George James

Portillo’s Chicago-Style Restaurant Coming to Hall Road

Craving a Chicago-style hot dog? You can hop on the Amtrak train and head to Chicago for the weekend, or you can plan a quick trip to M-59 in Sterling Heights to get an authentic taste of Chicago. Portillo’s, which specializes in Chicago-style street food, has announced the March 16th grand opening of its first Michigan restaurant.

The “fast-casual” restaurant will be located on Hall Road in front of Lakeside Mall. The restaurant is hiring staff right now. They estimate having a staff of 150 employees.

Portillo’s CEO Michael Osanloo said, “We always look forward to opening Portillo’s in new markets. Fans in Michigan have been asking for a Portillo’s for years, so we’re very excited to bring our unrivaled Chicago street food and the signature Portillo’s experience to the community of Sterling Heights.”

Prior to the opening of the nearly 8,000 square foot restaurant, Portillo’s will be operating a “Beef Bus” Food Truck to give customers a taste of their food, starting February 17th.

A link to the food truck schedule: Beef Bus Tour Schedule | Portillo’s

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

State Hits the Jackpot with Court Ruling and Lucky Winner

A court decision and sheer luck are set to bring some serious cash into Michigan’s treasury. A recent decision by the First Circuit Court of Appeals allows for revenues from sports betting to be collected. Online sports betting is now legal in Michigan.

The court case clarifies a Department of Justice interpretation of the Wire Act that was ruled to be misconstrued. The ruling states that only interstate wire communications are prohibited.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “This is a major victory for state lotteries across the nation that raise millions of dollars in revenue which directly supports our schools, emergency personnel and other fundamental services for residents.”  

Over a billion dollars went into the Michigan School Aid Fund from lottery proceeds in fiscal year 2018-19.

Unrelated to the sport betting ruling, but a stroke of luck for a Michigan resident and the state, the single winning Mega Millions ticket was sold in Novi, Michigan, with a prize of over a billion dollars. Depending on the payout that the winner chooses, the state will levy a tax bill between $33 million and $43 million.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

College Planning Webinars Scheduled

High school seniors can almost taste graduation. It is just a semester away. With graduation on the horizon, thinking about paying for college and making a decision about the field of study are at the forefront of the minds of many students and their parents. A Virtual Financial Aid night, sponsored by the Michigan Department of the Treasury and a ABCC’s of College webinar sponsored by the Blue Water College Access Network could help high schoolers get on the right track.

The Virtual Financial Aid Night will be held every Tuesday and Thursday evening during February from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The sessions will include information about FAFSA, federal and state aid, scholarship searching, and student portal accounts. Sessions are open to the public and registration is required.

The Blue Water College Access Network’s webinar will explain the differences between Associate, Bachelor, Credential, and Certificate Programs. It will also give information about high-demand and high-paying jobs. The webinar is planned for February 4th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Registration is required.

Links to both programs:

MI Student Aid – Virtual College Financial Aid Nights (michigan.gov)

https://www.bwcan.org/calendar.html

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Rising Prescription Drug Costs Prompt Task Force Report

Michigan’s Prescription Drug Task Force has released their report and recommendations. The bipartisan committee was formed in 2020.

The Task Force’s recommendations include requiring transparency reports from drug manufacturers, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), and hospitals; requiring state licensure for Pharmacy Benefit Managers; holding accountable those profiting from skyrocketing prices; and helping to make necessary medications affordable for all Michigan families.  Prices of many common, yet critical medications have doubled in price over the last six years, according to MDHHS.

The report focused on four areas: transparency, affordability, accountability, and accessibility.  The legislature is now tasked with addressing policy solutions to these identified problems.

Melissa Seifert with AARP’s Government Affairs said, “Studies show one of three Michiganders do not take all the medications they need because they can’t afford it. We can have the best drugs in the world but they won’t help people if they are priced out of reach.”

A link to the full report:

Prescription Drug Task Force Report  

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDOT Seeks Public Comments on Five-Year Transportation Plan

For those who have an opinion on the condition of Michigan roads, the time is now for getting their voices heard. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is giving residents a chance to make public comments on the 2021-2025 transportation program.

The Five-Year Transportation Program is updated annually and includes mobility initiatives, revenues, and specific projects planned for the next two years. The plan includes work on M-25 in Port Huron, rehabbing the road surface of I-69 between Taylor Road and M-19 in 2022, and various other local projects.

Part of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s campaign hinged on her promise to “fix the damn roads” and bond financing has been employed to help finance the endeavor. Two billion dollars were spent on Michigan roads in 2020. $3.6 billion is scheduled to be spent on roads in 2021 with $1.4 billion coming from Rebuilding Michigan bond financing.

Comments from the public will be accepted until February 25, 2021. Comments can be e-mailed to MDOT-Five-Year-Program@Michigan.gov.

A link to the five-year plan and an interactive map with planned projects:

www.Michigan.gov/MDOT5YearProgram

Alternative formats, such as print, large type and language translation, are available upon request. Comments will be accepted now until Feb. 25, and can be e-mailed to MDOT-Five-Year-Program@Michigan.gov or directed to:

Lina Chapman

Michigan Department of Transportation

Systems Evaluation and Program Development Unit

425 W. Ottawa St.

P.O. Box 30050

Lansing, MI 48909

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

See You In Court: Port Huron Rejects MIOSHA Citations and Fine

Port Huron, MI — A local legal drama is brewing as the City of Port Huron is taking on the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) regarding a $6,300 fine issued after receiving several citations for not following COVID-19 prevention protocol.

The citation was issued after a complaint was filed. MIOSHA accused the City of “violations of COVID-19 workplace safety requirements including failure to require face coverings, not conducting daily entry self-screening protocols for employees, not training employees on COVID-19, and failing to maintain records of the daily entry self-screening protocols.”, according to MIOSHA records.

MIOSHA dismissed one of the charges, but is not backing down on a portion of the penalty. The City has asked for a court date to hash it out in front of an independent administrative law judge.

The City denies all charges and points out that there have been no workplace COVID-19 outbreaks. They also dismissed the legitimacy of MIOSHA to levy fines after the Governor’s Executive Orders were ruled unconstitutional by the Michigan Supreme Court.

City Manager James Freed called the citations “baseless and not with legal merit”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland