‘Bright, funny boy’: 9-year-old dies in shooting; stepdad arrested, reports say

Michael Meagher, 9, was reportedly found with gunshot wounds in a Wisconsin neighborhood early Monday morning. (GoFundMe)

Walworth County, Wis.

A young boy has reportedly died in a shooting and his stepfather is under arrest.

According to the Lake Geneva Police Department, officers were called to a reported shooting at a residence on Lincoln Avenue Monday at about 2 a.m.

Authorities said Steven Merkel Jr., 52, was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree reckless homicide after the shooting victim died at the hospital.

WISN reports that the victim was identified as 9-year-old Michael Meagher and Merkel was the boy’s stepdad.

Geneva Police Chief Anthony Miceli shared that it was a difficult and traumatic scene for his officers.

“It’s a hard scene for any officer; you never want to see that,” Miceli was quoted regarding the situation.

Loved ones have since started a GoFundMe to help with the boy’s funeral arrangements.

“Our family is heartbroken. I want to try to help this family in any way that I can,” organizer Katherine Koskinas wrote. “Michael was 9 years old & a bright, funny boy. Please pray for this family during this difficult time.”

WIFR reports Merkel lived at the address where the shooting occurred and he was booked into the Walworth County jail.

Toyota orders US employees back in the office

FILE — Toyota is wanting its workers back in the office. (Mike Mozart/CC BY 2.0 via MGN)

A major automaker is requiring its workers to return to the office.

According to multiple outlets, Toyota Motor North America has announced that salaried employees will be required to work onsite Monday through Thursday starting in September.

The automaker’s move has joined other major companies such as AT&T and Amazon that have mandated employees return to regular in-office hours since the initial pandemic changes.

Bloomberg reports the new policy applies to all job levels for Toyota workers in North America, including those in corporate and engineering departments.

Employees will still have the option to work remotely on Fridays, according to the company announcement.

Toyota employs more than 64,000 people in North America while operating 14 factories, Business Insider reports.

The automaker reported it sold more than 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2024.

TikTok ‘forced to go dark’ on Sunday if US government does not intervene, company says

FILE — TikTok says it will go dark on Sunday if the U.S. government does not intervene. (TikTok)

TikTok will reportedly turn off more than 170 million Americans’ access to the popular video app on Sunday.

The company announced on Friday that this was its plan unless President Joe Biden’s administration acts urgently to ensure it will not be punished for violating the terms of the upcoming ban.

“Unless the Biden Administration immediately provides a definitive statement to satisfy the most critical service providers assuring non-enforcement, unfortunately, TikTok will be forced to go dark on Jan. 19,” the company said in a statement.

Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the federal law banning Tiktok beginning Sunday unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company, holding that the risk to national security posed by its ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech, The Associated Press reported.

“The statements issued today by both the Biden White House and the Department of Justice have failed to provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the service providers that are integral to maintaining TikTok’s availability to over 170 million Americans,” the company’s statement said.

Multiple outlets have reported that President-elect Donald Trump has suggested that he will not enforce the ban and that he previously asked the Supreme Court to stay on the bill so his incoming administration could work out a deal.

CNN reports that TikTok could turn itself off on Sunday and possibly turn itself back on at a later date if Trump gives the company assurances it will go unpunished for violating the ban.

Officers rescue dog left in snow-covered truck after owner arrested days prior, reports say

A dog in Ohio is recovering after it was found left in a snow-covered truck for days after its owner was arrested. (Animal Charity of Ohio)

Boardman, Ohio

Police in Ohio reportedly helped rescue a 2-year-old German shepherd that was left in a truck for nearly a week after its owner was arrested.

WKBN reports that the dog’s owner, Brandon Thomas, was arrested last week, but unknown to police at that time his animal was left behind in his truck.

Officers shared on Tuesday that they had to dust off a large amount of snow on top of the truck that was in a roadway when they heard the dog barking inside.

Police reportedly broke a passenger window to open the door and get the animal out of the freezing vehicle.

According to the Animal Charity of Ohio in Mahoning County, one of its agents took the dog to the facility for care.

“Poor guy is extremely dehydrated, cold and emaciated from lack of food!” the team shared when they took in the dog.

The animal care team said he is continuing to be monitored but is doing OK once being taken in and receiving proper care.

Agents also reported that Thomas' wife did not tell authorities about the dog being in the truck as she was “unaware her husband owned a dog.”

Macy’s announces list of dozens of stores set to close

FILE -- Macy’s announced 66 stores will close this year as part of its Bold New Chapter plan. (CNN)

New York

A major department store will be closing multiple locations that are underperforming when it comes to sales.

Macy’s announced 66 stores will close this year as part of its Bold New Chapter plan, including closing about 150 underproductive stores that was announced last year over a three-year period.

“Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing underproductive Macy’s stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go-forward stores,” Tony Spring, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, said.

The reported struggling department store chain is working on getting smaller to work with declining sales.

As part of the strategy, Macy’s said it will upgrade 350 stores with plans to add more salespeople through 2026.

“People have endless options when it comes to where and how they shop. Macy’s customers expect seamless shopping experiences and continuous improvements both in-store and online to meet those expectations,” the company shared in a news release.

A spokesperson for Macy’s said the department store remains focused on bringing an enhanced customer experience to more locations nationwide and through its digital channels.

“Customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service,” Spring said.

A list of the 66 store closures can be found online.