Investigations

Detroit overwhelmed with dogs chained up across city

In August, Detroit Animal Care and Control took in 790 unwanted dogs -- a new record.

Detroit firefighter accused of taking nude photos at work is back on the job

A Detroit firefighter who was investigated after nude photos of him at work appeared on social media is back on the job.

Court rules new evidence in Danielle Stislicki murder case can’t be used

It’s a major blow to the prosecution and a huge win for Floyd Galloway, the former security guard charged with Stislicki’s murder.

Judge dismisses charges against 6 MDOC employees in death of Michigan prisoner

A judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against six former Michigan Department of Corrections employees in the death of an inmate in 2019.

Prison employees could stand trial in Michigan prisoner’s dehydration death

Several Michigan Department of Corrections employees could find themselves locked up in the very system they worked for.

How Michigan State students, police solved the cold case murder of 16-year-old Kimberly Louiselle

The family of 16-year-old Kimberly Louiselle finally has answers 41 years after the teen was found murdered in Livingston County.

Hear from employee who says kids at psychiatric hospital weren’t allowed outside for months

Local 4 spoke with an employee from a psychiatric hospital who revealed major concerns about the care being given to its children.

Michigan AG finds no criminal violations in unannounced active shooter drill at Hawthorn Center

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office has determined that there were no criminal violations after reviewing an unannounced active shooter drill at a psychiatric hospital for children in Wayne County.

Employee says children at Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital weren’t allowed outside for months

A state employee has raised concerns about how children are being cared for at the Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital in Westland.

How the FBI’s Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team helps in kidnapping cases

FBI agent Michael Glennon is part of a team that’s deployed specifically when a child is kidnapped.

Detroit firefighters say there aren’t enough vehicles, rigs don’t always have proper equipment

There are questions being raised about issues at the Detroit Fire Department. There are not enough vehicles, rigs are missing equipment, and firefighters are concerned.

‘I’ll do the rest of my life in prison’: Watch police arrest, question Wynter Cole Smith’s accused kidnapper

When police arrested the man suspected of kidnapping Wynter Cole Smith, the 2-year-old girl was nowhere to be found. Now, Local 4 has obtained exclusive video showing the car chase, arrest, and conversation between officers and Rashad Trice.

13 patients broke out of Michigan psychiatric hospital for kids over last 3.5 years

Over the last three and a half years thirteen patients broke out of a state-run psychiatric hospital for children in Northville Township.

Emails give insight into response after active shooter drill at Michigan psych hospital for kids

Emails sent between state administrators and employees inside a child psychiatric hospital in Michigan give insight into the response after an unannounced active shooter drill.

‘It smells like death’: Adrian residents want answers as egg smell lingers from manufacturing plant

Adrian residents have been plugging their noses and raising their voices over the continuing smell from a powdered egg manufacturing plant.

It’s easier to buy an alligator here in Michigan than in Florida. Much easier.

Alligators live in the hot, swampy south: Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. They can’t survive Michigan winters.

Alligators are being shipped to sanctuary in Michigan when they grow too big, become dangerous

Alligators that have grown too big and become too dangerous for others to handle are being shipped to an alligator sanctuary in Michigan.

Complaint had been filed against Huron Township developer who was cutting down trees without permit

State officials did not address a complaint a resident had filed against a developer in Huron Township who was cutting down trees in a wetland area.

New Baltimore residents say construction in wetlands area could bring more disastrous flooding

People living in New Baltimore said more construction in a wetlands area could bring more disastrous flooding.

Developer hit with violation notice for cutting down trees in Huron Township without final permit

A developer in Huron Township has been issued a violation notice by the state for cutting down trees without a final permit.

Employee held at gunpoint during unannounced active shooter drill at Michigan psych hospital files lawsuit

An employee who was instructed to walk through the Hawthorn Center during an unannounced active shooter drill is suing the state for the impact he said that traumatic experience has had on his life.

Inside the Investigation: Dogs being killed by police in Detroit

Detroit animal rescuers said the issue is complicated. But why is it happening? And what can be done to solve the problem?

Stinky situation causes City of Adrian to go to court as air has ‘Death smell’

A stinky situation in Adrian has caused quite an uproar, as community members said the funk smelled like death.

Detroit police shot, killed 74 dogs over 3 years: Here’s how a nonprofit is working to protect dogs

The number of dogs shot and killed by Detroit police officers has steadily increased over the last three years.

Michigan family takes legal action after funeral home doesn’t return father’s ashes

Families say Detroit cemetery lost headstones, moved grave markers of their loved ones

Dozens of families feel betrayed by Detroit cemetery

Grave markers moved, missing headstones: Problems plague Detroit cemetery

Nonprofit helps human trafficking survivors clear their criminal records

Does Line 5 put Michigan’s Great Lakes at risk for a ‘catastrophic’ oil spill?