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The Michigan Legislature has missed its July 1 deadline to pass a new state budget for the second straight year. Lawmakers adjourned Wednesday without a deal, leaving schools, colleges, universities and local governments waiting to finalize their own budgets. House and Senate leaders planned to return today in hopes of approving a final spending plan before the holiday weekend.
Meantime, a bill inspired by three Rogers City brothers who were told they needed a health permit to sell lemonade at a farmers market is headed to the Michigan Senate. The measure would exempt lemonade stands run by minors earning less than $5,000 a year from local licensing requirements after passing the House unanimously.
Paving work continues today on East Side Drive. They are working still working on the topping coats, so there may be only one lane of traffic at some points today, running only one direction. Today they are working on the south and west side of the road from four corners to the golf course. The supply semis are running north to south, and that’s the way you are encouraged to go as well. The crews urge you not to drive on the wet tar and to avoid crossing the new pavement. If you have to cross a lane with tar just go slow, you can cross a newly paved lane after large roller packs it down. Go slow and don’t turn wheels hard to avoid grinding up asphalt. That will require expensive repairs.
Northern Michigan—including Charlevoix County—is experiencing elevated ozone forecasts and hot, humid summer conditions again today. A Heat Advisory remains in effect for the region including the Island until 8:00 this evening, but again the forecast for the Island isn’t for it to be nearly as hot as on the mainland. There is a slight chance for us for severe weather overnight, but the higher risk is to the south of T-C.
A petition to recall Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop has been filed with the State Board of Canvassers. The effort follows weeks of controversy after the state revoked Bishop’s access to Michigan’s Qualified Voter File, citing unauthorized changes and other election administration concerns. If the petition is approved, supporters will have 60 days to collect about 4,000 signatures to force a recall election.
Youth homelessness in northwest Michigan has dropped by nearly 50 percent over the past year. The Northwest Coalition to End Homelessness says the number of homeless young adults fell from 27 last May to just 13 this year. Adult homelessness, however, remained largely unchanged.
Some Medicare beneficiaries can now get popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound for $50 a month through a new federal pilot program. The temporary program runs through the end of 2027 but has strict eligibility rules, so not all Medicare patients will qualify for the reduced-cost prescriptions. Bridge Michigan has an in depth report on the program in a story linked in today’s script online.
The Beaver Island Performing Arts Alliance has announced this year’s Baroque on Beaver Young Soloist concert. Grand Prize winner Bhargava Kulkarni, a 2026 YoungArts Winner and NPR From the Top Fellow, will perform with the Baroque on Beaver Festival Orchestra on Thursday, July 30th at 7:30 p.m. at the Beaver Island Community Center. Tickets are available at baroqueonbeaver.org.
BIPAA has announced the winner of the 2026 Baroque on Beaver Young Soloist Competition. It’s Bhargava Kulkarni. He’ll perform with the Festival Orchestra on July 30 at the BIC Center. Tickets are at tickets.biccenter.org. Graphic provided by BIPAA via Facebook
The Wild Strawberry has added a Happy Hour to the schedule. It runs 2:00 to 4:00 daily with draft beer and drink specials. They’ll be open from 7:00 to noon on July 4th. Island Energies will be open 8:00 to 6:00 on the Fourth, but closed from 12:30 to 2:00 for the parade.
And, finally, a reminder that this Independence Day celebrations this year will extend to the 5th with a fireworks display that evening. The rockets multi-colored glare will rise over Paradise Bay just after dusk settles in on July 5th. |
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Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets tonight and Saturday at 6 PM at the Christian Church. A reminder that the school office is closed this week. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of the week.
On the fun front today…
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. Also starting at 10:00 and running until 2:00 today and tomorrow, Heidi Bearss is holding a garage sale with stars & stripes themed Polish pottery. If shopping is your thing, don’t forget that the Resale Shop is open today and tomorrow from noon to 4:00. They will be closed Saturday. And if bling is your thing, from 11:00 to 2:30 head to the library to make some bling to show off in the parade. You can make bracelets, shakers and more. All are welcome. And, this evening is Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock.
Independence themed bling making supplies are ready for you to make some at the library. Come in today from 11:30 to 2:30. Photos supplied by Beaver Island District Library
Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 8:30 to 10:30 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center, plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at 9:30. Also at 9:30, there’s Summer Yoga in the Theater. And at 10:00 A-M Pickleball Outdoors on the Peaine Township courts.
[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 Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. The Tunes Music Program will rock their studio with music ahead of the parade. That will run from Noon to 12:45. The Independence Day Parade steps off at 1:00 on Saturday featuring an Island Airways Flyover, AMVETs, and lots of floats. Tune in to W-V-B-I for Float by Float coverage on hosted by Leila Freijy and Adam Pettigrew. And Saturday nights 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 Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15. The E-M-S team is hosting a pancake breakfast at the Parish Hall from 8:00 until 11:00. And the Amik Cultural Center is open 1 to 3 PM.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, at 8:40 Vacation Bible School gets underway at the G-F-C. [There’s still time to sign up with just an email. Send it to beaver island Christian church at g-mail dot com.] At 9:30, summer yoga is on at the BIC Center. It’ll be a session on Basic Flow. 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. Also, at 11:00, there’s Therapeutic Chair Yoga at the BIC Center. And Monday Funday at the BIC Center is a movie day this week. The 3:00 show is Hoppers. A young animal lover uses technology that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver to uncover mysteries within the animal world beyond her imagination. It’s the latest from Pixar, rated PG. At 6:00 it’s Remarkably Bright Creatures, based on the best-selling book, telling the story of an Octopus and its relationship with two caregivers at an aquarium. Sally Field stars. Rated PG-13. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber.
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. At 7:00 at the library Acia Warmerdam will be there for a book launch for her latest novel. It’s entitled “If You had Chosen Me.” Also at 7:00 at the Print Shop Museum, the Historical Society will Kick-off of their Incredible Islanders series. As part of the celebration of American’s 250th birthday, it’s a look at special Islanders who have made a difference in the history of our home. The first session will feature Walt Wojan with a presentation by Michelle LaFreniere.
Wednesday, there’s Summer Restorative Yoga BIC Center at 9:30, Seniors BINGO at 1:00 also at the BIC Center. At 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open to the public with a member of the Amik Circle Society present for tours and discussions. At 7:00 at the Print Shop, learn more about the namesake of St. James with a presentation on the Life and Leadership of James Strang presented by John Hajicek. |
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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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Our Birthday List today are Brad McDonough, Drew McDonough, K.K. Antkoviak and Sydney Butler. Happy Birthday to Sydney, K.K, Drew and Brad, 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 municipal airport. Occasional slight delays on the way to Welke Airport and note that again today you can only get there headed south on East Side Drive. Otherwise, the Island Beltway is running smoothly. There will continue to be heavy truck traffic on Kings Highway, McCauley and East Side Drive between them as part of the paving project. So, the Island is busier than ever with all the construction traffic, bikers and hikers, walkers and phone gawkers, fawns and turtles and traffic in town when the ferry arrives, so let’s be careful out there. |
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In our countdown to 250, on this date in 1776, the Lee Resolution was approved by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. With that vote, the colonies formally declared themselves free and independent states. Although we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, John Adams believed July 2nd would become the nation’s great annual celebration because it marked the day independence was actually approved. Also on this date, in 1964, Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson, outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and becoming one of the most significant civil rights laws in American history.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on July 2, 1964. Photo by Cecil Stoughton, White House Press Office from Wikimedia |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is sagacious (adjective) [suh-GAY-shus]. Sagacious means showing keen judgment, wisdom, and the ability to make good decisions. It comes from a Latin word meaning “to perceive keenly.” You might say, “The committee made the sagacious decision to plan ahead for the busy holiday weekend.” Sagacious—making smart choices through careful judgment. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Thursday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day: “Progress begins with courage, but it endures only when each generation chooses to keep building on it.” |
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On a lighter note… I tried to act sagacious… but everyone just thought I was pausing because I forgot what I was going to say. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, July 2nd, 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 A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 8am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 71 by the water, 79 inland. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77/90. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 10%. Friday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Independence Day A 10 percent chance of showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77/91. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Saturday Night A 40 percent chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Sunday A 40 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75/89. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 78/84. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 78/85. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76/82. |
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Air Quality Index at 7:30 AM was 27. |
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Fire Danger: Moderate |
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Out on the Big Drink…
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Today SW wind 10 to 15 kt. A slight chance of showers between 7am and 8am. Waves around 2 ft. Friday SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Independence Day N wind 5 to 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday NE wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers. Waves around 1 ft. Monday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temps: 63 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 63 in Little Traverse Bay. 64 at Sleeping Bear and the Straits. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Michigan lawmakers blow past their budget deadline for a second straight year, a bill to legalize kids’ lemonade stands heads to the State Senate, and paving work continues on East Side Drive with traffic restrictions in place today.
We’ll also have the latest on the heat advisory, a petition to recall Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop, encouraging news on youth homelessness in northern Michigan, a new Medicare program cutting the cost of some weight-loss drugs, Baroque on Beaver’s Young Soloist winner, Fourth of July holiday business hours, and a reminder that Beaver Island’s fireworks are Saturday night this year.
…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: BIPAA has announced the winner of the 2026 Baroque on Beaver Young Soloist Competition. It’s Bhargava Kulkarni. He’ll perform with the Festival Orchestra on July 30 at the BIC Center. Tickets are at baroqueonbeaver.org. Graphic provided by BIPAA via Facebook |
