Blace Carpenter
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Articles by Blace Carpenter
Authority over Mackinac Island ferry rates to be decided in November
In November, residents of Mackinac Island will have the final say over who will have authority over ferry services to and from the popular tourist attraction.
Rogers acknowledges college vote weakness against El-Sayed Original
GRAND RAPIDS — Republican Mike Rogers expressed optimism Saturday, Oct. 3, that his U.S. Senate campaign is making inroads with Black and Jewish voters, while acknowledging a ballot-box vulnerability among younger voters against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed on college campuses. “Unfortunately, they are doing a good job on campuses,” the former congressman told an attendee at a canvassing event in Grand Rapids. “It's a little scary, but we’re working on it.” With the Nov.
Rogers and El-Sayed disagree on many issues, except data center moratoriums
Regulation of hyperscale data centers has become a key issue in this year's midterm elections as voters across the country become increasingly opposed to advances in artificial intelligence. Michigan, a key swing state, is no exception. A recent study from Michigan State University shows that 70% of 1,000 Michigan residents surveyed were opposed or somewhat opposed to the construction of data centers in their community.
Corrections officers keep pushing MI lawmakers for reform, say prisons are unmanageable
Over the past week, correction officer Steven Ladoux said there have been "at least half a dozen assaults” at the St. Louis Correctional Facility. “With how bad it's gotten, you sit in your vehicle for five minutes before you even go inside the building and wonder if you even want to go in,” Ladoux said. He says the worst incident in past few days was when an inmate at the level-four facility grabbed a female mental health counselor after manufacturing a weapon.
Six hospitalized after toxic chemical released from military plane crash Original
Munson Healthcare officials say they've treated 33 people for contamination, and six have been hospitalized after an F-16 military jet from the Texas Air National Guard crash landed in Grand Traverse County Thursday. The medical center said the majority of those who were treated were first responders and are in stable condition. The crash came after a pilot safely ejected from his plane and discharged his parachute during a routine training exercise near Interlochen.
Michigan lawmakers look to rein in data centers
U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, stood outside of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to announce she is helping spearhead legislation that would exclude data centers from tax exemptions. “Tax cuts need to go to families, not data centers,” the congresswoman said.
Saginaw data center panel leaves attendees with more questions than answers
Several people were left ambivalent walking out of Saginaw Valley State University’s Ott Auditorium on Tuesday after participating in a panel meant to create awareness around data center development. The organization Michigan for Responsible Data Centers brought four experts ranging from public policy to energy development to address concerns raised around data centers and how local governments can address them.
Four Michigan independent pharmacies are permanently closing
Four drug stores owned by the company HomeTown Pharmacy are permanently closing their doors due to “financial strain caused by pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reimbursement practices.” The company released a press release announcing the closures early Tuesday morning. “We regret to inform our patients and communities that several pharmacy locations have closed,” HomeTown Pharmacy stated in its release.
Contamination causes Bay City to move homeless encampment
An encampment is being asked to move off property owned by Bay City after high levels of lead and cadmium were found near the Liberty Bridge. The toxic metals were found last month, and organizations around Bay City have been trying to connect the unhoused people with resources to move. “We're trying to do this in the most compassionate way possible, and that is to tell them about the danger and encourage them to move voluntarily,” said Bay City Manager Richard Hayman.
Moolenaar hopeful for US-Canada trade deal, opposes Trump’s renaming of Lake Ontario
U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Caledonia, told constituents he is hoping for an end to the trade war between the United States and Canada during a telephone town hall on Tuesday. His comments come less than a week before tariffs up to 50% on Canadian goods could be imposed on America if the two countries don’t reach a deal. Moolenaar said he believes some of the negotiations have been “counterproductive” and is hoping to have a deal that treats both countries fairly.
Bay County officials meet with Slotkin to address regional needs
U.S. Sen Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, met with officials from Bay City, Bay County and the surrounding area for a closed meeting to hear their concerns on a number of issues impacting the region. Some of the topics discussed were infrastructure, housing, education and healthcare. Members of the media were not allowed to attend the formal meeting. Bay County Sheriff Troy Cunningham brought up a need for more mental health resources that could reduce the number of people incarcerated.
Michigan schools begin state literacy training
As school bells bring students and teachers back into the classroom this month, the Michigan Department of Education is partnering with 17 school districts to implement a new literacy training program. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer created Public Act 26 of 2026 in July, which requires all elementary school teachers in the state to complete literacy teacher education programs by 2031. Michigan currently ranks 44th in the nation for fourth-grade reading, according to national assessments.
Sen. Peters visits blighted Bay City fire station during motorcycle tour
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, met with local officials in Bay City to learn more about a PFAS-contaminated fire station he helped secure funding for the station. This was one of the many stops the senator has planned for his final annual motorcycle tour around the state. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, are a collection of synthetic chemicals in everyday products that have been linked to causing poor health.
Michigan Republicans solidify candidates at convention Original
Red hats, ties and delegate signs filled Mount Pleasant's Soaring Eagle Casino on Saturday as Michigan's Republican Party solidified its side of the ballot for this year's general election in November. The party hosted its annual nominating convention to finalize its nominees and rally support for grassroots policies. The general election will be highly contested as Michiganders choose candidates at nearly every level of government in the state. Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, state Sen.
Michigan Republicans solidify candidates at convention
Red hats, ties and delegate signs filled Mount Pleasant’s Soaring Eagle Casino on Saturday as Michigan’s Republican Party solidified its side of the ballot for this year’s general election in November. The party hosted its annual nominating convention to finalize its nominees and rally support for grassroots policies. The general election will be highly contested as Michiganders choose candidates at nearly every level of government in the state. Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, state Sen.
Northern Michigan
Posted inOutdoors Life The Petoskey City Council on Tuesday rejected a proposed settlement agreement that could have resulted in the public losing access to a popular lakeside trail that collapsed in 2020. Posted inMichigan Government A soon-to-be published book chronicles a Michigan journalist’s journey to uncover her family’s history in the state’s notorious Indian boarding schools.
Missaukee County teen recovering from shooting rampage, grandfather says
MICHIGAN Blace Carpenter Special to The Detroit News Aug. 19, 2026, 1:16 p.m. ET View Comments CADILLAC — The family of Missaukee County shooting survivor Bella Everitt says they are feeling hopeful after the 13-year-old makes small steps towards recovery after sustaining four gunshot wounds. Bella’s grandfather, Dave Everitt, The Detroit News on Wednesday that it's “encouraging” to see that Bella can now speak softly, move her legs and wiggle her toes.
Michigan gas prices 'heading upwards,' AAA says
A report from the AAA Auto Club Group says that gas prices in Michigan have increased by 19 cents compared to last month, making the state’s average $4.27 per gallon. This comes after Michiganders saw a small decrease in prices when at the pump. Officials say the cost of gas will continue to fluctuate. “That was a short-lived relief that Michigan drivers saw, but prices are now back heading upwards,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson for AAA.
Online pharmacies aid rural health care but threaten Michigan drugstores
(This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Visit the newsroom online: bridgemi.com.) For the past five years, Alpena resident Selena Kenny has received a bulk supply of medication every three months from Express Scripts. Her Medicare Advantage plan labels mail-in services as its preferred pharmacy because it offers the lowest price for her blood pressure and cholesterol medication.
Online pharmacies aid rural health care but threaten Michigan drugstores
Mail-in prescriptions are becoming increasingly popular as more insurance plans use them as their ‘preferred’ pharmacy Over 200 independent pharmacies closed their doors in Michigan in 2024. Officials are blaming pharmacy benefit managers While mail-in pharmacies have become popular, pharmacists say they have flaws when it comes to basic health care For the past five years, Alpena resident Selena Kenny has received a bulk supply of medication every three months from Express Scripts.
Online pharmacies aid rural health care but threaten Michigan drugstores
For the past five years, Alpena resident Selena Kenny has received a bulk supply of medication every three months from Express Scripts. Her Medicare Advantage plan labels mail-in services as its preferred pharmacy because it offers the lowest price for her blood pressure and cholesterol medication. “For most of the medications that I take on an ongoing regular basis, it's very convenient to have them come through the mail,” Kenny said.
Online pharmacies aid rural health care but threaten Michigan drugstores
Mail-in prescriptions are becoming increasingly popular as more insurance plans use them as their ‘preferred’ pharmacy Over 200 independent pharmacies closed their doors in Michigan in 2024. Officials are blaming pharmacy benefit managers While mail-in pharmacies have become popular, pharmacists say they have flaws when it comes to basic health care For the past five years, Alpena resident Selena Kenny has received a bulk supply of medication every three months from Express Scripts.
Veteran Ben Ambrose narrowly wins 2nd District Democratic primary
Veteran and former federal worker Ben Ambrose secured the Democratic nomination in Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District Primary Wednesday afternoon. The Associated Press called the race for Ambrose at 4:36 p.m. with 44.3 percentage points to Ambrose. "I am deeply honored and humbled to have earned the Democratic nomination," Ambrose wrote in a statement. "To every voter who placed their trust in me, thank you.
Haley Stevens departs rally amid shouting influencer, cancels second event
Democratic Primary candidate Haley Stevens left her rally in Traverse City Friday after social media influencer and political activist Walter Masterson loudly questioned her association with the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, also known as AIPAC. Stevens was talking to locals and community members when the influencer, with more than 5 million followers on TikTok and Instagram, showed up and boisterously interrogated the U.S. Senate candidate about her campaign funding.
Sisters aim to repair studio of iconic Michigan printmaker Gwen Frostic
In the woods of Benzie County sits a 21,000-square-foot studio that was owned by famed Michigan artist Gwen Frostic, who built a multimillion-dollar business from her artwork depicting plants and wildlife across the state. Since Frostic’s death in 2001, the home, production center and business have had a rotation of owners who have tried to maintain the 62-year-old business and legacy of one of Michigan's most famous artists.
Sisters aim to repair studio of iconic Michigan printmaker Gwen Frostic
The studio of Michigan’s iconic printmaker Gwen Frostic has been sold to sisters Amy and Sarah Blessing The studio and business in Benzie County has been on the market for over four years and sustained some structural damage this past winter The Blessing sisters hope to repair the studio, expand Frostic’s collection and continue the original style of the late artist’s business In the woods of Benzie County sits a 21,000-square-foot studio that was owned by famed Michigan artist Gwen Frostic,...
Ever tried Claude.AI? Meet the Michigander who inspired its name
Editor's note: This story was produced for the ear and designed to be heard. If you're able, WCMU encourages you to listen to the audio version of this story by clicking the LISTEN button above. In 1948, mathematician and Gaylord native Claude Shannon theorized that information could be transmitted using ones and zeros. The small-town northern Michigander's research helped develop the internet, wireless phones and artificial intelligence.
Photos: Wildfire smoke, ash blanket Michigan
See smoke or ash in your neighbor? Send your photos to news@wcmu.org As wildfires grow across Minnesota and into Canada, smoke and ash from those fires are moving their way through Michigan. The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert Wednesday for much of the state, as well as visibility warnings due to the remnants of the wildfires.
'Unprecedented events': Whitmer declares another state of emergency in northern Michigan
WCMU | By Blace Carpenter Published July 11, 2026 at 9:58 AM EDT Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency Thursday for Antrim, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties following extreme rainfall in late June. The erosion of culverts, ditches, and slopes has left roads and infrastructure in the region damaged or unstable. This marks the fifth state of emergency the governor has declared in Michigan this year.
'Unprecedented events': Whitmer declares another state of emergency in northern Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency Thursday for Antrim, Cheboygan, and Emmet counties following extreme rainfall in late June. The erosion of culverts, ditches, and slopes has left roads and infrastructure in the region damaged or unstable. This marks the fifth state of emergency the governor has declared in Michigan this year.
Ever tried Claude.AI? Meet the Michigander who inspired its name
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... This story was originally published by BridgeMichigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Sign up for a free BridgeMichigan newsletter here.
Ever tried Claude.AI? Meet the Michigander who inspired its name
Editor's note: This story was produced for the ear and designed to be heard. If you're able, WCMU encourages you to listen to the audio version of this story by clicking the LISTEN button above. In 1948, mathematician and Gaylord native Claude Shannon theorized that information could be transmitted using ones and zeros. The small-town northern Michigander’s research helped develop the internet, wireless phones and artificial intelligence.
Ever tried Claude.AI? Meet the Michigander who inspired its name
Mathematician and Gaylord native Claude Shannon theorized information theory, which became the basis for how the internet and computers operate Shannon also helped theorize how artificial intelligence could be developed According to the New York Times, Anthropic named its AI model Claude after the Michigander In 1948, mathematician and Gaylord native Claude Shannon theorized that information could be transmitted using ones and zeros.
Sell out or repair? Homeowners torn after Michigan's historic flooding
This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. To get regular coverage from Bridge Michigan, sign up for a free Bridge Michigan newsletter here. Weeks after fighting historic floods that enveloped his Black Lake cabin, Larry Lukich said he's had to fight "vultures" looking for a deal on his water-damaged lakefront home.
Sell out or repair? Homeowners torn after Michigan’s historic flooding
Homeowners in the Black Lake and Indian River areas are still trying to recover from historic floods in April Some residents are contemplating whether to sell or destroy their homes, while others are deciding to spend thousands of dollars to repair Some speculators are hoping to get a deal on waterfront properties damaged in the flood BLACK LAKE — Weeks after fighting historic floods that enveloped his Black Lake cabin, Larry Lukich said he’s had to fight “vultures” looking for a deal on his...
Sell out or repair? Homeowners torn after Michigan’s historic flooding
Weeks after fighting historic floods that enveloped his Black Lake cabin, Larry Lukich said he’s had to fight “vultures” looking for a deal on his water-damaged lakefront home. “I've entertained a few of those people, but I'm not going to give it away,” he said of the cabin his grandparents built in the 1920s.
Sell out or repair? Homeowners torn after Michigan’s historic flooding
Homeowners in the Black Lake and Indian River areas are still trying to recover from historic floods in April Some residents are contemplating whether to sell or destroy their homes, while others are deciding to spend thousands of dollars to repair Some speculators are hoping to get a deal on waterfront properties damaged in the flood BLACK LAKE — Weeks after fighting historic floods that enveloped his Black Lake cabin, Larry Lukich said he’s had to fight “vultures” looking for a deal on his...
Michigan playing catch-up on drone race, but manufacturing past should help
Michigan is playing catch-up in the national race to secure a share of the multi-billion-dollar US drone industry, but backers say the state’s manufacturing and engineering heritage may help it close the gap. Michigan has set aside over $42 million through its Advanced Air Mobility Initiative to support drone manufacturing, testing and rollout in the state. That’s so far helped launch drone projects in everything from health care to Great Lakes shipping.
Michigan playing catch-up on drone race, but manufacturing past should help
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... This story was originally published by BridgeMichigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Sign up for a free BridgeMichigan newsletter here. By Blace Carpenter, Bridge Michigan Michigan is playing catch-up in the national race to secure a share of the multi-billion-dollar US drone industry, but backers say the state’s manufacturing and engineering heritage may help it close the gap.
Michigan playing catch-up on drone race, but manufacturing past should help
Michigan is spending over $42 million on drone development Organizations in both the public and private sectors are testing how to incorporate drones into operations Other states, like Ohio and Indiana, are also beginning to invest in drone technology Michigan is playing catch-up in the national race to secure a share of the multi-billion-dollar US drone industry, but backers say the state’s manufacturing and engineering heritage may help it close the gap.
Some green energy projects struggle in Michigan amid local opposition
Applause broke out during a Fayette Township Planning Commission meeting in Hillsdale County Monday night after the board voted 4-0 to deny Ranger Power’s proposed 140-megawatt solar farm. The company faced similar opposition two weeks prior.
In U.S. first, Petoskey passes rules to crack down on light pollution
WCMU | By Blace Carpenter Published June 8, 2026 at 7:51 AM EDT While no Michigan cities are recognized as dark sky communities, Petoskey is working to reduce its future light pollution one lightbulb at a time. Petoskey recently became the first city in America to enact a DarkSky recognized ordinance in partnership with the group DarkSky International to crack down on light pollution.
In US first, Petoskey passes rules to crack down on light pollution
While no Michigan cities are recognized as dark sky communities, Petoskey is working to reduce its future light pollution one lightbulb at a time. Petoskey recently became the first city in America to enact a DarkSky recognized ordinance in partnership with the group DarkSky International to crack down on light pollution. While that organization recognizes several dark sky cities around the country (though none are in Michigan), Petoskey is the first to pass that type of ordinance.
Petoskey cracks down on light pollution in bid to become dark sky city
Petoskey is changing its lighting standards to become more dark sky zone-compliant The city is located near two dark zones, one of which is an internationally recognized sky park Michigan has been growing its number of protected dark sky areas over the years, with two internationally recognized zones established since 2022 No Michigan cities are recognized as dark sky communities, but Petoskey is making steps to meet the requirements one lightbulb at a time.
In US first, Petoskey passes rules to crack down on light pollution
1 day ago A look at the quest to mine the bottom of the ocean for valuable minerals, the connection between light pollution and allergies and more climate news. For the past few months, I have been reporting on the nascent deep-sea mining industry. Metals worth trillions of dollars lie at the bottom of the …
Mackinac Island could soon set ferry rates under new law
Editor's note: This story was produced for the ear and designed to be heard. If you're able, WCMU encourages you to listen to the audio version of this story by clicking the LISTEN button above. This transcript was edited for clarity and length. David Nicholas: Mackinac Island may begin regulating ferry operations that carry people to and from the popular tourist destination.
Some green energy projects struggle in Michigan amid local opposition
Solar farm projects from the renewable energy company Ranger Power have been at the center of opposition from some communities Despite the ability to bypass local governments by applying through the state, developers still face hurdles from local communities The state wants utilities to get 100% of their power from clean energy sources by 2040, but the mandates required to meet that goal are being protested at both the state and local levels Applause broke out during a Fayette Township...
In Petoskey, where homes top $1M, some push zoning reform, mortgage relief
When Jessie Shaw first started her job at the Emmet County Sheriff's Office, she and her dog could only qualify for one apartment in the Petoskey area, costing around $1,800 a month. “That's one of my paychecks,” Shaw said. “I knew I wasn’t going to be able to last so long, especially when I hit my one-year mark and they raised the rent.” Officials in northwest Michigan have been looking for ways to address housing prices that are becoming unaffordable for local workers.
In Petoskey, where homes top $1M, some push zoning reform, mortgage relief
Northwest Michigan officials met with US Sen.
Great Lakes shipping lost third of season to ‘inadequate icebreaking’
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... By Blace Carpenter, Bridge Michigan This story was originally published by BridgeMichigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. Visit the newsroom online: bridgemi.com.” The Lake Carriers’ Association said in a report last week that US-flagged shipping on the Great Lakes lost 82 ship days — a third of its 2026 season — because of “inadequate icebreaking” operations from the US Coast Guard.
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