Fresh from the G-7 summit, where allied democracies meet to discuss global economic policies, global polling shows an increasing number of people in U.S. allied countries have low confidence in President Trump and his administration.
According to a Pew Research Center survey, more than half of people in key U.S. allied countries have no confidence in President Trump's leadership in world affairs. This includes close allies like France, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Japan, all of which have at least a 60% "no-confidence" level.
"This whole survey is really in some ways about the United States' soft power and where we stand in terms of being able to persuade countries to do the things that we want them to do," explained David Jackson, Professor of Political Science at Bowling Green State University. "So that's why it's relevant."
Canada, Mexico, and Sweden have especially high "no confidence" opinions of the U.S. leadership. And when it comes to economic power, China now outranks the U.S. in the perceptions of survey respondents, compared to 2023.
"The statistics are one thing. We know who the biggest economy is. It's the United States. But in terms of where the future is, there's real competition between the two countries," said Jackson.
Most people surveyed also described President Trump as "arrogant" and "dangerous." However, Jackson noted that "even among people who don't like what Trump is doing and don't like his personality, still perceive of him as being a strong leader. So that's definitely for President Trump, you know, a silver lining in what are generally pretty negative findings."
The findings of the global survey mirror President Trump's first term, when a previous Pew Research survey found international confidence in the U.S. plunged.
"Even the most isolationist person has to acknowledge that the United States physically cannot separate itself from the world. The oceans aren't as effective as they used to be keeping us away from what goes on in the rest of the planet that we share," Jackson said.
The declining international perception of the U.S. and its leadership could have significant implications for the country's global influence and ability to achieve its foreign policy goals.
But perceptions, like administrations, change.
This story was reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
A popular bar in Taylor may temporarily close after a man was shot outside the business on Sunday.
Big League Brews on Ecorse Road has received a suspension notice following the shooting of a 27-year-old man around 1 a.m. Sunday.
Watch the video report below: Popular Taylor bar faces temporary closure after shooting incident
Taylor police allege a 17-year-old, accompanied by two others, fired the shots. The suspects were not patrons of the bar, according to authorities.
"They walked in the bar, through the bar a couple times and just were engaging this gentleman in the parking lot. He was robbed of his shoes by them," said Detective Lt. Frank Canning of the Taylor Police Department.
"It's hard to fathom that you have a teenager engaging in that behavior."
Two suspects have been arrested while police continue searching for the third.
According to police, incidents at Big League Brews have kept them busy. Since the start of 2022, Taylor police have received 163 calls for service at or near the establishment.
"We have responded there a significant amount of times both directly related to the bar and or the property of patrons," Canning said.
In October, one incident turned deadly when a man was stabbed outside the bar.
Taylor Mayor Tim Woolley, who issued the suspension letter, said the decision was difficult but necessary.
"There's a lot of in-betweens. And that's been the biggest problem, we're there a lot," Woolley said.
While the mayor did not specify how long the suspension would last, employees at the bar said it would be two months. Woolley confirmed the business has 10 days to appeal the decision.
Staff at Big League Brews expressed concern about the potential closure's impact on their livelihoods.
"I just had a baby seven weeks ago, and this is only my second day back," said Lexi Lee, who works at the bar.
Lee defended the establishment, noting they take safety measures including having security on hand.
"I don't think a business can be blamed for things that happen outside of the business. The incidents that happened don't represent who we are as people, employees and especially my boss Matt Taylor," Lee said.
Community reaction has been mixed. Some patrons expressed disappointment about the potential temporary closure.
"I've spent a lot of time there at Big League Brews, I've spent a lot of time there at night and I've never personally felt unsafe," said Edward Perdomo, who frequents Big League Brews.
However, some neighbors believe the timeout is warranted.
"We might have a little more safety, a little less stress. I mean, we never know what's going to happen over there," said Nancy Adams, a neighbor.
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.
Hackers with possible links to Israel have drained more than $90 million from Nobitex, Irans largest cryptocurrency exchange, according to blockchain analytics firms.
The group that claimed responsibility for the hack leaked on Thursday what it said was the companys full source code. ASSETS LEFT IN NOBITEX ARE NOW ENTIRELY OUT IN THE OPEN, the group wrote on its Telegram account.
The stolen funds were transferred to addresses bearing messages that criticized Irans Revolutionary Guard, Blockchain analytics firm Elliptic wrote in a blog post. It said the attack likely was not financially motivated as the wallets the hackers had poured the money into effectively burned the funds in order to send Nobitex a political message.
The hackers group, Gonjeshke Darande Predatory Sparrow in Farsi accused Nobitex of having helped Irans government to evade Western sanctions over the country's rapidly advancing nuclear program and transfer money to militants, in a post on X claiming the attack.
Nobitex appeared to have confirmed the attack. Its app and website were down as it assessed unauthorized access to its systems, it said in a post on X.
The theft spanned a range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and more, said head of national security intelligence at Chainalysis Andrew Fierman. The breach is particularly significant given the comparatively modest size of Iran's cryptocurrency market, he added.
The hack appears to be motivated by escalating tensions in the Israel-Iran conflict, which broke out last week when Israel struck Irans nuclear sites and military officials, drawing Tehrans response with barrages of missiles. It came after the group said it had destroyed data in a cyberattack against Irans state-controlled Bank Sepah on Tuesday.
Elliptic said that relatives of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were linked to the exchange and that sanctioned Revolutionary Guard operatives had used Nobitex. It shared evidence that the exchange had sent and received funds from cryptocurrency wallets controlled by Iranian allies including Yemens Houthis and Hamas.
Gonjeshke Darande has previously claimed responsibility for other high-level cyberattacks against Iran, including a 2021 operation that paralyzed gas stations and a 2022 effort against a steel mill that sparked a large fire.
Israeli media have widely reported that Gonjeshke Darande is linked to Israel but the countrys government has never officially acknowledged ties to the group.
U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Angus King last year raised concerns about Irans use of cryptocurrencies to evade sanctions.
DETROIT — Tarik Skubal didn’t have his best stuff working on Thursday, but the Tigers’ offense made sure that didn’t matter in a 9-2 bludgeoning of Pittsburgh in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Comerica Park.
With runs coming early and often, the Tigers broke the game open with a crooked second inning, propelled by a three-run Riley Greene double, pulling away from the Pirates and giving Skubal and the bullpen plenty of breathing room.
Greene headlined the offense, finishing with four RBIs on a 2-for-4 performance. Zach McKinstry added two hits, including a solo home run. Javier Báez had two hits and scored once. Gleyber Torres continued to sizzle in the leadoff spot with three hits, two runs scored and two RBIs.
And while it won’t be a memorable performance for Skubal, he was solid. He went 5.2 innings, giving up two runs and striking out six while issuing a rare trio of walks.
It was the offense that shined from the jump, starting with back-to-back hits from Torres and Jahmai Jones, who roped a double down the left-field line to advance Torres to third, setting up Greene for an RBI opportunity before Pittsburgh recorded an out.
Greene obliged, scoring Torres from on a sacrifice fly to deep left field. In total, the Tigers scored four runs on sacrifice flies, one shy of tying the single-game MLB record.
“It’s the situational hitting, when you need something in the outfield with the guy on third,” manager AJ Hinch said. “So it says that we had a lot of traffic and less than two outs and the guy had a pretty good at bat to get the run in. If you can cash in those runs when you get the opportunity, you can separate yourself a little bit and we did that.”
Greene’s big hit of the game came in the second inning. With the bases loaded, he flung a pitch low and out of the zone softly into center field and under the mitt of a diving Billy Cook. Greene coasted into second base as all three runners scored easily, capping a four-run inning that put the Tigers firmly in control.
Adding two more runs in both the fourth and fifth innings proved to be insurance.
“Obviously some big hits along the way, Gleyber down the line, the near catch, diving catch in center from Riley, Riley got a double and a bunch of sac flies and we had a comfortable win,” Hinch said.
And Skubal, despite fighting his way through a subpar start relative to his 2025 performance, still managed to keep the Pirates offense at bay.
Throwing the first pitch after the start of the game was delayed 40 minutes by inclement weather, Skubal wasn’t his sharp self as he settled in. And whether it was a delayed warm-up regimen or issues gripping the ball as rain still fell, he did something he hasn’t done yet this season: Walk back-to-back hitters.
After the game, Hinch gave Skubal a bit of grace relative to the weather, and predicted, correctly, that his ace pitcher wouldn’t be so forgiving to himself.
“It wasn’t a great day for Tarik to pitch,” Hinch said, alluding to the rain and wet field. “And he certainly gets a pass on that. He won’t give it to himself, but I’ll give it to him. It was nasty to start the game. And it’s not an excuse, he’s not going to want me to make it for him, but that had to play part of it. The heavy drizzle that was going on, the late start.”
And Skubal’s take?
“I can sit here and make excuses of the weather or what the mound felt like,” Skubal said. “I can sit there and do that but it doesn’t do me any good, it doesn’t do our team any good.”
After opening with a swinging strikeout of Nick Gonzales, Andrew McCutchen knocked a single into right field off of Skubal after working ahead in the count. Joey Bart and Alexander Canario both worked walks on five and seven pitches, respectively, as Skubal struggled to find the zone consistently. It spurred a mound visit from catcher Dillon Dingler.
Whatever was said seemed to do the trick, as Skubal fanned Ke’Bryan Hayes on three pitches and got an immediate flyout from Isiah Kiner-Falefa to end the self-inflicted bases-loaded jam. After surviving that, Skubal was shown in the dugout, cursing in anger.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning during the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Detroit. (PAUL SANCYA — AP Photo)
While he was even-keeled by the time he spoke about the moment, it was evident that Skubal’s distaste for pitching in the rain hadn’t abated.
“My hat is literally leaking water in front of my face as I’m pitching,” Skubal said. “It’s like, why didn’t we just wait? That’s kind of what I’m thinking and that’s where it’s frustrating to me.”
After his first-inning hiccups, Skubal snapped back to being the pitcher that has dominated opposing hitters.
He faced 10 batters to get the next nine outs. McCutchen managed a double in the third inning, as Skubal mowed through Pittsburgh hitters, striking out three in that span. Though he managed to get through the initial spell of rain, Skubal battled the conditions most of the game and changed his jersey almost every inning just to have a bit of dry fabric to get a better grip. And even when the rain relented, coming downhill on a torn up, rain-softened mound lived in the back of Skubal’s mind.
“It can impact the stuff that comes out of your hand for sure,” Skubal said. “Add it just felt like velocity was down, stuff kind of ticked down. It’s not that I wasn’t feeling good, it’s just, I didn’t feel comfortable to kind of let it go.”
When another hiccup cropped up in the fifth inning, with runners on second and third with one out, Skubal managed the situation deftly. He traded a groundball out for a run and then struck out Bart, ending the threat after surrendering just the lone run.
Skubal faced more traffic in the sixth inning, when he was chased from the game after 103 pitches and traded a sacrifice fly for the second out. He left runners on second and third with two outs for Carlos Hernández, a recently acquired righty reliever. And when Skubal couldn’t bail himself out of the jam, Hernández and the defense stepped up.
On his first pitch, Hernández got a ground out from Cook, as Báez corralled a bouncing ball up the middle and Spencer Torkelson corralled the throw to first base on a hop, ending the sixth and the threat.
It was far from Skubal’s most sterling effort, but he still finished throwing nearly six innings of two-run baseball.
And on a day where the offense scored in bunches all game, Skubal didn’t need to be great, just good enough.
“I just wasn’t very good today, but that’s OK,” Skubal said. “And it’s OK, we won, so who cares how I felt? On to the next day.”
Detroit Tigers’ Gleyber Torres, left, slides safely into home plate to score ahead of the tag of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart in the fourth inning during the first baseball game of a doubleheader, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Detroit. (PAUL SANCYA — AP Photo)
A 73-year-old pastor is on an inspiring mission to complete 50 kilometers in 50 states in 50 days, encouraging seniors across the country to stay active and healthy.
Ron du Preez is already more than halfway through his ambitious journey, which began on May 15, having completed his 35th state, Michigan.
"Age is just a number," du Preez said. "It's a state of mind. Many people say, Oh, I'm old, and the real reason people are struggling many times, not always, is because we've just not moved our muscles."
But this senior athlete is certainly using his muscles, using his cross-country trek to visit senior living communities and promote fitness among older Americans.
"That's my focus of this entire journey, especially people over 65," du Preez said.
FULL INTERVIEW: Ron du Preez talks about his mission to walk 50K in 50 state in 50 days FULL INTERVIEW: Ron du Preez talks about his mission to walk 50K in 50 state in 50 days
His journey began in Hawaii before quickly moving to Alaska with minimal rest between locations.
"We went from Honolulu, finished the 50K walking there, which is 31.07 miles. [Then] flew to Anchorage. Six hours in the plane. That was our night's rest. Hopped out of the plane the next day. I had already dressed ahead of time, knowing that we had minimal time because we had a flight to catch the next afternoon," du Preez said.
During his stop in Michigan, Preez visited Rivergate Health Care Center in Riverview, where he inspired numerous residents with his message of hope and perseverance.
"It just gives me hope that sooner or later, I'll be able to stand or maybe walk," said 65-year-old Brenda Jones from Dearborn Heights.
"Hope is the main thing I'm missing, and it was just nice to hear someone speak to that point," said 83-year-old George Hanoran from Dearborn.
"I will move more. I will continue my therapy at home and I will get stronger," said 81-year-old Betty Milne from Trenton.
While he currently resides in Banning, California, du Preez originally grew up in South Africa and moved to Michigan in 1976 to attend Andrews University. He lived here for 20 years and remembers Detroit as the city where he became a U.S. citizen.
To maintain his ambitious schedule, du Preez incorporates cycling along with walking and uses gym equipment when weather conditions aren't favorable.
He aims to complete his 50-state journey by July 4 and believes his simple message applies to everyone regardless of age.
"Take one small step at a time," du Preez said. "Start from where you are and see what your needs are and what you can do. And then tied in with all of that is attitude. You have to have, of course, a focus, a goal, but I call it an attitude of gratitude."
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 Clinton Township animal rescue is urgently seeking community support after severe flooding damaged their facility and displaced dozens of animals.
Rejoyceful Animal Rescue experienced significant flooding Wednesday when an afternoon storm sent water rushing into one of the main housing areas, reaching approximately 2 inches deep at its worst point.
"The panic in that moment. I can't tell you how helpless it feels," said Chelsea Murphy, a volunteer at the rescue.
The flooding began when a pipe inside the shelter burst. Murphy believes it was due to pressure from the storm.
"It sounds like the water outside filled the storm drain and filled up everything so rapidly that it backs up into the building, and it backed up with enough pressure that there's a little cap here, and this cap popped right off," Murphy said.
Staff members quickly moved to protect the animals as water spread throughout the facility.
"We started immediately hustling them to the front of the building. We put a dog in the bathroom, we put a dog in the other bathroom, we put a dog in the offices," Murphy said.
All 50 animals are now temporarily safe with foster families, but Director Michelle Heyza says this is only a short-term solution.
"Some of the fosters can only hold them until tomorrow, so then we're likely going to be faced with moving animals over to a boarding facility, and that's going to be an exorbitant expense. Some boarding facilities charge upwards of $50 a day," Heyza said.
Bridget Lobzun, a long-time foster volunteer, is urging community members to consider temporarily fostering an animal.
"Getting them out of here is extremely important, especially with the water on the ground; we don't want them in there. Also, it's just hectic here. There's people coming in and out, and it would be a lot for the dogs and the cats," Lobzun said.
The rescue now faces significant cleanup costs and replacement of damaged supplies. While the landlord is responsible for structural repairs, the non-profit must replace food, bedding, and toys lost in the flooding.
Making matters worse, Heyza learned their insurance claim was denied.
"We found out right before you guys came that the insurance company has denied our claim. They're saying we don't have coverage for this type of flooding to happen. There was a rider on the policy that we don't have, that that's not going to cover us," Heyza said.
When asked why community members should donate to help the rescue, Heyza emphasized their community impact.
"Because we give so much back to our community," Heyza said. "We're the resource here helping the community and pets to stay in their homes, so if people love animals, they should support us in order for us to keep our doors open."
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.
Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old native of New Jersey and believed to be the last living American held hostage by Hamas, returned home Thursday after spending more than 500 days in captivity.
Alexander arrived in a motorcade in his hometown of Tenafly, New Jersey, on Thursday, where he was greeted by crowds of residents and supporters.
He returned to the U.S. aboard an American repatriation flight that carried diplomats and their families out of Israel as its conflict with Iran escalates.
Alexander holds U.S.-Israeli citizenship. He was serving in the Israeli Military on Oct. 7 2023, the day Hamas stormed Israel and took captives into Gaza. At the time, he was 19 years old.
Hamas released him as part of ceasefire negotiations in May. Alexander was taken to a military base in Israel and reunited with his family, who flew from the U.S. to meet him.
Hamas is believed to still hold 53 hostages. More than half of them are thought to have died since they were taken captive.
Israel earlier in June recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages, Judih Weinstein and Gad Haggai. Their deaths were announced in December of 2023.
Police in Harper Woods are investigating a rash of air conditioning unit thefts that have left residents without cooling systems just as metro Detroit prepares for rising temperatures.
About five air conditioning units were stolen in Harper Woods over the course of three weeks, with similar thefts reported in neighboring communities.
"My neighbor actually texted me, 'Didn't you guys just get a new air conditioning unit?' And I wrote her back, texted her back, 'yeah.' And she said, 'Well, it's gone.' I'm like you gotta be kidding me," John McTaggart said.
McTaggart was one of several Harper Woods residents whose A/C unit was stolen from the side of his house around 3 a.m. on June 4.
"It's a bummer all the way around, honestly," McTaggart said.
A week later, thieves targeted Tim Bolton's house less than half a mile away.
"The police knocked on my front door. I'm watching TV inside my house, and they're telling me my air conditioning unit was stolen," Bolton said.
An officer told McTaggart the suspects appear to be well-organized.
"He said, you know, 'we think these, they're a pretty well-organized outfit because they seem to know how to remove it both efficiently and quickly without any noise,'" McTaggart said.
Police in Grosse Pointe Woods reported that thieves also stole an air conditioner unit from a home on Littlestone last week. That home is located near another on Broadstone Street in Harper Woods, which was targeted around the same time.
The Harper Woods Police Department says several communities are experiencing these thefts. The thieves typically strike overnight, disconnecting power and cutting refrigerant lines before stealing the units. Corner houses are more likely to be targeted.
Detectives from several police agencies are working together to investigate this crime trend. Harper Woods police believe the stolen units are being sold on the street for profit.
"The thing I'm surprised is they don't get a lot of money for that, and yet it costs a lot of money to buy a brand new one," Bolton said.
"It's $4,500 for the initial unit, and the replacement will probably be about $5,000," McTaggart said.
Police suggest locking the junction box, which holds the A/C unit's condenser fuse, to make it more difficult for thieves. Homeowners can also install a security cage over the unit.
"The more steps you take to allow them more steps to do it, the better off you are," McTaggart said.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call the Harper Woods Police at 313-343-2530 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
David Fauls didnt think twice about running toward the flames to help when his neighbors house exploded in December of 2023. Now its Fauls who says he needs help getting the damage to his own home repaired in the wake of that blast, and he says he feels betrayed by his insurance company.
Watch Heather's full investigation below: 'Absurd.' Man outraged at insurance company response after nearby home explosion
From Orion Township to Detroit to Southgate, Southeast Michigan has experienced several home explosions recently.
These explosions can kill, and they can turn peaceful neighborhoods into chaos.
Related Story: Police provide update on massive house explosion in Northfield Township Police provide update on massive house explosion in Whitmore Lake that killed 4
Everybody screamed, everybody ducked, said Fauls.
On December 30, 2023, David Fauls and his wife, Marie, were hosting a birthday party for their youngest daughter at their home in Northfield Township.
I happened to be in the basement with some of the kids playing pool, said Fauls. I just heard this unexplainably massive sound.
WATCH: Video shows scene shortly after house explosion in Northfield Township WATCH: Video shows scene shortly after house explosion in Northfield Township
Fauls says the blast was so powerful he felt his whole house shake.
I looked out and I could see the mushroom cloud. I could see the debris everywhere. I didn't know what to do, so my instinct just kicked in, Fauls told 7 Investigator Heather Catallo.
Fauls and his other neighbors ran to help Richard Pruden, whose house had just exploded. The blast injured Pruden and his grandson, Stephen, and sadly killed Prudens daughter, her husband and their two other children.
I remember audibly saying out loud to everybody, where's the house, said Fauls. And we're in such shock and I remember out loud just going, there's no house. And at that point we could hear [Pruden] and I still hear the sound of his voice from that day, said Fauls.
RELATED STORY: Friends share memories of four family members killed in house explosion Friends share memories of four family members killed in house explosion
Fauls says his heart still breaks for Pruden and his family. After trying to process the trauma after that terrible day, Fauls says he also started to notice some damage that his own home sustained because of the blast.
Ive got to get past the emotion and trauma of this thing and then try to deal with this, said Fauls. Every single day we just found something else, and we just kept seeing more and more [damage].
The power of the explosion sent debris flying and was felt by families all over the area.
WATCH: Chickens react to sound of house explosion a half-mile away WATCH: Chickens react to sound of house explosion a half-mile away
Debris was flying over my house, here a mile away, said neighbor Scott McMillan at the time of the explosion. It was scary. By the time I decided to get up and I was reasonably safe, I watched a wave go across that lake.
The Sheriffs are here, they were at Jackson and Zeeb roadthey heard the explosion there, 9 miles away, said Northfield Township Police Lt. David Powell the day of the blast.
Fauls lives just 600 feet away and he says in the weeks after the tragedy, he found everything from split moldings to cracks in his foundation walls.
The entire door flexed in, the entire wall probably, but the entire door, said Fauls about the door wall in his lower level. Fauls says at least 10 of his windows now have significant damage and fog up repeatedly.
You can already see how hard it is to see out of this, said Fauls as he showed the 7 Investigators the damaged windows.
Repair estimates for Fauls foundation totaled $23,745 and the estimate for the windows totaled $44,256. So Fauls says he decided to contact his homeowner's insurance for help. But he says AAAs Auto Club Insurance Association claim representative never came to his house to check out the damage.
He refused. He just would never step on site. He would not get involved. He would not try and see the damages, said Fauls.
Instead, Fauls said Auto Club Insurance sent a forensic engineer from Nederveld.
He was very dismissive when he first came in, said Fauls.
In the Nederveld report, the engineer said the cracks in Fauls foundation and the damage to his windows were age-related and not the result of the massive explosion.
According to records from Auto Club Group, they only covered $20,223 in damages for the cracked paint and drywall throughout the house. Records show they would not cover the foundation or window repairs.
I see a report that's telling me the plastic broken in between my windowpanes is age-related deterioration. When a concussive force rocked this house and I watched that, and now theres discoloring and you can't see out these windows. I'm like, OK, this is craziness. This is not just unprofessional, it's absurd, said Fauls.
Despite pleas to his insurance company to cover the remaining $68,000 in damages, Fauls says his requests for them to cover the damages were denied.
We're paying the premiums, we're making sure we're covered, and this is how they're playing it, said Fauls.
Fauls even filed a complaint with Michigans Department of Insurance and Financial Services... along with 61 other customers across Michigan in 2024 who complained to the state about AAAs homeowners insurance products. The Auto Club Group and Auto Club Insurance Association had the 5th highest number of homeowners insurance complaints state-wide last year.
In a statement about the Fauls claim, a spokesman for Auto Club Group said, ACIA takes all homeowner claims seriously and as a matter of common practice given the nature of the reported damage, [we] engaged an independent, licensed engineering firm for expert evaluation.
The spokesman says they use forensic engineers on a case-by-case basis.
They do it all the time, said attorney Ven Johnson. Johnson says insurance companies are relying on these outside engineering reports more and more frequently.
That's why it's really important that as soon as possible after the explosion, you get experts, more than one, on both sides or all sides depending on how many different folks are involved, to look at this and analyze what happened, said Johnson.
The Auto Club Group spokesman says they stand by the integrity of their process, but David Fauls says this process has jeopardized his familys financial future.
No family should have to go into debt or break the bank to get the coverage that they're paying for insurance to cover, said Fauls.
The 7 Investigators have called and emailed Nederveld repeatedly, but no one has responded to comment on this.
Here is the full statement from the Auto Club Group (AAA):
STATEMENT FROM THE AUTO CLUB INSURANCE ASSOCIATION
"The Auto Club Insurance Association (ACIA), as subsidiary of the Auto Club Group, takes all homeowner claims seriously, thoroughly investigating each to ensure fair and fact-based outcomes. In the case of Mr. Fauls, ACIA promptly assigned a staff claim specialist and, as a matter of common practice given the nature of the reported damage, engaged an independent, licensed engineering firmNederveld, Inc.for expert evaluation.While we regret that an in-person inspection by the ACIA claims specialist could not be scheduled immediately due to availability conflicts, we ensured the property was professionally assessed by an independent structural engineer again as commonly practiced.ACIA partially approved Mr. Faulss claim and issued payment for damages determined to be related to a nearby home explosion that occurred in 2023. However, there was a portion of the claim in which coverage could not be afforded based on the expert engineering findings, which concluded that the damages in question were not attributable to that same incident but were consistent with normal age-related wear and tear.We stand by the integrity of the process and appreciate the opportunity to clarify the facts."
Additional questions from the 7 Investigators for AAA:
How often is AAA using outside forensic engineering firms on claims?
As is industry practice, ACIA engages independent engineering firms when additional expert analysis is needed to accurately assess complex or specialized damage as in this case. These firms are used on a case-by-case basis to ensure were making fair, thorough, and informed decisions for our policyholders. In this case, the firm found damage in multiple rooms in the home related to the explosion and we provided coverage.
Do you only use Nederveld?
No, ACIA uses a variety of independent firms.
Does Nederveld ever agree with the homeowner or do they typically recommend you deny claims?Online reviews suggest they rarely agree with the homeowner and the homeowner's experts regarding damage.
The engineering firms ACIA engages are independent, third-party experts who conduct their own assessments based on the facts and evidence relative to each claim. Their role is to provide objective analysis to help ensure that claim decisions are accurate and fair.
Engineers have to abide by a code of ethics; if AAA is the customer of the forensic engineer, how is this ethical situation explained to policy holders/homeowners?
ACIA maintains that the engineering firms it works with provide independent, fair, and accurate assessments based upon their expertise and the facts and evidence relative to each claim.
If you have a story for Heather Catallo, please email her at hcatallo@wxyz.com
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump honored Juneteenth in each of his first four years as president, even before it became a federal holiday. He even claimed once to have made it “famous.”
But on this year’s Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, the usually talkative president kept silent about a day important to Black Americans for marking the end of slavery in the country he leads again.
No words about it from his lips, on paper or through his social media site.
Asked whether Trump would commemorate Juneteenth in any way, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “I’m not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We’re working 24/7 right now.”
Asked in a follow-up question whether Trump might recognize the occasion another way or on another day, Leavitt said, “I just answered that question for you.”
On Wednesday, Black community leaders from across the country, senior Trump administration officials and other individuals met at the White House to discuss improving coordination between the leaders and federal, state and local partners, according to a senior White House official. Housing Secretary Scott Turner and Lynne Patton, director of minority outreach, were among those who attended, said the official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss a private gathering.
The Republican president’s silence was a sharp contrast from his prior acknowledgement of the holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States by commemorating June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas. Their freedom came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln liberated slaves in the Confederacy by signing the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War.
Trump’s quiet on the issue also deviated from White House guidance that Trump planned to sign a Juneteenth proclamation. Leavitt didn’t explain the change. Trump held no public events Thursday, but he shared statements about Iran, the TikTok app and Fed chairman Jerome Powell on his social media site.
He had more to say about Juneteenth in yearly statements in his first term.
In 2017, Trump invoked the “soulful festivities and emotional rejoicing” that swept through the Galveston crowd when a major general delivered the news that all enslaved people were free.
He told the Galveston story in each of the next three years. “Together, we honor the unbreakable spirit and countless contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of American greatness,” he added in his 2018 statement.
In 2019: “Across our country, the contributions of African Americans continue to enrich every facet of American life.” In 2020: “June reminds us of both the unimaginable injustice of slavery and the incomparable joy that must have attended emancipation. It is both a remembrance of a blight on our history and a celebration of our Nation’s unsurpassed ability to triumph over darkness.”
In 2020, after suspending his campaign rallies because of the coronavirus pandemic, Trump chose Tulsa, Oklahoma, as the place to resume his public gatherings and scheduled a rally for June 19. But the decision met with such fierce criticism that Trump postponed the event by a day.
Black leaders had said it was offensive for Trump to choose June 19 and Tulsa for a campaign event, given the significance of Juneteenth and Tulsa being the place where, in 1921, a white mob looted and burned that city’s Greenwood district, an economically thriving area referred to as Black Wall Street. As many as 300 Black Tulsans were killed, and thousands were temporarily held in internment camps overseen by the National Guard.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal days before the rally, Trump tried to put a positive spin on the situation by claiming that he had made Juneteenth “famous.” He said he changed the rally date out of respect for two African American friends and supporters.
“I did something good. I made it famous. I made Juneteenth very famous,” Trump said. “It’s actually an important event, it’s an important time. But nobody had heard of it. Very few people have heard of it.”
Generations of Black Americans celebrated Juneteenth long before it became a federal holiday in 2021 with the stroke of President Joe Biden’s pen.
Later in 2020, Trump sought to woo Black voters with a series of campaign promises, including establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
He lost the election, and that made it possible for Biden to sign the legislation establishing Juneteenth as the newest federal holiday.
Last year, Biden spoke briefly at a holiday concert on the South Lawn that featured performances by Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle. Vice President Kamala Harris danced onstage with gospel singer Kirk Franklin.
Associated Press writer Calvin Woodward contributed to this report.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Southgate police have released photographs of the man being sought in relation to the shootings of two police officers on Thursday. They also say the entire city has been placed under a shelter-in-place order.
Watch our latest report about the incident below: 2 police officers shot at Southgate apartment complex; search on for suspect
The suspect is identified as 20-year-old Jeremiah Christian Kemp. He is described as 5'5" tall and weighing about 120 pounds. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Images released appear to be from body camera footage of a previous encounter between police and Kemp.
Police also released photos of the suspect and what he was last seen wearing the day of the shooting.
Two Southgate police officers were shot and taken to the hospital after an incident at a Southgate apartment complex on, according to Southgate police. Officials say they responded to a weapons call around 4:10 p.m.
It happened at the Village on the Park and The Reserve at Southgate apartments on Northline, east of I-75.
Watch more from the scene below: 2 police officers shot at Southgate apartment complex; search on for suspect
Police say when officers arrived on the scene, they began looking for the man who had reportedly been waving a gun around inside. They encountered him quickly near a second-floor laundry room. When they made contact, he pulled out a gun and began shooting. Both officers, two men, were stuck once in the legs.
Watch more from the scene below: 2 police officers shot in Southgate apartment complex; search on for suspect
Officials said both officers are in stable condition and with family. The officers are a five-year veteran and 10-year veteran with the department.
Its not the call that you want to receive to hear one officer and then to find out that we have two officers shot. Its a gut punch, Southgate Police Chief Mark Mydlarz said. Law enforcement officers go out here every day to do their job and help people and protect the community. And to get that call where two police officers are shot, its sickened.
Multiple agencies have responded to the scene.
Southgate police have ordered a shelter-in-place for the entire community.
Stay with 7 News Detroit and WXYZ.com for the latest on this breaking news.
A Wayne County employee was made into a millionaire last month thanks to a human error that county safeguards filed to catch.
The mistake led to a $1.6 million deposit being made into an employees paycheck at the end of May.
No excuses for it, that kind of thing cant happen, said County Executive Warren Evans. Almost did.
The employee, who sources say has worked for the county for more than 20 years, alerted her supervisor the following day and began the process of returning the seven-figure sum.
But that the payment was able to happen in the first place, the county says, is why two employees have been terminated while a third is currently under suspension.
The mistake happened, 7 News Detroit has learned, when a supervisor was updating payroll information for a county employee who had just received a raise.
Where they should have typed in the employees hourly rate, they entered their employee ID number instead. That produced the mammoth check that should have been red flagged, but wasnt.
I can tell you that there are multiple fail safes, theoretically, built into the system," Evans said. "And at least three of those didnt work."
This is not the first paycheck mishap since Wayne County upgraded its payroll system last year, ultimately switching to a system run by Oracle.
In August, about 400 County Sheriffs employees reported being shortchanged in their paychecks, with some receiving less than $1.
Those mistakes were attributed to human error and were eventually resolved, but the county says todayand this latest error demonstratesthere are some significant kinks still to be worked out.
Switching over to the new payroll system was a long time coming in Wayne County, and followed years of delays and millions spent trying to get the new system up and running.
County employees say, even a year after switching over, many within the county are still not familiar with how to use it, and say human errors like this are made possible due to a lack of training.
In light of the overpayment, county commission Chairwoman Alisha Bell said that the county should take steps to investigate whether other mistakes have been made with county payroll.
It could have been $100 here, $200 here, you dont notice the small amounts, she said. But obviously youre going to notice if its a million dollars.
County Commissioner Glenn Anderson only learned of the overpayment when he was told by 7 News Detroit.
It should have been caught by someone and Ill be interested to find out what the process is and why something like that could slip through, Anderson said.
The county says it is continuing to review any its payroll system in search of other errors, but so far hasn't found any.
Anytime you go through a big transition from Oracles and (enterprise resource planning systems), those things happen in any big organization. But it doesnt mean they should.
Contact 7 Investigator Ross Jones at ross.jones@wxyz.com or at (248) 827-9466.
Its a nearly half-century old Channel 7 tradition that people love. Our annual Brightest and Best salute to high school graduates prompted these comments.
Mira Todd said:
Congratulations to these young students.They are deserving of your positive recognition.
A Macomb County viewer wrote:
I was so pleased to see someone I know represented in the wxyz.com tribute. Showing their names, faces, and schools they represent is so important to their self-esteem.
- M. Bell
Ralph Burrell said:
If these talented young men and women are our future leaders, America should be in good hands. I must believe theyll do better than the partisan leadership now in office.
Another loyal TV-7 watcher sent us this message:
Thank you WXYZ for highlighting the top of their class seniors but for also congratulating all high school graduates. This is a major accomplishment in their lives and the beginning of what should be very promising careers.
- Alexander T.
Our Rocket Classic Golf Tournament editorial teed off this question from Jeremy Johnson:
Why was the word mortgage dropped from the tournament name this year? Whatever the reason, I like it.Sounds classier. After all, who wants to think about their mortgage every time the tournament is mentioned!
Another viewer wrote:
I love the slogan, Played in Detroit for Detroit.
- Vicky Adams
There was this comment from an Oakland County resident:
Congratulations to Rocket for helping to bridge Detroits digital divide.
- Amy Mason
And finally, this reaction:
Good golf tournament with world-class players at the beautiful Detroit Golf Club. Life doesnt get better than this.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers organization said Thursday that it asked federal immigration agents to leave the Dodger Stadium grounds after they arrived at a parking lot near one of the gates.
Dozens of federal agents with their faces covered arrived in SUVs and cargo vans to a lot near the stadium’s Gate E entrance. A group of protesters carrying signs against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement started amassing shortly after, local media reported.
“This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization,” the team said in a statement posted on X.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement posted on X that its agent were never there.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, said the agents were with Customs and Border Protection and that they were not trying to enter the stadium.
“This had nothing to do with the Dodgers. (Customs and Border Protection) vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement,” she said in an email.
The team said the game against the San Diego Padres later Thursday will be played as planned.
Television cameras showed about four agents remained at the lot Thursday afternoon while officers with the Los Angeles Police Department stood between them and dozens of protesters, some carrying signs that read “I Like My Ice Crushed” and chanting “ICE out of LA!”
ICE agents stage outside Gate E of Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 19, 2025. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via AP)
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez arrived at the stadium and said she had been in communication with Dodger officials and the mayor’s office.
“We’ve been in communication with the mayor’s office, with the Dodgers, with Dodgers security, about seeing if they can get them moved off their private property,” she told KABC-TV. “Public property is different. Private property — businesses and corporations have the power to say, ‘Not on my property,’ And so we’re waiting to see that movement happen here.”
Protests began June 6 after federal immigration raids arrested dozens of workers in Los Angeles. Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire the following days, and police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.
The team has yet to make a statement regarding the arrests and raids. The Dodgers’ heavily Latino fan base have been pushing for the team to make a public statement and ignited a debate online about its stance on the immigration crackdown happening in Los Angeles.
The Trump administration has activated more than 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines over the objections of city and state leaders. Dozens of troops now guard federal buildings and protect federal agents making arrests.
The demonstrations have been mostly concentrated downtown in the city of around 4 million people. Thousands of people have peacefully rallied outside City Hall and hundreds more protested outside a federal complex that includes a detention center where some immigrants are being held following workplace raids.
Despite the protests, immigration enforcement activity has continued throughout the county, with city leaders and community groups reporting ICE present at libraries, car washes and Home Depots. School graduations in Los Angeles have increased security over fears of ICE action and some have offered parents the option to watch on Zoom.
People watch as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stage outside Gate E of Dodger Stadium on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via AP)
With less than two weeks left in its term, the Supreme Court has numerous major cases still to rule on.
One of the most anticipated cases remaining on the court's calendar concerns birthright citizenship. This case, which has generated significant public misunderstanding, traces back to the first day of President Donald Trumps second term when he signed an executive order to prohibit birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented migrants on U.S. soil.
Traditionally, children born in the U.S. are granted citizenship, regardless of their parents' immigration status. But following Trumps executive order, lawsuits arose to challenge its validity, leading this particular case to reach the Supreme Court through the emergency docket.
This case, however, is not asking the justices to consider the constitutionality of Trumps authority to enforce his executive order; instead, they will determine whether lower courts can intervene and prevent the president from exercising his proclaimed rights. This presents a complex legal issue that may leave some questions unanswered regarding the citizenship status of children born to undocumented migrants.
In addition to the birthright citizenship case, about 16 other cases await judgment, with several designated as major. One such case from Texas addresses online pornography.
The Texas attorney general is seeking to impose age verification requirements for accessing adult content to prevent minors from viewing it. However, critics from the adult entertainment sector argue that these measures could infringe on freedom of speech and discourage online activity due to privacy concerns.
Another significant case arises from Maryland, involving a school district's curriculum. Parents in Montgomery County want to exempt their children from reading materials related to same-sex relationships, claiming it conflicts with their religious beliefs.
The school district contends that merely being exposed to such content does not constitute indoctrination. Justice arguments revealed a divide, with liberal justices questioning where the exclusion might end, while conservatives pointed out that alternative opt-out options already exist in other districts.
As the Supreme Court approaches its final stretch, it faces a daunting list of cases, though extensions are still possible, as seen in previous terms.
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
In anticipation of the extreme temperatures predicted across metro Detroit, Farmington Hills will open the Costick Activities Center as a cooling center from Saturday, June 21-Tuesday, June 24.
The center is at 28600 W. 11 Mile Road, between Middlebelt and Inkster roads. It is open on Saturday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
For more information about the cooling center at the Costick Activities Center, call 248-473-1800 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. If you have an emergency, call 911.
Summer heat can contribute to adverse air quality conditions and can also impact the health conditions of older adults, children and those with respiratory concerns. Community members are encouraged to check on family, friends, neighbors and pets to ensure everyone stays healthy and safe.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments encourages community members to take action to voluntarily lower emissions to help minimize ozone formation, including:
– Delay mowing the lawn until evening or another day: Exhaust from lawn mowers and other gas-powered yard equipment contributes to ozone formation.
– Drive less, telecommute, bike or walk: These options help to minimize traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as save money.
– Avoid refueling vehicles during daylight hours. Fumes released at the gas pump contribute to ozone formation.
– Delay or combine errands: This will reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.
– Reduce electricity use: Adjust thermostats a few degrees warmer and turn off lights, computers and other electrical devices when not in use.
Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were turned away Thursday after they tried to enter the Los Angeles Dodgers' stadium grounds, the team said in a social media post.
The baseball team denied ICE access to its property after it tried to enter parking lots owned by the team.
"This had nothing to do with the Dodgers," the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement on X. "CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement."
Images published Thursday showed ICE personnel congregating in a parking lot just outside the Dodgers' property. Local media reported ICE was staging in the area as it conducted immigration raids nearby.
It was not clear whether any enforcement action was directed at Dodgers property.
ICE's presence also appeared to draw a small crowd of peaceful counterprotesters.
The Dodgers on Thursday were expected to announce community efforts to assist local immigrants who have been affected by recent ICE enforcement raids and subsequent protests.
Those raids have already drawn unofficial acknowledgment from some associated with the team.
Dodgers player Enrique Hernndez posted on Instagram in support of the city's immigrant population and singer Nezza delivered a viral rendition of the U.S. national anthem in Spanish against the team's wishes ahead of a game on June 14.
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