Briana Alvarado, WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids, MI) Journalist Profile

Articles

Beloved fast-food chain Hot 'n Now making comeback with 2 new Michigan locations

Jan 21, 2025 | wzzm13.com | Briana Alvarado

WAYLAND, Mich. — A beloved Michigan fast-food chain is preparing to return with two new locations after years of near-extinction. Hot 'n Now, once a staple of quick-service restaurants, is set to expand in 2025 through a partnership between Gun Lake Investments and Alpena developer Jeff Konczak. The brand, which had dwindled to a single location in Sturgis, Michigan, was acquired by HNN Holdings, LLC in October.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spotlights Muslim American achievements as part of Muslim American Heritage Month

Jan 8, 2025 | wzzm13.com | Briana Alvarado

MICHIGAN, USA — At the turn of the new year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared January as the official Muslim American Heritage Month in the state of Michigan. In a recent proclamation, Whitmer further commemorated the impact of Muslim Americans across the state, lauding their achievements in American science, arts, entertainment and sports.
Montcalm Township crash: 2 teens hospitalized after pickup strikes semi

Dec 11, 2024 | wzzm13.com | Briana Alvarado

MONTCALM COUNTY, Mich. — A crash involving a semi and a pickup truck near South Greenville Road in Montcalm Township left two people injured Tuesday evening. The incident happened around 8:22 p.m., just south of West Spencer Road. According to Montcalm County Deputies, a 2019 Peterbilt tractor with a loaded box trailer was backing into a driveway on the Eastside of Greenville Road.
Flags across the state fly half-staff in honor of former U.S. Representative Bob Carr

Dec 11, 2024 | wzzm13.com | Briana Alvarado

LANSING, Mich. — Following the death of former U.S. Representative Bob Carr, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all U.S. and Michigan flags to fly half-staff Thursday. The former Congressman died in August after fighting multiple myeloma and esophageal cancer for more than a decade. He was 81. In her proclamation Wednesday, Whitmer reflected on Carr’s legacy of service from his early days in Lansing to his years in Congress and beyond.
Where to find a free hot meal on Thanksgiving week

Nov 20, 2024 | ourcommunitynow.com | Briana Alvarado

MICHIGAN, USA — Not every household can splurge on a holiday feast. That's why 13 ON YOUR SIDE did some digging to bring you a list of local organizations working to make Thanksgiving dinner special for everyone in their community. The West Michigan restaurant announced Tuesday it will be giving away 30 fresh Thanksgiving meals this holiday season.
Where to find a free hot meal on Thanksgiving week

Nov 20, 2024 | wzzm13.com | Briana Alvarado

MICHIGAN, USA — Not every household can splurge on a holiday feast. That's why 13 ON YOUR SIDE did some digging to bring you a list of local organizations working to make Thanksgiving dinner special for everyone in their community. The West Michigan restaurant announced Tuesday it will be giving away 30 fresh Thanksgiving meals this holiday season.
Deputies find $1.5 million dollars worth of cocaine in semi trailer on I-94

Nov 20, 2024 | wzzm13.com | Briana Alvarado

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich — Berrien County deputies found nearly 123 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop search of a semi on I-94 this week. Deputies got a tip about drugs that may be traveling through Berrien County. Law enforcement spotted the suspected vehicle and pulled the semi over for a traffic violation just before 8 p.m. Monday near the 34th-mile marker. Upon searching the suspected vehicle, deputies found 50 kilograms or 123 pounds of cocaine.
'Zombie star' explosion expected on Halloween night, NASA scientists say

Oct 31, 2024 | wtol.com | Briana Alvarado

MICHIGAN, USA — A once-in-a-lifetime explosion is expected to burst in the night sky and NASA scientists said it’s right in our backyard. The stellar spectacle involves a star system that resides relatively close to Earth, which presents an opportunity for scientists to study this rare event with a closer eye. “Astronomically speaking, it’s very close by,” NASA Astrophysicist Charity Woodrum told 13 ON YOUR SIDE.
Consumers Energy gifts Greater Grand Rapids NAACP Branch an electric vehicle

Sep 18, 2024 | wzzm13.com | Briana Alvarado

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Greater Grand Rapids NAACP branch has a sweet new ride to mobilize their cause. In an effort to get more electric vehicles on the road, Consumers Energy gifted the organization a fully-electric van at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday. “This really ties into the work that we have done as an organization, NAACP, around environmental justice and climate issues,” Greater Grand Rapids NAACP president Cle Jackson told 13 ON YOUR SIDE.
Engineering contest encourages Michigan girls to pursue careers in aerospace

Sep 17, 2024 | wzzm13.com | Briana Alvarado

MICHIGAN, USA — A statewide competition is putting Michigan girls’ engineering, creativity and teamwork to the test. The Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge gets underway for the third year in a row in October where each team has to come up with their best sustainable solution to a real-world problem. It's hosted by the Women of Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (WAIAM).