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Six Michigan tribes—including the Bay Mills, Sault Ste. Marie, and Little River Band—announced this week that they are pulling out of talks with Enbridge Energy and the U.S. Army Corps over the Line 5 tunnel project. The tribes say their warnings about environmental harm and cultural loss have been ignored. Line 5, built in 1953, carries oil and gas through the Great Lakes. Enbridge wants to bury part of it in a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. The tribes call it dangerous and say the project is being fast-tracked despite serious risks. They say the Trump administration’s decision to “fast track” the project based on national energy concerns was the final straw. In other Line 5 developments, a Michigan nonprofit is among the groups raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest between President Donald Trump and the Line 5 tunnel project. President Trump’s national “energy emergency” order has fast-tracked over 600 projects, including Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel, for quicker approval. According to records from the Federal Election Commission, Trump’s campaign last year received more than one million dollars in donations from Tim Barnard, CEO of the project’s contractor, Barnard Construction. Levi Teitel, with Progress Michigan says this is problematic. |
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“We’re drawing attention to this potential conflict of interest and what it could mean for the integrity of the Great Lakes and also for our government as a whole.” |
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Enbridge has responded in a statement saying, in part, it hired Barnard Construction Company, Inc. and Civil and Building North America, Inc. in 2023, during the Biden administration, following a robust and lengthy selection process. The Michigan Court of Appeals recently affirmed the state Public Service Commission’s decision to grant permits for the underwater pipeline project – rejecting legal challenges from environmental groups and Tribes concerned about its ecological and cultural impact. |
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In other energy news, in the wake of plans to reopen the Palisades nuclear plant in Covert Township after three years of inactivity, major tech companies have pledged to triple global nuclear energy output by 2050. Chrystal Blair has more… |
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The tech giants include Amazon, Google and Meta, signing the ‘Large Energy Users Pledge’ at a major energy conference in Houston this month. The pledge backs development of small modular reactors for data centers and A-I, but raises concerns over regulations and public opposition. Physicist and nuclear expert M-V Ramana says nuclear energy is environmentally risky and expensive – and despite the wealth of big tech, he points out, they won’t be footing the bill. :13 “Much of the funding for any of these activities – whether it’s building new reactors or reopening old, shuttered reactors – is coming from the public. Tax money that’s going in, it’ll be the ratepayers’ money.” For Michigan’s Indigenous communities opposed to nuclear expansion, it’s much deeper than just a financial issue. They urge listening to the natural world and ancestral teachings rather than allowing outsiders to dictate their future. Supporters argue expansion is crucial for meeting energy demands and cutting carbon emissions. But, critics contend that most of these small reactors exist only on paper. They haven’t been built or tested, so claiming they’re safe for the public, or for powering A-I and data centers, is merely theoretical. Ramana warns those critics that the tech giants backing a boost in nuclear energy will be tough to stand up against. :13 “It is going to increase the pressure on the Department of Energy to approve funds. Not that the DOE is requires any kind of prodding – they are only too happy to shovel out our money to all of these nuclear companies. “ Supporters maintain small modular reactors or S-M-Rs will be safer, more efficient, and tested for reliability in powering the energy-intensive industries that need them. |
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The fight against invasive sea lampreys in the Great Lakes is back on track. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been cleared to rehire 37 federal workers—after Trump-era staffing cuts threatened the $200 million fishery. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission says work is weeks behind, and some workers may not return, but the control program is pushing to resume as soon as possible. Down in TC, Munson Medical Center in Traverse City has landed on six national “Best Hospitals” lists from Women’s Choice Health. Honors include obstetrics, heart and cancer care, breast care, mammograms, and women’s services. If you are looking for funding for your non-profit, here ‘s something to note: Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund is now accepting letters of interest from nonprofits for its spring grant cycle. Letters are due by April 1, with full applications due April 15. There’s an application link in today’s script online. On the Island, the B-I-C-S robotics team is preparing for their final district event next weekend. B-I-robot will be compete at Ferris State University in Big Rapids March 27th to the 29th. Want to support our Beaver Island robotics superstars? Head over to birobot.org where you can become a sponsor or grab some cool team merch! And if you can’t make it to the events in person, no worries – you can follow all the action and watch livestreams on TheBlueAlliance.com.] |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner for the week… A-A meets Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. That’s it on the meeting front. More details are in the calendar entries online. On the fun front today… Wednesday C-O-A BINGO is at the BIC Center at 1 PM. Time for Art at the BIC Center also at 5:00. This week its Tie Dye time. Catherine and Joel Meintsma have will share their talents with this very popular art-form. Medical First Responder Class begins at 7 PM. Thursday, Cardio Drumming starts at 10 AM at the BIC Center, but no Pickleball today because of Spring Break activities in the theater. Women’s Bible Study meets at the Christian Church at the same time. Chair Yoga begins at 11 AM at the BIC Center. There’s a Games Galore Pizza party at 1:00 on the Theater. And this isn’t just any pizza party. It’s See No, Hear No, Speak No Pizza Making Game, where teams of three work together to make the prettiest pizza. Kids can then enjoy their creation while they play other games including Ping Pong, Basketball hoop shoot, cornhole, Mario Kart, and more! In the evening, enjoy Burger & a Beer at the Shamrock at 5 PM and Euchre Night at WPBC at 7, and there’s another session of the Medical First Responder Class at the School at 7. Highlights for the rest of the week include… Friday, seniors and veterans can enjoy Coffee & Donuts at the BIC Center starting at 9 AM. Pickleball is back at 10 at the BIC Center, and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program meets again at 10:30. [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 at the Library at 2 PM. Then it’s movie day at the BIC Center with a double feature. At 3 PM, catch Sonic the Hedgehog 3 with non-stop snark and action as our heroes join forces in an unlikely alliance to take on a new villain. Rated PG. At 6:00, it’s A Complete Unknown, the award winning docudrama about Bob Dylan. It’s rated R. Saturday evening, it’s Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock. And, in our Dark Skies, the moon will be new tonight, so if the clouds stay away. [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 brings folks together for worship, with services at the Christian Church at 10:00 and Mass at Holy Cross at 12:15. Looking ahead to next week… Monday, Cardio Drumming is at 10:00 in the theater at the BIC Center. Then at 5:00, there’s Qigong Practice lead by Tina Carlton. Qigong [chi gong], is a traditional, ancient Chinese medicine practice using gentle movement, meditation, and breathing to promote mental, physical, and spiritual health. Tuesday, Talking Threads is on at Peaine Township Hall at 9:30. Babes and Todlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. There’s Pickleball at 10:00 in the theater at the BIC Center and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program at 10:30 in the Hangout followed by Senior Tai Chi at 11:30. And the Improv Club is on Tuesday evening at 5:00 in the Theater. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Eugene. If that’s your name, head on down to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Maria Lodico, Joan Lafreniere, Charlie Pop, Clay Siller and Larissa McGinnity are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Larissa, Joan, Maria, Clay and Charlie, and if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you, too, from everyone at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center! [And, here’s a way to send special birthday wishes to someone on the island: The B-I-C-S National Honor Society will put up a sign in their yard in exchange for a donation of $10 or more to the Build a Cure for Cancer fund. Contact N-H-S president Alyssa Martin for more details. You can reach her through the front desk at school.] |
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TRAFFIC: None. But the roads are pocked up and sloppy from the freeze and thaw, plus there’s a new bump from a sinklhole repair on Barney’s Lake road by the Nackerman farm. So, let’s be careful out there. Especially in the school zone. |
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On this day in 1944 Diana Ross is born in Detroit. She started her career there after she and friends Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard, who called themselves the Supremes, signed with Detroit’s Motown Records in 1961. The Supremes crafted chart-topping hits such as “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,” “Stop! In the Name of Love” and “Where Did Our Love Go.” During the 1960s, the Supremes, later renamed “Diana Ross and the Supremes,” became the best-selling group behind the Beatles. Ross left the group in 1969 after she decided to embark on a solo career. Later in life, she also embarked on a movie career including Lady Sings the Blues, Mahogony, and the Wiz. Photo from planetradio.co.uk |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is Flippant (adjective) [FLIP-unt], an adjective that describes behavior or a comment that is lacking in proper respect or seriousness. Flippant is believed to come from the English verb flip, which, in turn, is a supposed imitation of the sound of something (say, a flapjack) flipping. The earliest uses of flippant described flexible things (like a spatula) or nimble, spry people, capable of moving this way and that with ease. Soon enough, flippant began to be used not only for people fluent in their movements, but those whose words flow easily. To be this kind of flippant was once a good thing; however, as people who speak freely can sometimes speak more freely than propriety permits, English users eventually flipped the script on flippant, and the positive sense fell into disuse, bending to the “disrespectful” sense we know 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 Diana Ross: “You know, you do need mentors, but in the end, you really just need to believe in yourself.” |
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On a lighter note… One thing you have to admit about Diana Ross… She was a Supreme singer. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for this Beaver Island Wednesday, March 26th, 2025. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day and asking you: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening. |
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Today Sunny, with a high near 37. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Thursday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 24. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Friday A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 11am and 2pm, then rain showers likely after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Friday Night Rain showers before 2am, then rain or freezing rain between 2am and 5am, then freezing rain after 5am. Low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Saturday Freezing rain before 8am, then rain or freezing rain likely between 8am and 2pm, then rain showers likely after 2pm. High near 38. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Saturday Night Rain showers likely before 8pm, then rain showers, snow showers, and freezing rain likely between 8pm and 2am, then snow showers and freezing rain likely after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Sunday A chance of snow showers before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Sunday Night A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
