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When she was a young child, award-winning Flint Journal reporter Zahra Ahmad came to the U.S. with her family as they escaped the threat of death. Earlier this year, Ahmad returned to her birthplace of Iraq in search of her roots. While there, she found a feeling of connection to the people of the country and a slew of shattered stereotypes about the culture. In this five-part series, Ahmad describes her homecoming while also explaining the family history that brought her to the states as a child. It's a story of war and resilience; of asylum and assimilation. It's a story about the many meanings behind the word "home." MORE
►Video: An Iraqi-American woman journeys back to her homeland

Michigan's opioid crisis: Billions of pills and aggressive suppliers

Recently released documents show how sales, not safety, drove the increase in opioid drugs prescribed in Michigan as a crisis took hold of the state and the country. A flood of drugs flowed across Michigan a decade ago, with 2.9 billion oxycodone and hydrocodone pills distributed between 2006 and 2012. That equates to 41 pills per year for every man, woman and child in the state. Here's a look at the peak of the opioid crisis and which Michigan communities were most impacted. MORE
►1.4 million fewer opioid prescriptions were written in Michigan last year

12 tips for a smooth back-to-school transition

It is almost time for Michigan kids to head back into the classroom. (Actually, some are already there.) Curious how you can support your child, so they can make a smooth transition into the school year? We have some tips that can help. Make sure your student is well-rested, prepared and involved. Oh, and don't forget to monitor their social media accounts. This is 2019, after all. MORE
►Back-to-school spending to hit record-high $696 per family

Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection 1.0

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The Lions had an, ummm, disappointing start to the preseason, swallowing a 31-3 loss to the New England Patriots. The good news? Most of their starters weren't playing. We are crossing our fingers for different results as the top guys take the field when the actual season starts. But what will the roster really look like? We have our predictions on who is in and who is out. MORE
►Lions release Marcus Cooper Sr., sign AAF standout Jamar Summers
►Darius Slay: Tom Brady still awesome at (bleeping) 42 years old

This Michigan library looks like something out of Hogwarts

In the past, it's been ranked as "the most amazing college library in the country." You can see why, when checking out these photos of the University of Michigan's William W. Cook Legal Research Library. It looks like something you'd see at Hogwarts. Right, Harry Potter fans? But, no, it is right in Ann Arbor and you can visit the historic building in person. MORE