Americans value press freedom with some exceptions.

About three-quarters of U.S. adults said press freedom is extremely or very important to society's well-being, according to a newly released Pew Research Center study. But at least half said they also support government restrictions on reporting in specific circumstances, such as protecting national security or preventing inaccurate information.

At the same time, many Americans said it is never acceptable for the U.S. government to give journalists access to public figures in exchange for positive coverage, or to revoke a news organization's broadcast license.

People are not all or nothing, says Katerina Eva Matsa, director of news and information at Pew Research Center, when asked what was striking about the findings. When you give them options and scenarios they are negotiating. That was a very interesting perspective that the data gave us.

The study, which was based on two surveys conducted earlier this year, also found that Americans were divided about whether the media is completely free to report the news, with Democrats and Republicans expressing very different levels of worry about restrictions on the press.

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The polling comes at a bumpy time for media in the US

The analysis comes as the relationship between the U.S. media and Donald Trump's second administration becomes ever more fraught as the president, in his second term, seeks to restrict press coverage not to his liking. He or his administration has attacked, sued or taken administrative action against media outlets that have drawn his ire.

Matsa said that tension was one impetus for doing the report now. Other reasons: the changing media environment and the evolution of what the press is now, as well as the emergence of tech companies as gatekeepers of the news.

Overall, theres a lot of public conversation and its the 250th anniversary of our nation, she said. So, it kind of felt like a good moment to look at how Americans think about this.

Most Americans, about 7 in 10, said the Trump administration and the U.S. news media have a very or somewhat bad relationship. That's a slight increase from 2025, when 64% of U.S. adults said this.

They're more divided on whether the press faces additional restrictions under Trump's second term, although few think the press is freer than it was before. About 44% of U.S. adults said the press has become less free under the second Trump administration, while about 26% said there has been no change. Only 12% said the press is more free, and 17% said they're not sure.

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Americans hold complex views on when the government can intervene

Despite U.S. adults' broad belief in the ideal of press freedom, the survey found, they're willing to contemplate restrictions in specific circumstances.

Most U.S. adults said the government should not be able to require a news organization to take down a story if it is critical of the government or clearly favors one political side. But about half say it should be able to force a retraction if a story contains false information, and about 6 in 10 said this about a story that poses a risk to national security.

The findings indicate most Americans are open to some form of government restriction on the media, despite their broad embrace of press freedom as a concept. At the same time, there is unlikely to be uniform agreement about what constitutes a national security risk, for example, or who gets to determine that and the poll did not probe those distinctions further.

When asked whether it was more important for the press to be free to report news even if some reporting is inaccurate, or if preventing inaccurate reporting should be prioritized even if it limits press freedom, about half, 53%, of U.S. adults said it was more important to prevent inaccurate reporting, and 45% said press freedom was more important.

But they see limits for government too. Just over half of Americans say it is rarely or never acceptable for the U.S. government to force journalists to reveal the identities of unnamed government sources or take away a news organization's license to broadcast. About 2 in 10 say these actions are sometimes acceptable, and only about 1 in 10 say they are usually or always acceptable.

Political affiliation helps determine perspectives

Perhaps not surprisingly in a highly politicized environment, views on press freedom differed sharply according to political leaning.

Democrats were more likely than Republicans to prioritize a free press to begin with, the study found. About 8 in 10 Democrats said a free press is extremely or very important for society's well-being, compared to about two-thirds of Republicans.

Republicans were also more likely than Democrats to say the government should be able to require a news story be taken down in cases of national security. About 7 in 10 Republicans said this should be allowed, compared to about half of Democrats. A similar gap emerged on the publication of false information.

The share of Americans who said the media was completely free to report the news fell slightly from 33% last year to 28% in the latest survey. About half 48% said the press was somewhat free and about 2 in 10 said it was not very or not at all free.

There were differences between the parties there, too.

In the new study, only about 2 in 10 Democrats saw the media as completely free to report the news.

Meanwhile, most Democrats, 64%, said they were extremely or very concerned about potential restrictions on press freedom, while only about 3 in 10 Republicans held similar worries. The reverse was true during the Biden era.

The report is accompanied by a knowledge quiz based on the surveys that users can take to test how much they know about the First Amendment. It has eight questions, all of which were included in the survey. Matsa noted that while many Americans understand the basics of the First Amendment, many dont know the mechanics of who it protects and from whom.

For example, the study found that while 58% of U.S. adults know the Constitution protects the press from interference by the U.S. government, only 33% know that it does not protect the press from interference by private companies, such as a social media company or a web-hosting service.

State health officials are warning about the misuse of a common product that is sending a growing number of Michiganders to the hospital.

Nitrous oxide has medical and culinary uses. But is also marketed for recreational use in grocery stores, smoke shops, vape stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and online.

“These products are often sold openly and may be marketed as legal or low risk, people may underestimate the real dangers,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in recent decades, recreational nitrous oxide use has grown.

MDHHS says the use of ‘laughing gas” or “whippets” has expanded into a much larger public health concern due to the widespread availability of larger, high-volume canisters.

Health officials are concerned that when used without trained supervision, the recreational use of nitrous oxide can quickly become dangerous and even life-threatening.

“It is deeply concerning that nitrous oxide – a drug we use in monitored medical settings to provide safe, comfortable care for children and other vulnerable patients – is being sold and used as a recreational substance,” said Dr. Matt Dellaquila, president of the Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists. 

According to the Michigan Poison and Drug Information Center, there’s been a sharp increase in nitrous oxide-related health emergencies in recent years.

Of the 112 cases identified between 2024 and May 2026, 34% required admission to a hospital and 7% required admission to an intensive care unit. 

MDHHS said nearly half of all reported cases resulted in medically significant outcomes, including numbness, tingling in the hands or feet, trouble walking and balance issues, confusion and anxiety, and passing out. 

State health officials said anyone who notices concerning symptoms after using nitrous oxide should stop immediately and seek medical care.

Michigan Democratic U.S. Senator Gary Peters said Tuesday that the Trump administration's efforts to change the rules around mail-in voting are a reason to remain vigilant, even after the U.S. Supreme Court blocked new restrictions on absentee ballots.

Peters welcomed the ruling but said he doesn't expect the administration to stop trying to affect elections.

“They want to change the rules. They don't want free and fair elections. They want to do what they can to undermine the credibility of our elections,” Peters said. “So we have to be vigilant.”

The Supreme Court ruled the administration cannot restrict mail-in ballots through the Postal Service ahead of the midterm elections. Two justices dissented.

Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Justice Clarence Thomas, expressed concerns about voter fraud and said the Postal Service has broad authority to regulate the mail. President Donald Trump has claimed without evidence that absentee voting is rife with fraud.

Peters told Michigan Public Radio the ruling should have been unanimous.

“It's very disappointing that you'd have two justices of the Supreme Court basically doing the bidding of the president, not based on fact, but based on their partisan views,” Peters said.

The debate over election rules also extends to Michigan, where a state House committee has been convened to investigate why a ballot initiative requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote was denied a spot on the November ballot.

The Board of State Canvassers deadlocked 2-2 on the measure from Americans for Citizen Voting. The group submitted more than 700,000 signatures, but the board found a sample of 1,000 contained enough signatures with disqualifying problems that the campaign would not reach the signature threshold required to go before voters.

Republican state Representative Mike Harris, the committee's chair, said the panel plans to hear from election officials and people affiliated with ballot-measure campaigns.

WXYZ crews are on the scene of a shooting investigation Tuesday evening that has left an infant dead.

Details are limited at the time of this article's publication, but that's according to a release from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard is expected to hold a press briefing Tuesday night.

The incident of the shooting occurred at a condominium complex along Maynard Court in Pontiac.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is shared with the public.

United Auto Workers members from across the state are meeting in Lansing this week. They’re gathering for the union’s restarted Michigan Community Action Program Conference.

The three-day conference is a chance for delegates to discuss political strategy, as well as hear from party leaders and candidates that the union has endorsed.

UAW President Shawn Fain outlined the union’s four core issues during a keynote speech early Tuesday afternoon. He described them as "adequate wages, adequate healthcare, retirement security, and time off the job.”

While showing a chart of UAW-represented companies and their collective profits, Fain argued corporate greed was keeping workers down. He urged attendees not to let culture war issues distract them.

“The billionaires try to divide us ... based on race, based on where we’re from, based on who we love, what bathroom we use,” Fain said. “They will use anything they can. When they talk about diversity, equity, inclusion, or affirmative action programs, and say that’s why your life sucks, we know that’s bulls---. Because they don’t want you looking at this,” he said, referring to the profit chart.

Earlier in the day, Fain said this year's midterm election is a “defining moment.” He told reporters he wanted workers to set the union’s tone.

“This is really about putting the membership in charge, putting the people back in charge. Not just as a union but where we head, whether it’s bargaining contracts or whether it’s organizing worksites or whether it’s our politics. You know, the membership is going to drive this,” Fain said.

This is the first time the conference is happening in Lansing since 2018. Members from the union’s Community Action Program said they were happy to see it come back.

Southeast Michigan worker Carrie Robinson from the union’s Local 7 chapter found the day “inspiring.”

“I’m encouraged to go out and step out and, what they say, put the hand on the plow. And, in numbers, we will have power,” Robinson said.

El-Sayed addresses union supporters

The convention began Monday. On Tuesday, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed spoke to the downtown Lansing crowd.

El-Sayed attacked the Trump administration for its trade war with Canada and scaling back policies that helped domestic electric vehicle production. That’s as Chinese companies dominate the global EV market with a series of low-cost models.

El-Sayed said the government should help American car companies build their own cars capable of driving 300 miles on a single charge to retail for less than $25,000.

“Our job I think is to double down on American research, design, and manufacturing. Double down on the power of union auto shops and to build the future of auto for ourselves. The gauntlet that I laid down, that should be a challenge everybody’s willing to pick up.”

El-Sayed is running against former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers, who has criticized EV incentives as increasing reliance on Chinese battery technology.

The Democrat also criticized perceived corporate influence in politics and responded to Republican accusations that he is a socialist or communist.

“I’m a capitalist who actually read about capitalism,” El-Sayed said.

He continued by paraphrasing 18th century economist Adam Smith, whose book, The Wealth of Nations, was seminal in explaining what became capitalist philosophy. While skeptical of overbearing governments, Smith also warned against “the monopolizing spirit of merchants and manufacturers.”

El-Sayed won the party’s endorsement during his primary against Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI 11). Fain said Rogers turned down an invitation to seek the union’s endorsement.

Fain said, as with any large organization, not all members will agree on candidates.

Dwayne Walker, president of UAW Local 900, one of the state’s larger chapters, said the event helps with energizing members to pass along the message to others who may still feel split on El-Sayed.

“It’s just like anything else. I don’t want to say old against new, or traditional versus progressives,” Walker said. “Me being one of those traditionalists, that’s why we had to sit down. And we asked him the hard questions, and we screened him, and we made sure that we know.”

Walker said he liked how El-Sayed appeals to the younger generation.

“We can’t leave the young ones behind. And ... here’s the thing about it, he’s the future, he’s in their generation. We’ve got to realize that change in times. I had a flip phone back when I was young. Now we’ve got an iPhone,” Walker said.

The conference continues Wednesday with a speech from Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson.

New details emerged in court today in the case of a 79-year-old man who is accused of pulling a gun on four Muslim men on Saturday.

Peter Northup was arraigned on four counts of aggravated hate crimes after allegedly targeting the men for their religion and threatening violence. Each count is a 10-year felony.

7 News Detroit learned Northup is a retired optometrist with no criminal record. Still, we also learned the suspects own family had expressed deep concerns about his mental well-being on several occasions, including the day before the confrontation.

Dr. Northup. Not mister," the suspect corrected the magistrate.

Magistrate Elizabeth Chiappelli replied, "Alright, you're identified as a defendant here in court as Peter Hamilton Northup."

On Saturday, a group of Muslim men was inviting others to discuss their Islamic faith outside the Troy Library. That's when they say Northup approached them and allegedly threatened to shoot them.

7 News Detroit told Javed Ashraf, one of the alleged victims, the hearing was on the docket.

After the arraignment, Ashraf told 7 News Detroit, "When I saw him, all the memories came back from that day."

Authorities said when Northup was arrested on-site, he was carrying a loaded weapon with one round in the chamber.

Ashraf said, "He's definitely a dangerous man for the community."

"And I was also thinking about the safety of the children that are inside the library," he added.

Police said they seized 19 weapons from his home. However, investigators noted that at least three registered guns remain unaccounted for.

During the arraignment, a detective told the magistrate, "So, we do have concerns for the community. We request a cash bond."

The magistrate asked Northup directly about any other weapons.

Chiappelli asked the suspect, "Do you have any other firearms at another location?"

Northup replied, "No, I can't... I can't answer that question."

He added, "I have dementia also."

That ongoing lack of accountability has left the alleged victims shaken.

Ashraf said, "My concern is that he may not be saying the complete truth and ya know, can cause harm. He's already like 79. He doesn't have much to lose."

During the hearing, the magistrate revealed that Northups family had previously requested police welfare checks on July 10th, July 13th, and again on September 11th, just one day before the incident.

Magistrate Chiappelli said, "With a family member reporting to police they believe that youre suffering from a mental health crisis and being in fear of you because of your mental state and access to numerous firearms."

Ashraf said, I do trust the justice system."

Northup was given a $500,000 cash or surety bond. He is due back in court on September 24th for his probable cause conference.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Steve Bannon, a former White House chief strategist under President Donald Trump, do not tend to agree on much. But Tuesday, standing on the same stage in Washington, they agreed on this: artificial intelligence, left unchecked, is dangerous and Washington is not moving fast enough to rein it in.

The two spoke back-to-back at the "Pro-Human Assembly," a Washington event organized by the nonprofit Future of Life Institute and built around its "Pro-Human AI Declaration," which calls for keeping humans in control of AI development and holding companies accountable for the technology's harms.

"AI is advancing exponentially every single day," Sanders told the crowd.

Bannon, addressing the same audience, said he agreed the technology could be transformative but drew a hard line: "We think it could be a great technology, but we're not going to give these guys carte blanche."

The pairing reflects how thoroughly AI has scrambled traditional political alliances. Sanders, an independent and self-described democratic socialist, has spent the past year warning that "AI oligarchs" are racing to automate away American jobs without regard for the consequences. Bannon, a longtime Trump ally and host of the "War Room" podcast, has spent roughly as long warning his own audience that unregulated AI amounts to a handoff of national power to a handful of unaccountable tech executives.

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On stage, Bannon went further, accusing AI companies of trying to "cover up the danger" of their own products and using the current wave of concern to entrench their market position.

"All they're trying to do is use a crisis and turn it to their advantage by creating a moat, a cartel," Bannon said. He argued the companies calling for safety rules want to "socialize all the risk" while keeping the financial upside for themselves.

Where the two diverge is on the fix. Sanders used his remarks to announce plans to introduce legislation with Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, permanently banning the development of artificial superintelligence, or AI systems capable of outperforming humans across the board. "Like nuclear weapons, artificial superintelligence is a threat to humanity, and it must be treated as such," Sanders said. "This legislation will put an immediate pause on advanced AI development until we have clear safety rules in place, developed by the most knowledgeable scientists in our country."

Sanders also called for binding international standards rather than voluntary industry commitments.

"When you're racing toward a cliff, you don't just ease the gas pedal; you hit the brakes," he said. "We need binding international safety rules, not voluntary standards from the industry."

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Bannon, by contrast, argued the fix shouldn't wait on Congress at all. "We need time," he said.

"This is not legislation; this has to be executive action, he said, framing his preferred approach as pressuring Trump to act unilaterally, alongside what he has separately described as "quarantining" China while the U.S. builds out its own rules.

The two men were among a broader, ideologically mixed lineup that organizers described as evidence of genuine bipartisan alarm. Other speakers included Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas; American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten; and religious leaders including Catholic Archbishop of San Francisco Salvatore Cordileone.

House Democrats were privately dreading a politically charged but purely symbolic vote on impeaching President Donald Trump triggered by one of their own members.

Then came something unexpected.

Just hours before that vote, GOP Rep. Thomas Massie surprised his colleagues with a push to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a stunning act of intraparty warfare that deepens the rogue congressmans rift with Trump and GOP leaders.

Massies push to impeach Hegseth, like the Democratic push to impeach Trump, is doomed to fail. Yet both votes have created headaches for their respective party leaders, neither of whom want to spend the final days in session before the midterms dealing with impeachment drama that exposes intraparty rifts.

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Massies impeachment push with dozens of pages of legal arguments appeared to have been in the works for weeks. But he told reporters Tuesday that he did not inform party leaders of his plans to introduce the articles of impeachment against Hegseth.

Republicans do not want to watch Massie make history as the first member of Congress to try to impeach a Cabinet member of the same party particularly after he lost his primary to a Trump-backed opponent this spring. And theyre furious he made the move without informing leadership, according to multiple sources.

I didnt give anybody heads-up, Massie told reporters Tuesday afternoon. When they found out I was doing the Epstein discharge petition, they canceled two weeks of Congress, and I think if they found out I was going to do this, they might have canceled even more days.

Democrats, meanwhile, are irritated that their colleague Rep. Al Green, who also lost his primary in May is forcing the impeachment vote at a time when Republicans would otherwise be facing pressure on tariffs, gas prices and AI. Their moods lifted, however, once Massie took to the floor to announce his intention to force a vote to impeach Hegseth.

Just when you think Al Green screws us, Massie turns around and gives it right back to the Rs, one Democratic aide quipped.

Just ahead of a seven-week recess, the House is now confronting dueling impeachment headaches both from members who wont be in Congress next year and who have proved uncontrollable by party leaders.

The House voted to table or block the Trump impeachment resolution Tuesday afternoon. Its not clear when a vote will be held on the Hegseth impeachment measure, but it could take place this week. Party leaders must hold a vote within the coming days unless they decide to send the House home early.

In his 34-page resolution, Massie argues that Hegseth has repeatedly abused the powers of his office in leading the US war with Iran, including carrying out unlawful orders and continuing to keep troops deployed without authorization from Congress.

Hegseth, he argued, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with his duties and the rule of law. Massie spent multiple hours reading aloud his resolution on the House floor.

Attorney General Todd Blanche on Tuesday defended Hegseth in light of the impeachment push, arguing that he follows the law.

Secretary Hegseth is doing a phenomenal job, and the secretary of war doesnt just go off and do things. So, he follows the law. And so the DOJ plays a role in that, and we play an active role in making sure the laws are complied with, Blanche said while holding a press briefing in the White House Rose Garden.

The impeachment resolution touched on more than Iran. Massie also took aim at Hegseth for what he called the kidnapping of a sovereign foreign leader in Venezuela, referring to the capture of then-President Nicols Maduro. He accused the Pentagon of kidnapping the nations leader under the guise of narcotics law enforcement, though in actuality intended to assert U.S. control over Venezuelas oil reserves.

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Democrats resolution, meanwhile, is less politically explosive for the party. Still, it requires a tricky calculation for the party in the minority.

The party has impeached Trump twice already when they held the majority in his first term. But House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his leadership team have been careful to keep their political focus on the rising cost of living. Democrats path back into the majority will need to come through battleground seats that Trump has previously won and they do not want to alienate independent and GOP voters with impeachment rhetoric.

But Democrats also know their base detests Trump, with many voters eager to see him impeached a third time.

Jeffries and his leadership team said in a joint statement Monday night that they will vote present rather than committing to an up or down vote on a procedural measure related to Greens impeachment push.

Impeachment is a sacred constitutional vehicle designed to hold a corrupt executive accountable for abuse of power, breaking the law and violating the public trust, they said, noting the process requires comprehensive investigative work to lay out the evidence and convince the American public, which they said Green has not done.

Grosse Ile police are using an artificial intelligence-generated image to help identify a man whose body was recovered from the Detroit River on Sept. 8.

Instead of releasing photos taken the day of the recovery, the Grosse Ile Police Department used AI to render a lifelike composite image of the man with his eyes open in hopes of identifying him respectfully.

Police Chief Todd Brozek says the man's body did not show signs of decomposition and AI was used simply to create an image with his eyes open. Police describe the man as approximately 50 years old, between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with short, dark graying hair and tattoos on his back, shoulders and chest.

Hengguang Li, director of AI and Data Science and a professor at Wayne State University, says he believes AI has the capacity to help policing in a variety of ways.

"AI has a lot of potential in many ways," Li said.

WATCH JEFFREY'S VIDEO REPORT:

Li says AI could also assist police in other types of investigations using bodily biometrics to help reconstruct a crime scene or generate an image of what someone may have looked like when identifying factors are not present.

"Whether it is images of the body, dental records or DNA," Li said. "AI can definitely generate different images, leads, that can help identify that person."

He says the technology is capable of connecting dots in ways that may not be as easily perceptible to people.

"It seems AI is capable of discovering hidden factors, hidden relationships," Li said.

Li cautions, however, that artificial intelligence should always be used responsibly and that both police and the public would be wise to treat AI-generated evidence as leads rather than definitive conclusions.

"We expect better results with more detailed input," Li said.

If you have any information about the man Grosse Ile police are hoping to identify, they are encouraging you to reach out to them by contacting them at (734) 676-7100.

A new University of Vermont and U.S. Department of Agriculture study found that agritourism is helping farms generate additional revenue while building stronger ties with their communities.

Researchers surveyed farms across several states, including more than 100 in Vermont. Farmers said that while earning income is important, educating the public and creating gathering spaces for their communities are also major priorities.

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"Seventy percent of responding farms wanted support in the form of grants and financial resources, which is not surprising given that there are almost no dedicated grant programs for agritourism, which can require upfront investment," said UVM Center for Rural Studies Research Specialist Claire Whitehouse, one of the study's authors. "Many wanted to make their spaces safer and more accessible to visitors, creating pathways and parking areas, building a visitor bathroom, or making an existing bathroom ADA-compliant."

According to the study, 90% of respondents from Oregon and 78% of those from California said they face regulatory challenges.

Other challenges included insurance costs, marketing and finding enough workers.

Researchers said they also found that technical assistance could help both farmers and researchers gather data to better understand what attracts visitors to farms.

Love may be priceless, but many Americans still want a partner with a paycheck.

According to research from Stagwell and Allison Worldwide found that most Americans in serious relationships say financial compatibility is more important than emotional chemistry, physical attractiveness, intellectual connection, shared hobbies and spiritual harmony.

The findings underscore the significant role money plays in long-term relationship success. More than half of respondents said poor financial habits are a relationship dealbreaker, while 41% of younger adults reported that money-related arguments place serious strain on their relationships.

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Researchers found that among those who consider income important in a partner, the average ideal salary is $139,000 per year. Women reported wanting a partner who earns about $172,000 annually, while men said they would prefer a partner earning roughly $101,000.

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The survey suggests financial expectations continue to shape dating and relationship decisions, particularly as many Americans grapple with inflation, housing costs and economic uncertainty.

Many respondents said money conversations should happen before marriage or even before moving in together, highlighting how finances have become a key measure of compatibility.

A 68-year-old Melvindale woman lost nearly $6,000 after scammers convinced her to hand over her debit and credit cards to a man posing as a bank employee who showed up at her front door.

The incident happened on Sept. 2. The woman, identified only as Cindy G. due to safety concerns, said it started with a phone call that sounded legitimate.

"As he was talking to me, he made the comment. He goes, 'it's people like this that really make me mad. That hurt our senior citizens.' And I think that's where he broke down the ice a little bit because I thought he really meant it," Cindy said.

The caller claimed her bank accounts had been compromised and told her she needed to hand over her cards for protection.

"He said to protect my debit card and that, he goes, they're going to need my PIN number. But I mean, I gave it to him," Cindy said.

The caller then told her someone from "card demolition" would come to her home to collect and destroy her cards. Minutes after she shared her address, a man arrived at her door wearing what appeared to be the bank's uniform and what police say was a fake ID badge.

The caller instructed Cindy to place her debit and credit cards in an envelope and hand them to the man using a special code phrase.

"Well, the code was, this is for my grandson," Cindy said.

Cindy said she did not realize something was wrong until about 45 minutes after handing over the cards.

"After I gave it to him. And like I said, 45 minutes went by. That's when I called my bank. We started freezing everything," Cindy said.

By then, the suspect had already withdrawn close to $6,000 from her accounts.

"I was duped, and I was crazy because I did give him the information he wanted," Cindy said.

Three days later, investigators caught a break when a Flock camera alert identified the suspect's vehicle in a neighboring city.

Melvindale Police Chief Chris Egan said the technology was critical to cracking the case.

"It would be almost impossible to crack. It was a rental car. They used fake names," Egan said.

Police arrested Damere Jackson. Investigators say they found nearly $10,000 in cash inside the vehicle, including a bundle matching one of the withdrawals from Cindy's bank. The 24-year-old now faces eight felony charges, including identity theft.

Egan said Flock cameras have proven valuable beyond this case.

"We've had five or six cases this month that were solved because of Flock. Serious cases," Egan said.

Egan said enforcement alone is not enough to protect residents and urged the community not to blame victims of these types of scams.

"So you can't always blame the victim, and you shouldn't. But what's unique about this case a little bit is we did use our tools," Egan said.

The Melvindale Police Department has launched a new app, MyMEPD, to help keep residents informed and make it easier to report suspicious activity. Egan said the department plans to use the app as its primary communication tool with the public.

"90% of the information we put on the public is going to be through this app," Egan said.

The MyMEPD app is free and available on both the Google Play and Apple App stores.

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A new report says unwanted loan calls are flooding consumers nationwide, with some individuals receiving multiple calls each day.

Experts say scammers often use personal information obtained from public websites or past data breaches to create calling lists.

Consumer advocates also warn that many of these calls are AI-generated and designed to collect even more of your personal information.

Experts recommend hanging up immediately, avoiding callbacks and never sharing sensitive information with unknown callers.

RELATED STORY | Americans hit with about 100 scam calls, texts and emails monthly, survey finds

The Federal Communications Commission announced rules in 2023 making AI-generated robocalls illegal.

Bad actors are using AI-generated voices in unsolicited robocalls to extort vulnerable family members, imitate celebrities, and misinform voters. Were putting the fraudsters behind these robocalls on notice, said Former FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. State Attorneys General will now have new tools to crack down on these scams and ensure the public is protected from fraud and misinformation.

You can stop pre-approved loan and insurance offers by visiting OptOutPrescreen or calling 1-888-5-OPT-OUT

The National Do Not Call Registry also allows consumers to reduce the number of telemarketing calls they receive.

You can register you home or mobile phone for free.

Bert Atienza, 77, died after he was assaulted inside a Walmart in Norfolk, Virginia. His wife, Josephine Atienza, is speaking exclusively to the Scripps News Group about the attack that killed her husband of 42 years.

Officers responded to a reported assault at a local area Walmart on June 7 around 3:20 p.m.

Bert was found unresponsive at the scene and died from his injuries at the hospital the next day.

Deadly encounter inside Virginia Walmart

Erika Mitchell, 42, and Travis White, 44, have been charged with second-degree murder, according to court records.

Both are being held without bond.

A 17-year-old Walmart employee also faces charges for assault and battery, aggravated malicious wounding, and conspiracy to commit a felony, according to police.

The Medical Examiner's Office said the cause of death was blunt head trauma and manner of death was homicide.

Josephine Atienza said the couple had stopped at Walmart after church that Sunday to go grocery shopping.

She said Bert got into an argument with a 17-year-old Walmart employee after she said the employee nearly struck Josephine with a cart without apologizing.

"He said, 'You almost hit my wife with your heavy cart, and you did not even say excuse me or apologize to her,'" Josephine said.

She said words were exchanged and then the employee threw a can at them as they walked away, but it did not hit them.

The couple continued shopping.

Minutes later, she said the employee's parents arrived at the store and confronted Bert.

"They crowded my husband, one of the adults hit him in the face. He fell down on the floor. I was terrified. I don't know what's going on," Josephine said.

Surveillance video shows Bert, who was wearing red, being assaulted inside the store.

"While he's on the floor, they're still kicking him and I told them stop. My husband has heart problems," Josephine said.

She said she held her husband in her arms as other customers offered to help.

"My husband was still able to speak, he said, 'help me, get up,' but I told him no you're bleeding. Your mouth is bleeding. Ambulance is coming," Josephine said. "I look at him again. He has no more consciousness."

Defense Attorney James Broccoletti represents White, said the situation was not premeditated.

"They did not go there, intending for any of this to happen. It was an emotional situation. Their daughter called them. She was distraught. They went, as any parent would do, to try to make sure that their daughter was safe and then the situation kind of erupted. It was spontaneous almost," Broccoletti said. "We think that the evidence establishes at best an assault because they punched the gentleman, there is some evidence my client may have kicked him, but that's simple assault, that's a misdemeanor. There is nothing that goes further than that, that indicates that there was any chance or likelihood or probability that this man would die as a result of this."

Josephine described her husband as someone who was direct and unafraid to speak his mind.

"If he sees things that he doesn't like, he will tell it to you straightforward. That's how it is. He doesn't care who you are," Josephine said.

The couple met decades ago when she was a bank teller, and he was an accountant in the Philippines. She said they had planned to retire there together.

"We had many plans in our senior years. We were planning to go home to the Philippines to retire and to be with his family, but now shattered," Josephine said.

Now, she said she is haunted by the violence and wants justice.

"I lost a husband of 42 years, and my son lost a father. As each day passes by, I feel the pain of loneliness about being by myself now. There is an anger and bitterness in me. If only I could turn back time," Josephine said.

A representative from Walmart said the employee is no longer working for the company, they will continue to work with law enforcement and have no further comment regarding the matter.

Scripps News Group in Norfolk, Virginia.

Village leaders in Beverly Hills are expected to vote Tuesday night on a new ordinance aimed at regulating e-bikes, e-motos and other electric transportation devices as concerns grow about rider and pedestrian safety.

The proposed ordinance would make Beverly Hills one of several Metro Detroit communities taking steps to address the growing popularity of electric bikes and motorized devices on local streets, sidewalks and bike paths. Village officials say the effort comes after multiple crashes involving similar devices across the region this year, some of them fatal.

Residents say they are increasingly encountering e-bikes and scooters throughout the community and worry about the risks posed to both riders and drivers.

There should be a great deal of concern about safety in the city, in neighborhoods, riding on the sidewalks with those things, former Beverly Hills resident Rasheed Lee said.

Tessa Kelly, a Beverly Hills resident, said she finds herself watching for more than just cars and motorcycles while driving.

Its like Im always looking for motorcycles and now Im looking for a group of ten teens on e-bikes or scooters passing by or weaving in and out, Kelly said.

Village Manager Warren Rothe said electric devices have become a common sight throughout the community.

Theyre on every street. Theyre in local neighborhoods. Theyre on the major thoroughfares like 13 and 14 Mile, Rothe said.

What the Ordinance Would Do

The proposed ordinance would establish different rules for various classes of e-bikes and electric devices. According to village officials, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes would be limited to speeds of 10 mph in certain areas, while Class 3 e-bikes would be capped at 28 mph. Both Class 3 e-bikes and e-motos would also be required to follow posted speed limits.

Under the proposal:

More information can be read here.

Village Council President John George said e-motos are among the biggest concerns because they can travel at high speeds and currently lack clear regulation at the state level.

The e-motos are the biggest area of concern because they are one of the most prevalent and they are without definition, George said. We are considering the fact that they are operating at speeds exceeding the speed limit on the sidewalk and in the parks.

George said the goal is to prevent serious accidents before they happen.

Were trying to keep kids safe, trying to keep drivers safe, he said. Weve seen the accidents in other municipalities and wed like to avoid that.

Residents Welcome Proposed Changes

Some residents say stricter regulations are overdue.

I heard about the Bloomfield (Township) bill pass and I was like, thank God. I think we need something like that, Kelly said in reference the neighboring community approving a moratorium on the electric devices Monday.

If approved, the ordinance would take effect within two weeks, giving residents and parents time to review the new rules and understand how they apply to different classes of electric bikes and devices.

Rising fuel costs are forcing small business owners and their customers to adapt, with some restaurants already closing their doors.

Gas prices in Michigan are averaging nearly $4.50 per gallon, above the national average of $4.33, according to AAA. Diesel fuel has climbed above $6 per gallon, driving up the cost of supplier shipments for restaurants and other small businesses that depend on deliveries.

At Ellen's Bakery and Cafe in Sylvan Lake, owner and chef George Kalergis said higher fuel costs are hitting his business from multiple directions raising the price he pays for ingredients and pushing customers to change how they order.

"We use honest goodness great ingredients," Kalergis said.

Kalergis said he has watched four nearby restaurants close in the past year. To keep his own business afloat, he is taking steps to manage rising costs, including adapting to a shift in customer behavior as more people opt to pick up their own orders rather than pay delivery fees.

"Easier for a customer to call in the order and pick up themselves. Understand the delivery fee is a convenience but" Kalergis said.

Customers ordering through popular delivery apps say they are feeling the pressure too.

"How often are you noticing the increase in prices when you order food? Every day," customer Alesha said.

Regina Henderson, a customer who recently moved to the area, said she welcomes the comfort food at family-owned restaurants like Ellen's as a break from the economic stress of tariffs and rising fuel costs. But she acknowledged that businesses are struggling too.

"When the owner of a restaurant says, ' If we don't increase some of our prices, we'll go out of business, what do you think?"

"As horrible as that is, I don't see no other way to do it," Henderson said.

Henderson said she believes the longer-term solution lies in resolving international conflicts she says are driving economic stress at home.

"If we can get that going to end, that would be a start," Henderson said.

Fuel analyst Patrick DeHaan has also posted to social media about a regional surge in prices tied to a power outage at a refinery plant in Joliet, Illinois.

Everybody Coffee, located on Lawrence Street in downtown Pontiac, is more than a place to grab a latte. It's a business built on inclusion and every cup served carries a deeper purpose.

"The heart of our business is the inclusion of everybody. Everybody matters all the time," owner and CEO Jenny Brown said.

Brown opened Everybody Coffee with her older sister, Becca, whom she describes as her role model.

"My sister, Becca, is the best, kindest, most loyal, hardworking, honest, funny person I've ever known," Brown said. And growing up, she was my mentor; I really looked up to her, and I really wanted to go into business with her," Brown said.

The business is connected to Dutton Farm, a non-profit their family started in 2010 that provides skill-building and supportive employment to individuals with disabilities.

"So, the non-profit provides the sort of pipeline for training, job readiness, job coaching for individuals to be successful in the workplace, and then the social enterprise, Everybody Coffee, is just one of the businesses that provides employment opportunities for people," Brown said.

For Becca Smither, working as a barista at Everybody Coffee is a dream come true.

"It was my dream to work in a coffee shop. My favorite job is the register... because I'm good at it."

Jenny Brown says growing awareness about the shop's mission remains one of its biggest challenges.

"I think just growing and getting the word out that we are a business that also accomplishes social change and increasing that foot traffic is probably our biggest challenge," Brown said.

Everybody Coffee is approaching its one-year anniversary at the Lawrence Street location in November. Brown says the business is also hoping to open another location in Macomb County.

For first-time customer Ryan Heur, the visit left a lasting impression.

"I'll definitely come back here. It's a great location, the coffee is good. What more could you ask for?" Heur said.

Brown says every visit to the shop is a step toward a more inclusive future.

"I tell myself, every customer that comes, and every dollar that gets spent, is like a vote for the type of world we want to see in the future, and every day we stay open, we bring ourselves closer to a brighter future for those that are excluded," Brown said.

I will be at Everybody Coffee on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a community conversation with residents and city leaders. If you have a story idea in Pontiac, stop by and share it.