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Today โ€” 15 April 2026Main stream

King Charles plans US visit amid political tension and Epstein survivor pushback

15 April 2026 at 14:27

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit the United States later this month to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

The state visit, scheduled between April 27 and April 30, will include stops in Washington, New York and Virginia. The visit comes at a delicate time for U.S. and U.K. relations.

In Washington, D.C., Charles will address a joint meeting of Congress. He will also have a private meeting and tea party with President Donald Trump, followed by a state banquet at the White House.

RELATED STORY | King Charles III to mark 250 years of American independence on historic US trip

The upcoming visit follows tension between Trump and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the Iran conflict and Trump's criticism of Starmer. Speaking in the House of Commons earlier today, Starmer rejected calls from an opposition politician to cancel the state visit.

Starmer argued the trip is focused on the 250th anniversary and boosting long-term ties between the two nations beyond the point at which he and Trump are still in office.

The royal visit also faces controversy surrounding Prince Andrew. Some groups are urging the king to meet with Epstein survivors. Buckingham Palace confirmed Charles and Camilla will not meet with Epstein survivors during the trip, though Camilla will meet with victims of domestic violence.

"We fully understand and appreciate the survivors position, but we can only reiterate that anything that could potentially impact ongoing police inquiries and assessments and potential legal action would be to the detriment of the survivors themselves in their pursuit of justice," a Buckingham Palace source said.

RELATED STORY | King Charles III will 'support' police review of Andrews ties to Epstein

While in New York, the royal couple will visit the 9-11 Memorial, a community project in Harlem and a literary event marking the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh.

In Virginia, Charles will highlight his environmental focus with a visit to a national park and will meet with indigenous people.

Kent Syverud diagnosed with brain cancer, won't serve as University of Michigan president

15 April 2026 at 13:41

University of Michigan President-elect Kent Syverud is receiving treatment for brain cancer and will no longer serve as the university's president.

In a message to the university on Wednesday morning, Syverud said he wasn't feeling well last week and sought care at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, and traveled to U-M for additional assessment.

Watch below: Coverage from January 2026 as Kent Syverud named U-M president

Syracuse President Kent Syverud named 16th President at University of Michigan

"I want to be straightforward with you: I have been diagnosed with a form of brain cancer," he wrote in the letter. "I am currently undergoing treatment at the University of Michigan. As I shared with the community back in January, I have a deep and personal affiliation with Michigan Medicine. I am where I need to be and I am in excellent hands. I am deeply grateful to the outstanding teams at University of Michigan Medicine and Crouse Hospital and for their extraordinary care."

Board of Regents President Mark Bernstein also said that Syverud will serve as a law professor at the University of Michigan Law School and a special advisor to the board.

In January, the school's board of regents announced that Syverud would serve as the university's 16th president.

Syverud, a University of Michigan alum, had been working as chancellor and president at the University of Syracuse since 2013. In August of last year, he announced his intention to step down from his roles at Syracuse, effective in June 2026. He also currently serves as the chair of the Atlantic Coast Conference Board of Directors.

I believe Michigan has been, is now, and must remain the best public research university anywhere, Syverud said in a press release announcing his appointment. That has been my experience. This university gave me everything I have become...these are challenging times for Michigan, for higher education, and the world. We have a choice in how to respond. We can curl up in a ball or, we can do what Michigan has always done at its best: We can lead. We can lead not by arrogantly lecturing others, but by modeling each day in small ways and in big ones, the values, the ideas, and innovation, and the civil engagement that this world so badly needs. I want to help us do that, always remembering our special obligation to the people of the state of Michigan who created this institution and who merit our priority.

Domenico Grasso will continue to serve as the university president until the next president begins their service. The board of regents will re-engage a search process as soon as possible, they said.

Pistons announce plans for playoff games, including new food, activations and more

15 April 2026 at 13:28

The Detroit Pistons announced plans for the 2026 NBA Playoffs, with activations, new food items and more to debut during the first two games of round one.

According to the Pistons, the festivities tip off with a pregame fan fest outside of Little Caesars Arena starting at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday for game one. There will be sneaker cleaning and customization, airbrush tattoos, a photo booth, free coffee and a half-court basketball court.

Doors for the game open at 5 p.m. and the first 10,000 fans will receive thundersticks and all fans will receive a free t-shirt. For game two, all fans will receive a rally towel.

Fans are encouraged to be in their seats before tip-off to participate in special surprise playoff elements during introductions and throughout the in-game entertainment.

New retail items

The Pistons will have new postseason-inspired retail offerings for fans, including new playoff merchandise.

That merch will feature the Pistons' team roster lineup t-shirt, a Pistons caricature graphic t-shirt, the Nike NBA Playoff Mantra Shirt and a "Detroit Dub" shirt that will only be available after Pistons playoff wins.

New food items

Limited-time food options will be available at Little Caesars Arena during the playoffs, as well as playoff-themed items.

Playoff-themed items are:

All The Time Fry Seasoned fries topped with All The Time Spice Blend, All The Time Sauce and fresh scallions. Available at The Coop (Portals 18 & 19). Full Court Press Sundae Vanilla ice cream topped with red or blue soda, sprinkles and a Pistonsbranded topper, served in a souvenir sneaker cup. Available at The Scoop (Portals 18 & 19). Playoff Running Taco An elevated walking taco featuring an extralarge bag of Flamin Hot Cheetos loaded with your choice of proteins, cheeses and toppingsperfect for sharing. Available at Portal 26. Arena Cantina Pizza Box Nachos Housefried cantinastyle tortilla chips served with protein options including smoked pulled chicken or barbacoa, two queso choices and a full lineup of classic toppings. Available at Portable 42.

New items for playoffs at Detroit Street Lab at Portal 28 are:

Korean Corn Dogs Bad Boy Blue (Pistons Exclusive) Brick cheese, Blue Takis, crispy potato crust, takoyaki sauce and Kewpie mayo Street Lab Coney Allbeef hot dog, chili cheese Fritos, crispy onions and mustard Sandos Assembly Line Steak Sando Grilled tenderloin, rice wine slaw, Kewpie mayo and takoyaki sauce on RSA milk bread Side Street Snacks The Foundry Fried Rice Bacon lardons, kimchi, yum yum sauce and takoyaki drizzle Erics Motor City Crisp Eric Loves Cookings Two Fairway Packing Co. beef patties, melted brick cheese, shredded lettuce, Erics 313 sauce and mild pepperoncini Erics Deli Steak Sandwich Eric Loves Cookings Shaved tritip with Havarti, garlic horseradish sauce, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion and giardinieraNew for the playoffs, fans can visit Detroit Street Lab (Portal 28), a concept inspired by Detroits street food culture and built for speed, flavor and creativity, which will also include a collaboration with influencer Eric Loves Cooking. Menu highlights include:

Limited tickets are available for the first-round playoff games, which begin on April 19 at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19.

School shooting in Turkey leaves 4 dead, 20 wounded

15 April 2026 at 13:10

A student opened fire randomly at two classrooms at a middle school in southeast Turkey on Wednesday, killing four people and wounding 20 others, an official said, in the second such shooting in the country in two days.

The student, who was also killed, arrived at the school, armed with guns believed to belong to his father, a retired police officer, Kahramanmaras provincial Gov. Mukerrem Unluer said. The gunman was carrying five firearms and seven magazines.

The victims included a teacher and three students, Unluer said. At least four of the wounded were in serious condition. The motive of the attack wasn't immediately known.

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The attack came just a day after 16 people, mostly students, were wounded when a former student opened fire at a high school in nearby Sanliurfa province. The assailant later killed himself.

Until this week, such school shootings were rare in Turkey.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | School shooting in Austria leaves 9 people and suspected gunman dead

Earlier, media reports said that authorities sent police and ambulances to the school in the Kahramanmaras' Onikisubat district, after gunfire was heard there. Images from the scene showed at least two people being put into ambulances.

Parents rushed to the school after hearing reports of an armed attack, NTV television reported, adding that police took security measures around the school.

Tax deadline today: How to request a filing extension and avoid costly mistakes

15 April 2026 at 12:49

If you need more time to file your 2025 tax return, the Internal Revenue Service says there are options, but utilizing those options could be costly. The IRS said filers can seek an extension that gives them until Oct. 15 to file. Extensions must be requested by tax deadline day, which is April 15.

The IRS said penalties and interest will increase until the tax balance is paid in full. The IRS also says it can set up payment plans for those struggling to pay back taxes, but again, penalties and interest will apply in those cases.

RELATED STORY | IRS change means many taxpayers must wait weeks for refunds

Last year, nearly 165 million Americans filed a tax return, but over 25 million of those applications were not received by the IRS by the April deadline.

Millions of Americans to get automatic extension

Although most taxpayers face a deadline today to file their 2025 tax returns, residents in parts of three states have a little longer to submit their returns.

The extensions were granted to residents recently included in regions declared federal disaster areas. The Internal Revenue Service is allowing residents of Montana until May 1 to file. Residents of Mississippi have until June 8 to file, while Hawaiians have until July 8.

Additionally, some Americans serving in combat zones or living outside of the U.S. could be eligible for an extension without penalty.

RELATED STORY | From tips to seniors: What new laws mean for your upcoming tax return

What if I can't pay the full amount?

Even if you're unable to pay your entire tax bill for 2025, the IRS recommends you pay what you can. This will cut the amount of interest and penalties levied down the road. The IRS added that most applicants receive immediate notification of approval or denial, without having to call or write to the IRS.

Middle East war drives consumer sentiment to its lowest level in 70 years

15 April 2026 at 11:27

President Donald Trump is predicting higher gas prices could last through November as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and tensions with Iran continue to impact the American economy.

The International Monetary Fund is predicting slower economic growth this year because of the war. The recent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Trump is raising fresh questions about how the war is impacting the global economy, with ripple effects likely to be felt for months.

The International Energy Agency reports demand for oil is sinking because of higher prices. There are 1.5 million fewer barrels of oil being consumed globally each day than originally forecasted, marking the sharpest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this is not expected to lower gas prices, which are still averaging above $4 a gallon in the U.S.

RELATED STORY | IMF warns global economy could stall as Iran war disrupts oil flows

Trump has long said prices will fall once the war ends, but in an interview with Fox News this week, Trump suggested prices could be around the same in November during the midterm elections.

The economic impact is also reaching housing and interest rates. The National Association of Realtors is reporting a decline in home sales in March, despite the traditionally busy spring real estate season.

"In March the data shows sales have remained sluggish," Lawrence Yun said.

Yun is the chief economist at the National Association of Realtors. Mortgage rates are at their highest levels in seven months, driven in part by interest rates being impacted by rising oil prices.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is still forecasting just one interest rate cut before the end of the year. Powell's term as chairman ends in May, which means interest rate plans may change.

RELATED STORY | Inflation was already high before Iran war drove up gas prices, new report shows

Inflation has surged to its highest levels in nearly two years, with higher diesel and gas prices as the major reason why.

The economic strain has resulted in Americans feeling less confident about the economy. The University of Michigan has been tracking consumer sentiment for over 70 years, and this month reported its lowest levels ever recorded.

Historic Pontiac buildings are being transformed into new apartments

15 April 2026 at 10:21

Developers and nonprofits are transforming vacant historic buildings and empty lots in Pontiac into new apartments to address a growing need for housing in the city.

See the full story in the video below

Historic Pontiac buildings are being transformed into new apartments

One project is breathing new life into the former Pontiac State Bank, a 15-story building dating back to the late 1920s. The structure in the heart of downtown Pontiac is now a high-end apartment complex called 28 North.

"One thing everybody thinks is downtown Pontiac is going to be difficult to do business in," Blackacre Management CEO Dalen Hanna said.

Be sure to join us at our latest Let's Talk in Pontiac. It's at Dogwood's Kitchen & Bar from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

But Hanna had a vision for the historic structure. The building was converted into 110 apartments starting at $1,200 a month, along with four penthouses, a gym, a lounge, and common areas. It also features a champagne room, with a ballroom and coffee shop coming soon.

"The demand has been phenomenal. We have over 110 doors and over 300 people on the waitlist, and were starting to open the doors for move ins," Hanna said.

Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness, who took office in January, said expanding access to housing is one of his top priorities.

"Not only is it breathing new life into a historic structure and breathing renewed investment into our downtown, but its also addressing a strong need that we have for people that live here, for people who want to come home here, and people who want to choose Pontiac as their home for the first time," McGuinness said.

Another apartment complex is set to open this summer. Developers Ronita Coleman and her husband are transforming Casa Del Ray on 111 Oneida Street, a nationally registered historic building from 1929, into 54 apartments.

"The major part is we have a shortage of housing, not just in the city of Pontiac but all over the country. So anything that can be restored and put people back in the position to have home should be first and foremost," Coleman said.

Beyond historic sites, new construction is underway on the city's northeast side. A five-story building known as Auburn Place will bring over 50 units to Pontiac next year. The project is led by Lighthouse, a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating poverty throughout the region.

"The entire building is actually permanent supportive housing to help those who have a chronic health condition, who are disabled, or who have faced chronic homelessness," Lighthouse Chief Philanthropy Officer Mary Riegle said.

City leaders hope these combined efforts will continue to bring new energy and investment to Pontiac.

"As Mayor, I want to keep trying to deliver those wins on housing for our downtown, for the neighborhoods, for all sectors. I want to keep moving forward and picking up the pace," McGuinness 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.

Lincoln Park building suffers major damage after strong storms prompt tornado warning

15 April 2026 at 10:13

Severe storms overnight brought a tornado warning to the southern parts of metro Detroit and left damage in its wake.

In the area of Dix Highway and Outer Drive, our Ryan Marshall was at a building that houses a Subway, Family Dollar and more, where part of the top of the building was ripped off.

See the latest update in the video below

Lincoln Park building suffers major damage after strong storms prompt tornado warning

In the aftermath, the top of the building was thrown to the ground and bricks were spread across the parking lot.

While it wasn't confirmed that there was a tornado, the 7 First Alert Weather Team did see rotation on the radar in the area of Lincoln Park.

Strong storms overnight leave widespread damage across metro Detroit

15 April 2026 at 09:45

A line of severe storms early Wednesday morning brought tornado warnings and left behind damage and power outages.

See the latest damage in the video below

Strong storms overnight leave behind damage across metro Detroit

We had crews in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Lincoln Park, looking for damage, and they saw several trees uprooted and also some areas flooding.

South of Dearborn, in Lincoln Park, Ryan Marshall was at a Subway on Outer Dr. and Dix Highway, where the top of a building was ripped off.

In Ann Arbor, on South State St., across from Yost Arena, where Michigan Hockey plays its games, there were big sheets of metal.

Along S. Main St. at Adams and Hill, a massive tree went down and may have broken a gas line. Police had the area taped off.

"I'm looking in the camera and I just see everything in the dumpster (swirling) and just jumping up and coming back down," one worker told us.

In Dearborn, we saw several trees uprooted in yards across the city.

See the latest weather update in the video below

Metro Detroit Weather: More storms Wednesday and a Flood Watch

Cleanup will be underway as we look ahead to another round of storms that are expected to bring heavy rain and high winds on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

According to the latest numbers on the DTE Outage Map, there are more than 14,000 people without power, with the largest swaths of outages in Washtenaw County and Southern Wayne County. Stay at least 25 feet away from a downed power line and assume all downed power lines are live and dangerous. Be sure to call 911 if there is an emergency or report a power line problem in outage center.

The storms are also forcing the closure of Ann Arbor Public Schools. The district said that there are power outages across the district and some schools sustained structural damage from the storms.

2 crashes involving kids on e-bikes has Dearborn Heights officials urging safety

15 April 2026 at 02:59

A pre-teen boy is in stable condition after being hit by a car while riding an e-bike in Dearborn Heights, marking the second crash involving children and e-bikes in the city in two days.

The most recent crash happened Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. outside the city library, located near Dearborn Heights City Hall.

Watch Brett Kast's video report below: 2 crashes involving kids on e-bikes has Dearborn Heights officials urging safety

Dearborn Heights Police Chief Michael Guzowski said the boy was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

"He was transported to Children's Hospital. He was treated for some injuries. I believe it was a broken femur and a head laceration," Guzowski said.

The first crash occurred near Van Houten Park. Both incidents involved children on e-bikes colliding with cars.

Guzowski urged parents to understand the risks, noting how fast the bikes can accelerate. He also encouraged parents to talk to their children about wearing helmets and obeying traffic laws. The young boy hurt on Tuesday was not wearing a helmet.

"Being able to control these things (e-bikes), especially when you're a kid and you're not fully developed in your coordination, it can really be an issue," Guzowski said.

Dearborn Heights resident Kimberly Saba said she has noticed more electric bikes on the streets with the warmer weather. Some of the bikes can exceed 20 mph.

"Every time I'm out, I see several of them, maybe three to four," Saba said. "They're speeding. Sometimes, they're speeding by me on a side street."

"I would say to educate your kids on how to ride these safely, where to ride them. We see them sometimes in the left turn lane driving down the road, which is illegal for cars to do, right?"

Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun is working with the city's legal department to enforce an age limit law of 16 years old for some e-bikes.

"We want to see kids in the neighborhood, we want to see them at the park, we want to see them having fun and enjoying our community, but we want to see them do it safely," Guzowski said.

"Theyre so young. They have their whole life ahead of them. It's just not worth it," Saba 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.

Canton police warn of 36th District Court text message scam after woman is targeted

15 April 2026 at 02:23

The Canton Police Department is warning the public about a text message scam involving Detroits 36th District Court after an 83-year-old resident had her debit card information stolen.

Scammers used the stolen information to make fraudulent purchases at several stores.

Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report below: Canton police warn of 36th District Court text message scam after woman is targeted

In early March, Canton resident Cora Huguely thought she parked illegally. Shortly after, she received a text message about unpaid parking tickets. The message included a summons and a QR code for payment, posing as the 36th District Court.

"I am feeling like oh, they caught me, but I was so relieved because it said $6 fine. I thought wow, Ill pay this now rather than pay a penalty," Huguely said.

Huguely quickly found out the message didn't actually come from the court.

"In the morning, I check my bank balances," Huguely said. "And I noticed this big red ink and I about had a heart attack."

When checking her accounts, Huguely noticed three charges for more than $500 each at Home Depot. After talking to her bank and police, she realized she was scammed.

"They violated me. They took my money and spent it as they wanted to," Huguely said.

Canton police identified several people involved in the scheme. Christopher Thomas, 30, of Clinton Township is charged with identity theft, financial transaction device fraud and being a habitual offender for his alleged role.

"Working with our big box retailers and their investigators and with us, we were actually able to hone in on who the suspect in this case was," Detective Sgt. Jeff Zajac said.

Zajac said scams like these are becoming more common.

"These scams not only target everybody in the community, but a lot of times, they focus on our elderly," Zajac said.

Zajac encourages people to look for red flags.

"A court system is never going to reach out to you in a text message and ask for you to pay anything," Zajac said.

Zajac also said the community should lean on family or reach out to police if they are unsure.

"Give us a call so that we can guide and say hey, this doesnt sound right," Zajac said.

Huguely was refunded the money that was taken. Moving forward, she plans to be a lot more careful.

"A persons word is not their word, a document is not a real document. Theres so many things we have to be aware of," Huguely 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.

Here are the concerts & shows coming to Sound Board at MotorCity Casino in 2026

15 April 2026 at 01:07

2026 is in full swing, and there are plenty of great concerts and shows set for this year at Sound Board at MotorCity Casino. Here's a full list of the shows.

Related - ย Here are the concerts coming to Pine Knob in 2026

Related - Here are the concerts & comedy shows coming to Little Caesars Arena in 2026

(This article will be updated weekly to reflect any new announcements) April 16 - Lyfe Jennings April 17 - Bruce Bruce May 8 - Two Funny Mamas featuring Sherri Shepherd and Kym Whitley May 21 - Jon B June 6 - Ruben Studdard My Tribute to Luther June 18 - DL Hughley June 28 - Gin Blossoms July 26 - Night Ranger Aug. 12 - Richard Marx

US hosts rare talks between Israel and Lebanon, but a ceasefire remains elusive

15 April 2026 at 00:26

For the first time in over 30 years, senior Israeli and Lebanese officials held in-person talks about their countries diplomatic futures, as the Iran conflict continues to reshape decades of geopolitical precedent throughout the Middle East.

Hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the U.S. State Department, the meeting included Michael Leiter, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Nada Hamadeh, Lebanese Ambassador to the U.S., and Michel Issa, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon. Mike Needham, Counselor to the State Department, also participated, and U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz was present for a photo opportunity as the discussion began.

Ahead of the conversation, Rubio said the talks represented the start of a process, noting that all of the complexities of this matter are not going to be resolved in the next six hours.

Rather, the officials were aiming to reach something very permanent, Rubio said, so that the people of Lebanon can have the kind of future they deserve, and so that the people of Israel can live without fear of being struck by rocket attacks from a terrorist proxy of Iran.

Asked by Scripps News whether the meeting might result in a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, Rubio said it was a lot more than just about that.

This is about bringing a permanent end to 20 or 30 years of Hezbollah influence in this part of the world, Rubio added.

A State Department official, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic matters, said the meeting had been planned for a month, well before Vice President JD Vance failed to reach an agreement with Iranian leaders in Islamabad to reach a permanent end to the Iran war.

RELATED NEWS | Vance says talks with Iran have ended without an agreement to end war

The official also stressed that President Donald Trump sees these talks as distinct from the broader, ongoing negotiations on the Iran conflict. Iranian and Pakistani leaders have said the two-week, US-Iran ceasefire announced by President Trump on April 7 did cover Israels actions in Lebanon, though the U.S. and Israel have disputed such a characterization.

Hezbollahs Secretary-General Naim Qassem, meanwhile, has rejected the meeting as a free concession to Israel and promised the group won't abide by any agreements reached in Washington. Hezbollah leaders made no public announcements after the meeting, though a TV channel run by the group indicated strikes on Israel were ongoing.

Leiter, for his part, told reporters upon leaving the State Dept. that the U.S., Israel and Lebanon were all on the same side of the equation, suggesting the leaders shared a goal of liberating Lebanon from Hezbollahs control.

The vision, the long term vision, where there will be a clearly delineated border between our countries and where the only reason we'll need to cross each other's territory will be in business suits to conduct business, or in bathing suits to go on vacation, Leiter said.

The Israeli leader went on to reject the notion that Israel should moderate its attacks in Lebanon in the meantime: Missiles are being fired at our civilians, he said. That will be put a stop to. We will not allow a terror organization to continually fire missiles into our population centers.

And while a U.S. statement released Tuesday afternoon celebrated the historic milestone of the meeting, it made no call for a halt to Israeli strikes or withdrawal from Lebanese territory, instead affirming Israels right to defend itself from Hezbollah.

RELATED NEWS | Netanyahu authorizes direct talks with Lebanon in potential boost to ceasefire efforts

Earlier Tuesday, a joint statement from a coalition of 18 foreign ministers called on Hezbollah to cease its attacks on Israel but also condemned massive Israeli strikes on Lebanon and reaffirmed Lebanese territorial integrity.

Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law, the foreign leaders wrote.

Since the Iran conflict began, Israeli strikes have killed 2,124 people in Lebanon, the nations health ministry said Tuesday, including 254 women, 168 children and 88 health workers.

A State Dept. official told Scripps News the U.S. recently approved $58.8 million in new humanitarian aid to provide lifesaving assistance to displaced Lebanese, with a focus on food, health, water, wastewater, shelter, and the emergency response needs of the most conflict-affected populations.

'Baby Jessica,' who was rescued from a well in 1987, is arrested for assault

14 April 2026 at 23:40

Jessica McClure Morales was taken into custody over the weekend for a domestic disturbance at her home.

Morales is best known as "Baby Jessica," who was rescued after she fell into a 22-foot well in 1987, when she was 18 months old. The world was riveted as rescuers worked for nearly 60 hours to free her.

Morales, now 40 years old, was arrested at her home in Texas on Saturday and charged with assault causing bodily injury involving family violence, according to records cited by multiple outlets.

Records show she posted bond and was released from the Midland County Detention Center. Further details about the incident are not yet available.

RELATED NEWS | Britney Spears enters substance abuse treatment facility weeks after her arrest on suspicion of DUI

Morales' 1987 rescue stretched for nearly five days, drawing worldwide media attention and leading to the creation of a television movie adaptation in 1989.

In interviews as an adult, Morales has said her surviving the ordeal was a "miracle."

Morales married her husband Danny in 2006 and bought a home close by the location of the well she fell in as a child.

A look inside DTE's operations center as they prepare for storms and outages

14 April 2026 at 23:27

At DTE's operations center, we got a look behind the scenes at their plans to handle power outages when customers are hit with storms.

Technology has transformed the way DTE services customers. Jerry Tullio, director of regional customer operations, gave us an exclusive look inside to show us the breakdown by geographic area to send crews immediately.

Watch Glenda Lewis' video report below: DTE Energy is planning for damage at their operations center

(Big wall) shows the smart devices on the grid that we're able to see that help us control the flow of electricity, so that we can continue to mitigate power outages the best that we can, Tullio said. Were continuously investing in smart devices on our grid last year, we save 29,000 customer outages through these devices.

Tullio says its a team effort at the operations center to prepare for storms and damage.

We have a team of meteorologist that are tracking the weather as it comes across the state and broader service territory. From there, we will stage crews where we think the weather is going to hit with also a broad approach looking at customer safety, the public safety for us to be ready to restore power as quick as we can, Tullio said.

Tullio says this season so far has been active.

A lot of wind. The wind affects the trees. The trees will take the power likes down and effects our power equipment in different ways, he said.

Tullio has important tips for when there is storm damage and downed wires.

We ask that people at least stay 25 feet away. Keep people out of your back yard. If you see any yellow tape, do not cross it. Wait for one of our trained professionals to come out and mitigate the risk. Also cleanup after a storm can wait. Often sometimes, downed power lines can get buried under debris, Tullio said.

The Great Lakes Water Authority asks residents in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall to remain vigilant and out of an abundance of caution, to remove items of value from their basements.

Highland Park police search for mystery hero who rescued officer after severe crash with street racer

14 April 2026 at 23:15

Highland Park Police are searching for a Good Samaritan who helped rescue a 21-year-old police officer after a severe crash with a street racer.

Watch Faraz Javed's video report: Highland Park police search for hero who rescued officer after severe crash

On April 5, just after midnight, Highland Park Police officer Javon Odom was driving his patrol car when a street racer fleeing other police units slammed into him. The suspect was driving the wrong way down Hamilton Avenue at 70 mph.

"I'd never seen him, but from other statements from officers who did see him, he was driving the wrong way to traffic, down Hamilton. So when I started to initiate my U-turn, he came out of nowhere and hit me," Odom said.

Body camera video shows the moment of impact. The crash deployed the patrol car's airbags, and Odom said he was in a state of shock before passing out.

WEB EXTRA: Bodycam video of the crash and aftermath WEB EXTRA: Bodycam video of the crash and aftermath

"I was confused. I actually didn't know what happened," Odom said.

An unknown bystander approached the wrecked cruiser, asking Odom if he was okay and telling him to "tighten up" as they worked to get him out of the vehicle. Odom said the stranger helped him regain consciousness.

"No, I didn't even realize. All I know was, I looked up, it was airbags, and there was a guy that asked me if I was okay," Odom said. "Yeah, I was like, I didn't know what was going on at first. So, can we get in the car? Because maybe he's seen something that I can't see from inside the car."

Highland Park Police investigator Everett Monroe arrived at the scene shortly after the crash.

"When I got there, I saw Odom out of the vehicle; he was being held up by a citizen," Monroe said.

Monroe put Odom in his car and rushed him down Woodward Avenue to Detroit Receiving Hospital.

"I've worked real hard not to develop tunnel vision going down Woodward Avenue," Monroe said. "There are guys here that we have a really strong bond. He's definitely a younger brother, and that took on."

Odom survived the crash with minor injuries. Detroit police helped arrest the 19-year-old suspect driver, who has been charged. Police in Highland Park continue to lead the investigation, which is ongoing.

"Looking at the damage, it's very surprising that I made out with the minor injuries that I had," Odom said.

Now, the police department is asking for the public's help to identify the bystander so they can thank him.

"A number of things could have went wrong. It shows that the bridge between the civilians and us is, it's building, and it's strong now because there was a time where cars would just drive by and then he would just be there," Odom said. "Thank you for possibly saving my life."

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.

Grosse Pointe Park prepares for a massive $3.8M Charlevoix Avenue streetscape project

14 April 2026 at 22:24

A $3.8 million streetscape project is set to dramatically transform Charlevoix Avenue in Grosse Pointe Park, bringing wider sidewalks, new lighting, landscaping and a more pedestrian-friendly design to the area.

Construction will begin in May and is expected to last until November. The project, which spans from Beaconsfield to Alter Road, will be completed in phases and will result in some road closures.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: Charlevoix Avenue streetscape project to transform Grosse Pointe Park

The city received a $1.8 million grant from the state to help fund the makeover. The goal is to bring more people to the Grosse Pointe Park social district and boost local businesses.

An informational meeting is scheduled for Tuesday night at city hall, giving residents an opportunity to voice concerns directly to the city before work starts.

Web extra: Drive with us down Charlevoix Avenue in Grosse Pointe Park ahead of streetscape project Drive with us down Charlevoix Avenue in Grosse Pointe Park ahead of streetscape project

"The purpose of tonight's meeting is for residents to be able to meet with the contractor, meet with the engineers and meet with city staff here, ask any concerns or questions they may have like what's their daily commute or impact is going to be like, how do we meet with the businesses, how can we help or be supportive," Grosse Pointe Park City Manager Nick Sizeland said.

"This has been an ongoing idea that started with our tax increment finance authority about three years ago."

Residents and business owners are expressing a mix of excitement for the finished project and concern about the upcoming construction.

"It might make it a little difficult to navigate the area or walking-wise in the interim while they're working on it. It might be tough, but in the end, I think it's a worthwhile," Grosse Pointe Park resident Benjamin Huber said.

"It's something we're excited about," Huber said.

Local businesses are worried that construction could impact the number of customers they attract. David Strouse, manager of Growlers and Howlers, noted the potential challenges.

"Short term having it impact parking and some of our customers' willingness to come is going to be a little tough to get through, but we've been a community bar and restaurant for eight years and we've been through tough things and we'll get through this," Strouse said.

Tony Vassallo opened his barber shop, Park Barbers, on Charlevoix Avenue in November.

"I am happy that it is going to get a little bit of love. It's going to be tough while we're going through it, but I am happy it's getting done," Vassallo said.

Other residents remain optimistic about the overhaul.

"I think it's great that we are having other opportunities to showcase the community," Grosse Pointe Park resident David Chudy said.

"I am glad they're moving forward with it," Chudy 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.

Detroit woman who built B-29 bombers during World War II celebrates her 101st birthday with her family

14 April 2026 at 22:22

A Detroit woman who was just a teenager when she helped build B-29 bombers during World War II is celebrating her 101st birthday.

Watch Jeffrey Lindblom's video report: Detroit woman who built WWII B-29 bombers celebrates 101st birthday

When the nation went to war, Detroit traded automobile parts for bomber parts. Jenny Grzyb stepped up, following the lead of Rosie the Riveter.

"I worked at General Motors," Grzyb said.

Her youngest daughter, Sue Reno, described her Polish mother as her benchmark for all of life's most important things. Reno said her mother has always been a peacekeeper with an infectious laugh.

"She doesnt seem that old to me I mean, World War II? Thats crazy," Reno said. "War started, they switched, and they started doing the parts and manufacturing pieces for the bombers."

"We had hard work, thats for sure," Grzyb said.

"She took pride in everything she did," Reno said.

While the war waged on, Grzyb continued making parts for the bombers. In 1945, she met and married her husband, Lenny, a Navy navigator.

The couple spent 70 happy years together before he died in 2015. Reno remembers her parents loving to dance.

"No one would spin around the floor faster than mom and dad," Reno said.

"I miss him. Ive got pictures all over," Grzyb said.

Grzyb said she could not believe her eyes when her family showed up to surprise her for her 101st birthday at Waltonwood Senior Living in Rochester Hills.

Though Grzyb would not share her birthday wish, she did share her secret to successfully leading a long life.

"Do what you have to do, and do it whether you like it or not," Grzyb 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.

Detroit files lawsuit against property owner to secure apartment complex

14 April 2026 at 22:08

The City of Detroit is taking legal action to seize control of a vacant apartment complex on the city's west side following years of neglect and illegal trash dumping.

Watch Simon Shaykhet's video report: Cleanup continues at vacant Detroit property

Two weeks after I helped expose the conditions at the property at Greenfield and Grove, the city cleaned and boarded up the site.

PREVIOUS STORY: Cleanup begins at vacant Detroit apartment that has racked up nearly $100K in fines Cleanup begins at vacant Detroit apartment that has racked up nearly $100K in fines

Now, officials are seeking a court order to take possession of the complex, secure it for the long term, and, ideally, sell it to a developer to renovate and rent out the units.

PREVIOUS STORY: Neglect, illegal dumping at vacant Detroit apartment leaves neighbors frustrated Neglect, illegal dumping at vacant Detroit apartment leaves neighbors frustrated

Inside City Hall, I met with the head of the Detroit Law Department, Conrad Mallett, to hear firsthand how his office is seeking to hold the owner accountable. Two lawsuits have been filed, and fines for the complex are nearly $100,000.

"He has to comply with the city ordinance," Mallett said. "Weve got two default judgments. We now want to go to court and say, " Your honor, listen, hes basically, by his lack of offering a defense, admitted everything we said in our complaint is true."

The city is still working to serve the owner with a copy of the lawsuit. The owner has not responded to my request for comment.

I visited the vacant complex again today to ensure it hasn't returned to a site for dumping trash or squatting. The city has installed additional security cameras and fencing at the complex to keep it safe.

Neighbor Rathael Baldwin lives nearby and is glad the city is keeping its word.

"What would be better than this? Make sure they dont be dumping here no more," Baldwin said. "As long as the right people are in it, its good."

I also re-connected with Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Waters, who is fighting to tackle blight. She was among those I first shared images of the complex with before the cleanup, and she committed to seeing the issue resolved.

"Two weeks later, folks are wondering whats happening here," Waters said. "Im very grateful our law department has really taken the initiatives in going after these people. But, guess what, they still need state law behind them."

Waters hopes tougher laws currently in the works at the state level can help the city level harsher penalties against landlords.

Another update is expected within a few weeks at the next court hearing.

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.
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