Morning 4: Lawsuit brought against suspected drunk driver, bar in deadly Michigan birthday party crash

Here are the top stories for the morning of April 24, 2024

The family of two young children who were killed when a driver crashed into a birthday party in Monroe County, Michigan on April 20, 2024, is suing the driver. Alanah Phillips, 8 (bottom center) and Zayn Phillips, 5 (far right) were killed in the crash. Mother Mariah Dodds (center) and oldest son J.P. (far left) were critically injured. Family photo courtesy of Marko Law. (WDIV)

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day. So, let’s get to the news.


Driver, bar sued by family of kids killed in Monroe County birthday party crash

The family of two children killed Saturday when a suspected drunk driver crashed into a birthday party in Monroe County is suing the driver and a nearby tavern.

A lawsuit was announced Tuesday, April 23 against Marshella Chidester, who is also facing criminal charges for allegedly driving drunk through a young child’s birthday party on Saturday, April 20.

Read the report here.


TikTok may be banned in the US. Here’s what happened when India did it

The hugely popular Chinese app TikTok may be forced out of the U.S., where a measure to outlaw the video-sharing app has won congressional approval and is on its way to President Biden for his signature.

In India, the app was banned nearly four years ago.

Here’s what happened.


Devin Scillian: As Detroit hosts NFL Draft, let’s borrow a page from the Irish

You’d think the guy who’s been reporting on all of the downtown road closures would have no trouble getting to work the Monday before the NFL Draft. You’d be wrong. But the long detour to our downtown studios was yet another reminder of just how big this week is for the D.

Read more here.


USDA updates rules for school meals that limit added sugars for the first time

The nation’s school meals will get a makeover under new nutrition standards that limit added sugars for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.

Learn more here.


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About the Author

Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.

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