods. Nikita Tolopilo stopped all six shots he faced in the third.

Vancouver (11-16-3) went 0 for 3 with the man advantage and has gone six games without a power-play goal. Detroit was 0 for 2.

In a fast-moving first period, the Canucks outshot the Red Wings 11-6. But the visitors opened the scoring when van Riemsdyk tapped a loose puck at the net front past Lankinen for his fourth goal in four games.

Late in the second, Copp and Danielson scored 37 seconds apart. Copp’s third of the season was a backdoor tap-in off a pass from defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka. Danielson’s second career goal was a net-front tip off Sandin-Pellikka’s point shot.

Sandin-Pellikka’s two primary assists gave him his first multipoint night in 30 NHL games.

Larkin added an empty-net goal in the third.

Canucks captain Quinn Hughes was held without a point for the sixth straight game, tying the longest drought of his career in April 2023.

Vancouver center Elias Pettersson missed his second game in a row with an upper-body injury.

Detroit has won consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 16 and 18.

Up next

Red Wings: Visit the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night in the fourth of a six-game trip.

Canucks: Host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night to finish a four-game homestand.

By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON

MIAMI (AP) — A candidate backed by President Donald Trump and one supported by national Democratic figures face off Tuesday to be the next Miami mayor, in this sun-kissed city shaped by immigrants where both major political parties are watching for a glimpse into their standing ahead of next year’s midterms, particularly among Hispanic voters.

If elected, Eileen Higgins would become the first Democrat to lead the city of 487,000 in nearly three decades. A win by Emilio Gonzalez could help calm Republicans as they seek to maintain a grip in Miami and show their strength in a Hispanic-majority place.

The Miami mayoral runoff — one of the final electoral battles before the 2026 midterms — comes on the heels of Trump’s influence in shifting the city’s political landscape markedly to the right. That has made Higgins’ candidacy a test for Democratic prospects in Florida and among Latinos in other places.

To be sure, the local race is not predictive of what may happen at the polls next year. Tuesday’s election is a runoff between the two highest vote-getters in the Nov. 4 election, and it is expected to see a small fraction of the turnout of a midterm contest. But that has not stopped national parties and their leaders from getting involved, and some of the big issues animating national politics also have surfaced in the contest.

Big-name Florida Republicans such as Gov. Ron DeSantis and Sen. Rick Scott have weighed in for Gonzalez, the former city manager, in the otherwise nonpartisan race. Well-known Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, have joined the campaign trail to help Higgins, who served on the county commission before winning a runoff spot last month.

A Democratic victory would add to the party’s momentum heading into a midterm election following successes in November’s elections and a closer-than-expected loss in a special election last week for a Tennessee congressional district that Trump won by double digits last year. The Miami contest is in an area that has increasingly shifted toward Republicans and the site where Trump intends to build his presidential library.

Higgins has proudly identified as La Gringa, a term Spanish speakers use for white Americans, but she also speaks Spanish and has represented the Cuban enclave of Little Havana as part of a district that leans conservative. Higgins has focused her campaign on local issues such as the cost of housing, but she has also mentioned national ones, including the arrest of immigrants under the Trump administration in a city with sizable Hispanic and foreign-born populations.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez has campaigned on repealing Miami’s homestead property tax and streamlining permits for businesses. A former director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under Republican President George W. Bush, he said during a debate that he supported immigration arrests against those who committed crimes. When pressed that most of those arrested had not committed violent offenses, he said it was “a federal issue.”

Miami is Florida’s second-most populous city, behind Jacksonville, and is considered the epicenter of the state’s diverse culture. It’s part of Miami-Dade County, which Trump flipped last year, handily defeating Democrat Kamala Harris after losing the county to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. He had lost by 30 percentage points here to Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016.

The Detroit Lions partnered with Meijer to bring Christmas magic to nearly two dozen local children through their annual Shop with a Lion event, giving kids a $250 shopping spree alongside their favorite players and team legends.

The heartwarming event took place at the Meijer store on Grand River Avenue in Detroit, where 20 children from five different youth organizations got to shop with Lions including Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs, among others.

Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report below: Detroit Lions and Meijer spread holiday cheer with Shop with a Lion event

"It was awesome, man, to be with the kids, to go shopping with them and the holiday season. For them, this is like their Super Bowl. They get to go out and pick what they want," St. Brown said.

Lorenzo Pearson, who participated through The Yunion, was thrilled with his purchases and the experience.

"So I got the headset for my PS5. I've got a PS5 at home," Lorenzo said. "It was so great. It was so fun with Amon-Ra St. Brown."

The shopping spree brought back childhood memories for the Lions players, who found themselves relating to the kids' excitement and interests.

"I'd come into a store like this, Meijer, and be like where's the electronics? I want to go to the electronics, I want to get a controller," St. Brown said.

For some players, the experience was educational as they learned about current trends in children's entertainment.

"I'm hearing a lot of Roblox, you know, what I'm saying? I ain't ever played Roblox. I don't know what this is. But yeah, it's the same type of stuff, man," Lions player Grant Stuard said.

Jay Wagoner from Meijer's Partnership and Giving Team emphasized that the children's joy made the event special.

"Giving back to the community and seeing the smiles on these kids when they meet their player, heroes just makes it all worth while," Wagoner said.

Brianna Battle, whose daughter participated in the shopping experience, said the day may change her family's Sunday routine.

"I had so much, we had so much fun. Now she's going to be watching football every Sunday," Battle said.

As the children left with their carts full of gifts, Lorenzo summed up the spirit of the day with a simple cheer: "Go Lions."

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.

If you’re a fan of rivalries and parity in boys hoops, this year’s OAA White Division is the place.

It’s a league that looks a bit different than last winter, with Lake Orion and Oxford as the only holdovers. But partially by way of the fact that it includes two fewer teams this season, it figures to be quite the wide-open race for the crown.

That should leave at least a few programs believing it can be kings, including Rochester.

It’s a challenge the Falcons appear well-suited for judging by their 3-0 start. That includes a win each over a MAC Gold (St. Clair Shores Lakeview), White (Utica) and Red (Chippewa Valley) team. All of those victories have come by at least 20 points, so early results, including the most recent one, a 66-46 triumph over the Big Reds last Saturday, have been promising.

While Rochester’s first half against Chippewa Valley may have been more ho-hum, a 30-point third quarter was convincing evidence of what the Falcons can do in an eight-minute span.

The Falcons earned their seat at the table by going 13-1 in the Blue Division (the only defeat a 53-29 loss to runner-up Pontiac) to earn themselves promotion, though a portion of the foundation was laid even before that.

“I mean, it started a few years back,” Rochester head coach Nick Evola said. “A lot of these guys are three-year varsity guys, and they took their lumps early, but they’ve always competed, you know? They were a little young a few years ago, but all of that has prepped them. They have a relentless work ethic and they come out here and they love each other. They’re a tight-knit group and they play for each other. No one cares who’s got the most points.”

The eye test seems to support Evola’s claim that his squad has great balance on offense. Senior Logan Pleasant, one of those experienced returners, provided outside shooting in the Utica win, but even when Rochester’s deep ball wasn’t the bread and butter in the most recent win, the length of its forwards and the will to drive and draw fouls presented the opposition problems.

“We have multiple guys that can do multiple things — inside-out, mid-range — so it makes it tough (defending us) because everyone’s contributing and you can’t just focus on one guy,” Evola said.

One component of the frontcourt and another of the veteran bunch, senior Anthony Chirco, scored 21 points against Chippewa Valley. He’s continued to improve as both a scorer and rebounder, and he echoed Evola’s comments on the cohesiveness of the side, saying, “This class is great. We’ve been playing together for a long time and I just think it shows and helps with our chemistry a lot.”

Some of the selflessness might even be considered hereditary. Junior Nate Tandy is one of two new starters along with sophomore Ben Bissett — Luke Lower, another senior and the team’s other returner in the starting five, scored 10 on the Big Reds — a year after Tandy’s brother, Jake, was a contributor for last year’s league champs.

Nate, who equaled Chirco’s 21 points against Chippewa Valley thanks in part to nine trips to the free-throw line, only played JV as a sophomore, but Evola and the coaching staff got him part-time reps practicing then with varsity, and it seems to have, along with some driveway battles over the years with his older brother, paid dividends.

“It’s a big leap,” Tandy said. “(Being mixed in last year), it helped mentally I would say just seeing what the varsity atmosphere is like. The first two games (this season), I was getting comfortable, and then I feel like (against Chippewa Valley) was my coming out game.”

Part of the intrigue of this year’s White Division is not just the perceived equality, or the introduction of OAA newcomer Waterford Mott (2-0, 1-0), but the fact that all three Rochester schools are paired together, which makes for rivalry battles where the stakes are increased.

“Obviously, last year, there may not have been many expectations for us coming off an eight-win season, but we knew what we were capable of and we got better,” Evola said. “But I’ve told them, not only are we now in a tougher league, we’re not under the radar. People know we’re going to come to work, and we’re going to take every team’s best shots. The league’s really tough, and it’s wide-open … and I think what’s cool about the league as well, it’s not just our rival schools, but it’s Lake Orion and Oxford, so everything’s kind of close proximity. It builds more rivalry, more cross-town travel, and I think it’s exciting.”

The feeling is shared by at least one of those rivals.

“We split with (Rochester and Stoney) last year, so certainly talent-wise, we’re right there,” Adams head coach Isaiah Novak said after his own team’s game at Saturday’s MAC/OAA Showcase hosted by Rochester. “Both teams are very well-coached, even with a new coach (Stoney’s Marko Tomich) coming in, I think he’s going to do a great job. It’s great too as far as fan engagement. I think all three schools struggle at times getting students to basketball games, but anytime we play against a Rochester school, we get a packed house, so I think it’s gonna be fun for everybody involved.”

That trio, including the Falcons, will have some time to continue and improve before those battles take place. The first of them, which sees the Cougars travel to Rochester, isn’t until Jan. 9.

ORLANDO — As rumors and made-up trade scenarios involving two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal swirl around these Winter Meetings, Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris steadfastly refused to feed the frenzy.

“We don’t speculate on any players on our roster on trade talk,” Harris said in a 40-minute session with a group of beat reporters in the club’s suite at the Waldorf Astoria. “It’s not productive for us and it’s not fair to players on other teams.”

He did, though, acknowledge publicly that while he wasn’t necessarily seeking trade options, he was openly listening to them.

“I’ve been pretty clear since I’ve been here that I don’t believe in untouchables at any level or with anyone in our organization,” Harris said. “It’s not a commentary on Tarik Skubal specifically. It’s more of a blanket team-building approach. I can’t do my job without listening. I can’t do my job without exploring anything that may or may not have legs.

“Some are going to be very likely moves. Some are going to be extremely unlikely. But you can’t vet those opportunities unless you listen. That’s how we’re doing it.”

Harris, who officially announced the signing of 31-year-old right-hander Drew Anderson ($7 million with a $10 million club option for 2027), reiterated his desire to add pitching help, both in the rotation and bullpen.

Anderson, who spent the last two seasons in Korea, was in Tigers camp as a non-roster invitee before the 2024 season.

“He made a really good impression,” Harris said. “I think he worked really well with our pitching group and added some fastball velocity and fastball quality that he carried to Korea.”

Anderson added a swing-and-miss component to his repertoire last season, a kick-change, and struck out 245 hitters, second only to Cody Ponce, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Blue Jays.

“We feel like with the added swing-and-miss secondary pitch and the familiarity and combination of innings, he can be a real addition to our team,” Harris said. “He will come to camp as a starter.”

He joins Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Troy Melton, Keider Montero and Reese Olson in the rotation. Expect the list to grow throughout the winter.

“In the modern era, you need to attack it with quality and volume,” Harris said. “You can’t just chose between the two. In December, we’re generally just trying to add as much pitching as we possibly can, trusting that we’re going to figure it out in partnership with AJ (Hinch, manager).

“We’re just trying to load up on as much pitching as possible, understanding there’s going to be underperformance and, hopefully not, but injuries are a reality in our sport.”

No splash deals?

The Tigers have been linked in media speculation to high-end free agent starters like Ranger Suarez and Michael King. Harris said the club is always looking to add starters, but he talked more about loading up on depth than making any splash deals.

“It’s harder now given the makeup of our rotation,” Harris said. “Those starting pitchers might have to be optionable (have minor-league options). We may have to find non-roster options, things like that. But I think we are in a much healthier place with our rotation than we have been.

“But we’re going to keep adding.”

Same is true for the bullpen. There could be as many as seven spots open for competition this spring. Harris expects that particular market to lag into the new year.

External offensive upgrades?

Harris was also asked if it was necessary to look outside the organization to upgrade the offense.

“Yes,” he said. “But can we find those opportunities? I’m not sure.”

He went on to add, “I think the majority of our growth as an offense is going to come from within.”

In other words, if the right deal can be made for a legitimate offensive upgrade, either through trade or free agency, he will make it. But he expects the offense to get better with or without it.

“We have a young, deep collection of position players who are in slightly different stages of their young careers,” he said. “There is an older group that’s still very young and just entering their prime.”

Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter, who combined for 93 homers and 241 RBI last season, highlight that group.

“There is a group behind them that’s coming really fast and that’s gotten a lot of time under their belt,” Harris said.

That group includes Gold Glove-winning catcher Dillon Dingler, Parker Meadows, Colt Keith and Wenceel Perez.

“And there is a third group coming right behind them,” Harris said. “Some of the best prospects in baseball are really starting to make that leap into the big leagues.”

Among the prospects he’s referencing are Kevin McGonigle, Max Anderson and Hao-Yu Lee.

“We’re going to find a way to improve our offense without blocking those guys,” Harris said. “They are too important to both our present and our future. I used to talk about them solely as our future. Now they are about to be our present and our future.”

Harris also cited the return of second baseman Gleyber Torres and a hopefully healthy Matt Vierling as other components of an improved offense.

“I wouldn’t rule out external additions to upgrade the offense,” he said. “But I think we have a lot of momentum here and the gains we’ve seen in our offense the last couple of years have come from trusting them and saving opportunity for them and watching them blossom into the players they are now.”

DETROIT — Each time Cade Cunningham steps onto the floor, his talents put him up against the best defenders the league has to offer. On a nightly basis, Cunningham focuses on maintaining his All-NBA status against numerous defenders, but he is “thankful” that he doesn’t have to account for Isaiah Stewart.

Cunningham has been teammates with Stewart since the Detroit Pistons drafted him as the No. 1 pick in 2021. Over the years, he has watched as Stewart established himself as one of the league’s premier defenders.

This season, Stewart’s defensive production has been a central part of the Pistons’ best start in 20 years. With a 19-5 record, Detroit ranks fourth in the league in defense, posting a net rating of 111.3 while holding opponents to 113.3 points per game. The Pistons’ defensive success has been a collaborative effort, but no player has been at the forefront of the team’s defense than Stewart.

“He has always been big-time. I played against him in high school, and he was always a presence down there,” Cunningham said. “We have put Stew in so many positions and made him have to figure it out, and he always does. His feel for the game and IQ are super slept on. He just knows where to be and when to be there. That’s why he can make so many plays.”

Stewart is an elite defender, demonstrating the versatility necessary for today’s NBA. He is a big man who can switch on ball and defend guards out on the perimeter, while his hustle and activity help the Pistons get stops through deflections and 50-50 balls.

He has shown every attribute that has led his teammates to campaign for Defensive Player of the Year honors. In November, Stewart was a finalist for Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month — an award that went to the Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes.

However, no defensive skill set has been displayed more prominently than Stewart’s ability to protect the rim. His shot-blocking has led coach J.B. Bickerstaff to deem Stewart as “the best defensive center in the league.”

“It means a lot because he sees it every single day,” Stewart said. “He knows how much I care about defense and how I have a real passion for that side of the ball. He knows that and he appreciates that, and that means a lot to me.”

Not on ‘Beef Stew’

Stewart had a career year on the defensive end last season. He registered a career-high 1.4 blocks per game and led all reserves in the category while ranking 11th league-wide. However, 24 games into this season, Stewart is on the trajectory to surpass last year’s success.

He is currently tied with Alex Sarr for third in the league for blocked shots, averaging 2.0 rejections per game — trailing only Victor Wembanyama (3.6) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (2.4). Stewart has stood out among his peers for his shot-blocking, erasing numerous dunk attempts.

“How much he cares about it. There will never be a shot that goes up that Stew doesn’t contest,” Ausar Thompson said. “So, for him to sacrifice his body, put his body on the line every night — it’s beautiful to watch.”

Stewart, a 6-foot-8 big man, has acknowledged that his stature makes him an easy target for players seeking a quick highlight dunk, but he often wins his one-on-one battles at the rim.

“I feel like some players seek it out, while others get there and then don’t know what to do,” Stewart said. “Then they would usually pass the ball, which helps us out on defense.”

Stewart has rejected a dozen dunk attempts this season, resembling the likes of Ben Wallace during his heyday in Detroit. In the Pistons’ 122-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, Stewart blocked two dunk attempts, one of which was against Shaedon Sharpe, who has established himself as one of the league’s most gifted dunkers.

The moment occurred midway through the fourth quarter when Sharpe attempted a one-handed dunk over Stewart, who blocked it with the tips of his fingers. The rejected accounted for one of the four blocks Stewart had on the night, marking the fourth time this season he finished a game with four or more rejections.

“He has the best timing in the league. No one time dunks and layups better than he does,” Cunningham said. “It is honestly kind of scary. It is almost like he has finger tips made of vibranium … I think he is the best defensive player in the league.”

Stewart’s rim protection is a testament to his fearlessness of ending up on the wrong side of the highlight, but it is also an example of his ability to apply the lessons he learned throughout his six-year career. There was a time when Stewart found himself on the wrong end of a poster. Instead of shying away from the moment, Stewart used those experiences to learn how to find his timing and patience.

However, his shot-blocking also demonstrates Bickerstaff’s system. By orchestrating a defensive scheme to get the most out of his players, Bickerstaff quickly realized that Stewart had the intangibles to serve as Detroit’s most reliable defensive anchor.

“We put a lot of responsibility on them. They have to communicate with everybody, and their job is to protect the rim and the paint,” Bickerstaff said. “If you put guys who have the talent that these big guys have in those positions, it gives them opportunities to be playmakers, and it gives them the opportunities to dictate how games go.”

Stewart had a seamless transition when adapting to Bickerstaff’s technique last year. He felt Bickerstaff’s philosophies played to his strengths, which demand physicality, rebounding, rim protection and screen setting.

He has since catapulted up the list as one of the NBA’s best defenders, with the potential to receive some form of league recognition come mid-May.

“He is the most versatile center as a defender in the league. There is not a guy out on the perimeter or the post that he cannot guard,” Bickerstaff said. “He means so much to us because he is the guy who has to erase things, cover up things, and he takes on so many assignments. There are so many things that we ask him to do. I am hard-pressed to find a better defensive center than him in the league.”

Which train set for kids is best?

Train sets are perfect for kids to play with, as they watch the little engine wander through the miniature countryside and mountains and roam back to its home town. It’s important to get a train set with the right features for your kids. Ideally, you should find a train track that is simple and easy for them to set up and won’t come apart as the train goes past.

If you’re looking for a fun and entertaining train set for kids, our top pick is the KidKraft Ride Around Table Set and Table.

What to know before you buy a train set for kids

Age range

It’s crucial to look at the manufacturer’s recommended age range before you actually purchase a train set for kids. There are many themed train sets out there that are only recommended for kids age 8 and older, so if your child is younger than 8, you should find a train set that is more suitable for young kids and toddlers. There are also some train sets out there that are only meant for kids and adults age 14 and older, due to features like delicate detailing and realistic smoke.

Different types of tracks

Before purchasing a train set for your kids, you should learn about the various kinds of tracks. There are straight tracks that simply form a straight line, curved tracks that form a curve, split tracks that are shaped like a Y, and flex tracks that can accommodate bumpy terrain. Bridges lift the train over rivers and switches or crossings integrate the roads as scenery.

Proper setup

Most train set manufacturers recommend that you first unpack everything, then lay down the track in the design you want and load the batteries into the engine if needed. You can then connect the transformer or power box to the track, place the engine on the track first and connect the remaining cars. Finally, your kids can turn on the train and play with the train set.

What to look for in a quality train set for kids

Engines

Some train engines need to be plugged into the wall, while other train engines simply run on battery power. Pay attention to this and select the type of engine that works best for you and your children when purchasing a train set for kids.

Attention to detail

Many older kids like seeing attention to detail in their train sets, including headlights, logos and decals, the amount of smoke coming out of the engine and the sounds made by the wheels and car.

Extra components

You can purchase additional parts for your train set for kids if needed, including tunnels, buildings and figures, lights, signals and signs, train stations and scenery, including hills, shrubbery, fake bodies of water, trees and other pieces of land.

How much you can expect to spend on a train set for kids

Most train sets for kids cost around $75-$100. The train sets for kids around $75 feature character sets and trains that run with the help of a remote control, while higher-end train sets for kids tend to be more detail-oriented.

Train set for kids FAQ

Can you mix and match train sets for kids?

A. You can only mix and match train sets for kids if they come from the same company. Train set manufacturers don’t usually enable you or your kids to mix and match train sets from different brands, so your specific train set model probably does not work with a train set from a different brand.

What are the plastic rods that come with your train set?

A. The plastic rods that come with your train set are known as track clips. They are an optional addition to the track to help make sure that the tracks don’t disconnect or slip apart, particularly after regular use.

How can you change the shape of your track?

A. There are countless online guides out there that will show you and your kids different shapes to make with the track components that you have. You and your kids can also experiment with different shapes and get creative.

What are the best train sets for kids to buy?

Top train set for kids

KidKraft Ride Around Table Set and Table

What you need to know: Considered the best of the best, this fun and comprehensive train set from KidKraft is perfect for toddlers and young kids.

What you’ll love: This engaging train set features two storage bins and a sturdy table. It is also fairly easy to assemble and offers young kids hours of fun, due to the colorful characters and accessories.

What you should consider: The tracks don’t always fit properly, and the wood veneer is prone to peeling.

Top train set for kids for the money

Thomas & Friends Talking Thomas and Percy Train Set

What you need to know: This budget-friendly Thomas & Friends train set offers colorful parts, plenty of sound and movement and an exciting theme.

What you’ll love: This affordable, motorized train set will give you and your kids plenty of bang for your buck. The train set is an excellent option for preschool-aged kids and is compatible with other Thomas train sets.

What you should consider: Some customers said that the trains sometimes have trouble staying on the track.

Worth checking out

Melissa & Doug Wooden Railway Set

What you need to know: A well-constructed and feature-packed train set from Melissa & Doug that provides plenty of options for engaging and imaginative play.

What you’ll love: This Melissa & Doug train set works well with other wood track systems and is perfect for kids and toddlers up to age 6. The train set is composed of durable wood and features cargo and freight trains.

What you should consider: The train tends to derail, and the track pieces don’t always stay connected.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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EAST LANSING — In the aftermath of his team’s first loss of the season, a 66-60 loss to No. 4 Duke, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo just kept on coming back to one particular issue: free throw cutouts.

His Spartans work on them every practice. Non-negotiable. And yet there were multiple that Michigan State missed, including two that led to putbacks for Duke phenom Cameron Boozer as he and the Blue Devils rallied in the second half for a road win.

Free-throw cutouts may take the brunt of Izzo’s criticism, but they are just one of the details that went foul on Saturday. Poor closeouts early, missed layups late, a few untimely fouls (some, albeit, on questionable calls) left Michigan State battling its own minor mistakes. And against a Duke team that has the talent to repeat last year’s Final Four appearance, well, that won’t make the cut.

“This is what we’ve said all along: Our margin for error is slim,” Izzo said.

Michigan State has proven a lot nine games into the season. It’s gritty, feisty, with a deep lineup led by a talented frontcourt and a bulldog point guard. Its four returners — point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., forwards Coen Carr and Jaxon Kohler plus center Carson Cooper — provide a foundation from which a different cast of characters can step in and complete the picture against any sort of team. It got Michigan State three ranked wins before December, but against Duke the limitations showed.

The difference between the two teams showed in the second half. Down three at the break, Duke leaned on its star forward Boozer, who scored 16 in the second half alone, and 14 of the first 17 points his team scored that half. He took the game over, even as Michigan State tried to pull away with a pair of 3s from freshman Jordan Scott (one of those contributors who can step in depending on the night). Down five, Boozer slashed through the lane for a layup and banging a 3 in two possessions.

And Boozer had those two putbacks. Those pesky putbacks that drove Izzo wild.

“We know coming into these games that the margin for error is as close to zero as you possibly can (get),” Cooper said. “I think there was little lapses where we got a little relaxed. And that was on our scouting report, like three times, was never relax.”

Michigan State couldn’t relax, because for most of the game it was a one- or two-shot affair. On a night when its pace setter Fears shot 0-for-10, — even missing an uncontested layup at the final buzzer — its offense still found enough to stay close. But winning needed more. It needed perfection on an imperfect night.

There’s a sense of pressure that comes from Michigan State’s construction. When there is no player who can put an entire offense on its back, every bucket is hard-fought. Changes in tactics can really hurt. Like when Duke switched to zone down the stretch and pulled away. Poor shooting, especially at shooting guard, proved the Spartans’ great flaw.

These are the kind of experiences that also can steer this group in a higher direction. Pressure felt is pressure learned from, and while veterans on the team have a grasp on how to deal with it, there’s a sense that some new contributors have a ways to go.

“We do feel that pressure,” Kohler said. “I would say that for the young and new guys, they don’t quite understand it the way me, Coop, Fears and Coen understand it, because I don’t think they quite understand the impact that it has on a game that can be won or lost. And when that happens, the first person that we get on is ourselves.”

Mistakes happen in any human endeavor. Fighting them is the great challenge, a battle that Izzo has made a career contesting. Michigan State can get on itself for sloppy details, but hanging tough against a team like Duke isn’t all discouraging.

“It probably will be encouraging, like, in a few days,” Carr said. “But right now, it’s probably not the way we would be looking at it as of right now. … We were never not in the game. Just a lot of little things that we know we can fix. And that’s kind of, I guess, the good part about it.”

The margin for error is small, but it’s better than no margin at all.

Luigi Mangione was back in court Monday after being sick Friday, as hearings continued over evidence that may be presented at his trial.

Called to the stand Monday was Officer Chrissy Wasser of the Altoona Police Department, the woman who searched Mangione's backpack at the McDonald's where he was arrested.

Mangione's team says the search was unlawful since it was done without a warrant. The Altoona PD maintains it was part of protocol.

At the time, Mangione had only been arrested for lower level offenses unrelated to the CEO's shooting, but Wasser said she was looking for a bomb inside his backpack.

When Mangione was asked about what was inside the bag, he said he would remain silent. Wasser says there was a heightened concern because of the response.

But Mangione's attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo points out Wasser was already wearing gloves and planning to search the bag.

Wasser found loaded magazines wrapped in underwear, among other items. It was not until she searched the bag again at the police station that she found a gun, a silencer and a red notebook that prosecutors say was a manifesto.

Judge Gregory Caro said the term "manifesto" will not be allowed at trial the way it was used Monday.

RELATED STORY | Witness details Mangione arrest in UnitedHealthcare CEO murder trial hearing

Agnifilo also pointed out Monday afternoon that officers never cleared the restaurant. Wasser said that was because the situation was under control.

Also shown Monday was another of Mangione's handwritten notes where he allegedly noted to himself to look for red eye transit out of Pittsburgh and made a map of other cities and towns nearby.

Testimony in the case will resume Tuesday morning.

A 20-year-old St. Clair Shores man has been charged with plotting a mass shooting at Masonic Heights Elementary School after police investigated threatening TikTok videos that came to the FBI's attention.

Joel Edwards was arraigned Friday before Judge Joseph Craigen Oster in the 40th District Court on charges of intentional threat to commit an act of violence against a school, using a computer to commit a crime and felony firearm. Oster set his bond at $5 million.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report below: St. Clair Shores resident faces felony charges for alleged school threat

The investigation began Sept. 13 when the FBI contacted Michigan State Police about TikTok videos allegedly associated with Edwards that expressed a desire to carry out a mass shooting. State police then contacted St. Clair Shores police, who conducted a cyberthreat investigation and welfare check.

During the welfare check, police found weapons in Edwards' possession and took him into custody for a mental health evaluation. He has been held at the Macomb County Jail since Sept. 25 after being sentenced for violating a term of his probation.

Parents were not made aware of the alleged plan until after Edwards was arraigned Friday, nearly three months after the initial investigation.

"So it being right here in our backyard, it put a sense of fear in me that I've never had in the community before," said Jessica Frye, a local resident who was stunned to learn about the allegations.

Frye expressed additional concerns about Edwards' proximity to the school.

"He lives way too close to the school. So if he does get out and he lives there, he's so close to it. He's close to our house," Frye said.

Edwards' mother, Rebekah, disputes the charges, calling the situation a misunderstanding.

"I don't believe that's true," Rebekah Edwards said.

She explained that her son was attempting to act like fictional characters.

"I think that he was trying to be an actor and he was mimicking characters that were not good role models for him like Patrick Bateman and Walter White. He goes through these episodes where he wants to be like these actors," Rebekah Edwards said.

Rebekah Edwards also expressed frustration about her son's treatment while incarcerated.

"It's just been really hard to deal with all of this because he needs help and he's not getting the help he needs from the place he's at," she said.

Joel Edwards faces three charges: intentional threat to commit an act of violence against a school with specific intent to carry out or overt act toward (a 10-year felony), using a computer to commit a crime (a 10-year felony) and felony firearm (a two-year felony consecutive to the main charge).

If Joel Edwards posts his $5 million bond, he must wear a GPS tether and is subject to home confinement. He cannot have contact with any school building or school student. Oster also referred him for a mental health evaluation.

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido released a statement addressing community concerns.

"Earlier today, a young man was arraigned following his arrest connected to an alleged plan to carry out an act of violence against a school. This is a deeply disturbing situation, and we understand the fear it may cause within our community. Based on the information received and available to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, there is no ongoing threat to public safety," Lucido said.

Lucido praised the coordinated law enforcement response.

"I extend my sincere gratitude to the law enforcement agencies whose swift, coordinated, and highly professional efforts brought this situation to light and ensured that no one was harmed. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Michigan State Police, and St. Clair Shores Police Departments are to be commended," he said.

Joel Edwards is scheduled for a probable cause conference on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8:30 a.m. and a preliminary exam on Friday, Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m. before Oster at the 40th District Court in St. Clair Shores.

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.

Troy residents rejected a $137 million bond proposal last month, with 55% of voters saying no to a comprehensive infrastructure package that would have funded a new library, road improvements, and public safety upgrades.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: What's next in Troy after bond proposal fails?

The defeated proposal included $75 million for a new three-story library, $35 million for street improvements on roads like Coolidge Highway and Wattles Road, $17 million for parks and recreation improvements, and $10 million for upgraded fire trucks and new police body cameras.

"I voted yes. I'm a frequent user of the library. I felt it was time the library needed an upgrade," said Richard Leary, a Troy resident. "And all the services that were part of that bond proposal were pretty necessary for the city."

However, other residents felt the proposal was too broad or expensive.

"I voted no because I thought the proposal was too generalized. I think if they would have eliminated maybe everything except the library, I might have voted differently," said Carol Lebioda.

Mayor Ethan Baker defended the bundled approach, saying the city has multiple capital needs that required attention.

"I stand by my position that the bundling aspect fundamentally was correct from the standpoint that we have a large group of capital needs, and the library was part of those needs," Baker said.

Despite the bond's failure, the city plans to move forward with priority items using existing funds. Police body cameras have already been purchased using tax dollars that could have been allocated to other community projects.

I think the issue really becomes what projects will take priority, how do we piecemeal some of those road projects together, and thats what were faced with. As opposed to doing the entire Wattles Road or entire Coolidge Highway...were going to have to take that band-aid approach, and do a little bit at a time, which is not as efficient, it's going to cost more money, and be more of an inconvenience for residents," Baker said.

For the library, city officials are considering scaling back and investing in renovations instead of new construction.

"The library is something that needs to be addressed. I stand by the fact that we are continuing to put a lot of money into a building that will continue to fail at this point," Baker said.

Some residents who voted against the bond remain hopeful the city will find alternative solutions.

"This was definitely a high price tag, but if you bundle it correctly, it might resonate among people," said Gurminder Singh, a 17-year Troy resident.

City leaders plan to meet in mid-January to discuss the vote results and determine next steps for addressing Troy's infrastructure needs.

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.