Midwest
Michigan mom who braved flames for son in hyperbaric chamber explosion stresses treatment dangers: attorney
The mother of a 5-year-old Michigan boy who died in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber explosion while receiving treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep apnea jumped into flames to try and save her son, according to the family’s attorney.
Annie Cooper was sitting in a waiting room while her son, Thomas Cooper, received treatment in the chamber containing 100% oxygen on Jan. 31 at The Oxford Center in Troy, about 24 miles north of Detroit.
“She was in the waiting room and was alerted that … something wrong had happened. She rushed back to where her son was, and she tried and tried and tried to get him out and … was unable to,” James Harrington of Fieger Law told Fox News Digital. “She sustained serious, significant burns in that attempt to rescue her child.”
Fieger Law is investigating the incident, and Harrington believes The Oxford Center “was understaffed and did not have the resources for an emergency like this.”
BOY KILLED IN HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBER REMEMBERED AS ‘CURIOUS, ENERGETIC, SMART’ AS FAMILY INTENDS TO SUE
Thomas Cooper, 5, of Michigan, died in a hyperbaric chamber on Jan. 31. (Cooper family handout)
The Oxford Center currently states on its website: “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is an alternative treatment which will decrease inflammation, oxygenate the entire body, stimulate the growth of new healthy blood vessels, and release stem cells, up to 800% more after 20 sessions. Studies have reported improvement in concentration, communication, working memory and sleep.”
Troy police and fire officials said Thomas was dead inside the chamber when they arrived, while Annie suffered injuries to her arm. Michigan State Police are currently the lead agency investigating his death, according to Harrington.
CELEBRITIES LIKE BIEBER, BIALIK ARE USING HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY: HERE’S WHY IT’S TRENDING
Troy police and fire officials said Thomas was dead inside the chamber when they arrived on the scene. (Cooper family handout)
Patients who receive hyperbaric chamber treatment will “enter a special chamber to breathe in pure oxygen in air pressure levels 1.5 to 3 times higher than average,” according to Johns Hopkins. “The goal is to fill the blood with enough oxygen to repair tissues and restore normal body function.”
Harrington, who plans to sue The Oxford Center, said it’s in a parent’s nature to make sure their child gets the help they need to feel most comfortable, but certain medical “facilities regularly promote and claim that [hyperbaric chambers] can cure everything, almost, and it isn’t necessarily supported by science, isn’t necessarily supported by peer-reviewed literature.”
DOCTOR LOSES LICENSE OVER OXYGEN CHAMBER FIRE THAT KILLED 2
Patients who receive hyperbaric chamber treatment will “enter a special chamber to breathe in pure oxygen in air pressure levels 1.5 to 3 times higher than average,” according to Johns Hopkins. (Daily News and Wicked Local Staff Photo/Ken McGagh/USA TODAY NETWORK)
“They prey on people that are desperate to help family members, help their children, help loved ones, and to provide this oxygen therapy and make the condition less impactful in their life,” Harrington explained, adding that hyperbaric chambers are not “regulated” in Michigan like they are in other states.
The Oxford Center did not respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital.
The Cooper family’s attorney plans to file a lawsuit in the coming weeks after the boy’s death in a hyperbaric chamber. (Cooper family handout)
Hyperbaric chambers have been used in the United States since the 20th century. They are typically used to treat decompression sickness for scuba divers, carbon monoxide poisoning, gangrene and certain kinds of wounds or injuries that won’t heal on their own, according to Johns Hopkins.
Annie and her husband, Thomas’ father, James Cooper, buried the 5-year-old on Feb. 13. Thomas “was known to all his friends, family, and teachers as a curious, energetic, smart, outgoing, and thoughtful little boy,” his obituary states.
“His favorite activities were running, jumping, rolling, and stomping. He was just starting music and dance classes. He was also attending preschool,” it reads. The 5-year-old wanted to be a chef when he grew up so he could “cook with Mommy and Daddy and stay with them forever.”
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North Dakota
Connections Tourism: Projects in Wheatland, Mountain and Lakota win North Dakota tourism grants – KVRR Local News
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A total of $4 million has been awarded to 8 projects in the latest round of grants to boost tourism in North Dakota.
The 2026 cycle of Destination Development Grants saw 103 applications from 61 communities.
Those in our region include $300,000 to help create the new Icelandic Roosthus heritage center in Mountain in Pembina County.
It has been in development for over eight years.
$870,000 to Johnny’s Landing in Wheatland in Cass County which is a lodging development with 14 RV sites and 12 wellness-focused heritage cabins converted from authentic granaries and grain bins.
And $500,000 to The Prairie Experience at The Bins in Lakota in Nelson County.
Three grain bin lodging units will be developed and the project will include agritourism experiences.
This grant program was funded by the legislature to promote tourism and attractions in North Dakota.
Ohio
Sherrod Brown wins Ohio Democratic Senate primary
South Dakota
SD Lottery Mega Millions, Millionaire for Life winning numbers for May 5, 2026
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 5, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 5 drawing
12-22-50-51-55, Mega Ball: 10
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from May 5 drawing
14-20-23-30-55, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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