News@noon: Is a fireworks ban a good plan?
Today is Wednesday, June 29, 2016, and Francis Donnelly has a sad story to share this morning:
Riley Spitler, then 16, thought the gun was empty when he jokingly pointed it at his 20-year-old brother and pulled the trigger. The bullet struck Patrick in the heart, killing him. Riley was later convicted of second-degree murder and, three months ago, was sentenced to up to 46 years in prison.
Their parents are preparing to appeal the verdict to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Was it a mistake? Or were Riley's actions worth such a long prison sentence?
Here's what else is making news today:
Terror in Turkey
- Suicide attackers armed with guns and bombs killed 41 people and wounded hundreds at Istanbul’s busy Ataturk Airport, apparently targeting Turkey’s crucial tourism industry. The government blamed the attack on Islamic State extremists but there was no immediate confirmation from the group.
A fireworks ban
- With the dry weather gripping much of Michigan, local municipalities are considering a fireworks and burning ban heading into the Fourth of July weekend. One community has already done it.
- Regardless, if you decide to use fireworks, please remember to be careful. The Detroit Fire Department took some time to remind people of this during their annual fire safety demonstration. And the pictures tell you everything you need to know.
Abandoned dog update
A dog found abandoned in a crate sealed inside a garbage bag will be fostered through a local rescue group while her case is pending. The pup, now named Gladys, was found Sunday outside the Woodhaven and Trenton Animal Shelter door. She was locked inside a crate wrapped in a black plastic bag on a day that saw temperatures near 90 degrees. Police are still looking for the woman who abandoned her.
Schuette on duty
- Attorney General Bill Schuette continues to wage a court battle over the Environmental Protection Agency’s mercury pollution controls for coal-fired power plants despite compliance by Michigan’s biggest utility companies and Gov. Rick Snyder disassociating himself with Schuette’s lawsuit. Schuette said Wednesday he’s fighting the way President Barack Obama’s EPA went around Congress to push the emissions restrictions onto states.
Haunting dispatch calls
- Police dispatchers heard repeated gunfire, screaming and moaning from patrons of the Pulse nightclub who called to report that gunman Omar Mateen was opening fire inside the club, according to written logs released Tuesday.
Building a bridge with art
- Artist Nicole MacDonald enjoys seeing her work in galleries — and she’s been in plenty of them from Detroit to the Netherlands. Seeing her paintings grace the boarded up windows of Big B Liquor Party Store is quite another experience. MacDonald’s public art is serving an important new purpose, her patrons contend. Her big, loving portraits of Detroit people and places serve as a bridge between old and new residents, preserving local history at a time of growing concerns about gentrification.
Celebrate Michigan with us
- We've got a new batch of finalists for our 2016 Celebrate Michigan contest. But there's plenty of time for you to enter. Send in your photos here. If you need some inspiration, check out this gallery.
- If gardening is more your style, we want to reward you with the 2016 Homestyle Garden Photo Contest. Send in your photos here and you could win a $100 gift certificate to English Gardens.
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.