LARRY SPRUILL

Protecting people is what the Detroit Bodyguard Protection Unit on West 8 Mile Road is all about.

Newly hired Westland police officer Sebastian Lavasile is in trouble.

Here’s what’s coming up on Local 4 News at 6

Here are this morning's top stories.

Communities across Metro Detroit are still dealing with damage from Friday’s storms as more severe weather is expected Saturday.

WDIV/Local 4 hosted its “Coronavirus Crisis: The Vaccines” special Wednesday night.

The state is reporting more young people are getting COVID. The city of Detroit said they’re seeing young adults between 20-39, testing positive due to various reasons.

Thursday was a huge night for 40 professionals under the age of 40 throughout Metro Detroit.

WDIV-Local 4, in keeping with the station’s initiative of “Celebrating Black History” throughout February, aired a primetime special called “History 4 All” on Wednesday, Feb. 24. You can watch the full special in the video above. From what should be taught in our schools’ history classes to why we still need Black History Month, Local 4′s anchors and reporters highlight topics impacting on our local communities and beyond. “Our hope is that these in-depth stories will spark conversations about how we all benefit from a diverse community like we have here in Metro Detroit,” said Vice President and General Manager Marla Drutz. This hour-long special was hosted by Devin Scillian and Kimberly Gill, and featured stories from them, as well as Rhonda Walker, Evrod Cassimy, Paula Tutman, Steve Garagiola, Larry Spruill, Victor Williams and Jamie Edmonds.

WDIV-Local 4, in keeping with the station’s initiative of “Celebrating Black History” throughout February, will air a primetime special called “History 4 All” on Wednesday, February 24 at 8 p.m.Watch it on Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit -- it will stream here:From what should be taught in our schools’ history classes to why we still need Black History Month, Local 4′s anchors and reporters highlight topics impacting on our local communities and beyond. “Our hope is that these in-depth stories will spark conversations about how we all benefit from a diverse community like we have here in Metro Detroit,” said Vice President and General Manager Marla Drutz. This hour-long special is hosted by Devin Scillian and Kimberly Gill, and features stories from them, as well as Rhonda Walker, Evrod Cassimy, Paula Tutman, Steve Garagiola, Larry Spruill, Victor Williams and Jamie Edmonds. Stories include:AdChanges in the corporate world in response to 2020′s civil unrestLesser known Underground Railroad sites in Metro DetroitDiversity in the front office of sport teams and why the Lions and Pistons are leading the wayMotown’s programs for young musicians and singersWDIV’s “History 4 All” special airs Wednesday, February 24 at 8 p.m. on Local 4.

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – Neighbors in Madison Heights are upset after a shooting happened at a motel just feet away from their homes. People say shots went everywhere hitting several homes and now they are trying to figure out what happened. On Tuesday, Raquel Delinski had a lot of questions about a bullet hole in the side of her Madison Heights home. Delinski told Local 4 News she heard multiple gun shots last week from a Knights Inn in Madison Heights. Officers say the suspect tried to hit them with his car and they fired multiple shots in self defense.

WDIV-Local 4 is the proud presenting sponsor of Eleanor’s Virtual March 4 Hope on Sunday. RegisterTo get started, register at https://www.focushope.edu/weekend-register/There is no registration fee or minimum donation required to participate in Eleanor’s Virtual March 4 HOPE. Share Your MarchWe hope you’ll share your March experience with us! (No in-person event will be held at Focus: HOPE). You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by Focus: HOPE or the person

DETROIT Local 4s Hank Winchester and Larry Spruill reported live in Downtown Detroit at Saturdays March Against Police Brutality protest. EARLIER COVERAGE: A ground-level look at Saturdays demonstrations, protests in Downtown DetroitOne 21-year-old man from Eastpointe was shot and killed during Fridays protest Downtown. Detroit Police Chief James Craig says there is no indication that the shooting was related to the protests. When protestors began to approach the Detroit Police Department Headquarters, Craig said they began throw bricks, rocks, fireworks and firecrackers. Craig told Local 4 that the DPD supports the issue, but had to take action when the demonstration began to threaten public safety.

DETROIT Local 4s Victor Williams and Larry Spruill were live in Downtown Detroit during the citys third day of protests. Fridays march in Detroit began peacefully around 4 p.m. but later became more chaotic -- like many other protests taking place around the country. Detroit Police Chief James Craig says there is no indication that the shooting was related to the protests. FRIDAY PROTESTS: 1 killed, multiple arrests made during protests in Downtown DetroitSaturdays protests also began peacefully, but police said demonstrators became agitated as they were forced to keep distance from DPD headquarters. Both Craig and Duggan say they will not tolerate any violence in Detroit amid the protests Downtown.

DETROIT Local 4s Hank Winchester and Larry Spruill reported live in Downtown Detroit at Saturdays March Against Police Brutality protest. Fridays march in Detroit began peacefully around 4 p.m. but later became more chaotic -- like many other protests taking place around the country. Multiple Detroit police vehicles were damaged and more than 60 demonstrators were taken into police custody Friday night and into Saturday morning. MORE: 1 killed, multiple arrests made during protests in Downtown DetroitOne 21-year-old man from Eastpointe was shot and killed during Fridays protest Downtown. Detroit police have increased their presence for Saturdays protest, but they expect it to remain peaceful.

DETROIT The coronavirus has brought along tough times for pretty much everyone, including organizations that depend on donations such as nonprofits. We offer showers, washer and dryers, they have access to a computer lab, food pantry, clothing closet, virtual programming, she said. Portia Roberson with Focus: HOPE also talked about how organizations are coming up with unique ways to serve the community. We were able to pivot very quickly and I think it made all the difference in the world, said Roberson. Those donations played a huge factor during the crisis, but as always donations especially for nonprofits are needed.

DETROIT – A new website is helping frontline workers battling the coronavirus pandemic in Metro Detroit. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 50,079 as of Saturday morning, including 4,825 deaths, state officials report. Local 4 reporter Larry Spruill has more on the site. You can his full report below.

DETROIT – It’s seems the word “normal” is changing by the day -- even by the hour -- as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Tuesday is day one of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order, so Local 4 asked its reporters in the field to describe what it’s like out in the world. Paula Tutman, Larry Spruill, Rod Meloni and Jamie Edmonds weighed in. You can hear what they had to say in the video posted above.

Local 4 reporters talk about what it’s like in the field with Michigan residents staying at homePublished: March 24, 2020, 5:46 pmIt’s seems the word “normal” is changing by the day -- even by the hour -- as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Small Business Saturday is the annual holiday shopping season day devoted to shopping local. The Michigan Wolverines are taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday at noon in Ann Arbor. Local 4′s Larry Spruill was live in Ann Arbor this morning as cars started lining up to begin tailgating. Thanksgiving weekend continues to be chilly. Both snow and rain are in today’s forecast.

Local 4' s Larry Spruill and Sandra Ali at the " America's Got Talent " watch party to support the Detroit Youth Choir in the finals. ( WDIV )Hide Caption

DETROIT - The owner of the dogs that mauled a 9-year-old girl to death is free on bond. Local 4 was there as family members led Pierre Cleveland from the Wayne County lockup after he posted his $20,000 bond. Cleveland walked out of the Division III at the William Dickerson Detention Facility at 3 p.m. Monday afternoon. Local 4's Larry Spruill asked Cleveland if he had anything to say to the Hernandez family. His bond was originally set at $2 million, but a judge lowered that bond Friday to $20,000, with a requirement that he must wear a GPS monitor.

We report on shootings often in our news business, but as the morning continued, the numbers increased. We first heard 2 dead, 12 injured, then 4 dead, 14 injured.. Now as I sit here in Dayton, Ohio, writing this blog. Yesterday, the city held a prayer vigil, and thousands of people packed Downtown Dayton, I honestly can say, that prayer vigil was the toughest and most emotional prayer vigil Ive ever covered. I talked to dozens of people here in Dayton, Ohio. All Morning -- Warm & Muggy ForecastTuesday will be warm and muggy with more scattered rain and thunderstorms.

We first heard 2 dead, 12 injured, then 4 dead, 14 injured.. Now as I sit here in Dayton, Ohio, writing this blog. Yesterday, the city held a prayer vigil, and thousands of people packed Downtown Dayton, I honestly can say, that prayer vigil was the toughest and most emotional prayer vigil Ive ever covered. I talked to dozens of people here in Dayton, Ohio. Here's what's coming up Tuesday, August 6th, 2019 on Local 4 News Today. Be sure to watch daily at 6 a.m. and click this link to enter for a chance to win.

(Photo: Natasha Dado)DETROIT - ClickOnDetroit Morning Briefing -- July 28, 2019Firefighters are working to contain a large fire that happened at a home on Joseph Campeau near St. Joseph just north of Mack and Gratiot. The Autism Hero Walk is taking place Sunday at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. Local 4's Larry Spruill was live from outside the Detroit Zoo this morning. LOCAL 4 Traffic Traffic: Weekend construction guide Multiple freeways will close in Metro Detroit for construction this weekend. Always check the live Traffic Map here.

The Autism Hero Walk is taking place Sunday at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak. The annual event attracts thousands of participants. It is held in support of people with autism and their families. Local 4's Larry Spruill was live from outside the Detroit Zoo this morning. Watch the video above for his full report.

DETROIT - Thousands of young professionals gathered inside Cobo Hall this weekend for the NAACP National Conference. The NAACP NEXT/GEN Program is an internal leadership development training for young adult NAACP members between ages 21 and 35 to receive comprehensive trainings to develop leadership competencies on becoming effective leaders in the NAACP. General Motors hosted the Next Gen workshop, as a way to target young adults. GM minority dealer portfolio continues to lead the industry. General Motors partners with NAACP for Next Generation program workshop July 20, 2019.

DETROIT - Thousands of young professionals gathered inside Cobo Hall this weekend for the NAACP National Conference. The NAACP NEXT/GEN Program is an internal leadership development training for young adult NAACP members between ages 21 and 35 to receive comprehensive training to develop leadership competencies on becoming effective leaders in the NAACP. General Motors hosted the Next Gen workshop as a way to target young adults. GM minority dealer portfolio continues to lead the industry. General Motors partners with NAACP for Next Generation program workshop July 20, 2019.