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ROD MELONI

With billions at stake, Gov. Whitmer and Michigan Republicans refuse to budge

DETROIT – For a year now the governor and Michigan Legislature have sparred over how to handle the COVID crisis. UPDATE March 9, 2021: Whitmer signs $2.5 billion in COVID-19 relief fundingMost recently the Republican controlled body passed a $4 billion supplemental budget with many strings attached that would require Michigan Gov. They know that is never going to happen and it is just really sad,” said Whitmer. Working with this governor simply means complying,” said Owosso. “The governor is going to have to realize going it alone and shooting from the hip ruling by press conference has to stop.

Rod the Builder vs. Steve Garagiola in classic Italian cook-off (with recipes)

Rod Meloni is turning in his reporter notepad for a Rod the Builder apron and challenging our own Steve Garagiola to an Italian cook-off! ½ cup Parmesan cheeseCroutonsDirections :In a mixing bowl, dice anchovy fillets into nearly a paste. Toasted ravioli :Toasted ravioli (WDIV)If you ever visit St. Louis, go The Hill for Italian food. Mickey said, “Hey, with a little parmesan cheese and sauce, these would be great!”A tradition was born. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving.

Rod the Builder competes against Steve Garagiola in Friday’s challenge

DETROIT – We hope you’re craving Italian food this Friday -- and you likely will be with this year’s Rod the Builder challenge. It’s a tradition everyone in the Local 4 newsroom looks forward to on the day after Thanksgiving, as business editor Rod Meloni turns in his reporter notepad for his Rod the Builder apron. This year, Rod the Builder has his work cut out for him as he heads into the kitchen to compete against Steve Garagiola. I don’t know how much Rod cooks but he is Italian. You can watch the Rod the Builder challenge Friday on Local 4 News at Noon, 4, 5 and 6, and on ClickOnDetroit.com.

Local aviation industry taking off again after early pandemic turbulence

DETROIT – Since March the coronavirus pandemic has hurt the American commercial aviation industry. On Monday in Oakland County Local 4 News got a look at the damage to that sector and the recovery process. Pentastar Aviation is on M-59 which is part of the Oakland County International Airport. The Oakland County International Airport is the second busiest in the State of Michigan behind Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Oakland County Executive David Coulter says Michigan’s general aviation business is a quiet giant.

Why are Michigan student athletes mandated to wear masks?

DETROIT – In a press conference Thursday, Local 4′s Rod Meloni asked what information was being used to support the determination that masks would be required for student athletes on the field. It’s important to change out masks for a fresh one when sensible, or to use a fabric that wicks moisture and dries quickly. Executive Order 180 requires face coverings to be worn by student athletes when actively participating, except during cross country, golf, tennis, swimming and diving. This includes all times during active participation and all times during non-active participation when six feet of physical distance cannot be maintained. Face coverings must be worn by coaches, medical staff, game event staff, members of the media and spectators.

Now may be the perfect time to teach your children about money, budgeting and spending

DETROIT With so many parents spending more time at home with their children, now may be the perfect time to give them valuable lessons on money, budgeting and spending. A good way to teach children about money is by getting them to divide money they receive into three parts: Money they should save, money they can spend and money they should give -- and teach those values early. You can also consider a debit card for your high school student, teaching them how to use plastic but without spending more money than theyve earned. Meloni also recommends teaching children about banking and investing. For more Money Matters advice for your children or yourself, check out Melonis special reports by clicking here.

Former UAW president Dennis Williams is 15th person charged in corruption case

Former UAW president Dennis Williams rose to prominence within the union, starting as secretary-treasurer in 2013. He is the 15th person charged the UAW corruption investigation -- a list that includes former president Gary Jones. RELATED: Ex-UAW President Gary Jones pleads guilty in corruption caseIt was a year ago that the FBI raided Jones home in Canton and went into Williams home in California. Williams allegedly had taken more that $71,000 in union money. Jones was Williams choice and though he was elected it was baked into the cake before any convention.

Financial help: What senior investors should know about annuities

Annuities can be useful tools. But I dont recommend them, for the most part, especially for senior investors. These are the two annuities seniors should avoid at all costs:Variable life contracts Equity indexed or fixed annuitiesHere is why:They are complicated and confusing. They often come with nose-bleed fees and surrender charges usually built into the early contract years. They are meant for long-term investors -- sometimes up to 15 years -- meaning not for seniors.

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, there are options for Fourth of July weekend fun

But the coronavirus continues its mutated spread and our weekend is looking more limited than we expected. The Lac Sainte Claire Pool on Jefferson in Saint Clair Shores opened Friday with kids packing the place. Henry Bowman, Lake St. Clair Recreation Director, says they could have opened it to 250 people at a time, but avoided doing that. The beach at lake St. Clair and Parkdale, Maple Beaches open for swimming. Still to get in on this Fourth of July fun leaving early and packing patience is recommended.

How to deal with Michigan’s new auto insurance law

DETROIT – Michigan’s new auto insurance law is one many residents have been waiting for because of the lower rates, but there are complex choices drivers have to make. The lower auto insurance rates arrive Thursday (July 2). You’re going to want to look to see if you have what’s called “coordinated coverage.”That’s medical insurance. Liability coverageThe second choice surrounds liability coverage. “It’s taking about 45 minutes to an hour to educate a consumer and let them know their options and make an educated choice,” Shrock said.

Vice President Mike Pence visits Macomb County

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. Thursday was a busy day for Vice President Mike Pence, who visited Michigan to speak at an auto supply plant in Sterling Heights. ORIGINAL STORY: Vice President Pence speaks at Casadei Steel in Sterling HeightsPrior to his speech, Pence had lunch with Republican party senate candidate John James and did a meet-and-greet with a crowd happy to see him. Rod, the people of Michigan said yes to President Donald Trump in 2016, Pence said. Pence also knows recent poll numbers show former Vice President Joe Biden has a comfortable lead across the state, so visits like this are meant to motivate the base. One of the things Pence believes will also help the president is recent economic improvements as the COVID-19 crisis slows.

General Motors CEO Mary Barra promises full production by the end of June

DETROIT Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), its been a rough year for most businesses and the auto industry is doing its best to recover. On Monday evening, General Motors CEO Mary Barra did an expansive fireside chat with the Automotive Press Association. Barra said she expects the auto industry to take a big sales hit. Barra expects no employee cuts in the near future and expects many officer workers to be headed back to their desks before too long. Were calling full production, but obviously in some segments were watching when market demand will be, Barra said.

Ex-UAW President Gary Jones pleads guilty in corruption case

DETROIT Former UAW President Gary Jones has plead guilty in a federal corruption probe and has agreed to serve up to 57 months in prison as a part of the plea deal. Gary Jones, 63, of Texas, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to embezzle UAW dues money and conspiring to use a facility of interstate commerce to aid racketeering crimes between 2010 and September 2019. Besides conspiring with other UAW officials to embezzle UAW funds, Jones pled guilty to conspiring with UAW officials to defraud the United States by impeding the Internal Revenue Service in the collection of taxes from Jones and other UAW officials. As part of his guilty plea, Jones has agreed to forfeit his interest in $81,000 in a UAW Region 5 flower fund, as well as $38,000 from Jones Members in Solidarity account. Jones also agreed to forfeit a set of Titleist golf clubs seized when federal agents executed a search warrant at Jones home in August 2019.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses keeping hair, nail salons closed

Gretchen Whitmer announced a dramatic loosening of statewide coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions on Monday, but some popular businesses will remain closed. MORE FROM ROD MELONI: Broad takeaways from Whitmer lifting state’s stay-at-home orderThe stay-at-home order, which was originally announced in March, has been lifted. Monday’s changes could mean a lot of money staying in Michigan instead of going to other states. Michiganders near the border have started going to Indiana and Ohio for services such as nail and hair salons. Gyms, exercise studios, fitness centers, spas, hair salons and movie theaters are among the businesses that will remain closed.