Judge slams hit-and-run driver • Winter Weather Advisory • Detroit Auto Show starts soon

FRIDAY NEWS HIT - It's almost time to see the latest innovation in the automotive world.

The Detroit Auto Show opens to the public on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Huntington Place. However, the show technically opens Friday night with media day and the charity preview.

But on Saturday at 10 a.m., the doors open to everyone.

The show is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Jan. 11 to 14 and then again from Jan. 17 to 19.

Ford will once again construct the Ford Bronco Built Wild Track with two new obstacles – Rock Crawl and Tilt Ridge.

Jeep is also bringing the Camp Jeep experiential activation to give attendees a chance to hit the trail.

Plus – the new Detroit Grand Prix-themed track will be open as well.

There is no fee to ride on the test tracks as these are included with the cost of your ticket.

The Detroit Auto Show also announced that Jan. 17 will bring back Racing Day in conjunction with the Detroit Grand Prix – giving attendees a chance to meet top drivers from NTT INDYCAR SERIES and INDY NXT by Firestone.

Winter Weather Advisory

Traveling later today may be a bit tricky thanks to snow.

We won't get a ton of it - 2-3 inches - but given how little snow we've seen this winter, it's worth being ready for.

Snow begins this afternoon, continues through the evening, and tapers off overnight. It will start with light snow in the afternoon that increases.

A Winter Weather Advisory will be in effect from 1 p.m. Friday until 1 a.m. Saturday for all of Southeast Michigan. The peak snowfall is expected between 2-9 p.m. Friday.

Though the range for most areas will be 2-3 inches, some areas, mainly north and west, could see a bit more.

Judge slams hit-and-run driver

A judge ripped a hit-and-run driver who not only left the scene after striking a woman - he continued on to deliver a pizza in Detroit.

"I'm not impressed with your apology today Mr. Stewart," Judge Kelly Ramsey said. "You said you’d have liked to apologize, but you didn’t even say the words ‘I’m sorry’ to this court."

Ramsey was speaking to Joseph Stewart as he was sentenced for hitting and killing Dellia Dinwiddie in June. Stewart offered a brief apology in court.

"I wonder if she’d still be alive today Mr. Stewart if you’d have stopped instantly and pulled out your cell phone, and dialed 911 and called an ambulance? I want you to ask that question to yourself every day for the rest of your life," Ramsey said.

In addition to leaving to deliver a pizza, Prosecutor Brian Craigo said Stewart said calling for help would be an inconvenience.

Stewart received a sentence of nine months in jail and two years on probation. Ramsey believed the sentence was too low, but had to give it to the suspect since the case was held in a different judge's court up until Thursday's sentencing.

What caused the California wildfires?

Wildfires continue to ravage California, destroying homes and businesses and taking at least 10 lives.

The exact cause of each fire is still under investigation, but officials have largely blamed the extreme drought conditions, combined with the supersized Santa Ana winds whipping flames and embers at 100 mph – much faster than usual. 

Add on weather whiplash that grew tons of plants in downpours, then record high temperatures that dried them out to make easy-to-burn fuel. Then there’s a plunging and unusual jet stream, and lots of power lines flapping in those powerful gusts.

Experts say that’s what is turning wildfires into a deadly urban conflagration.

The winds dropped Thursday, but the National Weather Service warned that even the reduced gusts could still spread fire rapidly and the wind is expected to strengthen again Thursday evening. Another round of strong winds may form Tuesday.

Where are the eggs?

Some in Michigan are having a hard time finding a breakfast staple thanks to a combination of factors.

A new law that recently went into effect requires eggs sold in Michigan to be from cage-free housing for all eggs that come from farms with more than hens. The bill was signed five years ago, with the timeline given to allow farms time to get ready for the change.

It's not just Michigan's cage-free law that is making eggs hard to find.

Daley told MIRS that he believes the price increases and shortages are unrelated to the cage-free laws. Instead, he points to the combination of avian flu and inflation.

Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute Sector Manager Kevin Bergquist said in November that egg prices have been elevated since 2023 due to the combination of seasonal price increases during the holidays and disruption in egg supply due to bird flu.

Prior to the large bird flu outbreak in March 2022, flock numbers were at a level that supported lower egg prices, according to Bergquist. He noted the wholesale price was less than $1.50 per dozen. 

Live on FOX 2

Daily Forecast

Snow is the word today. And it's going to be cold, too.

What else we're watching

1. Jarvis Butts, the man accused of murdering Na'Ziyah Harris last year, is headed to trial after a preliminary exam that lasted four days. He's accused of grooming and sexually abusing the 13-year-old before killing her.
2. The ex-boyfriend of Ashley Elkins has been charged with lying to police in connection with her disappearance. Elkins has been missing for more than a week, and her family believes she is dead.
3. A case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a backyard flock in Oakland County. The case was found by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
4. Macy's is closing 66 stores, including several in Michigan. See the full list here.
5. A Royal Oak business owner is trying to raise money to rename Campbell Road. He wants it called Dan Campbell Road in honor of the Detroit Lions head coach.

Supreme Court rejects Trump’s bid to delay sentencing

A divided Supreme Court on Thursday rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s bid to delay his sentencing in his hush money case in New York.

The court’s 5-4 order clears the way for Judge Juan M. Merchan to impose a sentence Friday on Trump, who was convicted in what prosecutors called an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels. Trump has denied any liaison with Daniels or any wrongdoing.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined with the court’s three liberals in rejecting Trump's emergency motion.

They found his sentencing wouldn't be a serious burden since Merchan has indicated he won't give Trump jail time, fines or probation. Trump's arguments against the verdict, meanwhile, can be handled as part of the regular appeals process, the majority found.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh would have delayed the sentencing, the order states.

Trump’s attorneys sought to delay the sentencing, arguing that presidential immunity should protect him and warning of a "grave injustice" to the presidency.

Reacting from Mar-a-Lago, Trump expressed confidence in his appeal, stating: "I respect the court's opinion. It was... a very good opinion for us because you saw what they said, but they invited the appeal... I think it's going to work out well."

Trump’s attorneys have argued that evidence used in the Manhattan trial violated last summer’s Supreme Court ruling giving Trump broad immunity from prosecution over acts he took as president.

At the least, they have said, the sentencing should be delayed while their appeals play out to avoid distracting Trump during the presidential transition.