News

UPDATE - 12/11/2020: 
The pilot of the F-16 fighter jet that crashed in the Upper Peninsula Tuesday night has been found dead. According to the 115th Fighter Wing, the pilot's identity hasn't been released yet.

Local, state, and military crews searched in dense woods for almost two days before finding the pilot on Thursday.

The state is poised to award over $40 million to fund public land projects this year. The money will go towards big-ticket properties like thousands of acres next to the Pigeon River Country State Forest, land along the St.

Fifty-seven people have drowned in Lake Michigan this year, making it the deadliest on record.

State prosecutors have struck a plea deal with a former Grand Traverse County jail administrator charged with abusing his office. In the 13th Circuit Court Friday, Todd Ritter pleaded guilty to three charges, including embezzlement and willful neglect of duty.

The number of new coronavirus cases reported in northern lower Michigan appears to be falling, after surging to record highs last month. 

Update 10/4/20: Both Null brothers have made their bonds and were released Thursday from the Grand Traverse County jail.

An 86th District judge agreed to conditions Wednesday that make putting up bail much easier for two men charged with aiding in a terrorist plot.

After a lot of action in the Spring, the state legislature has been quiet on COVID-19 for months. Instead many have focused on legal and political battles.

Now legislators on both sides say that gridlock over the pandemic is likely to continue.

There was an eclipse in the early hours of this Monday morning, when the Moon came to Full Phase among the stars of Taurus and slipped into the outer edge of Earth’s shadow, which begs the question astrologically: which is easier to deal with, a full shadow, like at total eclipse; or the barest hint of shadow, like this one?

For most people, November isn’t a great time for a day at the beach. But Ludington photographers Todd and Brad Reed aren’t most people. They dream of capturing Lake Michigan at its gnarliest.

Hospitals across northern Michigan say they have enough beds, ventilators and PPE for this surge in COVID cases — the most of the pandemic.

Their problem now is having the staff to care for these patients, especially as the virus spreads through communities and healthcare workers themselves fall ill.

One northern Michigan county reeling from COVID-19 is Emmet County. It’s counted almost 800 cases and 27 deaths from the disease.

In October, a black bear was spotted roaming the Meijer parking lot in Traverse City. That bear, now dubbed the "TC Bear" by the Michigan Department of Natrual Resources, is still on the loose.

Now, the DNR is trying to lure the bear into various traps in Traverse City with things like syrup and bacon, but so far ― it isn't taking the bait. 

In many traditions, this last full week of November draws to a close the season of honoring loved ones who have died, and now ceremonial tradition turns toward the celebration of light that comes at the darkest time of year with Winter Solstice, next month.

Starting Wednesday, restaurants in Michigan are again limited to delivery and takeout, high school and college classes can only be online, and non-professional sports games are cancelled. That’s under an order from Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s public health director.