10/22/2026
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Michigan’s U-S Senate candidates drew sharp policy contrasts in their final debate last night in Southfield. Republican Mike Rogers backs continued ICE enforcement, while Democrat Abdul El-Sayed calls for replacing the agency and creating a clearer path to citizenship. On Social Security, Rogers emphasizes fighting fraud. El-Sayed warned against benefit cuts and points to Rogers’ past support for partial privatization. On public safety, Rogers favors federal-local enforcement partnerships. El-Sayed supports police recruitment alongside mental-health response and violence prevention. Rogers called El-Sayed too extreme and El-Sayed tied Rogers to President Trump. There’s a link to watch the entire debate in today’s script online. #Election2026
With twelve days until Election Day, prediction-market traders favor Democrats in Michigan’s top races. Kalshi and Polymarket put Abdul El-Sayed’s chances of winning the U-S Senate seat at sixty-nine percent. Jocelyn Benson’s chances of winning the governor’s race stand at roughly ninety-two to ninety-three percent. Those numbers reflect money-backed trading—not polling percentages or guaranteed results. Prices change as traders react to news. Election Day is November third. #Election2026
A chemical tank leak in Toledo closed two Michigan school districts Wednesday. Bedford and Mason Consolidated canceled classes as a shelter-in-place zone extended across the state line. More than fifty thousand people were advised to stay indoors. Toledo officials said Wednesday afternoon the leak was slowing, but explosion concerns kept crews away. #Environment
Russia has freed Michigan native Stephen Hubbard after more than four years in prison. The seventy-four-year-old retired teacher was designated wrongfully detained by the U-S. President Trump says no prisoners were exchanged for his release Wednesday.
Beaver Head Lighthouse is closed for the season, with doors locked and new security cameras installed. The Beaver Island Historical Association thanks everyone supporting its restoration, and the community has been reaching out to thank the many volunteers who are working to bring the buildings back into ship shape. Meantime, Peaine Township awaits word from the County on its proposal to purchase it and the former Lighthouse School facilities and land at the south end. #IslandHistory #Volunteerism
Volunteers accomplished lots of improvements at the Beaver Head Light and keeper’s quarters this season. The building is now closed until next spring. Photo provided by Keith Brothers
BIC Center Board member Catherine Mienstma is once again leading the Friends of Beaver Island AmVets in the Wreaths Across America campaign, which places wreaths on the graves of vets for Veteran’s day. Thirty-eight more wreath sponsorships are needed for the two Island cemeteries. Seventeen dollars will cover one or thirty-four for three. Make checks payable to W-A-A and mail to Box Eight, Beaver Island, to arrive before Thanksgiving, or donate online. Go to donate dot wreaths across America dot org and use the map to locate the Island. There’s a link in today’s script online. |
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle… First, your meeting planner for the rest of the week… Today That’s it. Locations and more details for meetings are in the calendar entries online. On the fun front today… It’s school picture day at B-I-C-S. Women’s Bible Study starts at 10:00 at the Christian Church. Chair Yoga follows at 11:00 at the BIC Center. Burger and a Beer Night starts at 5:00 at the Shamrock, and Euchre at Whiskey Point Brewing Company starts at 7:00. No partner is needed. Apex Insurance Services is on the Island today and tomorrow for Medicare enrollment appointments. Call 888-858-2739 to schedule. Friday [On the radio, Friday’s lineup kicks off after the 6:00 news with “That Thing with Rich Appel,” featuring top forty hits from the 70s. At 9:00, “The Titus Jennings Experience” offers music from all genres, followed by “The Midnight Special” with Marilyn Rea Beyer at 11:00.] Looking ahead at highlights for the coming days… Saturday [On the radio, Country Classics starts at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, WVBI’s Adam Pettigrew takes you back to the best of the 80s and 90s with the Mix Tape show. 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 Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, October 26 Tuesday, October 27 Wednesday, October 28 |
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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 Toni. 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: On our list today are Jenna Battle, Candice DeLaat and Aubrey Gillfilan. Happy Birthday to Aubrey, Candice and Jenna 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 possible delays south of Bill Wagner Campground on East Side Drive. There are no bridge delays, but look out for leaf peeping delays. Let’s be careful out there. Especially in the school zone. |
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On this date in 1929, the railroad ferry Milwaukee leaves its namesake Wisconsin port, bound for Grand Haven across a storm-tossed Lake Michigan. The ship sinks with everyone aboard. Without a radio transmitter, the crew cannot send a distress call. The disaster prompts taller protective gates on other railroad ferries. Divers find the wreck in 1972, in about 120 feet of water. She remains a popular dive site.
Loading rail cars on the Milwaukee. Her sinking with the loss of all passengers and crew leads to a redesign of stern sea gates on Great Lakes ferries that increases their height. Other changes following the disaster were requirements for automatically deploying life rafts and on-board radios. Photo from the Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Milwaukee Public Library and Wisconsin Marine Historical Society |
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Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is vocation [voh-KAY-shun], a noun meaning an occupation or a strong calling to pursue a particular kind of work. It comes from a Latin word meaning “summons,” and originally describes a religious calling when it enters English in the fifteenth century. Today, that calling might lead to teaching, medicine—or a microphone. For example: “What begins as volunteering at the Island radio station becomes a vocation.” |
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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 Great Lakes Captain Charlene Munden the first female Captain in the history of Algoma Central Corporation’s fleet: “It’s crucial to remain patient and committed, understanding that every step, no matter how small, contributes to your overall growth.” |
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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 Thursday, October 22nd, 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 was 42. |
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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 Variable winds 5 kt or less. Patchy fog before 8am. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday S wind 5 to 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday S wind 10 to 15 kt. Partly sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Sunday SSW wind 10 to 15 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Monday N wind around 10 kt. Mostly cloudy. Waves around 1 ft. |
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Water Temps: 57 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 55 in the Straits. 46 at Sleeping Bear. Little Traverse Bay not 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 Senate candidates faced off in their final debate last night. We’ll look at what was said and report on what prediction markets say about November outcomes. A Toledo chemical leak closes some Michigan schools, and Russia frees a Michigan teacher. Plus, Beaver Head Lighthouse closes for the season—and thirty-eight more wreath sponsorships are needed to honor Island veterans.
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: Volunteers accomplished lots of improvements at the Beaver Head Light and keeper’s quarters this season. The building is now closed until next spring. Photo provided by Keith Brothers |
