08/24/2026
FROM THE WNBY NEWSCENTER: (8-24-26)
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II joined the owners of Upper Peninsula Inspired to visit the 2025 recipient of the state’s “Match on Main” grant.
The business sells Michigan-made products including wine, beer and spirits, as well as clothing and goods.
“It’s nice to be as local as we possibly can,” said Bill Graham, one of Upper Peninsula Inspired’s owners. “It’s awesome to show and have a spot for small places to showcase their beer, wine, spirits, up against some of the bigger national brands in a side-by-side comparison, and people just realize how good these products are when given the chance to try them.”
The grant totaled $25,000 and was used towards the business’s outdoor expansion project.
The project added a barbecue food truck, outdoor seating, a renovated indoor kitchen, and a brand-new courtyard area.
The financial reimbursement from the state expedited the renovation process.
The grant program aims to support small business projects in Michigan that activate commercial districts and strengthen local economies.
“I do this because one, the people here matter, the economy here matters, the communities here matter and so whether it’s in the summer here eating barbecue, or in the winter doing ice climbing, whatever it is, I want to make sure that I get a sense for how people are spending their time, what’s important for them in Michigan, and in the Upper Peninsula in particular,” Gilchrist said.
The director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced new investments that will support local food and agriculture processing, build new infrastructure and increase access to healthy foods throughout the state during the U.P. State Fair last week.
Of the 20 grants announced, six will impact the U.P.
“MDARD is making bold investments in Michigan’s food, agriculture and forestry economy to help expand production, create new jobs and improve quality of life for Michiganders,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “Today’s grants support businesses whose growth will create economic opportunities throughout our state, increasing demand for local farm and forest products and giving families more access to nutritious, Michigan-grown foods.”
U.P. organizations receiving portions of the investment:
* BigGoat Farm (Houghton) - $100,000 to help open the Keweenaw Peninsula’s first licensed Grade A goat dairy. The new dairy will serve as a production hub and visitor destination.
* First Catch LLC (L’Anse) - $100,000 to help design, prepare and install a fully functional, self-contained refrigerated fish-processing facility on tribal land to support year-round commercial fishing, value-added processing and direct retail sales.
* Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Baraga) - $100,000 to help acquire refrigerated transportation and improve food distribution capabilities across the Upper Peninsula.
* Peace Pie Company (Marquette) - $84,753 to support bakehouse improvements that will boost production, expand product range and increase procurement of Michigan-made ingredients.
* S&L Lumber Co LLC (Iron River) - $100,000 to help modernize the sawmill’s primary breakdown line, which transforms logs into boards and other materials. The project will boost throughput, reduce downtime and increase accuracy.
* Superior Culture LLC (Marquette) - $100,000 to help construct an addition to the taproom that will consolidate all production operations at a single site while expanding food and beverage service capacity.
MDARD says under Governor Whitmer’s leadership, and thanks to ongoing bipartisan support from the legislature, MDARD has invested more than $20.8 million in food, agriculture, forestry and conservation projects throughout the U.P. since 2019.
The Michigan Department of Transportation is considering a new approach for repairing the Portage Lake Lift Bridge that could shorten the project timeline and reduce disruptions for drivers traveling between the Upper Peninsula towns of Houghton and Hancock.
The state transportation agency is evaluating whether to build an entirely new lift span off-site and float it into position, rather than repairing the existing structure in place. The concept mirrors the installation method used when the original lift span was put in place in 1959.
The project timeline has been adjusted to allow officials to explore the feasibility of the replacement approach. If determined viable, construction could begin in 2028 and wrap up within two to three years. The alternative involves starting work in 2027 under the original repair plan, which would take four years to complete and require three full winters of work on the lift span through spring 2031.
The new concept emerged through a construction manager/general contractor process that brings contractor expertise into the planning phase. Under the replacement scenario, crews would build the new span elsewhere, then disconnect and remove the old lift span on barges before floating in the replacement during a brief window.
Transportation officials say this approach could significantly reduce traffic impacts, deliver a higher quality final product and provide better long-term value.
The planned work includes removing and replacing the upper and lower decks of the lift span, replacing the concrete deck on the northernmost fixed span, partial bridge painting and other repairs.
Motorists should expect significant traffic disruptions during some phases of the project regardless of which approach moves forward. The department plans to pursue environmental and regulatory approvals while reviewing construction details and will continue working with local communities to address concerns.
Michigan is proposing a new set of river protections at two hydropower dams straddling the Wisconsin border after federal regulators settled a monthslong dispute.
On Aug. 11, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy opened public comment on draft Clean Water Act requirements for the Saxon Falls and Superior Falls hydroelectric projects on the Montreal River in Gogebic County.
The proposed requirements would limit how Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin, an Xcel Energy subsidiary, operates the dams and would require monitoring of river flows, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, sediment and fish contamination.
Comments are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 11.
Michigan EGLE says its approval is required before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission can issue new licenses for the projects and any conditions imposed by Michigan must become part of those licenses.
The draft rules represent a significant win for state regulators on two disputed issues: whether Michigan gets its own say in how the border dams operate, and whether the Montreal River system must be protected under the state’s stricter cold water standards.
Michigan officials objected this year after Wisconsin approved the projects and federal regulators began reviewing those approvals. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources warned that allowing the licensing process to proceed based only on Wisconsin’s action could undermine Michigan’s ability to impose its own protections.
Regulators at FERC ultimately agreed that Northern States still needed Michigan’s approval or a waiver before the federal licensing process could be completed. That followed a clash between Michigan and the utility over the substance of those protections.
Regulators at EGLE criticized FERC’s environmental review for applying Michigan’s warm water standards to the Saxon and Superior impoundments. The state argued the impoundments are protected as cold water lakes and the Montreal River is a designated trout stream.
A former Newberry County Correctional facility inmate has filed a lawsuit under the Elliot-Larson Civil Rights Act against the Michigan Department of Corrections and three individual MDOC staff.
According to the MDOC, Dylan Leenheer is currently on parole. The civil complaint was filed in Luce County Circuit Court on Aug. 4 and is based on experiences during his incarceration at the Newberry facility in May.
A copy of the complaint from Flood Law, the firm representing Leenheer claims he was subjected to “intentional racial humiliation” as a Native American man at the hands of corrections officers Jay Stevens and Robert Marsh and library technician JoLynn Cebula while he was incarcerated at the Newberry Correctional Facility.
The complaint says Leenheer is a member of the Gun Lake Tribe and was one of only three Native American prisoners housed in Unit 11 at the facility. It claims that Leenheer had never before received a misconduct ticket until after May 1. The complaint alleges that he then received three tickets in “rapid succession, coinciding with Plaintiff having begun frequently socializing with other members of the Native American community at the facility.”
Additionally, the complaint says Leenheer requested a replacement temporary identification card on May 13 from officers Stevens and Marsh. Leenheer alleges that Stevens used photo-editing software to alter Leenheer’s ID photo to depict him in stereotypical Native American clothing, including a feathered headdress and facial paint. The complaint included a scan of the altered ID.
The complaint says Stevens then allowed the altered image to be displayed on the Unit 11 window, where it was visible to other prisoners and staff, “subjecting” Leenheer to “public humiliation on the basis of his race and ethnicity.”
Regarding Cebula, the complaint alleges Leenheer sought photocopies of the altered ID card from the law library to support a filed grievance. He claims Cebula refused to make copies, refused to sign the reason for denial on the request form, and refused to return the ID card to Leenheer, saying she thought it was “funny.”
The MDOC is accused of failing to “adequately train its corrections officers and library staff regarding racial and ethnic harassment, discriminatory conduct, and MDOC policies.”
The complaint states Leenheer suffered emotional distress, humiliation, anxiety, depression, and other damages as a result. It seeks compensatory damages for Leenheer and “exemplary damages” against the defendants.
MDOC responded, saying, “All allegations of discriminatory harassment are investigated by the department. Due to the ongoing litigation, the department declines to provide further comment.”
A deadline for when the MDOC must file a response has not yet been made available in court records.
WNBY SPORTS!!!
The Kansas City Royals hit three solo home runs and staved off a handful of Detroit Tigers’ comeback attempts in a series-opening 5-2 victory on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium.
Troy Melton pitched three scoreless innings, then allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits overall in 5 2/3 innings. He walked three, struck out three and threw 94 pitches.
The wide-open American League playoff race has provided unexpected life for sub-.500 teams, but the Tigers are rapidly playing their way out of contention.
The Tigers lost to the Royals 3-1 on Saturday night in a game that followed a familiar script: not much offense and very little margin for error.
The Tigers managed only three hits against Michael Wacha and two Royals relievers.
Tigers starter Drew Anderson was charged with three runs on five hits in five-plus innings. He struck out four and walked one.
On Sunday, the Tigers erased a four-run deficit but couldn’t keep the Royals from answering in an 11-7 loss.
The Royals completed the three-game sweep of the Tigers, who will limp home after a 1-5 road trip. They’ve lost five in a row and eight of their last nine, while the Royals have won eight in a row.
Only 10 days ago, the Tigers were within striking distance of first place in the AL Central. Now they’re closer to last place than they are to first.
The 61-69 Tigers return to Comerica Park to start a 3-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays, beginning tonight at 6:15pm, on Your Home For Detroit Tigers Baseball, 1450 WNBY.
If you’re looking to explain how a team with a plus-82 run differential is five games under .500 with about five weeks left in the season, this might be the best place to start.
Isolate Detroit Tigers relievers in high-leverage situations in the seventh, eighth, ninth and extra innings, and the numbers are almost impossible to believe.
Over 56 2/3 innings and 254 batters faced, they have a 10.01 ERA, a .301 batting average against, a .532 slugging percentage and a .384 wOBA allowed, a metric that measures overall offensive production.
All four figures rank last in the majors.
The Tigers are 18-41 in games decided by one or two runs, and they’ve lost 17 games in which they led after six innings.
About three-quarters of the batters faced in those late, high-leverage situations have come against five pitchers: Will Vest, Kenley Jansen, Kyle Finnegan, Drew Anderson and Tyler Holton.
Their inability to finish close games goes a long way toward explaining how they got to this stage of the season.
It didn’t start pretty, but the Detroit Lions settled down and enjoyed another strong defensive showing in their 17-13 win over the Washington Commanders in the second week of preseason action in front of 50,000-plus fans at Ford Field on Saturday.
Tight end Jackson Meeks got open for a fourth-and-3 catch to move the chains with 5:10 left in the game, deep in Washington territory. After running the clock to 2:30, Lions kicker Jake Bates put them up 17-13 with a 37-yard field goal. Meeks then forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return, with linebacker Erick Hunter recovering it to put the game away with 2:15 to go.
Lions QB starter Josh Dobbs finished seven-of-12 for 74 yards with one interception, one lost fumble and a 50-yard rushing score. Luke Altmyer completed nine passes on 13 attempts for 86 yards in the second half.
The 1-1 Lions travel to Indianapolis to face the 0-1-1 Colts in their third and final preseason game this Saturday, with kick-off set for 1pm.
While Michigan football works to have quarterback Bryce Underwood ready for the season, work continues in the spot behind him.
Fifth-year player Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, a transfer from Colorado State, is pushing true freshman Tommy Carr for the backup role ahead of the Sept. 5 opener against Western Michigan.
And right now, offensive coordinator Jason Beck says, the race is too close to call.
Carr, though a freshman, went through spring practices with the Wolverines and emerged as a real standout. Part of that was due to Michigan’s light quarterback room; aside from Underwood, Carr and redshirt freshman Chase Herbstreit, who didn’t play last year, were the only two available. Fowler-Nicolosi was left to only study and stay ready.
Fowler-Nicolosi, a true pocket passer, was an all-Mountain West honorable mention in 2023, when he threw for 3,460 yards and 22 touchdowns. But turnovers have plagued his college career, with Fowler-Nicolosi throwing 29 interceptions in 31 games. Sixteen of those came in that breakout ’23 season.
Beck said Fowler-Nicolosi and Carr, a star last season at nearby Saline High School, have been splitting second-team reps in practice.
Michigan’s football program is 14 practices into fall camp, and two of its key defensive players continue to make positive progress.
Sixth-year safety Rod Moore and redshirt junior defensive end John Henry Daley began camp on a pitch count as they recovered from serious leg injuries, but both have increased their workloads, head coach Kyle Whittingham said Friday.
When healthy, both players have proven to be difference-makers.
Daley recorded 11.5 sacks in 11 games in 2025 before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon. He earned All-American honors during his breakout season after totaling just seven tackles over his first two years in college, including his freshman season at BYU.
Meanwhile, it’s been a long road back for Moore, who suffered a torn ACL and meniscus during spring practice in 2024. The two-time All-Big Ten selection has played in only three games over the past two seasons, all while battling multiple setbacks and competing at less than full strength.
Michigan’s new coaching staff watched film of Moore’s standout 2022 and 2023 seasons but didn’t get an up-close look at him healthy until fall camp. He was limited during spring practice and is beginning to resemble the player who was a key contributor in the secondary on Michigan’s 2023 national championship team.
The Newberry Indians kick-off the 2026 Michigan high school football season this Saturday, at home to "Defend the N", against the Merrill Vandals. The JV contest starts it off at 2pm, with the Varsity match-up to follow with the pregame show at 3:30pm/Kick-off at 4pm on Your Official Home For Indians Football, 1450 WNBY and streaming "live" at 1450wnby.com.
The Engadine Eagles square off against the Rapid River Rockets at home Friday night, kicking off at 7pm.
A Dickinson County foundation is hoping to improve high school football players’ safety.
High school football programs at Iron Mountain, Kingsford, Norway, North Dickinson, Niagara and Florence have received Guardian Caps for the upcoming season, a donation worth $20,000.
The Dickinson Hospital Foundation in Iron Mountain raises, manages and distributes financial resources in support of Marshfield Medical Center Dickinson. The foundation says it is committed to improving and sustaining the quality and accessibility of local healthcare services.
Because the hospital is involved in concussion protocol testing for area high school sports, the foundation says donating Guardian Caps made perfect sense.
The Guardian Cap is a wraparound padded protection that fits on the outside of the football helmet, decreasing the impact of collisions to the head. According to a study done by the American Journal of Sports Medicine, Guardian Caps reduce concussions by over 50%.
Currently, the Dickinson Hospital Foundation is raising funds for cancer research in Dickinson County with a goal to raise $1 million. They were recently involved in raising $3 million for the Cancer Center that was constructed at the Marshfield Medical Center Dickinson.
If you are interested in donating to the Dickinson Hospital Foundation or learning more about the Dickinson Hospital Foundation, organizers say you can contact Tamara Juul at the Dickinson Area Community Foundation.
KARL BOHNAK'S WEATHER FORECAST:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 41. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Light southwest wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
