A long-vacant property in Troy is getting new life as the University of Michigan begins construction on a major medical center at the former Kmart headquarters site.

A portion of the 40-acre property on West Big Beaver Road will become the Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Troy Center for Specialty Care, a $250 million facility set to open in 2027.

Nathan Forbes of Forbes/Frankel Troy Ventures LLC, which owns Somerset Collection, purchased the Kmart property in 2009 after it shut down in 2006.

Watch an archive video from our coverage of the Kmart bankruptcy below 7 Archive: Steve Wilson on Kmart bankruptcy

"We were always asked, What are you doing with the Kmart building? What's going to happen with the Kmart property?" Forbes said.

The building was demolished between 2023 and 2024 before the University of Michigan purchased 11 acres for the new medical center.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: University of Michigan Health buys former Kmart HQ land in Troy for 'multi-specialty facility' University of Michigan Health buys former Kmart HQ land in Troy for 'multi-specialty facility'

"We resisted a short-term fix. We really wanted to wait for the right business partner that would help energize the Big Beaver corridor, and we found it in the University of Michigan," Forbes said.

David Miller, CEO of Michigan Medicine, said the facility will offer comprehensive healthcare services.

"From mental and behavioral health to cancer care to reproductive medicine, orthopedics and imaging, bringing it closer to home in a way that truly matters and impacts patients' lives," Miller said.

According to Miller, about 200,000 people from Oakland County currently travel to Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor every year for care. The new center will provide more convenient access for these patients.

The project was made possible through support from Kenneth Eisenberg and his late wife Frances, for whom the center is named.

"This center, named in honor of my beloved Frances and our family, is more than a building. It's a testament to a lifetime of love, service, and belief that the power of medicine can transform lives," Eisenberg said.

Troy Mayor Ethan Baker called this "the biggest and best development in all of our state" during Wednesday's ceremony.

"The fact that we can have such great development projects come to our city just highlights what a great city Troy is, first of all, but honestly, it's going to have huge ripple effects throughout the whole region," Baker said.

Community members expressed enthusiasm about the redevelopment. Jim Paige of Sterling Heights attended the groundbreaking and shared his thoughts.

"Anything happening in this area is great. I mean, people want jobs, they want development, and I'm just happy something is finally taking over on this corner because, I mean, let's face it, this piece of property is valuable," Paige said.

The remaining portions of the 40-acre property are slated for mixed-use development, including retail, office, and residential space.

"We've been working on some of the residual pieces of land, which we'll probably bring forward in the next six months for site plan approval, and our hope is within the next 12 months to have a couple of these pieces come out of the ground," Forbes 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.

Residents in Livonia have voted against a bond proposal that would have funded renovations and new construction of several city buildings, including a police station and library.

"If you have 18,000 people saying no to a $150 million millage, that says a lot," Jim Biga said.

Biga, a lifelong Livonia resident, voted against the multi-million dollar bond proposal that would have funded a new police station, new library, renovated fire stations and other projects.

"Every resident we ever talked with said why didn't they separate police and fire from everything, and it's terrible how the city wouldn't listen," Biga said.

Related Story: Livonia sounds the alarm on outdated fire stations Livonia sounds the alarm on outdated fire stations that pose health risks

He believes the city should have prioritized upgrading the poor conditions at the fire and police stations before addressing other facilities.

"We all as residents said that is terrible, that needs to be addressed, that needs to be fixed and we as residents want that fixed, but we didn't want that lumped into this large millage," Biga said.

Another resident, Chre Bernhard, expressed relief that the bond was rejected.

"It is the entire voice of Livonia speaking out to this city council and to this mayor that we reject your proposal," Bernhard said.

Bernhard believes the current city buildings, including the library, could be renovated rather than replaced.

"We would like to see the elevator, ADA and that atrium fixed, and I think we could go ahead and do that for well less than $20 million," Bernhard said.

Livonia City Councilman Rob Donovic said he's listening to residents and working with other city officials to determine next steps.

"The buildings are still falling apart, we're still 'nickel and dimeing' these buildings, we're 'bandaiding' these buildings little by little, as I showed you earlier, it's leaking here on the first floor," Donovic said.

According to Donovic, the biggest question facing city officials now is how to maintain the buildings without raising taxes.

"We're going to go back and talk to several council members, talk to the mayor, talk to the department heads, talk to the engineers to figure out what is possible," Donovic 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.

City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. emerged as the top two candidates in Detroit's mayoral primary election Tuesday, advancing to the general election in November.

Watch Ruta Ulcinaite's video report: Sheffield, Kinloch kick mayoral campaigns into high gear, residents react to results

Both candidates are now intensifying their campaigns as they compete to become Detroit's next mayor, with residents weighing important issues like neighborhood development, housing and safety.

FULL INTERVIEW: Chuck Stokes breaks down Detroit primary results FULL INTERVIEW: Chuck Stokes breaks down Detroit primary results

Sheffield, a 12-year veteran of the City Council, was a clear front-runner in the primary, while Kinloch narrowly secured the second spot on the ballot over Saunteel Jenkins.

"We need leadership that is ready, that is equipped and prepared with a clear plan to continue the progress that we've made," Sheffield said at her watch party in Detroit Tuesday.

Kinloch, a respected pastor in Detroit, countered with his own vision for the city.

"At the end of the day, the question cannot be how long someone has occupied a seat or an office, but what have you done with the time, the trust and power we've given you," Kinloch said at his own watch party Tuesday, seemingly calling out Sheffield.

As the candidates celebrated their primary victories, they immediately shifted focus to the general election campaign. Sheffield plans to engage directly with residents across all council districts.

VIDEO: Solomon Kinloch to face Mary Sheffield in November election for Detroit mayor, AP projects Solomon Kinloch to face Mary Sheffield in November election for Detroit mayor, AP projects

"We're going to make sure that we engage with every single council district, we're going to host our own town halls, we went to several community town halls that were hosted over the last few months, so now we're going to host our own," she said.

Kinloch emphasized his long-standing connection to the city in his appeal to voters.

"For 30 years, 30 years I rocked with you, Detroit. Now I'm asking you to rock with me," he said.

Detroit residents expressed that they're still weighing their options before the November election, with many focused on specific community needs.

Vickie Holifield, a Detroit resident, cited "the abandoned houses, the homelessness" as key concerns.

Howard Benton, another Detroit resident, emphasized the need for "greater growth in the actual communities, not just the downtown area."

Despite the undecided nature of the race, residents appear optimistic about the city's future leadership, as Mike Duggan wraps up his tenure as mayor.

"I think that the two people that got the best votes, the most votes, Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch, are excellent candidates," said Detroit resident Blandina Rose-Willis.

Benton added, "It's going to be an interesting time. It's going to be a different four years regardless of who wins...it's going to be a new energy."

Election Day in Michigan is November 4.

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.

For the third time in a week, a WNBA game was disrupted after a sex toy came flying out of the stands and onto the court, with the latest on Tuesday night appearing to strike Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during a matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Cunningham was seemingly hit in the foot by a neon green sex toy as she stood near the free-throw line, prompting Sparks guard Kelsey Plum to quickly kick the object off the court.

Cunningham had previously posted on X about the bizarre trend, telling fans to stop because someone could get hurt.

After Tuesday night's game, Cunningham joked that her previous post "did NOT age well."

She also referenced the incident in an Instagram Stories post, saying, "No way that thing hit me. I knew I shouldn't have tweeted that."

Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell was asked about the incident during the post-game press conference.

"We don't know who those people are," she said. "... We can't control everybody actions. To the person or people who think, you know, it's cool, hats off to you. And, you know, to the higher power, I hope they keep praying for you."

"To those fans who disrespect us, I like to think that you guys, you know, hope to apologize sooner rather than later," Mitchell added.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Another sex toy gets thrown onto the court during a WNBA game

Last week, a fan was arrested after launching a sex toy onto the court during a contest between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries. A second incident occurred just days later during a Valkyries matchup against the Chicago Sky.

The WNBA said in a statement that anyone caught throwing objects onto the court would be ejected, face a one-year ban, and could face charges from authorities.

The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league," the WNBA stated. "Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans."

In todays Health Alert, a new study is raising concern about how screen time could be impacting your childs heart health. Spending more time on screens - and getting less sleep - may be doing more harm than we thought.

This was a large, long-term study out of Denmark. Researchers analyzed data from over a thousand children and teens. And what they found was eye-opening. For each extra hour of screen time, there was a rise in risk factors linked to heart and metabolic health - things like high blood pressure, belly fat, unhealthy cholesterol, and higher blood sugar.

For 10-year-olds, each extra hour of screen time per day raised their risk score by about 0.08 points. For 18-year-olds, the increase was a bit higher - 0.13 points per hour. That may sound small, but when kids are spending 4, 5, or even 6 hours a day on screens, it adds up. On average, 18-year-olds were on devices about 6 hours a day, while 10-year-olds averaged around 3 hours.

Now, heres what really stood out. Kids who didnt get enough sleep were at even higher risk. Not only did they face more health risks from the same amount of screen time, but staying up late made things even worse.

The study focused on discretionary screen time. It was based on self-reports from teens or what parents reported for younger kids. It included things like TV, phones, tablets, computers, and video games. But it didnt separate screen time used for learning from time spent watching videos or scrolling. Thats a limitation, because educational screen time isnt the same as passive screen time - like endless scrolling or binge-watching.

So what can parents do? Well, as a Dad myself, I know how tough this can be. My kids enjoy their screens, and we work on finding balance at home, too. But the good news is, small changes can really help.

I recommend creating a more balanced daily routine. Move screen time earlier in the evening, as that can help kids wind down sooner. And lead by example. That means no phones at the dinner table or late-night scrolling.

Also, when kids went to bed earlier and got enough sleep, screen time didnt have as strong an effect. So be sure they get to bed at a good time and get the recommended amount of sleep for their age.

Were not saying get rid of screens, just find a better balance. And that can help protect your childs heart now and in the future.

The National Football League announced Tuesday it will ban the use of smelling salts and similar products during games.

Smelling salts and other ammonia inhalants, the league says, may not be safe for use on their own and may also make it harder to diagnose or address concussions.

The NFL's Tuesday letter bans all club personnel from the use, supply or distribution of smelling salts during pregame, game time or half time periods, both on the sidelines and in the locker rooms for the 2025 season. The decision is based on recommendations from the NFL's Head, Neck, and Spine Committee, which were themselves based on findings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

RELATED STORY | 1 in 3 retired professional football players believe they have CTE, study finds

The ammonia in smelling salts acts as an irritant that prompts deep breathing and other responses from the sympathetic nervous system, that can cause a jolt of energy or alertness.

In the NFL, players have frequently used such products to improve their energy levels on short notice.

But the NFL warned that the FDA has found a "lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of [ammonia inhalants] marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy."

"AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurologic signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion," the league wrote.

The state will listen to neighbors concerns about a proposed concrete crushing facility in Wayne during a public hearing this week. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will hold the online hearing on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to determine whether the owner of the site can destroy wetlands on his property.

In May, many neighbors in Wayne told the 7 Investigators they were upset about the proposed concrete crushing facility.

Its nature. I bought my house based on where my kitchen window was located. I can look out my kitchen window, out into the forest and out into nature. And that was a huge selling point for me, Cheryl Bauman told 7 Investigator Heather Catallo.

Related Video: Wayne County neighbors trying to stop concrete crushing facility from destroying wetlands Wayne County neighbors trying to stop concrete crushing facility from destroying wetlands

Bauman said she was devastated when she learned the forested wetland behind her home was going to be rezoned to accommodate the concrete crushing facility.

My first thought was my nature is going to be disrupted and destroyed, said Bauman. In April, the owners of the property started tearing down trees across the site.

In addition to their concerns about wildlife, neighbors told us they are also worried about the potentially toxic dust that the concrete crushing operation is expected to create.

I'm concerned about everything, said Teresa Parks, who lives nearby.

It's going to destroy my property and it's going to really put a burden on me and my family's health, said neighbor Vincent Harder. My biggest health concern is the asthma and just the dust that we're all going to be breathing in.

Extended interview: 'There's gotta be a better place.' Vincent Harder shares more about concerns over wetland development Extended interview: 'There's gotta be a better place.' Vincent Harder shares more about concerns over wetland development

Bauman says she and her neighbors went to several city zoning, planning and council meetings, but the Wayne City Council approved the plan with a 6-1 vote in 2022. The only council member to vote no was Alfred Brock.

The site is owned by Anthony Calos Van Born Investment LLC. Calo owns two other local concrete crushing facilities, including Dino-Mite Crushing and Recycling in Detroit. Since 2021, the city has issued about 130 tickets for things like dust control and unsafe building conditions. Last fall, the company and Detroit reached a consent agreement which dismissed the tickets and created ways to get the facility into compliance.

Calos attorney told the 7 Investigators that their consultants found that the dust emissions on the Detroit site were consistently within the acceptable ranges.

For the Wayne site, Calos lawyer said the facility will provide 36 new jobs and said the state air permit has already been approved.

Any wetland thats left in Wayne County is important. This is their 3rd permit application through EGLE, so theyve sharpened their pencil twice and come back to us with a new plan. The original plan was to destroy more than an acre of wetland, and that plan now is down to about a third of an acre of wetland, said EGLE Wetland District Supervisor Andrew Hartz in April.

During Thursdays public hearing, EGLE will listen to the views of interested persons about the approval of Calos most recent wetlands permit.

If you would like to register for the public hearing, click here.

Ever since the NFL announced it was looking to sell NFL Network and other media assets, ESPN had been seen as one of the favorites to make a deal.

Nearly five years later, a framework is finally in place.

The NFL announced Tuesday night that it has entered into a nonbinding agreement with ESPN. Under the terms, ESPN will acquire NFL Network, NFL Fantasy and the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators and the league will get a 10% equity stake in ESPN.

The league and ESPN still have to negotiate a final agreement and get approval from NFL owners. The agreement will also have to undergo regulatory approvals.

Sometimes great things take a long time to get to the point where its right. And we both feel that it is at this stage, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a call with The Associated Press.

Along with the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN will have a second nonbinding agreement where the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property that can be used by NFL Network and other assets that have been purchased.

We have been talking about it in earnest for the last few years. But interestingly enough, we started talking about this over a decade ago but nothing really ended up happening. And we got back at it when I came back to Disney after my retirement, Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a call with the AP.

What ESPN gets

ESPN is expected to launch its direct-to-consumer service before the end of September. The service would give cord-cutters access to all ESPN programs and networks for $29.99 per month. The addition of more NFL programming increases the value.

Many viewers will receive the service for free as part of their subscription to cable, satellite and most streaming services.

RELATED STORY | NFL to replace 'chain gang' with cameras to measure first downs during 2025 season

When I came back to Disney and assessed essentially the future of ESPN, it became clear that ESPN had to launch a bigger and more robust and digital or direct-to-consumer product, not only for the sake of ESPNs business, but for the sports fan, Iger said. And obviously, when you start thinking about high-quality sports content, your eyes immediately head in the direction of the NFL because theres really nothing more valuable and more popular than that.

NFL Network which has nearly 50 million subscribers would be owned and operated by ESPN and would be included in ESPN's direct-to-consumer product.

The NFL RedZone channel would be distributed by ESPN to cable and satellite operators. However, the NFL will continue to own, operate and produce the channel as well as retain the rights to distribute the channel digitally. ESPN would also get rights to the RedZone brand, meaning RedZone channels for college football and basketball or other sports could be coming in the future.

NFL Fantasy Football would merge with ESPN Fantasy Football, giving ESPN the official fantasy football game of the league.

NFL Network will still air seven games per season. Four of ESPN's games, including some that are in overlapping windows on Monday nights, would move to NFL Network. ESPN will license three additional games that will be carried on NFL Network.

What the NFL receives (and retains)

The league gets a 10% equity stake in ESPN. Aidan O'Connor, a senior vice president at the Prosek Partners marketing firm, estimates the value of that would be $2.2 billion to $2.5 billion.

ESPN is currently 80% owned by ABC Inc. as an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The other 20% is owned by Hearst. Once the deal is official and approved, the breakdown of ESPN will be 72% ABC Inc., 18% Hearst and 10% NFL.

RELATED STORY | Philadelphia Eagles to kick off NFL season against Dallas Cowboys

This isn't the first time the league has had an equity stake in a digital or communications business. It had that in the past with Sirius Satellite Radio and SportsLine. The NFL could also have equity in the newly formed Paramount Skydance Corporation, which owns CBS, due to the league's partnership with Skydance.

This is new as far as a partner now operating a business that we built, ran and grew," said Hans Schroeder, the NFLs executive vice president of media distribution. "Itll also be a little bit new again with some of the dynamics here, but well continue to balance that in a really arms length way where well think about how we manage and work across to all our partners.

The league will continue to own and operate NFL Films, NFL+, NFL.com, the official websites of the 32 teams, the NFL Podcast Network and the NFL FAST Channel (a free ad-supported streaming channel).

The moves align with the NFLs longstanding ambition to reach $25 billion in annual revenue by 2027 a target first set in 2010, when league revenue stood at approximately $8.5 billion, OConnor said. Financially, the move also signals to investors that ESPN is doubling down on differentiation and content stickiness by offering a scarce and premium product in a crowded marketplace. Intentionally ceding equity to the NFL transforms ESPN from a media licensee into a true platform partner with few properties rivaling the league in terms of cultural significance, appointment viewing, audience reach, and monetization efficiency."

No major changes yet

Viewers will likely not see any immediate impacts until next year once everything is approved.

Besides ESPN, the biggest winner in this could be NFL Network, which had seen reductions in original programming the past couple years. Total Access, the network's flagship show since its launch in 2003, ended in May 2024 amid a series of layoffs and cost-cutting moves. Good Morning Football also moved from New York, where it had been since its start in 2016, to Southern California last year.

NFL Network moved to a broadcast facility across the street from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in 2021.

The thing thats exciting for us is that we have put a lot into the network. I think its been very effective for fans. We know its in good hands, Goodell said. Theyre innovative, they recognize great production and know how to produce it. They will do a fantastic job of operating the network and taking it to another level.

Illinois will require all school districts in the state to offer mental health screenings at least once a year to students in grades three through 12.

Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill into law last week to implement the screenings, which will begin in the 2027-2028 school year. Illinois is the first state in the country to mandate such screenings.

Access to mental healthcareespecially for childrenis too often overlooked or ignored," Pritzker noted in the bill signing.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Mental health of mothers has sharply declined, study says

The state's superintendent of education praised lawmakers for prioritizing the mental health of students, saying it's essential to academic readiness.

Too often, we only recognize a students distress when it becomes a crisis," said Illinois Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. "With universal screening, we shift from reaction to prevention."

The state said it will be working with psychiatric hospitals and schools to raise awareness about the program, so families are aware of the services available to children.

The mental health crisis in the U.S. has been well-documented. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, roughly 8.3 million children between the ages of 12 and 17 reported receiving mental health treatment in 2023, an increase of 500,000 from 2022.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the Department of Health and Human Services will cancel $500 million worth of contracts for vaccine development projects that are using mRNA technology.

Experts have said the decision is "unfathomable."

This particular type of vaccine, short for "messenger ribonucleic acid," is credited with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and has been described as "miraculous" by some experts in the field of medicine.

According to Dr. Richard Besser, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and current president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the technology was developed over the last two decades long before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Penn Medicine is home to the technology behind the development of this vaccine class. It says this science Now the path has "the potential to eradicate countless other diseases, even cancer." Its scientists are also researching the ways mRNA could deliver replacement genes or repair defective genes to treat diseases like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.

RELATED STORY | RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development

The mRNA vaccines work by making small pieces of protein after being injected into the muscle. Those protein pieces relate to the infection you're trying to prevent, which ultimately create antibodies to fight the infection, Besser explained in simple terms.

"The beauty of this is that you can make a new vaccine against a new infectious agent incredibly quickly," he said, whereas traditional vaccine development can take years.

"During a public health crisis, time is of the utmost urgency, and so anything you can do to shave off the time it takes to make a new vaccine is worth it," said Besser, who was leading the CDC during the start of the swine flu pandemic in 2009.

The projects being cut involve the development of vaccines to prevent flu, COVID-19 and H5N1 infections, and were being led by some of the nations leading pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna.

Kennedy, who has repeatedly shown doubt over vaccines, claimed the funding would be shifted toward "safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate."

"The idea that the secretary is taking away a tool that is almost miraculous is unfathomable," said Besser. "I have absolutely no idea why he would take this kind of step for technology that was shown during COVID to be effective and incredibly safe."

He added that there are concerns within the science and public health community about the cutting of funding for ongoing studies related to the bird flu response.

"By taking this away, it endangers the lives of everyone here. Not just here, the U.S. has done a lot to supply vaccines around the world and so many people will suffer because of this decision."

"[Kennedy] is in a position with incredible power to really rattle people's faith in something that was always viewed as one of the greatest advancements in public health and medical technology, and that's vaccines."

Lincoln Park police say two kids were hit by a vehicle on Wednesday afternoon.

Police say the crash happened at the intersection of Fort Street and Emmons Boulevard.

Were told the juveniles were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Theres no confirmation on the condition of the victims at this time.

The intersection is currently shut down.

Stay with

WXYZ.com

for updates on this developing story.

The Justice Department has issued a list of 35 sanctuary jurisdictions, pledging to increase immigration lawsuits against states, counties, and cities that limit local cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

SEE THE FULL LIST | States and localities that the Justice Department has identified as sanctuary jurisdictions

This initiative follows comments from White House Border Czar Tom Homan, who indicated a crackdown on sanctuary cities. The updated list encompasses 13 states and 18 cities, with a significant concentration in New York and California, alongside various counties across the nation.

The Justice Department claims these jurisdictions "put American citizens at risk by design." Sanctuary jurisdictions are typically identified based on the level of cooperation they exhibit with federal immigration enforcement.

However, Jessica M. Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, expressed skepticism about how this list may influence immigration policy in affected areas.

"I suspect that it's going to be related to the Trump administration's efforts to have some accountability for these jurisdictions," Vaughan said. "If it supports legal action, if that's the goal of a list of the Department of Justice, then, you know, we're gonna find out in court whether these sanctuary policies are, in fact, legal. And that could be groundbreaking in how to approach this issue going forward."

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | New executive order threatens to cut off federal funding for sanctuary cities

Vaughan also noted that similar lists have historically prompted a number of counties and cities to reconsider or retract their sanctuary policies, particularly in response to threats of federal funding cuts or other forms of federal pressure.

In contrast, New York City Council member Alexa Aviles emphasized that New York City would not retract its sanctuary city policies.

"This is certainly not well-received by New Yorkers who have a long legacy, we have a long bipartisan support for our sanctuary city policies," Aviles stated. "And we continue to stand by them and stand by ensuring the safety and wellness of every New Yorker, whether they are here for five minutes or 50 years."

While some localities in New York have succumbed to federal threats regarding funding, Aviles affirmed that numerous leaders remain committed to these policies, viewing them as crucial for safeguarding immigrant communities.

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.

For the first time in history, a woman will umpire a regular-season MLB game.

MLB said on Wednesday that Jen Pawol will work as an umpire during Saturday's doubleheader between the Marlins and Braves. She will then call balls and strikes behind the plate for Sundays game between the two teams.

Pawol was previously called up to the MLB level to officiate spring training games in 2024 and was selected among 21 minor league umpires to work spring training games in 2025.

She umpired her first professional game in 2016 when she was assigned to the Gulf Coast Rookie League. Like many players who ascend to the big leagues, Pawol climbed the ranks of the minor leagues before receiving her MLB call-up this week.

"I can control my hustle, my calls, and my professionalism. But gender and race are things no one can control," she said on Minor League Baseball's official website in 2016. "I can understand why people are talking about it and asking those questions because of the rarity of women being involved. I'm just hoping it might inspire more girls and women to get involved. It's so much fun, and the men I've met in both Major and Minor League Baseball have been so wonderful and friendly."

Pawol was just the seventh female to ever call a minor league game. At the time of her hiring in 2016, there had not been a female umpire in minor league baseball since 2007.

Among the top five major men's team sports leagues in the United States, three have had female officials. The NBA first hired Dee Kantner and Violet Palmer in 1997. There are now nine active female referees in the NBA, according to the union. In 2015, Sarah Thomas became the NFLs first female referee, and in 2020, Tori Penso became MLS first full-time female referee.

The NHL has yet to have a female referee work a regular-season game.

Four Barbary lion cubs were born recently in a Czech zoo, a vital contribution for a small surviving population of the rare lion that is extinct in the wild.

The three females and one male were seen playing in their outdoor enclosure at Dvr Krlov Safari Park on Wednesday, enjoying themselves under the watchful eyes of their parents, Khalila and Bart.

That will change soon. As part of an international endangered species program that coordinates efforts for their survival in captivity, the cubs will be sent to other participating parks, including the Beersheba zoo in Israel.

Chances are that might not be the end of the story for the animal.

Dvr Krlov Deputy Director Jaroslav Hyjnek said that while preliminary steps have been taken for a possible reintroduction of the Barbary lion into its natural habitat, its still a far distant future.

The majestic member of the Northern lion subspecies, the Barbary lion once roamed freely its native northern Africa, including the Atlas Mountains.

A symbol of strength, they were almost completely wiped out due to human activities. Many were killed by gladiators in Roman times, while overhunting and a loss of habitat contributed to their extinction later.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Denmark zoo asks people to donate their small pets as food for captive predators

The last known photo of a wild lion was taken in 1925, while the last individual was killed in 1942.

Its believed the last small populations went extinct in the wild in the middle of the 1960s.

Fewer than 200 Barbary lions are currently estimated to live in captivity.

Hyjnek said that after initial talks with Moroccan authorities, who have not rejected the idea of their reintroduction, a conference of experts has been planned to take place in Morocco late this year or early 2026 to decide whether it would make sense to go ahead with such a plan in one of the national parks in the Atlas Mountains.

Any reintroduction would face numerous bureaucratic and other obstacles. Since the lion has not been present in the environment for such a long time, the plans would have to ensure their protection, a sufficient prey population and cooperation and approval from local communities.

Hyjnek said such a move is still worth trying if it turns out to be sustainable.

Its important to have such a vision for any animal, he said. Without it, the existence of zoos wouldnt make sense.

IndyCar is distancing itself from a new Trump administration immigration initiative in Indiana that uses racing imagery to promote expanded detention space.

On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security announced a partnership with the state of Indiana to add 1,000 new beds for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees in what it called the "Speedway Slammer."

A post on X by DHS promoting the facility featured a race car and a speedway next to a detention center.

The Speedway Slammer pic.twitter.com/fXlTgWW8jA

Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 5, 2025

In a statement to Scripps News, IndyCar said it was not informed about the use of its imagery in the announcement.

RELATED STORY | President Trump tours newly opened migrant detention center 'Alligator Alcatraz'

"Consistent with our approach to public policy and political issues, we are communicating our preference that our IP not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter," IndyCar tells Scripps News.

As of Wednesday morning, the DHS post remained live.

The "Speedway Slammer" is the second facility of its kind under the administrations plan to expand ICE detention through state partnerships. It follows the launch of Alligator Alcatraz in Florida.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said funding for the facility came from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Thanks to Governor Braun for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country," she said. "If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indianas Speedway Slammer. Avoid arrest and self deport now using the CBP Home App.

The family of a 40-year-old man killed at a tailgating event in Detroit last year, is suing three companies, including Eastern Market, claiming the negligence of these groups contributed to his death.

Watch our previous coverage Eastern Market shooter will not be charged, acted in self-defense, prosecutor says 'A lot of people loved him': Vigil held in honor of Eastern Market shooting victim 'I do not feel safe going to large gatherings,' Eastern Market patron says after shooting

Palmer was one of two people shot and killed last year while attending the tailgate. His family believes he was just trying to break up the fight, when someone pulled out a gun and fired it in self-defense, striking and killing him.

Eastern Market Corporation and Bullseye Event Group, LLC, are listed as defendants for their roles as organizers and promoters of the event, as well as Shield Security Consultants and Protection Services, LLC. The suit was filed by Morgan & Morgan, a national injury law firm.

Based on the 21-page lawsuit, the plaintiff Danzi Aaliyah Palmer, a personal representative of Rayshawn's estate is seeking financial damages, but the exact amount is unclear.

7 News Detroit has reached out to Eastern Market for comment, and as of this article being published, we have not heard back.

The statement below was provided by the law firm, attributed to founder John Morgan and attorney David Stechow:

Rayshawn Palmers six children will now go through life without their father because of an act of violence that we believe was preventable. Our lawsuit alleges that, despite a history of fights and violent incidents at Eastern Market, the defendants moved forward with inadequate security that allowed violence to escalate into a shooting that killed a beloved father, son, brother and uncle. Mr. Palmers family has been absolutely devastated and will never be made whole again, but they are seeking justice and accountability in hopes that no one else has to endure the type of loss that they have.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled Wednesday that it is lifting all age restrictions for new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recruits as the Trump administration seeks to bolster its immigration crackdown efforts.

"We and ENDING the age cap for ICE law enforcement," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. "Qualified candidates can now apply with no age limit."

Prior to the announcement, ICE agents were required to be at least 21 years of age and no older than 37 or 40, depending on the position they applied for. Noem said in an interview with Fox News that people as young as 18 could now apply.

It comes just a week after ICE launched a new campaign to attract new recruits, with incentives including $50,000 signing bonuses, student loan relief and forgiveness options, as well as the promise of premium pay and enhanced retirement benefits.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | ICE entices new recruits with patriotism pitch and promise of $50,000 signing bonuses

Your country is calling you to serve at ICE, Noem said. This is a defining moment in our nations history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland.

The hiring push is all part of a cash infusion from President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act which as signed into law last month and includes over $76 billion for ICE, nearly 10 times its current annual budget.

The legislation allocates billions of dollars for ICE to grow its deportation operations, including the hiring of 10,000 new ICE agents to help the Trump administration meet its goal of 1 million annual deportations.

Some law enforcement officials, however, speculate that the hiring push could signal that ICE is struggling to recruit, particularly because many other law enforcement agencies are also struggling to attract new hires, and ICE has a more controversial mission.

An active duty Army sergeant shot five fellow soldiers with a personal handgun Wednesday morning at Fort Stewart, a U.S. Army base in southern Georgia, according to officials.

All of the soldiers involved were treated on-site before being moved to local hospitals with two of them going to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, the only level 1 trauma center in the region, according to its website.

Three of the injured soldiers required surgical procedures, but all are expected to recover.

Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, said during a press conference that the suspect was identified as 28-year-old Sgt. Quornelius Radford, who worked as an automated logistics sergeant assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. He is from Jacksonville, Florida and has been assigned to Fort Stewart since 2022. The motive is still unclear.

According to the Army's website, an automated logistics sergeant's duties involve managing and supervising logistical operations, inventory, warehousing, and supply chain management.

Radford has no deployments on record, but it was not immediately known how long he had served in the Army, Lubas said. It also appeared that the suspected shooter did not have any prior disciplinary issues.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and Lubas said it is not clear how Radford was able to get a personal handgun onto the Army base.

Radford was being held in pre-trial confinement, the Army said in a press release.

The incident occurred just before 11 a.m., and the base was put on lockdown shortly after. The suspect was "immediately" subdued by other soldiers and apprehended, Lubas said.

Just before 2 p.m. ET, officials said the scene was all clear and the lockdown was lifted.

The base said the shooting happened in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area, and local law enforcement responded to the scene.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said on X that he and his family were "saddened" by the "tragedy at Ft. Stewart."

"We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same," Kemp stated.

Commenting on the shooting from the White House, President Donald Trump said, "The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families."

Fort Stewart is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River and home to thousands of soldiers in the Army's 3rd Infantry Division. It's located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah in the town of Hinesville.

A Pontiac man was hit and killed by the driver of a Jeep late Tuesday night, and police are looking for the driver involved in the incident.

Police tell us the crash happened after 11 p.m. on Baldwin Avenue. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said the crash happened a few blocks from the fatal hit-and-run last month, when a man on a bike was struck and killed.

Authorities say that Thomas Cummings, 43, was crossing the street in a non-crosswalk area when he was hit by the driver of a Jeep heading southbound. He was taken to the hospital, where he died from his injuries. Evidence at the scene confirmed to investigators that the vehicle had a Jeep body style.

"If you know someone who drives a Jeep with unexplained front-end damage, or if you have any other relevant information, please come forward," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. "Your help could be vital in bringing answers to the victim's family and the community."

Both this crash and the July crash are being investigated by the Sheriff's Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Anyone with information on either crash is asked to call Crime Stoppers who is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest at 1-800-Speak-Up.