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Governor Gretchen Whitmer has unveiled Michigan’s first Maritime Strategy, a ten-year plan to grow the state’s maritime economy while protecting the Great Lakes. The plan focuses on modernizing ports, creating jobs, expanding clean vessel technology, and strengthening maritime workforce training. State officials say the strategy positions Michigan to lead maritime innovation while safeguarding the waters that drive billions of dollars in economic activity each year.
For the first time in more than 30 years, more people moved into Michigan than moved out, according to new census data. The state added nearly 28,000 residents in 2025, marking the fourth straight year of population growth. Census officials say the increase was driven by international migration and Michigan’s first net gain in domestic migration since 1991.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association has expanded money-making opportunities for student-athletes. New rules now allow athletes to earn income from name, image, and likeness deals — including endorsements, appearances, and merchandise — effective immediately, as long as competitive balance isn’t affected.
State and federal researchers are asking the public to weigh in on two Great Lakes projects. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are taking comments through February 22nd on a proposed seasonal sea lamprey barrier on the Sucker River in Alger County. Scientists are also asking ice fishers and others on frozen lakes to submit ice thickness data to improve safety forecasts and climate research. Information on how to participate in both efforts is linked in today’s script online. Comment on Lamprey Barrier: https://www.glfc.org Submit Ice Data: https://www.glos.org
Governor Whitmer’s dad has passed away. He was a well-known Michigan government and business figure who worked in the state Legislature, served in Republican Governor William Milliken’s cabinet as the commerce department director, and later became the CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. He was 85.
Down in T-C…
The Traverse City Fire Department says its move to become the city’s primary ambulance provider is moving forward, but staffing shortages are slowing progress likely pushing the planned July launch back. The existing ambulance service will continue without interruption in the meantime.
Northwestern Michigan College has finalized the $27-million sale of its Boardman Lake Campus to the Grand Traverse Band. The tribe plans to use the site for government services while keeping public access to the lake and trail.
Harbor Springs Ice Fest returns February 6th and 7th, featuring a new drone light show Friday night at 6:30 over downtown. The festival also includes ice carving, games, cocoa stops, wagon rides, and more. Details are at downtownharborsprings.com.
On the Island, as folks start to think about the kick-off of summer with the Warblers on the Water birding festival, sharp eyed spotters have seen some Snow Buntings at Whiskey Point and by Welke Airport. There’s a photo in today’s script online.
A Snow Bunting at Whiskey Point. Photo by Chip Muller posted on Facebook
And up on Drummond Island, a fellow member of GLIA, their international ice bridge to Canada has officially opened. It’s twelve-mile snowmobile ride to St. Joseph Island, Ontario. The path has been set up every year but one since 1969. You can speed up the border process by clearing your trip in advance online. There’s info at a link in today’s script online. https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/drummond-island-ice-bridge-open-1
The ice bridge to Canada. Photo from Customs and Border Protection |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets 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…
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.
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.
Looking ahead to highlights for the rest of the week…
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.
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.
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NAME OF DAY: Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Tobbe. 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: John McCafferty, Sr., Elaine West and Shaun Markey. Happy Birthday to Elaine, Shaun and John, 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 1986, the Challenger space shuttle explodes after liftoff. Seven crew—including Ellison S. Onizuka, the first Asian American astronaut to reach space on his second mission, and schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe—die when the Challenger space shuttle explodes 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida. A single faulty ‘O-ring’ will be identified as the cause of the explosion.
The Challenger crew takes a break during countdown training at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on January 9, 1986. From left to right are Teacher-in-Space Christa McAuliffe and astronauts Gregory Jarvis, Judith Resnik, Mission Commander Dick Scobee, astronaut Ronald McNair, pilot Mike Smith, and astronaut Ellison Onizuka. Photo from NASA |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is bombast (noun) [BAHM-bast]. Bombast is a formal word for speech or writing that sounds important but lacks real substance. The word originally referred to cotton stuffing used in clothing, from a Middle Persian word meaning “cotton.” Within a few decades, bombast took on its modern meaning — language padded with inflated, pretentious words. From it comes bombastic, still used along with blowhards, boasters, and cockalorums to describe overblown talkers today. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Challenger crew member and teacher Christa McAuliffe: “Reach for it. Push yourself as far as you can.” |
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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 Wednesday, January 28th, 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 Scattered snow showers, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. Wind chill values as low as -7. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Tonight Scattered snow showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -4. Wind chill values as low as -15. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Thursday Mostly sunny and cold, with a steady temperature around -1. Wind chill values as low as -14. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around -8. Wind chill values as low as -23. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 11. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 16. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 4. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 22. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Monday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 21. |
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Air Quality Index this morning was 0. |
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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 rolls out its first-ever Maritime Strategy, census numbers show more people moving into the state, and high school athletes get new opportunities to earn money.
We’ll also cover public input on Great Lakes projects, a delay in Traverse City’s new ambulance service, the sale of NMC’s Boardman Lake Campus, Ice Fest in Harbor Springs, Snow Buntings on the Island — and the reopening of an international ice bridge to Canada.
…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: White Shoal Lighthouse locked in ice as seen from the Calumet. Phot by Calumet crew member Cody Bentlet from White Shoal Lighthouse Historical Society |
