business news

One Lucky Winner Could Win The Mega Millions Jackpot Valued At Almost $600 Million

The Mega Millions jackpot has increased by $60 million, and now stands at almost $600 million for Friday’s drawing as there were no winners matching all six numbers in Tuesday’s drawing. 

If a player wins Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot, it would be the second largest Mega Millions jackpot won this year. The Mega Millions jackpot was last won in Michigan in January 2021 by an Oakland County lottery club. The club won a $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot. That jackpot was the largest ever won in Michigan and the sixth largest in U.S. lottery history.

The Mega Millions jackpot was last won in April, when one ticket purchased in New York matched the five white balls and Mega ball to win a $20 million jackpot.

 The odds of matching all six numbers is approximately 1 in 302,575,350. Tickets are $2 each to purchase, with the winner(s) being announced Friday at 11pm. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Get Ready For The Bayview Mackinac Race Setting Sail In Port Huron

The Bayview Mackinac Race is an exciting and challenging freshwater boat race that attracts participants from around the world. This year’s race is set to begin on July 15th, at 10 am and will span from Port Huron to Mackinac Island. 

The Bayview Mackinac Race has become a beloved tradition and a vital part of Great Lakes, Michigan, and sailing history. This year marks the 98th consecutive year of the race, making it the longest consecutively run freshwater race in the world.

Each year it brings excitement and celebration to Port Huron and the Blue Water Area as the race kicks off. Be sure to check out Boat Week and all of the events and activities at the Blue Water Festival taking place in Downtown Port Huron.

Whether you’re a participant or a spectator, this race is sure to be an unforgettable experience that you’ll cherish for years to come.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Send Love And Cheer To The Children And Families Of St. John’s Hospital

The Caring for Kids event is happening on Saturday, August 12th, from 10am – 12pm at the Blue Water Convention Center, located at 800 Harker St., in Port Huron. 

School-age children will make cards for kids in the pediatric unit at St. John’s Hospital. Each card will come with a stuffed animal and a DoorDash or GrubHub gift card for families to order food while they’re at the hospital.

The organizers want to spread love and kindness to those in need and encourage families to attend. There will be punch and cookies for everyone. Families must register and only one person per family should register, but they can indicate how many children are attending.

The event is open to all, and families with younger children are welcome. Attendees can also bring a $30 gift card to DoorDash, GrubHub, or UberEats to add to the cards, but it’s not required.

For more information, visit: eventbrite.com, or to donate: funraise.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

OPP Provides New Text Service To Better Serve And Protect Residents

Members of the public in Ontario will now be able to receive automated text messages from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) regarding certain events that have taken place. The OPP has created a limited list of event types that are eligible for messages to be sent, with the majority being events reported after the fact and events where no suspects are present.

When someone contacts the OPP through an SMS-enabled device and their call is categorized as one of these eligible event types, they will receive a text message with their event number. 

After the call is cleared by the responding officer, the initial caller will receive an invitation to a brief voluntary survey to provide feedback on their experience with the OPP. The information collected through the automated surveys will be used to assist the OPP in identifying opportunities to better serve the public and protect the citizens of Ontario.

For more information, visit: opp.ca.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Port Huron Economy Shows Continued Growth And Prosperity

Port Huron’s local economy has been on a steady upward trajectory for the past several years. The increase in building permits pulled annually is a clear indication of the city’s continued economic growth. 

Data provided by the City of Port Huron shows that the number of permits pulled in 2022 increased by more than 61% compared to 2015. This trend is remarkable and promising, with the permits representing more than $500 million in investments across the city. These numbers serve as a barometer of the city’s economic strength and vitality.

Looking back at previous years, it is evident that the growth has been consistent. In 2022, there were 1050 building permits pulled, compared to 1034 in 2021, 797 in 2020, and 650 in 2015. This data supports the notion that Port Huron is a city on the rise, with a strong and vibrant economy that is poised for continued growth and prosperity.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Detroit Hosting 77th Annual Midwestern Legislative Conference

Hundreds of state and provincial legislators are meeting in Detroit for a four-day annual meeting aimed at enhancing their roles as policy leaders while exploring the vibrant city. Organized by Michigan Sen. Roger Victory, chair of The Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC), the event will take place from July 9th – 12th.

Celebrating its 77th year, the Annual Meeting provides a nonpartisan platform for participants to learn from each other, policy experts, and thought leaders. This year, the focus is on “Food Security: Feeding the Future,” as part of Sen. Victory’s MLC Chair’s Initiative for 2023. 

The agenda features various sessions, including visits to Detroit’s Eastern Market, discussions on improving food security, and debates on the future of farmland in the Midwest. Additionally, the program covers topics such as agriculture, criminal justice, education, energy, health, budgets, workforce development, and the U.S.-Canada border. 

For more information, visit: csgmidwest.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell