Business & Economy
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport's newly expanded Concourse A.

Airport renaissance: new gates near you

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AIRPORTS: There are capital improvement projects underway at some of Michigan’s commercial airports at a time when passenger traffic is growing for business and leisure purposes, including the state’s largest, Detroit Metro and Gerald R. Ford. Cherry Capital AIrport in Traverse City is also wracking up higher passenger numbers. Some smaller ones are struggling, however, such as those in Muskegon, Escanaba and Alpena. By Kelsey Lester. FOR CORP! GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, LUDINGTON, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, WKTV, ALPENA, ALCONA, MONTMORENCY AND ALL POINTS.

Arts & Entertainment
Bicyclists and a horse-drawn carriage pass bright fall foliage on Mackinac Island.

As summer fades, fall colors take center tourism stage

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FALL COLORS: Pure Michigan has rolled out the webcams to livestream scenic fall spots around the state and boost tourism. A Detroit poet was commissioned to write “Keep Falling for Michigan.” Mackinac Island is gearing up for its annual Halloween weekend. By Kenzie Terpstra. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, WKTV, DETROIT, ST. IGNACE, CHEBOYGAN AND ALL POINTS.

Environment
Hand removal of frog-bit.

New strategy to combat exotic water plants

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EXOTIC WATER PLANTS: The Army Corps of Engineers hopes a new grant strategy will help combat the invasive European frog-bit and its unwelcome water soldier relative that are spreading in the Great Lakes and inland waters. Frog-bit has been found in 12 Michigan counties, including Alpena, Chippewa, Monroe, Wayne, Montmorency, Kent and Macomb. Experts from Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council in Petoskey, Huron Pines in Gaylord and the Department of Great Lakes, Environment and Energy discuss. By Vladislava Sukhanovskaya. FOR ALPENA, WKTV, MONTMORENCY, MONROE, DETROIT, PLANET DETROIT, SAULT STE. MARIE, ALCONA AND ALL POINTS.

News
Veterans and their chaperones and families gathered in the main lobby of Bishop International Airport in Flint.

Honor flights offer long-delayed welcome home to veterans

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HONOR FLIGHT: Seventy-seven Michigan veterans recently returned from Washington in a national program that honors them for their military service. For some, it was the first public recognition for their service. Among them are veterans from Frederic Township near Grayling, and Northville and a support group from Stanwood. Another group will leave from Traverse City in October on a similar trip. By Stephanie Rauhe. FOR CRAWFORD COUNTY, DETROIT, BIG RAPIDS, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy
Ships iced in at Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior in March 2022

Great Lakes shipping continues to decline

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GREAT LAKES SHIPPING: Great Lakes shipping continues its long-term decline, according to a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, with changes in the region’s steel industry largely responsible for the trend. There are some positive developments, including rising demand for sand and cement for infrastructure projects and work on the new Soo lock. Ports handling at least one million tons of a commodity annually include Alpena, Rogers City and Marquette. By Eric Freedman. FOR MONROE, ALPENA, ALCONA, ST. IGNACE, MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, IRON RIVER, CHEBOYGAN, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, MANISTEE, SAULT STE. MARIE, DETROIT, MICHIGAN FARM NEWS, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, BENZIE COUNTY, CHEBOYGAN, OCEANA COUNTY, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy

City of Muskegon approves sustainable MDOT road work

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MUSKEGON, Mich. – After some deliberation regarding the financial and practical aspects of sustainable road work, the Muskegon City Commission approved the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) proposal that would fix Sherman Road using recycled rubber. 

During the meeting, Rebecca St. Clair, a city commissioner, said she was concerned about the quality of the project and if the city would be charged twice for rebuilding if the project failed. 

“I love the idea of reusing tires in a new way that isn’t environmentally unfriendly,” St. Clair said. “I understand that this is sort of a pilot test situation.

Business & Economy

Passenger train from Detroit to Petoskey could be prioritized under new majority

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HIGH SPEED RAIL: Plans for high-speed rail connecting Detroit and Ann Arbor to Traverse City and Petoskey are chugging along. A Traverse City nonprofit is studying the possibility of using existing freight lines for passenger travel, a necessary step in the process. Some say the Democratic majority in the Legislature could help and signs indicate the Whitmer administration is on board. By Andrew Roth. FOR DETROIT, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY AND BUSINESS AND NEWS PAGES OF ALL POINTS.

Business & Economy
Amtrak has rolled out 19 new Venture coaches on its three Michigan routes.

Amtrak rolls out new rail cars for Michigan routes 

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TRAINS: Michigan railroad passengers are getting an improved ride thanks to upgraded coaches on three Michigan routes. The improvements include wider aisles, free Wi-Fi and antennas on every car, fold-down dining trays, power USB ports on all the seats, reading lamps for each seat, triple capacity for bike storage and increased storage capacity for luggage. Nineteen new coaches have been in use for Michigan routes for a few months. The cars cost around $2.7 million each By Sam Blatchford. FOR ALL POINTS