Help Me Hank

Michigan unemployment problems? Let us know

21 major safety recalls issued in 2021 that you may have missed

Saving money: Dos and don’ts of dollar store shopping

Dentist offers to help teen after sudden closure of Always Gentle Dentistry in Dearborn

Michigan officials are looking into the case of a dentist who abruptly closed her office, leaving some families stuck without care.

Mushie & Co recalls silicone pacifier over choking hazard

Baby product company Mushie & Co is recalling more than 300,000 silicone pacifiers due to a potential choking hazard.

People living in Clinton Township say they’re not receiving mail

Issues with mail delivery in Clinton Township have residents reaching out to the Help Me Hank team for an investigation.

Want to quit? What to consider before joining the ‘Great Resignation’

Thinking about quitting your job? You’re not alone. Here are some things to consider first.

Patients demand answers after Always Gentle Dentistry in Dearborn closes without warning

Patients are searching for a dentist who abruptly closed her office, leaving some families stuck.

Dangerous vacant home cleaned up on Detroit’s west side

Crews are cleaning up a mess around a blighted home on Detroit’s west side after Local 4 reached out to the mayor’s office.

CONSUMER NEWS

Mushie & Co recalls silicone pacifier over choking hazard

Baby product company Mushie & Co is recalling more than 300,000 silicone pacifiers due to a potential choking hazard.

Airbnb, college tuition, stocks? 5 unique gift card ideas

There are so many rich choices these days when it comes to the world of travel – and with popular sites like Airbnb and VRBO, you can even stay in more unique places than ever before.

Spread of omicron variant isn’t slowing down automakers who have pedal to metal in electric pickup market

General Motors wants to make some big news out at the Consumer Electronics Show on Wednesday (Jan. 5) in Las Vegas, with the announcement of the electric Silverado.

21 major safety recalls issued in 2021 that you may have missed

A look at some of the biggest recalls of 2021, from pet food to humidifiers, shampoos and frozen meat, to cars, toys, sprays and sunscreen.

FLINT WATER CRISIS

Here’s how to file claim in Flint water crisis settlement

Wednesday is a big day for the people of Flint and those affected by the water crisis as the settlement process begins.

Judge: Lawsuit can proceed against Flint water contractor

A judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit against an engineering company in Flint.

Claims period to open this month in Flint water crisis settlement

People impacted by the Flint water crisis can soon submit a claim for monetary relief under the settlement approved last November.

Flint water crisis: Judge signs off on final approval of $626 million settlement

A judge has signed off on final approval of the over $626 million settlement in the Flint water crisis.

Michigan to pay $300K to only staffer fired over Flint water

The state of Michigan says it will pay $300,000 to the only employee who was fired as a result of lead-contaminated water in Flint.

Sunday Read: Lead in Michigan water -- how it gets there, what we can do, are we all in trouble?

It’s been several years since the start of the Flint water crisis, but the issue doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon in Michigan, and perhaps around the U.S.

DEFENDERS

Police: Housekeeper stole items totaling $570K from homes in several Metro Detroit communities

A housekeeper is accused of stealing from families in several Metro Detroit communities including Grosse Pointe, Sylvan Lake, West Bloomfield and Birmingham.

Police question cousin of 17-year-old Eastpointe girl who has been missing for more than 2 weeks

There have been multiple new developments in the disappearance of a 17-year-old from Eastpointe.

Boyfriend in custody after remains believed to belong to mother of 4 found in attic

Police said all signs are pointing to the human remains police discovered at a home on Detroit’s west side as belonging to a missing mother of four.

Letter from Oxford superintendent details what school leaders knew, didn’t know before mass shooting

The superintendent of Oxford Community Schools released a letter he hopes will dispel some of the rampant misinformation surrounding the shooting.

Police believe remains found in Detroit home belong to missing mother of 4

Human remains were found inside a home on Detroit’s west side and they’re believed to belong to a missing mother of four.

Wyandotte police say more drivers are fleeing, eluding officers during traffic stops

When drivers flee police during a traffic stop it puts themselves, officers and innocent bystanders in danger.

MORE HEADLINES

Phone scams on the rise: Tips to help stop robocalls

Robocalls seem to have been growing in frequency around the U.S., and they are annoying and many can be traced back to elaborate scams.

Here’s how to file claim in Flint water crisis settlement

Wednesday is a big day for the people of Flint and those affected by the water crisis as the settlement process begins.

How to avoid at-home COVID test scams as demand skyrockets amid surge in cases

Local 4′s Hank Winchester went looking for at-home COVID tests and discovered that while they are hard to find in Metro Detroit, it’s not impossible to find them.

Michigan unemployment problems? Let us know

Are you not receiving payments? Are you being billed for overpayments that you don’t think are correct? Something else?

Looking to rent? Here are tips to avoid getting scammed by fake rental listings

Scammers are targeting people who are looking to rent an apartment or home in Metro Detroit.

CDC issues travel warning as cruise industry deals with COVID surge

Cruise lines are in a crisis right now as almost every major ship at sea has reported COVID cases onboard. Some major cruise lines have cut trips short due to COVID-related issues.

Michigan unemployment agency flags 10K claims for fraud over holidays

The Unemployment Insurance Agency said they have flagged 10,000 recent claims for fraud. Why is there such a dramatic increase this time of year?

Scams were on the rise in 2021: Here’s what to know

Scams were on the rise in 2021, but there are ways you can protect yourself.

CDC warns of 2 listeria outbreaks tied to packaged salad; 1 Michigan death reported

U.S. health officials are warning the public not to eat certain brands of packaged salads, which they say are linked to two small, long-running listeria outbreaks in which three people died, including one person in Michigan.

Want to return a gift? Here’s what to know and what to expect in stores, online

Stores were packed for the holidays with Christmas shopping surging to a 17-year high, despite higher prices and the omicron variant.

CDC warns of 2 listeria outbreaks tied to packaged salad

U.S. health officials are warning the public not to eat certain brands of packaged salads, which they say are linked to two small, long-running listeria outbreaks in which three people died.

Last-minute holiday shopping: Contactless options amid COVID concerns

With COVID concerns rising just days before Christmas, last-minute shoppers may be looking for contactless options to avoid going into crowded stores.

How you can get last-minute shopping done without going into stores

There has been more concern about the spread of coronavirus as Christmas approaches.

Many struggle to find at-home COVID tests in Michigan as demand skyrockets

Most stores and websites are sold out of at-home COVID-19 tests.

Aerosol dry shampoo, conditioner recalled due to presence of benzene

The Procter & Gamble Company is recalling aerosol dry conditioner spray products and aerosol dry shampoo spray products from several brand names due to the presence of benzene.

More than 2 million pounds of fully cooked ham, pepperoni products recalled due to Listeria concerns

Alexander & Hornung is recalling around 234,391 pounds of fully cooked ham and pepperoni products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to officials.

4 huge deals: Gift options for last-minute holiday shoppers

Calling all last-minute holiday shoppers: We’ve found some great deals on hot items that can help you finish up your shopping (and save money).

Designer knockoffs pose more of a danger than you might think -- and could be costing you

The Detroit-Windsor border crossing is the busiest border crossing in North America.

Kroger to cut some COVID-19 benefits for unvaccinated employees

Kroger, the country’s biggest traditional grocery chain, is ending some benefits for unvaccinated workers as big employers attempt to compel more of their workforce to become vaccinated with cases of COVID-19 again rising.

What is causing lengthy mail delivery delays in Roseville?

People in Roseville said mail delivery has recently been especially slow and they’re worried -- especially as the holiday rush kicks into high gear.