The Daily J

There are many things tied to our identities as Michiganders. Saying pop, not soda, eating Coney dogs, and -- playing euchre. On this Daily J, WWJ's Brian Fisher explores what makes the game so popular in the Midwest -- but almost non-existent outside the region.  (Credit: Getty Images)

There is a proposal in front of the Detroit City Council to rename Hart Plaza in the name of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While some debate the legacies of Sen. Phil Hart and Rev. Dr King, the name isn't what makes the spot so special. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark digs into a Detroit hotspot. (PHOTO: Christopher Bjorn/USA Today)

Stellantis operates a 100+ acre facility on Detroit's east side, the Mack Assembly Plant. Since it expanded in 2021, Mack Assembly has been hit with multiple environmental violations. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark meets some neighbors who are complaining of a harsh smell with irritated eyes and lungs. (PHOTO: Mandi Wright/USA TODAY)

For the first time since 2017, Comerica Park is hosting high-level European soccer. On July 30, when Crystal Palace and Sevilla meet downtown, American Chris Richards will be home. At least kind of. On a new Sunday Conversation, Richards chats with WWJ's Zach Clark and Kyle Beery about what it's like being home and playing in the States. (PHOTO: Lucas Peltier/USA TODAY Sports)

Today, Michiganders are celebrating National Junk Food Day by turning to their favorite brands. And looking around, there are a lot of snack brands native to The Mitten. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark explores why Michigan is such a hotbed for snacking.  (PHOTO: IMAGN)

Prostitution is illegal in 49 states. But in Metro Detroit's Washtenaw County, the prosecutor has stopped prosecuting prostitutes and those caught with prostitutes. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark explores the changing views on prostitution. (PHOTO: Getty Images) 

Following an attack by a pit bull on an another dog, Grosse Pointe Shores is mulling banning the breed in the community. On this Daily J, WWJ's Brian Fisher explores whether breed-specific bans are effective, and why pit bulls are always at the center of the debate. (Credit: Getty)

10 years ago Tuesday, Detroit hit rock-bottom financially. With a decade of hindsight, how can we tell if Detroit sits in a better spot today as a result of bankruptcy? On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark learns the answers are as complex as the bankruptcy itself. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

In June, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Michigan's 2024 budget into law, totaling almost $82 billion. $30 million is earmarked for Detroit freeway cameras and on a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark delves into not only the privacy concerns but the governmental transparency concerns as well. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

While the United States continues to grow, Michigan has spent the last couple of years declining in population. Last month, Hilary Doe was appointed Michigan's first Chief Growth Officer. On a new 'Sunday Conversation', WWJ's Zach Clark sits down with Doe to hear her sales pitch.  (PHOTO: Zach Clark/WWJ)

Singapore, Michigan would be neighbors with Saugatuck, on Michigan's west coast. That is, if Singapore didn't disappear over a century ago. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark and Kyle Beery visit the banks of the Kalamazoo River to find out how a town can gets buried in time. Literally. (PHOTO: Saugatuck-Douglas History Center)

Michigan is currently fighting population drain. Why are people moving away and what is the state doing to reverse the trend? On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark seeks the answers from Michigan's new Chief Growth Officer and from somebody that used to call the state home. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

When heavy rain strikes Metro Detroit, beach closures due to e. coli usually follow. On this Daily J, WWJ's Brian Fisher explores what causes this contamination, and what's being done to prevent it from continuing to ruin your summer. (Credit: Getty Images)

The kidnapping and killing of Wynter Cole-Smith is one of the most gruesome crimes we've seen here in Michigan. The man accused of her murder, Rashad Trice, may face the death penalty in this case. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark learns how that's possible even though Michigan abolished the death penalty over 150 years ago. (PHOTOS: Ingham County Sheriff's Office and Lansing Police Department)

Detroit's own Aretha Franklin is one of the most successful musicians of all time. But since her death in 2018, the Queen of Soul's sons have been battling over her estate. With the trial now underway, WWJ's Zach Clark details the battle over tens of millions of dollars and how it impacts Franklin's legacy. (PHOTO: Elaine Cromie/Detroit Free Press/USA Today)

In an attempt to curb racial profiling by police, Ann Arbor has prohibited its police from making traffic stops over minor offenses. On this Daily J, WWJ's Brian Fisher explores whether this make the community more or less safe . (Credit: Getty)

The State House passed a bill that would allow Michigan to put high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on its freeways, with I-75 being the first on MDOT's list. On this Daily J, WWJ's Brian Fisher explores the effectiveness of HOV lanes, and how they serve as incentive to reduce they total number of cars on the road. (Credit: Getty Images)

Fireworks and Independence Day go together like peanut butter and chocolate. But in Michigan, people can shoot off fireworks from June 29th until at least July 4th. On this Daily J, WWJ's Brian Fisher explores if people love or hate these consumer displays. (Credit: Getty)

No matter where you are in Detroit, you'll see the 'Old English D' everywhere. How did the 'D' transcend the Detroit Tigers' hat and become the moniker for the city? WWJ's Zach Clark has the answer on a new Daily J. (PHOTO: Detroit Free Press via Imagn Content Services, LLC) ----- Today's Daily J originally aired in April.

Starting July 1, Michigan's new distracted driving law went into effect. Now, drivers statewide can be pulled over if a law enforcement officer sees them with a phone in their hand. On a new edition of 'Sunday Conversations', WWJ's Zach Clark sits down with Michigan State Police First Lt. Mike Shaw to get the ins and outs of the new law (PHOTO: Michigan State Police)

The first casino opened in Michigan in 1984. So, gambling isn't new in the state. But in 2021, sports and internet gaming were legalized, changing the landscape drastically. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark tackles the intersection between entertainment, pro sports and addiction. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

The City of Detroit is one of the biggest by physical area in the country. Because of great population loss, the city is covered in vacant lots. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark details a plan from the mayor to bring solar farms to some of those empty lots. But at what cost? (PHOTO: Getty Images)

Michigan is set to get over a billion dollars from the bipartisan infrastructure law to connect every resident to high-speed internet. On this Daily J, WWJ's Brian Fisher explores how connection everyone helps fight economic inequalities. (Credit: Getty)

The CDC has issued a warning after five cases of malaria were found in Florida and Texas. What makes the cases unusual is that they have no connection to travel. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark wonders, with all of the mosquitoes in Michigan, are we at risk? (PHOTO: Getty Images)

According to the Transportation Improvement Association, nearly 6,000 people were injured in distracted driving crashes in 2022 causing 57 deaths across Michigan. This Friday, June 30, a new distracted driving law goes into effect statewide. On a new Daily J, WWJ's Zach Clark learns what is different in the new law and how that impacts drivers. (PHOTO: Getty Images)