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March 28, 2025
It’s a Spring Break edition of Currently with just Beth Milligan and Christal Frost holding down the fort in Traverse City!
Brought to you by lead underwriter Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings: Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City. Support also comes from West Shore Bank – committed to the well-being of the community, and The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – a chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.
This week, they kick things off with the unexpected arrival of... another Meijer? Beth shares details on the retailer’s expansion plans in Northern Michigan.
Then, we dive into a busy week for the Grand Traverse County Commission, covering updates on:
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Improvements to the VASA Trail,
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A green light for AcenTek’s broadband expansion,
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New Brownfield funding for Oak Shore Commons,
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And the county’s plan to house inmates in neighboring jails due to overcrowding.
Finally, in celebration of Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers, we shine a spotlight on a Traverse City-based tech company bringing cutting-edge fan experiences to Comerica Park this season.
All that, plus our #ExtraBall Pinball Challenge and what we’re looking forward to in the coming week!
March 21, 2025
On this week’s Currently, Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) are joined by special guest Jacob Wheeler (Glen Arbor Sun) to break down the latest headlines affecting Northern Michigan.
Brought to you by lead underwriter Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings: Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City. Support also comes from West Shore Bank – committed to the well-being of the community, and The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – a chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.
This Episode Covers:
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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Updates – How staffing and funding challenges may impact the upcoming season, protests at the park, and what this means for the endangered Piping Plover population.
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Library Funding Cuts & Book Bans – The Traverse Area District Library faces the loss of federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences. What does this mean for services, and why is a book ban request also making waves?
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Honoring a Grandson in Northport – A heartfelt story of a local couple's unique tribute to their late grandson.
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Retail & Restaurant Roundup – New businesses coming, closures, and expansions in Traverse City.
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All that, plus our #ExtraBall Pinball Challenge and what we’re looking forward to in the coming week!
March 14, 2025
This week on Currently, our Journalist in Residence Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) steps in as guest host, joined by Bill Froehlich from 9&10 News. Together, they break down the biggest recent stories:
🔹 Traverse City’s biggest road project of 2025 kicks off March 21—how will detours impact your daily commute?
🔹 A Cadillac homeowner demands accountability over alleged violations by the Local Development Finance Authority in the wake of PFAS contamination concerns.
🔹 Big changes are coming to Camp Greilick as Grand Traverse County unveils plans to open the 196-acre property to the public.
🔹 Longtime Cadillac City Council member Stephen King resigns suddenly, citing leadership frustrations—what does this mean for the city’s future?
🔹 The 2025 Traverse City Comedy Fest is bringing Marc Maron, Jay Pharoah, Natasha Leggero, and more to town—get ready for a weekend of stand-up, improv, and even a comedy murder mystery!
All that, plus our #ExtraBall Pinball Challenge and what we’re looking forward to this week!
✨ Special thanks to our sponsors:
• Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings – Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City.
• West Shore Bank – Committed to the well-being of the community. Visit them on 8th Street or at westshorebank.com.
• The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – A chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.
March 7, 2025
This week on Currently with Christal Frost, we dive into Northern Michigan’s top local stories with our journalist in residence, Beth Milligan of the Traverse City Ticker, and our special guest, Art Bukowski of the Traverse City Business News and the Traverse City Ticker!
🚤 First up, Art takes us inside the booming boating industry. While COVID-19 sank many sectors, boat sales skyrocketed. We explore what’s driving the demand and how pontoons are making waves beyond the inland lakes.
🍔 Next, Beth introduces us to the Interlochen Depot, a unique community hub in the works featuring food trucks, live music, and more. But will zoning and environmental factors stand in the way?
🦠 Then, we shift gears to a cutting-edge Traverse City firm fighting antibiotic resistance. Could their breakthroughs change modern medicine?
🏫 We also have an update on TCAPS’ search for a new school board member and take a behind-the-scenes look at how local schools decide when to call a snow day.
📚 And finally, Christal shares an exclusive National Writers Series promo code for those eager to attend Jonathan Eig’s event on March 13!
All that, plus our #ExtraBall Pinball Challenge and what we’re looking forward to this week!
✨ Special thanks to our sponsors:
• Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings – Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City.
• West Shore Bank – Committed to the well-being of the community. Visit them on 8th Street or at westshorebank.com.
• The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – A chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.
February 28, 2025
This week, Christal is joined by our Journalist in Residence Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) and special guest Alli Baxter (UpNorthLive) to break down the top local headlines, including:
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💰 Marijuana tax dollars at work – Northern Michigan communities are set to receive a share of nearly $100 million in marijuana tax revenue. How will these unrestricted funds help solve critical water issues in Central Lake and Cadillac?
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🏠 Housing developments & downtown projects – Two HomeStretch workforce housing projects return to the Traverse City agenda. Plus, updates on Fish Pass and the much-discussed Rotary Square—what’s next for these community projects?
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🚧 West Front Street safety concerns – What’s being done to address traffic and pedestrian safety on this busy corridor?
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🎧 A new true-crime podcast from Up North Live – Alli shares details on an exciting new podcast diving into Northern Michigan’s most impactful cases.
And as always, we wrap up with what Christal, Beth, and Alli are looking forward to in the coming week!
This show is brought to you by:
• Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings – Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City.
• West Shore Bank – Committed to the well-being of the community. Visit them on 8th Street or at westshorebank.com.
• The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – A chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.
February 21, 2025
This week, we dive into the biggest local stories shaping northern Michigan with our esteemed guest journalists, Beth Milligan of the Traverse City Ticker and Jacob Wheeler of the Glen Arbor Sun.
First, we explore the evolving challenges facing local schools and communities following the Executive Order that revokes safe haven protections for schools and churches. Jacob breaks down the implications, including statements from Leelanau County Sheriff Mike Borkovich and how local officials are responding to the concerns of migrant and immigrant families.
Next, Beth gives us a rundown of major developments in Traverse City, from a new workforce housing project to the ongoing two-way street debate and necessary—but expensive—sewer system upgrades.
Later, we discuss the remarkable story of The Lost History of Black Homesteaders in Leelanau County, an upcoming documentary that traces the rediscovery of the Johnson family’s untold legacy. What started as a simple Facebook message has turned into a powerful reclamation of local Black history.
Plus, what’s the one thing our guests are looking forward to next week? (Spoiler: Traverse City Restaurant Week makes an appearance!)
Tune in for all this and more on Currently with Christal Frost!
This show is brought to you by:
• Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings – Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City.
• West Shore Bank – Committed to the well-being of the community. Visit them on 8th Street or at westshorebank.com.
• The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – A chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.
February 14, 2025
In this week’s episode of Currently with Christal Frost, we’re joined by our Journalist in Residence, Traverse City Ticker’s Head Writer Beth Milligan, and special guest Ed Ronco, News Director for Interlochen Public Radio.
We kick off with a major discussion on press freedom and public broadcasting funding and the First Amendment’s role in journalism.
Later in the episode:
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Education Upgrades: TCAPS unveils district-wide improvements, while Kingsley Schools proposes a $32 million bond for upgrades. What’s included, and how do voters feel about it?
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DNR Budget Crisis: Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources is running out of money. With a declining number of hunting and fishing licenses—its primary funding source—how will conservation efforts survive? We explore alternative funding models other states are using.
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Concert Season Kicks Off: Big names are coming to Interlochen and Cherry Festival—Beth has the details. Plus, Christal might have a personal stake in an upcoming St. Ignace show.
This show is made possible by:
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Golden Fowler Home Furnishings – Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City.
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West Shore Bank – Committed to the well-being of the community. Visit them on 8th Street or at westshorebank.com.
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The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – A chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.
February 7, 2025
In this debut episode of Currently, host Christal Frost is joined by Beth Milligan, Head Writer for The Traverse City Ticker, for an in-depth discussion on the biggest local stories of the week.
The conversation begins with a major development in Traverse City's ongoing homelessness crisis—county commissioners have approved funding to make Safe Harbor a year-round shelter. Beth unpacks the details of this decision, the funding stipulations, and the broader efforts to combat homelessness in the region.
Next, the two discuss Traverse City Area Public Schools' evolving approach to AI in education. With both excitement and concern surrounding the technology, Beth breaks down the district's plans and the reactions from educators and community members.
The episode also covers proposed improvements to the Traverse City State Park and the local impact of recent federal mandates, with Beth providing key insights into how these changes could affect residents and organizations.
Catch "Currently with Christal Frost" every Friday for your weekly Northern Michigan news roundup.