Detroit Public Schools Community District often gets a bad rap due to declining enrollment issues or longstanding challenges that led to the historic takeover of the school system before voters returned it to an elected board. 

And in many cases, that is the lens through which the school system’s performance is examined and viewed across the state. But there are hidden stories of progress within a school system that is still struggling to define itself and to give young Detroiters hope for a meaningful future. 

I saw that first-hand last week at Denby High School, part of the Detroit Public Schools Community District, on the city’s east side, where hundreds of young Black and Brown male students gathered in the basketball gym for the annual policing and prosperity forum. 

The annual event initiated and led by tenacious Detroiter Sharlonda Buckman, the district’s assistant superintendent for family and community engagement, is one of the hidden jewels of the public school system and brings together male students from various high schools to discuss their interaction with law enforcement. On the panel were senior and junior police officers from the Detroit Police Department, as well as the district’s public safety chief, Labrit Jackson, all of whom took hard questions from the students about how to navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system. 

MILWAUKEE – New details are emerging in the death of a pregnant woman found dead after a house fire investigators say was intentionally set, as the man charged in the case appeared in court.

What we know:

21-year-old Cameron Washington appeared Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, where prosecutors outlined allegations tying him to the death of 22-year-old Gladys Johnson-Ball.

Washington faces six felony charges, including first-degree recklessly endangering safety and arson, all connected to the fire that broke out the night of Jan. 5.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

According to the criminal complaint, Johnson-Ball was the mother of Washington’s 3-year-old daughter and was pregnant with another child at the time of her death. Investigators say Washington lived with Johnson-Ball and her family at a home near 26th and Locust.

Police were called to the home for reports of a person with a weapon. When officers arrived, they reported seeing flames on the second floor of the house. While clearing the home, officers found Johnson-Ball unconscious in a bedroom that was on fire. 

She was taken outside and pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators noted Johnson-Ball had bruises across her body and blood coming from her nose and mouth, according to the complaint.

The complaint says Johnson-Ball’s mother told police Washington and her daughter had been inside the bedroom together all day and that family members had been unable to reach her. She told investigators Washington would not allow anyone inside the room and pointed a gun at family members.

What they’re saying:

“He was blocking the door like, ‘No you not getting in here,’ then I turned around and that’s when he pointed the gun at my daughter Kayla,” said Michelle Johnson, the victim’s mother.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

Family members told investigators the fire started moments later in the bedroom and Washington ran away from the house. He was later arrested, and police say a lighter was found in his pocket.

“Ultimately, this is extremely dangerous and deliberate behavior,” said Assistant District Attorney Anthony Moore.

Dig deeper:

In court, Washington’s bond was set at $100,000. Prosecutors said he could face more than 50 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Court Commissioner Maria Dorsey noted Washington has not yet been charged with homicide because the medical examiner’s report was not completed when charges were filed.

What’s next:

Washington’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 20.

Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil in Roy G Holland Memorial Park in Fishers to honor a woman killed by a federal immigration officer.

The crowd, bundled in coats, scarves and hats, chanted between singing songs and listening to speakers.

The vigil, hosted Jan. 11 by the local group Fishers Resist, is one of more than 1,000 protests and events that happened nationwide this weekend after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, 37, in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

Good joins at least nine other people who have been shot by ICE in the past four months. Federal officials have said Good struck ICE officer Jonathan Ross with her vehicle, prompting Ross to fire in self-defense. Local officials have called that narrative “propaganda,” and video analyses conducted by media outlets have failed to reach a consensus on what happened.

Ross, 43, once served in the Indiana National Guard from 2002 to 2008.

Jonathan Ross: ICE officer in shooting was former Indiana National Guard, Iraq vet

Organizers at the vigil estimated the crowd was at least 150 — that’s how many glow sticks were handed out — and potentially as many as 500.

One attendee, Lorena Lane from Carmel, donned a black dress with a red, white and blue “liberty” sash. Her hat, black and feathered, was adorned with an Indiana cardinal.”I’m here to personify the concept of liberty,” Lane said through tears, “which is at risk right now in our country.”

Many attendees shared a sense that American principles were at risk, something they felt was demonstrated by Good’s death. Paintings, photos and signs with her name were sprinkled throughout the crowd.

“We have to take a stance against the harm that’s coming into our cities from ICE,” Melinda Humbert, who attended the vigil with her husband and daughter, said.