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Beaver Island’s state representative has been picked for a House Republican leadership role. Parker Fairbairn of Harbor Springs will serve as an assistant floor leader for the twenty-twenty-seven, twenty-twenty-eight term. He’ll help coordinate Republican efforts during House sessions and ensure chamber rules are followed. Fairbairn was reelected on Tuesday to a second term.
#Election2026
Michigan’s largest utilities have filed a second lawsuit over Proposal Two, approved Tuesday by more than eighty percent of voters. D-T-E and Consumers Energy want to block restrictions on political giving, arguing they violate constitutional rights and unfairly reach employees and family members. Supporters say the measure will curb pay-to-play politics and withstand scrutiny. As we reported yesterday, the Mackinac Center filed a separate challenge to disclosure requirements. This new suit targets the contribution restrictions themselves.
#Election2026
A just released Northern Lakes Economic Alliance survey says housing and staffing shortages remain the biggest hurdles for northern Michigan businesses. Seventy-nine
percent of business leaders identified each as a barrier. Employers with staffing shortages say filling those jobs could generate nearly a hundred-eight million dollars in additional revenue over two years. The alliance serves four counties, including Charlevoix.
There’s a link to the report in today’s script online.
Up in the U-P, a sixty-year-old man is missing after witnesses say waves swept him off Black Rocks at Marquette’s Presque Isle Park Thursday. Rough conditions prevented an immediate search on Lake Superior. Authorities expected to begin searching today as conditions allow.
#WaterSafety
Northern Michigan travelers will have two new nonstop routes to California next summer. United Airlines will connect Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport with Los Angeles and San Francisco beginning June nineteenth. Meantime, the airport’s terminal expansion remains on schedule for completion in May of twenty-twenty-eight. Foundation, steel and utility work are underway. You can follow construction through a live camera on the airport’s website.
#Transportation
And, if the cold weekend ahead has you longing for camping next summer on the mainland, reservations for more than thirteen thousand Michigan state park campsites for Memorial Day twenty-twenty-seven open November sixteenth. The state takes bookings six months in advance. Reserve your spot at M-I-D-N-R reservations dot com.
#Recreation
Beaver Island’s commercial fishing heritage takes center stage in the latest episode of
The Tides That Tie. Brothers Garrett and Paul Cole share memories of lifting nets before school, working aboard the family boat, the Lois, and losing their fishing business. The podcast explores how fishing’s decline changed Island life. We’ve linked
it in today’s script.
Charlevoix’s C-O-A has set the day for their visit to the Island for November. They’ll be here on the 20th to host a Thanksgiving-themed lunch starting at 11:30. There’ll be a full turkey dinner plus live music. Before Lunch they’ll be available starting at 10:00 for you to pick up meal vouchers, sign up for snow removal and get help with Medicare open enrollment.
#SeniorServices
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
On the fun front today…
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 Freyjo. 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 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected the sixteenth president of the United States. The former Illinois congressman won a four-way race as the Republican candidate. Before he took office the following March, South Carolina had seceded from the Union. The Civil War began in April, putting Lincoln’s determination to preserve the nation to the test.
The statute of Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Photo from National Park Service via picryl.com
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Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is quondam [KWAHN-dum], an adjective meaning “former” or “sometime.” It describes someone or something that once held a particular role or status. For example: “The quondam summer visitor became a year-round Island resident.” The word entered English in the sixteenth century from Latin, where it meant “formerly” or “at one time.”
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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: “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
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And on a lighter note…
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, November 6th, 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 — Friday, November 6
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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 until 5:00 p.m.
N wind 15 to 20 kt, with gusts as high as 35 kt. Showers before 3pm, then a slight chance of showers after 5pm. Waves 3 to 5 ft.
Saturday
N wind around 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Sunday
W wind around 20 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 kt. A slight chance of showers after noon. Waves 3 to 4 ft.
Monday
WNW wind 10 to 15 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 kt. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less building to 3 ft.
Tuesday
W wind around 15 kt. Sunny. Waves around 2 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…
Parker Fairbairn joins House Republican leadership, utilities challenge Michigan’s new political giving limits, and housing shortages hold back up north businesses. Plus, new California flights from Traverse City, Island fishing memories on The Tides That Tie, and a Thanksgiving visit from the Commission on Aging.
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: As the Civil War raged on, a friend of Lincoln briefed him on gloomy election prospects. Lincoln observed: “It is the people’s business, — the election is in their hands. If they turn their backs to the fire, and get scorched in the rear, they’ll find they have got to sit on the blister !” The photo shows the statute of Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Photo from National Park Service via picryl.com
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