The post MichMash: Why the MEA is withholding its endorsement; Inside Michigan elections appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban officials, including Ral Castro's grandson, during a high-level visit to the island Thursday, Cuban and U.S. officials said.

Ratcliffe met with Ral Guillermo Rodrguez Castro, Interior Minister Lzaro lvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence services, and discussed intelligence cooperation, economic stability and security issues. A CIA official confirmed the meetings to the AP.

Ratcliffe was there "to personally deliver President Donald Trumps message that the United States is prepared to seriously engage on economic and security issues, but only if Cuba makes fundamental changes,'' the CIA official said.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | US intelligence-gathering flights are surging off Cuba

An official statement from Cuba's government noted that Thursday's meeting "took place ... against a backdrop of complex bilateral relations.

While the U.S. stressed that Cuba cannot continue to be a safe haven for adversaries in the Western Hemisphere, the Cuban delegation insisted that the island presents no threat to U.S. security. Cuban officials also took issue with the nation's continued inclusion on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Rodrguez Castro previously secretly met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of a Caribbean Community summit in St. Kitts in February. While hes never occupied a government post, he served as his grandfathers bodyguard and later as head of Cubas equivalent of the Secret Service.

U.S. and Cuban officials also met earlier this year in Cuba. The ongoing meetings between U.S. and Cuban officials mark the first U.S. government flights to land in Cuba other than at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay since 2016.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT | Is Cuba next? Trump eyes US intervention as Rubio says the country needs 'new people in charge'

Thursday's meeting comes weeks after the Cuban government confirmed that it had recently met with U.S. officials on the island as tensions between the two sides remain high over the U.S. energy blockade of the Caribbean country and as Cubas power grid has collapsed and energy to its eastern provinces has been cut. The U.S. blockade of fuel to the island has heightened its economic woes, with reduced work hours and food spoilage as refrigerators stop working.

Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department reiterated that the U.S. will provide Cuba with $100 million in humanitarian assistance and support for satellite internet if the Cuban regime will permit it.

In late January, Trump threatened tariffs on any country that sells or supplies oil to Cuba. Though Trump also has threatened to intervene in the country, and Cuban President Miguel Daz-Canel said recently that his country was prepared to fight if that should happen, sources told the AP earlier this month that military action is not imminent.

The post Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble: Tiny Desk Concert appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday denounced how investments in artificial intelligence and high-tech weaponry were leading the world into a spiral of annihilation, as he called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine during a visit to Europes largest university.

Leos speech at Romes La Sapienza University marked the first time a pope has visited the campus since Pope Benedict XVI called off a planned speech there in 2008 in the face of protests from faculty and students.

The American pope was warmly welcomed on Thursday, including by some of Sapienzas newest students: Young Palestinians who arrived in Italy this week on a humanitarian corridor from Gaza to continue their studies at the university. The Italian government, working with Catholic organizations, has brought hundreds of Palestinians to study and receive medical care in Italy since the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza began in 2023.

RELATED STORY | Pope Leo XIV marks one year as first American pontiff

Leo met some of the Gaza students during a brief greeting at the campus chapel, and again after his speech in the main lecture hall of the university, which was founded by Pope Boniface VIII in 1303.

In his speech, Leo denounced how military spending had increased dramatically this year, especially in Europe, at the expense of education and healthcare, while enriching elites who care nothing for the common good.

He called for better monitoring of how AI was being developed and used in military and civilian contexts so that it does not absolve humans of responsibility for their choices and does not exacerbate the tragedy of conflicts.

What is happening in Ukraine, in Gaza and the Palestinian territories, in Lebanon, and in Iran illustrates the inhuman evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies in a spiral of annihilation, he said.

The pope said education and research must move instead in the opposite direction that values life the lives of peoples who cry out for peace and justice!

Leo has identified AI as one of the most critical matters facing humanity, especially its application in warfare and everyday life. They are themes hes expected to explore more fully in his first encyclical, due to be released in the coming weeks.

RELATED STORY | Rubio faces delicate balancing act as Trump-Pope rift overshadows Rome visit

Nada Rahim Jouda, 19, was one of the Gazans who met Leo, just two days after she arrived in Italy. She was still marveling at her new life studying business science in Rome, a city that she said was like heaven for me.

Everything here is green and its not gray and troubles everywhere and miserable people in the streets, she said.

But Jouda remains concerned for the family she left behind: her mother, recovering from leukemia, and younger sisters aged 17 and 13. Over the course of the war in Gaza, the family was forced to move four times, and her mother was unable to receive care or check-ups for her cancer.

They all rely on me. Im the only hope that they have, she said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that a Russian missile attack on a Kyiv apartment building the previous day killed 24 people, including what local officials said were three teenagers.

Emergency workers finished digging through the buildings rubble after more than a day, Zelenskyy said on X.

The cruise missile hit the nine-story corner block during what the Ukrainian air force said was Russias biggest barrage of the country since its all-out invasion.

The assault mostly targeted the Ukrainian capital, where 48 people were wounded, including two children, Zelenskyy said.

Russia hammered Ukraine with large-scale aerial attacks in the days following a May 9-11 ceasefire that U.S. President Donald Trump said he asked Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to observe. Fighting went on over those 72 hours, although reportedly on a lesser scale.

RELATED STORY | Russia accuses Ukraine of violating US-brokered three-day truce

This weeks attacks ran counter to recent suggestions from Trump and Putin that the war, now in its fifth year, is close to ending.

Zelenskyy said Thursday that Moscow had launched more than 1,560 drones against Ukrainian population centers since Wednesday. In all, some 180 sites across the country were damaged, including more than 50 residential buildings, he said.

Previously, the biggest Russian drone attack was from the evening of March 23 to the evening of March 24 when Moscows forces fired nearly 1,000 drones and missiles at Ukraine.

Ukraine has also built up significant long-range capabilities, and Russias Defense Ministry said Friday that air defenses downed 355 drones overnight in one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks of the war.

Several airports suspended flights overnight because of the attacks.

Also, a Ukrainian drone attack on Ryazan, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Moscow, killed four people, including a child, Ryazan Gov. Pavel Malkov said.

After the attack, massive plumes of black smoke spewed from a fire at a local oil refinery. Ukraine has targeted Russian oil facilities in an effort to deny vital export revenue for Moscow and rattle the Kremlin.

Ukrainian officials made no immediate comment about the Ryazan strike.

The Ukrainian capital observed an official day of mourning Friday in remembrance of those killed Thursday, and Zelenskyy visited the site.

The cruise missile that hit the apartment building was built in the second quarter of this year, Zelenskyy said, apparently after Ukrainian experts analyzed the wreckage.

RELATED STORY | Chornobyl Exclusion Zone wildfire spreads as land mines hamper crews

This means Russia is still importing the components, resources and equipment necessary for missile production in circumvention of global sanctions, Zelenskyy said in another post on X late Thursday.

Stopping Russias sanctions evasion schemes must be a genuine priority for all our partners, he said.

Russia and Ukraine have continued to occasionally swap prisoners of war, and 205 from each country returned home Friday.

Zelenskyy said it was the first phase of a planned 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap. Some of the Ukrainians released had been held in Russian captivity since 2022, he said, and had fought in some of the wars fiercest battles.

Russias Defense Ministry confirmed the exchange and thanked the United Arab Emirates for helping broker it.

The Detroit Tigers are teaming up with fans to fight cancer this weekend.

Friday night kicks off Strike Out Cancer weekend at Comerica Park, as the Tigers host the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game series. The weekend will raise money for the Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Fans can buy specialty food and drinks to support the cause. Players will also wear custom cleats to honor loved ones affected by cancer.

Tigers Gameday Host and Reporter Kara Wolfbauer's mother recently passed away from cancer and is being recognized throughout Strike Out Cancer weekend. When I spoke to her, she highlighted a common misconception about those fighting cancer.

"People tend to think that they are so fragile, that they're a glass that can break. And that's just not the case, especially watching my mom go through it," Wolfbauer said. "And you meet so many people on these weekends, young children, people who are 80, people anywhere in between, who are fighting these battles. And they have the strongest mindset because they have to. (They) have no choice."

Saturday is Pink Out the Park Day to support Breast Cancer Survivors, while Sunday will focus on Childhood Cancer Awareness. The Tigers will hang artwork from pediatric patients in the clubhouse.

You can buy tickets and learn more about the weekend festivities at this link.

Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping wrapped up critical talks on Friday, claiming important progress in stabilizing U.S.-China relations even as deep differences persist between the worlds two biggest powers on Iran, Taiwan and more.

Xi welcomed Trump at his official residence, Zhongnanhai, on Friday for their final engagement of the summit before the U.S. leaders return to Washington. The leaders took a short walk through the grounds that feature ancient trees and Chinese roses, and strolled through a covered passageway with green columns and archways painted with birds and traditional Chinese mountain scenes.

Over tea and lunch, Trump and Xi with top aides and translators in tow huddled for nearly three hours of talks before the U.S. leader completed his three-day visit to China.

Its been really a great couple of days, Trump told reporters.

Xi, for his part, called it a milestone visit. We have established a new bilateral relationship, or rather a constructive, strategic, stable relationship, he said.

But the optimistic outlook collides with some difficult truths about the thorniest issues between the two superpowers.

RELATED STORY | Taiwan warning leads Trump's China summit

Beijing has shown little public interest in U.S. entreaties to get more involved in solving the conflict in Iran, even though Trump said in an interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity that Xi had in their conversations offered to help. In recent weeks, the U.S. State Department has accused Chinese firms of providing satellite imagery to the Iranian government and the Treasury Department has moved to target Chinese oil refineries accused of buying oil from Tehran, as well as shippers of the oil.

And the White House believes China can still do more to stem the flow of Chinese-made precursor chemicals into Mexico used to make illicit fentanyl that has wreaked havoc on many U.S. communities.

Xi, meanwhile, warned Trump during private talks that their differences on the self-ruled island of Taiwan, if handled poorly, could hurtle the world's dominant powers toward clashes and even conflicts, according to Chinese government officials.

Trump appeared impressed by the bucolic grounds, remarking the roses were the most beautiful he had ever seen. Xi promised to send him some rose seeds.

The compound is wrapped around two artificial lakes that had been built for the pleasure of emperors. Zhongnanhai is often compared to the White House, the Kremlin or South Koreas Blue House. But unlike the other presidential residences, Zhongnanhai does not serve as the main venue for diplomatic visits. The invitation appeared to be an attempt by Xi to extend a personal touch to a U.S. leader who appreciates big gestures.

I think hes a warm person, actually. But hes all business, Trump said of Xi in the Fox News interview. Theres no games.

The Chinese government also bid farewell to Trump with great pomp.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi saw a smiling Trump off at the airport. And schoolchildren dressed in Air Force One's light blue and white colors waved American and Chinese flags in a coordinated movement as the U.S. president arrived to board the plane.

Taiwan remains the most important issue for China

Xi's sharp language on Taiwan loomed large over the visit, with Chinese government officials amplifying that differences on the self-ruled island pose the biggest risk to U.S.-Chinese relations.

But Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC News that U.S. policy toward Taiwan was unchanged and cautioned that it would be a terrible mistake for China to try to take Taiwan by force. He also framed Xi's comments as standard practice.

They always raise it on their side. We always make clear our position, and we move on to the other topics, said Rubio, who was among senior aides to join Trump for the talks.

RELATED STORY | Trump's China summit puts Taiwan in the spotlight amid fears of a potential global crisis

China in recent weeks has sought to put more focus on its view that Taiwan sits at the core of its interests and is key to ensuring a stable relationship with the U.S. Trump at moments has shown ambivalence toward Taiwan, raising speculation that he could be open to loosening ties with Taipei.

Trump has demanded Taiwan increase defense spending, and in December, the White House announced an $11 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the largest ever to the island democracy.

But the U.S. has yet to begin fulfilling the arms sales, and Trump had said he expected to discuss the matter with Xi in Beijing. Hes also groused that Taiwan stole Americas semiconductor business and called on Taiwan to pay the U.S. for protection.

China wants the Strait of Hormuz opened

The leaders agreed that the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed since the start of the Iran conflict needs to be reopened to support global energy demands About 20% of the worlds oil flowed through the strait before the war started on Feb. 28.

We feel very similar about (how) we want it to end, the president said with Xi at this side. We dont want them to have a nuclear weapon.

White House officials say Xi was also opposed to any implementation of tolls on vessels crossing the strait and expressed interest in China potentially purchasing U.S. oil to reduce Chinese dependence on Gulf oil in the future.

Trump earlier this week had downplayed the importance of talks with Xi on the 11-week-old Iran war that has led to surging energy prices and threatens to plunge the global economy into recession if the conflict does not conclude soon.

But before Air Force One could land in Beijing, Rubio said administration officials would make the case to the Chinese officials about why they should be invested in prodding Iran to come to terms to end the war.

RELATED STORY | China's Xi warns Trump that differences over Taiwan could lead to conflict

Indeed, the Chinese, who have been critical of the U.S. and Israeli bombardment of Iran, hold unique leverage as Irans biggest trading partner. The Chinese government has managed to weather the economic damage caused by the war with the help of its strategic oil reserves, but that backstop is not limitless. Economists say the Iran conflict could still have a big impact on Chinas export-driven economy.

Will Trump announce any major business deals?

The White House, ahead of the visit, insisted that Trump wouldnt be making the trip without an eye toward securing results before he leaves, suggesting there could be announcements coming on trade.

Trump says some fantastic trade deals had been struck during the visit, but did not offer further details

The U.S. side had been hoping to nail down Chinese commitments to buy U.S. soybeans and beef. Trump told Fox News that Xi had indicated a commitment for China to buy 200 Boeing jets from the U.S.

The leaders on Thursday discussed increasing U.S. agricultural purchases by the Chinese and opportunities for both sides to expand investment into each other's markets, according to the White House. Trump administration officials also want to work toward establishing a Board of Trade with China to address commercial differences between the countries.

Trump, whose delegation for the trip included the CEOs of Mastercard and Visa, said he also raised with Xi expanding access to the China market for the U.S.-based credit card companies.

Two separate officer-involved shootings were reported across metro Detroit on Thursday night, according to Michigan State Police.

MSP is investigating the shootings in Ecorse and in Waterford Township.

See the latest report from Waterford in the video below Deadly officer-involved shootings reported in Ecorse & Waterford on Thursday night.

According to MSP, the first shooting happened in Ecorse around 8:15 p.m. on High St., just south of Outer Dr. and west of Jefferson.

Police say an Ecorse officer responded to a domestic assault involving a suspect with a box cutter. Arriving officers found a woman with apparent cut wounds and bleeding.

The suspect, a 37-year-old man, refused the police's commands to drop the weapon, and a taser was deployed, but was ineffective.

The suspect then allegedly charged at officers, and an officer opened fire, hitting the suspect. He was taken to the hospital and died from his injuries, MSP said.

The other officer-involved shooting took place around 9:35 p.m. in Waterford. Right now, police haven't released much information about this shooting. The suspect is dead, police said.

It happened in a subdivision in the area of Hess Hathaway Park on Williams Lake Rd.

A witness told 7 News Detroit that a car was coming through the neighborhood pretty fast, being chased by police, before it crashed.

"They over and over asked him to put the gun down. Over and over and over. They must have said it 10 times," the neighbor said.

MSP only said that it is investigating the shooting, and there were no injuries to troopers or the public.

When your flight gets canceled, it can be a stressful experience; that's when scammers like to take advantage of people.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that a man lost $12,000 after calling a fake airline customer service number found through a Google search. I dropped by Detroit Metro Airport to talk with travelers about the rebooking scam, and I reached out to an airline for the proper steps to keep your trip and your cash safe.

Watch Alicia Smith's report below How travelers can avoid rebooking scams after canceled flights

It's a typical day at DTW. The hustle and bustle at the bag drop and check-in counters was picking up. Thankfully, there were no major cancellations or delays. But what if there were?

Would you ever, if your flight was canceled, just search online to try to rebook? I asked one traveler.

Probably. I'd probably hit my phone like everybody else," said Warren resident Christa Cooper.

And that's what scammers are hoping you'll do start searching online for flights.

Bad actors use Search Engine Optimization. Some fraudsters create fake social media profiles, official-looking sponsored ads, or imposter websites to push customer service numbers that lead you to them and not a real airline or a legitimate online travel agency.

I used to think I could tell the difference. And as AI has improved, there's videos on the internet that I thought were real that turn out later to very much be fake," Cooper said.

"What's the red flag you would notice first?" I asked traveler John Tarver of Detroit.

Ridiculously cheap fares. It was too good to be true, it is," replied Tarver.

Sara Berry a Detroit native said that

she

has fallen victim to a travel scam.

"I think that I shouldn't have picked, I don't know, maybe a dodgy website. I should have (known)," said Berry, who said that the site appeared to have great deals.

In the re-booking scam, criminals posing as airline agents may claim your ticket is "not confirmed," or you're on "stand-by," and then demand a fee of hundreds or even thousands of dollars to rebook you.

If your flight was canceled, what's the first step you'd take? I asked one traveler.

"Call the airline," said Muzzamil Fadalla of Atlanta.

"How would you know if you had the right number for the airline?" I asked Fadalla.

Well, I'd access the official website. Right? And then look for their customer service number," he said.

If your flight is canceled, the airline is required to provide a free rebooking or a full refund to the original form of payment.

Delta is the dominant carrier at DTW, and I reached out to the airline for some advice.

A Delta spokesperson says the safest way to re-book is to contact Delta directly through the Fly Delta App, Delta.com, or through Deltas official phone number.

Delta's website recommends travelers remain vigilant to current fraudulent schemes and says "to ensure you are doing business with Delta Airlines and receive the best customer support, always visit Delta.com or call 1-800-221-1212."

If you're flying another airline, the same rule of thumb applies: use the airline's app or official website directly.

That way, you can avoid landing on the line with a fake customer service rep who's trying to squeeze sky-high fees from you to "fix" your flight.

Airlines generally will not refund losses in re-booking scams, but your credit card company may be able to help.

Remember, skip the online search.

Go directly to official airline channels.

And if you've been scammed, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at this link.

Where Your Voice Matters

Summer Homayed, known online as "Summer Homemade Meals," has grown her Instagram following to over 1 million and uses her platform to share budget-friendly shopping strategies.

Homayed has spent nearly a decade building a social media following by sharing recipes, her vibrant personality, and a passion for finding a good deal. Now, the influencer known online as "Summer Homemade Meals" is sharing grocery shopping tips to help followers stretch their dollars at the store.

See Kiara Hay's report in the video below Local social media food influencer shares grocery shopping tips to help you save money at the store

Homayed has grown her Instagram platform to over 1 million followers, in part by spotlighting prices and deals her audience might not find on their own.

"To do it and be someone from a different culture than the majority of the people who follow me is absolutely amazing," Homayed said.

One of her top tips: know when to buy in bulk.

"The reality is, this small bag is double the price of a bigger bag, so go big or go home," Homayed said.

Homayed also recommends researching the days and times your local grocery store typically begins marking down items. At Papaya, that day is Wednesday.

"They call it Wild Wednesday because everyone gets good deals on Wednesdays here," Homayed said.

At other store chains, manager specials and clearance items are often labeled before 10 a.m.

Shelf placement is another factor worth paying attention to. Items at eye level tend to carry a higher price tag.

"Another tip, if it's eye level, it's likely more expensive. So for the best deals, you have to get down low," Homayed said.

Homayed also helped me steer clear of pricey impulse buys while navigating the store.

"Oh, Kiara girl, you don't want to grab this stuff. This is the stuff you want but you know you don't need and it's expensive," Homayed said.

To recap, here are the key takeaways for smarter grocery shopping:

Know which items are worth buying in bulk. Research what days and times stores mark down clearance and manager specials. Items lower on the shelf are typically less expensive than those at eye level.

If you have tips you think would help others save money, or if there is an area you would like me to explore, send an email to kiara.hay@wxyz.com.

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.

Livonia police are investigating a second sighting of a man they say attempted to break into a home and assaulted a resident.

Watch Darren Cunningham's video report: Hunt for a brazen prowler in Livonia

The first incident happened Wednesday on Bristol Court. The latest sighting happened nearby on Bloomfield Drive.

He climbed up on this stool thats in our backyard to hop the fence. It seemed like he was carrying a bag with him or something too," Brooklyn Wagner told 7 News Detroit.

Before capturing video of the strange person fleeing her backyard on Bloomfield Drive, Wagner tells 7 News Detroit that it was a distinctive scream that got her attention.

WEB EXTRA: Edited video taken during the second sighting WEB EXTRA: Edited video taken during the second sighting

She recalled, So, I was up in my room like getting changed, and I had the window cracked open, and I heard someone scream like, bloody murder.

Wagner said it sounded like a dog attack, and she believes it may have been the perpetrator on the receiving end.

It sounded like he was in so much pain, and then I heard him say, like, 'Get that dog out of here. Get that dog out here," she explained.

One thing is clear. She said the suspect was wearing the same outfit as the suspect in Wednesdays violent encounter about a half mile from her home.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Livonia police search for man who attempted break-in and assaulted homeowner Livonia police search for man who attempted break-in and assaulted homeowner

Wagner said, He was like [wearing] a white painter [or] hazmat suit, and it was all ripped up in the front. Like, it was only intact in the back. It was very strange."

"I did not hear about yesterdays incident, and I was just very confused," she said.

Just the day before, video of the suspect trying to force his way into a home on Bristol Court was captured on Victoria Williams' Ring camera. The man was donning all-white coveralls, a mask, and a ball cap.

RING VIDEO: Suspect approaches house RING VIDEO: Suspect approaches house

Williams told 7 News Detroit, He was trying to get out of our fence, and Im standing there with 911, and he grabs me by the neck of my shirt and started pushing me backwards, and Im yelling 911 like on the phone, like just send help. I need help; he has his hand on me.

The suspect ran on Wednesday. Livonia police said he did the same in this latest incident on Thursday, after a verbal altercation with a resident who confronted him.

Wagner said, I would just say like, keep your doors locked because obviously we did not expect that to happen."

Just be aware of whats going on around you," she added.

Investigators said they are trying to follow up on leads and some evidence. They used a K9 track and a drone with no success.

Police ask anyone who sees anything in the area to call 911.

Ongoing construction in downtown Wyandotte is making for a tough spring for local businesses, with closed sidewalks and blocked parking spaces keeping customers away.

Watch Carli Petrus's video report: Downtown construction squeezes Wyandotte businesses, leaders say payoff coming

"We want people to know that were here," said Mack the Barber of Downriver Vintage Barber and Shave. "Are we going to be glad when this is done? Absolutely, we will."

But city leaders say the disruption is part of a $12 million investment that will pay off for the popular downtown district.

La Creme Pastry on Maple Street is among the businesses feeling the pinch. Employee Carlos Mares said the loss of nearby parking has made it harder for customers to stop in and a project coming up directly outside the shop could force a temporary closure.

"We have already noticed that it's not as busy as usual, and when it comes to pastries like this, things have to sell or else they're going to go bad," Mares said. "So, right in front of our door, actually, they're going to be tearing the cement, so there's really no way we can get around that, so we're going to have to close down for hopefully a day."

Joe Gruber, the city's Downtown Development Director, said the sidewalk work and other projects completed over the last two years are a necessary investment in Wyandotte's future.

"We invested approximately $12 million into our downtown infrastructure. Again, Wyandotte is a very old community, old infrastructure. We've realigned downtown sewers, we've reconstructed alleyways, parking lots," Gruber said.

When asked about the drop in foot traffic, Gruber said the tradeoff is worth it.

"As the saying goes, it's short-term pain for long-term gain. These infrastructure improvements and sidewalk improvements were desperately needed," Gruber said.

Despite the hassles, some customers are still making the trip to support local businesses. Carla Donaldson said she walked from a distant parking spot to visit her favorite shops.

"I like the mom and pop shops, and I think they're better quality, and I like the heritage of certain things, so I come down here quite a bit," Donaldson said.

Some business owners say they believe the improved downtown will attract even more visitors once construction wraps up. Gruber said work is expected to finish in a few weeks, with decorative lighting and murals planned as the next phase for the downtown area.

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 pair of new reports released this week by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics disclosed thousands of stock transactions made by President Donald Trump in the first three months of 2026. Many of the equities listed in the report are from companies subject to close regulation by the Trump administration.

The filings, which do not make clear which accounts or personnel handled the trades, include more than 3,700 transactions featuring purchases from companies like Meta, Proctor & Gamble, Boeing, and Adobe. The value of the individual transactions is listed in wide ranges, totaling at least $220 million up to $750 million cumulatively.

While Trump previously had invested heavily in bonds and index funds buying more than $51 million in bonds in March, according to previous OGE reports the disclosures released Thursday show the president has shifted to purchasing individual companies stocks.

On February 10, for example, Trump purchased between $1,000,001 and $5,000,000 of Nvidia stock; on March 2, he purchased a similar value in Apple.

The pair of reports also show the President purchased millions of dollars of Oracle in early 2026, around the same time his administration was helping the company secure a deal to continue operating social-media platform TikTok in the U.S.

RELATED STORY | All-gold logo unveiled for Donald J. Trump International Airport in Florida

The White House directed questions to the Trump Organization, who did not immediately respond to Scripps News request for comment.

Asked about the new disclosures, Donald K. Sherman, the President of the group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog organization, told Scripps News:

Donald Trumps financial transactions, while staggering, are far from surprising. Rather than avoiding transactions involving industries with business before his administration and assuaging conflict of interest concerns as other presidents have historically done Trump has prioritized serving himself at the expense of public trust once again. He consistently uses the power of the presidency to pad his bottom line, and engaging in transactions with these businesses provides him another opportunity to do so.

RELATED STORY | Eric Trump shares renderings of a proposed Trump presidential library and museum

The post Breaking the Stigma symposium starts conversations about mental health appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Two people are dead after a plane crashed into an Akron, Ohio, home on Thursday afternoon.

The crash occurred around 3:45 p.m. in a residential neighborhood in the southern part of the city.

Akron Fire said both of the deceased were located inside the aircraft.

No one in the house was injured, but two homes were evacuated.

Akron District Fire Chief Sierjie Lash said all four residents of the house were in it at the time of the crash.

"There were a couple and two children that live there," Lash said. "They were all four home, and they were able to get out with no injuries, so we're very fortunate that they are safe."

Neighbor Christi Gould said she spoke with the family after the crash, and the family told her the father got everyone, including the two children who were napping upstairs, out of the home.

Gould was at home with her children at the time of the crash and said her lights flickered before she heard the plane crash into the home.

We were sitting there, the power flickered for a few seconds, and then I heard the whining of a plane," Gould said. "We have the regional airport up the street, and so you can hear these planes all the time, and you just heard a real quick whining of it like it was revving and then all of a sudden, boom, explosion. And our house shook, and it scared the crap out of us. And everybody started running outside to see what happened and where it was."

The home did catch fire, and heavy black smoke was reported in the area. Lash said crews extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading to other homes.

"We got wind of a possible plane crash, definitely smoke, fire, flames and explosion," Lash said. "Our fire crews came out, and they put the fire out as a house fire, and they're currently investigating."

Authorities are asking residents to avoid the area at this time.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash and have issued the following statement:

"A Piper PA-28 crashed into a house in Akron, Ohio, around 3:45 p.m. local time on Thursday, May 14. Two people were on board. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates."

The Ohio State Highway Patrol also sent a statement:

"The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that a 1963 Piper Cherokee singleengine aircraft crashed into a home off Canterbury Circle in Akron, west of Interstate 77, at approximately 1545 hrs. The aircraft had departed from Akron Fulton Airport, located east of the crash site. The impact caused a structure fire, and all occupants of the residence were able to escape safely. There were two occupants of the aircraft, both of whom sustained fatal injuries. No injuries have been reported to bystanders on the ground. The crash remains an active investigation, and troopers, local law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel continue to assess the scene. Residents are encouraged to avoid the area while emergency crews remain on site. More information will be provided when it becomes available."This story was

originally published by Maya Morita

with the Scripps News Group station in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Detroit Lions' 2026 schedule is out, and it features 8 nationally televised games, as well as the home game in Munich, Germany, that represents the team's first international game since 2015.

Detroit Lions' schedule includes 8 nationally televised games

Here is the schedule, as well as where you can watch (home games are bolded):

Week 1 Sunday, September 13 vs. New Orleans Saints - 1:00 p.m. on FOX Week 2 Thursday, September 17 at Buffalo Bills - 8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime Week 3 Sunday, September 27 vs. New York Jets - 1:00 p.m on FOX Week 4 Sunday, October 4 at Carolina Panthers - 8:20 p.m. on NBC Week 5 Sunday, October 11 at Arizona Cardinals - 4:25 p.m on FOX Week 6 Bye Week Week 7 Sunday, October 25 vs. Green Bay Packers - 4:25 pm on FOX Week 8 Sunday, November 1 vs. Minnesota Vikings - 1:00 p.m on FOX Week 9 Sunday, November 8 at Miami Dolphins - 1:00 p.m. on FOX Week 10 Sunday, November 15 (Munich) vs. New England Patriots - 9:30 a.m. on FOX Week 11 Sunday, November 22 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 1:00 p.m. on CBS Week 12 Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving) vs. Chicago Bears - 1:00 p.m. on CBS Week 13 Sunday, December 6 at Atlanta Falcons - 1:00 p.m. on CBS Week 14 Sunday, December 13 vs. Tennessee Titans - 1:00 p.m. on FOX Week 15 Sunday, December 20 at Minnesota Vikings - 8:20 p.m. on NBC Week 16 Monday, December 28 vs. New York Giants - 8:15 p.m. on ESPN Week 17 Sunday, January 3 at Chicago Bears - 4:25 p.m. on FOX Week 18 To Be Determined at Green Bay Packers - Time and broadcaster To Be Determined.

The Lions' nationally televised games include week 2 on Thursday Night Football, which will also be the first regular-season game at the Bills' new home, Highmark Stadium. They will also face Carolina in week 4 on Sunday Night Football. They will also play the Vikings on Sunday Night Football in week 15, before hosting the Giants for Monday Night Football in Week 16, which will also be the home finale at Ford Field.

The Lions' preseason will feature a road game at the Cincinnati Bengals, then home for the Washington Commanders in Week 2 before traveling to face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3.

Eight months after a 42-inch water main broke on 14 Mile Road in Novi, some businesses along the corridor are still struggling to recover as construction continues.

Watch Christiana Ford's video report: Novi businesses still struggling 8 months after 14 Mile Road water main break

The owners of Maples Bar and Bistro say they have not returned to normal since the water main broke in September. Owner Ramy Denha says intermittent repair and road work have significantly reduced customer traffic, forcing the business to reduce hours and close on certain days.

PREVIOUS STORY: Local businesses adapt operations after massive water main break in Novi Local businesses adapt operations after massive water main break in Novi

"It's just very frustrating," Denha said. "I was very hopeful that it would have been done by now, or something would have been fixed."

The westbound side of 14 Mile Road between M-5 and Lake Street recently reopened, but the eastbound side remains under construction. Denha says the restoration of the westbound lanes has helped, but the continued closure of the eastbound side is taking a financial toll while bills and city property taxes remain due.

"We are hurting really badly. We're just hoping for that road to open. It's probably affected us about 80% of our business, especially at lunchtime," Denha said."We understand infrastructure needs to be fixed and repaired. We, we're strong supporters, but what's the timeline? How long does it take? When can we get back and going? What do I, we tell our customers."

Maples Bar and Bistro is not the only business still feeling the impact. Dr. Tiffany Zair-Yalda owns 2020 Family Vision just down the road.

"We've definitely noticed that, kind of like I said, people are trying to push their appointments out and sometimes it's just too far, especially with follow-ups, certain conditions, even with kids, so I don't think they realize how many patients are actually doing that and even other businesses in the area are still being impacted," Zair-Yalda said.

PREVIOUS STORY: GLWA explains water main break occurrences, long-term solution Work continues on Novi water main break

When asked about the timeline, the Great Lakes Water Authority said road restoration is a 3-step process and explained what's to come in a statement:

Road restoration is a three-step process: laying down stone aggregate base within the open-cut areas, forming/pouring curbs and driveway approaches, and laying new asphalt. There is also setting/curing time involved in some of the steps. Crews are completing road restoration in two phases: Phase 1, which is currently underway, is from Beachwalk Drive to Centennial Road, and Phase 2 is from Centennial Road to just west of M-5. Phases 1 and 2 may overlap. Full road restoration is expected to be complete by the end of June.

As for compensation for lost revenue, Denha says the business is on its own since they did not have business interruption insurance.

"I don't know what could be done for me. We're just here, and we've taken a big loss as a small business, and we've got to just see what happens next," Denha said.

They are hoping to rebound during the summer months, which is their busiest season.

"We're gonna stick it through. And we have no choice but to wait until the road gets restored and business goes back as usual, and be happy," Denha 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.

Arabella Glass does not slow down.

Watch Jolie Sherman's video report: Senior earns more than $2 million in scholarships

The 17-year-old Waterford Kettering High School senior ran a track meet the night of her senior prom.

That same drive carried her through four years of AP classes, varsity sports, and student leadership, earning her nearly $2.7 million in scholarships from more than 20 colleges and universities across the country.

"I just ran my track meet wearing those curlers. I did the long jump, and then I ran hurdles, where I got second in the league. The finals started at 5, and our prom started at 6 p.m. I literally got ready in [the] locker rooms in 20 - 30 minutes. Undid my hair, did the makeup," Glass said.

Glass is the captain of the varsity gymnastics team, a member of the varsity swim team, and the president and founder of her school's Environmental Club.

"Conservation and having a love for the environment could actually be a career, and that's when I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to protecting this earth," Glass said. "So when I was applying, I just researched a bunch of different schools, and I was like, alright, going to apply to them all, see what I can get into, what gets offered."

She applied to more than 20 schools and was accepted to all of them, including Harvard. Her scholarships came from academics, community service, and sports.

AP Economics and Government teacher Jennifer Crotty, who wrote Glass a recommendation letter, said this achievement did not surprise her when she heard the news at her school's senior ceremony.

"I was like, 'yeah, no, I totally expect that.' That is an excellent number for any student. But I totally understand where that number came from, and I was so proud of her," Crotty said.

Crotty described the bond she shares with her student.

"She's amazing.. Arabella is special in that she stands out. When she has a passion for something, she makes it her passion," Crotty said.

Glass will attend Michigan Technological University in the fall, where she received a $40,000 scholarship and will study wildlife ecology, conservation, and environmental science.

Before she races off to college, Glass is looking back on a fulfilling four years.

"The ability to create clubs and join different teams and be part of different things, that really shaped me because it has allowed me to find out who I am.. try different things.. take what I'm really passionate about and run with it," Glass said.

And she has some advice for students who want to follow in her footsteps.

"I would say, the secret to success is to find the joy in every single little moment," Glass 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.

Across metro Detroit, more and more school districts are embracing how learning can be furthered through the use of artificial intelligence.

Watch Simon Shaykhet's video report: Students, parents and teachers in metro Detroit weigh AI's benefits and risks

When it comes to using AI in education, students, parents and teachers are telling me there's a lot of thought that goes into how to use the technology responsibly.

Talk to me about your experience with AI, right now," I asked Ridham Kadbra, an 11th grader at Novi High School.

"Right now, I use two main platforms, Claude and Notebook LM," Ridham said.

Ridham is quick to admit how important a role AI has come to play as part of the learning process. For instance, in AP language and composition studies, he said programs help deliver more resources.

You need to do a lot of thinking, contextualizing, synthesizing. You need to have the ability to really develop a thesis," he said.

But, Kadbra points out that the key part of embracing AI in the classroom is centered around not relying too heavily on a program to do the work, but rather using its tools to help process an assignment, and always verifying what information AI is providing.

I asked it something about microeconomics, a class I am taking right now, and it just said something completely untrue," he told me. "I caught it because I had that previous knowledge.

Kadbra said he's often thinking about how a future career will leverage AI. That's a question teachers in Detroit are also devoting considerable thought to.

I wanted to gain a better understanding of the role of AI in specific courses taught at Detroit Public Schools Community District under the watch of Tanisha Bronaugh and Michael Hanson.

AI is a very good support system for skilled trades overall. For every trade in our building," Bronaugh said.

Bronaugh said that at Breithaupt Career & Technical Center, kids are learning graphics, editing, printing, planning and more. She also said it cuts down on the time needed to conduct training for nearly 500 students in 6th grade and up.

We currently have seven programs. Our largest program is our culinary wing. So, one half of our building is dedicated to culinary arts, all different types," Bronaugh said. We have a megatronics lab that has beautiful, big robot arms inside of it. Great for our engineering students. Next, we have our salon, and the salon is full-blown cosmetology.

She said AI programs are also enlisted in welding and automotive courses, but unlike other programs, AI is not taking the place of teachers.

One instance I found is in the Chicago area, where a school is fully run by AI. I reached out to them for an interview, but haven't heard back.

A recent study from Youngstown University also shows how AI dedication has grown rapidly. The student found it was used in 60% of K-12 public schools in the U.S. in the 2024-25 school year, with 32% of teachers using it at least weekly. The study said that usage was highest among 11th and 12th graders at 31%.

We do know skilled trades is powerful, because its one of the things that AI will not be able to take your job. Right? But, AI can definitely assist us in streamlining our programs, and just making that production time a lot faster," Hanson said.

While popular programs like ChatGPT are commonplace, Breithaupt School has used advanced technology for about three years.

Its not going away, so we do have to embrace it," Kirsten Douglass, a parent in West Bloomfield, said.

She also told us she's having conversations with her children about using AI.

Like writing a paper, using the tool to help you gather your research. The hard part, I think, for some of the students, is understanding the biases for some of the AI," she said.

Whether it be fact-checking, turning to multiple sources or simply building a foundation of knowledge independent of AI. She and others I talked to are sending the message that the benefits of AI must be weighed carefully against the potential for reducing memory.

Grabbing that information, but then double-checking, looking at the sources. Where is that information coming from? Douglass said.

For Kadbra, it comes down to responsibly programming AI to perform a task, but not taking over assignments as a whole.

Dont give me the explicit answer, but help me get toward the answer by asking me more questions that clarify my thinking," he said.

In the Novi Community School District, a spokesperson says anything involving AI is being led by comprehensive guidance from the district.

Where Your Voice Matters