The U.S. State Department will deny visas to individuals who are found to be celebrating the death of right-wing podcaster and activist Charlie Kirk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on Tuesday.

Speaking from Israel on Tuesday, Sec. Rubio confirmed that the department would not issue visas to people who were "celebrating" the shooting death of Kirk.

If youre a foreigner and youre out there celebrating the assassination of someone who was speaking somewhere, I mean, we dont want you in the country, Sec. Rubio said.

Why would we want to give a visa to someone who think its good that someone was murdered in the public square? Thats just common sense to me," he said.

Last week Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau ordered department officials to "take appropriate action" in cases where people seeking visas made light of or rationalized Kirk's death.

Specific details about whether and how visas would be denied was not clear. It's also not clear how many visas may have been denied or revoked so far.

Officials push to revoke visas for migrants who praised Charlie Kirk's death

President Donald Trump's administration has warned that it will crack down on speech that it claims constitutes threats or otherwise supports political violence in the aftermath of Kirk's death.

Attorney General Pam Bondi warned during a podcast appearance on Monday that the Trump administration "will absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech."

Her comments drew wide criticism, from civil rights groups and conservative media figures alike.

"For far too long, weve watched the radical left normalize threats, call for assassinations, and cheer on political violence. That era is over," Bondi wrote in later comments on social media.

"It is clear this violent rhetoric is designed to silence others from voicing conservative ideals."

RELATED STORY | Social media posts on Charlie Kirk shooting cost jobs, business deals

Meanwhile, in the local government and private sectors, there have been numerous examples of public officials losing their jobs or being placed on leave due to comments they posted on social media concerning Kirk's death. In other cases, businesses have become the subject of boycotts or lost partnerships.

Vice President JD Vance, while hosting Charlie Kirk's radio show on Monday, appeared to encourage pushback against people who "celebrated" Kirk's death.

"When you see someone celebrating Charlies murder, call them out. And, hell, call their employer," the vice president said.

By KONSTANTIN TOROPIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered that troops who need an exemption from shaving their facial hair for longer than a year should get kicked out of the service.

While commanders are still able to issue service members exemptions from shaving — a policy that has existed for decades — they will now have to come with a medical treatment plan, Hegseth said in an Aug. 20 memo made public Monday. Troops who still need treatment after a year will be separated from service, the memo says.

“The Department must remain vigilant in maintaining the grooming standards which underpin the warrior ethos,” Hegseth wrote in his memo.

Most shaving waivers are for troops diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae, or PFB, a condition in which hair curls back into the skin after shaving and causes irritation. It is a condition that disproportionately affects Black men.

The memo is silent on what treatments the military would offer for troops affected by the new policy or if it will front the cost for those treatments.

It is also unclear if policies like broad exemptions from shaving for special forces troops who are in operational settings or soldiers stationed in the Arctic climates of Alaska where shaving can pose a medical hazard in the extreme cold will be affected by the change.

The announcement applies to all the military services. The Army this week announced its own grooming standard update, which significantly changes acceptable appearance standards for soldiers, especially for women, including revisions for nails, hairstyles, earrings and makeup.

Southwest Detroit residents are voicing concerns about increasing truck traffic in their neighborhoods as the new Gordie Howe Bridge approaches completion, fearing the situation will worsen once the bridge opens.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: Residents raise concerns about truck traffic as Gordie Howe Bridge nears opening

Parents and community members say they've noticed a significant uptick in semitruck traffic over the past two to three years during bridge construction, particularly affecting areas near Maybury Elementary School on Clark Street.

"The semitrucks, you know, bigger vehicles, stuff like that, they have increased in the past two to three years," Belinda Ramirez said.

Ramirez, a Maybury Elementary School parent, worries about the safety of children walking to school amid the heavy truck traffic.

"We are probably going to get double the amount that we get now," Ramirez said.

Web extra: Semitrucks cut through southwest Detroit neighborhood WEB EXTRA: Semi trucks cut through southwest Detroit neighborhood

Fellow parent Barelle Solomon shares similar concerns about trucks speeding through the neighborhood, particularly during school pickup times.

"It concerns me a little bit, but when I am here picking my daughter up, you see a lot of trucks fly through in and out," Solomon said.

While both parents acknowledge that Maybury Elementary has crossing guards and police directing traffic, they worry about potential lapses in safety measures.

"We do have the crossing guards, we do have police out here directing traffic and stuff like that, but there's just that one on a phone or I don't know, maybe didn't get enough sleep," Ramirez said.

"They have the crossing guards out here and the police, and they do a really good job like taking care of the crossing, but the thing is what happens when it's not like that," Solomon said.

Related video: Man in iconic Gordie Howe Bridge photo is 2nd generation ironworker from Southgate Man in iconic Gordie Howe Bridge photo is 2nd generation ironworker from Southgate

The city has installed signs alerting truck drivers not to turn into neighborhoods, but residents and Detroit City Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero say traffic isn't their only concern. They're also worried about noise and air pollution from increased truck traffic.

Santiago-Romero has proposed a solution through a truck route ordinance.

"We're asking for us to have a truck route ordinance. The administration asks that we do a study first to figure out the routes where trucks are coming in and out. We've done that already. We have the study and the recommended truck routes. We just need the administration to move forward and put that truck route in place," Santiago-Romero said.

The councilwoman believes her proposed routes would benefit the entire community, with city council expected to vote on the matter this fall.

"I think it would benefit all of us to have businesses, truck drivers, know routes that are going to get them in and out of places safely," Santiago-Romero said.

Related video: Celebration atop Gordie Howe International Bridge marks completion of bridge deck Celebration atop Gordie Howe International Bridge marks completion of bridge deck

Ramirez hopes the city's plan will address residents' concerns.

"Maybe they can get either another station, another entrance or exit for the semi trucks. That would be perfect," Ramirez said.

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

Police have arrested a 17-year-old suspect connected to 35 auto larcenies that plagued a Farmington Hills neighborhood over the past week.

Watch Evan Sery's video report: Farmington Hills police arrest teen suspect in string of 35 car break-ins

The teen from Novi would ride his bike late at night to the area near 12 Mile and Drake Road, targeting unlocked vehicles in the dark residential streets, according to Farmington Hills Police Captain Domenic Lauria.

"There's quite a few homes, it's very dark, most of the area is not lit, and we believe that's why he chose that area," Lauria said.

The suspect wasn't using sophisticated methods he simply looked for unlocked car doors and took whatever valuable items he could find, including designer sunglasses, cologne, and phone chargers.

"Any door he found unlocked, he would go through the door and try to find anything he wanted to steal," Lauria said.

The frequency of thefts prompted police to increase patrols in the neighborhood. Early Monday morning, officers spotted the teen and deployed drones with thermal imaging to track him down.

WEB EXTRA: Nightvision drone footage helps track suspect WEB EXTRA: Nightvision drone footage helps track suspect

"It's absolute pitch black, the suspect takes off running at that point," Lauria said.

Residents like Dan Harris weren't surprised by the arrest.

"My honest opinion, some dumb kid who shouldn't be breaking into people's cars," Harris said.

Harris said his wife's car was broken into a few weeks ago, though nothing was taken. Neighbor Michael Laura's vehicle was untouched, but he wasn't taking any chances.

"I grew up in Detroit in the 1980s, where you lock everything," Laura said.

Police are reminding residents to take basic precautions to prevent future thefts.

"First and foremost, don't leave anything valuable in your car, and next, when you go to sleep at night, make sure your car is locked," Lauria said.

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

A warehouse owner on Detroit's west side claims repeated burglaries over the years have cost him tens of thousands of dollars and are preventing him from renovating his property to reopen as a business.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report: Detroit warehouse hit in a dozen reported break-ins, owner says it cost him thousands

Jad Taleb says thieves have stolen car parts, copper wiring, and air conditioning coils, among other items, from his warehouse, with losses totaling well over $70,000 to $80,000.

"Somebody has your stuff in the back of their car and you can't do anything about it," Taleb said.

The most recent break-in occurred Tuesday morning, but Taleb says the thefts date back years. The Detroit Police Department says there have been a dozen reported break-ins since 2018, with seven occurring this year alone.

"If you could put a dollar amount on the property stolen here over the years. It's well over the $70-80,000 range at this point," Taleb said.

Extended interview: Business owner talks about numerous break-ins he's experienced over the years Extended interview: Business owner talks about numerous break-ins he's experienced over the years

"This crew that's been hitting recently, they started back in February, hitting us. We got hit on and off a couple days, on a couple days, off for about seven days in total," he said.

During the most recent break-in, Taleb arrived at the scene as the suspects were attempting to flee. The thieves got caught on an electric pole wire while trying to drive out, damaging their vehicle in the process and leaving behind wreckage.

"He got stuck in the wiring and kept trying to go forward, back, forward, back, forward, back," Taleb said.

"Hit my car about three to four times, and when he got loose on the wire, he came right at me and went right back northbound up Freeland again," he said.

Taleb followed the men to the Warren and Livernois area in southwest Detroit. He says he has clear surveillance footage of the suspects and has even encountered them selling his stolen property.

SURVEILLANCE VIDEO: Break ins at Detroit business caught on camera (** WARNING: Contains profanity**) SURVEILLANCE VIDEO: Break ins at Detroit business caught on camera (** WARNING: Contains profanity**)

"So, we have them on video. You can see them as clear as day," Taleb said.

"I once found them in Dearborn selling my stuff too. Very frustrating," he said.

Taleb says he first purchased the warehouse, which was formerly an auto collision shop, in 2017 and started experiencing break-ins about a year later. Taleb says he closed the business in 2019 and is now trying to renovate the space to reopen as a recycling facility, but says the ongoing burglaries are hampering that effort.

"We stockpile as much as we can stock to rehab these buildings in Detroit, and everything gets stolen time and time again," Taleb said.

Despite the frustrations, Taleb praised the detective working on his case.

"The detective has been doing a really amazing job. She's really on top of it," Taleb said. "I know they're trying their best as far as the police go. I mean, I was a cop, I know how it is," he said.

The Detroit Police Department says it is aware of the situation, is in contact with Taleb, and is actively investigating the break-ins.

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

A Downriver nonprofit is putting the "neighbors helping neighbors" spirit into action, stepping up to support some of metro Detroit's most vulnerable residents.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: Downriver nonprofit builds ramps, restores independence for vulnerable residents

St. Joseph's Helpers, a Taylor-based organization, dedicates volunteers' time and skills to repairing homes and helping seniors and people with disabilities live healthier and happier lives.

On Detroit's west side, volunteers are installing a brand new ramp for a woman in need just one of many projects they've completed since starting in 2023.

Powered entirely by volunteers, St. Joseph's Helpers is building more than just ramps. They're also giving seniors, like 86-year-old Irene Tinny, dignity and hope.

"For her to come home and see this ramp, it might brighten her day up to know that she gets to come home and she gets to come out and be a little independent on her own without anyone taking her up and down the stairs," said Shinese LaVergne, Irene's granddaughter.

LaVergne said her grandmother recently lost both of her legs due to a medical complication. Now, she's waiting in a rehab center until her home is safe to live in again.

"But she's still a trooper, though. She still has good spirits. She can't wait to come home," LaVergne said.

Detroit Councilwoman Angela Whitfield-Calloway connected Irene to St. Joseph's Helpers after meeting volunteer and board member Tony Rosati at a community meeting a few months back.

"And I thought this would be an excellent project for them, and I knew he would say yes, and he certainly said yes," Calloway said.

Growing need in the community

Irene is just one of hundreds receiving support from the nonprofit. Rosati said they're on track to help about 1,800 people this year, up from 350 in 2023 when they started.

"Neighbors seem to have isolated themselves. You can say the cellphone isolates people, but I think more what's happened is COVID. COVID put us all in our houses and we didn't come out for quite a while," Rosati said.

Rosati said he's trying to change that feeling of isolation.

"As a kid growing up in the 60s, I was raised you helped your neighbor. My grandmother baked, you would take things to neighbors. We had a lady who lost her husband. I would go cut her grass for 10 cents. You could buy two packs of baseball cards with that. That's kind of the way I grew up," Rosati said.

From raking leaves to leaky roofs, the mission is simple, said volunteer and board member Dennis: to restore safety and security.

"I was looking for a way to use the talents the lord has blessed me with to help those in need," Dennis said.

And they're doing it all for free.

Although they enjoy seeing the reactions from those they're helping after a project's complete, Dennis said that's not why they do it.

"We've had hugs, we've had tears, we've had pats on the backs, and it all feels great, but that's not the reason why we do it. I'm just that I can help others in need with the talents that I have," Dennis said.

St. Joseph's Helpers is always looking for volunteers and donations. You can visit their website at https://sjhelpers.org/ or call 800-303-5075.

People in need of help can do the same, and if a project is too big, they'll even connect you with additional resources.

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.

Patients, staff and volunteers marched through the hallways at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, united in a simple mission: remind kids fighting cancer they're not battling alone.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: 'So special': Parade brings joy to cancer patients at Mott Children's Hospital

For kids like 18-month-old Sophia Ginopolis, the parade was a break from hospital routines a day filled with princesses, music and a visit from her best friend, Dash the therapy dog.

"When she saw Dash open the parade, she was so excited," said Cassandra Ginopolis, Sophia's mother.

Little Sophia has been battling leukemia since her diagnosis about six months ago.

"We were here for induction for 40 days and thankfully at the end of induction, she was in deep remission," Cassandra Ginopolis said.

For Cassandra Ginopolis, seeing her daughter smile like that means everything.

"She's been doing really well, all things considered. I mean, everything that her body is going through is incredible that she still wakes up with a smile on her face, and I don't know that I'd be able to do it, what she's doing," the mother said.

Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital is working hard to brighten these kids' days during some of the toughest times in their lives.

Vanessa Shamany-Fakhoury, a nurse at Mott, says she knows this journey from both sides her daughter is battling cancer.

"It just hit differently as a pediatric nurse at Mott to now be the mom walking these halls," Shamany-Fakhoury said. "Going through this journey can be very lonely, so when you have these moments where it's recognized, it means a lot and it brings joy and smiles."

The parade brought so much joy that 21-year-old Molly Felty made sure she wouldn't miss it. She is battling cancer herself.

"I wanted to see what the parade was all about. I was really excited. I had my biopsy scheduled earlier, so I could be part of the parade and I'm glad I did that," Felty said.

For families like the Ginopolis family, the support stretches beyond the hospital walls.

"To see the support from everybody here, not just at Mott but the community and the teams and the school, is so special. I feel like it gives her so much hope. It gives us so much hope to know that we're not fighting this alone," Cassandra Ginopolis said.

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

By Jackie Fortiér, KFF Health News

A key federal vaccine advisory panel whose members were recently replaced by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to vote to recommend delaying until age 4 the hepatitis B vaccine that’s currently given to newborns, according to two former senior Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials.

“There is going to likely be a discussion about hepatitis B vaccine, very specifically trying to dislodge the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine and to push it later in life,” said Demetre Daskalakis, former director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “Apparently this is a priority of the secretary’s.”

The vote is expected to take place during the next meeting of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, scheduled for Sept. 18-19.

For more than 30 years, the first of three shots of hepatitis B vaccine has been recommended for infants shortly after birth. In that time, the potentially fatal disease has been virtually eradicated among American children. Pediatricians warn that waiting four years for the vaccine opens the door to more children contracting the virus.

“Age 4 makes zero sense,” pediatrician Eric Ball said. “We recommend a universal approach to prevent those cases where a test might be incorrect or a mother might have unknowingly contracted hepatitis. It’s really the best way to keep our entire population healthy.”

In addition to the hepatitis B vaccine, the panel will also discuss and vote on recommendations for the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine and covid-19 vaccines. Pediatricians worry changes to the schedules of these vaccines will limit access for many families, leaving them vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.

Typically, ACIP would undertake an analysis of the data before recommending a change to vaccine guidelines. As of the end of August, this process had not begun for the hepatitis B vaccines, Daskalakis and another former official said.

“This is an atypical situation. There’s been no work group to discuss it,” Daskalakis said.

The second former senior official spoke to NPR and KFF Health News on the condition of anonymity.

In response to questions from KFF Health News, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon wrote, “ACIP exists to ensure that vaccine policy is guided by the best available evidence and open scientific deliberation. Any updates to recommendations will be made transparently with gold standard science.”

The draft agenda for the upcoming ACIP meeting was released to the public less than a week before it is scheduled to begin.

At the last ACIP meeting, in June, Martin Kulldorff, the chair and one of seven new members handpicked by Kennedy, questioned the need to vaccinate every newborn, citing only two of the many ways the virus can spread. Kulldorff is a former Harvard Medical School professor who became known for opposing some public health measures during the pandemic.

“Unless the mother is hepatitis B positive, an argument could be made to delay the vaccine for this infection, which is primarily spread by sexual activity and intravenous drug use,” he said.

The virus spreads via direct exposure to an infected bodily fluid like blood or semen. The disease has no cure and can lead to serious conditions like cirrhosis and liver cancer later in life. The CDC advisory panel may maintain the recommendation to inoculate newborns whose mothers have hepatitis B or are considered at high risk of the disease, the former officials said.

Protection from birth

In 1991, federal health officials determined it was advisable for newborns to receive their first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, which blocks the virus from taking hold if transmitted during delivery. While parents may opt out of the shots, many day care centers and school districts require proof of hepatitis B vaccination for enrollment.

The prospect of ACIP’s altering the recommendation has left some people living with the virus deeply unsettled.

“I am goddamn frustrated,” said Wendy Lo, who has lived with the liver disease, likely since birth. Years of navigating the psychological, monetary, medical, and social aspects of chronic hepatitis B has touched almost every aspect of her life.

“I would not want anyone to have to experience that if it can be prevented,” she said. Lo learned she had the disease due to a routine screening to study abroad in college.

Lo credits the vaccines with protecting her close family members from infection.

“I shared with my partner, ‘If you get vaccinated, we can be together,’” she said. He got the vaccine, which protects him from infection, “so I’m grateful for that,” she said.

The CDC estimates half of people with hepatitis B do not know they are infected. It can range from an acute, mild infection to a chronic infection, often with few to no symptoms. Most people with chronic hepatitis B were born outside of the U.S., and Asians and Pacific Islanders followed by Black people have the highest rates of newly reported chronic infections.

When her children were born, Lo was adamant that they receive the newborn dose, a decision she says prevented them from contracting the virus.

The earlier an infection occurs, the worse the consequences, according to the CDC. When contracted in infancy or early childhood, hepatitis B is far more likely to become a chronic infection, silently damaging the liver over decades.

Those who become chronic carriers can also unknowingly spread the virus to others and face an increased risk of long-term complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer, which may not become evident until much later in life.

“Now I’m in my 50s, one of my big concerns is liver cancer. The vaccine is safe and effective, it’s lifesaving, and it protects you against cancer. How many vaccines do that?” Lo said.

Thirty years of universal vaccination

Treatments like the antivirals Lo now takes weren’t available until the 1990s. Decades of the virus’s replicating unchecked damaged her liver. Every six months she gets scared of what her blood tests may reveal.

After a vaccine was approved in the 1980s, public health officials initially focused vaccination efforts on people thought to be at highest risk of infection.

“I, and every other doctor, had been trained in medical school to think of hepatitis B as an infection you acquired as an adult. It was the pimps, the prostitutes, the prisoners, and the health care practitioners who got hepatitis B infection. But we’ve learned so much more,” said William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and a former voting member of ACIP.

As hepatitis B rates remained stubbornly high in the 1980s, scientists realized an entire vulnerable group was missing from the vaccination regime — newborns. The virus is often transmitted from an infected mother to baby in late pregnancy or during birth.

“We may soon hear, ‘Let’s just do a blood test on all pregnant women.’ We tried that. That doesn’t work perfectly either,” Schaffner said.

Some doctors didn’t test, he said, and some pregnant women falsely tested negative while others acquired hepatitis B after they had been tested earlier in their pregnancies.

In 1991, Schaffner was a liaison representative to ACIP when it voted to advise universal vaccination for hepatitis B before an infant leaves the hospital.

“We want no babies infected. Therefore, we’ll just vaccinate every mom and every baby at birth. Problem solved. It has been brilliantly successful in virtually eliminating hepatitis B in children,” he said.

In 1990, there were 3.03 cases of hepatitis B per 100,000 people 19 years old or under in the U.S., according to the CDC.

Since the federal recommendation to vaccinate all infants, cases have dramatically decreased. CDC data shows that in 2022 the rate among those 19 or under was less than 0.1 per 100,000.

While hepatitis B is often associated with high-risk behaviors such as injection drug use or having multiple sexual partners, health experts note that it is possible for the virus to be transmitted in ordinary situations too, including among young children.

The virus can survive for up to seven days outside the body. During that time, even microscopic traces of infected blood on a school desk or playground equipment can pose a risk. If the virus comes into contact with an open wound or the mucous membranes of the eyes, an infection can occur. This means that unvaccinated children not considered at high risk can still be exposed in everyday environments.

Future access uncertain

If the CDC significantly alters its recommendation, health insurers would no longer be required to cover the cost of the shots. That could leave parents to pay out-of-pocket for a vaccine that has long been provided at no charge. Children who get immunizations through the federal Vaccines for Children program would lose free access to the shot as soon as any new ACIP recommendations get approved by the acting CDC director.

The two former CDC officials said that plans were underway to push back the official recommendation for the vaccine as of August, when they both left the agency, but may have changed.

Schaffner is still an alternate liaison member of ACIP, and hopes to express his support for universal newborn vaccination at the next meeting.

“The liaisons have now been excluded from the vaccine work groups. They are still permitted to attend the full meetings,” he said.

Schaffner is worried about the next generation of babies and the doctors who care for them.

“We’ll see cases of hepatitis B once again occur. We’ll see transmission into the next generation,” he said, “and the next generation of people who wear white coats will have to deal with hepatitis B, when we could have cut it off at the pass.”

---

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs of KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism.

©2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A Virginia grandmother who won $150,000 in the September 8 Powerball drawing announced Tuesday she's giving away her entire prize to three charitable organizations close to her heart. Carrie Edwards made the announcement at a Virginia Lottery event, explaining her decision to donate to causes she's passionate about supporting. "As soon as that divine windfall happened and came down upon my shoulders, I knew exactly what I needed to do with it and I knew I needed to give it all away," Edwards said. "Three organizations that I'm very passionate about, that I work with." The three beneficiaries reflect Edwards' personal experiences and volunteer work. The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration helps families impacted by early-onset dementia, a disease Edwards' husband died from last year. The second recipient is Shalom Farms, a nonprofit where Edwards volunteers that's focused on creating an equitable food system for people in Richmond. The third organization is the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, which provides resources for military families. Edwards grew up in the Navy and says she knows how helpful the organization can be. "Very rarely do we have winners do what Carrie is doing here today," a lottery official said at Tuesday's announcement.

Watch: Virginia grandmother won huge Powerball prize. She's giving it all away.

Powerball Winner Gives Away Entire $150K Prize: Her Reason Will Amaze You Representatives from each organization said they weren't surprised by Edwards' selfless actions, noting her history of generosity. "She does so much for us already that I just couldn't believe it when she said I was just so excited," PJ Lepp, a spokesperson with the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, said. "When there's only less than 20 people working at your org, this kind of gift is huge. It means more fresh fruits and vegetables in more shoppers bags across the city," Anna Ibrahim, a Shalom Farms representative, added. Edwards hopes her decision will inspire others to view unexpected blessings as opportunities to give back to their communities. "When it comes down to it, we all are responsible for helping each other in this life and helping community and helping those who don't have what we have is something that they are focused on," Edwards said. "I want this to be an example of how other people, when they're blessed, can bless other people. Grateful to pour it back into the community." After taxes, each organization will receive around $36,000.This story was originally reported by

Joi Fultz

with Scripps News Richmond.This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. To learn more about how we use AI in our newsroom,

click here

.

South Korea says it has launched an investigation into possible human rights violations following a U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai factory in Georgia earlier this month.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained more than 300 South Korean workers during the raid on the battery plant. The workers returned home on Friday after being held for a week.

Weve expressed grave concerns to the U.S. government since this first happened, a spokesperson for the South Korean presidential office said in a statement, according to The Washington Post. She added, We plan to examine more closely whether there were issues related to our peoples rights or discomfort.

RELATED STORY | South Korea presses US over detention of 300 nationals at Georgia Hyundai plant

U.S. officials claimed the detained workers had a range of immigration issues. Some were allegedly in the U.S. illegally, while others entered legally but may have overstayed their visas or were on visas that did not permit them to work.

The incident could strain diplomatic ties between South Korea and the United States. South Korean companies had planned to invest billions of dollars in the U.S. under a trade deal designed to avoid high tariffs.

Following the raid, President Donald Trump said he wants international companies to invest in the United States and build manufacturing plants domestically, but added that employees must be in the country legally.

By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, questioning whether Americans understand the difference between a king and a president, told a New York Law School crowd Tuesday that improved civic education across the country would help people make better decisions.

Sotomayor, speaking at a panel discussion during a “Constitution and Citizenship Day Summit,” did not make comments that were overtly political and did not directly address any controversies of the moment. President Donald Trump was not mentioned.

At one point, though, she raised doubts about how much Americans are being taught about civics in schools.

“Do we understand what the difference is between a king and a president? And I think if people understood these things from the beginning, they would be more informed as to what would be important in a democracy in terms of what people can or shouldn’t do,” she said.

She decried the lack of education about civics and how democracy works, even giving her version of Ben Franklin’s famous anecdote at the end of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia when he was asked whether the nation would have a republic or a monarchy.

“We have a republic, madam, if we can keep it,” she recalled that Franklin said.

Sotomayor called social media “one of the largest causes of misinformation on the internet.”

“If you are only hearing one side of the story, you are not making an informed decision,” Sotomayor said. “The world is a complex place and issues are always difficult.”

The Bronx-born justice said she became interested in civics in grammar school, where she began debating issues, and improved those skills when she learned to debate both sides of a single issue.

At the end of her remarks, she urged students who watched in a large auditorium or saw her on video screens in overflow rooms to think about everything in the world that is wrong and “everything that’s happening in the United States” and realize ”we adults have really messed this up.”

She said she’s counting on today’s students to find solutions.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is urging lawmakers on both sides to pass a state budget and avoid a state government shutdown.

Watch Simon Shaykhet's video report: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer urges lawmakers to pass a state budget

Only 14 days remain for both sides to reach a deal to fund schools, road projects and more before layoffs could come.

I was in Lansing earlier, getting to the heart of what challenges remain, and how both sides see a path to achieve a deal.

Its never easy, but when the job is done, its always worth it," said Governor Whitmer.

Inside the state Capitols Heritage Hall, Governor Gretchen Whitmer was aiming to end a political standoff unfolding within the state Legislature.

Her message is about focusing on the need for both Democrats and Republicans to rise above partisan differences and pass a budget that supports better education, higher wages, lower costs, continued road funding, public safety and more.

If the Legislature sends me a budget that reflects these shared priorities, I will sign it," said Whitmer.

The governor also pointed to economic hardships, saying tariffs and other factors have pushed many prices higher.

On October 1, the states next fiscal year begins, and without a budget by then, there could be thousands of layoffs and cuts to a number of state-wide programs.

State Senator Joe Bellino (R-Monroe) offered this in response: "Last time we had a shutdown was during the Great Recession. We had no money. Here we have some extra money. If the governor can get in a room with Matt Hall and, the leader of the Senate, Madam Brinks, we can get a deal done."

What do you see as the biggest barrier to passing a budget?" I asked Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley.

"Partisanship government. Right now we have the Rs and Ds. Were just talking about quality of life issues," said Neeley.

Lawmakers on both sides are still expressing optimism that a deal can be reached soon.

Failing to get this done means more uncertainty, higher costs and less jobs," said Governor Whitmer.

Voter Susan Divine expressed worry.

That shuts down very important services to folks that dont have everything that the rest of us have," said Divine.

The governor says uncertainty over our economy must not continue. However, she is optimistic that a deal can be reached within the next two weeks.

The post Detroit Evening Report: Anti-violence advocate Eric Ford has died appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Americans increased their spending at stores and restaurants in August, defying economists' expectations for a slowdown. The latest retail sales report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows spending was up 0.6% from July to August.

The growth comes amid concerns over tariffs, inflation, and a slowdown in hiring. The national unemployment rate recently rose to 4.3%. But despite some economic indicators moving in the wrong direction, consumers are still buying, albeit with caution.

Caleb Silver, the editor-in-chief of Investopedia, credits higher-income households in part for the boost in spending.

"We have concerns about the general direction of the economy right now but we're seeing a lot of the spending being driven by the top 10% of earners," Silver said.

Back-to-school shopping was a key driver in August, with spending up in categories like electronics, sporting goods, clothing and accessories.

"You saw it in footwear; you saw it in some back-to-school supplies. So that's really what drove the spending in August higher than what was expected," Silver said.

Experts also believe some consumers are spending now in anticipation of higher prices later this year due to tariffs.

"I think this is kind of pre-buying and that's where we're seeing the economy look good in that sense," said Kyle Peacock, founder of Peacock Tariff Consulting.

Peacock, whose firm focuses on tariffs for small and medium-sized businesses, says retail giants like Walmart and Home Depot raised prices early on, and other industries will soon follow.

"We're getting a lot of companies that are just placing the orders now that are seeing the ramifications of tariffs," he said.

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Major retailers like Walmart, Macy's and Best Buy report their customers are still buying but are much more selective about how they spend their money.

Restaurant spending, which is often a barometer for discretionary spending, also remained strong in August, rising 0.7% after a slip in July.

The strong consumer spending report comes as the Federal Reserve meets this week. The central bank is weighing the softening job market and rising prices. The Fed is expected to announce its decision on a potential interest rate cut on Wednesday.

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

Michigan needs to double its investment in aging roads as fuel tax revenue continues to decline, according to a new report presented by the Michigan County Road Association.

Watch Whitney Burney's video report: CRA advocates for doubling Michigan road investment as fuel tax revenue declines

The CRA presented findings Tuesday showing that Michigan needs an additional $2.4 billion in road funding on top of the current $2.1 billion provided to the state's 83 counties.

"This is not going away. We need it and we need it now," Chief Deputy Ed Noyola said.

The report, compiled over six months from data collected across all 83 counties, paints a stark picture of Michigan's road conditions.

CEO Denise Donohue said the association examined multiple infrastructure categories in their comprehensive study.

"We looked at the category of bridges. What are the needs for bridges? Buildings and maintenance structures, the act of maintenance itself, we looked at equipment," Donohue said.

Hear more about the report from Ed Noyola and Denise Donohue in the video player below: FULL INTERVIEW: Ed Noyola and Denise Donohue of the County Road Association of Michigan talk about their report and Michigan's road needs

The data reveals significant challenges across Michigan's road network. Of the state's primary roads those eligible for federal funding only 66% meet the threshold for being rated good or fair.

Local roads fare even worse, with just 46% rated as good or fair. The state also faces substantial work on aging bridges.

Noyola identified local roads as the biggest challenge facing the state.

"Our biggest area of need is going to be those local roads. They don't get that extra helping of federal funds. I think that's where people feel it the most. Our needs just on those local roads is $2.1 billion," Noyola said.

Read the Michigan County Road Association report below:

2025 Michigan County Road Investment Plan by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit

The ability to fund road projects is worsening as traditional revenue sources are tapering off. Michigan saw the fewest gallons of gasoline sold in nearly two decades last year, directly impacting fuel tax collections that help fund road maintenance.

Noyola said Michigan has been playing catch-up with other states for years.

"You look at other states that are probably at 30 cents a gallon for fuel tax. We just got there this year. They've been there for 10 years, 12 years, maybe even longer in the Midwest. So we've been under funding for multiple decades and that's what's got us here," Noyola said.

State lawmakers are currently proposing about $3 billion in road funding for Michigan. While lower than what the County Road Association projects is needed, officials say any increase will help address the mounting infrastructure challenges.

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. Where Your Voice Matters

In today's digital economy, the price people see for a product might not be the price their neighbor sees even if you're buying at the same time.

Experts call it "personalized pricing," a growing practice where companies use massive amounts of consumer data to determine the exact amount you might be willing to pay.

Economist and associate professor at Brandeis University Ben Shiller explains it simply: "Personalized pricing is when companies use a lot more data to basically charge just about everyone their own price."

This approach uses advanced algorithms and data analytics to assess factors like demographics, browsing history, past purchases, and even how you move your mouse on a website. The goal is to predict the highest price you'll pay without abandoning your purchase.

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"They're trying to maximize how much they can charge you for something without sort of losing you as a customer. But it's highly targeted and sort of inconsistent," said Ben Winters, director of AI and Privacy at the Consumer Federation of America.

A Federal Trade Commission study released in January found that personalized pricing, sometimes called surveillance pricing, can rely on a wide range of personal data, from your physical location to the items you leave in your virtual shopping cart.

The FTC reported that companies hired to manage price-setting algorithms work across hundreds of brands, from grocery stores to clothing retailers. These systems can raise or lower prices based on who's shopping.

"It's conceivable that, on average, consumers are better off. There's theory that suggests it could go either way there's going to be winners and losers," said Shiller.

Shiller said personalized pricing, while unpopular among consumers, isn't "inherently bad." It all depends on the application. It could mean lower prices for many consumers, but it could also be used to exploit consumers' socioeconomic or physical circumstances.

Privacy advocates argue that the risks outweigh potential benefits. Winters points to the lack of consumer safeguards.

"Generally speaking, we don't have any controls or power over the way our data is collected and then used or abused," he said.

Even without malicious intent, he explained, the amount of sensitive information collected creates security vulnerabilities.

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"Every day you see a different story about a cybersecurity breach," said Winters.

The topic grabbed headlines this summer when a Delta Air Lines executive acknowledged in an earnings call to using AI to optimize ticket prices.

The company later clarified it does not charge "individual prices based on personalized data."

Still, experts believe personalized pricing strategies are already in use across multiple industries.

"On balance, the whole reason the companies are doing this is to sell you more and to sell more at higher prices," said Winters.

While personalized pricing isn't new, AI-powered tools and a rollback of some consumer protections have increased its prevalence and urgency.

The FTC's investigation into "surveillance pricing" was halted by the Trump administration shortly after he took office. For now, the practice remains largely unregulated and difficult to track.

As more companies adopt algorithm-driven price models, experts say consumers should be aware that their personal data may play a much bigger role in what they pay than they ever imagined.

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

Farmington Hills police tracked and arrested a suspect believed to be involved in several automobile break-ins using a drone with thermal imaging.

Police provided extra patrols in neighborhoods the weekend of Sept. 13-14, following a series of larcenies from automobiles, according to a release from the Farmington Hills Police Department.

During the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 15, an officer patrolling in the area of 12 Mile and Drake roads noticed the interior lights were on for several vehicles parked in driveways.

The officer, suspecting that the vehicles had been broken into, called for additional units and requested that a drone search the area from the sky.

The drone pilot arrived and began scanning the area using the drone’s thermal imaging capabilities. The drone picked up the heat signature of a suspect.

“The suspect was observed running through the neighborhood while actively trying to hide from arriving police units,” the release said.

The drone pilot communicated the suspect’s location to arriving units, who tracked the suspect to a wooded area near the northwest corner of 12 Mile and Drake roads. Officers found the suspect hiding in the woods, dressed in all black.

“This case highlights how technology, like drones and thermal imaging, can enhance law enforcement activity,” said Police Chief John Piggott. “Using this technology, our officers were able to quickly locate and arrest a suspect who may have otherwise escaped. These resources enhance public safety and allow us to respond more effectively to crime in our community.”

The suspect, a 17-year-old from Novi, was taken into custody without incident. Evidence recovered from the scene links the suspect to numerous vehicle break-ins in the neighborhood, the release said.

The juvenile suspect was released to his guardian, pending a review by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office Juvenile Division.

Farmington Hills police have four drones and 16 trained pilots.

“There are two easy ways that community members can prevent a similar crime: Never leave valuables in a car and always lock car doors,” Piggott said. “Many of these thefts are crimes of opportunity. By taking a few extra seconds to secure your car, you remove that opportunity and help keep our community safe.”

If you believe you were a victim or have any information about these incidents, call police at  248-871-2610.

Lincoln Street closed at I-696 in Southfield for bridge work

Driver crashes into Farmington police car early Sunday; officer, two others injured

It’s fall cleaning time for Oakland County’s roads and hundreds of people have volunteered to help.

The final Adopt-A-Road cleanup is Sept. 20 through Sept. 28.

So far this year, 381 organizations have sent volunteers to pick up litter and other debris along the county’s 598 miles of roads.

Road Commission Chairman Eric McPherson said he’s incredibly grateful for the volunteers’ deduction and asked drivers to keep them safe.

Volunteers will wear orange safety vests for better visibility and carry garbage bags while cleaning. Road commission signs will be posted at both ends of the designated road sections.

The road commission relies on groups to manage their need for more garbage bags or vests by calling the permits division groups needing additional garbage bags or safety vests can call the Permits Division at (248) 858-4891.

To learn more about Adopt-A-road, including volunteering for the final 2025 session, visit http://www.rcocweb.org/218/Adopt-A-Road or email adoptaroad@rcoc.org.

By Craig Mauger

MediaNews Group

Lansing — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called on the leaders of a fiercely divided Michigan Legislature to “work together” to approve a new budget Tuesday, 14 days before a deadline that could trigger a shutdown of state government.

During a 20-minute speech inside the Michigan Capitol’s Heritage Hall, Whitmer, a second-term Democrat who returned from a trade mission to Asia and Germany in recent days, made her most direct plea to lawmakers yet, amid a months-long budget battle.

She also appeared to pull closer than before to Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, who’s been in a political standoff with House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township.

“While we stand on different sides of the aisle, we all basically want the same things: Happy, healthy children, good-paying jobs, food on the table, safe communities and a strong future,” Whitmer said at one point. “That is our task at hand. Let’s get it done. Let’s get to work.”

The governor’s speech focused on economic turmoil facing the country and Michigan, contending that tariffs imposed by Republican President Donald Trump’s administration and the lack of a budget were both sources of uncertainty that were bad for residents, businesses and job creation.

“We must work together to get certainty here in Michigan,” Whitmer said.

Whitmer has previously touted her ability to work across the aisle, but there’s been little bipartisan cooperation in Lansing since Republicans won control of the state House last November.

Hall, who has prioritized trimming spending, and Brinks have struggled to agree on budget priorities and missed the Legislature’s self-imposed deadline of July 1 to approve a new financial plan for state agencies, K-12 schools and universities. The House didn’t pass its own budget proposal until Aug. 26, months later than the chamber normally would.

Now, Whitmer and lawmakers face a constitutional deadline of Oct. 1, when the state’s next fiscal year begins. Without a budget in place by then, thousands of state workers would likely be laid off, state parks would close, some daycare programs might shutter and liquor purchases could be limited.

Hall has frequently promoted his relationship with Whitmer, but he wasn’t present for her speech Tuesday. Instead, Brinks and House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton Township, were in the front row.

“I know that Leader Brinks is available and ready,” Whitmer said during her remarks. “My team and I are ready to go. We can still do this on time.”

The governor didn’t harshly criticize Hall by name but said she wouldn’t sign the $79 billion budget plan that House Republicans put forward that would bring large cuts to an array of state programs, including the Michigan State Police, the Department of Natural Resources, the attorney general’s office, civil rights operations and hospitals.

After the speech, Brinks said the Senate stood with Whitmer “committed to getting a budget done” but, she added, there were “delays and obstruction” coming from the House.

“The reality is Democrats … control of the Senate,” Brinks said. “Democrats control the governor’s office.

Of Hall, she said, “And he needs to work with us to come up with a compromise. If he is unwilling to do that, he is not doing his job for the people of Michigan.”

In February, Whitmer put forth an $83.5 billion budget for next year.

Both Hall and Whitmer have said they want to find $3 billion in additional funding for roads in next year’s plan. Hall would achieve it through redirecting money from other state spending, while Whitmer and Brinks prefer a mixture of cuts and new revenue, likely from some form of tax increases.

Also, Whitmer called on Tuesday for additional “job creation tools” to make it easier to build factories in the state, to retain jobs and to incentivize innovation.

Whitmer has previously championed a program she launched during her first term called the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund to provide dollars to pay for cash incentives for businesses bringing jobs to Michigan and to prepare large sites for development.

A wide-ranging tax law Whitmer signed in 2023 provided $500 million in annual funding for SOAR over three years. This current year is the final one in which the funding is reserved.

“We have to do something to deliver more wins for Michigan because competition is fierce,” Whitmer said.

Brinks referenced SOAR’s expiration after the speech.

“It doesn’t mean that we should be without any tools,” Brinks said. “So that is the subject of some conversation.”

Brinks told reporters there is still a path to get the budget done on time. But, she said, she wants to see a “change in approach” from the House.

“Should that not happen, we will get our leadership team together and make some decisions about what the best course forward is,” Brinks said.

In a statement Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, who’s campaigning to be Michigan’s next governor, said he was glad Whitmer is “finally back from another taxpayer-funded trip overseas because the clock is ticking.”

“It’s time to lead Democrats to the bargaining table to pass a balanced budget that fixes Michigan’s crumbling roads and bridges, puts kids first by focusing on reading and math and respects taxpayers enough to not reach deeper into their pockets,” Nesbitt said. “Republicans have put forward real plans to do this.”