Detroit Lions fans left Ford Field with heavy hearts Sunday after watching their team fall to the Pittsburgh Steelers in what many described as an emotional roller coaster of a game during the Lions' final home match up of the regular season.

The game kept fans on the edge of their seats, especially toward the end, as they held their breath waiting to see what would happen next.

"It was a great game, sucks but it happens," said Kelsie and Greg Eichenberg, Lions fans who attended the game.

William Crawford, a Lions fan from Flint, echoed the sentiment of many in attendance.

"Tough game, tough loss, I mean just a rollercoaster of emotions," Crawford said. "I thought we had pulled that one off but you know these penalties that they're calling."

For some fans, the loss was particularly heartbreaking. Chloe Cubert attended her first Lions game Sunday and experienced the highs and lows of being a Detroit fan.

"I'm feeling sad because it was my first one and I'm really sad that they lost," Cubert said, though she admitted the experience was still fun.

Despite the setback, Lions fans demonstrated the resilience Detroit is known for. The crowd's energy remained strong even in defeat, with supporters chanting their commitment to the team.

"We Detroit, we gone keep fighting, we Detroit, that's what we do," fans could be heard saying as they left the stadium.

Robert Crawford, also from Flint, remained optimistic about the team's future.

"We'll be back. We'll be back y'all. It ain't over," Crawford said.

Garret Harper, a Lions fan from Ann Arbor, praised both the team's effort and the city's support.

"Painful game, it was a very, very tough ending but proud of this city, proud of everybody that showed out, showed up," Harper said.

Now all eyes turn to the Lions' upcoming Christmas game, where fans are hoping the team will bounce back with a victory.

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.

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions’ season isn’t all the way dead just yet.

But following a 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field on Sunday, the Lions’ only remaining path to the playoffs is a massive long shot: Detroit (8-7) would have to win its last two games against the Vikings and Bears, and Green Bay needs to lose its final two games against the Ravens and Vikings.

The Lions’ offense was an unmitigated disaster in the biggest game of the season, and the Lions’ defense couldn’t get a stop when the team needed it most. Detroit was gashed on the ground for 8.5 yards per carry and gave up three touchdowns of exactly 45 yards, including two 45-yard runs by Steelers running back Jaylen Warren.

The Steelers (9-6) tried to let the Lions back in it, as kicker Chris Boswell missed a 37-yard field goal in a 29-24 game to give Detroit the ball with 2:05 remaining.

Detroit marched down the field and reached the 1-yard line on a completion to Isaac TeSlaa, but multiple penalties backed Detroit up to first-and-goal from the 16.

On fourth-and-goal from the 9, with the season on the line, St. Brown caught a pass and lateraled it to Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who leaped into the end zone with no time on the clock. The pass interference call nullified the touchdown and ended the game.

Detroit’s old bogeyman, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, looked nothing like his former self, but he made every play that was required to win the game. That’s certainly more than can be said for Goff, who never looked comfortable playing behind first-time starting center Kingsley Eguakun and returning left guard Christian Mahogany.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was held to 2 yards on seven carries and David Montgomery had 14 yards on four carries. The passing game wasn’t much better; Goff was sacked three times and had little time to throw, even when he managed to stay upright, with most of his 364 passing yards coming in the game’s final quarter.

Making matters even uglier was the fact that Pittsburgh was without two of its top sack-getters, T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig.

Excluding a one-play drive to end the first half, four of the Lions’ possessions ended in a three-and-out, including their first two drives of the second half. Detroit’s offense held the ball for just 51 seconds during a tumultuous third quarter.

The Lions fell behind two scores, 22-10, on Warren’s first 45-yard touchdown run with 12:23 left in the game. Detroit responded with a 27-yard touchdown by Kalif Raymond that brought the game to within a score, but a few moments later, the Steelers put together a drive that was emblematic of the collapse by Kelvin Sheppard’s defense down the stretch.

After an illegal block pushed the Steelers to first-and-20 to start Detroit’s most important defensive series of the season, Rodgers immediately hit a 20-yard completion to DK Metcalf. One play after that, Warren ran wild again for a 45-yard score.

Detroit again got within a score, using a 4-yard receiving touchdown by Gibbs to make it 29-24 with 4:11 remaining. But on the very first play of Pittsburgh’s next possession, they picked up two first downs in as many plays, including a 20-yard end-around to tight end Jonnu Smith on the first play of the series.

After the Lions went three-and-out on their opening possession, Pittsburgh took the game’s first lead with 9:21 left in the first quarter as Boswell nailed a 59-yard field-goal attempt to put the Steelers up 3-0.

Detroit nearly took a lead with 2:07 left in the first quarter. The Lions gambled on fourth-and-goal from the 3, but Goff’s throw to St. Brown was broken up at the goal line, resulting in a turnover on downs.

The Lions got on the board and tied the game with 10:10 remaining in the second quarter. A promising drive was derailed by atrocious run blocking, as Alex Highsmith picked up his second tackle-for-loss when stopping Montgomery in Steelers territory. Detroit couldn’t recover and settled for a 36-yard field goal from Jake Bates to make it 3-3.

After both offenses were stuck in the mud for much of the first half, both teams scored their first touchdown in the final 1:55 of the second quarter.

Photo gallery from Lions hosting the Steelers at Ford Field

Isaac TeSlaa made a sensational effort to hang on to a pass through contact for his fifth touchdown of the season, a 20-yarder that put Detroit up 10-3.

But the Steelers answered right back on a drive in which they converted third downs of 10, 11 and 10 yards before Kenneth Gainwell made a miraculous catch while falling down to tie the game with 0:02 left in the second quarter. Gainwell, with Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone draped all over him, made the catch while laying on his side, got up, and ran the ball into the end zone for the score.

The Lions’ defense had a momentum-swinging play to begin the second half as Anzalone and safety Thomas Harper stripped Steelers tight end Darnell Washington at the 4-yard line. Washington was initially ruled down on the play, but after Lions coach Dan Campbell challenged the call, officials deemed that the ball came out and was clearly recovered by Lions linebacker Jack Campbell.

Takeaways from disastrous defensive effort that sinks Lions in 29-24 loss to Steelers

Only three plays later, however, Michael Niese — in for Eguakun — delivered a low snap to Goff, who Steelers safety Kyle Dugger immediately sacked for a safety that yielded the Steelers a 12-10 lead with 9:42 remaining in the third quarter.

On the ensuing possession, the Steelers traveled 64 yards in 17 plays while bleeding 9:44 off the clock, adding a 23-yard field goal from Boswell to go up 15-10 with 14:58 left in the game. The Lions held the ball for just 51 seconds during the third quarter.

Warren bought some insurance for the Steelers with a 45-yard rushing touchdown to go up by two scores with 12:23 left in the game, which came in handy when the Lions converted on fourth-and-2 with a 27-yard passing touchdown to Raymond that made it 22-17 with 8:39 left in the game.

The Detroit Lions faced an old foe at Ford Field in a must-win Week 16 NFL contest.

Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers made many weekends miserable for supporters, back when he ruled the NFC North playing for the Green Bay Packers.

Now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rodgers does not have the same caliber of weapons, but has led the AFC North squad to eight victories, prior to another crucial matchup against the Lions.

“I think, look, there’s a lot of short passing, ball out type of throws,” Dan Campbell said in a pregame interview with Dan Miller. “He’s been really efficient that way. But I know this, he’s finding the open receivers, he’s progressing fast and he’s not taking any hits, I can tell you that.”

Detroit has been essentially forced into playoff mode right now, as Campbell’s squad is still on the outside looking in of the NFC playoff race.

The offense and defense did not have anywhere close to their best performances in a critical game for Detroit’s playoff hopes.

After 60 minutes of hard-fought action, the Lions could not overcome a poor run defense and a third-quarter that was dominated by the Steelers, even though there were exciting, heart-pounding moments.

Detroit was called for a late pass-interference, on the brink of a game-winning touchdown.

Here are several takeaways from the Lions’ 29-24 loss:

 

Lions veteran tight end sparks offense, but no points scored in first quarter

Detroit went three-and-out on its first offensive drive, after the Steelers won the opening coin toss and elected to defer.

Pittsburgh got on the board first on its first offensive possession. Aidan Hutchinson derailed the drive when he was able to sack Rodgers for a nine-yard loss. Kicker Chris Boswell connected on a 59-yard field goal to give the Steelers an early 3-0 lead.

On Detroit’s next offensive possession, tight end Anthony Firkser, who has had multiple stints in Motown, was targeted often. Jared Goff was able to connect with the 30-year-old on three tosses for 34 yards.

Near the goal line, Campbell again elected not to kick the field goal, opting to go for it on fourth down.

Unfortunately, Detroit was not able to convert on a fourth-and-goal play-action call, as cornerback Joey Porter Jr. broke up the pass play intended for Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Lions’ run game struggles early

Detroit, like many NFL teams, want to establish the run on a weekly basis.

Coming into the game, Campbell’s squad was 8-1 when recording at least 100 yards on the ground. Early in the game, Detroit struggled to establish the run.

On multiple occasions, Steelers’ defenders found their way into the backfield to disrupt run plays.

Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer and Alex Highsmith were able to disrupt Detroit’s rushing attack, making life difficult for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.

Detroit tied the game on their third offensive possession. Jake Bates connected on a 36-yard field-goal to cap off an eight-play, 44-yard drive.

Goff went 10-of-14 for 104 yards through the middle of the second quarter and three possessions. Jameson Williams was able to record a couple of receptions early in the second quarter.

Tempo aids Lions’ offense to get into gear

Late in the second quarter, Detroit’s offense got into rhythm by boosting the tempo. On Detroit’s fifth offensive possession, Goff found Isaac TesLaa, Gibbs and Williams to move the football down the field.

Detroit was finally able to get into the end zone just after the two-minute warning, as the veteran signal-caller connected with TeSlaa on a 20-yard touchdown reception.

The scoring drive spanned six-plays and 62 yards and took just over two mins to take a 10-3 lead.

Pittsburgh had one final possession prior to the end of the first half.

Steelers tie game on fluky play

For most of the first-half, defense dominated the day. Both teams struggled to put together consistent drives, with the score being knotted at three points with two minutes to play in the second quarter.

Aidan Hutchinson was his usual dominant self, recording two sacks in the first half. However, the touchdown drive by the Lions ignited an offensive spark late in the second quarter.

Detroit appeared to have the Steelers bottled up, but Rodgers kept the drive alive with a 13-yard completion to Adam Thielen to convert a third-and-10. Two plays later, the Steelers scored a touchdown on what was a nearly indescribable and improbable play connection between Rodgers and Kenneth Gainwell.

Rodgers appeared to underthrow Gainwell, and the running back somehow found a way to corral the pass while going to the ground. He was not touched down by contact after controlling the pass, and as a result raced into the end zone.

Thomas Harper halts Steelers’ momentum to start second half

Detroit’s defense struggled coming out of halftime, allowing the Steelers to both run and pass the football effectively.

Thielan, Metcalf and Jaylen Warrren were all instrumental in assisting the Steelers move the football.

Rodgers led the team deep into Detroit territory when safety Thomas Harper made a momentum-changing play.

Harper knocked the football loose from Washington’s possession and the football was recovered by linebacker Jack Campbell.

After Detroit challenged, the officials ruled the football was knocked loose prior to Washington hitting the turf.

Last-play TD nullified; loss to Steelers puts staggering Lions on thinnest ice for making playoffs

Steelers sack Goff for a rare safety, eat up clock in third quarter

Unfortunately for Detroit, their next drive after the fumble recovery started on their own 3-yard line.

Goff tossed the ball out of bounds, which was then followed by short toss to Gibbs. On 3rd-and-8 from their own five-yard line, the 31-year-old was sacked in his own end zone by Steelers safety Kyle Dugger.

After the safety, the Steelers took a 12-10 lead and marched down the field on the ensuing possession.

In the third-quarter, Detroit only ran three offensive plays, as the Steelers ate up the clock on a drive that lasted 17-plays and ate up nearly 10 minutes.

Detroit trailed 15-10 when they next had an opportunity on offense early in the fourth-quarter.

Photo gallery from Lions hosting the Steelers at Ford Field

Lions’ defense was a disaster in second half

After Warren extended the Steelers’ lead to 22-10 on a 45-yard touchdown scamper, Detroit was able to respond with a solid offensive drive of its own.

Goff spread the football evenly and was even able to successfully convert a critical fourth down.

Veteran Kalif Raymond was targeted often, including on a 4th-and-2 call, trailing by 12.

Raymond was targeted and scampered 27 yards after the reception to trim the Steelers’ lead to five, 22-17.

Unfortunately, Detroit’s defense, needing a stop when trailing by five, gave up another 45-yard touchdown scamper to Warren.

Gibbs found the end zone in the fourth quarter to trim the Steelers lead to 29-24, giving the defense one more opportunity to make a stop.

The Steelers missed a 37-yard field goal that would have made it 32-24.

This article was produced by the staff at Detroit Lions On SI. For more, visit si.com/nfl/lions

Continuing to cling to playoff hopes by their fingertips, the Lions knew they needed to win out to cash in on any of those hopes. Instead, they were run over by the visiting Steelers in Sunday’s game, losing 29-24 when they couldn’t cash in on a scoring opportunity in the waning seconds.

Takeaways from disastrous defensive effort that sinks Lions in 29-24 loss to Steelers

Last-play TD nullified; loss to Steelers puts staggering Lions on thinnest ice for making playoffs

The Pittsburgh Steelers pushed the Detroit Lions to the brink of elimination from the playoffs on Sunday, holding on for a 29-24 win when Jared Goffs touchdown on the final play was negated by an offensive pass-interference penalty on Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Goff threw a fourth-down pass to St. Brown just short of the goal line. The receiver pushed off cornerback Jalen Ramsey to get free, and before the Steelers could bring St. Brown to the ground, he threw the quarterback a lateral to set up an apparent score.

Officials huddled for some time on the field before announcing the decision to the dismay of the crowd.

Jaylen Warren had two 45-yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 143 yards for the Steelers, who had a 230-15 advantage in rushing yards.

The AFC North-leading Steelers (9-6) have won three straight after a midseason slump, surging into the division lead with two games remaining.

Detroit (8-7) dropped two straight games for the first time in more than three years, ending its outside shot to win a third straight NFC North title. While the Lions haven't been eliminated from the playoffs, their odds are slim.

The Lions had two touchdowns negated by penalties in the final minute. Goff threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to St. Brown with 22 seconds left, but rookie Isaac TeSlaa was called for pass interference for setting a pick that freed up his teammate.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

ANN ARBOR (AP) — Freshman Trey McKenney led a balanced attack with 17 points and No. 2 Michigan overwhelmed La Salle 102-50 on Sunday.

The Wolverines also had four other players in double figures as they reached the 100-point mark for the sixth time this season and the fifth time in the last six games.

Aday Mara had 14 points, 10 rebounds and four assists and Elliot Cadeau also scored 14 points. L.J. Cason contributed 13 points and Morez Johnson Jr. chipped in 10 as a dozen Wolverines scored.

Yaxel Lendeborg added eight points with six rebounds and a team-high five assists for the Wolverines (11-0), who are off to their best start since the 2020-21 season.

Jaeden Marshall led the Explorers (4-9) with 15 points. Josiah Harris added eight points for La Salle, which shot 28% from the field.

Cadeau had 13 points as the Wolverines led 54-33 at halftime.

La Salle took its last lead at 10-9 on an Edwin Daniel layup. Michigan then took command with a 22-2 run fueled by its defense. All but five of those points came off Explorers turnovers. McKenney had a pair of 3-pointers during that span and Lendeborg capped it with a layup after a Johnson Jr. steal and assist.

Michigan maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the way as La Salle never crept closer than 12 points.

There has been just one previous meeting between Michigan and La Salle, which occurred at the 1975 Las Vegas Holiday Classic. The Wolverines secured an 86-71 victory.

Up next

La Salle: Hosts George Mason on Wednesday, Dec. 31

Michigan: Hosts McNeese State on Monday, Dec. 29.

CHEROKEE, N.C. (AP) — Emma Shumate scored 22 points, leading seven in double figures, and No. 24 Michigan State routed Indiana State 115-66 on Sunday at the Cherokee Invitational.

Shumate matched her career high in points and made a career-high seven 3-pointers. Kennedy Blair had 11 points and 10 rebounds. She came up a little shy of a triple-double, dishing out seven assists.

Isaline Alexander scored 15 points, Sara Sambolic 14, Jalyn Brown 13, Grace VanSlooten 12 and Rashunda Jones 10 for Michigan State (10-1).

Jayci Allen scored 13 and Kennedy Claybrooks 10 for the Sycamores (4-6).

VanSlooten scored all of her 12 points in the first quarter, all of them in a row as the Spartans turned a 3-2 lead into a 15-6 advantage. Michigan State scored the last nine points of the quarter and led 34-15 heading to the second. They were outscored 28-25 in the second quarter but led 59-43 at the half.

The Spartans scored the first 11 points of the third quarter on the way to a 28-11 advantage for the period. Six 3-pointers, four of them by Shumate, highlighted the fourth quarter.

Michigan State is 5-0 all-time against Indiana State.

Up next

On Monday’s day two of the event, Michigan State will play the winner of Sunday’s later game between Mississippi and Old Dominion. Indiana State draws the loser.

By Kate BradyThe Washington Post

MARIENBERG, Germany – In a workshop tucked into the rolling hills of eastern Germany’s Ore Mountains, rows of wooden soldiers stood at attention. Their red coats gleamed and their square-jawed mouths – designed to crack nuts but mostly decorative – formed the trademark stiff grin of Steinbach Nutcrackers.

For decades, these handmade figures have sailed across the Atlantic and into American homes, filling mantels and collectors’ shelves and appearing in countless Christmas card photos. Alongside gingerbread houses and fir trees with all the trimmings, they are one of the most recognizable German exports of the holiday season.

This year, however, tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump have given the stern-faced ornaments a new reason to grimace: About 95 percent of sales by the family-founded manufacturer, Steinbach Volkskunst, come from the United States and the company’s most reliable market has become its biggest bureaucratic headache.

Under a deal between Trump and the European Union reached earlier this year, most exports to the U.S. are subject to a 15 percent tariff. Separately, the Trump administration also ended the “de minimis” exemption – a rule that had allowed small parcels under $800 to enter duty-free.

The move was aimed at curbing low-cost imports from Chinese e-commerce giants such as Temu and Shein. But for niche businesses that rely on direct-to-consumer shipments, like Steinbach, that change hit even harder than 15 percent tariff.

“The biggest concern wasn’t price – it was instability,” CEO Rico Paul said, standing in front of a glass cabinet filled with colorful nutcrackers. “Policies changed depending on political mood. For us, planning ahead is essential. One day, the rules were one way, the next day they changed.”

For six months after Trump’s inauguration, confusion reigned. Initially, the president threatened tariffs of 30 percent or more on most goods, prompting the E.U. to ready plans for retaliation. The deal on 15 percent tariffs, reached in late July, ended that uncertainty.

But in late August, Trump issued an executive order ending the “de minimis” exemption, meaning a slew of new paperwork and bureaucracy.

Costs rose and delays mounted as Customs and Border Protection grappled to keep up with the surge in new parcels requiring clearance. With the holiday season approaching, Steinbach faced the possibility of its nutcrackers getting stuck in customs warehouses.

More than half of Steinbach’s business comes from online orders shipped directly to American doorsteps, and customers soon felt the increase. Prices are up roughly 25 percent compared to last year, because of the tariffs and customs costs, as well as rising wages.

“In the United States, our name is extremely well known,” Paul said. “We’re practically synonymous with the word nutcracker.” The outsize U.S. demand for Steinbach products, he added, “was always an advantage – until the tariff dispute.”

American affection for Steinbach’s products seems undiminished by the price increases. “We were worried Americans wouldn’t pay more,” Paul said, pulling up a fresh order from Monticello, Florida, on his phone. “But the loyalty is incredible. They’re still buying, even if it’s more expensive.”

That loyalty stretches back to the 1950s, when U.S. service members stationed in postwar Germany discovered the nutcrackers and brought them home as souvenirs. They quickly became a cultural shorthand for authentic European Christmas.

The nutcracker legacy itself is older. In Saxony’s Ore Mountain region, miners began carving these wooden figures in the 1600s, meant to bring protection and keep evil spirits at bay during the darkest months of winter.

French author Alexandre Dumas’ adaptation of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s 1816 story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” later inspired Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet “The Nutcracker.” The ballet, initially a flop in Russia, became an American holiday institution in the mid-20th century – catapulting the nutcracker to global fame as a Christmas icon.

On a late November morning at the Steinbach factory, about 40 artisans carved, sanded and painted wooden limbs, while sewing machines upstairs stitched miniature outfits. Outside, snow settled on fir branches as workers packaged the finished products for their long journey.

One detail is new: a bright yellow sticker on every box, addressed to the person who will decide if the toy enters the United States smoothly: “Dear U.S. Customs Officer,” it says, “Thank you for keeping the trade flowing.”

It may be wishful thinking. In October, U.S. news outlets reported that thousands of packages had stalled in customs hubs under the new rules. Some carriers reportedly disposed of abandoned shipments.

“Because of changes to U.S. import regulations, we are seeing many packages that are unable to clear customs due to missing or incomplete information,” UPS, the shipping company, said in a statement. “Our goal is to speed every package to its destination, while complying with federal customs regulations.”

In late November, UPS said that its brokerage team was clearing more than 90 percent of packages on the first day – but not without complications.

Still, Steinbach nutcrackers continue to sell well, particularly those with pop culture and political themes.

Last year, Steinbach introduced a pair of nutcrackers dubbed “Republican” and “Democrat,” bearing more than a passing resemblance to Trump and Kamala Harris. The Republican model sold out before Election Day.

Prices for the smallest nutcrackers start at about $150, while the largest and most intricate figures cost more than $700. Alongside traditional soldiers and Santas, Steinbach has embraced the American appetite for nutcrackers in all forms, including Star Wars stormtroopers, “Wizard of Oz” characters and even Pope Leo XIV.

But the tariffs and customs delays have prompted Steinbach to seek a work-around. “We are building a warehouse in Pennsylvania and hiring staff,” Paul said.

The nutcrackers will still be made in Germany – local craftsmanship remains a central selling point – but pre-shipping and storing finished goods in the United States stands to insulate the business from further regulatory whiplash. The tariffs and additional costs of maintaining and staffing the warehouse will be passed on to customers, but the move should eliminate paperwork and delays for shipments to individual buyers.

Steinbach is not alone. Across Germany, exporters large and small are recalculating.

“The escalation of U.S. import duties – now effectively averaging 15 percent on key industrial goods – has hit Germany particularly hard,” said Andreas Baur, foreign trade expert at the Munich-based Institute for Economic Research. “If you take January to September and compare it to the previous year, we have a decline [in exports] of about 8 percent, and for cars around 14 percent.”

But beyond automakers, chemical giants and heavy industrial goods, the regulatory shift has quietly reshaped the fate of artisans whose exports trade more in memories than volume.

On the outskirts of Dresden, a 90-minute drive northeast of the nutcracker workshop, the sweet smell of raisins and butter filled Bäckerei Gnauck in the district of Ottendorf-Okrilla.

Bäckerei Gnauck is one of about 100 bakeries permitted to bake true Dresdner Christstollen – a dense fruitcake that is tightly regulated by the Dresden Stollen Protection Association.

Here too, the lifting of the de minimis rule has left fifth-generation baker Marlon Gnauck kneading frustration into this year’s cake loaves.

Stollen, another German Christmas tradition that has gone global, has deep roots in and around Dresden, where it first appeared in the 14th century as a simple, butter-free loaf made under strict Advent fasting rules.

That changed in 1491, when Pope Innocent VIII issued the “Butter Letter,” allowing bakers to enrich the dough. Spices, candied fruit and almonds followed and, by the 18th century, Dresden bakers were presenting enormous loaves to royalty, securing the bread’s vaunted holiday status.

Today, mass-produced versions fill German supermarkets, but only a small group of certified bakeries may call their loaves Dresdner Stollen. Dotted with raisins, and carefully folded together before being baked and doused in confectioners sugar, Stollen is supposed to represent the image of a swaddled baby Jesus.

Every holiday season since 1999, Gnauck, a fifth-generation baker in his family, has shipped some of his stollen to Americans – half as corporate gifts, he estimates, and a quarter to families with German ancestry.

He has enjoyed hearing from happy customers, even those who make him wince with their “American innovations” such as toasting stollen or spreading it with peanut butter.

“Just a good slice of stollen, with a cup of coffee – that’s it, ” he said. “That’s how it should be enjoyed.”

But now a single two-kilogram shipment, with postage and duties, costs more than $170, he said as he attached the required documents to parcels bound for Dorchester, Massachusetts; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Houston.

“You’re looking at paying between $60 and $70 in import charges for a two-kilo stollen,” Gnauck said. “The product costs 50 euros [about $59]. Shipping is almost another 50. And then roughly $70 of customs and administrative fees.”

Only about 2 percent of Gnauck’s sales are to the United States, but the time required for paperwork and the additional costs for longtime customers have tainted the festive cheer. Gnauck’s verdict: “The Grinch lives in the White House,” he said. “Because what he’s actually doing is completely ruining the gifts.”

In October, after the first seasonal orders were shipped across the Atlantic, Gnauck temporarily stopped shipping to the U.S. after customers complained about unpredictable costs.

“We called the next 50 customers who had placed an order,” he said. “A quarter of them canceled. Another quarter of them reduced their order to a 1 kg, and the rest said they’d pay no matter what.”

Sending stollen to America was never economically logical, he said. “It was emotional. A gesture. And now that gesture is expensive.”

Some Dresden bakeries have stopped exporting to the United States altogether. But like Paul, the Steinbach CEO, Gnauck isn’t ready to quit. Both men said they simply want one thing from Trump: predictability.

Paul said a limited-edition nutcracker resembling Trump at the Resolute Desk – with a price tag of $399 – has nearly sold out. “The president is sitting at his desk and is signing a declaration, granting the Steinbach company duty-free status for all eternity,” he quipped.

For now, that remains fantasy: a wooden wish for stability in a season built on nostalgia – and customs logistics.

DETROIT (AP) — Moritz Seider scored at 4:36 of overtime and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Sunday to sweep a home-and-home series.

Detroit won 5-2 in Washington on Saturday. The Red Wings have won seven of their last nine.

After the Capitals killed a penalty early in overtime, Seider ripped a slap shot past Charlie Lindgren late in the extra session.

John Leonard and Lucas Raymond also scored for the Red Wings, and Cam Talbot made 31 saves.

Ethen Frank scored twice for Washington, and Charlie Lindgren stopped 24 shots. The Capitals lost for the fifth time in six games.

Frank opened the scoring with 5:43 left in the first, beating defenseman Albert Johansson down the right wing, then cutting inside to slide the puck through Talbot’s legs.

Detroit tied it at 8:37 of the second on Raymond’s power-play goal. The Red Wings took a 2-1 lead with 6:14 left in the period when Alex DeBrincat flipped the puck at the net, and it deflected off Leonard’s leg and past Lindgren. DeBrincat had an assist for his 550th NHL point.

Frank tied it at 9:38 of the third, scoring his 10th NHL goal with a shot through traffic.

Detroit’s Elmer Soderblom left late in the first period after being hit in the face by Washington defenseman Jakob Chychrun’s pass. Soderblom was bleeding heavily when assisted off the ice by Detroit trainers, but returned midway through the second period with a full shield.

Up next

Capitals: Host the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

Red Wings: Host Dallas on Tuesday night.

ANN ARBOR (AP) — Olivia Olson had 23 points and No. 6 Michigan rolled past Oakland 97-54 on Sunday.

Syla Swords had 18 points and Brooke Quarles Daniels scored 11. Te’Yala Delfosse and Ashley Sofilkanich had 10 points apiece. Mila Holloway had seven assists to surpass 200 for her career. The Wolverines (10-1) reached the 90-point mark for the sixth time this season.

Michigan scored 29 points off 27 Golden Grizzlies turnovers. Wolverines opponents are averaging 25.8 turnovers per game. The Wolverines also converted 21 offensive rebounds into 31 points and their reserves outscored Oakland’s bench 26-0.

Lianna Baxter led the Golden Grizzlies (3-9), who have lost five straight, with 14 points. Angie Smith had 13 points and eight rebounds and Makenzie Luehring also scored 13.

Olson and Swords combined for 25 first-half points as Michigan built a 54-27 halftime lead.

The Golden Grizzlies committed turnovers on their first three possessions. The Wolverines forced 15 turnovers before the break, converting them into 17 points. They also scored 18 points off 11 offensive rebounds.

Michigan has won nine straight against Oakland.

Up next

Oakland: Visits Robert Morris on Dec. 29.

Michigan: Visits Oregon on Dec. 29.

The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday was pursuing another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea as the Trump administration appeared to be intensifying its targeting of such vessels connected to Venezuelan government.

The pursuit of the tanker, which was confirmed by a U.S. official briefed on the operation, comes after the U.S. administration announced Saturday it had seized a tanker for the second time in less than two weeks.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly about the ongoing operation and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Sunday's pursuit involved a sanctioned dark fleet vessel that is part of Venezuelas illegal sanctions evasion.

The official said the vessel was flying a false flag and under a judicial seizure order.

The Coast Guards pursuit of the tanker was first reported by Reuters.

RELATED STORY | What's really behind the tension between the US and Venezuela?

Saturdays predawn seizure of a Panama-flagged vessel called Centuries targeted what the White House described as a falsely flagged vessel operating as part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet to traffic stolen oil.

The Coast Guard, with assistance from the Navy, seized a sanctioned tanker called Skipper on Dec. 10, another part of the shadow fleet of tankers that the U.S. says operates on the fringes of the law to move sanctioned cargo. It was not even flying a nations flag when it was seized by the Coast Guard.

President Donald Trump, after that first seizure, said that the U.S. would carry out a blockade of Venezuela. It all comes as Trump has ratcheted up his rhetoric toward Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro.

This past week Trump demanded that Venezuela return assets that it seized from U.S. oil companies years ago, justifying anew his announcement of a blockade against oil tankers traveling to or from the South American country that face American sanctions.

Trump cited the lost U.S. investments in Venezuela when asked about his newest tactic in a pressure campaign against Maduro, suggesting the Republican administrations moves are at least somewhat motivated by disputes over oil investments, along with accusations of drug trafficking. Some sanctioned tankers already are diverting away from Venezuela.

U.S. oil companies dominated Venezuelas petroleum industry until the countrys leaders moved to nationalize the sector, first in the 1970s and again in the 21st century under Maduro and his predecessor, Hugo Chvez. Compensation offered by Venezuela was deemed insufficient, and in 2014, an international arbitration panel ordered the countrys socialist government to pay $1.6 billion to ExxonMobil.

Maduro said in a message Sunday on Telegram that Venezuela has spent months denouncing, challenging and defeating a campaign of aggression that goes from psychological terrorism to corsairs attacking oil tankers.

He added: We are ready to accelerate the pace of our deep revolution!

RELATED STORY | Trump announces blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers

The targeting of tankers comes as Trump has ordered the Defense Department to carry out a series of attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that his administration alleges are smuggling fentanyl and other illegal drugs into the United States and beyond.

At least 104 people have been killed in 28 known strikes since early September. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and human rights activists, who say the administration has offered scant evidence that its targets are indeed drug smugglers and that the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.

Trump has repeatedly said Maduro's days in power are numbered. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said in an interview with Vanity Fair published last week that Trump wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., told NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday that Trump's use of military to mount pressure on Maduro runs contrary to Trump's pledge to keep the United States out of unnecessary wars.

Democrats have been pressing Trump to seek congressional authorization for the military action in the Caribbean.

We should be using sanctions and other tools at our disposal to punish this dictator who is violating the human rights of his civilians and has run the Venezuelan economy into the ground, Kaine said. "But Ill tell you, we should not be waging war against Venezuela. We definitely should not be waging war without a vote of Congress.

WATCH | Congress questions Hegseth on drug boat deaths as Venezuela military operations expand

At least three people were turned away from a naturalization ceremony in Indianapolis on Thursday as federal officials implement enhanced screening for applicants from what the Department of Homeland Security calls "high-risk countries."

The ceremony was expected to welcome 100 new citizens, but only 83 people took the oath of citizenship. Several reserved seats remained empty as some were denied their moment after years or decades of waiting.

"The man I saw that was turned away he was blindsided. He brought his paperwork, he showed up to take the oath and was turned away," said Kate Sweeney Bell.

One man who was turned away told the Scripps News Group in Indianapolis that he received a phone call notifying him his ceremony was canceled, but he didn't know why.

RELATED STORY | Trump expands travel ban and restrictions to include an additional 20 countries

One of those turned away was from Niger, according to Sweeney Bell, which appears on the Department of Homeland Security's list of high-risk countries.

A Homeland Security spokesman said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has paused all adjudications for people from high-risk countries so they can be vetted and screened "to the maximum degree possible."

The agency provided the same statement when more than 30 people were turned away at a ceremony on December 9.

"The safety of the American people always comes first, and the pause will ensure additional screening for each person," the statement said.

For those who did become citizens on Thursday, the moment carried deep significance after long journeys to reach this milestone.

"My journey here started 30 years ago a lot of paperwork, a lot of specific understanding of what you have to do, effort to understanding citizenship," said Siddharth Bose, who became a U.S. citizen Thursday.

Bose reflected on what it would mean to be turned away at the final step.

"It would be incredibly hard to find out it might not happen now," Bose said.

For his family, the ceremony represented the end of a decades-long journey.

"It means the world. My family, kids and wife are here, parents are here. I've been an immigrant in two countries. It's finally great to call some place home, especially the U.S.," Bose said.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Trump admin lifts age limit for new ICE recruits to bolster immigration force

Another new citizen, Satnam Singh, expressed his joy at finally reaching citizenship.

"I'm really happy. Finally, I got my citizenship after a long time. I'm so happy," Singh said.

The Trump administration continues its crackdown on immigration policies.

The New York Times reports the administration wants U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field offices to escalate litigation on denaturalization cases. President Trump has also placed entry restrictions on immigrants from 19 countries, mostly located in the Middle East and Africa.

This story was originally published by Nicole Griffin with the

Scripps News Group in Indianapolis.

WATCH | Immigrant father says family trip to FIFA match led to ICE detention

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Dec. 21, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

• High temperature: 62 degrees (1967)
• Low temperature: Minus 14 degrees (1989)
• Precipitation: 1.81 inches (1949)
• Snowfall: 3.6 inches (1983)

1910: Aaron Montgomery Ward won a lengthy court battle to keep Chicago’s lakefront “forever open, clear, and free of any buildings, or any obstruction whatsoever.” The Illinois Supreme Court ruled the Field Museum could not be built in or adjacent to Grant Park.

Ward forced the city to create and maintain the now more than 300-acre Grant Park and won legal recognition of citizens’ rights to have a say about the city’s parks.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Millennium Park — ‘the best thing former Mayor Richard M. Daley ever did’ — 20 years later

The debate about the lakefront did not end, however, with Ward’s court victory. A large water-filtration plant next to Navy Pier, the soaring Lake Point Tower residential building, and the McCormick Place exhibition hall were built over the objections of lakefront preservationists. Grant Park, however, fulfilled Ward’s hopes and became the city’s front yard.

1937: Chicago Blackhawks forward Paul Thompson scored a goal against his brother Cecil Thompson — Boston Bruins goalie — during the Bruins’ 2-1 win on the road at Boston Garden. It was the first time in NHL history one brother scored on another.

After an 85-0 drubbing by Michigan in 1939, the University of Chicago decided football and academia were not a good mix

1939: The University of Chicago announced it would stop playing football.

“The university believes in athletics and in a comprehensive program of physical education for all students,” the school’s board of trustees said in a statement. “It believes its particular interests and conditions are such that its students now derive no special benefit from intercollegiate football.”

1941: The Chicago Bears topped the New York Giants 37–9 in the NFL title game at Wrigley Field for the team’s fifth championship.

The Bears’ 37th and final point was scored on a drop kick from Ray “Scooter” McLean. It would be the last time a drop kick was used successfully in the NFL until Jan. 1, 2006. That’s when New England Patriots quarterback Doug Flutie — in his final NFL game — converted a point-after-touchdown by drop kick against the Miami Dolphins. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the drop kick remains a legal maneuver in the NFL.

1960: Chicago Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley announced his team henceforth would be a ‘‘college of coaches” comprised of eight men: Rip Collins, Charlie Grimm, Elvin Tappe, Goldie Holt, Vedie Himsl, Harry Craft, Bobby Adams and Rube Walker. The college, with a few changes, ruled for five seasons.

“Now, about the word ‘manager,’” Wrigley said as he addressed the team’s annual press luncheon in January 1961. “I looked it up and the pure definition is ‘dictator.’” (Tribune editors balked at this explanation.)

1978: John Wayne Gacy was arrested in the suspected murders of 33 young men and boys.

Police were told Gacy had already admitted to his lawyer that he committed “maybe 30” murders.

John Wayne Gacy: Timeline of the suburban Chicago serial killer’s case and the efforts to recover, name his 33 victims

With Gacy in custody, Des Plaines police and Cook County sheriff’s office investigators obtained a warrant and entered Gacy’s one-story, ranch-style house in unincorporated Norwood Park Township. They uncovered the first of 29 bodies buried on Gacy’s property — 26 in the crawl space under his home and three more outside the house. Gacy confessed to four more murders of victims, whose bodies were found in waterways south of Chicago.

Gacy was convicted in 1980 of killing 33 young men and sentenced to death. He was executed by lethal injection May 10, 1994.

2023: Former Ald. Edward Burke — the longest-serving alderman in Chicago history — was convicted by a federal jury of racketeering conspiracy and a dozen other counts for using the clout of his elected office to win private law business from developers. Deciding against running for reelection, he stepped down from office in May 2023.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall sentenced Burke to two years in prison — eight years less than the 10-year term that prosecutors originally sought — and fined him $2 million. Less than 10 months after reporting to federal prison, Burke was released in July 2025 to spend the rest of his sentence in the Chicago area, according to federal officials.

The Dishonor Roll: Chicago officials

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Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com

Holiday lights, international art, and a message of unity you'll find it all at Dearborn's newest winter attraction.

It's called 'Wanderlights,' and the festive new experience is lighting up Dearborn Peace Park and doing more than just making the city sparkle

Watch Faraz's story in the video player below

Wanderlights, a new festive experience, lights up Dearborn Peace Park

So Dearborn Peace Park is beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas, so much so that the city spent more than $250,000 to make sure that city shines for everyone.

Canton resident Wayne Ten has worked in the city for nearly 30 years. He says Dearborn Wanderlights is definitely bringing an extra dose of joy.

"I love working here, I love being here, it's pretty awesome!" Wayne said. "It's very festive here."

One of the highlights of Wanderlights is a 35-foot Christmas tree. Mayor Abduallah Hammoud says the experience also features a series of interactive installations by artists from around the globe, including Lunar Lamp Posts.

"Yes, we will take it away obviously each season and bring it back. But this is one of our new Christmas trees," Mayor Hammoud said. "If you touch the pieces they all being to light up."

"I love how clean and neat everything is," Wayne said.

The mayor says this project has been a year in the making and for him, it's personal.

"This is the time within our city, the interfaith communities come together, we celebrate with one another, we break bread with one another, my father-in-law was born on Christmas. My daughter is named after the Virgin Mary. And so it is a spiritual time for so many families here in Dearborn," Mayor Hammoud said.

Wanderlights is also giving local businesses a lift.

"It's been really good business for Bayt Al Mocha, and for really everybody that's in downtown Dearborn," said Abdulrahman Mashrah, a barista.

Barista Abdulrahman Mashrah says Bayt Al Mocha opened nearly a year ago and this has been their best month yet.

"I'm sure everyone doesn't share the same religion, but at the same time we respect each other," Mashrah said.

Customer Jalil Zainuba, a Livonia resident, agrees.

"I don't celebrate the holiday myself, but it's a very joyous time of the year," Jalil said.

"When people say Dearborn is not inclusive enough, do you think Dearborn Wanderlights addresses that?" I asked the mayor and others.

"What is interesting to note is that people oftentimes who are making those remarks aren't from Dearborn," Mayor Hammoud said.

"It makes me laugh, but then I'm also sad... do you really believe that? You would know if you would live here. They are welcoming with all the holidays," Wayne said.

"This is what being religious, and being human towards each other is all about," Jalil said.

"For those who say we are not inclusive enough. I would challenge them to come on down, and point to another city that does it better or bigger than Dearborn," Mayor Hammoud said.

The family friend-experience is free. It wraps on February 20.

Hurricane-force winds battered Colorado’s Front Range this week, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses, closing highways and dozens of schools and causing extensive delays at Denver International Airport.

While the highest winds were recorded in the mountains and foothills, National Weather Service records show most of the Front Range saw significant wind gusts.

148 mph?! How this week’s winds stack up to the biggest gusts in Colorado history.

Colorado wind gusts, Dec. 19, 2025

• National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder: 112 mph
• Niwot: 102 mph
• Carter Lake: 95 mph
• Berthoud Pass, 3 miles north: 94 mph
• Lyons: 90 mph
• Brookvale, west of Evergreen: 90 mph
• Bellvue, west of Fort Collins: 89 mph
• Cheesman Reservoir: 83 mph
• Westcliffe: 82 mph
• Eldorado Springs: 81 mph
• Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge: 80 mph
• Coal Creek Canyon: 73 mph
• Cottonwood Pass: 72 mph
• Manchester, near Cripple Creek: 70 mph
• Superior: 64 mph
• Erie Municipal Airport: 61 mph
• Lyons: 61 mph
• Longmont Airport: 59 mph
• Loveland: 58 mph
• Salida Airport: 56 mph
• Colorado Springs Airport: 56 mph
• Peyton: 51 mph
• Pueblo West: 48 mph
• Buena Vista: 47 mph
• Leadville: 43 mph
• Beulah: 40 mph

Source: National Weather Service Boulder and Pueblo offices

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A top official with the Department of Justice (DOJ) is denying that there was an effort to redact any mentions of President Donald Trump in the agency's initial release of documents related to its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Speaking Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press," Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the DOJ's publishing of just a fraction of the Epstein files on Friday but pledged that all material will eventually be made public. When asked by NBC's Kristin Welker if that also applied to any documents related to President Trump, Blanche said "yes."

RELATED STORY | Minimal mention of Trump in Justice Departments initial Epstein file release

"Ive said it three, four times now, weve said it before, and President Trump has said it repeatedly since before he was elected. And since he was elected, all summer long, he said the same thing, I have nothing to hide, Blanche stated.

"But, let me just make sure everybody understands something, to the extent that he is, quote, in the Epstein files, its not because he had anything to do with the horrific crimes, full stop," Blanche added. "But yes, if President Trump is mentioned, if theres photographs that we have of President Trump or anybody else, they, of course, will be released, with the exception of any victims or survivors that weve identified."

The Trump administration has faced criticism over the DOJ's initial release of the Epstein files, which were heavily redacted and offered few new revelations. The files were released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, authored by Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie, which passed Congress nearly unanimously last month.

The law gave the DOJ 30 days to release the documents after President Trump signed it on November 19. After the initial release of files, however, Reps. Khanna and Massie said they were drafting articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi for withholding documents past the Friday deadline.

Blanche claimed the reason for the delay was because the DOJ was still reviewing documents in order to ensure that all victims are protected.

So the same individuals that are out there complaining about the lack of documents that were produced on Friday are the same individuals who apparently dont want us to protect victims," he told NBC.

RELATED STORY | Congressmen behind Epstein files law draft articles of impeachment for AG Bondi

In one of the files that was shared by the deadline, two photos of Trump appeared inside a desk. One image appears to show him posing with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and two other unidentifiable people. The second showed Trump posing with a group of women.

However, just a day later, at least 16 files reportedly disappeared from the batch of documents, including one with the photos of Trump. The DOJ did not offer explanation on why the files were no longer available or whether their disappearance was intentional.

While the disappearance fueled speculation online, Trump has been named in other documents involving Epstein but has not been implicated in any crimes and denies knowing about Epsteins criminal activity. Trump and Epstein were known to share a friendly relationship in the 1990s before a falling out in the early 2000s before Epsteins first criminal investigation began in 2005.

In that case, Epstein pleaded guilty in Florida state court to soliciting prostitution and procuring a minor for prostitution. Epstein ultimately died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors. His death was determined a suicide by federal investigators.

WATCH | A victim reacts to the newly released Epstein investigation files

An Arizona business owner is working to make Christmas brighter for thousands of children across the border in Mexico, continuing a tradition that started 25 years ago.

Janneth Cardenas, owner and founder of Bravo Services, is sorting through stacks of letters written by children living in difficult conditions in Nogales, Mexico. This year, more than 7,500 kids wrote letters to Santa and Cardenas is stepping up to answer as many of those wishes as she can.

"This room is where all the magic happens," Cardenas said, showing boxes of gifts at her business.

RELATED STORY | These are the most wanted gifts across all 50 states this holiday season

What began as a lesson of gratitude for her kids in 1999 has turned into a massive cross-border effort to help families in need, now involving partnerships with local organizations and volunteers on both sides of the border.

"It started just as a family effort. It was just us and the kids trying to make a difference. Our goal was 100 families. We thought, okay, if we could help 100 families, that would be huge. Like I thought that was a lot," Cardenas said.

In early September, volunteers and university students went into remote neighborhoods in Nogales, Mexico, to identify the families most in need, working alongside local organizations. The letters to Santa are also collected during this time through these collaborative efforts.

"To see that there are children living in landfills, that they don't know what it's like to live in a home that has a floor. There's not a ground--soil under their feet. To see that they don't have running water, that they may not have all the things that they need to live, to me is heartbreaking," Cardenas said.

The Christmas drive has grown beyond local support, with people from across the country contributing to the effort. Cardenas also thanks local businesses and influencers who are supporting the cause.

"We have such an opportunity to take a little bit of what we have and make a difference in somebody else's life. And it may mean nothing to us. It might be a tiny sacrifice for us, but it's everything to them, right," she said.

RELATED STORY | Buying gift cards this holiday? Heres how to make sure the one you give actually works

With fewer sponsors this year, they expect to fulfill about 5,000 presents. The effort relies on collaboration with Mexican organizations and support from donors nationwide.

"We've had a decline in sponsors, and I think life happens, right? There's changes in the economy, there's changes in family circumstances, and that's okay. So, at the end of the day, whether we help one child or 5,000 children, I'm really grateful for that," Cardenas said.

Cardenas says anyone wanting to help can grab a letter, buy a gift, donate food or simply wrap up the gifts.

"It plants these seeds of hope, and it gives them an opportunity to see that there's goodness in the world and that their condition and how they live doesn't define who they become," she said.

If you're interested in donating or volunteering, call 520-295-9469.

This story was originally published by Jacqueline Aguilar with the

Scripps News Group in Tucson.

WATCH | Ham over beef, and other ways to keep Christmas meal costs down

With tariffs and inflation driving up car prices, more Americans are finding they cannot keep up with their auto loan payments and repossessions are on the rise.

New data from Cox Automotive, a global automotive services and technology company, shows repossessions increased 43% over a one-year period. The company expects that trend to continue.

RELATED STORY | Auto loan delinquencies on the rise: Here's what that means for the economy

If your vehicle is repossessed, experts recommend acting quickly. Start by calling your lender to confirm the repossession and learn where your car is located. Once you have that information, you can plan your next steps.

One of those steps should include contacting your insurance provider, since coverage requirements may vary. In some states, such as Florida, you are also required by law to retrieve and surrender your license plate after a repossession.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Record number of people are making monthly payments of $1,000 or more for their cars

After addressing immediate concerns, finding a credit counselor may help you navigate the financial fallout. A low credit score can lead to higher auto insurance costs if you try to buy another car.

This story was originally published by Susan El Khoury with the

Scripps News Group in Tampa.

WATCH | Looking for a safe first car? Here are the top picks for teen drivers

A Livonia baker is spreading holiday cheer by opening his heart and pantry to families in need this season.

Watch Faraz's story in the video player below

Livonia baker creates free food pantry to help families struggling with SNAP benefit changes

Hassan Makki, proud owner of Sweet 220 Bakery with his wife Dalia, has created a food pantry inside his shop to help Metro Detroit families struggling after recent SNAP benefit changes.

"One of the most beautiful things about our culture is the hospitality and giving back, and I hold that with a huge sense of pride," Makki said. "I was raised by my grandparents and my parents to give back, even if we grew up with very little."

The pantry offers rice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, oats, canned goods, canned fruits and vegetables, plus fresh fruit and bread that Makki purchases himself. His mother helps by collecting food donations, and customers have also contributed supplies.

"Everything over here is free," Makki explained to visitors exploring the pantry.

Customers like Ramia Elhussaini, Teresa Morris and Jason Glaze praised the initiative during their recent visits.

"Especially with everything that's going on with the SNAP benefits, this is just a great opportunity for people to come in and grab things that they may need," Morris said.

"A lot of local places wouldn't even think about this," Glaze added.

This isn't Makki's first act of community service. In 2023, the proud Arab American from Dearborn delivered treats to line workers and first responders after power outages struck the area.

This holiday season, Makki is taking his generosity further by adopting three families to "spoil them with holiday desserts, a nice array of it." He's focusing on single mothers, families with sick children, or anyone facing struggles.

The nominations have already moved Makki to tears. One submission described a single mother who adopted three children and took guardianship of her niece due to her brother's addiction struggle. The woman lost her brother in April, and her husband lost his job earlier this year.

"I'm still grieving, and days when I can't sleep, it would be nice to have a sweet treat to brighten my mood for a moment," the nomination read. "It doesn't make anything better that Christmas is around the corner, and the kids just want a smile on their face."

Reading such stories affects Makki deeply.

"I've been through family hardship and loss, and it's hard to read them, man. Especially when you go home, you know, the heat is on, the fridge is full of food," Makki said.

The food pantry operates year-round, and Makki hopes to expand it with more essentials through community support. Families can be nominated for holiday treats through Sweet 220 Bakery's Instagram @sweet220

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.