Michigan
Are restaurants open on New Year’s Day in Michigan? Where to find a meal on the holiday
New Year’s Eve: 4 hacks to enjoy a bottle of champagne
Get the most out of your bubbly with these fun champagne hacks.
ProblemSolved, USA TODAY
The new year is nearly upon us, and if you’re looking for dining options to ring in 2025, Michigan will offer plenty of choices.
Most restaurant chains will remain open for the New Year’s holiday, including some 24/7 dining options.
Here’s what to know.
When is New Year’s Eve?
New Year’s Eve is Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. New Year’s Day is Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
Will Applebee’s be open on New Year’s?
Yes, but Applebee’s New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check online or call ahead for your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Biggby be open on New Year’s?
Some Biggby locations will be open on New Year’s. Check online for your nearest Michigan Biggby.
Will Big Boy be open on New Year’s?
Some Big Boy locations will be open for New Year’s. Check online or call ahead for hours at your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Bob Evans be open on New Year’s?
Bob Evans restaurants’ New Year’s hours may vary by location. Call ahead or check online for your nearest Michigan restaurant before visiting.
Will Buffalo Wild Wings be open on New Year’s?
Many Buffalo Wild Wings will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the company said. Hours will vary by location, so check online with your nearest Michigan Buffalo Wild Wings.
Will Burger King be open on New Year’s?
Burger King’s New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check online with your nearest Michigan restaurant before visiting.
Will Carrabba’s be open on New Year’s?
Carrabba’s locations’ New Year’s hours may vary. Check online or call ahead for hours at your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Chick-fil-A be open on New Year’s?
Yes, Chick-fil-A locations will be open on New Year’s, according to the company. Hours may vary by location, so check online with your nearest Michigan location.
Will Chili’s be open on New Year’s?
Yes, Chili’s restaurants are open on New Year’s. Hours may vary by location, so check online for your nearest Michigan Chili’s.
Will Cracker Barrel be open on New Year’s?
Yes, Cracker Barrel locations are open on New Year’s. Check online for hours at your nearest Michigan location.
Will Denny’s be open on New Year’s?
Yes, Denny’s restaurants will be open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day 24/7.
Will Domino’s be open on New Year’s?
Domino’s Pizza locations’ hours may vary on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Check online for your nearest Michigan Domino’s.
Will Dunkin’ be open on New Year’s?
Dunkin’ outlets’ hours may vary by location on New Year’s, so check the Dunkin’ store locator or the Dunkin’ Rewards app for your nearest Michigan location.
Will Hungry Howie’s be open on New Year’s?
Hungry Howie’s restaurants New Year’s hours may vary by location. Visit the Hungry Howie’s website to check with your nearest Michigan location.
Will IHOP be open on New Year’s?
IHOP hours may vary by location. Check online with your nearest Michigan location before visiting.
Will Jet’s be open on New Year’s?
Jet’s Pizza’s hours may vary by location. Check the Jet’s website for your nearest Michigan location.
Will Jimmy John’s be open on New Year’s?
Jimmy John’s hours may vary by location. Check online for hours at your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Leo’s Coney Island be open on New Year’s?
Leo’s Coney Island’s New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check online or call ahead with your nearest Michigan location before visiting.
Will Little Caesars be open on New Year’s?
Most Little Caesars locations will be open for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the company said. Check online with your nearest Michigan Little Caesars for specific hours.
Will McDonald’s be open on New Year’s?
Most McDonald’s sites will be open on New Year’s, the hours may vary by location, the company said. You can check the store locator for hours at your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Olga’s Kitchen be open on New Year’s?
Olga’s Kitchen restaurants’ New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check online for your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Olive Garden be open on New Year’s?
Olive Garden’s New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check online with your nearest Michigan restaurant for hours.
Will Panda Express be open on New Year’s?
Panda Express’ New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check online or call ahead for your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Panera be open on New Year’s?
Panera Bread’s New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check online or call ahead for your nearest Michigan cafe.
Will Papa Johns be open on New Year’s?
Papa Johns Pizza’s New Year’s hours may vary by location. Call ahead or check online for hours at your nearest Michigan Papa Johns.
Will Pizza Hut be open on New Year’s?
Most Pizza Hut locations will be open for regular hours on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the company said. You can check online for hours at your nearest Michigan Pizza Hut.
Will QDOBA be open on New Year’s?
QDOBA restaurants will be open for normal store hours on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the company said. Check online with your nearest Michigan restaurant for specific hours.
Will Red Lobster be open on New Year’s?
Red Lobster restaurants’ New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check online or call ahead for hours at your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Red Robin be open on New Year’s?
Yes, Red Robin burger restaurants will be open on New Year’s. You can visit the Red Robin website to check hours at your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Starbucks be open on New Year’s?
Starbucks Coffee’s New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check the Starbucks store locator or Starbucks app to check hours for your nearest Michigan location.
Will Subway be open on New Year’s?
Subway restaurants’ New Year’s hours may vary by location. Check online for your nearest Michigan location.
Will Taco Bell be open on New Year’s?
Taco Bell locations are open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. New Year’s Eve hours may vary by location, so check online with your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Texas Roadhouse be open on New Year’s?
Texas Roadhouse locations will be open on New Year’s, the company said. Locations will be open for normal hours or expanded hours, varying by location. Check online for your nearest Michigan restaurant.
Will Tim Hortons be open on New Year’s?
Tim Hortons locations’ New Year’s hours will vary by location, the company said. Check online for your nearest Michigan Tim Hortons.
Will Wendy’s be open on New Year’s?
Many Wendy’s locations will be open on New Year’s. Hours may vary by location, so check online for hours at your nearest Michigan Wendy’s.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
Michigan
New Michigan O-line coach Jim Harding has one goal for spring practice
Jim Harding, Michigan’s new offensive line coach, has one goal coming out of spring practice: he wants to have a set starting five plus a solid sixth lineman for good measure.
Michigan begins spring practice March 17 and concludes with the spring game on April 18.
Harding, appearing on the Michigan in-house podcast, “In the Trenches” hosted by Jon Jansen, joined new Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham’s staff from Utah, where Whittingham was head coach the last 21 years. Harding spoke about a number of topics, including returning to the Midwest — he grew up in Maumee, Ohio, and his wife is from Farmington Hills — and his love for the Detroit Tigers, but most important was his discussion about building the Wolverines’ offensive line.
“I’d like to establish the starting five where you feel good that when you go into fall camp,” Harding said on the podcast that posted Wednesday. “Those are the guys that are working together immediately from Day 1.”
Harding said he uses a sixth lineman — he terms that player the “rhino” — quite a bit and would like to have at least two ready to go. The Wolverines also need depth at center considering only Jake Guarnera has snapped in a game.
“And then just having that physicality, nastiness of the offensive line,” Harding said. “Just kind of develop that.”
Since arriving earlier this year at Michigan, Harding said he’s been impressed by the linemen and their desire to work hard on conditioning and developing their craft by asking questions and wanting feedback. They have gone to dinner as a group to get to know each other away from the facility, and Harding has enjoyed the process.
“The things that you can’t measure right now is our physicality or our toughness, things like that,” Harding said. “I’m confident that it won’t be an issue, but that’s kind of the next step once we get pads on, (finding out) who are kind of the Alpha dogs in the room that are going to set the tone for the unit, and then, obviously, the offense. But really pleased with what I’ve seen so far.”
Harding shared offensive coordinator Jason Beck’s approach to installing the offense.
“The way (Beck) runs it, everything’s on the table Day 1 in practice,” Harding said on the podcast. “So we’ll get a script with, if you count red zone, probably 60 or so plays, and any play can be called. It’s really unique, and I’d never done it this way, but Coach Beck, actually calls it like he does in the game. There are no scripts, and so we’ll just move the ball down the field, and if it’s a third play and it’s third and 3, well he’s going to call a third-and-3 call.
“So you really have to have the kids prepared for all 60 of those. And then the next day there’ll be maybe different formations and things like that once we get the concepts down in the O-line room for the run game. Now it’s just a matter of dressing up different things. It’s a lot of stuff early on, because every run scheme we have could be called on that first day, every pass protection we have could be called on that first day. So it’s a front-loaded installation.”
achengelis@detroitnews.com
@chengelis
Michigan
Bills to end concealed carry permit requirement introduced in Michigan House
LANSING, Mich. — A group of Republicans in the Michigan House say Michiganders’ second amendment rights are being infringed, as they introduce legislation to end requirements for concealed carry permits.
Right now, Michiganders must obtain a permit to carry a concealed gun, with a base fee of $100.
As part of the process, applicants must also receive training.
“The first thing they do is put you in a classroom, make sure you know all proper range and safety procedures, run you over what the law states about when and if you’re allowed to use your firearm,” Jonathan Hold, president of the Michigan chapter of Giffords Gun Owners for Safety and a firearms instructor, said. “It gives a really good grounding.”
Applicants must demonstrate four hours of range time as well.
The group of House Republicans feel this is an undue burden, noting many gun owners are already knowledgeable.
They also believe the current five-year felony for carrying without a permit is too steep.
“For the government of the state of Michigan to tell that that we have to be qualified under the guise of their rules in order to protect ourselves is a far cry from what the constitution provides for us,” Rep. Jay DeBoyer, (R- Clay) said.
The package of bills wouldn’t abolish permits, as they are necessary to take guns outside of the state, but it would institute what’s called “constitutional carry.”
That means Michiganders can carry a gun on them without a permit.
Twenty-nine other states already adopted such policies.
“When we exercise other first amendment rights like our right to speak, we do not have to get a permit or permission from the government to speak,” Rep. Jim DeSana (R- Carleton) said. “When we exercise our right to worship, we do not have to go get a permit or permission to go worship.”
Supporters say concealed guns are important for self-defense, and can also help stop crime.
“It’s going to encourage and increase safety for all,” Rep. Joseph Fox (R- Fremont) said. “It’s about protecting everybody because if there are guns in this situation, and people are worried for their lives, they’re gonna stay back away from evil and making bad choices.”
Gun control advocates like Gold, however, say it’s “ridiculous” not to have guardrails.
“We’re talking about the power of life and death at a distance,” Gold said. “To send an untrained user out into the world with a firearm is a mistake.”
He also takes issue with the constitution argument.
“The constitution says as part of a well regulated militia, if you read the second amendment, and we don’t have well regulated militias in this country,” Gold said. “At the very least, what we should have are trained firearms users.”
A similar effort to end concealed carry permits failed to gain traction last year in the Michigan Senate, and with the landscape unchanged, the bills likely have an uphill battle to become law.
Michigan
Werewolf, trout ruled in ’24. What will be next ‘I voted’ sticker
How to register to vote in Michigan: Step-by-step guide
Registering to vote in Michigan is simple and can be done online, by mail, or in person, depending on how close you are to Election Day.
The rewarding feeling of wearing an “I Voted” sticker after turning in your ballot is something everyone can relate to.
Michigan voters can take it one step farther and vote on the design for the Election Day tradition.
The Michigan Department of State announced on March 3 the return of the highly competitive “I Voted” sticker contest in preparation for the state’s general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
“Our first-ever ‘I Voted’ sticker design contest in 2024 was a massive success,” Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in a March 3 release. “This year we look forward to seeing the creative ways Michiganders of all ages celebrate democracy. Submit your entry to help us continue the tradition and get voters excited to cast their ballot this fall.”
Designs are being accepted online via the Secretary of State’s “I Voted” webpage: Michigan.gov/IVotedSticker. On the page, participants may print or download the official entry form.
Design and entry rules, the sticker template, and tips and suggestions are included on the official entry form.
There are three categories — elementary/middle school (grades K-8), high school (grades 9-12) and Michigan residents of all ages. Designs are due at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1.
Once submissions are closed, the public may vote for finalists online in June. Winners will be announced and celebrated later in the summer. Winning stickers will be dispersed to local election clerks for the November Election.
In 2024, there were more than 480 submissions, and more than 57,700 voters selected the nine winners, according to the release. Before the contest opened up for a public vote, the Michigan Collegiate Student Advisory Task Force members narrowed the submissions down to 25 semifinalists.
Here’s the 2024 winners and rules for the 2026 participants:
What did the winning 2024 ‘I Voted’ sticker designs look like?
Want to enter a design? Here are the ‘I Voted’ sticker contest rules
According to the Secretary of State, here’s what to keep in mind for your sticker:
- Designs must be completed using official entry form.
- Designs must include the phrase “I voted” AND be nonpartisan in nature.
- Artwork must be original, non-AI generated, and not contain copyrighted or trademarked designs.
- Entries can be created using your preferred method (digital, paint, crayon, mixed media, etc.)
- Provide as high quality of resolution as possible when submitting your design.
- There are three categories — elementary/middle school (grades K-8), high school (grades 9-12) and Michigan residents of all ages. You may enter one design in one category.
- Designs are due at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
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