Daily
Portage
Tuesday, March 31st, 2026
Good morning, Portage. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 31st of March.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ An 85-year-old Antrim County resident won $1 million on the Michigan Lottery’s Golden Key game after buying her routine ticket at Family Fare in East Jordan (a longtime habit); she claimed her prize in Lansing and said she will use it for a new mattress and charitable giving. MLive
- ➤ Feeding Broncos, a WMU student group, is offering a free Easter dinner on Thursday at Kanley Chapel from 5 to 6 p.m. The event features honey ham, fried chicken, au gratin potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and support from Portage Walmart and God’s Kitchen of Michigan. WKZO
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A Compass Group USA service contract ends on July 1, affecting over 250 contracted food service and support workers at Beacon Health locations across the region. Beacon Health plans to hire impacted employees to manage its in-house nutritional, environmental and transport services (transition announced by the hospital system). WWMT
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Yesterday, March 30, steam billowed from the Palisades nuclear energy plant during scheduled heat-ups and testing at the site on the shores of Lake Michigan. The facility is preparing for a future restart as upgrades and federal requirements are met. MLive
- ➤ Triple-A Michigan reports the average gas price has risen 4¢ a gallon to $3.96, which is 97¢ above last month and 82¢ above last year; prices range from $3.86 in Flint to $4.08 in Benton Harbor. WKZO
- ➤ AAA reported gas prices jumped by $1 in a month to nearly $4 per gallon as rates varied across West Michigan, with Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties slightly below the national average and Barry County reaching $4.07; local drivers said the hike did not change travel plans. WWMT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A $13.4 million MDOT project at the interchange of Interstate 94 and US 131 in Kalamazoo County has been causing traffic backups since March 2 — crews require ramp closures until fall when school resumes. Drivers are advised to seek alternative routes during construction. WWMT
- ➤ Kalamazoo County is converting a former hotel at 1912 E. Kilgore into The Landing Place, a new shelter for families with children that will open in early May after a ribbon cutting on April 30 (Portage contributed funding). MLive
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The DEA reports overdose deaths in Michigan have declined for the fourth year even as meth and cocaine use is rising, with increased border security & creative enforcement methods targeting drug shipments. Narcan distribution is helping reverse overdoses amid ongoing cartel tactics. WWMT
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Justin Verlander makes his first start with the Tigers since 2017 tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Fans can also purchase the Nike home replica jersey to mark his return. MLive
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
When you can't win by being better, you can win by being different.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Portage
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