Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene won’t be taking part in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and the reason has more to do with opportunity than interest.
According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, Greene declined an invitation to play for Team Puerto Rico, choosing instead to hold out hope for a chance to represent Team USA. That invitation never came, leaving Greene on the outside of this year’s WBC field altogether.
For Greene, this wasn’t a matter of turning down international baseball. It was about which jersey he wanted to wear.
Why Greene Chose to Pass
Greene has previous experience representing the United States on the international stage, having played for Team USA at the 2018 Pan-American Championships as a teenager. That experience clearly mattered when this decision came up again.
Rather than commit to Puerto Rico, Greene opted to wait and see if USA Baseball would come calling. When it didn’t, he ultimately chose to skip the event entirely.
The World Baseball Classic runs from March 5 through March 17, meaning Greene will instead remain focused on a full Tigers spring training and the start of the 2026 MLB season.
A Long-Term View for the Tigers’ Star
At just 25 years old, Greene still figures to have multiple opportunities to play in future WBC tournaments if he wants them. Coming off a strong 2025 season that included 36 home runs, 111 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 120, Greene has firmly established himself as one of the Tigers’ cornerstone players.
From Detroit’s perspective, having Greene fully rested and locked in for Opening Day certainly isn’t a bad consolation prize.
For now, Greene’s international ambitions are on pause — not because of a lack of pride or interest, but because he stayed true to the country he hoped to represent.
The football season is still half a year away, but Michigan’s 2026 schedule has already been laid out.
The Wolverines will have their hands full. From taking on the reigning national champions to road games against perennial powerhouses, their schedule is certainly not a breeze — it never is in the Big Ten. Regardless, there’s still plenty of optimism surrounding the program, especially with new head coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff roaming the sidelines.
Here’s a week-by-week breakdown of Michigan’s 2026 football schedule…
Week 1 vs. Western Michigan (Sept. 5)
The first of three non-conference home games, the Wolverines will host Western Michigan to kick off the season.
This will mark the eighth meeting between the programs, with Michigan entering the game with a perfect 7-0 record.
Week 2 vs. Oklahoma (Sept. 12)
After losing to Oklahoma on the road in 2025, Michigan will look to earn the series split at Michigan Stadium in Week 2.
This game will conclude the home-and-home agreement between the two programs, and it will provide an opportunity for both teams to collect an early extra power-conference win.
Week 3 vs. UTEP (Sept. 19)
Rounding out the non-conference slate, Michigan welcomes in The University of Texas at El Paso. UTEP had a season to forget in 2025, finishing the season 2-10 overall and 1-7 in Conference USA play.
This will be the first all-time meeting between the two programs.
Week 4 vs. Iowa (Sept. 26)
Kicking off Big Ten play, Michigan will host the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big House.
Since the Big Ten went away from the divisions system, the Hawkeyes have been stuck as a second-tier team in the conference. They certainly have the capabilities to beat top-tier teams and are a very solid team year in and year out, but they’re still trying to break through their recent ceiling.
Week 5 at Minnesota (Oct. 3)
Michigan will head to Minneapolis for its first road game of the season to take on Minnesota.
The Wolverines are 44-4 in the battle for The Little Brown Jug since 1968, and they’ve won the previous five meetings.
Week 6 BYE
Week 7 vs. Penn State (Oct. 17)
Off of the bye week, Michigan will play the first of a two-game homestand against Penn State.
The Nittany Lions boast a new head coach as well, former Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, so it’ll be two new-look teams dueling it out under first-year head coaches.
Week 8 vs. Indiana (Oct. 24)
Week 8 brings the reigning national champions to Ann Arbor. Indiana lost its Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza to the NFL Draft, but there’s been nothing to prove that head coach Curt Cignetti can’t build another contender without him.
Regardless of who is under center, the Hoosiers will be an incredibly tough matchup for any squad.
Week 9 at Rutgers (Oct. 31)
Rutgers struggled last season, going to 2-7 in the Big Ten, and next season might not bring any relief. As of the time of this writing, they still don’t have a defensive coordinator and their recruiting class falls in the bottom half of the Big Ten.
Week 10 vs. Michigan State (Nov. 7)
Michigan will take on its bitter in-state rival on the first Saturday of November. The Spartans, too, have a new head coach in Pat Fitzgerald, so this will be the first game between two coaches which both programs hope will be their long-term leaders.
The Wolverines have had control of this series, as Michigan State has not won since 2021.
Week 11 at Oregon (Nov. 14)
For the first time, Michigan will head to Eugene to take on Oregon in a Big Ten game. The squads played one Big Ten matchup in 2024, with the Ducks winning 38-17.
Oregon returns its star quarterback, Detroit native Dante Moore, who decided to forgo the NFL Draft to return to school. Moore was a projected top-10 pick.
Week 12 vs. UCLA (Nov. 21)
Michigan’s final home game on the schedule comes against UCLA. The Bruins had a tumultuous season in 2025, finishing the year 3-9. They’ll look to turn it around in 2026 under first-year head coach Bob Chesney.
Week 13 at Ohio State (Nov. 28)
Rounding out the regular season is, of course, The Game.
Ohio State broke Michigan’s four-year winning streak last season, and it will have a chance to create a streak of its own in 2026 at home in Columbus. The Buckeyes return Heisman-finalist quarterback Julian Sayin, and they will undoubtedly have a contender-level roster.
Year in and year out, The Game is a barometer for the season’s success, and there’s nothing that says that won’t remain the case in 2026.
A 13-year-old boy is credited with saving the lives of his mother and two younger siblings with an hourslong swim after the family was swept out to sea off the Australian coast.
Austin Appelbee swam 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) to shore to raise the alarm after he got into difficulties on Friday with his mother Joanne Appelbee, 47, brother Beau, 12, and sister Grace, 8, police said.
“I think, at one point, I was thinking of ‘Thomas the Tank Engine,’ you know, trying to get the happiest things in my head, trying to make it through, like, not the bad things that’ll distract me,” Austin said Tuesday.
“He swam in, he reckons, the first two hours with a life jacket on,” Bresland said. “And the brave fella thought he’s not going to make it with a life jacket on, so he ditched it, and he swam the next two hours without a life jacket.”
Austin said he initially set off for help on an inflatable kayak that was taking water. He abandoned the kayak then took off his life jacket because it impeded his swimming.
He said he tried to focus on positive thoughts as he swam for around four hours through rough seas for shore, raising the alarm at 6 p.m.
“The waves are massive and I have no life jacket on. … I just kept thinking ‘just keep swimming, just keep swimming,’” Austin said. “And then I finally I made it to shore and I hit the bottom of the beach and I just collapsed.”
Austin Appelbee poses for a photo in Gidgegannup, Australia, Feb. 3, 2026, after the 13-year-old made an hourslong swim to raise an alarm after his family was swept out to sea off the Australian coast.
Briana Shepherd/AP
“I didn’t think I was a hero,” Austin told the BBC. “I just did what I did.”
The family, from the state capital Perth, was on vacation and using kayaks and paddle boards hired from their hotel around noon when rough ocean and wind conditions started dragging them out to sea.
A search helicopter found the mom and two children wearing life jackets and clinging to a paddleboard at 8:30 p.m., police said. They had drifted 14 kilometers (9 miles) from Quindalup in Western Australia state, after spending up to 10 hours in the water.
“The actions of the 13-year-old boy cannot be praised highly enough — his determination and courage ultimately saved the lives of his mother and siblings,” Police Inspector James Bradley said in a statement.
Joanne Appelbee told reporters on Tuesday she sent her oldest child for help because she could not leave the three children.
“One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make was to say to Austin: ‘Try and get to shore and get some help. This could get really serious really quickly,’” she told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
She said she was confident he would reach shore but was filled with doubt as the sun set and help had not arrived.
“We kept positive, we were singing and we were joking and … we were treating it as a bit of a game until the sun started to go down and that’s when it was getting very choppy. Very big waves,” she said.
“Physically, she just said, ‘I’m struggling, I can’t,’ but she just said they’re looking her in the eye, and she just kept going and kept them together,” Bresland told the ABC.
The three were all shivering and Beau had lost sensation in his legs because of the cold by the time they were rescued, the mom said.
“We made it, we’re alive, and that’s the most important thing, and I have all three babies,” Joanne said. “…All three of them made it. That was all that mattered.”
All four family members were medically assessed but none required hospital admission.
This image taken from video shows Austin Appelbee, right, posing with his family in Gidgegannup, Australia, Tuesday Feb. 3, 2026.
ABC/AP
In a social media post, Naturaliste Volunteer Marine Rescue Group praised the family, especially Austin.
“The bravery, strength, and courage shown by this family were extraordinary, especially the young fella who swam 4km to raise the alarm and set everything into motion,” the group wrote on Facebook.
The NBA trade deadline delivered a blockbuster on Tuesday, and it involves two of the league’s most recognizable point guards.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade James Hardento the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick. The deal represents a rare, straight-up swap of star guards at very different points in their careers.
Harden, 36, is still playing at a high level and gives Cleveland a proven, win-now offensive engine as the Cavaliers push deeper into contention. A former MVP and 11-time All-Star, Harden has averaged 25.4 points and 8.1 assists this season, showing he still has plenty left despite his age. For Cleveland, the move signals urgency — this is about maximizing the present.
For the Clippers, the return is about both now and the future.
Garland, 26, is a two-time All-Star who immediately becomes a long-term centerpiece in Los Angeles. While his numbers this season (18.0 points, 6.9 assists) don’t jump off the page, Garland brings youth, shooting efficiency, and stability at the position — something the Clippers have lacked amid frequent roster reshuffling. The additional second-round pick adds minor draft value but underscores the Clippers’ belief in Garland as the real prize.
Charania noted that Harden and the Clippers worked through the separation over the past few days, with both sides landing in what they view as a beneficial outcome. Harden gets another chance to chase a title right now, while the Clippers pivot toward a younger star who can anchor their backcourt for years.
It’s a rare trade where both teams clearly declare their timelines — and neither is hiding it.
Expect ripple effects across the league as contenders reassess their own urgency before the deadline clock runs out.
Shout out to Weston, who has to be thrilled that his boy James Harden is now playing within driving distance!
Consumer Reports’ verdict on the top new cars for 2026 is in, and it brings some welcome news for car shoppers looking to cut down on their fuel use while also staying safe on the road.
This year’s mix of top cars, trucks and SUVs include several models that come in below the average $50,000 starting price for a new vehicle.
For the first time, the top 10 also all come in electric or hybrid versions, according to the product testing and research group, which released its rankings on Tuesday. Compared to gas-powered vehicles, the hybrid and EV options offer perks like better acceleration, quieter cabins and improved fuel economy, according to Consumer Reports.
“Everything here is electrified, so to speak,” said Alex Knizek, director of auto test development at Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports purchases and tests about 50 new vehicles every year, assessing the cars based on their performance in dozens of road tests, as well as government and insurance industry crash tests. The organization also considers reliability and consumer satisfaction scores pulled from survey data.
Most cars that claimed the highest rankings are repeats from last year, with the exception of three new vehicles that managed to infiltrate the top 10. Read on for Consumer Reports’ list of the best vehicles for 2026.
For those looking to save money, Consumer Reports also compiles a list of the top 10 used cars each month.
Best small car: Honda Civic
The Honda Civic, long lauded for its value, is a new entrant into Consumer Reports’ top 10 this year. The car’s base price in 2026 is $24,695.
Of the car maker’s three Honda Civic sedan models, Consumer Reports said the hybrid version is the best. It offers all the perks of the gas-powered models, in addition to better fuel efficiency — at 44 miles per gallon (mpg) — and superior acceleration — going from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, according to Consumer Reports. Honda introduced the hybrid version of its Honda Civic vehicle in 2003, according to JD Power.
According toKnizek, the hybrid model is both quieter and more powerful than the gas-powered model.
Honda Civic Hybrid
John “JP” Powers; photo courtesy of Consumer Reports
Best midsize Car: Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, now sold exclusively as a hybrid, also snatched one of the top slots on the list, with Consumer Reports touting its “practical interior space” and “user-friendly controls.” The vehicle has a base price of $29,100.
“It handles well, it rides well, looks pretty good, too,” Knizek said. “So it’s just a well-rounded sedan.”
One downside: The low placement of the front and rear seats may make them challenging to access for some.
Toyota Camry
John “JP” Powers; photo courtesy of Consumer Reports
Best subcompact SUV: Subaru Crosstrek
With a base price of $26,995, the Subaru Crosstrek comes in both hybrid and gas-powered versions. Consumer Reports said the vehicle offers secure handling and can handle “off-pavement excursions.”
Knizek praised both the Crosstrek and the Subaru Forester (listed below) for their reliability and visibility.
“Where they really shine is they’re reliable,” he said. “But they are fuel efficient, and this is going to sound silly, but you can see out of them really well.”
Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
John “JP” Powers; photo courtesy of Consumer Reports.
Best compact SUV: Subaru Forester
Another Subaru car on this year’s top 10 list is the Forester, which starts at $29,995. Subaru introduced a hybrid version of the car last year, which it says gets 40% better fuel economy than the non-hybrid model.
Consumer Reports pointed to the Forester’s excellent visibility, comfort, safety and spacious interior.
Subaru Forester Hybrid
John “JP” Powers; photo courtesy of Consumer Reports.
Best midsize SUV: Toyota Grand Highlander
Consumer Reports said the Toyota Grand Highlander is a good pick when it comes to three-row SUVs, with a roomy interior and 18-inch wheels making for a smooth, comfortable ride. The vehicle gets 35 mpg overall and has a base price of $41,660.
“There are other three-row SUVs, but to get one that’s this spacious and has a fuel-efficient hybrid option is pretty rare,” Knizek said.
Toyota Grand Highlander
John “JP” Powers; photo courtesy of Consumer Reports.
Best luxury compact SUV: Lexus NX
The Lexus NX got high marks for its high-quality interior design and comfort, with Consumer Reports praising its “especially plush and supportive” front seats.
The vehicle, with a base price of $44,175, is available as a fully gas-powered car, regular hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The hybrid version of the Lexus NX combines a powerful 304-horsepower engine with fuel efficiency, with the vehicle able to travel 37 miles solely on electricity, according to Consumer Reports.
Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid
John “JP” Powers; photo courtesy of Consumer Reports.
Best small pickup truck: Ford Maverick
At a starting price of $28,145, the Ford Maverick caught Consumer Reports’ attention for its affordability. It comes in both hybrid and gas-powered models, achieving 37 mpg and 23 mpg, respectively. The truck can tow 4,000 pounds, according to Ford’s website.
With a smaller frame, the car is also more nimble, Knizek said. “If you’re in a city-type of setting and you need a truck, this is something a little bit more manageable,” he said.
Ford Maverick Hybrid
John “JP” Powers; photo courtesy of Consumer Reports
Best luxury midsize SUV: BMW X5
Consumer Reports described theBMW X5 as one of the best luxury cars it has ever tested, praising its supportive seats and well-fashioned interior. The car comes in both a gas-only version and a hybrid model with a 39-mile electric-only range.
With “a lot of luxury brands, just on average, we don’t see the best reliability. But BMW has really bucked that trend, the X5 included,” Knizek told CBS News. “Beyond the reliability of it, it’s just a really, really compelling luxury SUV.”
The X5 is themost expensive car on the top 10 list, with a base price of $67,600.
BMW X5
John “JP” Powers; p[hoto courtesy of Consumer Reports
Best electric vehicle: Tesla Model Y
Consumer Reports ranks Tesla’s Model Y, launched in 2020, as its best electric vehicle. The car’s reliability has increased with time and is integrated into the automaker’s Supercharger network, which “still has yet to be topped,” Knizek said. The car’s base price is $39,990.
Some downsides: Knizek said the controls on the inside can be distracting. Consumer Repiorts also recommends against using the self-driving feature Tesla advertises.
Tesla last week decided to wind down production of two older car models, the S and X, according to the Associated Press. Both models saw a decline in sales last year, Kelley Blue Book data shows.
Tesla’s Model Y is the only fully electric vehicle on Consumer Reports’ list of top 10 cars for 2026.
John “JP” Power; p[hoto courtesy of Consumer Reports
Best full-size pickup truck: Ford F-150
The Ford F-150, with a starting price of $37,290, has both a gas-powered and a hybrid version. The vehicle stands out in the truck category for its reliability, Knizek said.
“The reliability has slowly crept up over time,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to point people toward a truck that’s going to serve them pretty well.”
Some of the bells and whistles Consumer Reports liked: blind-spot monitors and driving aids that simplify backing up and hooking up a trailer.
Ford F-150
John “JP” Powers; photo courtesy of Consumer Reports
Justin Onwenu is a Detroit-born organizer, environmental justice advocate, and attorney who is now running for State Senate in Michigan’s newly redrawn District 1, which stretches from neighborhoods on Detroit’s west side through downtown and into a number of downriver Metro communities.
He’s worked in environmental justice, in labor and minimum wage campaigns, and in economic development at the city level, giving him a rare view that connects workers, small businesses, and neighborhood health.
In our conversation, we get into why he chose to jump into this insane time in politics, how he thinks Michigan can actually tackle affordability on things like housing, health care, and utilities, and what it looks like to balance development, labor, and the environment instead of pitting them against each other.
We also talk about rebuilding Michigan’s economy from the neighborhood up, from transit and schools to small business support… and much more.
Episodes like these are made possible by our members. Join us at DailyDetroit.com/support and help keep the conversation going.
Feedback as always – dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211.
Ford Field is home to the Detroit Lions. Credit: Steve Neavling
A Livingston County man assaulted during a nationally televised confrontation with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf at Ford Field in December filed a $100 million defamation lawsuit Tuesday against the star and his team, along with prominent sports media figures and companies.
Ryan Kennedy, a longtime Lions season-ticket holder and mortgage company CEO, filed the suit in Wayne County Circuit Court after he was publicly labeled a racist following the assault. Metcalf claimed Kennedy called him the N-word, according to the suit.
He sued Metcalf, the Steelers, former NFL player Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Shay Shay Media LLC, All Time Sports LLC (which does business as The Volume), and Ford Field Management LLC.
The lawsuit stems from a Dec. 21 game between the Lions and Steelers in Detroit, where television cameras captured Metcalf reaching into the stands and grabbing Kennedy by the shirt collar during an exchange along the front row.
This new angle shows just how bad that attack by DK Metcalf was. The #NFL should suspend him for a year. I also hope that fan presses criminal charges and sues both Metcalf and the league. pic.twitter.com/n1zUe6LEvV
Kennedy alleges that Metcalf initiated the physical contact without provocation and that he never used any racial or misogynistic slurs during the encounter. According to the complaint, Kennedy says he referred to the player by his full name, “DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf,” and only engaged in ordinary crowd jeering.
In the days after the game, Kennedy said he was falsely accused on a nationally distributed sports podcast of calling Metcalf the N-word and using a misogynistic slur to refer to Metcalf’s mother.
“The N-Word is the most offensive and inflammatory racial slur in the English language,” Kennedy’s attorney Jon Marko said Tuesday. “No other word expresses so much hatred and bigotry. Falsely accusing someone of using that word hurts not only the person falsely accused, but hurts every true victim of racial hatred and bigotry.”
The lawsuit centers on statements made by Johnson during a Dec. 22 episode of the “Nightcap” podcast, which is co-hosted by Shannon Sharpe and produced and distributed by Shay Shay Media and The Volume. In the broadcast, Johnson claimed that Kennedy used racial and misogynistic slurs and said he “heard it directly from DK,” according to the complaint.
The complaint further alleges that Sharpe amplified the claims during the episode by saying that “a lot of people have been killed behind words,” a remark Kennedy says fueled online harassment and threats directed at him.
The statements were then republished by major national outlets and spread widely across social media, where the allegations went viral and he was “publicly branded as a racist,” according to the suit.
The lawsuit names Yahoo Sports, ESPN, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, TMZ and other outlets as examples of media organizations that republished the claims while citing the podcast as the source, according to the lawsuit.
Kennedy alleges the accusations were false and made with actual malice or reckless disregard for the truth. He claims Metcalf was the original source of the allegations and provided false information to Johnson to justify the physical confrontation.
As a result, Kennedy says he received death threats, harassing voicemails, and hate mail, and that his mortgage-lending business suffered reputational and financial harm. The complaint includes a transcript of a threatening voicemail in which the caller refers to him as a “racist” and threatens his business.
In addition to the defamation claims, Kennedy is suing Metcalf for assault and battery, alleging the player intentionally reached into the stands, grabbed him by the collar, and pulled him toward the field during the game.
Kennedy also leveled allegations of negligence and premises-liability against Ford Field Management, alleging the stadium operator failed to properly monitor and secure the front-row seating area and allowed a player to access and physically confront a spectator.
The lawsuit further accuses the Pittsburgh Steelers of failing to supervise Metcalf and of being vicariously liable for his conduct, both for the physical incident and for the alleged dissemination of false statements afterward.
Kennedy is seeking more than $100 million in damages, as well as court-ordered public retractions and corrections from the defendants through the same channels where the statements were originally published.
The civil filing follows disciplinary action by the NFL. After the incident at Ford Field, the league suspended Metcalf for two games without pay for conduct detrimental to the NFL for initiating a physical confrontation with a fan. The league said players are prohibited from entering the stands or confronting spectators and may be disciplined for making unnecessary physical contact with fans.
Metcalf appealed the suspension. His coach, Mike Tomlin, said publicly that he spoke with the receiver about the incident but did not condone the behavior.
At the time of the suspension, Kennedy denied using any racial, misogynistic or hate-based language and said he had been subjected to harassment and threats after the claims circulated publicly.
Metcalf, who previously played for the Seattle Seahawks before being traded to Pittsburgh, has not yet publicly addressed the allegations in the lawsuit. None of the defendants named in the complaint had responded publicly to the filing as of Tuesday afternoon.
Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings took the stage as The Guess Who on Saturday night at Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It was their first performance together since 2003. The show launched a reunion tour stretching across Canada through August.
The duo now owns the band name after a legal fight with other members. Bachman and Cummings filed a lawsuit in 2023 against original bassist Jim Kale and drummer Garry Peterson for false advertising, claiming the pair ran what amounted to a “cover band.”
Cummings went further in 2024. He terminated performance rights agreements on his songs, which blocked Kale and Peterson from playing them without facing legal trouble.
“I’m willing to do anything to stop the fake band; they’re taking [Bachman and my] life story and pretending it’s theirs,” Cummings told Rolling Stone. “They’re not the people who made these records, and they shouldn’t act like they did.”
The band started in 1965 with Chad Allan, Bachman, Kale and Peterson. Cummings came aboard in early 1966, replacing Allan as lead singer and chief songwriter. The group released 11 studio albums between 1965 and 1975.
“Randy and I aren’t exactly 19 anymore,” Cummings said on Q With Tom Power. “To have all this excitement at a later point in your career is terrific. I think we both feel rejuvenated by this.”
The encore delivered “Share the Land” and the Bachman-Turner Overdrive anthem “Takin’ Care of Business.”
More than a dozen Canadian tour dates stretch from now through August. The summer run starts May 26 in Moncton, New Brunswick. All tour dates are listed on the band’s website.
No big surprise here: Snowy Michigan is home to many Team USA Winter Olympians this year.
According to Team USA, the Great Lakes State is sending 15 athletes to Italy to compete in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo from Feb. 6-22.
That places Michigan in the top 5 states for 2026 Winter Olympians, following Colorado (31), Minnesota (24), California (19), and Utah (17).
Michigan’s contributions include athletes competing in ice hockey, figure skating, skiing, and snowboarding, hailing from Detroit-area communities like Farmington Hills, Plymouth, and the Grosse Pointes, as well as some from outstate locations like Boyne City and Gaylord known for their ski resorts.
Among the notables are Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin and Winter Olympics veterans like Evan Bates, Nick Baumgartner, Megan Keller, Kaila Kuhn, Jake Vedder, and Winter Vinecki.
See the full list below or head to teamusa.com for an interactive map of all states participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics:
Evan Bates
Olympian 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 Figure skating, Ann Arbor
Nick Baumgartner
Olympian 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 Snowboarding, Iron River
It’s a fitting spotlight for the 22-year-old big man, who has emerged as one of the league’s most explosive finishers and is making his first career All-Star appearance this season.
Duren will be joined in the dunk contest by Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes and San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant, setting up a field heavy on size, power, and above-the-rim athleticism.
For Pistons fans, this is another sign of Duren’s growing national profile. The former 13th overall pick has taken a major step forward during the 2025–26 season, averaging 18.0 points and 10.7 rebounds while shooting an elite 63.5 percent from the field. His combination of strength, quickness, and vertical pop has made him a nightly highlight — and a natural fit for the dunk contest stage.
While Detroit’s season has had its ups and downs, Duren’s invitation is a reminder that the Pistons’ young core continues to gain league-wide respect.
Now, he’ll have a chance to put on a show — and maybe bring a little hardware back to Detroit.
Paris, France — French authorities have asked Elon Musk to appear to answer questions as part of a probe into his social media platform X, the Paris prosecutor’s office said Monday, as authorities searched X’s office in the French capital.
“Summons for voluntary interviews on April 20, 2026, in Paris have been sent to Mr. Elon Musk and Ms. Linda Yaccarino, in their capacity as de facto and de jure managers of the X platform at the time of the events,” the Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
French cybercrime authorities were carrying out a search, meanwhile, at X’s offices in Paris, the prosecutor’s office said.
The summonses for Musk and Yaccarino and the search at the X office were related to an investigation launched in January 2025 over complaints about how X’s algorithm recommends content to users and gathers data, the prosecutor’s office said. Officials have previously raised concern that the way X works could amount to political interference.
The investigation is to ensure that X is in compliance with French laws, and the prosecutor added that it was broadened last year after reports that X was allowing users to share nonconsensual, AI-generated sexually explicit imagery, and holocaust denial content.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Shivon Zilis, a venture capitalist, arrive to attend the wedding of Dan Scavino, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, and Erin Elmore, the Department of State Director of Art in Embassies, at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, Feb. 1, 2026.
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty
X and Musk have dismissed the French investigation, and similar probes by European Union and British authorities, as baseless, politically motivated attacks on free speech.
Yaccarino resigned as CEO of X in July last year after two years at the helm of the company.
The investigation is being led by the cybercrime unit of the prosecutor’s office, in conjunction with French police and the joint European policing agency Europol.
A CBS News investigation found late last month that the Grok AI tool on Musk’s X platform still allowed users in the U.S., U.K. and EU to digitally undress people without their consent, despite public pledges from the company to stop the function.
The Grok chatbot, both via its standalone app and for premium X account holders using the platform, allowed people to use artificial intelligence to edit images of real people and show them in revealing clothing such as bikinis.
A request for comment on the findings of CBS News’ investigation was met with an apparent auto-reply from Musk’s company xAI, saying only: “Legacy media lies.”
Scrutiny of the Grok feature has mounted rapidly in recent months, with the British government warning X could face a U.K.-wide ban if it fails to block the “bikini-fy” tool, and EU regulators announcing their own investigation into the Grok AI editing function on in late January.
CBS News found Grok was still enabling users to digitally undress people in photos weeks after X said, earlier in January, that it had, “implemented technological measures to prevent the [@]Grok account on X globally from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis. This restriction applies to all users, including paid subscribers.”
Feb. 3 was a historical day for rock music. On this day in 1959, legends Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens all lost their lives in a tragic plane crash. The band was on their Winter Party Dance Tour in America when the accident occurred. Later, this day would become known as “The Day the Music Died.” Although it was an industry-altering event, rock music is far from dead. Let’s find out what breakthrough hits, milestones, cultural events, notable recordings, major performances, and changes and challenges have taken place on Feb. 3.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
These are some breakthrough hits and milestones in rock music that happened on Feb. 3:
1961: Bob Dylan made his first known recordings at his friends Sid and Bob Gleason’s New Jersey apartment. These included songs like “San Francisco Bay Blues” and “Pastures of Plenty.“
1973: Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” hit No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart. It would stay in the position for three straight weeks and was his first song, but not his last, to make it to No. 1 on the U.S. singles chart.
1979: The Blues Brothers’ live album, Briefcase Full of Blues, went to number 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. It was recorded on September 9, 1978, when “Blues Brothers” John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd performed at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles as openers for a Steve Martin comedy stand-up show.
1986:Brothers in Arms, Dire Straits’ 10th studio album, hit No. 1 in the U.K. and stayed there for 10 weeks. It’s the seventh best-selling album in U.K. chart history, and it also had a nine-week run at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 in the U.S.
Cultural Milestones
Some cultural milestones that have left their mark on the rock music industry include:
1992: At Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Michael Jackson announced his Dangerous World Tour, letting his fans know that Pepsi would sponsor the tour. He used the tour to raise $100 million for his Heal the World Foundation.
2008: At the Super Bowl XLII halftime show, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed some of their most popular hits, including “I Won’t Back Down,” Freefallin’,” and “American Girl” in front of more than 71,000 people.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Are you familiar with any of these notable rock music recordings and performances from Feb. 3 of years past:
1968: At Abbey Road Studios in London, the Beatles recorded “Lady Madonna” before leaving on a trip to India to study Transcendental Meditation. They recorded the song in just three takes.
1979: “Y.M.C.A” by the Village People made it to the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for three weeks. It could never quite make it to No.1 in the U.S.
1992: Pearl Jam played their first-ever show in the UK, at the Esplanade Club in Southend-on-Sea. It was part of their first European tour and about 300 people attended.
1996: The Ramones played their last-ever UK show, at the Brixton Academy in London. They disbanded later that year.
Industry Changes and Challenges
With each new day comes changes and challenges, and here are a few that left a lasting impression from this day in rock music history:
1990: Sinead O’Connor from Ireland, Kylie Minogue from Australia, and Techtronic from Belgium were the first three non-British and non-American artists to be featured at the top of the U.K. charts.
2003: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Phil Spector, who is a GRAMMY award-winning music producer, was arrested and charged with the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. The police arrived at his Alhambra, California, mansion to find the actress dead with a single gunshot wound.
With these important hits, recordings, performances, cultural events, milestones, and challenges that happened on Feb. 3, you can be sure this is a memorable day in rock music history. And this popular genre wouldn’t be what it is today without these moments, both good and bad.
When it comes to travel, there really are few states like Michigan. From the sugar-sand coastlines of Lake Michigan that mimic the Caribbean in July to the rugged, snow-dusted silence of the Upper Peninsula in January, the “Mitten State” offers adventures that are hard to match.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a high-end culinary retreat, a car-free step back in time, or a solo hike through prehistoric forests; you’re about to get a lowdown on the best weekend getaways in Michigan for 2026.
1. Traverse City & The Leelanau Peninsula: The Romantic Escape
The Vibe: Sophisticated, Viniculture-focused, Breathtaking Views.
Traverse City is the crown jewel of Northern Michigan. While famous for its National Cherry Festival, the real magic lies in its “Two Fingers”—the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas.
Friday Evening: Check into a boutique inn like the Chateau Chantal, which doubles as a winery. Enjoy a glass of Riesling on the terrace overlooking the Grand Traverse Bay.
Saturday: Spend the morning at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons, a former asylum converted into a sprawling complex of high-end boutiques and eateries. In the afternoon, drive M-22 (often cited as the most beautiful road in America) to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Pro Tip: To beat the crowds, skip the “Dune Climb” and head to the Empire Bluff Trail for a 1.5-mile hike that ends on a cliff 400 feet above the turquoise water.
Sunday: Visit Fishtown in Leland. It’s a preserved fishing village where you can buy smoked fish right off the docks and browse local art galleries.
2. Mackinac Island: The Time-Traveler’s Retreat
The Vibe: Victorian Elegance, Car-Free, Nostalgic.
Stepping off the ferry onto Mackinac Island is like walking into a 19th-century painting. With no cars allowed, the rhythm of the island is dictated by horse hooves and bicycle bells.
The Main Event: Rent a bike and ride the 8.2-mile perimeter road (M-185). It is the only state highway in the U.S. where motor vehicles are prohibited.
The Splurge: Even if you aren’t staying at the Grand Hotel, book a “Grand Luncheon Buffet” or pay the admission to sit on the world’s longest porch.
The Local Secret: Most tourists stay on Main Street. For true peace, head to the island’s interior trails to find Anne’s Tablet, a secluded lookout point offering the best views of the Straits of Mackinac without the “fudge-buying” crowds.
3. Marquette & Pictured Rocks: The Adventure Seeker’s Sanctuary
The Vibe: Rugged, Outdoorsy, High-Energy.
If “relaxation” isn’t your cup of tea, the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) will be your haven. Marquette is a vibrant college town that serves as the gateway to the wild Lake Superior coast.
Kayaking the Cliffs: You haven’t seen Michigan until you’ve seen the mineral-stained sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore from the water. Book a guided kayak tour out of Munising to explore “sea caves” and arches like Lovers’ Leap.
The “Porkies”: If you have an extra day, drive west to the Porcupine Mountains. The “Lake of the Clouds” overlook is arguably the most photographed spot in the state, offering a vista of ancient forest that turns a fiery crimson in early October.
Refuel: You cannot leave the U.P. without eating a Pasty (a traditional miners’ meat pie). Jean Kay’s in Marquette is a local legend.
4. Frankenmuth & Holland: The Family Fun Zone
The Vibe: Culturally Immersive, Family-Friendly, Festive.
Michigan has a unique way of celebrating its European roots. The two towns offer “theme-park” levels of engagement with small-town charm.
Frankenmuth (Michigan’s Little Bavaria): Home to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland (the world’s largest Christmas store), this town is a holiday enthusiast’s dream 365 days a year. Families love the Zehnder’s Splash Village indoor waterpark and the world-famous family-style chicken dinners.
Holland: If you visit in May, the Tulip Time Festival features millions of blooms and traditional Dutch dancing. However, Holland is an evergreen destination thanks to Big Red, the state’s most photographed lighthouse, and the stunning Holland State Park beach.
Culture: The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is world-class, specifically the Diego Rivera murals.
The Riverfront: The Detroit Riverwalk is consistently voted the best in the nation. Rent a MoGo bike and ride from downtown to Belle Isle, an island park that houses a beautiful glass conservatory and aquarium.
Food Scene: Skip the chains. Head to Eastern Market on a Saturday morning for the ultimate sensory experience, then grab dinner in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood.
6. South Haven: The Classic Beach Town
The Vibe: Relaxed, Coastal, All-American.
South Haven is the quintessential Lake Michigan beach town. It’s where generations of Michiganders have gone to find the perfect balance of “sandy toes and sunset views.”
The Icons: No trip is complete without a walk down the pier to the South Haven Lighthouse, an iron-clad beauty that has stood since 1903. For the best beach experience, North Beach is the lively hub, while Van Buren State Park offers massive dunes and is perfect for anyone who wants a quieter escape.
Active Mornings: Rent a bike and hop on the Kal-Haven Trail, a 33-mile converted railroad path that winds through lush forests and blueberry farms all the way to Kalamazoo.
The “Local” Move: Visit Clementine’s downtown. It’s an old bank-turned-restaurant known for its massive onion rings (served on a peg) and “nautical-chic” decor.
7. Silver Lake Sand Dunes: The Adrenaline Capital
The Vibe: High-Energy, Desert-like, Thrilling.
Most of Michigan’s dunes are protected and “walking only,” but Silver Lake is a rare exception. This is one of the few places in the country where you can drive your own 4×4 vehicle directly onto the sand.
Ride the Dunes: If you don’t have a Jeep or an ATV, book a seat on a Mac Wood’s Dune Ride. It’s a 40-minute high-speed tour over the mountains of sand with incredible views of both Silver Lake and Lake Michigan.
The Landmark: Just south of the dunes sits Little Sable Point Lighthouse. It stands alone against a backdrop of golden sand and is one of the tallest lighthouses in the state.
Family Fun: This area is packed with go-kart tracks, zip lines, and “The Craig’s Cruisers” style family parks, making it the best choice for teenagers who might find a winery tour boring.
8. Grand Rapids: The Art & Hops Hub
The Vibe: Creative, Industrial-Cool, Culinary.
Voted “Beer City USA” year after year, Grand Rapids has evolved from a furniture-manufacturing hub into a world-class arts destination.
ArtPrize (Seasonal): If you visit in late September, the entire city becomes an art gallery for ArtPrize, the world’s largest open art competition. Works are displayed on bridges, in rivers, and inside office buildings.
The “Must-See”: The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a 158-acre masterpiece. It features a massive bronze horse by Da Vinci and a tropical conservatory that is the perfect refuge if you’re visiting during a chilly Michigan spring.
The Brewery Crawl: Start at Founders Brewing Co. for a “Dirty Bastard” Scotch Ale, then head to Brewery Vivant, located in a beautifully renovated historic funeral chapel that focuses on Belgian-style farmhouse ales.
Where to Go in Michigan by Season
Season
Best Destination
Why?
Spring
Holland
Millions of tulips at Tulip Time and the re-opening of Windmill Island Gardens.
Spring
Grand Rapids
The “Butterflies Are Blooming” exhibit at Meijer Gardens is the largest tropical butterfly exhibit in the nation.
Summer
Saugatuck
Oval Beach consistently ranks as a top-tier global beach, perfect for “Art Coast” gallery hopping.
Summer
South Haven
Prime blueberry season (National Blueberry Festival) and warm-water swimming at North Beach.
Summer
Silver Lake
Full access to the ORV dunes and Mac Wood’s Dune Rides when the weather is hottest.
Fall
M-22 / Traverse City
Unmatched foliage reflections on the Grand Traverse Bay and harvest season at the vineyards.
Fall
Grand Rapids
ArtPrize transforms the entire city into an open-air gallery, plus “Cider & Donut” runs at Robinette’s.
Winter
Petoskey
Skiing at Boyne Mountain and hunting for Petoskey stones along the icy, scenic shoreline.
Winter
Mackinac Island
For the “hardy” traveler: extreme peace, cross-country skiing, and a local-only vibe (ferry weather permitting).
How to Beat the Crowds
To enjoy these destinations without the stress of peak-season traffic, follow these six “Insider Rules”:
The Shoulder Season Window: Visit in late May or September. You get summer weather with half the crowds.
The 10-to-3 Rule: Arrive at major trailheads (like Sleeping Bear) by 8:00 AM. Most tourists arrive between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
Choose “Second Cities”: If Traverse City is full, stay in Elk Rapids. If Saugatuck is packed, stay in Fennville.
Directional Travel: When crossing the Mackinac Bridge, head East toward Drummond Island rather than West toward the busy Pictured Rocks.
The Mid-Week Pivot: Booking a Sunday–Tuesday stay can save you up to 40% on lodging and guarantee you a table at the best restaurants.
Inland Alternatives: Michigan has 11,000+ inland lakes. If the Lake Michigan beaches are full, head to Higgins Lake or Torch Lake for crystal-clear water.
How Will You Spend Your First Michigan Getaway?
At some point, this stops being a list and starts being a decision. Perhaps that’s a fall weekend in Traverse City, timed to the harvest and a drive along M-22, or a quieter trip to Mackinac Island when the crowds thin and the days shorten. Either way, choose one destination, put a date on the calendar, and go. The others aren’t going anywhere.
Speaking during the 2026 Pro Bowl festivities, the Lions quarterback made it clear he’s fully on board, and then some, calling the move a “home run hire.”
Goff has already done his homework, reaching out to players who have firsthand experience working with Petzing and diving into film to get a feel for what Detroit’s offense could look like moving forward.
Goff Did His Research on Petzing
Before Petzing ever stepped into Allen Park, Goff wanted to hear directly from people who knew him best. That included a check-in with Jacoby Brissett, who previously worked under Petzing in Arizona.
According to Goff, the feedback couldn’t have been stronger.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to about him prior to him being hired was glowing. In particular, quarterbacks who have played for him were glowing,” Goff said, via the Detroit Free Press. “I think the thing that excites me the most is going to be his versatility. He’s not tied to an offense.”
That flexibility is a big deal for a Lions unit that has thrived by adapting to its personnel rather than forcing players into rigid roles.
“We’re going to kind of run what we’re best at and what we should be doing, which, some of the stuff we’ve done the last few years, that’s worked,” Goff said.
Getting the Ball to Everyone Is the Real Challenge
One theme kept coming up in Goff’s comments: distribution.
Detroit’s offense is loaded with playmakers, and Goff acknowledged that managing those touches is one of the toughest parts of the job.
“And then I think he’s got the right personality and demeanor and teaching ability, and most importantly, his intelligence and mental dexterity, for lack of a better word, to be able to kind of handle not only the complexities of what we’re going to try to do, but, like, getting the ball to guys,” Goff said.
“That’s the hardest part of our offense. We’ve got so many mouths to feed and being able to spread it around in an efficient way.”
That ability to balance complexity with clarity is one of the reasons Goff believes Petzing is such a strong fit.
Expect Some Changes — But Not a Full Overhaul
While fans shouldn’t expect a brand-new offense overnight, Goff confirmed there will be adjustments — especially when it comes to terminology and process.
“Not from the ground up, but it’s always a reconstruction process to some degree,” Goff explained. “Regardless of if it’s the same coordinator or not, you go back, you look at what you were good at, what you weren’t good at, how you’d like to change certain things, whether it’s verbiage or process.”
That kind of yearly self-scout is nothing new for Detroit, but Petzing’s arrival adds a fresh perspective.
“So, yeah, you do all that stuff with him,” Goff said.
Early Buy-In From the Quarterback
Goff also revealed he’s already spent significant time studying Petzing’s offense, reinforcing the idea that this wasn’t just a résumé hire — it was a football fit.
The Lions aren’t looking to reinvent themselves. They’re looking to evolve. And judging by Goff’s enthusiasm, Petzing checks every box Detroit was searching for.
If the quarterback’s early reaction is any indication, the Lions believe they’ve found the right mind to guide an already dangerous offense into its next phase.
Washington — Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify in the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, ahead of expected votes in the House later this week on holding the pair in contempt of Congress.
In an email to the committee on Monday, the Clintons’ legal team said the former president and former secretary of state “accept the terms of your letter and will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates.”
“As has been the Committee’s practice, please confirm the House will not move forward with contempt proceedings, as the Chairman stated in his letter this morning,” said the email, which was obtained by CBS News.
Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, who chairs the oversight panel, said in a statement late Monday: “The Clintons’ counsel has said they agree to terms, but those terms lack clarity yet again and they have provided no dates for their depositions. The only reason they have said they agree to terms is because the House has moved forward with contempt. I will clarify the terms they are agreeing to and then discuss next steps with my committee members.”
The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the Clintons last year, but the pair called the subpoenas legally invalid and refused to appear before the panel, which is probing the Justice Department’s investigations into Epstein. The committee then recommended holding the Clintons in contempt in January.
Both contempt resolutions advanced out of the House Oversight Committee with bipartisan support, though more Democrats supported the one related to Bill Clinton, who has acknowledged previous interactions with Epstein.
Neither Clinton has been accused of any wrongdoing in the Epstein case.
In an effort to avoid the contempt of Congress votes, lawyers for the Clintons said in a Jan. 31 letter to the committee that the former president would agree to sit for a four-hour transcribed interview if it takes place in New York City and is “confined to matters related to the investigations and prosecutions” of Epstein. The former secretary of state would offer another sworn declaration to answer any questions the committee still has, the lawyers said. If the committee still requires her in-person testimony, her appearance should follow the same terms as her husband’s testimony, they said.
The Clintons’ legal team asked that the subpoenas and contempt resolutions be withdrawn if the conditions were agreed to.
Responding in a letter earlier Monday, Comer said the panel has “serious concerns” about the offer.
Comer argued the proposed scope of Bill Clinton’s testimony was too limited and “would result in your client answering few questions.” The other demands were “not reasonable” and “insufficient,” Comer said. Comer said the terms proposed for Hillary Clinton’s sworn declaration or appearance were also unacceptable.
The news of the Clintons’ offer was first delivered by Democratic Rep. James Walkinshaw of Virginia during Monday night’s House Rules Committee meeting, which was expected to advance the contempt resolutions and tee them up for floor votes in the coming days.
“I understand that the Clintons have agreed to appear for depositions and have agreed to the terms that you laid out in your most recent letter,” Walkinshaw told Comer as they both appeared before the committee.
Comer said he was unaware of the news. The Clintons’ attorney had emailed the committee with the offer while Comer was testifying, according to a committee aide.
Comer left the House Rules Committee, which briefly recessed for floor votes Monday, questioning the Clintons’ agreement.
“There is no offer. They texted us and said they accept our offer. There is no offer,” he told reporters. “What do they accept? … They said they would accept my offer. They sent an offer, and I rejected their offer.”
Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said the Clintons have now accepted “every single request” from Republicans on the terms of their testimony and urged Comer to respond with dates for their appearance.
“We’re going to find out right now if Chairman Comer actually wants to hear from the Clintons, or this is all a political, partisan witch hunt by Donald Trump,” Garcia told reporters Monday night.
GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the chairwoman of the House Rules Committee, said later Monday night that the panel would postpone further consideration of the contempt resolutions until it’s clarified “with the Clintons what they are actually agreeing to.”
“However, should there not be substantial compliance and agreement overnight, the committee will return to continue the hearing on the contempt,” she said.
The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the Clintons in August, along with former Justice Department officials dating back to George W. Bush’s administration. Since then, only Bill Barr, who served as attorney general during President Trump’s first term, has provided closed-door testimony to the committee, while the panel has accepted written statements from the others.
Comer has said the committee accepted statements from other former officials because they weren’t photographed with Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, “nor is there any evidence that they were directly involved in the investigation.”
The Clintons have accused Comer of treating them differently than other officials in an attempt to embarrass them and punish Mr. Trump’s political rivals.
The Justice Department released a massive trove of Epstein files last week that include mentions of a number of notable figures, including Bill Clinton and Mr. Trump.
Mr. Trump has also not been accused of any wrongdoing as it relates to the Epstein case.
Today, we’re taking you inside the Second Baptist Church of Detroit — the oldest historically Black church in Michigan, a former last stop on the Underground Railroad, and now a hub for human trafficking awareness and free STEAM education for Detroit kids.
I’m joined by Pastor Lawrence Rodgers to talk about nearly 190 years of history, how Greektown is transforming, and what it means to build a beloved community in Detroit right now.
In a moment when there’s intense pressure to gloss over or sanitize our past, it feels especially important to lift up institutions that didn’t just witness history, but made it — and are still doing the work right now.
To kick off Black History Month, I’m grounding you in the deep history of a Detroit church that was the last stop on the Underground Railroad — and is also building for the future.
Although Michigan became a “free state,” slave catchers were able to operate here because federal fugitive slave laws explicitly gave them that power and forced even free states to cooperate, putting people in the position of choosing between following the law and compromising their humanity.
“In fact, one of our very first pastors, William Monroe, was a member of the Underground Railroad and Second Baptist was the last stop. If you could make it to Second, we would hide you in the basement, and we had a member named George DeBaptist who owned a steamboat and we had a wagon with a false bottom.
When the slave catchers were away, we would put people in the wagon and drive them to the river and put them in the steamboat and help them to get across to what was called affectionately in hymns, in a codified way, Canaan’s Land. ‘To Canaan’s land I’m on my way, where the soul of man never dies.’ This means, ‘I’m going to Canada, where there is freedom.’”
The conversation also looks to the future, including their community programs and what they’re planning to do when the streetscape renovations are done in Detroit’s Greektown.
I hope you had a restful weekend. Let’s catch up on some stories you might have missed — and a story of how a Detroit church important to American history as the last stop on the Underground Railroad is still serving the community.
🏀 Let’s start out with some good news. The Pistons won 130-77 against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, with the 53-point margin the largest win in franchise history. The team is in first place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 36-12.
Plus, Jalen Duren has joined Cade Cunningham in being named to the NBA All-Star team, with the squad being coached by J.B. Bickerstaff. This is the first time since 2008 that the Pistons have had multiple All-Stars in the same year.
Back then it was Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace as reserves.
💼 Companies are putting the pedal to the metal on return-to-work mandates. The latest is Stellantis, which says its workers have to come back in five days a week starting March 30. [Business Insider]
🎓 Detroit startup MeetYourClass — a Gen Z-focused college social app — is buying Traverse City-based data consultancy SightLine in an all-stock deal, folding its predictive analytics into a nine-person Detroit team. The company says this will be an enrollment-intelligence platform for colleges, not just a campus social network. [Crain’s Detroit]
🏷️ A federal judge hit pause on a fast-tracked auction of downtown Detroit’s 99-year-old Leland House. This blocks a proposed sale, for now. The ruling blocks a proposed sale for now and buys displaced residents time, as the court questions the owners’ abrupt pivot from repairs to liquidation. As of this writing, tenants still haven’t been able to get their belongings after the building went dark. [Metro Times][ClickOnDetroit]
Updated Music Hall rendering
🎼 Detroit’s historic Music Hall landed a $20 million, 25-year partnership with newly rebranded Orsa Credit Union — and with it, a new name: Orsa Music Hall. The deal is part of a planned $165 million expansion on the currently empty lot next door, with a 1,900-seat concert hall, music academy, studios, and rooftop restaurant. [Model D][Detroit Free Press]
💸 A sitting 36th District Court judge and three Detroit-area co-defendants are accused of turning guardianship into a personal ATM. They allegedly siphoned hundreds of thousands from vulnerable wards via sham legal work, bogus rents, and redirected settlement checks, per a new federal indictment. Prosecutors say the group even used one ward’s $70,000 to buy a bar stake and another’s funds to lease a Ford Expedition. [DOJ]
🏘️ Detroit’s new seven-point homeless response has expanded 24/7 outreach, helplines, and drop-in beds, but families are still waiting months for shelter as homelessness — and time in the system — grow. Families are cycling through hotlines, standby shelters and crowded drop-in centers, with providers warning that without more truly affordable housing, Detroiters will remain stuck in an overwhelmed shelter network. [Bridge Detroit]
🏡 The Detroit Housing Commission is putting all 195 of its single-family homes up for sale. Current tenants will get first chance at buying at a discount, plus down payment and repair help from a new Rocket Community Fund partnership. [Outlier Media]
🎶 Detroit’s own CeCe Winans just picked up her 18th Grammy for “Come Jesus Come,” her collaboration with Shirley Caesar, which won Best Gospel Performance/Song.
This latest Grammy ties her with Aretha Franklin for second-most Grammys by a Detroit artist, behind only Stevie Wonder — and places her among the winningest women in Grammy history.
In a moment when there’s intense pressure to gloss over or sanitize our past, it feels especially important to lift up institutions that didn’t just witness history, but made it — and are still doing the work right now.
To kick off Black History Month, I’m grounding you in the deep history of a Detroit church that was the last stop on the Underground Railroad — and is also building for the future.
Although Michigan became a “free state,” slave catchers were able to operate here because federal fugitive slave laws explicitly gave them that power and forced even free states to cooperate, putting people in the position of choosing between following the law and compromising their humanity.
“In fact, one of our very first pastors, William Monroe, was a member of the Underground Railroad and Second Baptist was the last stop. If you could make it to Second, we would hide you in the basement, and we had a member named George DeBaptist who owned a steamboat and we had a wagon with a false bottom.
When the slave catchers were away, we would put people in the wagon and drive them to the river and put them in the steamboat and help them to get across to what was called affectionately in hymns, in a codified way, Canaan’s Land. ‘To Canaan’s land I’m on my way, where the soul of man never dies.’ This means, ‘I’m going to Canada, where there is freedom.’”
The conversation also looks to the future, including their community programs and what they’re planning to do when the streetscape renovations are done in Detroit’s Greektown.
Remember that our work is powered by the community, so if you’re able, chip in and get some neat Daily Detroit swag like our sticker set.
That’s it for tonight. I’m working hard to do more of these, and thousands of you are now reading these words. It’s an honor to be able to do this.
Remember that you are somebody,
-Jer
p.s. You don’t think I’d leave you without a track? Here’s some house-infused Stevie Wonder from Ibiza, courtesy of the legendary UK DJ and producer Carl Cox. Of course, the original “As” is a masterpiece, but I wanted to give you a little extra energy because we have to have joy to make it through.
U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar announced plans on Monday to introduce articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi, the latest in a string of impeachment efforts that have gone nowhere and come as he seeks reelection.
The Detroit Democrat accused Bondi of conspiring to cover up the release of files tied to Jeffrey Epstein, defying a congressional mandate to release those records, abusing her authority to pressure Minnesota for voter registration rolls and other sensitive data, and “weaponizing” the Justice Department to target political opponents of President Donald Trump.
“The Department of Justice’s role is to uphold the rule of law impartially and protect the American people, but time and time again, Attorney General Pam Bondi has placed her loyalty to President Trump over her constitutional duty,” Thanedar — who represents Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, which includes Detroit, Downriver and the Grosse Pointes — said in a statement. “From illegally withholding the Epstein files past the required deadline, to trying to coerce Minnesota into turning over its state voter files, to weaponizing the Department of Justice against Donald Trump’s political opponents, she has disgraced the office she holds. Congress must use every tool of accountability to uphold our oath to defend the Constitution.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Credit: Courtesy photo
The announcement follows two recent impeachment pushes by Thanedar that failed to gain traction.
Thanedar’s latest impeachment push targets an attorney general with a polarizing record. Bondi has repeatedly drawn criticism for spreading false claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. Government watchdog groups and Democratic lawmakers have also questioned her political independence because of her long-standing ties to Trump and her role as a campaign surrogate and fundraiser.
Critics have also argued that Bondi is using her position to go after Trump critics.
Bondi has not yet publicly responded to Thanedar’s impeachment announcement.
Paul McCartney: Man on the Run, in Movie Theaters for ONE NIGHT ONLY, Limited screenings on Thursday, February 19th.
WCSX has your chance to win FREE passes to the premier!Register below for your chance to win!
Paul McCartney: Man on the Run comes to movie theaters nationwide for one night only!
Screening on Thursday February 19, Tickets go on sale Wednesday, February 4th.
Man on the Run captures Paul’s transformative decade in the wake of The Beatles’ break-up.
Featuring interviews with Mick Jagger, Chrissie Hynde, Sean Ono Lennon, Mary and Stella McCartney, all the living Wings members, and Paul himself
Includes a bonus conversation with Paul McCartney & director Morgan Neville, exclusive to movie theaters!
Paul McCartney: Man on the Run The New Documentary Chronicling Paul McCartney and Wings’ 1970s Ascension, Directed by Morgan Neville Released In Cinemas For One Day Only, Thursday 19th February By Trafalgar Releasing Tickets On Sale From 4th February at manontherun.film
Register below for your chance to win FREE passes to the February 19th premier!
Contest details: For this contest, enter online at wcsx.com by completing the entry form between 6:00amEastern Standard Time (ET) on Monday February 2, 2026 and 11:00pm Eastern Standard Time (ET) on Friday February 13, 2026. WCSX will randomly select up to Five (5) winners on Monday February 16, 2026 and upon verification, will receive PRIZE. The Approximate Retail Value (‘ARV’) is $TBD. Up to Five (5) prize winners will be selected as described. Courtesy of WCSX. WCSX’s General Contest Rules apply and are available by Here General Contest Rules – 94.7 WCSX
Devon, Norris, and Jer tackle three topics live at the Detroit Policy Conference. First, we get into lunch spots we like and are disappointed by recently.
Then, there’s a proposal to provide transit to all of the cities in Wayne County, as currently a number of communities have no connecting service. We talk about how this is the base layer to the cake of transit.
Then, there’s some ideas around overhauling the city of Detroit’s tax structure, including a possible excise tax in greater downtown to provide more money for the neighborhoods.
Today’s show was recorded live at the Detroit Policy Conference put on by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Listen on Apple Podcasts.
Feedback as always – dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211.
