Focus with Paul W Smith ~ March 12, 2026 ~ Full Show

0:00Thank you, sir. We appreciate DFCU Financial for once again being our sponsor. Thank you Ryan and the whole team there And we thank our first guest who is in fact the keynote speaker for today this Thursday, March 12th from the Detroit Economic Club at the beautiful Masonic He was with us a couple years ago, and there was a lot going on then that has changed tremendously to the benefit of his company and of the United States of America if I might add I'm speaking about the CEO of U.S. Steel David Burrett And at that time David we were talking about you very much welcoming the people from Neapon Steel to buy into your company or buy your company And there were a lot of people who didn't understand it including maybe the president of the United States It said oh, we're not selling our our steel industry United States steel industry to the Japanese Well, he came around on that and you are now a part of Neapon Steel

1:04Welcome back and tell me if it's worked out the way you hoped it would Well, yes, it has Paul and thank you very much For having me back. It's great to be here in Detroit where you know, this is kind of where manufacturing Happens across America and long history. They're just like with U.S. steel in our Pittsburgh We have this of great commonality, but We're very pleased with the way this thing turned out And I think some people would say against all odds, you know, you have a situation where You have the president of the United States President Biden is against the deal and then President Trump was against the deal But over time what we like to say when the truth gets told into President Trump's credit he listened and he understood and he got the message that This is something the workers wanted and indeed it would strengthen national security economic security And you know that that four-letter word that we can say jobs

2:06J.O.B.S. which you were very concerned about losing if this deal didn't go through you did not have the financial Wherewithal to do the things you've now been able to do with Neapon steel now if the craziest thing is it you know A lot of people say well, you shouldn't be selling U.S. steel to the Chinese Well, you weren't ever considering that now and we get along with the Japanese. There are friends at least so far And you know, I think what made this so possible as the CEO of U.S. steel David Burrett is you Because you've said and I appreciated this about you That steel isn't just iron and carbon. It's people That's what you said. That's what you believe. That's what you live and lead the company with So what is it about our American steel workers that still impresses you most well first off Paul You're giving me way too much credit No, I'm not the reason the reason this deal got done was because of our workers

3:11And the talented people that believed in the deal with U.S. steel and Neapon and that it looks the man at the top Well, thank you very much for that, but the but the workers came for they took the time to understand it Let's face it when somebody's gonna buy an iconic company like U.S. deal There's a whole bunch of people that just don't want that to happen And then when you say oh no the foreigners are coming that gets scary to people But once they understood and you just think about this deal Paul The investments that are being made some 10.8 billion dollars between now in 2028 and then 14 billion overall That's Required we have to do that because of a national security agreement while some Companies are wondering how am I going to get the resources for my capex? Am I going to be able to spend my capital? Is there going to be a recession? What's the Fed going to do? What's going to happen in everybody's nervous? We know We have a national security agreement that requires us to get this done

4:14And the financiers already there to make sure that we can make it happen So this this is a fabulous thing that we're involved in I always tell people I just I feel a little bit like The dog that caught the car because now we have a really good problem to solve We got a lot of work to do in a short period of time and making a lot of investments and working so closely With nippon who are experts in steel making they are engineers engineers and they're bringing us what they call Dispatchers where they're handing this to their technology and letting us implement that technology and You know, I worked at caterpillar for many years and been involved in many transformations But I can tell you this deal with nippon. I've never been in one that has worked so well and so collegial It's it's remarkable how well we've come together and I think one of the reasons is One of the benefits of this deal taking so long to close We made some really good friends at nippon People that we trust and so we can have some frank discussions about where we're headed and what we need to do and and

5:20Let's face it. I'm impatient to get they'd like to say can't get to the future fast enough because when we're building and by the way This is our 125th anniversary at us steel so in the 250th anniversary of this country So with our workers How happy this makes them for not just this generation but the next generation the generation after that because of the amount of money That is being invested by nippon believing in them. It's really special. Well, I'm glad Thrilled that it's worked out just as you told us it would David For those people who didn't understand or were even against it may sayers. It has worked out. We might not have a US steel If this did not happen. Well, we weren't looking to be saved. We would be Better we would still exist. It's just that we would get Probably smaller and we'd realign our footprint differently But with this investment We can now invest in things that we really wanted to invest in because you know what it is when you have limited capital

6:25You have to parse out where that money goes and you have to make sure you make money for your stockholders That's your fiduciary duty. That's your legal obligation to make money for the stockholders and you're you have a limited cash That means you have limited money to spend so you don't necessarily spend it Where you would like to because you have that duty that you're held to David before I let you go to the stage where you are the keynote speaker here The Detroit economic club David Burrett see you of US steel I got to ask the local question because here you are in Detroit What role does the auto industry still play in the story of American steel? Well the auto industry is the most important industry for Steel for US steel our most important customers and our base our largest base is within the auto industry and they're They're tough customers, but that's where we have the advanced high-strength steel We have the lightweighting we're building cars that are safer helping them do their jobs better for their customers

7:28And we couldn't be more privileged to have them as best customers You mentioned those couple of things It does seem that steel has gotten better over the years. Oh no doubt about it If you step back in time It's not just the steel that's more formidable, weldable more and during course It's always been nearly a hundred percent recyclable What's really special is Safety is better the environment is better and everything is headed in the right direction especially with this nip on steel deal Quick off the wall question. Do you think you'll ever be asked by the government to get into munitions? You know, that's that's a question. We are US citizens first right now That's not something that we do But we're here to make sure we remain patriots and we'll continue to be patriots at you guys love that answer You are so perfect at what you do. Did he come in from central casting or is he really the the CEO at US steel? Is it he flattery will get you everywhere Paul, you know, okay. I'll get you my resume

8:32David Burrett CEO, US steel I release you to all of these people waiting to hear from you again And I know they're in for a great to conversation with you. Thanks for coming by. Thanks for having me Paul I enjoyed this all right. Thank you, and you have good help there too I made the mistake of calling her an administrative assistant But I didn't know what to call her. What are you called now? Would it just say just say No, just say the boss, you know, we she sets us up and we we follow, you know Thank you very much for being here. We appreciate it. Go break the leg as we say and show business All right at David Burrett CEO, US steel. We're here at the Detroit economic club with our relentless positive radio Paul W Smith in focus on WJR Cheri just sharing notes with my photographer friend because I I love photography and I I used to do it a lot and I'm gonna try to get back into it I'm a big fan of the family that has been running this business for a hundred year over a hundred years

9:34We were there. We broadcast from their home office in Michigan I'm talking about Ben and Ryan Maibach And the Maibach family controlling Barton Mallow for over a hundred years and the guy in charge the president and COO Ben with the company Just 45 years just a youngster there Chuck Binkowski the president and COO Chuck. I can't believe you've been there 45 years. How great is that? Yeah, Paul. I'll tell you it's still hard for me to hear that it It's been a great run. It's been a great career And I've been fortunate to be with the Maibachs like you mentioned For that for that whole time and to still be doing what I'm doing. Well, it's a great company And you are to be applauded For your work keeping it a great company certainly Ben and Ryan too At what are some would you say Chuck some of the the big emerging construction markets that Barton Mallow is involved in now

10:34Yeah, so Paul when I think about that question I'm always cautious because we always talk about the uncertainty that is happening in and around us on a constant basis But I got to tell you there's multiple markets that are still You know producing Capital programs and improvements just to mention a few You can't go anywhere without hearing about some of this mission critical facilities that are Throughout the country Surprising one you know Barton Mallow is a major sports and entertainment builder And that that area whether it's professional or collegiate Just seems to be on the move Which I don't know if I would have predicted a few years ago that people would be gathering back at large arenas for events But that is really really doing well But I think most recently I'm most not most excited But another area is the energy sector

11:35Whether it was renewables for a while But we all know some of the power where the industry is going where energy is needed It's exciting to see some of the opportunities coming up in both renewable and thermal programs I'm thinking Going back to sports and entertainment for a moment to Chuck Binkowski president CEO of Bart Mallow and they've built Many a stadia Is that the plural stadia stadiai I believe stadiai I don't think that's right either but anyway you build a lot of stadiums and I don't think anybody would have ever guessed certainly 45 years ago when you started with a company Maybe 20 years ago maybe even just 10 years ago That's where all the money seems to be There's so much money in sports and entertainment. I'm not surprised they're building you know What's that thing in Las Vegas called the sphere? And then how much did that cost that was a lot and then all the stadiums and and all of that and peak and and there's

12:36There's I don't see any end in sight. Yeah, yeah We're we're very fortunate to be you know right in the middle of the Jags right now down in Florida I mean there's I could go through a list of opportunities not only coming But currently and what's really what really seems to be there whether it's a new build Or as important some of the sizes of these retrofits or these upgrades It's all about that fan experience. It's all about you know What can they do to have that fan experience at another level and uh, it's it's very competitive Um, but it's exciting and and again Uh, I don't know many different venues you've been to. I've been very fortunate to because you build them You get to you know go to a few it's uh, it's always amazing what somebody is coming up with for that fan experience Well, you know, it's also amazing. You know, I've discussed this before chuck off air And that is as one of the largest employers of trade labor in all of Michigan You've described to me how these these hardworking men and women deliver value

13:40To Barton Mallow and your projects and you say that with great pride Yeah, I do Paul and you know because we've talked many times You know that my first 25 years with Barton Mallow was in In the the trades in the union and I I pride myself in that opportunity to not only do that with Barton Mallow But to do that here in the city Detroit where I do believe Some of the best craft men and women come from and I'm telling you we build projects across the country But the way out of here the way they are trained the way the work ethic the Do I say blue collar approach to everything we do and a lot of ways Make some very special and I see it across the country and that's you know hats off I got to give credit to a lot of that is probably driven by the automotive industry I mean we are the motor city and a lot of regards and and what You know what they're training in that that Approach has done to the building trade so I'm proud to be part of that But on a regular basis they bring that skill

14:41Safety expertise across the board to major programs. I mean I don't know last time you drove down the lodge Paul, but you see that steel coming out of there at head Henry Ford health there. Yeah, that is just when I see stuff like that and I see the precision and the Destination grand there. I'm speaking of to see that coming out of the ground. It's uh, I don't care how many more years It is for me that excites me. Well What Bob Reini is doing in leadership there, but he spent his entire career there at Henry Ford Health and this destination Grand we are finally going to have a facility For detritors and the whole surrounding area to go to Where the facility matches the great doctors that we've had for a very long time. Yes, and uh, that's important because we still have had people Who have in their minds believed they had to leave town to go get that kind of service. They will not have to anymore Yeah, not that they may be ever had to but they won't have to anymore That's for sure. Um, any projects Chuck Binkowski president COO of Barton Mallow any projects or recent

15:47Successes that maybe you want to highlight. I know that's kind of a revolving thing, but anything. Yeah, you know Hey, we we mentioned Henry Ford health it just just a real highlight we could cover a lot of areas just and that job in particular You mentioned there's a lot of firsts out there. There was some first Through the construction. There's some major Steel components that are the first in the country. There's some automation and areas happening there There's just a lot you can unpack, but you know, we talk about that a lot I'll bring a little tension to um, we're also performing this Kalamazoo event center Um, you know, it's uh, I'm going project right now. Uh, we have a partner there to the the the CSM group We're in a joint venture, but this event center is gonna be the new home of western Michigan hockey So yeah, I think that's exciting. Yeah, and basketball and then I believe the Kalamazoo Wings minor league team place there. So so Paul I get opportunities to build some really cool stuff. How much fun is that

16:50Then you get to go and see all the people enjoying the facility. Yeah, I bet you get a good seat too when you go You know where the best seat in the house is, don't you? You get a little inside look Thanks to you Chuck for the great job. You're doing 45 years at Barton, Malla now president and COO Please give Ben and Ryan my back in the family my best. I Ryan I know is working as fan of you off. I hope Ben is taking it kind of easy now You know what? Uh, I don't know if Ben can take it easy I just adore that man for everything that he's done the last year we we tipped our hat to 60 years with him Be an active in the business wow and what he did there and Just talked to him earlier today. I know he is down south Hopefully enjoying a little bit of a break recently, but we still talking on a regular basis very blessed Chuck Binkowski president COO of a great Detroit business for over a hundred years Barton, Malla Thank you, sir. Thank you Paul. It's a pleasure. Oh, it's my pleasure. Keep up the good work

17:5312 28 7 60 WJR And we thank Ryan Goldberg and the team there from DFCU financial they do such a great job now meanwhile Speaking of great job Steve Gregorian who runs this thing and invites us to broadcast great job Jan who must run The Masonic Always is so helpful to us when we arrive here to do a broadcast Listen to this little bit of story that you can't hide from anything anymore. There's a camera There's apparently viral video out showing former president Bill Clinton nudging his wife former first lady secretary of state Hillary Ratham Clinton. He's nudging her toward a busy New York City intersection crosswalk Prompting her to pull back and protest raising her hands and saying no, no, no, no, no, no, don't do that don't do that He replied with a grin

18:54Oh, I guess that's I guess that's not a good idea. Oh, sorry Hillary. Sorry Hillary. I thought you could cross the street I really wasn't pushing you into in front of ongoing traffic. I really wasn't maybe it's uh Maybe it's a weird game they play or maybe Bill's just losing his marbles I don't know a little game of chicken with the traffic in Manhattan having lived there for five years You don't want to get involved In chicken with traffic in Manhattan Yeah, I mean, that's definitely gonna feel a lot of speculation and even more conspiracy theories now. Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep. All right Rocky wretch kowski retired lieutenant colonel in the US army is here as the FBI warns of Iranian drone attacks on california now I kind of wish the president would stop saying oh this thing's over this thing's almost over I mean they have no navy they have nothing and then the next day we wake up and they've bombed ships and they've Done a lot of damage in other countries. I you know, there's a time when I think the president needs to actually stop talking I'm not sure rock if you agree with me on that or not nice to have you on board

19:57I agree to be on with you pulled up you and uh, you know it is what it is and uh You know, I I don't always pay attention to what people say but I look what they do and his his actions in Iran I actually agree with I know that there's only 40% of the country that agrees with us But there's a lot of reasons why this attack on Iran was warranted and I keep telling people when I'm on tv or radio or wherever else on that Is that we've been at war with Iran for 47 years and I've had a personal friend that I've even talked with Mike Parsons about That was taken out and and killed by executed actually by the IRGC who was a soldier friend of mine that served in the same unit as I Well, I'm very sorry to hear that. Yeah Yeah, I'm also sorry to see that Iran which we've been at war with but I think we underestimated their ability I think we because we now telegraph when we're going to war or attacking Because we now let people know weeks and advance

21:00They do what anybody would do that isn't completely stupid and they're apparently not completely stupid They hide they bury they they put missiles and drones in areas where it's a one-off So when they send it off and then we destroy that area It doesn't do anything. They've already shot off the missile or the drone from there And so now we didn't apparently also think of preparing our companies For the the cyber attacks look at in Kalamazoo for goodness sakes striker is saying they've been hit by an Iranians cyber attack. I mean rocky. This is worrying me Well, it shouldn't and and you know You talk about how we signal how we're going to war or how we're going to attack. It's it's really hard To kind of send three aircraft carrier strike groups to an area and say oh, we're not at war and we're not going to strike you What when you see three carrier strike groups and 40,000 troops come at you

22:02There's going to be some type of activity and The the striker the the Michigan company here at striker the largest one of the largest medical suppliers Of medical goods durable medical equipment has been hit by as we know now Habdala, which is a organization that is very involved with Iranian military intelligence But I don't think we've underestimated them for a long time Our government has been telling businesses and if you work with the federal government You have to be something called CMMC compliant You have to be compliant and make sure that you go through specific protocols and one of those protocols is that you have Double layered authentication of whenever you're working on your email And this is a brand new type of asymmetric warfare that our pedigone is ready for But I'm not sure our enterprises are with with ransomware with everything else that's going on Russia China and Iran have been attacking Our networks and not just our businesses, but our government networks for a long long time

23:08And that's why our military and other parts of the government especially parts that deal with water and other things Deal on a what's called a cipronet us a secret internet that is not connected to the world wide web And that's one of the reasons why I'm really upset that under the Obama administration They released the control of the internet to the world Instead of that control was always the United States the United States created many many people may not know this But it was our DOD not El Gore, but our DOD that created the internet Well, son of a gun. I thought it was El Gore, but anyway, um, I know I The This is coming around in its hard for Americans to take the first report of the first hit basically was of a quote-unquote Which I didn't believe because there aren't girls schools in Iran girls aren't allowed to be educated Girls aren't allowed to go out and wear whatever clothing they want Girls or women are not allowed to vote or drive or any number of things with these people in charge

24:11Which is why I can't understand why the squad and aOC America of course and her gang aren't out there fighting on behalf of the women of Iran But now the Pentagon is saying It was outdated data For where that school was now. Here's what's not outdated. We know that school was stuck on purpose in the middle of four or five legitimate targets I wonder why the news media is not mentioning that Yeah, there You know what Paul W this is something that really hits close to my heart because When I was overseas I was involved in an incident that That it's something that you carry on for the rest of your life that you know when children die in In an issue of collateral what they call collateral damage And it's one of those issues that we really need to take a step back and reexamined and I have a friend that always tells me to Check twice and cut once and sometimes the military and we make mistakes in that fog of war

25:15And that was one of those mistakes that that should have never happened But on the positive side the United States is one of those countries that always pays Those collateral damage or those things that we're not intended in war and the president actually came out yesterday And said to be be doosey of Fox News He said that we will take responsibility for it and when the United States takes responsibility for it That means we will pay for those damages. Well, and for those who argue oh you can't pay for lives Let me tell you something the United States does not Does not aim for civilians we don't we don't we do not we can prove it even the people who hate this can Prove it or at least admit it because we don't aim for civilians Iran Is scattering at toward civilians all around their their part of the world Paul W. I can officially tell you in my 27 years of service and and all the friends that I've met that were older veterans and younger and

26:16Men and women that are serving today. We have never aimed at an innocent individual never Never aimed in with intent and when we do Those individuals are tried as war criminals But as you've pointed out and will end with in war There's collateral damage in war There are mistakes made in war There are accidents that happen and this looks like one of those Big ones, but that's on a on a brighter note Paul W. I'm not sure if you've seen this Iran has been boasting That is actually destroyed hundreds of us in Israeli missiles and rockets with their buildings and military installations And I'm not sure if that's even true Well, there's not a lot to be happy about right now and I kind of wish the president would pull back a little bit on Well, they don't have anything left because then the next day we hear of things that they've done still And it I think it makes us look bad To pretend that they're not putting up one hell of a fight

27:19Because they are I it's sad and no one else is also pointing out that it's because the last two presidents gave billions of dollars to Iran We now know where they spent that money, don't we? I hate to say this but not just the last two presents for the last 47 years from Reagan I give Reagan a pass to Trump We have had administration after administration just kicking the can down the road Well, but did they all give billions of dollars to Iran like Biden and Obama did that was that was Obama And I hope you have a list of flocking on to explain that because a list of flocking was actually involved in that That's a good idea. I'm not sure Alyssa. We'll come on To talk about that. Yeah Yeah, all right Thank you Rocky Rich Kowski God bless you retired lieutenant colonel in the US Army Here in focus with Paul W Smith on WJR at 1244

28:24Okay, we have a breaking news story breaking news In the West Bloomfield area and to tell us about it WJR's director of community affairs and news Marie Osborne Marie And good afternoon Paul. We are getting word that there is an active shooter situation in West Bloomfield at Temple Israel and West Bloomfield law a local law enforcement agencies are Responding to a report of an active shooter there An alert has been sent out by the Farmington Hills police department indicating an active shooter in that of area West Bloomfield police are also confirming that all schools and houses of worship of Our advice to shelter in place at this area where Temple Israel is located and We I just happened to have been on the phone with someone when they heard sirens in the area And she said to me. Yes, I think this is in response to I was calling her to see if she had any any information on this incident

29:31This temple Israel of course is one of the oldest temples in The area. It's on Walnut Lake Road Just south of in fact of Walnut Lake Road and it is east of Drake Road So again people are being asked to please avoid that area We don't have much information right now except Paul that people in that area I'd say that they saw a massive massive police response to this area. So again We're asked to stay clear of the temple Israel and West Bloomfield West Bloomfield where police say there is an active shooter at this time Yeah, and I'm getting messages from listeners and friends That are suggesting that they have children in that area in schools Maybe just down the road from temple Israel and they're asking me what information we can get and I suggested to stay tuned because Maria's born is

30:31On the story and you're giving all the information that is available at this time We obviously have calls out to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard But they're in the middle of this so it's unlikely They're going to be able to pick up the phone and and give us any more information But as soon as information is available Maria will have it on the air or we will have it on the air And pass it along but to sum it up again as you've said Temple Israel West Bloomfield the report of shots fired Right an active shooter situation is what's this is being called it's uh and of course the temple is on walled lake road near Drake road I know you mentioned someone who has children at a school in that area We are being told that everyone houses of worship and schools in that area are advised to shelter in place I can imagine that if that child or the person who was Texting you has a child of in school in that area that in fact they would be on a lockdown protocol right now so

31:37We can hope that the schools are handling that the way they have been trained to do But right now we have no other information other than this was a massive police response By people who have reported to our producer Laura Hessen as well as to um Someone I was speaking to on the phone at the time that this was unfolding um This message here is from the West Bloomfield police that they have again confirmed an active shooter We are aware of an active security incident at temple Israel Law enforcement are responding our Jewish agencies are currently in a precautionary lockdown We ask community members to stay away from that area at this time It's a tough thing. It's a tough thing to tell a parent To not go rushing to help your child But that would not be the right thing right now. They don't need congestion and trouble like that Everyone's been told within that area to shelter in place There's a massive police presence. Let's let the police do their job

32:40Marie. Thank you. We'll be listening for further updates Yeah, we'll be bringing you the very latest as soon as we get it Paul Breaking news from West Bloomfield an active shooter reported a temple Israel everyone to shelter in place As hard as it is. Please don't rush to the area. Stay tuned. We'll have further updates here on wjr As we went to news nationwide locally. We have breaking news Uh, the report we now have is that a car crashed into a Jewish synagogue in West Bloomfield And shots were fired after the crash this from police Oakland County deputies confirmed there's a quote active situation at the temple Israel 57 25 Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield Township near the intersection of Walnut Lake and Drake roads Which is exactly what Marie Osborne told us there is a active police situation Uh, and she is bringing us and will throughout this hour

33:44Any of the other latest and breaking news as you might imagine we have calls out to Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, but he's in the middle of it right now Uh, and uh, we will give you more information as it becomes available in Marie We appreciate you being on top of the story and bringing us whatever New news that you have including anything else you might have regarding the Apparently the initial car crash Into the synagogue and I was just mentioning to the guys Because we have lots of friends and family and in that area some that work at synagogue some Families that have kids going to school down the road and all of that I would think and hope Sadly the way things are today that that most synagogues would be fortified So that if somebody crashes into quote-unquote the synagogue They can't actually crash into the synagogue, but I'm not sure that's the case here

34:44Well, yeah, we don't know what their particular um if they had any Pylons on the property or extra security we don't know that in this case again We this little bit of information about this car crashing into the synagogue is new within the last 10 minutes or so Again, this is at Temple Israel on Walnut Lake Road in West Bloomfield Township It just so happens that Dave Rieger's mother works at Benay Moshe in West Bloomfield I might not be saying that completely correctly Correctly, but she works at that synagogue and she tells Dave that they are on lockdown right now Yeah, they can't even go out so yeah, and yeah, this is what you had reported earlier. We'll say it again All of the schools all of the synagogues everybody in that area is on lockdown The police are requesting people not rush to the area which as a parent it must be very difficult not to do that But they're asking you not to do that and and and please folks as hard as that is at least know

35:45That there is a huge police presence there and at this point if you go rushing there You're just kind of in the way and maybe Causing them not to be able to do their job. So I know that's not what you want No, absolutely and just be aware that the schools are on lockdown so that at least we know we hope the students are on Protocol and they're going to know what they have to do now temple Israel on their website They say they're unlike any other synagogue in the world. They make up 1% of all reformed Jews in North America. They make up 1% of all reformed Jews in America. So This is a very active synagogue. We want to tell you that they've got a bunch of events that happen here every single day every single weekend This is a very active congregation. They have more than 1500 people that are congregants at this particular temple So we and we're still trying to get information about whether or not this is an active shooter whether the shooter has been apprehended or not

36:49We don't have that information right now and we're waiting for that again This is on temple Israel on Walnut Lake Road in West Blueville. This isn't your drake road by the way Near the intersection of Walnut Lake and drake roads and at that time And when this first report came out just ahead of one o'clock It was called an active situation now. We happen to have Dave Rieger here You quoted the fact that his mother working at another temple Is on lockdown like everyone else But you said you gave us a statistic that it doesn't mean a lot to many of us that 1% of the countries reformed Jews Belong to this synagogue and so I'm asking David Rieger What exactly at temple Israel are they saying when it's what does it mean reform Jews? They're there. They're so different levels. I guess of Judaism reform conservative orthodox And so they are they're reform and they are a very very popular temple

37:53They have a a lot of people that belong there their congregation is very large temple Israel Yeah 1500 people it says yeah one of the most popular reform temples around Temple Israel is very very popular my mom works at a conservative synagogue Banamel Shea in West Bloomfield on drake road and she is on lockdown right now nobody comes in nobody can go out And that's where she works and she's like I called her she's fine and and but they're they're on lockdown I wonder I wonder do the kids are the kids still allow their cell phones Do you have any idea I guess nobody has no that's not until the fall that's not until the fall So they should have their cell phones so parents probably have been reaching out to the kids And the kids reaching out to the parents Yeah, unless the school has a different policy But um, but again, it is it's still active. It's an active situation We're looking at photographs now from that area and just and and seeing

38:56A many many police cars in that area and we had reports of Just dozens upon dozens of police vehicles going up The you know going up drake road going up telegraph road trying to get to this Location we first heard about this just about 25 minutes ago That we got first word of this or that we were hearing something about this So again, it all started with the car running into the synagogue Why that happened how it happened we don't know but shots were fired after that happened You know, there's also another reformed temple that is not even a half a mile away from temple Israel, which is temple Kool-Amey, which is right on Walnut Lake road also and then down the road from there temple Shershalom or Trudlaik in Walnut Lake So there are three reformed temples very close to each other. I'm being told by someone Belongs to this temple and knows the ones around the area because of his own children. I don't want to

40:01Say who this is, but I'm told that he did report that That they have reports that someone drove a car through the temple Israel and started shooting and also To my question of the cell phones Middle school and elementary schools don't allow the kids to have the phones They need to stay in their lockers Because this person tried to text their Their child and was not able to make a connection so that makes it more frustrating It's also why I'm against the idea of kids not being able to have phones in school Which of course makes it easier for the teachers, but the fact of the matter is If teachers say you shouldn't use your phone in a classroom that should be enough and And that's that but in an emergency like this. This is why you want them to be able to have their phones Sorry, it's the way I've always felt. It's what I've always said and I'm gonna stick by that It's a terrible thing right now that parents are not able to communicate with their own children

41:03Who in a safe environment should be able to text the parents not drawing any attention Not causing any trouble, but putting their parents at ease at the moment Uh, get off my uh my soapbox and we will continue with updates from Riosborn From the Oakland County Sheriff Department and every other place we can get information To pass it along to you as it happens. This is focused with Paul W Smith on WJR We have so many good friends to this program and they're calling in and texting in giving us information including The great Jason Raznick who founded Ben Zinga and you remember his son what a great reporter his son makes and all of that and his sister sending him a video which he sent me with all the police activity and everything going on there I must just uh Tell everyone that everyone who's sending us information we greatly appreciate it But because this is WJR and a great radio station we need to get these things

42:06Backed up we can't just go on one report. There's always got to be two reports So Marie Osborne a lot of information is coming in. I know you go through the same checking process the lockdown we know is still in place But there are people who say that the the shooter has been taken out. We do not know that We have no idea we can't make those statements Until they've been collaborated by other law enforcement people. So I appreciate all the people who are sending us Helpful information, but don't be upset that we're not passing in along because I'm sure you want us to make sure everything we say on the radio here is right not every radio station does that But we do at WJR. What is the latest that you have confirmed Marie Osborne? Okay, and I'm I'm getting some information From one of our sources and it is confirmed by one of our producers here at WJR That this is still an active scene that the shooter is still active and that he is in the building

43:09So I don't know any more than that other than that that is being passed along to me by one of our producers From someone who is on the scene So that is what we have right now again. This is at Temple Israel on Walnut Lake Road again We were talking earlier. This is a congregation a very active vibrant congregation of about 1500 members They make up 1% of all reformed Jews in North America This is what we know is that a vehicle crashed into the Temple into the synagogue itself Earlier today and then it caught fire and the smoke from the scene That we people are seeing is from the car fire. We don't have any Reports of injuries. We don't know that area schools are on a lockdown area synagogues are on a lockdown as we have confirmed with In fact our very own Dave Rieger whose mom works nearby at another synagogue So that's what we know right now Paul

44:10All right, and we appreciate it Marie will be coming back on in minutes Before each one of our segments as we are broadcasting here From the Detroit economic clip and we thank certainly Steve Gregorian and Jan I thought Jan there she is Jan is here who always helps us when we come to the Masonic Scheduled to be with us in a few minutes Steven Polk the president and CEO of Highgate You'll recall Steven and his lovely wife Bobby Opened the Polk penguin conservation center after donating millions of dollars To the to the Detroit zoo see you're gonna always be remembered for that It's not a bad thing. It's a good thing But I understand it might get a little tiresome when people always talk to you about penguins But it's good. It's a good thing all right When more information becomes available we will have it for you if you're a parent At least rest assured that we've got someone like Michael Bouchard

45:11The West Bloomfield police And others who know what they're doing and are on the scene and doing what they do best under terrible circumstances and situations We will give you more information as it becomes available The president and lead analyst at Sanky Research Paul Sanky is here The International Energy Agency releasing a record 400 million barrels of oil As Iran threatens 200 dollars of barrel and I Guess what from where you stand Paul Sanky how are things going nice to have you on board here Yeah, thank you and I appreciate hearing about the penguin colony because it's good to have some good news We need a little break. Yeah, yeah, for sure we did Um Well, you know the situation as you know is bad and it's somewhat out of control So obviously the state of warm news have to have to be open And it's not happening and it's pretty much the longer shores of it. There's some encouraging very encouraging words from the Chinese

46:15So we're watching the Chinese closely Because believe they have a better connection to the Iranians at this point And they've said some very conciliatory things very anti-military activity by the Iranians and so I'm happy to see that this morning I mean said that as you know The attacks are continuing Around the straights will move you know, there's real shock and Dubai. There's real shock in Qatar About the fact these attacks are particularly and Dubai continue and so The straights unfortunately remain sharp and as you know This is an enormous conduit for a lot of energy a lot of gas One thing that we're focusing on that people aren't talking about is helium you need the helium from Qatar To make the chips in Taiwan. So there's numerous angles to this which are all very concerning Yeah, I never heard that before ever that we were also worried about a shortage of helium to make the chips that's I'm so glad you brought that up Paul Sanky president lead analyst at Sanky research

47:17There's there's a lot going on here that uh obviously Should and does concern us and um when we keep hearing that we have so dominated the war They still are obviously very able to cause a lot of trouble in the world Yeah, I'm not so concerned and also of course the the modern the very modern nature of warfare with these Horrible drones that you know are so cheap and so abundant and I you know really weapons of terror And of course you then have submarine drones So, you know, there's a huge concern. We saw last week elixir up and You can use it from Yeah, I'm sorry You're breaking up and we're not understanding anything you're saying and I'm not sure if we can hang up and reconnect hi. I beg your phone. Can you hear me now? Yes, we can yes Yeah, I'm sorry Let's uh to say that yeah the helium is a problem and um we're worried about the nature of modern warfare

48:19With the drones because they're so hard to oppose Well, we get what it also teaches us a horrible lesson and that is We spent billions of dollars on weaponry and they're taking us out with the hundred dollar drones If this is changing the face of war and um You know, we did have two presidents that gave them billions of dollars and this is where they've used the money Unfortunately and they seem to have an endless supply. I know they don't but that's what it seems like Yeah, thank you. That's pretty much what I was saying when I broke up there So go to that you know what I was also talking about is these dreadful submarine drones Which you know can attack from the water and the point I was making is that last week We saw an LNG tanker huge liquid natural gas tanker get blown up and sunk Actually by a submarine drone sent by the Ukrainians. It was a Russian cargo But they sent this drone from Libya and so the Mediterranean has become dangerous Unfortunately pretty terrifying and as it's we call it asymmetrical position

49:19As you say you have the biggest military in the world, but it's very hard to fight the terrorists And so unfortunately it's a tough situation. Well put Paul. Thank you for joining us It's a challenging day for us locally as well Paul. Sanky president lead analyst sanky research And we're keeping track and Marie will come back with an update. We're Beginning alerts from the West Bloomfield police the Farmington Hills police the Oakland County Sheriff's Department You know by now Temple is real Basically attacked by a car that crashed into the temple front doors We think and then the person or persons in the car started shooting So we're getting as much information as we can Everyone is asked to avoid the area that's got to be tough as a parent But that's what they're asking you to do and we'll continue with updates with Mariazborn in just a moment As we also continue focus with Paul W Smith on WJR All right, it is 133 we are bringing you information as we can

50:25It is a Balance that we are trying to maintain where we're getting I will say we're getting good positive information We cannot report it until we get it verified the last thing we want to do is give you Disinformation the West I have pictures now from friends sending them West Bloomfield police Farmington Hills police Oakland County Sheriff's Department the Michigan State Police You you couldn't ask for a bigger better faster response than the one that this apparently has gotten In West Bloomfield at Temple Israel and we are before each segment Checking in with Mariazborn because she's at news central for WJR And she's only reporting information that has been double verified Marie Yes, and what we've learned a little further at this point is that it appears this had been a truck that crashed into

51:25The Jewish synagogue and West Bloomfield we're talking about the Temple Israel and West Bloomfield on Drake Road This is near Drake Road. It's on Walnut Lake Road This caused a fire when this crashed and that shots were fired shortly after that We have been told that security was on the scene. This would be synagogue security was on the scene We don't know much more than Were they able to react to the situation as it happened or how did they react? We do know that security was on the scene There we also have learned that there's a preschool in this synagogue as well We don't know if it was in session or not we have not confirmed that or yet, but this is a very very active Congregation 1500 people in this congregation. They have all sorts of events all sorts of activities here It's a very very busy place all areas schools and synagogues in the area are on lockdown

52:26There is a massive police presence right now in that area and we are making our very best effort to try to get someone Of authority to give us more information. That's what we're working on right now Paul as soon as we get it No matter what we're doing on the air we will get that on in the meantime We are not going to Repeat things that are being sent to us until they can be Second-party verified. It's just the way it is. It's the best way to handle something like this and we are praying Um As many parents are and that's a good thing and But the news we're getting so far I can only tell you has been good news And yeah, and we've we've been reaching out to a lot of folks who um Who are you know on the inside who are

53:30Responding both from a law enforcement perspective and other types of aid and they just don't have any Information to confirm with us right now. We'd love to pass along. Yes. The information we're getting But we're not going to pass along any information that has not been verified right We would hate to tell you one thing and it not be true because it's not going to happen So there are aerial views we can see with our own eyes that in fact Where the crash took place and the synagogue in west bloomfield temple israel Smoke rising from there on walnut lake road in west bloomfield township Um We'll give you more information as it becomes available Before our next segment in fact, yes scheduled to be with us We're very happy to see our old friend Steven poke He's the president and CEO of highgate llc as we continue to broadcast live from the Detroit economic club thanks to steve Gregorian and

54:32And our friend Jan who always takes good care of his here um, and uh and DFCU for sponsoring the broadcast as well um Steven poke You and bobby, I know this you might get annoying that I bring this up every time I see you But I'm never going to forget the millions of dollars you gave to the Detroit zoo For the poke penguin conservation center. I trust that's still going well. It is going very well Paul We appreciate that Gift that your family gave to us. Tell us about highgate llc. I don't know anything about it Highgate is basically a family office. It was created after the company our opponent company business was sold And the family continued on it's legacy to continue investing in the local community and the office is part of the extension of that Your aboard member in sponsor also of this Detroit economic club You're a staunch reporter and you don't send your support around uh Easily there's a reason for that very proud to be a supporter of the economic club here

55:32I think they're a mission of keeping best possible speakers coming to the city and then lighting the folks in this community Is really a wonderful wonderful mission they have I see that too that you're keeping your hand in the metro Detroit business community with Peninsula composites offshore spars as Carbon fiber fabrication operation in Chesterfield Township. Yeah, little business up in Chesterfield Township Who got involved with that a couple years ago now and it's really exciting to see the opportunities that it's brought That's another business that you have. Yeah, that I invested in We're trying to grow this business and substantially expanding what we're doing with work that supports Some defense interesty work and a lot of marine industry work and um other general applications Carbon fiber is really amazing amazing product to work with. Oh, it is and there's so many Applications And you're in the midst. I think of planning your 25th baby you yacht club sailboat race from port here on the Maconaw Yeah, that's a big milestone for me 25 years ago and you'll be able to sail the race this summer in the same boat that I did 25 years ago

56:35So it's not something it is and by the way It was a while ago now, but in 2017 if I'm not mistaken you were inducted into the automotive hall of fame No, that wasn't not 2017. I am not in the automotive hall of fame. I'm bored. I was chairman of the automotive hall of fame Okay, maybe that's what they meant when they wrote this time. Someone did research Anything could happen when research is handed to me. That's for sure So you were chairman of the automotive hall of fame good for you. I was yeah How's that going by the way? Doing very well. It's a wonderful organization They continue to honor the industry and the legacy of the industry here in Detroit and around the world and that they Do a great place to visit up in Dearborn. The last guy you'll remember being inducted actually was probably Keith Crane Oh Keith, that was a well-backed. We're still regularly inducting every year. There's a full induction ceremony Well put me back on the put me back on the list for the press releases I've not been staying on top of that. We'll make that happen false Stephen, we appreciate you being here president CEO of high gate LLC chair of the Detroit Regional Chamber Board of Directors

57:42I am Stephen has really been highly successful in helping businesses achieve maximum results and then remember his RL poke and company where he served as chairman president and CEO When the business was sold to iHS My goodness that was july of 2013. It's been a while now. Yep But you've kept very busy doing great things for the community. Well, thank you very much ball and my heart certainly Best wishes and prayers for the people at temple israel. Well, we all feel the same and best to your lovely wife Bobby Okay, lots of information coming in on channel four a moment ago. They said the shooter was not apprehended And was not in custody yet. We're getting Information from individuals saying that the shooter has been In custody No injuries have been confirmed from Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard quote nobody at the moment has been confirmed to be heard except potentially the shooter We're just trying to get as much information as we can we are told

58:45That reunification with parents and their kids Will be at jcc the jewish center parents can go there to pick up their kids And Marie Osborne is back with us. I'm told now and ready with whatever more information she has Marie Yeah, so just cut a little bit of a timeline here into how this happened this vehicle crashed into the synagogue And that caused a fire because if you're looking at any of the pictures that are being transmitted right now You do see smoke coming from temple israel right now That we understand is being caused by the fire that happened after the crash Shots were fired security was on the scene they say security engaged the person One of these reports that the temple security engaged this person with gunfire Right, and we you know, we have not at wjr. I've been able to confirm that but that is one of the reports that we have Also, there are reports that there was a preschool in the synagogue

59:46And then in fact the children were able to exit the synagogue through a backway And they are now across the street and and being cared for and obviously parents are being notified and they're being cared for there We don't have any reports of any injuries right now Area schools and synagogues churches are all unlocked down right now We also see Gretchen Whitmer governor Whitmer On ex just a short time ago saying we are working with michigan state police to get more information Anti-semitism and violence have no place in michigan so the governor says she is getting Minute by minute reports on this and being updated temple israel again We said this earlier. It's a reformed jewish synagogue They make up 1% of all the reformed jews in north america. This is a very vibrant community there So we are still piecing together what happened there are Hundreds of police vehicles on the scene right now Responding to this situation and of course the national media now is on it as well

1:00:51Ambulances if needed our standing by we've heard no reports of that need for those ambulances and we pray that continues To be the case, but that's about all we have really Completely verified right now. Marie if anything else comes up you come on board Thank you. I will Marie Osborne WJR news as we are going to wrap up our broadcast, you know It's not easy to do a broadcast while you're in the midst of a story like that But we have given all the information that we can give that has been Verified and will continue to do that meanwhile We close out with an old friend a senior editor business and colonist and all around good guy from the great detroit news Mr Daniel house Hey buddy. It's been a long time. Yes your hands. I haven't heard you say hey dub. Hey dub in a while Not dumb no not dumb. Why did they call you dumb Paul? Well for good reason. I've never called you dumb At least not to your face. Yeah, that's right

1:01:51He calls me dub and he was the moderator for today's DEC Event I just watched David bird who started our show before all of the other things that we're going on David bird The CEO of US steel How did that conversation with him Go as the moderator and what what were maybe the big takeaways? Well, I thought he went really well I mean, I we started out talking about you know, he'd been here When they were trying to get approval for the the acquisition by in the pond steel So he was a little circumspective that last time but this time he can talk about what it was like to be in the oval office With President Trump in the early days of his administration To get to potentially give him approval and approve the deal Which he ultimately did after telling David that he was not in support of the original deal that a Japanese company would own US steel of all things

1:02:52and But he He relented and And it was interesting to hear him talk about how the president negotiates That you you hear about but you don't hear a lot from eyewitnesses I thought that was pretty significant and and he's good at telling that story He's one of those kind of guests that if you just have a few punch points They kind of carry the conversation because there's an enthusiasm and And he speaks in full paragraphs we told this when he was here two years ago And thanks to the the certainly good job Steve Gregorian does in getting these great guests and Getting them back He told us two years ago. He was very concerned for the existence of US steel and how we needed this deal done With nipon steel and that the president was against it a number of people were against it Steelworkers the leadership was against it big time, but now they're singing a different tune Well, I mean we've seen this before we saw this in this town

1:03:53I don't know if you remember but you know ruch steel which had been a unit of Ford motor company then was spun off into its own called ruch steel. It was traded on the exchanges um, and then they were acquired by a Russian steel manufacturer Because the Americans that were looking at it at the time all they wanted to do was acquire it take the customer book as it were and shut it down And the Russians were willing to invest and they were here for a while I think until Things got dicey around the global financial meltdown But you know we've seen situations where you know these assets have been grabbed up by foreign company countries happened with China as well as next year up in up north I think Saginaw They that was a former Delphi unit. They took that over So this is a little different kettle of fish and you know the Japanese are very staunch ally of the United States And Nippon steel apparently supposed to be one of the leading steel manufacturers in the world well and and according to

1:05:00All right, now we're getting a report police sources so we can confirm and say this that the shooter In west bloomfield at temple israel is dead The active shooter at temple israel is dead And we're going to what try to bring you the conversation on channel four right now with Oakland County sheriff michael bouchard Let's try to pick that up right now Daniel house. I apologize, but if anyone understands this you do here is Oh, we don't have it yet. Okay, um, so we're gonna have it as soon as we can have it Because they were also saying earlier that there was concern there might have been other shooters and there was no way to know If there was just one Well, and given this environment we're in with the nation is in with with we're on You just don't know anything like this happens. You don't know if there's connections So I think everybody's on a bit of a hair trigger hair trigger. We're doing our best to keep calm and

1:06:06Give information that's only been verified and the verified information from michael bouchard is The shooter at least one of them if there is only one and we hope and pray that's the case Is dead. We gotta go Daniel house. It's been too long. We're gonna get you back again my friend from the Detroit news He's a great guy Standby for news and the JRF to noon with Ryan or Monty Marie will have more information We'll talk to you tomorrow regards pull that a usemith we pray everyone's safe You know, we pray everyone's safe