News@noon: Searching for answers in Orlando
Today is Monday, June 13, 2016, and police are still searching for answers in the mass shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub, the deadliest in modern U.S. history. The last of the bodies were removed late last night although not all of the survivors have been identified. Authorities say suspect Omar Mateen emerged, carrying an AR-15 and fired relentlessly — 20 rounds, 40, then 50 and more. In such tight quarters, the bullets could hardly miss. He shot at police. He took hostages.
The reaction was swift around the world. Here in Metro Detroit, hundreds gathered in Ferndale to honor those who were killed and injured in the attack.
It didn't take long for things to get political: For Donald Trump, the mass shooting in Florida was a moment to redouble his call for banning Muslims and to take credit for “being right” about the threat. For Hillary Clinton, it was a time to choose words carefully and reiterate her call for keeping “weapons of war” off America’s streets.
Here's what else we're following today:
Goodbye Gordie
- Gordie Howe’s visitation and funeral will be open to the public.The visitation is scheduled for Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena.
- Do you have a favorite memory of Red Wings great Gordie Howe? Share it with us and your comments could appear in the paper.
- Here's all of our coverage about Mr. Hockey
Sanford lawyer under fire
- The attorney who convinced 14-year-old Davontae Sanford to plead guilty to four drug house murders he didn’t commit is trying to get his law license back after it was suspended for breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house.
- Robert Slameka also lost his driver’s license years ago because he owed more than $600 in unpaid parking tickets. At a recent Michigan Attorney Discipline Board hearing to determine whether to restore his law license, Slameka blamed his “drunken” wife for the 42 outstanding infractions, saying she would become intoxicated and throw the tickets away without telling him. There was a hole in his story, though: His wife was dead when the tickets were issued.
Award-winners
- “Hamilton,” the hip-hop stage biography of Alexander Hamilton with a Detroit connection, won the 2016 Tony Award for best new musical. Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda took home 11 awards, one shy of the record.
- The team Red Wings fans love to hate who won the Stanley Cup last night. And Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby was playoff MVP.
A philanthropist gone
Marjorie Switow Fisher, co-founder of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, based her philanthropy around a simple phrase: “All giving starts with your heart ... and then you use your head.” Fisher died at 92 in her Palm Beach home.
A historic run
- Rookie Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer has now gone four straight starts without giving up a run in at least six innings of work. According to Elias Sports Bureau, he and the Cubs Jake Arrieta are the only pitchers since 1893 when the mound was moved to 60 feet, six inches, to post four straight scoreless starts of at least six innings with three hits or less.
- Fulmer hung another row of zeros Sunday, blanking the Yankees on two hits over six innings in the Tigers 4-1 win. It was the third straight series win for the Tigers.
Aviation fascination
- The pilots donated their time, their money and their planes. The kids brought their enthusiasm and smiles. That meant a new experience for dozens of Metro Detroit youths on Sunday, when the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program came to Detroit City Airport.
Welcome, Tundra
- A polar bear named Tundra is prepping to make the trek east to her new home at the Detroit Zoo. The 29-year-old veteran of the Indianapolis Zoo will be relocated to Detroit this summer when her current home permanently closes its polar bear exhibit, according to officials there.
Miked Up
- In this week's podcast, the Mikes dream up what they'd put in our own car condos, and discuss the latest battle in the Chevy vs. Ford truck rivalry.
Detroit News at noon is a daily roundup of the most talked-about stories on detroitnews.com. For more anytime, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram (@detroitnews), Snapchat (Search for "Detroitnews") and LinkedIn.
Don't forget: You can enter the Celebrate Michigan photo contest by sending us your best photos from around the state. We pick four finalists every Wednesday (here are last week's). Winners will get some pretty great prizes (including a first-place prize of a two-night stay for two at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island). If you need some more inspiration, here are last year's winners and finalists.
Dish & Design is also back, and this time it comes with a "taste of Italy." Treat yourself to an evening of food, wine and home decor on June 22 from 6-9 p.m. in Bloomfield Hills. Join us as experts from Hillside Furniture, EuroAmerica Design and more show you how to bring a little bit of Italy to your home. Food and wine is included. You can enter to win tickets here. Or don't wait and get tickets here for $10 each.