Meredith Bruckner

Ann Arbor

Television News Reporter at WWJ-TV (Detroit, MI)

Reporter @CBSDetroit | Previously WDIV Local 4 News and i24NEWS | @cityjournalism alumna.

Articles

Metro Detroit woman on dialysis awaits lifesaving kidney after heartbreaking loss

1 day ago | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

April is National Donate Life Month, and patients, doctors and organizations use this time to spread awareness of the importance of organ donation each year. Despite a rise in organ donation in recent years, the need continues to outweigh the number of people who are signed up to give. According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 2,100 people in Michigan are on the waiting list for a lifesaving kidney.
Business owners in Southeast Michigan share how tariffs on China impact their bottom line

3 days ago | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

How tariffs are impacting businesses in Ann Arbor, Michigan As the Trump administration continues to levy 145% tariffs on goods from China, businesses in Southeast Michigan are now paying a high price to receive their goods from U.S. Customs. Lisa McDonald owns TeaHaus in Ann Arbor, where roughly 60% of her teas are imported from China. "I'm not going to be able to eat 154 or 145 – whatever it is – percent cost," she said.
Metro Detroit family who missed airport measles exposure "by hours" speaks out

1 week ago | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

Metro Detroit family speaks out after missing measles exposure at airport As measles cases continue to rise in Michigan – with the most recent case reported in a 1-year-old girl – pediatricians and parents of babies who are too young to receive the vaccine are sounding the alarm. "Measles is incredibly contagious," said Sara Laule, a pediatrician at the University of Michigan. "It is our most contagious disease that humankind has seen.
Ukrainian family who fled war relaunches handbag business in Ann Arbor

Dec 26, 2024 | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

(CBS DETROIT) - Maksym and Alla Kondratenko enjoyed a comfortable life in Ukraine. They ran a successful handbag business and had two small children when the war with Russia started. Their warehouse was bombed and after living in a war zone for months, they decided to flee to the United States. They have lived in the Ann Arbor area for two years and are relaunching their fashion brand, Kondra Bags.
Ukrainian family flees war, finds new home in Southeast Michigan

Dec 25, 2024 | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Maksym and Alla Kondratenko moved to the Ann Arbor area two years ago with their young son Davyd and their then-infant daughter Daiana. They came to the U.S. as refugees from Ukraine months after Russian forces invaded the country in 2022. At the time the war started, Alla Kondratenko was entering her final month of pregnancy. While sheltering from bombs in their building's basement in Kharkiv, she went into labor early.
Staff, customers "shocked" by sudden closure of Ann Arbor's Bitty and Beau's Coffee

Nov 4, 2024 | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

Ann Arbor coffee shop closes unexpectedly ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Ten days after Bitty & Beau's closed its doors on Main Street for renovations, for-lease signs were posted in the storefront's windows on Monday morning. Commercial real estate firm Colliers confirmed on Monday it is looking for a new tenant to lease the space. On Oct. 15, staff received an email from the brand's co-owner, Amy Wright. Wright explained that the store manager decided to leave, and on Oct.
What to know about political yard sign laws in Michigan

Oct 30, 2024 | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

A look into political yard sign laws in Michigan (CBS DETROIT) — With election season in full swing, political yard signs are more visible than ever. However, several rules regarding their placement exist — whether people follow them is a different story. Many political signs are placed right next to the road, which is an ordinance violation in most municipalities. Most municipalities also require political signs to be removed up to 10 days following an election.
Ann Arbor teachers sound alarm over new health care rate hikes

Oct 29, 2024 | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

Ann Arbor teachers voice concerns over health care costs ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — Teachers in Ann Arbor Public Schools are saying new health care premium increases would make it difficult for them to continue teaching in the district.
Officials address safety ahead of UM-MSU game in Ann Arbor

Oct 25, 2024 | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Tens of thousands of University of Michigan and Michigan State football fans will be at Saturday night's game under the lights in Ann Arbor. Officials say for night games, it's an all-hands-on-deck approach, especially during Michigan college football's biggest rivalry game. "We will have extra patrols out not only downtown but in the college areas as well as within the stadium and outside and around the stadium," said Ann Arbor police sergeant Mark Pulford.
Can political yard signs impact home sales? Michigan realtor weighs in.

Oct 24, 2024 | cbsnews.com | Meredith Bruckner

Michigan realtor speaks on whether political yard signs can impact home sales (CBS DETROIT) — When shopping for a home, most people consider things like curb appeal, the safety of a neighborhood, and good schools. However, during election season, political yard signs can say a lot about a community and can impact whether a home sells. Linda Lombardini, who co-owns Trillium Real Estate in Ann Arbor, said she's seen politics affect home sales firsthand.