Parents in Bloomfield Hills attended Monday night's school board meeting to address the upcoming closure of the district's early childhood education program.

Families with infants and toddlers who are in the program said its back to square one trying to find day care, after the school board announced it'll end in June due to budget constraints. That decision came in February.

Watch Darren Cunningham's video report below: Bloomfield Hills parents ask school board to reconsider day care closures

Bethany Schwartz said she has two daughters whove gone through the program and another child currently in the program.

It was just a huge shock to find out we had three months to find child care and reasonably priced child care," she said. Were on waitlists, but there are no guarantees that well be able to get in anywhere. My husband and I both work, and were not sure what were gonna do. Even to get into this program, we were on a waitlist for more than 10 months.

Patrick Kuptz said he moved from Grosse Pointe Park to get his child into the program.

We were told it was shut down, shutting down pretty unceremoniously. Basically, there was an email, he recalled. Really tonight, were just hoping that they might consider bringing it up at a future board meeting now that they have the correct information about the long-term impact that this will have on this community.

Kuptz said he has questions for the board.

Why are we running a deficit? Where are we running a deficit? Are we not charging families enough? Kuptz said.

Monday night, school board leaders did address the issue ahead of public comment.

Board President Tareq Falah told the audience, We know that every level of early childhood education is critically important. We know that allowing people to have decisions for their families is critically important to our community. So, it wasnt an easy decision for us and it doesnt lessen the impact of these decisions on families and staff.

He said early childhood education programs in Michigan are "the most costly to operate, the least publicly funded and the most difficult to sustain."

We are still trying to work with families. We are still trying to work with staff. I know Superintendent West and his team are working diligently to try to do that," Falah said.

During the meeting, Superintendent Rick West said a review has taken place since the decision to end the program. He said accommodations have been made for 12 students who are approaching the 30 months of age cutoff for preschool and that the program will be extended for them through December.

Transportation Security Administration officers have not received a paycheck since the U.S. Department of Homeland Security partially shut down on Feb. 14.

The lapse in funding is causing mass call-offs, which has led to long lines, delays and cancellations at some airports across the U.S., as well as financial hardships for the unpaid workers.

Watch Christiana Ford's video report below: Local nonprofit helps unpaid TSA workers struggling during partial government shutdown

Many TSA agents are still showing up to work every day, screening travelers and keeping flights moving. But behind the scenes, a local nonprofit says some are struggling to get by at home.

What troubles Air Force veteran Ann Walsh most is the unpaid TSA workers.

"Can you imagine waking up in the morning and going, when do you think were gonna get a check," Walsh said.

Walsh, the founder of the nonprofit Downriver for Veterans, says her phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from TSA workers missing paychecks and asking for help after they made a post on their Facebook page.

"If we dont help each other, nobody is going to do anything," Walsh said.

Related video: Where Detroit Metro Airport stands with TSA wait times, ICE agent presence Where Detroit Metro Airport stands with TSA wait times, ICE agent presence

Downriver for Veterans is stepping in to do what they can in addition to the work they already do to support veterans.

"I thought what if it was us. What if it was veterans in that position and we werent getting paid. We would be so thankful if somebody would step up and say you guys arent eating, you cant pay your rent, we still got money, let us take care of you," Walsh said.

Walsh says they're giving out meat this Thursday at their building in Wyandotte, milk and eggs next week and an Easter Basket giveaway April 12 for veterans and TSA employees where they will also distribute toiletries.

"Were giving them milk and eggs and pork and chicken and hamburger, non-perishable food, toiletries, Easter baskets and now were working on the giftcards," Walsh said.

Federal guidelines limit the organization to providing no direct cash or gifts, and a small gift card limit of $20 or less. Walsh knows it is not nearly enough as workers are used to.

"Twenty bucks is 20 bucks, so I just want to thank everybody for helping us make a difference," Walsh said.

It is unclear how long this partial shutdown will last. As it continues and families are left trying to figure out how to make ends meet, Downriver for Veterans is asking anyone who can to help, so that they can continue to offer aid.

Lets take care of them now and see what happens. Maybe somebody will decide to start paying them, who knows," Walsh said.

More information about Downriver for Veterans can be found on the organization's website and Facebook page.

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

Police in Port Arthur, Texas, asked residents to shelter in place on Monday evening following reports of an explosion at a Valero refinery in the community.

Local news outlets reported a large explosion had taken place, sending a plume of black smoke into the sky.

Port Arthur police later confirmed a Valero refinery as the scene of the explosion.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, according to officials who spoke to local news outlets.

Police asked residents on the west side of the city to shelter in place.

The shelter order would remain in effect until emergency personnel gave the all clear, the city's emergency management agency and mayor said.

The Texas state department of transportation directed drivers to avoid the area.

Local emergency officials said crews were en route to respond to the incident.

Further details about the cause or effects of the explosion were not immediately available.

The Valero refinery in Port Arthur is one of the largest in the U.S., capable of processing 360,000 barrels of oil a day.

This is a developing story. Stay with Scripps News for continued updates.

Iran on Monday pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump's claims of having had "very good and productive conversations" with Iran, focused on ending the war.

President Trump announced Monday morning he had pushed back a self-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on energy infrastructure within the country.

The president suggested that significant negotiations with Iranian officials had taken place, and he imposed a new deadline of this Friday.

At a roundtable in Tennessee, the president suggested that an end to the conflict could come as soon as this week.

"My whole life has been a negotiation. But with Iran, we've been negotiating for a long time. And this time they mean business. And it's only because of the great job that our military did is the reason they mean business. They want to settle it," President Trump said. "We'll see what happens. I think it's a very good chance we're going to end up in a deal. So we're giving it five days and then we're going to see where that takes us."

But Iranian officials up and down the government suggested that no direct negotiations have taken place.

Iran has so far made no official concessions about reopening the strait, which contradicts President Trump's claims earlier on Monday.

Officials in Iran also suggested President Trump's new comments Monday amounted to a defeat or retreat for the United States.

RELATED NEWS | State Department urges worldwide caution as Iran conflict continues

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had had some conversations via intermediaries and third-party countries in the region.

According to local media reports, some of those countries included Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan.

But there are few signs that the conflict is approaching a resolution. Several warships carrying thousands of U.S. Marines are still en route to the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday acknowledged President Trump's mention of a potential diplomatic solution to the conflict.

But he also noted that Israel is continuing its campaign against Iran and Lebanon. In a statement, he said "We will safeguard our vital interest until under all circumstances."

RELATED STORY | Trump calls for five-day pause in strikes on Iranian power plants, energy sites

Sen. Markwayne Mullin has been confirmed as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security after the Senate voted 54-45 to approve his nomination.

Mullin was tapped to replace Kristi Noem, whom President Donald Trump moved to another role in the administration following bipartisan criticism of her leadership. That criticism included scrutiny over two fatal shootings involving immigration enforcement officers and her use of federal funds for an anti-immigration media campaign.

Mullin faced a contentious confirmation hearing last week, clashing with fellow Republican Sen. Rand Paul. Paul criticized Mullin for not condemning a man who attacked him in 2020.

RELATED STORY | Markwayne Mullin says ICE will need a judicial warrant to enter homes

Tell the world why you believe I deserved to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken, and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it, Paul said.

I did not say I supported it. I said I understood it, Mullin responded.

Other committee members also raised concerns about Mullins temperament, citing past public confrontations. However, his nomination was passed out of committee with the help of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman's vote.

Mullin leaves behind his seat in the Senate to take over the Department of Homeland Security as it faces a funding standoff. Democrats are pushing for changes to immigration enforcement policies before agreeing to a spending deal.

An 18-year-old took road repairs into his own hands, spending $60 at Home Depot to fill potholes on Cherry Hill Road after growing frustrated with vehicle damage.

Drivers on the border of Dearborn Heights and Inkster have been dodging potholes on Cherry Hill Road for years. Ali Chami decided he was done waiting for a fix.

Watch Faraz Javed's video report below: 18-year-old fixes pot holes on Cherry Hill Road in Dearborn by himself

Chami drives on the road nearly every day to get to work from West Dearborn to Garden City. After spending over $600 on new tires in the past six months and seeing a friend's tire pop on the same road, he decided to step up to the plate.

"Yeah, very, very much," Chami said when I asked if fixing the potholes was personal to him.

On Saturday around 2 p.m., Chami bought four buckets of asphalt and filled the potholes himself.

"So pretty much, I just grabbed the cap of the bucket and I just scooped it out and spread it out, and I used it as a pushing point where I could just step on it and flatten it out," Chami said.

He documented the process on TikTok, expressing his frustration with the road conditions.

"Why is every single road but Cherry Hill getting fixed? That s*** is pissing me off. I swear to God. So you want to know what Im about to do? Im about to go to Home Depot and Im about to put some f****** asphalt on the road for all the these potholes," Chami said.

In a follow-up clip showing his work, he celebrated the temporary fix.

"Yup, wallah, I do this s***," Chami said.

Related video: Potholes plague metro Detroit drivers, causing costly car repairs 'Common problem': Potholes plague metro Detroit drivers, causing costly car repairs

Other drivers expressed similar frustrations by honking or yelling from behind the wheel.

"Potholes are getting horrible. I had to change my tire the last week," one driver said.

Chami's video quickly went viral, gaining over 175,000 views and prompting a response from local officials. Dearborn Heights Department of Public Works representative John Danci said the stretch of road from Gully to Inkster has been on their radar for five years.

Danci explained the roadblock in getting it fixed is due to the road involving three jurisdictions: the Wayne County Federal Aid Committee, Dearborn Heights and Inkster.

"Historically, between Dearborn Heights and the city of Inkster, the funding for a road project like this is much higher relative to our city budgets versus the county that gets a lot of state revenue," Danci said.

Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun also took notice, commenting on Chami's video to explain the city's efforts and announce future plans.

"I can tell you that we have patched Cherry Hill a few times already. Unfortunately, nothing is going to stick with the temperatures continuing to drop. The good news is that the city has been awarded a $2.6 million grant to fix all of Cherry Hill from Gully-Inkster. Project is expected to begin June 1st," Baydoun said.

While Danci expressed gratitude for the attention Chami brought to the issue, he joked that the city would not reimburse the teen for his $60 expense.

"You did something that at least gained a lot of attention," Danci said.

Chami said this may not be the last time he acts as an asphalt avenger.

"If I get enough funds to do it, I most definitely will. I'll probably call up a lot of my friends and my friends are down to do it," Chami said.

The city is reminding people not to take matters into their own hands and jeopardize their safety. Instead, officials urge residents to reach out to the city and file a complaint, as data drives their decisions.

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.

Orange barrels and barricades are officially up on Allen Road on the west side of Van Horn in Woodhaven as the long-awaited grade separation project gets underway Monday.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: Allen Road grade separation project officially begins in Woodhaven

The project, nearly two decades in the making, will lower Allen Road beneath the railroad tracks and build a new rail bridge over the roadway. Construction is expected to last until 2028.

Wayne County official Dayo Akinyemi said drivers will no longer be delayed by trains crossing at the intersection once the project is complete.

"The job has been a long time coming," Akinyemi said. "So, were separating the conflict that currently exists. Before now, its not strange for people to be delayed for half an hour or more."

Woodhaven resident Bria McLeish said she has been stopped by the Allen Road train dozens of times.

"Coming home from work late at night, 10 oclock, its very inconvenient," McLeish said. "Im hoping that now with this construction, they get it sorted."

We spoke with local business owners who echo her feelings, bracing for the impact of the massive project over the next two and a half to three years.

"Its going to be a long three years," Monica Lopez said.

Lopez, a Woodhaven resident and owner of Taco Stand, said the restaurant just opened in September of last year.

PREVIOUS STORY: Long-awaited Allen Road train overpass in Woodhaven is finally moving forward Long-awaited Allen Road train overpass in Woodhaven is finally moving forward

"Yeah, yeah, we were aware (of the project), again, werent sure on the timeline of it, figured maybe a year and a half, two years, and figured with that it shouldnt affect us too much, but hearing the three years, puts a damper on things," Lopez said.

Despite concerns for her small business, Lopez said she is looking forward to the train no longer being an issue.

"Itll be worth it," Lopez said.

Right next door to the taco shop is Tracys Nail Bar. Owner Trang Gazan said she believes they will be okay because their business is appointment-based.

"Weve been alive after COVID, so hopefully we can keep on going," Gazan said. "Sometimes the train is in the way too right, like it will run us behind, so I think everybody will be okay as long as they leave a little bit early to get to us."

Both business owners are reminding the community they will remain open throughout the construction.

"Keep coming to see us, and word of mouth is always good," Gazan said.

"Well be here ready to serve, and were just hoping people stop in," Lopez said.

As for what drivers can expect in the coming months, Akinyemi said the first couple of weeks will bring some delays as people adjust to detours, most of which will use Ford Lane. After that, major backups are not expected.

"The first set of work youre going to see when a project of this magnitude begins are the advance road closures and the signs and the barrels on the roadway. After that, youll see a lot of the utility companies, underground utility companies that cross the road, now they can go there," Akinyemi said.

"This is a short-term pain for a long-term gain," Akinyemi 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.

Conservation groups are racing to raise $6 million by the end of the year to preserve 440 acres of rare prairie land. They now have the support of the Brownstown Township Board of Trustees.

Watch Demetrios Sanders' video report: Race to save Brownstown Township's Sibley Prairie

The property is part of the Sibley Prairie and is located between Sibley, King, Inkster, and Telegraph roads. Trenton-based Fritz Enterprises owns the land and put it up for auction last year.

The company gave the Michigan Land Conservancy the option to purchase the property for $6 million by the end of 2026.

"That's when it became urgent for us to ramp up our efforts," Jim Bull said.

Bull, with the Save Sibley Prairie Coalition, noted the land is the largest remaining lakeplain prairie in Michigan.

"It is considered one of the most biodiverse habitats in all the state of Michigan," Bull said. "There's a lot of endangered plants here, insects, butterflies."

Brownstown Township Manager Brian Peters said the township will submit an application for grant funding through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to help purchase the property.

"This is, basically, all that's left of this habitat. So we've long known the importance of the property," Peters said.

If approved, the grant could cover around 75 percent of the purchase. The remaining funds would come from local sources and the coalition's fundraising efforts.

"The coalition has the interest to do something regardless, but I think this is the preferred outcome," Peters said.

Peters said purchasing the land would provide an opportunity to preserve the habitat and open it up to the public.

"So that it's not just some hidden gem, it's actually something people can access," Peters said.

The Save Sibley Prairie Coalition will continue to raise money in the meantime, including focusing on an additional $3.7 million needed for factors like ongoing management of the site.

"That builds a lot of confidence that we've got a serious plan," Bull said.

We reached out to Fritz Enterprises for comment and have not heard back at this time.

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.

Weeks of travel woes came to a fresh head Sunday following a deadly collision at New Yorks LaGuardia Airport, where an Air Canada plane landing from Montreal smashed into a fire truck crossing the runway.

The wrecked plane was still on the runway Monday afternoon with the front sheared off.

The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the collision, and dozens of passengers were injured.

The NTSB is now investigating why air traffic control cleared the truck to cross the active runway.

The crash shut down the airport, forcing more than 500 flight cancellations.

RELATED NEWS | Stop, truck 1, stop: Audio captures moments before deadly plane crash

Elsewhere, travelers are still experiencing long TSA wait times, with no deal in Congress to fund FHS and pay TSA agents before they miss their second full paycheck on Friday.

At Houston's George Bush Airport, flyers waited more than two hours to get through security. Atlantas airport told travelers to arrive at least four hours early.

"It's a disaster, an unmitigated disaster," said one traveler in Atlanta. "It's chaos and people are missing their flights. I've already rebooked my flight twice today."

RELATED NEWS | Trump says National Guard could be deployed to help ICE amid TSA shortage

Now, at President Trumps direction, ICE agents are at more than a dozen airports to assist with security.

We're simply there to help tsa do their job in areas that don't need their specialized expertise, such as screening through the x-ray machine, not trained in that, we won't do that," said Border Czar Tom Homan.

President Trump said hes willing to bring in other personnel too.

I want to thank ICE because they stepped in so, so strongly," he said. If thats not enough, Ill bring in the National Guard.

Construction is underway for a new apartment complex in downtown Mount Clemens that city leaders say will give the population a major boost.

The development, called The One, will be located on North River Road where the old Victory Inn used to be. The project is a $10 million investment secured from grant funding in previous state budgets.

Watch Evan Sery's video report below: New Mount Clemens apartment complex aims to boost downtown population.

Mount Clemens Mayor Laura Kropp told me the timeline looks to be about 18 months. When construction is complete and tenants move in, she said it could possibly double or triple the population of downtown Mount Clemens.

"One-hundred-and-sixteen-unit apartment complex," Kropp said. "It should double or triple our downtown population."

The complex will include affordable housing units and market-rate apartments. Kropp said attracting residents is crucial for the city.

"We have 16,000 residents in Mount Clemens, but in that what we consider to be the downtown footprint, we have less than 100 people," Kropp said. "We have to have more people living in it."

The city just finished Phase 1 of a major multimillion-dollar revitalization project. People currently come to Mount Clemens to explore stores in the downtown area.

"We have a lot of momentum," Kropp said.

"Phase 2 will be moving city hall off of the river and Phase 3 is the main street project that will happen in 2028. It's such a walkable historic downtown. It's a great place, but we have to have more users for it."

Jason Johns, general manager for the city's Champagne Chocolates store, has lived and worked in Mount Clemens all his life.

"My family's actually been in town since the 1870s. They come up from Ohio," Johns said.

"Its always been a big time interest of mine. With the old mineral baths, we used to have all the hotels in town, people would come from as far away as Europe to bathe in the water," Johns continued. "It is exciting. I wish some of my family members that were here back in the day could see whats happened since they've been gone."

I caught up with Jacob Gwizdala while he was eating lunch downtown Monday. He works in Mount Clemens.

"There's so much potential down here," Gwizdala said. "That's what every city should want is more people in the city... they just made the downtown more walkable, so keep the machine rolling."

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.

The Jewish community in Southeast Michigan is making a major investment in security to face ongoing threats as healing continues after a recent violent attack at Temple Israel.

Watch Simon Shaykhet's video report: Jewish Federation provides $1 million for local synagogue security

The Jewish Federation of Detroit is making $1 million available through private donations to provide grants to more than 50 Jewish organizations.

I talked with Steve Ingber, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Detroit, and Rabbi Asher Lopatin of Kehillat Etz Chayim Synagogue in Oak Park today about where their needs are greatest and how the funding can help.

Ingber met with me to discuss how private donations to their organization are funding security enhancements, including training, technology, and more security officers.

"If we can make one synagogue or temple safer, we can make them all safer. Well continue to do that. This grant will go to over 50 organizations in southeast Michigan," Ingber said. "And if we have to raise more money, well go out and raise more money."

Outside his synagogue in Oak Park, Lopatin said no community should have to plan for the unthinkable, yet that is exactly what he and many others have now been made to do. After the violent attack at Temple Israel, his congregation and dozens of others have again examined their own security plans to face threats.

"Yesterday, we had a service in the morning with 15 people," Lopatin said. "We have guards during services, but we have so many different services during the week. Sometimes theyre small, and you wonder if we have money to invest in someone standing outside or keeping us safe."

Lopatin is deeply grateful for the extra funding, which he said can help keep daily events safe for gatherings of all sizes.

"For smaller events to make sure everyone feels safe, and no one feels that could take us on," Lopatin said.

FULL INTERVIEW: Rabbi Asher Lopatin talks about security FULL INTERVIEW: Rabbi Asher Lopatin talks about security

Aaron Gross, a Jewish community member, said seeing a vital layer of additional protection is crucial toward supporting houses of worship of all sizes. He added that clergy, children, and teachers must feel safe to live a Jewish life.

"We want to be as welcoming as possible and everyone to come and never hesitate coming," Lopatin said.

The $1 million investment is on top of millions already being spent on security for Jewish organizations across Southeast Michigan. Ingber is also working with other Jewish leaders to lobby for more funding from Washington.

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.

DoorDash on Monday announced a program to subsidize gas costs for DoorDash workers under certain conditions, as the war in Iran introduces turmoil in fuel prices worldwide.

DoorDash drivers using the DoorDash Crimson Visa Debit Card will receive 10% back on all fuel purchases any time they use the card, regardless of whether they are working on a delivery at the time.

DoorDash will also provide weekly fuel relief payments for drivers who accumulate 125 miles or more in deliveries per week. Payments will begin at $5 per week and reach as much as $15 per week, for 250 miles driven.

RELATED NEWS | Gas and travel prices could continue to spiral as tanker traffic stalls near Iran

The changes come as fuel prices climb worldwide due to the war in the Middle East, where Iran is striking petrochemical infrastructure in the Gulf. The attacks have damaged oil refineries and liquefied natural gas facilities.

Iran has also effectively blocked most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly 20% of world oil supplies usually pass through.

Experts have warned the restrictions on supply will lead to continued higher prices on gasoline, jet fuel and other petroleum products.

On Monday AAA reported the U.S. national average price for a gallon of gasoline was $3.95, more than $1 higher than it was one month ago.

RELATED STORY | State leaders resist gas tax holidays as US gas price averages $3.79 a gallon

As the war with Iran closes in on one month, the conflict is driving up diesel and fertilizer costs for farmers in metro Detroit.

Watch Whitney Burney's video report: 'Were tired.' Farmers brace for rising costs of fertilizer amid Iran war

Iran and the U.S. exchanged threats over the weekend regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump gave the country 48 hours to open the critical waterway or face "obliteration" to its power plants. Iran fired back, saying it would close the strait indefinitely if that happened. As of Monday, President Trump extended the deadline to five days for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

While Brent crude oil prices dropped Monday morning from $112 a barrel to $100, costs at the pump continue to rise. In metro Detroit, gas is at an average price of $3.93 a gallon. Diesel is currently at $4.93 a gallon on average.

For farmers, who rely on diesel fuel to run their equipment, the rising costs have presented challenges to their operation.

At Debuck Family Farm in Belleville, Scott and Eric Debuck work nonstop from March until December. Their family farm has grown and harvested hundreds of acres of sod every year since the 1980s.

"The sod industry is much different than traditional farming. We like to call it farming on steroids. Its very intense. Its every day," Scott Debuck said.

"In the springtime, were fertilizing. Were getting the fields prepped. Were mowing. So, were out there using our tractors and diesel. Were rolling," Scott Debuck said as he described the process.

On the farm, there are multiple 1,000-gallon diesel tanks that run everything from trucks to irrigation pumps to tractors. Every time they have to refill them, which could be once a week or every two weeks, it costs thousands of dollars.

"When we irrigate, just imagine how much you irrigate your yard. Imagine 300-400 yards. Thats what we have to do. We have large diesel pumps pumping out 1,200 gallons a minute and we have four of them, so you can imagine the water that we use to irrigate," said Scott Debuck. "Sometimes our Diesel bill in the summer can be, just for irrigation sometimes, up to $5,000 a week."

The Debucks say for every dollar that fuel rises, it's thousands of dollars in additional costs for them. The farmers say one of their machines, the autostack, which harvests the sod, has a 40-gallon tank that is refilled daily. The Debuck family has three of these machines in addition to tractors and trucks. Although not all of the machines run every day.

"Were just getting ready to kick the season off, so its going to hurt and were going to have to absorb some of that cost because you cant push it all off to the consumer because the price of sod would be too high," Eric Debuck said.

If heightened diesel prices were not enough of a pain point, fertilizer is expected to cost more. The Debucks said the price has already increased about 30-40% higher in the last year.

WEB EXTRA: Farmer Scott Debuck explains what higher diesel prices means for a farm and the farmer WEB EXTRA: Farmer Eric Debuck explains what higher diesel prices means for a farm and the farmer

"At this particular point, are you more concerned about the diesel costs or fertilizer?" 7 News Detroit's Whitney Burney asked.

"Both. This grass here needs fertilizer on it. So well have to hit this grass right here in the next week or so. I mean, you see how big this field is. That eats up a lot of fertilizer," Scott Debuck said as the two stood in one of their sod fields.

"So costs are likely going up thousands at minimum," Whitney asked.

"Tens of thousands," said Scott.

The DeBucks predict some farmers will begin growing crops that require less fertilizer, which could cause a shortage of other crops like corn. They warned that not every farm will make it to the other side of this economic challenge.

"I think its common that youll see a lot of farms just sell because were tired. Were exhausted. The money is not there like it used to be there and its hard to pass it to the next generation if youre struggling," Scott DeBuck said.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) A civil jury in California found Monday that Bill Cosby was liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 1972 and awarded her $59.25 million. After a nearly two-week trial in Santa Monica, jurors found Cosby, 88, liable for the sexual battery and assault of Donna Motsinger. They awarded her $17.5 million in past damages and $1.75 million for future damages, including mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, inconvenience, grief, anxiety, humiliation, and emotional distress. Then in a second phase of the trial Monday afternoon, they awarded an additional $40 million in punitive damages. Cosbys attorney, Jennifer Bonjean , said in an email after the initial award earlier Monday that they are disappointed and fully intend to appeal the verdict. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the punitive damages. Deliberations lasted about two days. The decision came nearly five years after Cosby was freed from prison in Pennsylvania when the state Supreme Court threw out a criminal conviction based on similar allegations. He has settled some similar lawsuits and has been ordered to pay in others, but Monday's award is likely the most he has had to pay in a case. This verdict is not just about me its about finally being heard and holding Mr. Cosby accountable, Motsinger said in a statement. I have carried the weight of what happened to me for more than 50 years. It never goes away. Today, a jury saw the truth and held him accountable. That means everything. I hope this gives strength to other survivors who are still waiting for their moment to be heard. Motsinger had been a server at a restaurant in Sausalito near San Francisco who said in her lawsuit, filed in 2023, that Cosby had invited her to his stand-up comedy show at a theater in nearby San Carlos. Both were in their 30s at the time. She said Cosby gave her wine and two pills that she believed were aspirin, and that she was going in and out of consciousness as two men put her in a limousine. She woke up in her house with all her clothes off, except her underwear on no top, no bra, and no pants, the lawsuit said. She knew she had been drugged and raped by Bill Cosby. In court filings, Cosby's lawyers argued that the allegations rested almost entirely on speculation and assumption, saying Motsinger freely admits that she has no idea what happened. Motsinger's lawsuit moved with surprising quickness through the California courts, taking just 2 1/2 years from filing until verdict while other lawsuits against him stalled. We are grateful to the jury for their careful attention to the evidence and to Ms. Motsinger for the extraordinary courage it took to come forward, said Jesse Creed, one of her attorneys from the Panish Shea Ravipudi law firm that represented her. Cosby did not testify at the trial, whose witnesses included Andrea Constand , the Temple University sports administrator he was convicted of sexually assaulting in a Pennsylvania criminal court in 2018. The state's Supreme Court threw out the verdict and Cosby was freed from prison after serving nearly three years of a three- to 10-year sentence. Motsinger first made her allegations anonymously in a 2005 lawsuit filed by Constand. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly and consent to be named, as Constand and Motsinger have. In 2022, a jury in Santa Monica awarded $500,000 to a woman who said Cosby sexually assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion when she was a teenager in 1975. Motsinger's lawsuit echoed allegations of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment made by at least 60 women against Cosby, all of which he has denied. The former stand-up comedy and television superstar once widely known as Americas Dad became the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era before his conviction was permanently thrown out when appeals court found he gave incriminating testimony in a deposition only after believing he had immunity from prosecution.

Travelers across the country are facing hours-long lines at airport security checkpoints as the partial government shutdown continues and Transportation Security Administration worker absences reach their highest point.

Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report: Where Detroit Metro Airport stands with TSA wait times, ICE agent presence

However, wait times remained normal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on Monday.

More than 400 TSA agents have quit as they enter over a month without pay. A deal still has not been reached to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

In response, President Donald Trump deployed hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist at some of the most affected airports on Monday, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Department of Homeland Security acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Lauren Bis released the following statement to 7 News Detroit:

Because of the Democrat shutdown, President Trump is using every tool available to help American travelers who are facing hours long lines at airports across the countryespecially during this spring break and holiday season that is very important for many American families. This pointless, reckless shutdown of our homeland security workforce has caused more than 400 TSA officers to quit and thousands to call out from work because they are not able to afford gas, childcare, food, or rent. While the Democrats continue to put the safety, dependability, and ease of our air travel at risk, President Trump is taking action to deploy hundreds of ICE officers, that are currently funded by Congress, to airports being adversely impacted. This will help bolster TSA efforts to keep our skies safe and minimize air travel disruptions.

Metro Detroiters traveling back to Michigan from Atlanta early Monday morning described the scene as the most chaotic they have ever seen, with lines wrapping outside the airport.

Davon Featchurs traveled from Atlanta to Detroit and waited in hours-long lines just to get inside the airport.

"I got there around 4 o'clock and I didn't get through TSA until about 7:45," he said. Had a couple anxiety attacks."

Todd Ray and Iris Ray were on that same flight Monday, headed home to Detroit from a family wedding.

"Most horrendous (experience) and I've been locked on a plane where we couldn't get off for five or six hours, but this was much worse," Todd Ray said.

Todd noted that despite the presence of ICE agents, lines were not moving any faster.

"I mean, they were assisting, but just standing. It wasn't much help," Todd Ray said.

Iris Ray expressed frustration over the unpaid TSA workers.

"It's wrong. I mean, they have families to feed. So I just feel like if you're gonna pay ICE to come out and monitor things, then pay these people. They've been here working for free," she said.

No ICE agents were spotted at Detroit Metro Airport on Monday. However, agents have been spotted at Chicago OHare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and New Yorks LaGuardia Airport.

With spring break officially here, local travel agents advise arriving at the airport as early as possible.

Valerie Seccombe is a travel consultant for Seven Seas Travel.

"If the vacation is important to you, go on with it and just make sure you're early, that you know what to expect when you get there. Don't go there thinking you're going to whip right through the line," Seccombe said.

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

A third-party fuel provider mistakenly mixed diesel fuel with gasoline at a Meijer gas station in Clinton Township, potentially damaging the engines of dozens of vehicles.

Watch Randy Wimbley's video report: Drivers could need engine repairs after fuel mix-up at Meijer gas station

Meijer shut down the pumps at the station on Groesbeck upon learning of the mix-up. The grocer began contacting customers who filled up between 6 a.m. last Tuesday, March 17th, and 1 p.m. last Thursday, March 19th.

I spoke with Debra Totzke, who is one of a number of drivers who filled the tank of her brand-new 2026 Ford Escape with the mixed fuel.

"Scary. I was scared like, oh, this is ... my car, you know, how am I going to get anywhere, you know," Totzke said.

Totzke said her SUV has been running smoothly since she refueled her half-empty tank last week. However, expert mechanic Earl Butch Hood, owner of Hoods Car Care Clinic in Detroit, warned other drivers may not be so lucky.

"The car would run really bad, it might be knocking, smoking, but the biggest thing is, is that even if you get it out, some people, like we had one lady drive to us, smoking like crazy," Hood said.

Hood said diesel is thicker than gasoline and can damage piston rings in the engine. He advises drivers who mistakenly fill up with it to not start their cars and instead have them towed to a shop to get the fuel line and tank flushed.

"On an average, it could be about anywhere from $800 to $1,250. Drop the tank, clean it out, refill it," Hood said.

INTERVIEW: Earl Butch Hood talks about the effects of a diesel mix-up on vehicles FULL INTERVIEW: Mechanic Butch Hood talks about effects of Diesel mix up on cars

"Sometimes we have to replace the fuel pump," Hood said.

"It can go all the way up to, hey, not only do I need to clean the tank, you need to replace the engine. OK, so now you got a $5,000 to $6,000 bill easy, and that depends on the size of the engine, alright, and don't let it be a turbo," Hood said.

Meijer said it will reimburse customers for vehicle damage caused by the fuel mix-up. Those impacted should call 616-791-5484 to file a complaint.

Related Story: Fuel mixup at Clinton Township gas station leads to car troubles for customers Fuel mix up at Clinton Township gas stations leads to car troubles for customers

The company said it has been in contact with the third-party fuel provider to ensure this does not happen again. But for some customers, engine trouble or not, the damage is already done.

"I'll never go back to that one again," Totzke 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.

In todays Health Alert, Pfizers Lyme vaccine shows strong protection in a phase 3 clinical trial, but misses a key study goal. Meanwhile, experts say tick season may be starting earlier than usual this year.

Pfizer's Lyme vaccine showed strong protection but missed study goal

Pfizer says its vaccine showed more than a 70% effectiveness at reducing Lyme disease. In the first analysis, the vaccine reduced confirmed Lyme cases by about 73.2% after the fourth dose. But because fewer people in the study got Lyme disease than expected, it fell short of its key requirement. This goal was meant to show the vaccine works even in a worst-case scenario. However, a second analysis did meet that benchmark and reduced cases by 74.8%.

This is good news because right now, theres no vaccine available to prevent Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection thats spread when infected blacklegged ticks bite humans.

About 476,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year. The problem is, early symptoms - like a spreading rash, fatigue, fever, headaches, and muscle or joint pain - are often missed or mistaken for something else. And if its not treated, Lyme disease can lead to more serious problems that affect the joints, heart, and nervous system. So as ticks move into new areas, a vaccine could give people another way to help protect themselves.

When temperatures dont stay cold long enough, ticks survive in things like leaf litter and snow cover. And while many of us love early spring, the sooner temperatures warm up, the sooner ticks become active.

Now, how can people protect themselves? Well, ticks live in grassy, wooded, and brushy areas. When in these environments, it helps to wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks. Use an insect repellent that contains DEET or other EPA-registered ingredients. And be sure to do a full-body tick check when you come inside. Check behind the knees, under the arms, around the waist, between the legs, along the hairline, and on the scalp.

Most ticks need to be attached for about 24 hours to transmit Lyme disease, so catching them early makes a big difference. Also, early treatment with antibiotics gives you the best chance of a full recovery.

So as tick season gets underway, prevention is key. On the plus side, Pfizer may offer an effective vaccine in the future, as they plan to submit to regulatory authorities soon.

The Earths climate system is now out of balance, according to a new global report with scientists warning that a key measure of warming has reached its highest level on record.

The latest State of the Global Climate report from the World Meteorological Organization finds that the planet is retaining more heat than it releases back into space, a growing gap known as Earths energy imbalance. And that imbalance is now accelerating.

In 2025, it reached its highest level since modern measurements began in 1960, the report found, signaling that heat is building up across the planet faster than before. At its core, the concept is simple: the Earth absorbs energy from the sun and reflects some of it back into space. But rising greenhouse gas emissions are disrupting that balance.

RELATED STORY | Rising temperatures could make millions of people more sedentary, new study finds

As more heat gets trapped, it doesnt just stay in one place; it spreads across the climate system. About 91% of that excess heat is absorbed by the oceans, while the rest warms the land and atmosphere or melts ice. Scientists say that buildup acts like a system under pressure.

The total amount of heat stored on Earth is not just increasing but accelerating, the report notes, pointing to long-term measurements showing a sharp rise in heat accumulation in recent decades.

The findings come as multiple other climate indicators continue to break records. Greenhouse gas concentrations, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, reached their highest levels in at least 800,000 years in 2024, reducing the planets ability to release heat.

At the same time, ocean heat content hit a new record high, glaciers continue to lose mass, with most of the worst years occurring since 2016, Arctic and Antarctic sea ice have declined sharply in recent years, and global sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate.

All of those changes are connected and driven by the same underlying imbalance. That trapped heat is a major driver behind increasingly intense and frequent extreme weather events. As energy builds in the climate system, it fuels stronger storms, more severe heat waves, heavier rainfall and prolonged droughts.

The report highlights 2025 as a year marked by high-impact weather events around the world, from extreme heat to flooding and tropical cyclones. Zooming out, it also reinforces a broader trend: the planet is warming at an unprecedented pace. The past three years are the three warmest on record, and the last decade is the hottest period ever observed in modern history.

RELATED STORY | Trump's EPA revokes scientific finding that underpinned US fight against climate change

Even small changes in global temperature can translate into major shifts in weather patterns, ecosystems and sea levels, amplifying risks for communities worldwide.

Scientists and advocates say the findings underscore the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions; the World Wildlife Fund released a statement detailing that the world isnt accelerating climate action fast enough.

We can bring balance back to the worlds climate, but the window for us to do so before climate impacts spiral out of control is closing fast. The window for climate action is not closing on its own - it is being closed by delay, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead, wrote in a statement. Solutions that work exist, but without implementation at speed and scale by governments, the private sector and others, the world will not rise to the challenge of addressing the climate crisis To turn promises into real results just requires the will to do so.

Some journalists at Voice of America charged in a lawsuit Monday that the Trump administration while largely shutting down the government-run outlet that provides news around the world has turned what remains into a voice for propaganda.

The lawsuit alleges that VOA transmissions to populations in Iran, China, North Korea and to Kurdish populations are not being run as objective news sources, as required by law. Instead, they parrot White House talking points and suppress news that the administration wishes to downplay, according to the lawsuit, filed Monday with the U.S. District Court in Washington.

In response, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which runs the Voice of America, said that taxpayer money must support broadcasting that reflects U.S. policy and the interests of the American people.

ICYMI | What is Voice of America, the news network Kari Lake will lead?

The latest dispute reflects differing views between journalists and President Donald Trump's administration, which has promoted friendly outlets that rarely offer more than gentle questioning most notably at the Pentagon.

A federal judge last week ordered hundreds of VOA journalists who had been placed on paid leave for the past year to be put back to work, saying Trump's pick to run the USAGM, Kari Lake, exceeded her authority. The administration is appealing that ruling.

Voice of America, which has beamed its broadcasts across the world since World War II, was designed to showcase freedom of the press to countries where there is no such tradition. But instead of operating that way, VOA journalists Barry Newhouse, Ayesha Tanzeem, Dong Hyuk Lee and Ksenia Turkova say Trump loyalists have been put in place to direct what is reported on the few VOA transmissions that remain.

For example, coverage of the Iran war sent into that country has not included any news of death tolls from U.S. air strikes or the perspectives of political and world leaders outside of the administration, while the bombing of an elementary school was "barely mentioned," the lawsuit said. The Lake-appointed official overseeing Persian, Kurdish and Afghan services has said all guest appearances on broadcasts must be approved by him, it said.

RELATED STORY | Judge sides with New York Times in challenge to policy limiting reporters access to Pentagon

"Through VOA's journalism, those living in authoritarian societies get a taste of democracy," the plaintiffs said in a statement. "Without editorial integrity, VOA will be no different than government mouthpieces our audiences already hear in their own country."

The administration has questioned whether taxpayers should foot the bill for transmission of opinions that go against American interests. Lake, in congressional testimony last year, suggested the traditional firewall between the government and journalists at agencies like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty be eliminated. "We should be able to have control over what kind of content goes out," she said. "It should be in alignment with our foreign policy."

The Agency for Global Media "is responsible for oversight of its networks, including Voice of America, and for ensuring compliance with the VOA charter, which requires authoritative, accurate journalism that is reflective of and clearly presents U.S. policies," the agency said in a statement Monday.

The VOA journalists were supported in their lawsuit Monday by the organizations PEN America and Reporters Without Borders.