Morning Show Insider: Jason Carr thinks this needs to happen to our roads

DETROITJason Carr: When I was a kid, my grandfather would get up and say, “welp, another day in the salt mines.” Or maybe it was my dad. I don’t remember exactly but I do remember that Everyman declaration of resignation. It sounded more interesting than “time to go to work” while at the same time indicating a sort of foreboding drudgery. And where were these salt mines that needed going to? Did people in Texas say this, too? Florida? England?

No-Detroit.

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Now my family did not work in the salt mines that I’m aware of. In fact I’ve never met anyone who worked in the salt mines or knew of anyone who did. But of course you know 1200 feet below Melvindale and Allen Park is a century-old subterranean chasm in the ground that is one of the planet’s oldest salt deposits, dating back 400 million years according to Atlas Obscura. It’s kind of wild to think about but it’s there, literally beneath our feet.

Here’s the thing that cracks me up. We are sitting on a giant pile of pre-dinosaur era salt, and yet I feel like the road commissions around here mete it out like they’re spreading caviar on the roads. Am I right? More often than not I just feel like the salt trucks aren’t being aggressive enough when I’m behind them being pelted with salt nuggets. If you’re going to ruin the roads and my windshield in one fell swoop then do it with panache! Open up that spreader to the max and let’s make some potholes! C’mon!

Now, I know this idea won’t please Governor Whitmer but having run successfully on a platform of “fix the damn roads” she needs something for the stump to get re-elected. And although I don’t normally hand out free strategy samples to politicians in this case I’ll make an exception. Here ya go, guvna…

“SALT the damn roads!”

Here’s what we’re working on for Friday, February 14th on Local 4 News Today --

All Morning – Cuddling Cold

Paul Gross: Valentine’s Day will start with bright sunshine, before skies become partly to mostly cloudy during the afternoon. It’ll be cuddling cold, with highs barely approaching 20 degrees (-7 degrees Celsius), and afternoon wind chills around 10 degrees (-12 degrees Celsius). We’ll also have an update on the all-important weekend forecast.

Becoming mostly clear Friday night, with lows near 10 degrees (-12 degrees Celsius).

  • Get the full forecast here

All Morning – Weekend Construction

Another weekend in Metro Detroit means more orange barrels, including a closure of I-94. We’ll help you get around the projects.

  • Check traffic conditions in your neighborhood here

All Morning - Disney On Ice Live

Mickey, Minnie and the gang are coming to Detroit and we have your backstage pass. Kim DeGiulio will put the skates on and give you a preview of Disney on Ice at Little Caesars Arena. We’ll also give some tickets away, too.

6:15 a.m. – Black History Month

This month on Local 4 News Today, we are celebrating Black History Month with some really great stories. Profiles on amazing people and incredible places. Be sure to tune in each morning for a new story. Friday, meet the journalist who has interviewed world leaders, TV, movie and music stars. Rhonda Walker sits down with Detroit’s own Ed Gordon.

ICYMI

Today’s Trivia Retake

Every weekday morning at 6 a.m., we ask you a trivia question on Local 4 for a chance to win a prize.

  • Thursday Question: Thursday was National Cheddar Cheese Day! Where did cheddar cheese originate?
  • Answer: The Village of Cheddar in Somerset, England
  • Be sure to watch daily at 6 a.m. and click this link to enter for a chance to win.

National Days: February 14th

  • National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day
  • National Ferris Wheel Day
  • National Organ Donor Day
  • No One Eats Alone Day
  • Valentines Day

History Highlights: February 14th

  • In 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state.
  • In 1903, the Department of Commerce and Labor was established. (It was divided into separate departments of Commerce and Labor in 1913.)
  • In 1912, Arizona became the 48th state of the Union as President William Howard Taft signed a proclamation.
  • In 1913, labor leader Jimmy Hoffa was born in Brazil, Ind.
  • In 1929, the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capone’s gang were gunned down.
  • In 2013, double-amputee and Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria, South Africa; he was later convicted of murder and is serving a 13-year prison term.

Celebrity Birthdays: February 14th

Celebrating a birthday Friday? Submit a Sunshine Award here and we could say your name on Local 4 News Today during our 6 a.m. show.

Here’s who you’re sharing a birthday with –

  • Country singer Razzy Bailey is 81.
  • Magician Teller of Penn and Teller is 72.
  • Actress Meg Tilly is 60.
  • Singer Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty is 48.
  • Actress Danai Gurira (“Black Panther”) is 42.
  • Actor Jake Lacy (“The Office”) is 34.

Local 4 News Today links