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Smoothie King fires employees who refused to serve customers over Trump sweatshirt

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Smoothie King fires employees who refused to serve customers over Trump sweatshirt

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Two employees at a Smoothie King in Ann Arbor, Michigan were fired after they refused to serve a couple because the man was wearing a sweatshirt with President Donald Trump’s name on it, according to the company.

“As a brand, Smoothie King is committed to ensuring our stores are a place free of discrimination of any kind, where every guest and team member is treated with care and respect,” the company said in a Monday X post. “Following an investigation into an incident involving a guest who was refused service at a franchised location in Michigan yesterday, the franchise owner has taken immediate action and the two employees involved are no longer with the business.” 

The couple, Erika Lindemyer and Jake Lindemyer, were asked to leave the Ann Arbor franchise location after they got into a back-and-forth argument with two employees after one said she was uncomfortable with the man’s Trump sweatshirt. Her co-worker defended the other employee’s stance and told the couple to leave.

A bartender makes fresh smoothies in a blender while customers wait patiently in line. (Getty Images) (Getty Images )

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“We were just wanting a smoothie, and you literally looked at us and I asked you if everything was OK and you said, ‘We don’t feel comfortable serving you’ because of my husband’s hoodie. That is discrimination,” Erika Lindemyer said.

“OK, well, have a great day,” one former employee is heard saying.

In the video, the other employee is heard saying, “Trump discriminates [against] us,” to which Erika Lindemyer responded, “That has nothing to do with us wanting a smoothie!”

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Erika Lindemyer posted on Facebook that she was “disgusted” that former Smoothie King workers did not serve her and her husband over his Trump sweatshirt.  (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo)

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One employee said they had the right to refuse service.

“You asked a question and [her co-worker] gave you an answer. Have a great day. Have a great day. The door’s right there,” the worker said.

That same employee also posted the encounter from her perspective on TikTok.

In a Monday Facebook post, Erika Lindemyer wrote, “I’m disgusted as a AMERICAN CITIZEN! I loved Smoothie King and was refused service over my husbands sweatshirt!!!! Talk about DISCRIMINATION!!!! Jake Lindemyer Please share this video. Let’s make these 2 famous.”

A GoFundMe page was reportedly set up by one of the employees entitled, “Support for Safety After Online Harassment,” but later taken down.

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Smoothie King gave a similar statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “As a brand, Smoothie King is committed to ensuring our stores are a place free of discrimination of any kind, where every guest and team member is treated with kindness and respect. Following an investigation into an incident involving a guest who was refused service at a franchised location in Michigan on Sunday, the franchise owner has taken immediate action and the two employees involved are no longer with the business.”

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Smoothie King said it had apologized to the customers. (iStock)

The company also stated they have reached out to the couple to apologize and that they will be retraining employees. 

“Both the franchise owner and Smoothie King corporate have reached out to the guest several times to apologize and will continue to follow up,” the company said. “The local owner is also taking further action and enforcing mandatory retraining for all employees that outlines our guest experience standards. We care for everyone who wants to live a healthy and active lifestyle regardless of their race, gender, religion and political affiliation.” 

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, Janiyah Mishelle, one of the former employees, said, “My political opinions are very complex. I do not stand on behalf of any political party. I merely refused service because of the alleged affiliations the Trump administration has to [pedophiles]. I believe in the United States & want to see our citizens standing up against binary political logic.”

She added, “In my opinion, in this specific instance, I had the right to refuse service due to discomfort with a customer interaction – just as he had the right to wear the political merchandise. I would like to clarify that my statements were/are NOT on behalf of Smoothie King. I would also like to thank everyone who is currently supporting me through the digital harassment, political re-framing, and job-loss.”

She said her co-worker wished to remain private on the matter.

Fox News Digital attempted to reach Jake Lindemyer for comment. 

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Midwest

WATCH: Walz, Ellison, Omar refuse to answer when pressed on fraud after contentious fraud hearing

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WATCH: Walz, Ellison, Omar refuse to answer when pressed on fraud after contentious fraud hearing

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Following the highly anticipated House Oversight Committee hearing on fraud Wednesday, Fox News Digital pressed Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison about their roles in the scandal but received no response from the embattled officials.

“Why wasn’t the fraud caught sooner, governor?” Walz was asked after the hearing. “Almost $10 billion — why wasn’t it caught sooner?”

Walz declined to answer as he was escorted down a hallway by staff but stopped briefly to speak with another individual. During a second encounter, Walz again declined to answer the question but acknowledged a security guard as he walked down the hallway.

“Mr. Attorney General, can you tell us why the fraud wasn’t caught sooner?” Ellison was asked after his testimony.

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TAFOYA RIPS WALZ ‘DODGING’ ACCOUNTABILITY IN HEARING, UNVEILS PLAN TO FIGHT FRAUD: ‘FULL WEIGHT OF THE LAW’

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, AG Keith Ellison and Rep. Ilhan Omar avoided questions from Fox News Digital on Wednesday. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images )

Ellison did not respond and continued walking up a staircase.

Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, who did not testify Wednesday but has faced criticism for her ties to the Feeding Our Future fraud scandal in the state, did not respond after the hearing when Fox News Digital began asking her questions.

Walz and Ellison faced a barrage of tough questions from Republicans during the hearing on the massive fraud scandal in the state, with most focused on one key theme: What did they know, and when did they know it?

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Walz and Ellison were asked multiple times for specifics about when they were first made aware of the fraud and faced sharp rebukes from Republican members, including Rep. Virginia Foxx.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz testifies during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in the U.S. Capitol Building on March 4, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“You did not do your job, you did not do your job,” Foxx told Walz. “You did not protect taxpayer dollars. You allowed massive fraud. You and Mr. Ellison allowed massive fraud to go on in the state of Minnesota. It is unfortunate, as somebody said, that you can’t be held personally responsible at this stage in the game.”

An exchange between GOP Rep. Jim Jordan and Walz sparked immediate pushback from conservatives on social media. 

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One of the most contentious exchanges came during questioning from GOP Rep. Nancy Mace when she pressed Walz for specific numbers on how many children are in his state, the massive increase in autism care spending and why that occurred, without getting specific figures from Walz.

“OK, so your excuse before — that you didn’t know what the 2017 autism numbers were — because you were not governor, and today you can’t answer the numbers about 2024 as governor, and you still said you prepared for this hearing today. It’s unbelievable.”

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Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks to reporters after announcing he would not seek reelection at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S., January 5, 2026. (Reuters/Tim Evans)

GOP Rep. Clay Higgins confronted Ellison in another heated moment, asking him to say he was “leading” the fight to root out corruption. Without receiving the specific answer he was looking for, Higgins called for Ellison’s resignation.

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“I’m not talking about Medicaid fraud, don’t hide behind that,” Higgins said, interrupting Ellison. “You have the authority to prosecute anything criminally that the governor asks you to, and this thing is big. I’m giving you an opportunity, sir, are you leading the criminal investigative effort into this massive fraud across the board…or not?” Higgins pressed.

“You are not leading. I’m going to say, Mr. Chairman, that the attorney general of the state of Minnesota should resign,” Higgins said.

At the close of the hearing, things became tense again when GOP Rep. Nick Langworthy suggested that Walz, who is still serving as governor despite dropping out of his reelection bid due to the fraud scandal, should be impeached for “malfeasance,” citing Minnesota’s Constitution.

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Detroit, MI

4Warn Weather Alert issued for Wednesday morning in Metro Detroit — What this means

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4Warn Weather Alert issued for Wednesday morning in Metro Detroit — What this means


A 4Warn Weather Alert has been issued for Wednesday morning in Metro Detroit following overnight thunderstorms.

A Flood Watch is in effect for most of Southeast Michigan through 2 p.m. on March 11, prompting a 4Warn Weather Alert as rounds of rain and storms move across the region during the morning commute and through midday.

Full forecast –> Wild weather: Heavy rain leading to flood concerns in Metro Detroit

What is a 4Warn Weather Alert?

We issue a 4Warn Weather Alert when we’re expecting weather conditions that will be inconvenient to our viewers.

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Why did we issue an alert for Wednesday morning?

Early Wednesday morning, thunderstorms were rolling through Metro Detroit. While severe weather was a possibility overnight, most storms in Southeast Michigan remained below severe limits. Stronger storms developed across West Michigan earlier, and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued for the Saginaw area.

Meanwhile, parts of the Thumb and Mid-Michigan are dealing with freezing rain and icy conditions, while Northern Michigan is under Ice Storm Warnings, including Alpena.

The biggest concern in Southeast Michigan Wednesday morning is heavy rainfall.

Several rounds of rain could produce localized flooding, especially in areas that typically collect water, such as low-lying neighborhoods, underpasses and roads with poor drainage.

A Flood Watch is in effect for most of Southeast Michigan through 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (WDIV)

Flood safety tips

Drivers should be cautious of standing water on roadways. Even shallow water can hide hazards or stall vehicles Here is an important rule during flood events: Turn around, don’t drown.

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Just a foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Drivers should never attempt to cross flooded roadways and should seek alternate routes if water covers the road.

Just a foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Drivers should never attempt to cross flooded roadways and should seek alternate routes if water covers the road. (WDIV)

Heavy rain can also lead to basement flooding in some homes. Residents are encouraged to check sump pumps, clear nearby drains if possible and monitor lower levels of their homes for water intrusion during prolonged rainfall.

Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.



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Milwaukee, WI

Forest Home Avenue construction to resume in Milwaukee County

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Forest Home Avenue construction to resume in Milwaukee County


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Construction on a stretch of Forest Home Avenue in Milwaukee County is set to resume as part of a Wisconsin Department of Transportation resurfacing project, according to WisDOT.

The project affects Highway 24 — also known as Forest Home Avenue — between Janesville Road in Hales Corners and 45th Street in Milwaukee. The project started in early 2025 and is expected to be completed in mid-2026.

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Here’s what to know about the latest construction update.

When will Forest Home Avenue construction resume?

Preparation work for construction along Forest Home Avenue is expected to begin the week of March 16, according to WisDOT.

Active construction work is scheduled to begin the week of March 23, weather permitting.

Where will construction be?

Construction work will take place in two segments along the corridor. The segment between 45th Street and Howard Avenue is already largely complete and will include minor lighting work and restoration.

The segment between Howard Avenue and Janesville Road will include resurfacing, permanent pavement markings, guardrail installation and improvements at several intersections.

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What work will be done during construction?

The Highway 24 project will improve about 5 miles of roadway. The work includes resurfacing pavement, replacing traffic signals and lighting at numerous locations, making improvements to the bridge at 76th Street and upgrading sidewalks and curb ramps.

Traffic impacts during Forest Home Avenue construction in Milwaukee County

During construction, Highway 24 will be reduced to one lane in each direction in active work zones. Drivers may also encounter parking lane restrictions, overnight or short-term closures at ramps and intersections, and temporary pedestrian detours.

Access to businesses and residences along the corridor will be maintained during construction.

When will the project be completed?

The project is currently scheduled to be completed in early summer, though WisDOT says the timeline may change depending on weather conditions.

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Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.



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