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State Representative Parker Fairbairn is raising concerns over a state health proposal he says could shortchange rural communities in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Fairbairn says the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services plans to make sparsely populated counties compete with large urban areas like Wayne and Oakland counties for federal rural healthcare funding. He argues that risks diverting money away from communities that need it most. The funding comes from a five-year, $50-billion federal rural health program, but Michigan received far less than expected. Fairbairn warns the approach could also risk federal penalties or clawbacks if the funds are misused. He also suggests that local health officials apply to participate on an advisory panel that will help shape the policies. There’s a link to more information and an application for the panel in today’s script online. https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/01/13/rht-advisory-council
Nearly 2,000 people marched in downtown Traverse City Sunday after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement action. Protesters chanted “ICE out” as cars honked along Front Street. State and local leaders on both sides called for calm and a full investigation into the incident, which has sparked protests nationwide and a seeming consensus yesterday by state and federal officials that a change in approach by both sides is necessary.
A new census analysis shows that, statewide, Michigan lost nearly four percent of its 25- to 34-year-old population between 2000 and 2020 — but the trend wasn’t uniform when examined at the county level. Marquette County and Grand Traverse County were among the state’s biggest gainers, driven largely by universities, job opportunities, and access to outdoor amenities. They were up about 20 and 17 percent, respectively. In contrast, Charlevoix County saw its young adult population drop by about 11 percent, reflecting broader challenges facing more rural areas without diverse employment options.
Five Michigan public universities are joining forces to address the state’s ongoing teacher shortage. Central, Eastern, Michigan State, Northern, and Western Michigan universities are taking part in a new two-year initiative aimed at improving teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention. The effort comes as new data shows Michigan is losing nearly as many teachers as it hires each year, leaving classrooms vacant—especially in high-need districts. There’s a link to more info on the effort in today’s script online. https://www.miedworkforce.org/
The Beaver Island Elks, the Rural Health Center, and Dental Clinics North are offering free dental care for Island youth and residents over 80. Youth registration forms were due yesterday, so make sure you got yours in to the office. Appointments for kids are February 26th and 27th, with an elders clinic set for March 13th.
Island Airways is wrapping up their holiday ticket sale. They say there won’t be another for a while. <img border=0 width=494 height=540 style='width:5.1458in;height:5.625in' id="Picture_x0020_9" src="https://wvbi.biccenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image002-9.jpg" alt="May be a graphic of text that says 'Starting November 21 Island Airways Holiday Ticket Sale Adult $5 off one-way or $50 off book of ten* Regular price $76, $760 Senior sale price $71 $710 $5 off one-way or $50 off book of ten* Regular price $71 $710 Child sale price $66 $660 $3 off one-way or $30 off book of ten* Regular price $47 Dog $470- sale price $44 $440 $3 off one-way or $30 off book of ten* Regular price $37 $370 -sale price $34 $340 *Buy book of ten tickets, get 11th ticket free Cal either terminal or email angel@islandairways.com angel'”> Island Airways holiday ticket sale is coming to an end. Graphic from Island Airways
And, the Wild Strawberry crew is back. Their winter hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 to 2:00. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
The Peaine Township Planning Commission will has a Public Hearing on two rezoning matters set for this evening at 5:45 PM at Peaine Township Hall. There’s a link to the agenda in today’s script online. A-A meets tonight, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00 at the Christian Church. That’s it on the meeting front for this last week of January.
Agenda link: https://webgen1files1.revize.com/peainetwpmi/Document%20Center/PC/Agendas/01-27-2026_PC_AG_PH_DFT%20(1).pdf
On the fun front today…
Today was supposed to start with a basketball tip-off with the Islanders taking on Munising Baptist at home. But, once again, weather has done that in, so no games. 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 6:00, put your thinking cap on and come out for trivia. Let’s Get Quizzical is back for a second January round. Sign your team up at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Wednesday, there’s BINGO at the BIC Center at 1:00. At 5:00 it’s Time for Art, also at the BIC Cener. That’ll be the first of three sessions on making Madi Gras masks lead by Cindy Ricksgers. In our dark skies, the moon will reach perigee for the second time this month. That’s its closest point to us in its elliptical orbit around Earth. At 9:00 this evening it’ll be 227,341 miles (365,871 km) away…just waiting for the first human mission to the moon to launch in February.
Looking ahead to highlights for the rest of the week…
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 evening the Islanders basketball squads begin a home stand against Hannahville. First tipoff is at 5:30. There’ll be games Saturday morning, too, starting at 8:30.
[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, the Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. At noon, St. Brigid’s Day events get underway at the BIC Center. It’s a celebration of Irish heritage with special food, crafts, informative presentations and more. At 6:00, Song Sung Blue comes to the BIC Center Theater. A poll on Facebook made the selection. Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams. It’s rated PG-13. And, remember, Saturdays are Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock.
A Facebook poll selected Song Sung Blue for the last movie of the month. See it at 6:00 this Saturday at the BIC Center. Image from BIC Center
[On the radio, tune in for Country Classics at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, Jackson Smith and Steve Girbach are in with Songs from the Trail. 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, there’s a spelling bee at school for 2nd through 8th grade. It starts at 2:00. it’s All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Shamrock.
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NAME OF DAY: Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Brendan. If that’s your name, come into the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice.
BIRTHDAYS: On our Birthday list today: Eli Pietras and John Mikolaizyk. Happy Birthday to John and Eli, and if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center. |
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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 1967, a fire during a pre-launch test of Apollo 1 claims the lives of astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger B. Chaffee. This disaster led to significant improvements in space safety protocols, ultimately contributing to the success of future manned space missions.
Astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger B. Chaffee in front of the launch pad for Apollo 1. Photo from NASA |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is fiduciary (adjective) [fuh-DOO-shee-air-ee]. Fiduciary describes a relationship built on trust, where one person is expected to act in the best interest of another. It’s often used in legal or financial settings, like the attorney-client relationship, but it isn’t limited to money. Anytime someone places justified confidence in another for advice or guidance, that’s fiduciary. The word comes from the Latin fīdere [FEE-deh-reh], meaning “to trust.” |
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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 Apollo 1 astronaut Roger Chaffee: “Problems look mighty small from 150 miles up.” |
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On a lighter note… What’s the action like at a circus? |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Tuesday, January 27, 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 A chance of snow showers before 7am, then a chance of snow showers after 1pm. Patchy blowing snow before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. Wind chill values as low as -9. Blustery, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Tonight Increasing clouds, with a steady temperature around 9. Wind chill values as low as -9. West wind around 15 mph. Wednesday A 20 percent chance of snow showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 13. Wind chill values as low as -9. West wind around 15 mph. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around -4. Wind chill values as low as -18. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Thursday Partly sunny and cold, with a high near 6. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around -5. Friday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 17. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 5. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 21. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 25. |
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Air Quality Index this morning was 15. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Concerns over rural healthcare funding, protests in Traverse City, and new census numbers showing who’s gaining — and losing — young adults in Northern Michigan.
We’ll also look at a new statewide effort to address Michigan’s teacher shortage, reminders on Island dental clinics, the end of Island Airways’ holiday sale, and the return of the Wild Strawberry crew.
…all of that along with a run-down of local e vents, birthdays and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: Clouds soar above a big drift captured by the Greenes Bay Webcam. Image from Greenes Bay Webcam |
