A maintenance worker killed in a shooting at the Devon Park Apartments in Royal Oak was not involved in a dispute between two tenants that led to shots being fired, police said.
Officers responded to the complex on Crooks Road between 13 Mile and Normandy roads at about noon Thursday, July 31, on a report of shots fired in the parking lot.
Officers and firefighters performed life-saving measures on the maintenance worker, Police Chief Michael Moore said in a briefing with the news media Thursday. The maintenance worker died a short time later. Police did not release his name.
Police apprehended a suspect at the scene, Moore said.
He said the suspect, who lives at Devon Park, and another tenant were involved in a dispute before the suspect produced a pistol and fired several shots.
“I do believe there was a history there,” Moore said. He did not release details on the nature of the dispute.
Lt. Rich Millard confirmed Friday that the maintenance worker was not involved in the dispute.
Millard said the suspect, who remains in custody, will likely be arraigned over the weekend.
Color-coded folders and notebooks. A fresh stash of pens and pencils. A new outfit.
Millions of American students from preschool through college, and their (often) bankrolling parents, back-to-school shop ahead of each fall. But as prices rise, technology evolves and new products hit the shelves, families are seeking ways to keep checking off the school supply list affordably.
“When I was young, I had $50 to go to the grocery store. I go now, and that’s, like, three or four items,” said Matt Marsh, Minneapolis managing partner at Deloitte. “Everything costs more. So families are getting squeezed a bit, and it’s creating a level of anxiety.”
According to PwC’s inaugural back-to-school survey, nearly 3 in 4 parents said they’ll spend the same or more than they did last year on school supplies, even with higher prices and economic volatility.
“There’s still this underlying element of consumer confidence,” said Kelly Pedersen, a partner at PwC. “Even though we hear a lot of uncertainty in the market, people still need to shop for back-to-school.”
Plan and budget
Before shopping, take inventory of last year’s supplies. About a third of parents plan to reuse items, according to PwC.
Budgeting, paired with a specific shopping list, can prevent impulse buying.
In Minneapolis, parents Deloitte surveyed expected to spend $682 per child this year. That’s 20% more than the national average.
Niki Kroll of Minneapolis typically starts her back-to-school shopping in July and has already noticed higher prices. Various name-brand notebooks, folders and backpacks seem to be more expensive than previous years. But she has had success finding pencils, glue sticks and other basics on sale.
Those surveyed planned to spend less on clothing and more on school supplies. They also plan to spend more of their budget on tech than last year, though experts expect the total of those tech purchases to stay flat in comparison to last year’s $520 per family.
Assess need
As kids progress in school, more advanced classes might require new tech purchases, like a different calculator model, nearly each year. Delaying that purchase if possible or downgrading it — such as buying an older or used version — can free up room for more necessities like binders, scissors and pencil cases.
“Consider asking your child’s teacher what’s essential on day one vs. what can wait until later in the year,” wrote Ted Rossman, Bankrate senior industry analyst, in an analyst note.
Shop now
More than a third of parents PwC surveyed said they’re starting earlier this year to snag better prices and beat the rush.
“There’s this thought that the better deals are out there earlier before the heart of back-to-school in August,” Pedersen said.
Deloitte’s survey found more than two-thirds of Minneapolis parents plan to finish most of their school shopping by the end of July. They were able to cash in on recent sales like Target’s Circle Week and Amazon’s Prime Day. But several retailers are hosting back-to-school promotions through August.
Target announced Tuesday “Back-to-School-idays” discounts from July 27-Aug. 2. The retailer is maintaining its 2024 prices on key items, and some stores will have personalization stations with embroidery and patches for backpacks, lunchboxes, towels and pillows.
Walmart is offering lower prices than last year on select items, such as highlighters, erasers and notebooks.
Use AI
One in five parents told PwC they plan to use artificial intelligence to find the best deals this season.
“The biggest change we’ve seen with AI shopping is the agent concept, basically putting in your shopping list and budget to optimize your list and what you buy,” Pedersen said. “It’s really taking all of the searching work out of having to do back-to-school shopping.”
AI tools like app and website ChatGPT allow users to paste in a list of school supplies and make requests, like “find these items for the cheapest prices online or in-store within 20 miles of Minneapolis.” Users can also ask to search specific stores and keep the total under a certain amount.
Don’t fall for influencers
Deloitte’s data shows parents who use social media are likely to spend 1½ times more on back-to-school than others. Higher education, bigger wages, better access to the internet and more leisure time spent online all play a role.
“Generally, retailers are moving marketing dollars toward influencers, and influencers are creating behaviors that might result in that splurge purchase,” Marsh said.
More than two-thirds of Minneapolis parents said their child’s preferences often steer them to spend more, and 63% are willing to spend a little extra on their child’s first-day outfit compared with 57% nationally.
Make it fun
In Bloomington, Mall of America is hosting giveaways, limited-time promotions and events for back-to-school. Shoppers can scan the Mall of America app once per day for a chance to win a gift card or rewards points. The mall plans to give away more than $10,000 in gift cards between Aug. 11-31.
Deals are also available for the Nickelodeon Universe theme park and Crayola Experience from Aug. 4-Sept. 30.
“For parents and families coming to Mall of America, it’s a one-stop shop,” said Jill Renslow, Mall of America’s chief business development and marketing officer. “It’s a destination where people have that tradition of coming for not only shopping, but to go on some rides or grab lunch.”
Many cities also offer local events for free or low-cost school supplies, just look on city events calendars.
In store vs. online
Younger parents are leading a small resurgence of in-store shopping.
“Every year in our stats, Gen Zs are the ones who are visiting physical stores the most,” Pedersen said. “[They] value in-person experiences, and in some cases, they’re willing to pay a premium price for that.”
Gen Z also reported a higher likelihood of buying in-store. In previous years, younger shoppers more commonly browsed stores to try on or test products but made final purchases online.
Income also plays a role. Families earning under $75,000 are nearly twice as likely to shop only in-store, while higher-income households tend to prefer online shopping.
Be strategic
While inflation has cooled to 2.4%, prices are still up nearly 24% compared with pre-pandemic levels, according to Bankrate.
“It’s not like when the rate goes down, prices go down. They just don’t go up as fast anymore,” Marsh said. “But there’s a lot of economic anxiety about pricing.”
Looking for generic versions of favorite brands or comparing prices across stores can save money. So can thrifting, Pedersen said. About a fifth of shoppers said they’re looking to shop secondhand.
Shoppers can stack discounts by combining a rewards credit card with store promotions or other available offers, which can add up to considerable savings, Rossman wrote in an analyst note.
For Kroll, she enjoys letting her kids pick their most personal items, like lunchboxes. Despite higher prices, those moments are some of her family’s favorite memories.
“We really like shopping for backpacks and things that have more wiggle room for the kids’ own style. The lists have gotten quite specific, so it’s fun when they can pick out their own stuff,” Kroll said. “My son knows immediately what he wants, and my daughter tries on about 10 backpacks while looking in the mirror.”
The case against a Detroiter accused of fatally stabbing a man who was reportedly his friend has been bound over to Oakland County Circuit Court for possible trial.
At the conclusion of a preliminary exam Tuesday in 46th District Court, Judge Cynthia Arvant ruled there was probable cause to advance the case against Gregory Clark, 66.
Clark is charged with second-degree homicide for the death of 64-year-old Eddie Fisher Clora, who was stabbed in the chest on April 12 in Southfield. Clark had been charged with manslaughter, but the prosecution subsequently amended the charge.
Gregory Clark booking photo
Clora was fatally stabbed during a fight with Clark outside a BP gas station at Eight Mile and Lahser roads, police said. He died at Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital.Clora’s family identified Clark as the assailant based on video evidence, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office — and described the two men as friends. Clark turned himself in four days after the stabbing, the prosecutor’s office said.
Clark is scheduled to be arraigned on Aug. 6 before Oakland County Circuit Judge Nanci Grant. If convicted, he could face life in prison. For now, he’s in the Oakland County Jail with bond set at $500,000, requiring him to post 10% to be released.
An Oakland County man went into shock when he realized he’d won a $2 million Michigan lottery prize
The 34-year-old chose to remain anonymous but told state lottery officials his “go-to” game is
Colossal Cashword. He bought his $30 ticket at USA 2 GO Quick Store, 8355 Grand River Road in Brighton.
He chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $1.3 million instead of annual payments for the full amount. He told lottery officials he plans to pay off student loans and buy a new car.
“I scratched the ticket right after I bought it and was excited when I got nine words,” he told lottery officials. “When I got the 10th word for a $2 million prize, I was in total shock. Winning is such a great feeling!”
Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli congratulated the player and said the scratch-and-win experience is the dream of many lottery players.
More than $21 million in prizes remain in the Colossal Cashword game, including five $10,000 prizes, and 37 $5,000 prizes.
People with gambling addictions and their loved ones can receive free confidential help via the National Problem Gambling Helpline, (800) GAMBLER or (800) 426-2537.
Learn more about the Michigan Lottery online: https://news.michiganlottery.com/media.
Rochester police will soon have new cameras for officers and road patrol vehicles.
The city council unanimously approved a five-year, $345,363 contract with Axon Enterprises based in Scottsdale, AZ, for 20 bodycams and 10 in-car cameras, all of which have livestreaming capabilities.
Police Chief George Rouhib said the department has been using Watchguard bodycams but Axon’s cameras had advanced features.
In addition to better-quality images, the cameras include license-plate readers, an AI assistant, and redaction software. The contract includes a supplemental language translator which helps with up to 50 languages, he said.
More than three dozen languages are spoken by Oakland County’s residents who speak English as a second language, according to the U.S. Census.
“When the individual speaks into the camera, the software will identify the language and translate it into English and vice versa,” he said. “The software will also store our department policies, allowing officers to access critical information easily while in the field, ensuring compliance and informed decision making.”
He said the current cameras are out of warranty and cannot be repaired. The new equipment, he said, will be good for an estimated five years.
The in-cruiser cameras can also read license plates and alert officers to stolen cars.
All road patrol vehicles will have cameras, he said.
The city adopted bodycams in 2021 as a way to improve evidence collection and document police officers’ actions.
A 70-year-old man accused of sexually abusing two children in his family has opted out of trial with a plea in Oakland County Circuit Court.
At a pretrial hearing July 28, Southfield resident Lawrence Edward Miles pleaded no contest three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly assaulting a boy and girl — both under 10 years old. According to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, the charges stem from a series of assaults that occurred in 2024 and 2025.
Oakland County Jail
Lawrence Miles booking photo
A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as such for sentencing purposes. It can also offer some liability protection in civil cases.
Miles is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 16 by Judge Daniel O’Brien. He faces up to life in prison for first-degree CSC, with a mandatory minimum of 25 years behind bars. Second-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Both convictions require lifetime electronic monitoring upon parole and AIDS/STD testing.
Snyomee Stanley, 21, of Taylor is facing felony charges of unarmed robbery and stealing/retaining a financial transaction device, along with third-degree retail fraud — a misdemeanor — for a crime reported outside the Marshall’s store in White Lake Township on July 9. An Oakland County special operations unit and Taylor police arrested her on July 24 and she was subsequently arraigned in 52-2 District Court in Clarkston.
Bond was set at $10,000 cash with a 10% provision, which allowed her to be released from jail after posting $1,000. She did that on July 28.
An ongoing investigation into multiple purse-snatching incidents in Oakland County tied Stanley to the White Lake crime. A brother-sister duo from Pontiac, Phylasia Rufus, 21, and Cartier Rufus, 20, are facing charges for similar incidents in retail parking lots in Auburn Hills and Commerce Township, and Cartier Rufus is facing charges for the White Lake Township incident along with Stanley. Stanley’s arrest information has been shared with law enforcement in Auburn Hills and Commerce townships, according to officials.
According to police, force was used to steal purses from female victims in at least two of the crimes, causing minor injuries.
Cartier Rufus was on parole for a similar offense at the time of his arrest, police said.
The Rufuses remain in custody at the Oakland County Jail.
Phylasia Rufus’ cases were recently advanced to Oakland County Circuit Court after she waived her right to preliminary exams in district court. Cartier Rufus’ next court appearance is scheduled for July 31. Stanley’s next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 7.
A 31-year-old man is in jail after his girlfriend told police he kidnapped her, hit her with a liquor bottle and threw her down a set of stairs.
Michigan State Police said the woman fled the man’s home and sought help at a nearby residence when he fell asleep.
At about 1:05 a.m. Friday, dispatchers received a report that a woman with “obvious injuries” was sitting on the porch of a home on Ithaca Avenue in Royal Oak Township, according to an MSP social media post.
Authorities said troopers arrived and found the woman with two black eyes and bruises and cuts on her body. She told police that her boyfriend had held her against her will at his home on Cloverdale Avenue for the last three days.
There, he allegedly took her cell phone so she couldn’t call for help, strangled her, struck her with a liquor bottle and threw her down the stairs when she attempted to leave. The woman told police she was able to escape when he fell asleep.
She was transported to a nearby hospital while troopers responded to the suspect’s home, according to the MSP post.
He initially refused to exit the house. Troopers first removed the man’s father and the suspect later complied with orders and was taken to the Oakland County Jail.
The suspect has not yet been identified by name. The case is under review by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, MSP said.
A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for an update on the case.
A move from the group Let’s Open Northville to remove on-street dining from Northville’s downtown has drawn opposition from the city, a statewide organization and area business owners.
Described as a group of businesspeople and residents who want to permanently reopen Main and Center streets in the downtown area, Let’s Open Northville won a lawsuit against the city this month to remove bollards that blocked access to cars and trucks, restricting the area to pedestrians. The bollards were initially installed to allow for socially distanced dining during the COVID-19 epidemic, but were left up on a seasonal basis.
Wayne County Circuit Judge Charlene Elder ruled in her July 9 decision that the downtown streets are meant for street traffic.
Now, Let’s Open Northville wants to remove street dining blocked off by concrete barriers from the two thoroughfares. The group alleges in a July 18 motion that the city’s installation of concrete barriers that allow patrons of certain restaurants to dine in parallel-parking spaces violates Elder’s order. Elder said in her order that the streets would “close only for festivals, parades, and special events as they always have.”
“(The city) never used concrete barriers to create on-street dining or block temporary on-street parking spaces pre-COVID,” the motion reads.
Let’s Open Northville said in their motion that the city told them they would not remove the concrete barriers because some of the restaurants had on-street platform dining before COVID. The city also allegedly told the group that the restaurant owners gave them permission to install the barriers.
Kate Knight, director of Northville’s Downtown Development Authority, said the city would file a motion in response Friday. Knight said the city has allowed for dining on the streets since the early 2010s.
“(The motion) feels punitive toward a long-established restaurant tradition in Northville,” Knight said. “We complied with the court order to open streets with a very quick turnaround last week.”
The city’s move has garnered support from the Michigan Downtown Association. In a letter to Knight and City Manager George Lahanas, MDA chairwoman Cristina Sheppard-Decius said public roads are meant to be flexible “to work with the current environment and needs of the community.”
“Historically, communities such as Birmingham, Royal Oak, Grand Rapids, Northville, and many more have long-established ordinances and policies dating back to 2007 allowing for on-street platform dining cafes − establishing a best practice in public space, street and curbside management in Michigan,” Sheppard-Decius’ letter reads.
Knight also said business owners who use the barriers have invested thousands of dollars in temporary infrastructure because it’s uncertain if they’ll be able to have on-street dining in the future.
Some business owners who use the barriers have spoken out about the motion. Paul Gabriel, owner of Browndog, said he had street dining before COVID-19.
“They opened the streets. They’ve just allowed the restaurants to have their outdoor street dining like they always have, so I’m not exactly sure of how this is in violation,” he said.
Gabriel said getting rid of on-street dining would “dramatically” impact his business. He said Browndog, which offers ice cream and shakes, generates a good amount of revenue in the summer months from outdoor seating.
Michelle Lussier, owner of Table 5, said she would lose up to 15% of her business if her on-street dining were to go away.
Lussier also said she would like to move past the legal battle.
“Let’s just realize that we have this great downtown, and let’s do what we can to keep it great,” she said.
Restaurant seating on Main Street in Northville on July 22, 2025. (David Guralnick, The Detroit News)
A Rochester Hills woman and her boyfriend are jailed on first-degree child abuse charges after the woman’s young daughter had her arm and leg broken, officials said.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Kimberly Ann McGarry, 26, was arraigned Thursday following her arrest this past Tuesday near Grand Rapids, by U.S. Marshals. Bond was set at $150,000 with a 10% provision, meaning she can be released from the Oakland County Jail if she posts $15,000. Her boyfriend, Cleyde Murillo, 29, was arrested July 11 in Muskegon County where he had gone for a supervised visit with his daughter, the sheriff’s office said. At his July 14 arraignment, bond was set at $750,000 with a 10% provision, requiring him to post $75,000 to get out of jail.
The case against the couple emerged last December when staff from Children’s Protective Services notified detectives about the child’s injuries. The girl, age 4, had been taken to the hospital where doctors determined her left leg and right arm had been broken and were in different stages of healing, the sheriff’s office said.
As stated in a news release: “McGarry said her daughter had fallen down the steps two weeks earlier. Doctors later notified child protective services as the injuries were not consistent with the mother’s statement. McGarry later gave conflicting versions to detectives about how the injuries happened. McGarry confirmed during the interview that the injury took place on Nov. 15 and neither she nor Murillo provided any medical attention for the child, potentially causing permanent injury to her.”
McGarry told doctors the child was injured at the home she shared with Murillo, on Dequindre in Rochester Hills, the sheriff’s office said.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office issued charges against the couple on July 10.
“There can be no excuse and no tolerance for anyone that abuses a child,” Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard stated in the news release. “It is one of the more heinous crimes we encounter, and I am anxious for these suspects to be held accountable.”
McGarry also has a 6-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son who are now living with their biological father, the sheriff’s office said.
First-degree child abuse is punishable by up to life in prison.
Oakland County Jail (Aileen Wingblad/MediaNews Group)
Multiple criminal charges are filed against a 33-year-old Texas man accused of human trafficking, other sex crimes and more, following his recent arrest in Southfield.
According to Southfield police, the case against Randolph Lewis unfolded on July 21 when officers responded to the Quality Inn at 26111 Telegraph Road for a malicious destruction of property complaint. The female victim reported that a man she described as her boyfriend had broken her car windshield, police said. An investigation revealed the woman may be a victim of human trafficking; she reportedly told police she had met Lewis in Louisiana and he had introduced her to sex dates — listing her online for commercial sex services and collecting her earnings after the encounters, police said.
Randolph Lewis (photo shared by Southfield Police Dept.)
The woman also told officers that Lewis had sexually assaulted, police said.
Lewis, who had fled from the Quality Inn before police arrived, was located in a nearby hotel and arrested. Another possible human trafficking victim was with Lewis, but she refused assistance from officers, police said.
The investigation also revealed that Lewis has operated in several cities, police said.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Lewis with human trafficking enterprise resulting in injury/commercial sexual activity, prostitution, using computers to commit a crime, and two counts of criminal sexual conduct – assault with intent to commit sexual penetration.
Lewis is in the Oakland County Jail with bond set at $300,000. If he posts bond, he’ll be required to wear a GPS tether while the case is adjudicated.
Lewis, of Arlington, Texas, also has charges pending in Lousiana, police said.
Lewis’ next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 4 for a probable cause conference before 48th District Judge Debra Nance.
Southfield's 46th District Court (Aileen Wingblad/MediaNews Group)
A Pontiac man accused of shooting two men last year, killing one of them, has a new trial date.
Jury selection is set to begin Oct. 21 in Oakland County Circuit Court for the case against Jermaine Lee Jackson, 27, charged in the homicide of Json Markell Hunt, 27, of Clinton Township. Jackson faces charges of open murder, assault with intent to murder and felon in possession of a firearm, and three counts of felony firearm.
Jermaine Lee Jackson booking photo
The shooting happened at a business in the 400 block of West Huron Street in Pontiac on Jan. 14, 2024, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
The other man who was shot was reportedly Hunt’s cousin.
Jackson had been scheduled for trial earlier this year, but that was subsequently adjourned.
Jackson is held in the Oakland County Jail, denied bond.
Another man connected to the case, Ja-Vontay Boykin, is charged with two counts of accessory after the fact. He had also been charged with lying to police, but that was dismissed. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 28.
Judge Daniel O’Brien is presiding over both cases.
Oakland County Circuit Court (Aileen Wingblad/MediaNews Group)
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Hulk Hogan, the mustachioed, headscarf-wearing icon in the world of professional wrestling, has died at the age of 71, Florida police and WWE said Thursday.
In Clearwater, Florida, authorities responded to a call Thursday morning about a cardiac arrest. Hogan was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said in a statement on Facebook.
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was perhaps the biggest star in WWE’s long history. He was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.
He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
In 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan $115 million in his sex tape lawsuit against Gawker Media and then added $25 million in punitive damages. Hogan sued after Gawker in 2012 posted a video of him having sex with his former best friend’s wife. He contended the post violated his privacy.
Hogan smiled and wore black throughout the three-week trial.
“Everywhere I show up, people treat me like I’m still the champ,” he said of the support from fans.
WWE posted a note on X saying it was saddened to learn about Hogan’s death.
“One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” it said.
WWE posted a note on X saying it was saddened to learn the WWE Hall of Famer had passed away.
“One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans,” it said.
FILE – Hulk Hogan rips his shirt before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden, Oct. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
A 40-year-old man who reportedly hit the median on I-75 in Troy and continued along the roadway with a flat tire — with his child in the car — is facing several criminal charges including operating while intoxicated-third offense, officials said.
Troy police said officers were contacted about a possible drunk driver shortly before 10 p.m. on July 13, with witnesses reporting the vehicle had hit the freeway’s wall, had a flat tire and was still being driven. Police found the vehicle, a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban, on the shoulder of the off-ramp to Crooks Road, and reportedly saw the driver and his 12-year-old daughter walking away.
Officers spoke with the driver and suspected he was intoxicated due to his speech, inability to stand up straight and bloodshot eyes, police said. They also determined he had a felony warrant for his arrest and didn’t have a valid driver’s license.
The man refused to perform field sobriety tests and — after being arrested and transported to the Troy police lock-up facility — refused a blood draw, police said. A search warrant was obtained for the blood draw.
Along with OWI-third offense, the man is charged with driving while license is suspended/revoked/denied, failure to stop at the scene of a property damaged accident, and reckless driving.
A 78-year-old Troy man was recently scammed out of nearly $50,000 — and the fraudster then attempted to get another $42,000 from him, police said.
According to the Troy Police Department, the man reported he received an email from someone he thought was Norton — an anti-virus/identity protection service — telling him he owed a $400 renewal payment. The man gave remote access to his computer and cell phone, then was told $40,000 had been deposited into his account instead of $400, and he had to repay $49,500 in cash. A courier came to his home and the man turned the cash over to him, police said.
The next day, the victim was again contacted and told an additional $42,300 had been placed in his account in error, and he had to send back $42,000. At that point, police said, the man realized he’d been scammed and contacted authorities.
Police have repeatedly warned residents to be aware of scams and to check with their financial institutions when unconfirmed sources ask them to transfer funds. As previously reported, police say it’s unlikely such scammers will be caught and prosecuted.
A new group of Michigan Republicans launched Thursday with the aim of recruiting and encouraging Michael Bouchard, son of the Oakland County sheriff, to run for Congress to succeed GOP U.S. Rep. John James in one of the state’s most competitive U.S. House districts.
Twenty elected leaders and business people signed on to serve as advisers to the Draft Captain Mike Bouchard committee, a super political action committee, in a show of support for Bouchard, who is currently deployed with the U.S. Army overseas and due back this fall.
They’re focused on Michigan’s 10th District that covers southern Macomb County and Rochester and Rochester Hills in Oakland County, where James is serving his second term but running for governor.
Bouchard’s supporters include Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido; former Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak; former ambassador David Fischer; Martin Manna of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce and Chaldean Community Foundation; Macomb County Treasurer Larry Rocca; and Sheriff Bouchard, as well as business leaders from the construction and automotive industries.
“We need a proven America First fighter representing Michigan’s 10th Congressional District in Washington ― and Captain Michael Bouchard is the right candidate to get the job done,” Lucido said in a statement.
“I’m excited to see so many prominent Michigan Republicans and business leaders join us in this effort.”
Bouchard, 31, of Rochester Hills has served in the U.S. Army since 2017 following his graduation from Michigan State University.
He is the operations officer for a Michigan Army National Guard battalion currently deployed on a joint task force in the Middle East. He has previously served as a military intelligence officer in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg and as an infantry officer in the 101st Airborne Division, according to a biography.
No well-known Republicans have jumped into the race to succeed James yet, while a crowd of Democrats are vying for the primary nomination in the district.
Several Republicans have expressed interest in the contest, including state Rep. Joe Aragona, assistant prosecutor Robert Lulgjuraj of Sterling Heights and former Oakland County GOP Chairman Rocky Raczkowski of Troy.
Lulgjuraj, 32, of Sterling Heights works for the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office and told The Detroit News this month that he plans to launch his campaign in early August.
Both parties are targeting the 10th District, and the eventual GOP nominee will potentially face of mountain of outside money in the midterm election, with $17 million spent on last year’s race, excluding party committees, according to OpenSecrets.
Bouchard as a candidate could benefit from his father’s name identification, and his military service could be attractive to the Republican base.
James, also an Army veteran, defeated Democrat Carl Marlinga of Sterling Heights last fall by about 26,000 votes, or 6 percentage points.
His margin over Marlinga the previous cycle was much tighter when the contest was the third-closest U.S. House contest in the country. James won by about 1,600 votes, or 0.5 percentage points.
Michael Bouchard, an operations officer for a Michigan Army National Guard battalion deployed overseas, is being recruited to run for Congress to succeed GOP U.S. Rep. John James. (Draft Captain Michael Bouchard Committee)
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat advisory throughout Metro Detroit for Thursday as persistent high temperatures and humidity in the southeastern United States are expected to briefly creep into Michigan.
The advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. for the entire southeast Michigan region, the weather service said.
It covers the following counties in Metro Detroit: Midland, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee and Monroe.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s, said NWS Detroit meteorologist Bryan Tilley, and high humidity is expected to push the heat index to 101 — crossing the threshold for a heat advisory.
The mercury is expected to drop in the evening, he added, with “pretty good chances of thunderstorms” additionally cooling things off.
Then, late tonight and into early Friday, “there’s a front coming through that pushes all that humidity down south of the Michigan border,” Tilley said. “Generally speaking, the heat will be more persistent in the south central and southeast U.S., but it only is pushing into lower Michigan for about 24 hours.”
The temperatures in the 90s are especially high for July in southeast Michigan. They outpace the average 83.7 degrees for the middle summer month in southeast Michigan, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service advises people to limit time outdoors and keep the air conditioning on. If you must be outside, NWS recommends wearing light clothes and staying hydrated.
Pontiac is offering the Robert Bowens Senior Center at 52 Bagley Street as a cooling center from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Farmington Hills
The extreme heat could strain the state’s utilities, with many likely to crank up the A.C.
DTE Energy says it’s prepared, though.
“When we experience extreme, sustained temperatures in the 90s or more like what we’re seeing this week, our electric system feels the pressure, too,” said DTE Senior Communications Strategist Cindy Hecht. “Periods of extreme heat can also be followed by stormy weather including high winds, which can lead to power outages.
“DTE works hard year-round to prepare the system to withstand severe weather events and has teams ready to respond quickly and safely should customers be affected by this week’s weather.”
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Thursday. (Peg McNichol / MediaNews Group)
A 19-year-old Detroit man died in a three-vehicle crash on I-96 near the Oakland County-Livingston County border Wednesday, July 23.
Michigan State Police troopers responded to the crash on westbound I-96 at Kensington Road in Brighton Township at about 9:30 a.m.
A preliminary investigation and witness statements show the Detroit teen was driving a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu at speeds estimated at over 100 mph, MSP said in a release.
The Malibu was traveling in the right lane and swerved into the middle lane, striking another vehicle. Both vehicles lost control and struck a third vehicle, causing the Malibu to overturn and strike a construction trailer.
The driver of the Malibu was pronounced dead on scene. One other driver suffered minor injuries.
The investigation is ongoing; police believe speed was a factor in the crash. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a factor.
Westbound I-96 at Kensington Road was closed for several hours but has reopened.
The Livingston and Oakland county sheriff’s offices, multiple fire departments and EMS agencies assisted troopers.
By Josh Boak and Alexa St. John, The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — U.S. automakers are concerned about President Donald Trump’s agreement to tariff Japanese vehicles at 15%, saying they will face steeper import taxes on steel, aluminum and parts than their competitors.
“We need to review all the details of the agreement, but this is a deal that will charge lower tariffs on Japanese autos with no U.S. content,” said Matt Blunt, president of the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents American automakers General Motors, Ford and Jeep-maker Stellantis.
Blunt said in an interview the U.S. companies and workers “definitely are at a disadvantage” because they face a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum and a 25% tariff on parts and finished vehicles, with some exceptions for products covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that went into effect in 2020.
The domestic automaker reaction reveals the challenge of enforcing policies across the world economy, showing that for all of Trump’s promises there can be genuine tradeoffs from policy choices that risk serious blowback in politically important states such as Michigan and Wisconsin, where automaking is both a source of income and of identity.
Trump portrayed the trade framework as a major win after announcing it on Tuesday, saying it would add hundreds of thousands of jobs to the U.S. economy and open the Japanese economy in ways that could close a persistent trade imbalance. The agreement includes a 15% tariff that replaces the 25% import tax the Republican president had threatened to charge starting on Aug. 1. Japan would also put together $550 billion to invest in U.S. projects, the White House said.
The framework with Japan will remove regulations that prevent American vehicles from being sold in that country, the White House has said, adding that it would be possible for vehicles built in Detroit to be shipped directly to Japan and ready to be sold.
But Blunt said that foreign auto producers, including the U.S., Europe and South Korea, have just a 6% share in Japan, raising skepticism that simply having the open market that the Trump administration says will exist in that country will be sufficient.
“Tough nut to crack, and I’d be very surprised if we see any meaningful market penetration in Japan,” Blunt said.
Asked at Wednesday’s briefing about whether Trump’s sectoral tariffs such as those on autos were now subject to possible change, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the issue had been going through the Commerce Department.
The framework with Japan was also an indication that some nations simply saw it as preferential to have a set tariff rate rather than be whipsawed by Trump’s changes on import taxes since April. But for the moment, both Japan and the United Kingdom with its quotas on auto exports might enjoy a competitive edge in the U.S.
“With this agreement in place it provides Japan with a near-term operating cost advantage compared to other foreign automakers, and even some domestic U.S. product that uses a high degree of both foreign production and parts content,” said Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars. “It will be interesting to see if this is the first domino to fall in a series of foreign countries that decide long-term stability is more important that short term disputes over specific tariff rates.”
Major Japanese automakers Toyota, Honda and Nissan did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the trade framework, nor did Autos Drive America or the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, organizations that also represent the industry.
There is the possibility that the Japanese framework would give automakers and other countries grounds for pushing for changes in the Trump administration’s tariffs regime. The president has previously said that flexibility in import tax negotiations is something he values. The USMCA is up for review next year.
Ford, GM and Stellantis do “have every right to be upset,” said Sam Fiorani, vice president at consultancy AutoForecast Solutions.
But “Honda, Toyota, and Nissan still import vehicles from Mexico and Canada, where the current levels of tariffs can be higher than those applied to Japanese imports. Most of the high-volume models from Japanese brands are already produced in North America.”
Fiorani noted that among the few exceptions are the Toyota 4Runner, the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester, but most of the other imports fill niches that are too small to warrant production in the U.S.
“There will be negotiations between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico, and it will probably result in tariffs no higher than 15%,” Fiorani added, “but nobody seems to be in a hurry to negotiate around the last Trump administration’s free trade agreement.”
New Toyota vehicles are stored at the Toyota Logistics Service Inc., their most significant vehicle imports processing facility in North America, at the Port of Long Beach in Long Beach, Calif., in March 2025. (Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press)
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