Amid rising electric bills, states are under pressure to insulate regular household and business ratepayers from the costs of feeding Big Tech's energy-hungry data centers.

It's not clear that any state has a solution and the actual effect of data centers on electricity bills is difficult to pin down. Some critics question whether states have the spine to take a hard line against tech behemoths like Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta.

But more than a dozen states have begun taking steps as data centers drive a rapid build-out of power plants and transmission lines.

That has meant pressuring the nation's biggest power grid operator to clamp down on price increases, studying the effect of data centers on electricity bills or pushing data center owners to pay a larger share of local transmission costs.

Rising power bills are something legislators have been hearing a lot about. Its something weve been hearing a lot about. More people are speaking out at the public utility commission in the past year than Ive ever seen before, said Charlotte Shuff of the Oregon Citizens Utility Board, a consumer advocacy group. Theres a massive outcry.

Not the typical electric customer

Some data centers could require more electricity than cities the size of Pittsburgh, Cleveland or New Orleans, and make huge factories look tiny by comparison. That's pushing policymakers to rethink a system that, historically, has spread transmission costs among classes of consumers that are proportional to electricity use.

A lot of this infrastructure, billions of dollars of it, is being built just for a few customers and a few facilities and these happen to be the wealthiest companies in the world, said Ari Peskoe, who directs the Electricity Law Initiative at Harvard University. I think some of the fundamental assumptions behind all this just kind of breaks down.

A fix, Peskoe said, is a can of worms" that pits ratepayer classes against one another.

Some officials downplay the role of data centers in pushing up electric bills.

Tricia Pridemore, who sits on Georgias Public Service Commission and is president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, pointed to an already tightened electricity supply and increasing costs for power lines, utility poles, transformers and generators as utilities replace aging equipment or harden it against extreme weather.

The data centers needed to accommodate the artificial intelligence boom are still in the regulatory planning stages, Pridemore said, and the Data Center Coalition, which represents Big Tech firms and data center developers, has said its members are committed to paying their fair share.

But growing evidence suggests that the electricity bills of some Americans are rising to subsidize the massive energy needs of Big Tech as the U.S. competes in a race against China for artificial intelligence superiority.

Data and analytics firm Wood Mackenzie published a report in recent weeks that suggested 20 proposed or effective specialized rates for data centers in 16 states it studied arent nearly enough to cover the cost of a new natural gas power plant.

In other words, unless utilities negotiate higher specialized rates, other ratepayer classes residential, commercial and industrial are likely paying for data center power needs.

Meanwhile, Monitoring Analytics, the independent market watchdog for the mid-Atlantic grid, produced research in June showing that 70% or $9.3 billion of last year's increased electricity cost was the result of data center demand.

States are responding

Last year, five governors led by Pennsylvania's Josh Shapiro began pushing back against power prices set by the mid-Atlantic grid operator, PJM Interconnection, after that amount spiked nearly sevenfold. They warned of customers paying billions more than is necessary.

PJM has yet to propose ways to guarantee that data centers pay their freight, but Monitoring Analytics is floating the idea that data centers should be required to procure their own power.

In a filing last month, it said that would avoid a "massive wealth transfer from average people to tech companies.

At least a dozen states are eyeing ways to make data centers pay higher local transmission costs.

In Oregon, a data center hot spot, lawmakers passed legislation in June ordering state utility regulators to develop new presumably higher power rates for data centers.

The Oregon Citizens Utility Board says there is clear evidence that costs to serve data centers are being spread across all customers at a time when some electric bills there are up 50% over the past four years and utilities are disconnecting more people than ever.

New Jerseys governor signed legislation last month commissioning state utility regulators to study whether ratepayers are being hit with unreasonable rate increases to connect data centers and to develop a specialized rate to charge data centers.

In some other states, like Texas and Utah, governors and lawmakers are trying to avoid a supply-and-demand crisis that leaves ratepayers on the hook or in the dark.

Doubts about states protecting ratepayers

In Indiana, state utility regulators approved a settlement between Indiana Michigan Power Co., Amazon, Google, Microsoft and consumer advocates that set parameters for data center payments for service.

Kerwin Olsen, of the Citizens Action Council of Indiana, a consumer advocacy group, signed the settlement and called it a pretty good deal that contained more consumer protections than what state lawmakers passed.

But, he said, state law doesn't force large power users like data centers to publicly reveal their electric usage, so pinning down whether they're paying their fair share of transmission costs "will be a challenge.

In a March report, the Environmental and Energy Law Program at Harvard University questioned the motivation of utilities and regulators to shield ratepayers from footing the cost of electricity for data centers.

Both utilities and states have incentives to attract big customers like data centers, it said.

To do it, utilities which must get their rates approved by regulators can offer special deals to favored customers like a data center and effectively shift the costs of those discounts to regular ratepayers, the authors wrote. Many state laws can shield disclosure of those rates, they said.

In Pennsylvania, an emerging data center hot spot, the state utility commission is drafting a model rate structure for utilities to consider adopting. An overarching goal is to get data center developers to put their money where their mouth is.

Were talking about real transmission upgrades, potentially hundreds of millions of dollars, commission chairman Stephen DeFrank said. And thats what you dont want the ratepayer to get stuck paying for."

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Saturday the planned summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that any peace deal excluding Kyiv would lead to dead solutions.

The Trump-Putin meeting, scheduled for Friday in Alaska, is seen as a potential breakthrough.

Trump had previously agreed to meet with Putin even if the Russian leader would not meet with Zelenskyy, stoking fears Ukraine could be sidelined in efforts to stop the continents biggest conflict since World War II.

In a statement posted to Telegram, Zelenskyy said Ukraines territorial integrity, enshrined in the constitution, must be non-negotiable and emphasized that lasting peace must include Ukraines voice at the table.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine will not give Russia any awards for what it has done and that Ukrainians will not give their land to the occupier.

Touching on Ukrainian anxieties that a direct meeting between Putin and Trump could marginalize Kyiv and European interests, Zelenskyy said: Any decisions that are without Ukraine are at the same time decisions against peace. They will not bring anything. These are dead decisions. They will never work.

RELATED STORY | Trump to meet with Putin next week in Alaska to discuss Ukraine ceasefire deal

Ukrainian officials had previously told the Associated Press privately that Kyiv would be amenable to a peace deal that would de facto recognize Ukraines inability to regain lost territories militarily.

The summit

Trump said he will meet with Putin to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

It seems entirely logical for our delegation to fly across the Bering Strait simply, and for such an important and anticipated summit of the leaders of the two countries to be held in Alaska, Putins foreign affairs adviser, Yuri Ushakov, said Saturday in a statement posted to the Kremlin's news channel.

Such a summit may prove pivotal in a war that began more than three years ago when Russia invaded its western neighbor and has led to tens of thousands of deaths, although theres no guarantee it will stop the fighting since Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart on their conditions for peace.

In comments to reporters at the White House before his post confirming the date and place, Trump suggested that any agreement would likely involve some swapping of territories, but he gave no details. Analysts, including some close to the Kremlin, have suggested that Russia could offer to give up territory it controls outside of the four regions it claims to have annexed.

Trump said his meeting with Putin would come before any sit-down discussion involving Zelenskyy. His announcement that he planned to host one of Americas adversaries on U.S. soil broke with expectations that theyd meet in a third country. The gesture gives Putin validation after the U.S. and its allies had long sought to make him a pariah over his war against Ukraine.

Ultimatums and sanctions

Exasperated that Putin did not heed his calls to stop bombing Ukrainian cities, Trump, almost two weeks ago, moved up his ultimatum to impose additional sanctions on Russia and introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil if the Kremlin did not move toward a settlement.

The deadline was Friday. But the White House did not answer questions that evening about the state of possible sanctions after Trump announced an upcoming meeting with Putin.

Prior to Trump announcing the meeting with Putin, his efforts to pressure Russia into stopping the fighting had delivered no progress. The Kremlins bigger army is slowly advancing deeper into Ukraine at great cost in troops and armor while it relentlessly bombards Ukrainian cities. Russia and Ukraine are far apart on their terms for peace.

Russia and Ukraine trade attacks

Two people died and 16 were wounded Saturday when a Russian drone hit a minibus in the suburbs of the Ukrainian city of Kherson, regional Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said. Two others died after a Russian drone struck their car in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov.

Ukraines air force said Saturday it intercepted 16 of the 47 Russian drones launched overnight, while 31 drones hit targets across 15 different locations. It also said it shot down one of the two missiles Russia deployed.

Meanwhile, Russias Defense Ministry said its air defenses shot down 97 Ukrainian drones over Russia and the Black Sea overnight into Saturday, and 21 more on Saturday morning.

Blakes Orchard & Cider Mill invites the community to join its new Farm Fresh Pickle Fest; a unique summer celebration centered around all pickled things.

This family-friendly event will feature a full schedule of activities including DIY pickling workshops, pickle-themed food and beverage offerings, artisan vendors, live music, kid's activities, and more. Guests can also participate in a variety of contests such as pickle eating and pickle juice drinking. Admission is free.

To learn more, visit https://blakefarms.ticketspice.com/blakes-pickle-festival or Blake Farms.

Hey, you're busy we get it.

We know a lot happens throughout the week, and you may not catch all of our stories here at WXYZ. So we've decided to gather the most talked-about stories from the past week all in one place that you can check out during your free time over the weekend.

Have a story idea or tip? Feel free to let us know using the contact form below.

Here are the big stories from the week beginning Aug. 4.

Waterford man fulfills promise to honor friends lost in 1966 house fire Waterford man fulfills promise to honor friends lost in 1966 house fire

It was an emotional day at Waterford Center Cemetery, marking the final chapter of a story that began nearly six decades ago.

Its been a long time coming, but gravestones now sit at the place of what once were unmarked graves, offering a semblance of closure for the community that still remembers a tragedy long ago.

Bob Russako watched Monday as gravestones adorned with the names of his friends were set into place.

Now everybody knows where they're at. I mean, I know where they are at now. Coming out here and not finding anything was very hurtful after a while, Russako said.

The gravesite had weighed heavily on Russako for years, with his four friends sitting in unmarked graves.

I was 15, same age as Kathy, and I remember very well running around our house, her and my stepsister piercing their ears with ice cubes. And I remember her favorite song, Russako said.

We first shared Russako and his story back in June. Russakos friends, the Browns, lived just around the corner from him growing up.

MDOT plans boulevard to address Ford Road safety concerns in Canton MDOT plans boulevard to address Ford Road safety concerns in Canton

A staggering 1,000 crashes occurred along Ford Road near I-275 in Canton during a three-year study, prompting the Michigan Department of Transportation to propose a boulevard solution to improve safety and reduce congestion.

"It's terrible, all day long," said Natalie Everson from Canton, describing the current traffic conditions.

The boulevard would transform Ford Road from Lotz, east of I-275, to just west of Sheldon Road, similar to parts of Woodward Avenue where drivers make U-turns to access businesses on the opposite side.

"Depending on the time of day it can be pretty hectic," said Rudolph Johnson, who lives in Canton.

Canton resident Mackenzie Thompson echoed these concerns.

"It gets chaotic, throughout the day, honestly. It is terrible during rush time, constant stop-and-go traffic, I've almost been late to work multiple times because of it, it's honestly insane traveling down Ford Road," she said.

MDOT's three-year study from 2016 to 2019 examined 10 intersections with signals, four intersections without signals, and six ramps on the I-275 and Ford interchange. The results showed higher-than-average crash rates and significant travel delays throughout the corridor.

Accessing businesses along the busy road presents additional challenges for drivers.

"It's practically impossible, to get into some of these businesses at certain times of the day," Thompson said.

"It's dangerous, I've been rear-ended once with my infant son in the back, that was really scary," Everson added.

Jeff Horne, project manager with MDOT, identified a recurring crash pattern along the corridor.

"We are noticing a lot of angle crashes of, on the westbound Ford Road, if there are three lanes there two lanes will stop, and then the third lane cars will continuously drive through, and cars will turn left into that business, and then they will get hit by that vehicle in that third lane there, we call those courtesy crashes, with a boulevard we won't have that," Horne said.

MDOT is seeking public input before finalizing design plans.

Michigan pushes to grow population as projections show potential decline Michigan push to grow population sees progress as projections show potential decline

Michigan is working to attract and retain residents through a statewide initiative as projections warn the state could lose around 700,000 people by 2050 if current trends continue.

The Grow Michigan Together Council, launched by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2023, aims to combat troubling population statistics that show Michigan lost roughly 40,000 residents between 2020 and 2022.

"Michigan was one of about 34% of states that had seen historic population stagnation or decline, and we really wanted to make sure we were doing whatever it took to retain our young folks and attract people from across the country to come and join us," said Hillary Doe, Chief Growth Officer for the State of Michigan.

Doe's office has been working for the past two years on programs focused on talent retention and attraction, while maintaining constant communication with entrepreneurs and organizations working to make the job market more attractive.

"2050 isn't that far away, so when we look into the future and talk about our economic projections, you have to work now to change the shape of the curve," Doe said.

Among those drawn to Michigan's potential are Adam Cichy and Alan Alexander, who opened a plant-filled cafe called "Dose" in Midtown Detroit last November after moving from New York.

Alan, originally from Detroit, was among thousands who had previously left Michigan seeking opportunity elsewhere.

"I wanted him to come back home and be part of what Detroit is becoming, be part of the growth and the community of the city," Alexander said.

The pair experienced firsthand how support for small businesses can make a difference as Motor City Match awardees.

"The support from the state and city was absolutely critical and was part of the decision making," Cichy said.

What community is saying after $150M bond proposal was rejected in Livonia What community is saying after $150M bond proposal was rejected in Livonia

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.

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 diming' 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.

Ralph Wilson Centennial Park on the riverfront set to open in October VIDEO: Drone footage of Ralph C Wilson Park, set to open in October

A grand opening of Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park is set to happen on October 25 & 26, according to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

The ceremonial grand opening of the 22-acre park will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. As part of the celebration of the new park, the Conservancy's Detroit Harvest Fest will be taking place at the park.

The event is free to the public, and will feature live entertainment, fall activities, food trucks and more.

Guests will also be able to take a ride down the 23-foot-tall Bear Slide at the Delta Dental Play Garden, shoot hoops in the William Davidson Sport House, see the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden, and listen to live music at the DTE Foundation Summit.

Controversial Melvindale Lt. at center of WXYZ investigations charged in 3 separate incidents Controversial Melvindale Lt. at center of WXYZ investigations facing charges

Melvindale Police Lt. Matthew Furman, who has been the subject of several 7 News Detroit investigations, is now facing criminal charges in connection with three separate incidents.

The three alleged assaults date back to the last four years. Two of the incidents involve the use of a Taser.

In July 2024, Furman stopped Drakkar Williams for driving around traffic barricades. Williams, who had a suspended license, should not have been driving. After Williams refused to provide his name, Furman moved to arrest him.

While his partner held Williams outside the car, Furman began to tase him repeatedly.

Prosecutors say Furman kicked Williams in the leg and deployed his taser again, striking him in the back.

Furman said Williams was uncooperative and that he was fearful he could have been carrying a weapon. After he was handcuffed, Furman would be seen arguing with Williams again.

Acccording to the prosecutor, medics were called to the scene to treat Williams e for his injuries. While being treated, prosecutors say the two began to argue and that Officer Furman grabbed Williams by his shirt and by his hair and pulled him against the fire truck.

Furman was never disciplined by his department, but Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Thursday said Furmans use of force crossed the line. He was charged with misconduct in office, felonious assault and assault and battery.

"I told him, 'Youre gonna lose your badge over this.'" Williams said Thursday in an interview with 7 News Detroit.

"(He said) 'No Im not.' He was confident," Williams recalled.

Furman is also being charged in connection to a stop three months earlier in April 2024, when he pulled over a vehicle that was already parked. Alica Cook and her two daughters were sitting outside a school while Cook waited to drop off her 11-year-old at cheerleading practice.

When Cook didnt provide her license and registration, Furman tried to pull her from her vehicle. And after she resisted, he took out his Taser and fired.

The charges that would be filed against Cook would be dismissed and now, she is suing Furman and the department for how she was treated.

"I was terrified from you. I was terrified, you scared me. You scared me," she told us.

Furman was not disciplined by the department, but on Thursday, Worthy charged Furman in this case with misconduct in office, felonious assault and assault and battery.

"I am grateful that theyve taken the time to say this persons actions were not okay, were going to do something about this," Cook said Thursday.

She said the events of that day traumatized her and her daughters.

"Now, my daughter that I was taking to schoolshes in a mental hospital today. So his actions caused a lot of pain. But I do forgive him," Cook said.

The other charge stems from a 2021 police chase that 7 News reported on earlier this year. The suspect had stolen a vehicle, police said, after striking an officer. After his vehicle crashed, the man fled on foot before officers surrounded him.

As officers tried to subdue the man, a Dearborn officers body cam caught Furman repeatedly stomping on the mans leg. Another can be heard warning that cameras are rolling.

The Dearborn officer reported Furmans actions to his supervisor. Furman said the man was resisting and he used the stomps as a form of pain compliance. He was not disciplined by his department but was charged by Worthy Thursday.

In that case, Furman has been charged with misconduct in office and and assault and battery.

Furman has previously defended his actions, calling himself a proactive police officer and saying its never been more dangerous to be in law enforcement, as evidenced by the murder of fellow Officer Mohamed Said, just last year.

"People say well, 'Furman uses too much force, hes too aggressive, hes a robot'" Furman said in January. "Again, my goal is to go home alive."

Melvindale's police chief could not be reached immediately for comment.

In a statement, Worthy said: It is important to remember that the majority of our police officers are bravely placing their lives on the line every day and proudly serving with the utmost integrity. The alleged behavior of this officer is a criminal and does a disservice to the men and women who have taken an oath to protect and serve all of our citizens."

University of Michigan makes history with the nation's first collegiate para powerlifting program U of M adds Para-powerlifting to their adaptive sports lineup

The University of Michigan is creating more opportunities for students with disabilities through its expanding adaptive sports program, which now includes the nation's first collegiate para powerlifting team.

The school's adaptive sports and fitness program, which began in 2019, already offered four wheelchair sports, including tennis, basketball, rugby, and track and field, before adding competitive para powerlifting this year.

Abbey Phillipson, who serves as both the strength and conditioning coach for Michigan's adaptive sports program and head coach of the new para powerlifting team, is proud of the groundbreaking initiative.

"Recently, we became the first ever and only collegiate para powerlifting program, which I had the opportunity to start," Phillipson said.

Phillipson has Classical Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and is a big advocate of the adaptive sports community. In high school, she had stage 5 spondylolisthese and used a wheelchair.

"I'm actually super stretchy and elastic," she said in reference to her skin. "My body doesn't deposit collagen correctly to my connective tissues."

The U-M grad teaches her eight athletes how to bench press without using their legs, which presents unique challenges.

"We see from research that 10-20% of your bench press max strength is from the use of your leg drive. So, we always look around at each other when our legs are strapped up on the table, and we're like, we must be pretty strong," Phillipson said.

For athletes like Caden Baxter, who suffered a spinal cord injury at age 15, the program has been transformative.

"Being young when I was injured, I wanted to get back into sports immediately, I just didn't see a way," Baxter said.

Family and friends gathered Friday night to remember Janelle Pawlowski, the 47-year-old woman who died in a house fire at the Clarkston Lakes Mobile Home Community in Brandon Township.

The fire broke out Monday just after 7 a.m., claiming the lives of Pawlowski and the family dog, Luna. Pawlowski's 13-year-old son and his two friends managed to escape the blaze.

Watch Brett Kast's video report below: Community gathers to remember mother killed in Brandon Township mobile home fire

"My mom was my best friend," said Alana Pawlowski, Janelle's daughter.

Alana Pawlowski said she last saw her mother on Sunday, just hours before the devastating fire that destroyed their home.

"Everything reminds me of my mom. She was just my other half," Alana Pawlowski said.

According to Alana Pawlowski, her 13-year-old brother tried to help get their mother out but couldn't. Neighbors also attempted to rescue Janelle Pawlowski, trying to pry open a door to pull her to safety.

"He (neighbor) risked himself getting hurt, and it shows you how many good people there are in this world," said Cynthia Hargett, Janelle Pawlowski's mother.

Hargett explained that her daughter had health problems and mobility issues, but that never stopped her from being devoted to her children.

"She really loved her kids with every bone in her body," Hargett said. "She's definitely going to be missed."

Previous report: Mother dies in Brandon Township house fire, neighbors attempted rescue Mother dies in Brandon Township house fire, neighbors attempted rescue

The Oakland County Sheriff's Office reports that the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Meanwhile, the family is planning Janelle Pawlowski's funeral for next week as the community steps up to provide support.

"I'm just blessed I had her in my life for 47 years," Hargett said.

The family has established an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses.

"Help from anybody who can donate or contribute in any way, just prayers so we can send our mother off," Alana said.

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

Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris was in stable condition after he was attended to for about 20 minutes and taken off the field in an ambulance Friday night against Atlanta, with the preseason game ending early.

Morice Norris is in stable condition and has feeling and movement in all his extremities, the Lions said in a statement. He will remain at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta overnight for observation. We would like to thank the Atlanta Falcons organization, the EMS team at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the doctors and staff at Grady for their support.

Norris was hurt with 14:50 to go trying to tackle running back Nathan Carter. When play resumed, Falcons quarterback Emory Jones took a snap and held the ball as players from both teams stood at the line of scrimmage as the clock continued to run.

Watch Dan Campbell talk to media below: Dan Campbell provides update after Morice Norris' serious injury

Finally, with 6:31 left, an official announced the game had been suspended per New York with Detroit up 17-10.

Lions coach Dan Campbell asked for prayers for the 24-year-old Norris.

"Were just praying for Mo and ask that everybody prays for him, Campbell said.

Campbell said Norris had his mother with him at the hospital.

Norris, the former Fresno State player listed as Detroit's second-team safety, hit Carter with his facemask facing the running backs midsection, and the defender's head snapped back after making the hit.

Lions quarterback Kyle Allen said it was immediately obvious the medical personnel saw this as a serious injury.

Usually you see a couple trainers out there, Allen said. Its never good when they bring out the stretchers. We just started praying for him and hoping for the best. When its taking that long, with that many people and that many trainers around him, youre just hoping for the best.

Added Allen: Its just awful. ... You sign up for football and you understand the risk, you understand the injury risk. You never think something like that is going to happen.

At the end of the day were all out here as football players. We may be on 32 different teams but weve all played football our whole lives and had our own injuries and been through it.

Campbell and Falcons coach Raheem Morris made the decision to not finish the game.

Raheem Morris is a class act, Campbell said. He's the ultimate class act. We agreed it just didn't feel right to finish that game.

Morris said it was common courtesy for the coaches to decide to not finish the game.

It was tough to watch, Morris said. It was tough for the other team to see getting a teammate hurt that way. It was the right thing to do for Dan and his crew and his team and everything we had going on right there, I thought that was the right thing.

You never like to see anybody get hurt in any type of game or any type of way. It was a tough deal for those guys, a tough deal for us, a tough deal all across the board.

Allen said the decision to not finish the game was easy to make.

I don't think anyone on that sideline wanted to play, Allen said. We weren't part of that decision but you could look in anyones eyes and see that.

Though the decision to not finish the game seemed dramatic, there were two precedents from preseason games in consecutive weeks in August 2023.

New Englands game at Green Bay in Week 2 of the 2023 preseason was called off when Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden was carted off in the fourth quarter. Bolden appeared to collide with teammate Calvin Munson while attempting to make a hit on a pass completion to Malik Heath of the Packers.

Bolden was taken to a hospital and released the next day.

A week later, a game between Miami and Jacksonville was not completed after Dolphins receiver Daewood Davis was carted off in the fourth quarter. Davis was hurt when he ran a slant route and was attempting to catch a pass when he was hit by Jaguars linebacker Dequan Jackson.

Davis was released from the hospital a day later.

The two frightening injuries happened some eight months after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the field during a regular season game at Cincinnati in January 2023. Hamlin has enjoyed a remarkable recovery and resumed football the following season and spent last year as a Bills starter.

Three years after he disappeared in Afghanistan, there is a new effort to bring attention to the case of Afghan-American Mahmood Habibi.

The U.S. citizen hasn't been seen or heard from since he was taken into custody by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2022.

The Taliban, though, has said previously that they are holding him.

Habibi works in civil aviation and was employed by a company called the Asia Consultancy Group.

That is a telecommunications company in Kabul that worked on Afghanistan's airport infrastructure like radar and air traffic control.

The State Department says on August 10, 2022, Habibi was in a vehicle with his driver. That's when they were stopped and taken into custody by the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence, allegedly because they believed he was involved in the U.S. drone strike that killed an Al-Qaeda leader several weeks before.

The FBI says 29 other employees of Habibi's employer were also taken into custody. All but two of those employees were released.

One of the two is Habibi, who no one has seen or heard from since.

RELATED STORY | Afghan interpreter in US legally detained by ICE at routine green card appointment

On Friday, supporters of Habibi here in the United States held a news conference about his case.

Also Friday, Democratic California Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Democratic New Jersey Senator Cory Booker announced they intend to introduce a resolution in each of their chambers reiterating their call to bring Mahmoud Habibi home.

His wife and young daughter live in California and other members of his family live in New Jersey.

Also this summer the State Dpartment announced its Rewards for Justice program is offering a $5 million dollar reward for information on Habibi's location and safe return.

Colleges will be required to submit data to prove they do not consider race in admissions under a new policy ordered Thursday by President Donald Trump.

In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled against the use of affirmative action in admissions but said colleges may still consider how race has shaped students lives if applicants share that information in their admissions essays.

Trump is accusing colleges of using personal statements and other proxies to consider race, which conservatives view as illegal discrimination.

The role of race in admissions has featured in the Trump administration's battle against some of the nation's most elite colleges viewed by Republicans as liberal hotbeds. For example, the new policy is similar to parts of recent settlement agreements the government negotiated with Brown University and Columbia University, restoring their federal research money. The universities agreed to give the government data on the race, grade point average and standardized test scores of applicants, admitted students and enrolled students. The schools also agreed to be audited by the government and to release admissions statistics to the public.

Trump says colleges may be skirting SCOTUS ruling

Conservatives have argued that despite the Supreme Court ruling, colleges have continued to consider race.

"The persistent lack of available data paired with the rampant use of diversity statements and other overt and hidden racial proxies continues to raise concerns about whether race is actually used in admissions decisions in practice, says the memorandum signed by Trump.

The memo directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to require colleges to report more data to provide adequate transparency into admissions. The National Center for Education Statistics will collect new data, including the race and sex of colleges' applicants, admitted students and enrolled students, the Education Department said in a statement.

If colleges fail to submit timely, complete and accurate data, McMahon can take action under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which outlines requirements for colleges receiving federal financial aid for students, according to the memo.

It is unclear what practical impact the executive order will have on colleges. Current understanding of federal law prohibits them from collecting information on race as part of admissions, said Jon Fansmith, senior vice president of government relations at the American Council on Education, an association of college presidents.

Ultimately, will it mean anything? Probably not, Fansmith said. But it does continue this rhetoric from the administration that some students are being preferenced in the admission process at the expense of other students.

Because of the Supreme Court ruling, colleges have been barred from asking the race of students who are applying, Fansmith said. Once students enroll, the schools can ask about race, but students must be told they have a right not to answer. In this political climate, many students wont report their race, Fansmith said. So when schools release data on student demographics, the figures often give only a partial picture of the campus makeup.

Diversity changed at some colleges but not all

The first year of admissions data after the Supreme Court ruling showed no clear pattern in how colleges' diversity changed. Results varied dramatically from one campus to the next.

Some schools, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Amherst College, saw steep drops in the percentage of Black students in their incoming classes. But at other elite, selective schools such as Yale, Princeton and the University of Virginia, the changes were less than a percentage point year to year.

Some colleges have added more essays or personal statements to their admissions process to get a better picture of an applicant's background, a strategy the Supreme Court invited in its ruling.

Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicants discussion of how race affected the applicants life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in 2023 for the courts conservative majority.

As an alternative to affirmative action, colleges for years have tried a range of strategies to achieve the diversity they say is essential to their campuses.

Many have given greater preference to low-income families. Others started admitting top students from every community in their state.

Prior to the ruling, nine states had banned affirmative action, starting with California in 1996. The University of California saw enrollment change after the statewide ban in 1996. Within two years, Black and Hispanic enrollments fell by half at the systems two most selective campuses Berkeley and UCLA. The system would go on to spend more than $500 million on programs aimed at low-income and first-generation college students.

RELATED STORY | Tracking Trump's college funding freezes

The 10-campus University of California system also started a program that promises admission to the top 9% of students in each high school across the state, an attempt to reach strong students from all backgrounds. A similar promise in Texas has been credited for expanding racial diversity, and opponents of affirmative action cite it as a successful model.

In California, the promise drew students from a wider geographic area but did little to expand racial diversity, the system said in a brief to the Supreme Court. It had almost no impact at Berkeley and UCLA, where students compete against tens of thousands of other applicants.

Today at UCLA and Berkeley, Hispanic students make up 20% of undergraduates, higher than in 1996 but lower than their 53% share among Californias high school graduates. Black students, meanwhile, have a smaller presence than they did in 1996, accounting for 4% of undergraduates at Berkeley.

After Michigan voters rejected affirmative action in 2006, the University of Michigan shifted attention to low-income students.

The school sent graduates to work as counselors in low-income high schools and started offering college prep in Detroit and Grand Rapids. It offered full scholarships for low-income Michigan residents and, more recently, started accepting fewer early admission applications, which are more likely to come from white students.

Despite the University of Michigan's efforts, the share of Black and Hispanic undergraduates hasnt fully rebounded from a falloff after 2006. And while Hispanic enrollments have been increasing, Black enrollments continued to slide, going from 8% of undergraduates in 2006 to 4% in 2025.

A Taylor automotive shop rushed to complete a classic car restoration project for a family whose loved one died before seeing his beloved 1970 Plymouth Road Runner on the road again.

When 61-year-old Richard Wilson died on Sunday, he left behind an unfinished dream: his 1970 Road Runner in limelight green that he had been restoring for the Woodward Dream Cruise. The classic muscle car had been off the road for 25 years, despite Wilson's dedicated efforts to bring it back to life.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report below: Auto shop helps finish dream car for family after owner's death

Just days before his death, Wilson had finally heard the engine roar to life for the first time in a quarter century but never got the chance to take it for a drive.

"He was able to hear it run for the first time in 25 years on Friday before he passed away on Sunday," said Ryan Chaskin, Wilson's stepson. "He was right there. I mean, it was like the 10-yard line."

Hear more from Ryan Chaskin in the video player below: Web extra: Son speaks about restoration of dad's car

Determined to fulfill his stepfather's dream, Chaskin reached out to Motor City Solutions, an auto shop in Taylor known for their passion for restoring classic cars. Without hesitation, the team agreed to help.

"Let's get the car here. You know, that's what we do," Roy Olberg from Motor City Solutions said.

The shop's mission was clear: make sure the beloved muscle car would be ready in time for Wilson's funeral and the Woodward Dream Cruise, which had been Wilson's goal this year.

"Didn't think it was going to happen in all fairness," Chaskin admitted.

The team at Motor City Solutions worked quickly to get the Road Runner road-ready.

"We got it pretty much sorted out. It is driveable, but it does need some attention," Olberg said.

When the family came for the big reveal, seeing Wilson's Road Runner on the road again brought emotional reactions.

"It's great to see it go. These guys did a great job. It sounds great, better than I ever heard it," said Mike Wilson, Richard's brother.

Watch the big reveal below: Web extra: Watch family reveal of restored 1970 Plymouth Road Runner

"This was awesome," Chaskin said of seeing the completed project.

For 25 years, the classic car sat unfinished, even after Wilson installed a new engine nearly two years ago.

"We never got it running because it had a lot of things that needed to be sorted out," Dale Cramer, Wilson's brother-in-law, explained.

The family believes Wilson would be thrilled to see his dream fulfilled.

"He's looking down on us right now blown away with excitement. I know he is," Cramer said.

"If it wasn't for this chance encounter that Ryan had meeting Roy and this whole operation, none of this would have come together," he added.

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 Troy man is speaking out after falling victim to an employment scam.

"I'm heartbroken, I feel taken advantage of. I lost a lot of money through it," he said.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report below: 'I lost a lot of money': Troy man loses thousands in recent job scam

The victim, who asked to remain anonymous to protect his ongoing job search, had been looking for employment since March when he received what appeared to be a promising opportunity.

"I saw an email come through saying my resume was being considered for such a position, I'm like oh, OK," he said.

What seemed like a legitimate job offer from Pinhero Construction, a California-based company, quickly turned into a costly scam.

After receiving an email from pinherocareers.com confirming he got the job, the scammers instructed him to deposit a check via mobile app and wire $5,000 to what they called an "accredited vendor" to purchase office equipment for remote work.

"... which would be my laptop, screens, headphones... because it would be all remote work," the victim explained.

Troy Police Sgt. John Julian explained how these scams typically work.

"The funds may be in there, but the check hasn't cleared totally, which is not going to happen for a few weeks. At that time, you send the money back, and now you're out of your own personal funds," Julian said.

Troy Police Sgt. John Julian provides safety tips to avoid being scammed below: Web extra: Troy police Sgt. John Julian gives quick safety tips to avoid being scammed

After the initial $5,000 transfer, the scammers pushed for an additional $1,500 via Zelle or Apple Pay, promising reimbursement.

"I had to borrow money to get that much money together, and they didn't want it as a wire transfer because they wanted it immediately that day," the victim said.

He ended up losing $6,500.

The real Pinhero Construction has placed a warning on their website about these scams. When contacted, the company immediately responded with an automated email stating:

"Pinhero Construction is not affiliated with 'pineherocareers.com' in any way...these offers are fraudulent." They clarified that their legitimate hiring process includes in-person interviews.

"I was doing whatever I could to be able to get a job. I needed some kind of income coming in and it felt like a lifeline. The life raft was made of lead, and it pulled me down," the victim said.

Julian reports that scams occur frequently in Troy, averaging one to two incidents weekly. He advises residents to exercise caution.

"They create a sense of urgency and confusion and hope that will prey on your vulnerability. And if that ever happens, slow down, verify independently, call the Troy Police Department, talk to a close friend or neighbor and run this by them to make sure this information is legitimate," Julian 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."

The Trump administration and lawyers representing migrant children in federal custody faced off in court in California Friday over long-standing protections for detained minors.

U.S. District Court Judge Dolly Gee heard arguments from lawyers fighting against children being held for long periods of time in inappropriate conditions at Border Patrol detention sites, and from the government seeking to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement.

The agreement, established in 1997, sets national standards for minors in federal custody, including those accompanied by adults. The standards require conditions at detention sites to be safe and sanitary, and limits how long a child can be held in federal custody.

After the hearing concluded, Diane de Gramont, one of the attorneys representing detained minors, told Scripps News Group she and co-counsel were optimistic that the court is not inclined to terminate the settlement.

"Over the past 10 years, we've had to bring repeated motions to enforce the settlement related to basic things like children not having soap for multiple days, children not being given showers or toothpaste or toothbrushes, de Gramont told Scripps News ahead of Fridays hearing.

We don't think it should be controversial that kids should get to see the outdoors, you know, at least once a day, and that they should be able to go to the toilet in privacy, and they should be able to shower, she added. This is really just basic dignity.

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The lawyers have long argued that without agreement, the government would be left to its own internal monitoring, which she said she has zero confidence that basic conditions will be met if that were to happen.

Just getting kids to be able to go outside once a day has been a huge uphill battle. And so, if there wasn't any settlement in place and the government was left to its own, you know, internal monitoring, we have no confidence that even really basic conditions would be respected, de Gramont said.

The Trump administration has argued that standards set by the Flores Settlement Agreement are already being met and thus the 1997 consent decree can be terminated.

The Trump administration has also argued that the agreement incentives migrants to illegally enter the us if they know their kids will be released and likely parents along with them. But de Gramont disagreed.

The settlement only covers children's conditions in custody and prospects for release to a sponsor in the U.S. if one is available, de Gramont told Scripps News Group. And so it doesn't provide any protection from deportation. It doesn't prevent the government from deporting anybody.

Deandre Booker waived his right to come to court for day two of his preliminary hearing Friday in the murder case of Ashley Elkins. In fact, he could be heard yelling and cursing at jail staff through the court's video feed.

"Its real clear to the court that Mr. Booker is screaming. Hes in the jail cell," Judge Joseph Boedeker told the court.

Watch the video report below: Preliminary hearing continues for Deandre Booker, man accused of killing Ashley Elkins

Bookers attorney said Booker was uncooperative, had refused to change into his jail uniform and didnt want to come to court.

"Deandre Booker, this is the judge. I just want to inform you ..." the judge said as Booker yelled.

"You do have a right to be present in court," Boedeker continued. "You have a constitutional right to be here with your attorney."

The judge decided it was best for Booker to watch court from jail over Zoom. Hes accused of killing his ex-girlfriend, Elkins, a mother of two whose body has never been found.

The prosecutor asked a Roseville police detective during testimony, "What is it that you observed that made you want to put the yellow tape on this dumpster?"

"When I looked in and down, I saw what was absolutely certain to me to be blood," Roseville Police Detective Chris Moran said.

He said video of someone placing something in the dumpster showed the person appeared to be struggling. That person had pushed a shopping cart to the dumpster.

Detectives testified that the dumpster had already been emptied by the time they spotted the blood.

Then there's the questionable Google searches Booker allegedly made on his phone in late December 2024.

"He quote searched 'telling god i want to kill someone,'" Moran read.

That was searched 11 days before Elkins' disappearance.

Google results also showed "9 mm silencer roseville."

"That would be very relevant. A silencer is a tool that is commonly used to baffle the sound of a firearm," Moran explained.

Another search referred to killing an ex out of rage.

Watch over coverage of the first day of the preliminary hearing below: Journey to justice in Ashley Elkins case

A crime scene technician that processed Bookers apartment also testified to finding a bullet fragment inside the bathtub drain, as well as an earring and a clump of hair.

The defense raised the point that its unclear who the items belonged to without further analysis and how long the items had been there.

Bookers preliminary hearing is scheduled to resume Friday, Aug. 15.

President Donald Trump announced Friday that he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week.

Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, saying more details would follow.

The Aug. 15 meeting will be the first between Putin and President Trump since he returned to office.

The announcement of the meeting came on the deadline President Trump set for Russia to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face economic consequences such as so-called secondary tariffs.

The president, for months, has been trying to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. The two countries have been at war since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Earlier Friday, President Trump suggested a potential ceasefire agreement could involve swapping territories. It is unclear whether Ukraine would support such a framework.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country is continuing active negotiations with partners to reach a common position for reliable peace for Ukraine, adding that there has been constant communication with American counterparts.

Experts, meanwhile, are skeptical that Putin is serious about reaching an immediate ceasefire.

Sam Greene, director for Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis, said the meeting likely came about because both Trump and Putin were caught in a bind.

The reason why were seeing what were seeing when were seeing it has to do with the need for both Trump and Putin to get out of a little bit of a trap that they found themselves in, right?" Greene said. "So when Trump announced this deadline, which they got moved up to today, he created a little bit of a bind, right, because Putin is not going to agree to anything just because Trump asked him to, right. Hes not going to allow that optic to take shape."

On Sunday, August 10, Spotlight on the News will explore why Walsh College is leading an online academic charge into the world of artificial intelligence (AI). What are the benefits and risks of this brave new science? We'll ask Dr. David Schippers, V.P. & Chief Academic Officer, Walsh College and Dr. Daniel Sem, Executive Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and President, Walsh Ventures. Also on Spotlight, we'll preview this year's big 30th anniversary of the Woodward Dream Cruise. Our guests will be Tony Michaels, Strategic Consultant and Michael Lary, Board President of the WDC.

Spotlight on the News, now in its 60th season, is Michigan's longest-running weekly news and public affairs television program. It airs every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 in Detroit, is streamed live on wxyz.com and broadcast at 11:30 a.m. on 23.1 WKAR-HD in East Lansing.

A 26-year-old Taylor woman has been sentenced to six to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in a high-speed crash that killed a Dearborn mother and physician last summer.

Felecia Lazo was driving 117 mph in a 35 mph zone when she ran a red light at Michigan Avenue and Nowlin Street in Dearborn, crashing into a car driven by 33-year-old Ghada Mustapha. First responders pronounced Mustapha dead at the scene.

During the sentencing, Lazo offered a tearful apology to the victim's family.

"You may not be ready to hear from me or accept my apology. Still, I want to say from the deepest place in my heart, I'm so sorry for your loss," Lazo said.

As part of a plea deal, a second count of reckless driving causing death was dismissed.

Family members of the victim expressed disappointment with the sentence, feeling it was too lenient given the circumstances of the crash.

"Again, she's not with us here today because of the actions of the defendant and so for the defendant only to be serving six to 15 years, we're profoundly disappointed," said Hussein Saad, a relative of the victim.

"The defendant's actions were reckless. The defendant really disregarded those who were around her when she was driving in a reckless way. And because of the defendant's actions, we don't have our beloved Ghada Mustapha anymore."

Hear more from Ghada Mustapha's brother, Moussa, in the video player below: Web extra: Brother of woman killed in Dearborn high-speed crash speaks outside courthouse

Mustapha was a physician and beloved member of the Dearborn community. She leaves behind three children under the age of 5 and a husband.

"She has three children that are under the age of 5 that have to face a world without their mom and I don't think you can put time on that," said Mountaha Eidy, Mustapha's best friend.

Hear more from Ghada Mustapha's best friend, Mountaha Eidy, in the video player below: Web extra: Friend of woman killed in Dearborn high-speed crash speaks outside courthouse

Friends and family described Mustapha as intelligent, compassionate, and always willing to help others.

"With Ghada, she was ready to help anybody. You could go to her for anything," said Mustafa Haidar, Mustapha's brother-in-law.

"I've known her since kindergarten, was always one of the smartest girls in our class from elementary to high school throughout college," said Daraoun Mashrah, a friend of the victim.

Despite feeling the sentence was insufficient, Mustapha's family says they can begin to move forward now that the legal proceedings have concluded.

"To see someone that we think probably should've got a bigger sentence or to the fullest extent and for us to deal with it, it's just, it's too much," said Moussa Mustapha, the victim's brother.

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

Police say a single suspect and a police officer have died following a shooting incident near the Atlanta campuses for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Emory University on Friday.

The suspected gunman was found dead on the scene on the second floor of a building close by the CDC campus, officials said. Authorities recovered a long gun and three other firearms.

The police officer who died was injured by gunfire and taken to the hospital with critical injuries.

There were no other injuries in the incident. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said rounds struck several buildings on the CDC campus.

The Atlanta Police Department said Friday afternoon there was "no ongoing threat" to the campus or community.

It is not known how the suspect sustained their fatal injuries. Officials have also not discussed a motive in the shooting.

Earlier Friday afternoon, an alert was sent to people on the campus, telling them to "RUN, HIDE, FIGHT." The shelter in place order for the University has now been lifted.

Authorities are encouraging residents to avoid the area.

Authorities responded to a CVS at Emory Point, a mixed-use development near the school's campus.

The Atlanta Police Department says the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.

The Montana suspect accused of fatally shooting four people at a bar last week has been taken into custody alive.

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Authorities located Michael Paul Brown following a week-long manhunt, according to Lewis and Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton.

Police said Brown entered The Owl Bar in Anaconda on Aug. 1 and began opening fire, killing three patrons and a bartender.

The victims were identified Sunday as Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64, Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59, David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74.

Authorities have not determined a motive.

Family members of Brown, a military veteran, have indicated that he has faced mental health challenges.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is asking an Illinois court to force the arrest and return of Texas House Democrats who left the state to block Republicans from redrawing congressional districts in their favor  a move that Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says is illegal.

"The reality is that all that he has said [U.S. Senator from Texas John] Cornyn is that the FBI has been authorized to locate the Texas House Democrats. Nothing more. And you know why? Because there is no federal law that allows them to arrest Texas Democrats who are here visiting the state of Illinois," Pritzker said.

Legal experts tell Scripps News if the FBI gets involved in trying to bring lawmakers from other states back into Texas, that could be problematic because there is no real federal issue at play.

Meanwhile, Texas law enforcement has no jurisdiction outside of their state lines. They would not be able to leave the state of Texas and go try to force lawmakers to return.

Attorney General Paxton is also pursuing more steps to allow lawmaking in Texas to continue. In a new lawsuit filed Friday, Paxton sought to have the Supreme Court of Texas declare the seats of the missing Democratic members vacant.

RELATED STORY | Texas Gov. sues to remove top Democrat from office for leaving the state to prevent quorum

The escalation follows a Tuesday lawsuit filed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott against Gene Wu, the leader of the Texas House Democratic Caucus who has headed up the contingent of lawmakers who left the state.

The emergency petition, filed in state Supreme Court, alleges that Wu and other Democrats' leaving Texas to prevent a quorum in the statehouse constituted "abandonment" of office. It seeks to have Wu removed from his position.