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Michigan’s newly approved limits on political spending are already headed to court. More than eighty percent of voters backed Proposal Two, which restricts campaign contributions from regulated utilities and major state contractors. The Mackinac Center has filed a federal lawsuit challenging separate provisions covering political communications and donor disclosure. The conservative policy group says those requirements threaten free speech and donor privacy. Supporters say the measure will curb corporate influence and bring more transparency to Lansing. The lawsuit does not challenge the ban on utility campaign contributions.
#Election 2026
There’s encouraging news for the fishery surrounding Beaver Island. Sea lamprey numbers are down across nearly all the Great Lakes. I-P-R reports researchers estimate about twenty thousand adult lamprey in Lake Michigan, roughly a thousand fewer than last year. The invasive predators attach to fish and feed on them. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission credits chemical treatments, barriers and trapping for the decline. Researchers say continued work is needed, particularly as warming waters and changing river conditions complicate control efforts.
#Environment #Fishing
But another aquatic invader is expanding its Michigan footprint. New Zealand mudsnails have been confirmed in Kent County’s Bear Creek—the first detection in the southern Lower Peninsula. They already inhabit several northern Michigan rivers, including the Boardman, Grass and Upper Manistee. The tiny snails compete with native creatures that provide food for trout, and just one can start a population. State officials urge anglers and paddlers to carefully clean, drain and dry equipment before moving between waterways.
#Environment #Fishing
Up north, a new effort will measure whether communities are ready for more growth. Traverse Connect plans to unveil its Regional Readiness Index Monday. The index will examine housing, infrastructure, zoning, business conditions and cooperation among local governments. Traverse Connect’s president told the Ticker that sharing services and planning across township boundaries could help the region manage growth and reduce costs.
#Economy
A warning for anyone doing business with a township: scammers are using public meeting documents to make fake payment demands look convincing. Down in T-C, Garfield Township officials say about a dozen applicants have been targeted with messages containing actual project details and official-looking letterhead. One demanded thirty-eight hundred dollars in supposed fees. On the Island, scammers have used similar looking email addresses to send out requests for tax and other payments. Be on guard. And tune in to our listen to WVBI’s Tech Tips program for tips from Greg Doig on how to avoid getting scammed.
https://wvbi.biccenter.org/podcasts
#Cybersececuity
Boyne City High School students have collected a national video-making award for a short filmed on the decks of the Emerald Isle. The piece spoofs Titanic in a farewell to mascot Captain Rowdy, whose contest run ended against Virginia’s Broadway Gobblers. Teacher Randy Calcaterra led the student crew. We’ve linked their video in today’s script.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2110974579560617
#Education
Boyne City High School video production students shot their award winning short aboard the Emerald Isle. Screen captures from the video short Closure provided by Beaver Island Boat Company Facebook post
The Hardware says it is clearing shelf space for products customers want. Red-tagged items, Christmas decorations and lights are half off, with a bargain table offering items for one, two and five dollars. Housewares and kitchen clearance starts Monday. Sale items are available while supplies last.
#HolidayShopping
And here’s another Holiday Shopping tip: Show your Islander pride and support student activities. Beaver Island Community School has opened an online gear
shop with sports, robotics and personalized designs. Ten percent of each sale supports student activities, including robotics and class trips. We’ve linked the shop in today’s script.
#HolidayShopping
Showing up at the BIC Center for fun has paid off for Rose Hockey and Sally Stebbins. They are the senior activity drawing winners for October. Prizes were gift certificates to McDonough’s Market and Island Energies. There were two hundred eighty-six entries. Each senior or veteran activity you attend earns another ticket in the monthly drawing.
#Seniors #Vets
Senior events at the BIC Center include an entry in a monthly drawing for seniors and vets who attend. For October. Winners took home gift certificates groceries and gas thanks to generous donors. Graphic provided by BIC Center
A reminder that the library is looking for some gardening help next Wednesday as they put their beds away for the winter. They’ll start at 11:00 that morning.
Mark your calendar.
And, finally in our news, a salute to Chef Ian at B-I-C-S who put together a fantastic pumpkin sculpture and who has been wowing students with fabulous lunches.
There’s a picture in today’s script online.
Chef Ian put together an elaborate pumpkin sculpture to decorate Halloween lunch at school. Photo provided by Heidi Bearss
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
On the fun front today…
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
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Those are the highlights. Find a full listing of events at calendar dot W-V-B-I dot net.
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Collin. If that’s your name, come on down to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice.
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On our Birthday List: Our list is empty today, but if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI.
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TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly. There are no bridge delays. Still, let’s be careful out there. Especially in the school zone.
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On this date in 1918, Michigan voters approved a constitutional
amendment granting women full voting rights in state elections. The victory followed decades of organizing and campaigning and was spurred on by World War I as suffragists pointed out the hypocrisy of fighting a war for democracy abroad while denying it to
women at home. Voting rights in Michigan ultimately led to the 19th Amendment and voting rights for women nationwide.
A historical broadside or handbill from the Michigan Equal Suffrage Association (8th Congressional District, Saginaw), urging women to rally men to vote “yes” on a state woman suffrage referendum. The measure passed with 54.06 voting in favor. Image from Central Michigan University Archives via Wikimedia Commons
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Our word of the day is fulsome [FULL-sum], an adjective meaning generous or abundant in amount or spirit. For example: “Island residents offered fulsome praise for the volunteers who made the event possible.” There’s a wrinkle: fulsome can also describe praise so excessive that it sounds insincere. Context makes the difference. Its original meaning, dating to the 1300s, was simply abundant.
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Thursday…
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Here’s a thought for the day from Woodrow Wilson, who endorsed the 19th Amendment shortly before Michigan granted women the right to vote in state elections: “If you lose your wealth, you have lost nothing; if you lose your health, you have lost something; but if you lose your character, you have lost everything.”
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And on a lighter note…
Halloween and the election are over. Time to move on with our jokes. Can you guess what’s next?
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, November 5th, 2026. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day and asking: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening.
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WEATHER
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[Current Condition Report, then…]
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Today
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Air Quality Index this morning is 54.
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Fire Danger: Low
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Out on the Big Drink…
Photo from the North Lake Michigan Buoy. Provided by the National Data Buoy Center
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Today – Gale Warning at 1:00 p.m.
SW wind 20 to 25 kt becoming NNW in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 kt. Showers likely, mainly after 3pm. Waves 3 to 5 ft.
Friday – Gale Warning until 5 p.m.
N wind 15 to 25 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. Showers, mainly before 10am. Waves 3 to 5 ft.
Saturday
N wind around 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Sunday
W wind around 15 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 2 to 3 ft.
Monday
WNW wind 10 to 15 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 to 3 ft.
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Water Temps: 55 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. No other buoys reporting.
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Michigan’s new political advertising ban is headed headed to court. Scammers target township business, sea lamprey numbers fall, and another aquatic invader spreads. Here on the Island, school gear supports student activities, showing up at the BIC Center pays off, and Chef Ian earns a salute. Plus, an award-winning Titanic spoof aboard the Emerald Isle.
Those stories along with more local and state news, a run down of local events, birthdays, this date in history, a thought for the day and yet another even worse pumpkin joke are up after this global and national news from F-S-N…
[Time check.]
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Today’s featured image: Boyne City High School video production students shot their award winning short aboard the Emerald Isle. Screen capture from the video short Closure provided by Beaver Island Boat Company Facebook post
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