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The Michigan Board of State Canvassers has again rejected a recall petition against Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop. The board split along party lines over whether language accusing Bishop of improperly changing voter records was specific enough. Petitioner Ashley Areeda told I-P-R she plans to file a third recall petition by tomorrow. #Election2026
The Trump administration has ordered Consumers Energy to keep its J-H Campbell coal plant on Lake Michigan operating for another three months. It’s the sixth federal order delaying the plant’s planned retirement. The Energy Department cites concerns about electric-grid reliability. Consumers says keeping Campbell open has cost a net 259-million dollars so far, with federal regulators still considering how those costs will be divided among Midwest customers. #Energy
Consumer Energy’s J.H Campbell power plant in West Olive, Michigan remains online despite company plans to shut it down. Photo provided by Consumers Energy
Ypsilanti Township is considering a six-month moratorium on major electrical infrastructure as it continues to fight the University of Michigan’s proposed 1.2-billion-dollar computing center. The university’s project with Los Alamos National Laboratory would require a D-T-E substation capable of providing enough electricity for about 80-thousand homes. Township officials say they want time to determine whether local regulations adequately address transmission lines, utility easements, noise, lighting and other impacts. U-of-M says the center would support academic and national-security research and create about 200 high-paying jobs. #Energy #DataCenters #MIEconomy
Gaylord has been selected for the Michigan Main Street program. The designation will provide five years of technical assistance from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to help revitalize the downtown, support small businesses and attract new investment. Gaylord joins 23 other districts in the program, which has helped launch more than 2,100 businesses statewide since 2003. #UpNorthEconomy
A 49-year-old Cadillac man is charged with allegedly putting a G-P-S tracker in a customer’s vehicle without her consent. State Police say the woman began receiving tracking alerts after Jason Jenema worked on her vehicle. Troopers later found a device inside. #Cybercrime
North Central Michigan College will open its new Martin Jahn Technology Center August 31st. The center will provide training in advanced manufacturing, engineering, robotics, welding and other skilled trades. A ribbon cutting and public tours celebrating the opening start at 4:15 on the 31st. And, down in T-C, Northwestern Michigan College trustees have approved a 13-and-a-half-million-dollar renovation of the Osterlin Building on its Traverse City campus. The project will put admissions, financial aid, advising and other student services under one roof. Construction is expected to begin next fall. #Education
Beaver Gems and Shipwreck Shirts is moving to fall hours: 11 to 4 Friday, Saturday and Monday, and 11 to 1:30 Sunday. All 2026 shirts are 25 percent off, with an extra 10 percent off sale-room shirts. #LocalBusiness
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
Waste Management Committee meets at 1:30 on today, there’s a pre-K parents meeting at school at 5:00 and the Peaine Township Board meets that evening at 5:30. Airport Commission meets Wednesday at noon. Thursday, the Library Board and J-TAC both meet at 4:30. A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00.
…and that is it for the week. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Tuesday, at 9:00 there is Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts. At 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at the BIC Center. C-O-A activities at Peaine Township Hall are back from their summer break: There’s COA Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00. Also at 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library. At 7:30, the BIC Center stage welcomes John Ellison & the Carpenter Ants. John is famous for his many time covered hit Some Kind of Wonderful released by the Soul Brothers Six. The Carpenter Ants are West Virginia’s renowned ambassadors of Appalachian soul with their own string of hits, including every time they come to the Island. Join us for a special evening of joy, energy, and enduring spirit of American music. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Wednesday, there’s Summer Restorative Yoga BIC Center at 9:30. Also at 10:00, there’s American Mah Jongg at the BIC Center in the Hangout, and at 1:00 there is Afternoon Bingo. Protar’s House will be open from 1:00 to 4:00. At 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open. In our Dark Skies, tonight is the first quarter moon, the third phase of the Lunar cycle. Despite the name, you’ll see about half the moon when it comes up over Lake Michigan.
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Thursday, C-M-U has a Family Days event called Common Critters. Meet at C-M-U at 8:15 and be prepared to travel to Miller’s Marsh to survey reptiles, amphibians, birds, plants, and aquatic insects while exploring forests, wetlands, and other unique natural areas. Afterwards, you’ll come back to the station for lunch and discussion. Sign up is $20, which include lunch. Info on signing up is in the calendar entry online or call the station at 2325. Also Thursday, there’s Pickleball at Peaine Township Park at 9:00. There’s COA Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00, both at Peaine Township Hall. 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. The Weekly Bocce Ball roll is on at 4:00 on the courts at the Peaine Township Park. At 6:00, there’s a session on cybersecurity and A-I for small businesses at the library. Greg Doig will help you plot a safe path through cyber risks. And, Thursday evenings are Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock.
Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 8:30 to 10:30 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center. At 9:00 A-M Pickleball Outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. Back at the BIC Center at 9:30, there’s Summer Yoga in the Theater plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout. At 1:00, the Stepping Stones Retreat kicks off at Tara’s Meadow. Check the calendar entry for sign-up information.
[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, at 9:00 there’s Mass at Holy Cross to celebrate The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. the Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. Protar’s House will be open for tours from 1:00 to 3:00. 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. And the Amik Cultural Center is open 1 to 3 PM.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, 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 11:00, there’s Summer Therapeutic Chair Yoga at the BIC Center. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber, so you can go next door to grab dinner before or after the show. |
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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 Jonah. 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: Marge Peters, Myah Gillespie and Laura Sanders are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Laura, Myah and Marge, 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. There are no bridge delays. But, it is busy in town when the ferries arrive and there are lots of folks out hiking and biking. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this day in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing women the right to vote. Tennessee is the 36th state to approve the amendment, giving it the three-fourths majority needed for ratification. And in 1991, Soviet hardliners place President Mikhail Gorbachev under house arrest and launch a coup aimed at stopping his reforms. The coup collapses three days later, but it accelerates the breakup of the Soviet Union, which will cease to exist by the end of the year.
Woman’s Party National Chairman Alice Paul unfurls a ratification banner from Suffrage headquarters in Washington D.C. after Tennessee ratifies the 19th Amendment. Photo by National Photo Co. via Wikimedia |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is oxymoron [ahk-sih-MOR-ahn]. It’s a noun for a figure of speech that combines words with opposite or contradictory meanings, often to make a particular point or create an effect. “Deafening silence,” “open secret” and “bittersweet” are all examples. Oxymoron comes from the Greek words oxys [OHK-sees], meaning sharp, and moros [MOH-rohs], meaning dull or foolish — which means the word oxymoron is itself something of an oxymoron. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Tuesday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Czech dissident and later president Václav Havel: “The salvation of this human world lies nowhere else than in the human heart.” |
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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 Tuesday, August 18th, 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 and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3pm. High near 74 at the shore and 80 inland. West wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers between 8pm and 9pm. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 62. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 74/79. West wind around 10 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east after midnight. Thursday Sunny, with a high near 75/81. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Night A 40 percent chance of showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Friday A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74/81. Friday Night Showers likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Saturday A chance of showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74/77. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 72/76. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 74/77. |
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Air Quality Index at 7:11 was 25. |
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Fire Danger: High |
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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 WSW wind 10 to 15 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Waves around 2 ft. Wednesday WNW wind around 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday S wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday SSW wind around 15 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Waves 2 to 3 ft. Saturday NW wind 10 to 15 kt. A chance of showers. Waves around 1 ft. |
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Water Temps: 71 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 72 at Sleeping Bear. 71 in Little Traverse Bay and in the Straits. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
A recall effort against Antrim County’s clerk hits another roadblock, the federal government orders a Lake Michigan coal plant to stay open again, a Michigan community considers putting the brakes on infrastructure for a massive U-of-M computing center, and a Cadillac man is charged with putting a tracker in a customer’s car.
Those stories along with more local news, a run down of local events, birthdays, this date in hisotry and more are up after this global and national news… [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: Woman’s Party National Chairman Alice Paul unfurls a ratification banner from Suffrage headquarters in Washington D.C. after Tennessee ratifies the 19th Amendment. Photo by National Photo Co. via Wikimedia |
