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In the wake of President Trump suggesting the federal government should play a direct role in running elections in Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan elections are secure and must remain run by state and local officials, citing the U.S. Constitution. State leaders also note multiple audits have found no widespread fraud, emphasizing that Michigan’s decentralized system is designed to protect election integrity.
Meantime, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has launched a new online form encouraging residents to document ICE and Border Patrol activity, saying aggressive immigration enforcement could make some communities feel less safe. Nessel cites concerns that fear of deportation may discourage crime reporting or medical care. Publicly available reporting shows no confirmed cases in Michigan of federal immigration officers endangering residents, though advocates and some officials say enforcement policies can create fear and community tension.
Michigan’s four living former governors were at the state capitol yesterday calling for greater political civility amid national tensions over immigration enforcement and election disputes. The bipartisan group warned rising political division is a growing threat to public trust and safety. They urged voters, political leaders, and media outlets to focus on respectful debate, fact-based discussion, and cooperation as Michigan heads toward another major election year.
Also in Lansing, the Michigan House has approved a bill that would allow deer baiting again in the Lower Peninsula, reversing a ban put in place in 2018 to help slow the spread of chronic wasting disease. Supporters say lifting the ban could increase hunting opportunities and help manage deer populations. Wildlife experts warn baiting can concentrate deer and increase disease transmission. The bill now moves to the Michigan Senate for consideration.
In other legislative action, with local opposition to data centers growing, Michigan lawmakers are taking a closer look at the issue. A House oversight committee plans hearings on tax breaks, energy use, and water demands tied to the industry. Supporters say data centers bring jobs and investment, while critics worry about environmental impacts and rising utility costs.
A ballot committee seeking stricter voter ID rules and proof of citizenship requirements says it has gathered enough signatures to place the proposal on Michigan’s November ballot. The measure would require citizenship verification to register and photo ID to have ballots counted. Supporters say it protects election integrity, while voting rights groups argue it could create new barriers for voters.
And finally, shifting up north, here’s another in our series of things to do if you are stuck across. The Charlevoix Public Library has a full lineup of February events for all ages, including book discussions, movie screenings, craft programs, and an introduction to artificial intelligence. Youth and teen programs include music events, story time, crafts, and Dungeons and Dragons nights. Many activities require registration. There’s a link to the schedule in today’s script online. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets tonight and Saturday at 6:00 at the Christian Church. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of the week.
On the fun front today…
Thursday Women’s Bible Study is on at 10:00 at the Christian Church. There’s Pickleball at the BIC Center at 10:00. That’s in the theater. At 10:30 up in the Hangout there’s Chair Strength Training. Thursday evening, you can grab the burger & a beer special at the Shamrock starting at 5:00, and its Euchre Night down at Whiskey Point Brewing. Cards hit the table at 7:00.
Friday, Senior + Vets Coffee & Donuts is at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. There’s Pickleball at 10:00 and Chair Strength Training at 10:30. Friday afternoon the Islanders basketball squads head up to Maplewood for games Friday evening and Saturday morning. Let’s cheer for good weather so they can make it to the games and win them!
[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.]
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Saturday, the Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. There’s another planning session for the next Beaver Tales at 2:00 at the library. Beaver Tales shows are comedy about life on the Island. This time the theme is survival in keeping the with the 2025 BIG READ project at the library. You don’t have to be an actor to be part of it…just able to tell a story. There are two movies showing at the BIC Center. The 3:00 show is Tron Ares. Mankind encounters AI beings for the first time when a highly sophisticated program, Ares, leaves the digital world for a dangerous mission in the real world. It’s rated PG-13. At 6:00 it’s the award-winning Nuremberg, a story of the post-WWII trials of Nazis that focuses on the relationship of a psychiatrist tasked with evaluating the defendants who grows obsessed with understanding their evil. It’s rated PG-13. And, remember, Saturdays are 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.]
Sunday, there are services at the Christian Church at 10:00 and mass at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday Valentine Spirit week starts at school. Monday is Valentine themed P-Js. And, Monday evening is All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock. In our Dark Skies, before dawn tomorrow and Wednesday mornings, the waning crescent moon will be near the bright red star Antares. It’s the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius the Scorpion. There’s more info at dark sky island dot org.
Tuesday at 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball in the Theater at the BIC Center and, at 10:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout. AT 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library. And evening Pickleball is back starting at 5:00 in the Theater at the BIC Center.
Image from EarthSky
Wednesday, the Islanders boys squad heads up to Grand Marais for make-up games at 10:00. On the Island, there’s BINGO at the BIC Center at 1:00. And at 5:00 it’s Time for Art, also at the BIC Center. That’ll be the last of three sessions on making Madi Gras masks lead by Cindy Ricksgers.
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Harper. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
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On our Birthday List today: Thayer McDonough is celebrating. Happy Birthday to Thayer 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 and there are no bridge delays. But, hey, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone. |
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On this date in 1909, , Belgian-born chemist Leo Baekeland announces his invention of Bakelite, the world’s first fully synthetic plastic. Created in New York, the durable, heat-resistant material quickly becomes popular in radios, telephones, and household goods, helping launch the global plastics revolution that transforms manufacturing and everyday life. Also on this date in 1953, Britain ends sweets rationing, which began during World War Two. After more than a decade of limits on candy and chocolate, customers line up at sweet shops across the country, snapping up treats like toffee apples, nougat sticks, and licorice strips.
A radio in an orange Bakelite case with Bakelite knobs . Photo from Wikimedia Commons |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is adulation (noun) [aj-uh-LAY-shun]. Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is adulation (noun) [aj-uh-LAY-shun]. Adulation means excessive admiration, flattery, or praise — often insincere. The word traces back to the Latin adūlārī (ah-doo-LAH-ree), meaning “to fawn on,” originally describing the affectionate, attention-seeking behavior of dogs. Adulation has been used in English since the 1400s. Related forms include adulate, adulator, and adulatory. |
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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 NASA astronaut, physician, U.S. Navy officer, dual designated naval aviator and flight surgeon, and former Navy SEAL Jonny Kim, who was born on this day in 1984: “All things that are worthwhile are very difficult to obtain.” |
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On a lighter note… Descartes walks into a bar. The bartender asks him if he wants a drink? |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, February 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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Today Snow before 1pm, then occasional freezing rain, possibly mixed with snow. High near 29. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Total daytime snow accumulation of around an inch possible. Tonight Occasional freezing rain, possibly mixed with snow, becoming all snow after 4am. Low around 23. West wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Friday Snow likely before 10am, then snow showers, mainly between 10am and 1pm. Temperature falling to around 14 by 4pm. Wind chill values as low as -6. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Friday Night Snow showers likely, mainly before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1. Wind chill values as low as -15. Blustery, with a north wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Saturday Scattered snow showers, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 14. North wind around 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Saturday Night A 30 percent chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. Sunday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Sunday Night Cloudy, with a low around 18. Monday Cloudy, with a high near 30. Monday Night Cloudy, with a low around 19. Tuesday Cloudy, with a high near 28. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. |
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Air Quality Index at 7:00 this morning was 20. |
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Radar at 7:00 this morning shows snow coming down over most of our region including in Charlevoix. Temps on the the Island are in the low 20s. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Governor Whitmer pushes back after comments about federal control of Michigan elections and Michigan’s Attorney General launches a new tool to track immigration enforcement concerns. Meantime, four former governors join forces urging political civility across party lines. Lawmakers debate bringing back deer baiting and take a closer look at the rapid growth of data centers. Plus, a new voter ID proposal may be headed to the ballot, and we’ll share winter activities and library events if you find yourself stuck across.
…all of that along with a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: There’s a lake out there somewhere, and a bridge, too. And both of them are really big. Photos from WVBI Webcams and Mackinac Bridge Authority Webcam |
