05/22/2026
FROM THE WNBY NEWSCENTER: (5-22-26)
A fight over Mackinac Island ferry regulation is spilling onto the mainland, where officials in Mackinaw City are considering new fees on ferry operators and opposing legislation meant to codify the island’s control over ferry rates.
On Thursday, the village council revisited a proposal to impose a $200,000 per-operator fee on ferry lines that officials say is intended to recover public costs related to the annual influx of tourists.
The council voted in February to develop ferry regulations and, on May 7, voted 4-1 to draft a resolution setting the fee despite public warnings from boat company representatives who urged officials to change course.
The proposal opens up a new front in an escalating access and governance dispute across the Straits of Mackinac, where the city of Mackinac Island and the Hoffmann Family of Companies — which owns both Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry and Arnold Transit — are locked in a battle over ferry rates, parking fees and regulatory authority.
Officials in Mackinaw City, a resort community where thousands of tourists board ferries each year to the island, called the push to develop new franchise contracts with the ferries both an effort to offset public costs related to the daily influx of passengers each summer, and an overdue attempt to “occupy the village’s regulatory field.”
Dean Martin, Mackinaw City village manager, said the village is not attempting to regulate ferry ticket prices or inspect ferry company finances, but instead wants to offset public costs tied to ferry traffic such as policing, road maintenance, sanitation and seasonal staffing.
Mackinaw City and St. Ignace officials have opposed Senate Bill 304, arguing it represents “a threat to our municipal sovereignty,” Martin said.
“We can’t vote their decision-makers out,” Martin said. “So why should they be able to determine what parking prices are in our community?”
The legislation is sponsored by state Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. It passed the Senate on a 30-6 vote but is stalled in the House.
A proposed rule change by the Social Security Administration could cause nearly 400,000 disabled people to have their benefits cut or eliminated entirely.
The proposed change would remove Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as a qualification to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It would also tighten the qualifications for what is deemed a “public assistance household.”
The change is part of an Executive Order submission that is under review.
“We propose to rescind the final rule...by removing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the list of public income maintenance (PIM) payments,” reads a portion of the order. “We further propose to adopt our former longstanding definition of a public assistance household, according to which every household member has to receive a PIM payment for the household to constitute a public assistance household.”
However, a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) found that the change could seriously impact hundreds of thousands of people on SSI benefits who live with family or friends.
The report found that in April 2024, the SSA’s “actuaries estimated the effects of including SNAP as a qualifying form of public assistance, along with other simplifications to the public assistance household rule.”
The SSA found that by 2033, “roughly 277,000 SSI beneficiaries would have higher benefits than would otherwise be the case and roughly an additional 109,000 beneficiaries would be eligible for SSI,” according to the report.
Because of that, the SSA submitted the rule change proposal to ensure that doesn’t happen. Despite the increased costs associated with the plan, the Trump Administration defends the policy as one that “promotes program integrity.”
The snow is gone, and many of you are planning your home renovation projects for the season.
That’s why the state has also dedicated this week to Contractor Fraud Awareness Week.
Now that there isn’t any snow on the ground, home renovation season has begun.
Michigan State Police (MSP) Eighth District Public Information Officer Lt. Benjamin Eckola wants you to know fraudsters also use this time of year to take advantage of people.
“There are contractors that are contacting you or advertising, and they might seem too good to be true at such a good price,” Eckola said. “Saying they can get it done faster than anybody else, and they don’t follow through on the job that they are looking to have done.”
Eckola says they have seen a series of these incidents in the last few years. We’ve also shared several of those cases with you.
In 2025, 15 felony charges against Clint Miller were dismissed, and the victims are expected to receive restitution soon.
Meanwhile, in April at the Marquette Circuit Court, Michael Sivula was sentenced to a minimum of 23 months in prison. Judge Andrew Griffin also recommended the Special Alternative Incarceration program, allowing Sivula to begin working toward paying more than $40,000 in restitution.
But the MSP says you can protect yourself by doing your research.
The Home Builders Association (HBA) of the Upper Peninsula want to make it easy for you; they have made a list of red flags to look for when you’re trying to contact the perfect contractor.
HBA says they are currently working with legislation to put more serious penalties on licensed builders who commit fraud.
The MSP says if you suspect that you have been scammed, contact a lawyer immediately.
The City of Negaunee is planning more improvements.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded the city a $50,000 grant.
The Pre-Development Accelerator Program helps local governments cover engineering costs for early-stage projects.
The funding will go toward planning infrastructure upgrades tied to the proposed MDOT roundabout at Teal Lake Avenue and US-41. That includes updating water and sewer lines during the project and ways to improve pedestrian safety in the area. Engineers are also planning to build a pedestrian tunnel under the railroad trestle on Teal Lake Avenue.
City Manager Nate Heffron says the tunnel will make things safer.
“Right now, people are kind of walking on the road grade, and it’s kind of a concern to us as this doesn’t seem very safe, so if we can get that tunnel in eventually,” Heffron said. “That should help with ADA compliance and number two help ensure the public that they will be able to safely get from this side of the road to this side of the community.”
Heffron says the roundabout project is slated to happen in 2031.
One of two people from Georgia who is accused of scamming Dickinson County businesses out of thousands of dollars with fraudulent credit cards has taken a plea agreement.
Shanee Clark of Covington, Georgia, was arrested alongside Jonathon Daniels of Lithonia, Georgia in May 2025 following an investigation between the Iron Mountain Police Department and Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post. Investigators said the two purchased more than $21,000 of items using fraudulent credit cards.
Court documents show Clark had a plea hearing Monday morning in Dickinson County Circuit Court. Those records show five of Clark’s seven charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
A sentencing date for her remaining two felony charges — possession of a financial transaction device and uttering of a financial transaction device — has been scheduled for Aug. 3 at 9:00 a.m.
Court records show Daniels was also scheduled for a pretrial conference Monday. His next court hearing is not yet available in online records.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. While 2026 is likely to continue that trend, higher costs will be a more significant factor weighing on Michiganders.
Unleaded gas cost Michigan drivers $4.77 per gallon as of Wednesday. Compared to this time last year, that is $1.53 more per gallon, or about $23 more to fill up a 15-gallon tank.
Despite higher associated costs, more than 1.3 million residents are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their homes during the five-day period from Thursday, May 21, to Monday, May 25, according to AAA. Those projections would be the second-highest on record for the holiday, though officials expect the smallest year-over-year increase in more than a decade.
Michigan roads are still expected to be busy. An estimated 1.2 million people will drive to their destination. Motorists should plan for possible traffic delays.
Another 70,000 people are projected to fly -- a decline of 1.7% from last year. Those who do fly may notice higher checked baggage fees, more expensive fares and fuller planes as airlines cope with the fuel constraints.
More than 65,600 will travel by other means such as bus, train or cruise.
In Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order on April 2 to suspend the start of the summer gas rules that affect eight of the state’s largest counties.
The move reduced gas prices only in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair and Lenawee counties.
WNBY SPORTS!!!
A familiar scenario unfolded yesterday afternoon for the Detroit Tigers. They got a strong outing from their starting pitcher but didn’t provide him enough offensive support.
The Cleveland Guardians defeated the Tigers 3-1 at Comerica Park to sweep a four-game series and drop Detroit 9½ games out of the A.L. Central lead.
Casey Mize (2-3) pitched 6 2/3 strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits while walking none and striking out four.
Dillon Dingler’s homer, his ninth, to lead off the eighth was the only run the Tigers managed.
The Tigers have lost a season-high six in a row, scoring only 10 runs in the process, and are 2-14 in their past 16.
The 20-31 Tigers start a 3-game weekend set with the Orioles in Baltimore tonight. beginning at 6:50pm on Your Home for Detroit Tigers Baseball, 1450 WNBY.
Justin Verlander threw a four-inning, roughly 60-pitch simulated game Wednesday afternoon at Comerica Park.
He struck out three batters but also allowed three home runs — two to Wenceel Perez and one to Jahmai Jones.
Verlander was not available to speak after the outing, and Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, addressing reporters shortly afterward, said he had yet to review the data or gather feedback from staff.
As a result, it remains unclear whether the session represents a meaningful step toward Verlander’s return.
Verlander has been on the injured list since April 1 with left hip inflammation. The 43-year-old signed a one-year deal to return to Detroit late in spring training but has made just one start and has yet to pitch at Comerica Park this season. He is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 31.
The Newberry Indians lost to the Emeralds in Manistique at the newly named Dick Ketsick Field, 16-14, in Game 1 of a doubleheader yesterday afternoon.
Jarrett Zellar had 3 RBI's on a single, double and a triple, while Logan Lusk had 3 RBI's on a single and a double.
In Game 2, Kade Schroeder tossed a complete game with no earned runs and Finn Price got his first start going 2 for 2 with 3 RBI's. The Tribe scored 7 runs in the top of the 4th inning to break a 0-0 tie and win 11-1 in 5 innings over the Emeralds.
The 2-17 Indians are awaiting to see if they can schedule a game with the Rudyard JV Bulldogs on Tuesday afternoon before heading to the districts in Gladstone next Friday.
The Grand Rapids Griffins were eliminated from the AHL playoffs last night in Rosemont, Illinois, losing to the Chicago Wolves 3-2.
Chicago won the 5-game series 3 games to 1.
When Michigan hired Kyle Whittingham as its next head football coach, he arrived in Ann Arbor with a lengthy track record at Utah of producing winning seasons and developing talent.
What wasn’t on his resume, however, was a history of landing high-profile recruits. With Whittingham taking over, there was some skepticism about whether the Wolverines could continue attracting the caliber of prospects they’ve long recruited successfully.
The 66-year-old veteran coach has quickly quieted those concerns. Michigan has landed seven commits this month to climb into the top 15 nationally. Overall, nine of its 12 verbal pledges are rated as four-star recruits, including five ranked inside the top 125 nationally, per the 247Sports composite.
The Detroit Lions added another body to their deep receiver room, signing veteran Cedrick Wilson Jr. on Wednesday afternoon.
Wilson, a seven-year professional, spent last season with the Miami Dolphins. He appeared in 10 games, starting five times, finishing with five catches on nine targets for 44 yards. He’s played for the Dolphins (twice), Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints since landing in the league in 2018’s sixth round out of Boise State.
The 30-year-old’s most productive season came in 2021 with the Cowboys. He caught 45 passes for 602 yards and six touchdowns that year. He hasn’t come close to matching those numbers since, but has managed to carve out a role wherever he lands.
At 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, Wilson brings experience and some size to his role as he looks to find a place in the league for the seventh consecutive year.
Wilson joins a receiver room headlined by Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Isaac TeSlaa, last year’s third-round pick, is set for an increased role. Greg Dortch signed with the Lions in free agency after they lost Kalif Raymond to the Chicago Bears.
They also added Kentucky wide receiver Kendrick Law with a move up the board in the draft’s fifth round last month.
The United States defeated Germany 4-3 in a shootout Wednesday at the World Championship in Zurich, Switzerland, in a game between teams captained by Detroit Red Wings defensemen.
Germany’s Moritz Seider opened the scoring one minute into the game, but Matt Coronato and Ryan Leonard scored on the final two attempts in the five-round shootout for Team USA, which improved to 1-1-0-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L) for five points.
Germany had lost its first three games in regulation by a combined score of 11-2 but earned its first point of the tournament in defeat (0-0-1-3).
Detroit defenseman and U.S. captain Justin Faulk didn’t figure in the scoring but logged team highs in shots (five) and time on ice (24:58).
Red Wings 2024 second-round pick Max Plante recorded two shots in 7:20.
Seider recorded three shots and logged a team-high 23:16.
KARL BOHNAK'S WEEKEND WEATHER FORECAST:
Today: Widespread frost before 7am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Memorial Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.
