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Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall has unveiled a package of bills aimed at lowering healthcare costs by regulating hospital prices and limiting consolidation among major health systems. The proposal would create a state review board to oversee hospital rate increases, cap prices charged by nonprofit hospitals, and require approval for future mergers and acquisitions. Hall says the measures would increase competition and reduce costs for patients. The Michigan Health and Hospital Association opposes the plan, arguing it could reduce access to care and increase financial pressures on hospitals, especially in rural areas. Meanwhile, separate bills addressing medical debt and hospital financial assistance continue to advance in Lansing.
Michigan environmental regulators last evening held a hearing on a key permit for Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 tunnel project. More than 200 people attended the virtual session, with supporters citing jobs and added pipeline safety, while opponents raised concerns about environmental risks and wastewater discharges into Lake Michigan. Public comments on the permit remain open through June 30, with state decisions on related permits expected next month.
A federal judge has refused to block Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s effort to stop online prediction markets from offering what the state considers unlicensed sports betting. The ruling found that contracts offered by companies such as Polymarket look more like gambling than federally regulated financial products. Polymarket has already appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
On the Island, the Joint Telecommunications Advisory Committee, which I chair, met yesterday and, among other things, reviewed materials for next Tuesday’s Community Meeting on Broadband. Working with the Townships and the Beaver Island Associations Broadband Committee, the J-TAC has developed a plan to bring fiber to the entire Island with a community owned system that is projected to offer better service at lower rates than what is available now from T-D-S or Starlink. But, for it to work, Island residents need to get behind the plan. You can learn more about it at the BIC Center next Tuesday at 5:00.
Poster promoting the Community Broadband Meeting set for next Tuesday at 5:00 at the BIC Center. Graphic from Joint Telecommunications Advisory Committee
Also next week, the Island will host educational leaders from across the country for the NativityMiguel Coalition Fundraising Institute. Organized by summer Islander Dave Kasievich and hosted at Brothers’ Place, the gathering will bring together representatives from faith-based schools serving underserved communities nationwide. Along with discussions on leadership and education, participants will have a chance to experience Beaver Island’s hospitality and unique character during their stay.
In other Island news, volunteers at the Beaver Head Lighthouse spent part of this week cleaning the historic Fresnel lens, and the results were impressive. After years of dust and dirt, the lens is already shining brightly again. Work will continue throughout the summer to remove old caulk spots and stabilize individual prisms. Taking part in the project were Dave Case, Dave Derosia, Keith Brothers, Craig Turnbull, Mark Howie, Doug Fulp, and Horst Blessing.
The Fresnel lens at the Beaver Head (Southend) Lighthouse gleams as clear as it was when it served ships. Photo from Horst Blessing via Facebook
The Beaver Island Food Pantry was looking for an upright freezer. One of theirs failed and they’ve lost a lot of meat that was stored there. Brian Enneking donated one he had, but now they need to restock it. Contact Beth Crosswhite if you can help.
Beaver Island EMS is looking for volunteers to help with its annual Pancake Breakfast on July 5th. Anyone interested in lending a hand can contact Beaver Island EMS or Kathleena Mason through Facebook Messenger.
And, finally in our news, a reminder that the Beaver Island Post Office is closed today in observance of Juneteenth. |
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Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Saturday at 6:00 and next Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday same time all at the Christian Church. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of next week.
On the fun front today…
Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 9:00 to 11:00 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center, plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at 9:30. Sustainability Fair events include a Welcome Reception at the BIC Center at noon for the Irish & Odawa Storytellers and artists that will perform later at the BIC Center. That’ll be followed at 1:00 by a On Being Native: Indigeneity & Environmental Activism. At 7:00, the BIC Center stage comes alive with an Irish & Odawa Jam Session: Storytelling, Drum and Dance Music. And Friday will be the first Elks Burger Night of the summer. Half pounders with all the trimmings and optional sides. They’ll be serving drive up at the GFC from 5:00 to 6:30. You can order ahead on Thursday from 1 to 5 to avoid a wait at 313-680-5023.
The first Elks Burger Night of the summer (or of you want to be technical, last of the Spring) is Friday from 5:00 to 6:30. Image from Beaver Island Elks on Facebook
[On the radio, Kick off your weekend with our fantastic Friday lineup! After the 6:00pm news, enjoy “That Thing with Rich Appel” featuring top forty hits from the 70s. At 9:00pm, tune into “The Titus Jennings Experience” offering music from all genres, followed by “The Midnight Special” with Marilyn Rea Beyer at 11:00pm for music, farce comedy, and late-night escape.]
Saturday, the Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. It’s Prime Rib night at the Shamrock.
[On the radio, tune in for Country Classics at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, take a trip back to the best of the 80s and 90s with the Mix Tape show (that’s a 120-minute TDK cassette tape for those in the know) hosted by WVBI’s Adam Pettigrew. Mark Beltaire takes over at 9:00 with Rockin’ the Boat and continues at 10:00 with the Blues Cruise. Cousin Dan wraps up the evening with the Too Good Radio Show starting at 11:00.]
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Sunday, there are services at the Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15. And Sunday is the Summer Solstice.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, Open Hands has breakfast at the GFC from 8:00 to 11:00. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. At the library, the Senior Digital Social Café with Greg Doig is at 11:00. Monday Funday at the BIC Center is an Open Mic Night hosted by Herb Ledbetter. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber. In our Dark Skies this evening and tomorrow evening, watch the waxing gibbous moon near Spica, the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden. You can also catch them until after midnight.
Graphic from earthsky.org via darkskyilsand.org
Tuesday at 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at the BIC Center. At 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball outside on the township courts. And, ay 5:00, the 0Joint Telecommunications Advisory Committee is planning an information session on Broadband. They’ll have an update on a proposal for a community owned, Island-wide fiber project and provide information on projects underway on the Island.
Wednesday, the Open Hands Café: Breakfast Club runs 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. at the G-F-C. At 1:00, there’s Seniors BINGO at the BIC Center. And at 4:00, the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open.
Thursday, the COA has a double feature at Peaine Twp Hall — Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00. Meanwhile, there’s Women’s Bible Study at 10:00 a.m. at the BI Christian Church and at 10:30, there’s Senior Tai Chi at the BIC Center. And, Thursday evening is Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock. |
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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 Maggie. 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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Our Birthday List today is Parker DeLaat. Happy Birthday to Parker, and if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too 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 save for occasional paving delays on East Side Drive and hauling delays by the municipal airport. There are no bridge delays. But, the Island is busier than ever with all the construction traffic, bikers and hikers, fawns and turtles and traffic when the ferry arrives, so let’s be careful out there. |
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In our countdown to 250, on this date in 1778 George Washington leads the Continental Army out of six grueling months of winter encampment at Valley Forge. The troops that march away are very different from those that arrived. Hardened by hardship and transformed by training under Baron von Steuben, Washington’s troops cross into New Jersey to pursue the British and soon prove their new discipline at the Battle of Monmouth. Also on this date in 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived on Galveston Island and announced that all enslaved people in Texas were free. Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued more than two years earlier, many enslaved Texans had remained in bondage until Union troops arrived to enforce it. The day became known as Juneteenth and is now celebrated nationwide as a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is indomitable (adjective) [in-DAH-muh-tuh-bul]. If someone or something is indomitable, they simply can’t be defeated or discouraged…for example, a feared snowman. The word comes from a Latin term meaning “to tame,” combined with prefixes and suffixes meaning “not able to be.” So an indomitable person is one who can’t be tamed, broken, or kept down. That’s indomitable—impossible to defeat or discourage. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Friday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from President Abraham Lincoln: “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy.” |
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On a lighter note… |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, June 19th, 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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Juneteenth Sunny, with a high near 65/72. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Tonight A 10 percent chance of showers after 5am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 54. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight. Saturday A 10 percent chance of showers before 8am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 66/75. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 65/75. North wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70/85. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70/84. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 70/84. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71/86. |
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Air Quality Index at 7:15 was 15. |
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Fire Danger: Moderate |
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Out on the Big Drink…
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Juneteenth W wind around 10 kt. Sunny. Waves around 1 ft. Saturday Variable winds 5 kt or less. A slight chance of showers before 7am. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday N wind 10 to 15 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves around 1 ft. Tuesday N wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WNW in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temps: 51 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 57 at the straits. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
A major healthcare reform proposal in Lansing would put new limits on hospital prices and mergers, but hospitals say it could hurt access to care. We’ll have the details on that and a report on the Line Five hearing last evening.
Plus, a federal judge sides with Michigan in a case involving online prediction markets and sports betting.
Back on the Island, there’s a chance to learn about a community-owned fiber broadband network that could bring faster service at lower prices. And details on how you can help out the Food Pantry and E-M-S.
…those stories, more local news, a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after this global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: The Fresnel Lens at the Beaver Head Light sparkles bright after volunteers clean it up. Photo from Horst Blessing via Facebook |
