Detroit, MI

‘I was panicking’: Michigan couple says missing Direct Express deposit left them unable to pay rent

Published

5 months ago

February 16, 2026

‘I was panicking’: Michigan couple says missing Direct Express deposit left them unable to pay rent

DETROIT – A Michigan couple says their February social security money wasn’t deposited on their Direct Express card. It’s not the first time it’s happened, they said.

In Dec. 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against Comerica Bank, who once operated Direct Express, alleging the program left over 20,000 people without their payment issues properly resolved.

Although the lawsuit was terminated in 2025, the program was transferred to Fifth Third Bank due to similar issues.

Michigan users say there’s real world impact to the practices.

Roy Lee Jones is a double amputee in Sanford.

“$1,284,” Jones said on Sunday about how much money in social security he’s received since the nineties.

On Feb. 2, something changed.

“He just found out on the 2nd that he could not access his account,” Heather Swearingen, Jones’ girlfriend, said.

His Direct Express card was not loaded and the company told him they didn’t have a record of him. His money has been deposited by Direct Express since the early 2000s.

It’s a third party program serving over 3 million Americans who don’t have a bank account.

“So, we called, they said they have to verify him,” Swearingen said.

They sent in the verification again.

It was approved. On the fourth, they say Direct Express said they’d send the money and a new card in two to three business days.

Then Feb. 10 rolled around and there was still no sign of the money.

“I am panicking,” Swearingen said. “Our rent was due on the third. We had no gas to go anywhere to doctor’s appointments.”

They got in touch with someone from Social Security and were told to go open a bank account.

They opened the account and they hope the money is deposited this week.

After Local 4 reached out, Direct Express says they are following up with Jones.

Local 4 took a deeper look and found the issue may not be unique to the couple.

There are several recent complaints on the Better Business Bureau. One woman, who lives in Warren, says she experienced something similar.

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Detroit, MI

Teen on moped hit by car after cruising through stop sign in Detroit

Published

8 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

Teen on moped hit by car after cruising through stop sign in Detroit

article

Photos by FOX 2 Photog Scott Federspiel

DETROIT (FOX 2) – A 16-year-old moped driver was hospitalized after a crash on Detroit’s west side on Wednesday night.

The backstory:

Detroit police say the teen disregarded a stop sign while going east on Vassar when he collided with a vehicle turning south on Outer Drive at about 9:30 p.m.

Photos by FOX 2 Photog Scott Federspiel

The boy was taken to a nearby hospital where he is listed in critical condition. The driver of the car, a woman in her 30s, was not injured.

The Source: Information for this report is from Detroit police.

Watch FOX 2 Detroit Live:

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Detroit, MI

Chickens, geese found at vacant home after nonprofit reports them stolen

Published

18 hours ago

July 9, 2026

Press Room

Chickens, geese found at vacant home after nonprofit reports them stolen

Chickens and geese that went missing from a local nonprofit’s Detroit site were found in the backyard of a nearby home, the director of operations said Wednesday.

The Full Circle Foundation, a Grosse Point Park-based nonprofit, said more than a dozen chickens and geese were believed stolen from a chicken coop on Detroit’s east side that also features the Full Circle Edible Garden.

The nonprofit provides training and job opportunities for young people with special needs.

Neighbors who learned from news reports about the missing flock found the “chickens were being held in the backyard of a vacant home not far from the Full Circle Edible Garden,” said Stephanie DiVirgil, director of operations. She said Ribbon Farm 4-H owns the flock.

“The homeowner was contacted, and she reached out to Full Circle to confirm,” said DiVirgil. “We were able to retrieve all of the chickens and geese that were found on the property, 19 in total.”

The foundation and Ribbon Farms 4-H are working to secure the site, including cameras, fencing and lights.

“We will likely start a fundraising campaign to have these items installed,” DiVirgil said. “We’ve gotten amazing support from the community, including offers to help pay for these additional security measures.”

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