NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken Restaurant To Bring 20 New Locations To Eastern Michigan

Fast casual restaurant sensation Big Chicken, founded by basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal, is making its grand entrance into Michigan.

H&D Group Investments, the visionary restaurant operators, have signed a franchise deal to establish 20 Big Chicken outlets across multiple Michigan regions, including Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, and Mount Pleasant.

An H&D Group Investments spokesperson raved about the taste, stating that bringing this concept to Michigan was a no-brainer. Big Chicken CEO, Josh Halpern, hailed H&D Group Investments as ideal partners to fuel the brand’s growth. 

The first location, slated to debut by early 2024 will be located at 11476 N. Linden Road in Vienna Township. This surge in eastern Michigan adds to the 300-plus national locations in the brand’s pipeline, underlining Big Chicken’s soaring popularity.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

State Rep. Beeler Challenges Attorney General’s “Baseless” Tax Cut Opinion In Lawsuit

State Representative Andrew Beeler, R-Port Huron, has taken a stand against what he calls a “baseless opinion” by the attorney general regarding the expiration of a new income tax cut in Michigan. 

In response to a lawsuit challenging this opinion, Beeler stated that the attorney general’s move to suggest that the tax cut will expire after 2023 is a manipulation of the law. He asserted that Michigan courts should intervene to uphold the permanent nature of the tax cut.

Despite opposition from Democrats, Beeler and fellow legislative Republicans successfully implemented the income tax cut earlier this year, benefiting Michiganders and small businesses. However, Attorney General Dana Nessel’s interpretation in March, which contradicted the legislative intent, history, and language of the law, indicated that the tax cut would only remain in effect for a single year, potentially raising the income tax rate in January.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Crime Surge Prompts Joint Effort By Law Enforcement To Combat Vehicle Thefts In Blue Water Area

The Blue Water Area has been grappling with a surge in thefts from vehicles as well as stolen vehicles, prompting a united response from local law enforcement agencies. 

Over the past two weeks, the Port Huron Police Department Road Patrol, Detective Bureau, Port Huron Major Crimes Unit, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department have collaborated to make multiple arrests linked to this disturbing trend.

To thwart these incidents, officials advise adopting preventive measures:

  • Lock It Up: Even brief absences require locking vehicles, as leaving them unlocked has been a key factor in recent crimes.
  • Hide Valuables: Keep valuables out of sight to discourage thieves enticed by easy targets.
  • Park Smart: Opt for well-lit areas near surveillance or homes for added deterrence.
  • Install Security Measures: Motion-sensor lights and alarms bolster security.
  • Report Suspicious Activity: Notify authorities of unusual behavior immediately.
  • Community Watch: Strengthening community ties enhances collective vigilance.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Federal Lawsuit Challenges Michigan’s Drone Statute’s Impact On Game Recovery

A federal lawsuit has been initiated to challenge a Michigan statute that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has interpreted as a prohibition on using drones for locating downed game. The law, commonly referred to as the “Drone Statute,” was enacted in 2015 to ban drone-assisted “hunting.” The DNR’s interpretation includes the use of drones to locate already downed game, even after the hunter has stored their weapons.

Mike Yoder, the founder of Drone Deer Recovery Media, Inc., which assists hunters in locating downed game through drone technology, is at the center of the legal battle. The lawsuit argues that this use of drones is environmentally less intrusive and more humane compared to alternatives like tracking dogs or trail cameras.

The case, titled Yoder and DDR Media, Inc. v Lott, has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

BWROC Spurs Community Action Against Addiction With Telethon Initiative

As the world prepares for International Overdose Awareness Day, the persistence of addiction and drug overdose issues within our community looms large. The Blue Water Recovery & Outreach Center (BWROC) has been combating this crisis, and fostering recovery for half a decade.

In a bid to expand their impact, BWROC announces an ambitious initiative: an all-day telethon on August 31st. The event aims to secure 100 “Partners in Recovery” by September’s close, coinciding with National Recovery Month. A rallying cry is extended to citizens, urging contributions of $25 or more per month to sustain and amplify BWROC’s life-saving efforts.

A special incentive awaits: each new monthly “Partner in Recovery” registered in August qualifies for a chance to win a Dinner for Two at Texas Roadhouse. The excitement culminates in a live drawing on BWROC’s Facebook page at 7:45pm on August 31st. 

For more information, visit: bwroc.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell