|
Michigan’s U-S Senate candidates both call for changing tariffs on Canada, but differ on President Trump’s broader trade policy. Speaking separately at the Detroit Economic Club Tuesday, Republican Mike Rogers says Canadian tariffs overlook the countries’ closely connected auto industries. But he credits other tariffs with bringing manufacturing home. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed calls Trump’s approach chaotic and says tariffs should help American workers compete. On the economy, Rogers emphasized lower taxes, domestic energy and skilled trades. El-Sayed favors higher taxes on the wealthy, stronger unions and small-business investment. Both say housing shortages hamper Michigan’s growth. They meet for their final debate tonight. You can watch tonight’s debate here on the Island online at W-X-Y-Z dot com starting at seven. There’s a link in today’s script.
#Election 2026
I-P-R reports this morning that Traverse City commissioners have approved a controversial prowling and park trespass ordinance on a four-to-three vote. The measure, passed yesterday, prohibits prowling after dark on someone else’s private property without permission and lets police ban park rule violators for three days. Supporters cite safety concerns at Hull Park, including an assault on a sailing instructor. Opponents, including the A-C-L-U of Michigan, say the language is vague and could disproportionately affect homeless people. An amendment narrowing the prowling definition failed.
#LawEnforcement #CivilLiberties
Cadillac is seeing a wave of housing development as Wexford County works to address a shortage of nearly thirty-eight hundred homes identified in a 2023 study.
The largest project, Lakelynn Apartments, calls for 252 workforce apartments, with completion expected in about three years. The former Cooley School is being converted into twenty-three apartments, while North Lake Street Flats would add forty-eight. Downtown,
Cadillac Lofts has completed forty-two rentals, with another fifty-three planned. Developers are using state grants and tax incentives to help finance construction. City officials say the projects could help employers attract workers and give residents more
housing options. M-Live has detailed coverage of the projects in an article published today that’s linked in today’s script online.
At the border in Detroit, Canadian authorities say a detector dog helped uncover about 280 pounds of suspected cocaine in a truck crossing from Detroit into Windsor at the Ambassador Bridge. The seizure happened September eleventh and was announced Monday. Two Ontario men face charges of importing cocaine and possession for trafficking.
#LawEnforcement
The group behind the Beaver Island Music Festival is gauging interest in a theater troupe for ages twelve and up. Actors and backstage volunteers are welcome, with a possible production in late winter or early spring. Let us know here at W-V-B-I if you are interested, of respond to the post on Facebook.
#LocalEvents
Expect delays or a temporary closure on East Side Drive today. Today the Charlevoix County Road Commission is replacing a culvert three-quarters of a mile south of Bill Wagner Campground. Work runs from about 8:30 to 1:00. One lane may reopen after 11:00, depending on progress. Plan ahead for trips to and from town, or just plan to use West Side.
#LocalEvents
Rose Cole’s shop just south of school opens Saturday and Sunday, noon to three. Home décor and remaining pole barn sale items are fifty percent off. Use the
side door.
Deb Robert’s class is hard at work on Birthday Calendars for the coming year. If you know of someone who lives on BI that would like their name added to the calendar, please let them know. We use the calendar for our W-V-B-I Birthday List. They’ll go on sale at the Christmas Bazaar.
#Fundraisers
Students from Ms. Robert’s class display their Birthday Calendars in 2017. Phot provided by Deb Robert
|
|
Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First, your meeting planner for the coming week…
Today
Thursday
That’s your meeting lineup. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
American Mah Jongg starts at 10:00 in the BIC Center Hangout. All skill levels are welcome; bring your 2026 Mah Jongg card if you have one. Afternoon Bingo follows at 1:00. Then at 5:00, it’s Time at the BIC Center for Art with Lois Stipp leading a session on painting. This one is limited to 12 participants. Sign up at the Front Desk.
Thursday
Apex Insurance Services is on the Island Thursday and Friday for Medicare enrollment appointments. Call 888-858-2739 to schedule.
Looking ahead at highlights for the coming days…
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.]
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
|
|
Those are the highlights. Find a full listing of events at calendar dot W-V-B-I dot net.
|
|
Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Collin. If that’s your name, come on down to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice.
|
|
On our Birthday List: On our list today are Jenna Butler, Captain Kevin McDonough, Joe Bousquet and Terry Shepardson. Happy Birthday to Jenna, Terry, Joe and Kevin and, if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI.
|
|
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.
|
|
On this date in 1970, President Richard Nixon signs the law establishing Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The protected area includes a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan’s eastern shoreline and North and South Manitou Islands. Michigan Senator Philip Hart helps lead the effort to preserve its dunes, forests and beaches. The park’s visitor center in Empire bears his name.
Concerns about development and use of the dunes spurred creation of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in 1970. Image created by WVBI using AI and post card photo by Phil Balyeat as inspiration
|
|
Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is jilt [JILT], a verb meaning to suddenly reject someone, especially by ending a romantic relationship. Its roots may trace to an old nickname for Gillian, which eventually became a word for someone who casts a lover aside. Today, jilt also applies beyond romance: “After years of loyalty, the customer jilted his cable company for a streaming service.”
|
|
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday…
|
|
Here’s a thought for the day from Senator Phil Hart reflecting on the Senate during his time in office in the 70s: “You know, the trouble is we believe all the things we say about each other in here.”
|
|
And on a lighter note…
“I yam what I yam.”
|
|
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, October 21st, 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.
|
|
###
|
|
WEATHER
|
|
[Current Condition Report, then…]
|
|
Today
|
|
|
|
Air Quality Index this morning was 24.
|
|
Fire Danger: Low
|
|
Out on the Big Drink…
Photo from the North Lake Michigan Buoy. Provided by the National Data Buoy Center
|
|
Today
SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Increasing clouds. Waves around 1 ft.
Thursday
Variable winds 5 kt or less. Patchy fog before 11am. Waves 1 ft or less.
Friday
S wind 5 to 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Saturday
S wind 10 to 15 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft.
Sunday
SW wind 10 to 15 kt becoming WNW in the afternoon. A chance of showers. Waves 1 to 3 ft.
|
|
Water Temps: 57 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 55 in the Straits. 52 at 4:30 this morning at Sleeping Bear. Little Traverse Bay not reporting.
|
|
Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org
|
|
Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Culvert work could slow your trip to town today, and a Beaver Island theater troupe could be in the works. Plus, Michigan’s Senate candidates talk trade ahead of tonight’s debate, Traverse City approves controversial policing rules, and a look at how Cadillac is attacking its housing shortage.
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.]
|
|
Today’s featured image: Concerns about development and use of the dunes spurred creation of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in 1970. Image created by WVBI using AI and post card photo by Phil Balyeat as inspiration
|
