Verification & What We Know
37 storiesTo explain those issues, the page uses fact checks, source-based updates, what-we-know summaries and correction timelines, organized around evidence review and misinformation checks. The value of Verification & What We Know is showing how a change reaches residents, businesses or institutions.
Feature Access Is Unavailable in the Visitor's Country
Visitors in some countries are seeing a location-restriction notice on the Observer and Eccentric Newspapers and Hometown Weeklies website. The message gives support instructions, but the cause, timeline and wider scope remain unverified.
Federal judge throws out Michigan antitrust suit against oil giants
A federal judge in Michigan has tossed out the state's antitrust case against BP, Chevron, Exxon, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute, ruling the alleged impact on energy prices is too distant to support damages or an injunction.
Milford man awaits federal sentencing for directing child exploitation overseas
A Milford man has admitted in federal court to paying for the sexual abuse of children abroad. He faces up to 30 years in prison, with sentencing set for January in Detroit.
Michigan Supreme Court removes thousands from sex offender registry
Nearly 20,000 names have been wiped from Michigan's public sex offender registry after a Supreme Court ruling limited listings to crimes after July 1, 2011. The public list is now almost half its former size.
Detroit Adult Day Care Operator Charged in $4.75M Medicare Fraud Case
A Detroit adult day care administrator faces federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a $4.75 million Medicare fraud scheme involving false psychotherapy claims at a center owned by his wife.
Power Outage Shuts Down Michigan State University Dining Halls and Events
A widespread power outage at Michigan State University in East Lansing closed all campus dining locations and canceled a scheduled performance at the Wharton Center on Saturday afternoon.
Five Below agrees to $179,500 settlement over pricing violations in Michigan
Five Below will pay $179,500 to Michigan after state investigators found repeated overcharging and missing price tags at stores in Southeast Michigan. The retailer must now implement stricter pricing controls and undergo independent audits.
Security Checks Slow Down Access to WENG Radio Website
Visitors to www.wengradio.com are running into long waits at a security verification page, with delays often worse for those on older computers or slow connections.
Michigan High School Faces Backlash Over Menstrual Cycle Policy
Lakeview High School in Michigan is under scrutiny after parents objected to a gym class rule requiring girls to report menstrual cycle details to make up missed swimming days, raising questions about privacy and fairness.
Former Oakland County Doctor Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison
Lincoln Erickson of Farmington Hills was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving child pornography. The case, prosecuted federally, requires sex offender registration and has drawn attention from local and regional authorities.
Acquitted Michigan Brothers Sue Over Whitmer Kidnapping Charges
Michael and William Null, cleared of involvement in the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, are suing state and local officials for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations after their 2023 acquittal.
Sterling Heights Roundabout Has Most Crashes of Any Michigan Intersection in 2025
A roundabout in Sterling Heights saw more crashes than any other intersection in Michigan in 2025, according to new state police data. The report pinpoints where drivers are most likely to get into collisions.
Cloudflare Security Blocks Disrupt Access to Local Websites
Some users are being blocked from websites protected by Cloudflare, often after submitting certain data or forms. The block can affect anyone and usually requires contacting the site owner to resolve.
Fifth Third Bank finalizes Comerica merger and updates customer access
Fifth Third Bank has completed its merger with Comerica Bank, moving 600000 accounts and nearly 300 branches to its system. Former Comerica customers now face new login steps and expanded branch access across five states.
Two Bloomfield Township Boys Critically Hurt in E Motorcycle Crash
Two 13-year-olds from Bloomfield Township remain in critical condition after being struck by a Ford F-250 while riding an electric motorcycle through a crosswalk on South Telegraph Road on Labor Day
Detroit Police Chief Faces Scrutiny Over Call to Activist
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison is under public scrutiny after contacting activist Jahdante Smith about social media posts involving city officials, raising questions about the boundaries between personal and official conduct
Detroit tornado leaves trail of destruction in rare city event
A powerful EF2 tornado struck Detroit for the first time in nearly three decades, damaging homes, businesses and parks along a 3.5-mile path. Residents are urged to avoid downed power lines as cleanup continues.
Nearly 280,000 Lose Power as Severe Storms Hit Southeast Michigan
Tornado warnings and damaging winds swept through southeast Michigan Thursday, toppling trees, halting school dismissals, and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity as utility crews raced to restore service
Federal Order Halting Invasive Carp Project Lifted After Whitmer-Trump Call
Work on the Brandon Road Interbasin Project to block invasive carp from Lake Michigan resumed after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer directly appealed to President Donald Trump, highlighting the urgency as carp were detected just 80 miles from the lake.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Issued for Parts of Southeast Michigan
Oakland and Livingston counties face severe thunderstorm warnings until 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, while most other Metro Detroit counties remain under no active alerts. Residents are urged to monitor conditions as storms move through the region.
Farmington Hills Woman Charged With Wire Fraud Over False Bank Claims
Federal prosecutors allege Shannon Monet Steel misled investors with fake bank documents and false claims of diplomatic status. The case centers on a $200,000 investment and a non-existent bank in Farmington Hills.
Farmington Hills Woman Charged in $200,000 Investment Fraud Scheme
Federal prosecutors allege Shannon Monet Steel posed as an ambassador and bank owner to defraud a California investor out of $200,000. The case highlights ongoing federal efforts to address complex financial fraud in Metro Detroit.
Fact Check: Did John James Vote to Raise Health Costs in Michigan?
As Michigan's gubernatorial race heats up, claims about U.S. Rep. John James' voting record on healthcare costs have become a central issue, with both campaigns pointing to recent legislation and premium increases affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.
Noncitizen Voting Claims Raise Election Security Debate Ahead of Midterms
As the November midterm elections approach, claims about noncitizen voting are fueling new debates over election security, with officials in several states responding to federal allegations and proposed legislation that could affect voter registration requirements.
Fact Check: Rogers' Pharma Industry Ties Scrutinized in Senate Race
Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers faces renewed scrutiny over past pharmaceutical industry donations and legislative advocacy, as rival Abdul El-Sayed adjusts his campaign attacks following a cease and desist letter
Residency Questions Follow Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race
As Mike Rogers campaigns for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat, Democrats are raising concerns about his recent years spent in Florida and his current residency status. Rogers maintains a home in Michigan and is listed as a registered voter there.
Eastbound I-696 in Oakland County Set to Reopen by Year's End
After nearly 18 months of closures, eastbound I-696 between M-10 and I-75 in Oakland County is expected to reopen before the end of 2026, restoring a key route for thousands of daily commuters and easing local congestion
American Arab Chamber Director Fired Amid Investigation of Missing Funds
The American Arab Chamber of Commerce in Dearborn has dismissed Executive Director Bilal Hammoud after discovering unaccounted funds, with authorities now investigating possible misdirection of state economic development grants.
Michigan's Line 5 Pipeline Future Uncertain After Court Ruling
Michigan's Line 5 pipeline remains in limbo as legal battles and permit reviews continue. Recent court decisions have blocked tunnel construction, leaving the pipeline's fate unresolved for residents and businesses across the state.
Michigan Voters to Decide on Utility Political Donation Ban in November
A statewide ballot proposal could bar major utilities and large state contractors from making political donations in Michigan, raising questions about free speech and campaign finance rules ahead of the November 3 election.
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