Opinion
Big Data, Weak Holiday
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Oct. 10, 2026
In a post to his own Truth Social, our president said if you oppose them it will leave your community “backwards and poor.” Then, in his Time Magazine interview, he doubled down saying opponents would “have no money” and “live in crime-infested squalor.” The cherry atop his negativity sundae was that we will be “controlled by China.” Oh, dear. He is talking about data centers, specifically the gigantic hyperscale data centers now … Read More >>
On the Brink, We Must Unite
Guest Opinion
By Walt Wood | Oct. 10, 2026
As an independent voter and confessing Christian, I oppose the following: The degradation of our democratic institutions, including a disempowered Congress and corrupt Supreme Court. The violent, masked, paramilitary force known as ICE. Extrajudicial killings of people in boats. The Epstein criminals. The destruction of USAID, and the catastrophic, ongoing results. The incessant assaults on Gaza and Ukraine. Violent dictators, including our own wannabe dictator, his rapacious incursions into Venezuela and Iran, … Read More >>
Get Them to the Polls
Guest Opinion
By Cathye Williams | Oct. 3, 2026
About a third of Michiganders pick fall as their favorite season, and I’m definitely one of them. Oh sure, I love summer too, but often I’m too busy to get the most out of those sunny days. I will definitely make up for it in the fall. With a few exceptions, anything that you can do in August, you can still do well into October. Sure, the sun is out less, but … Read More >>
Help Wanted
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Oct. 3, 2026
The United States has an unemployment problem, but not because there are no available jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate as this is being written is 4.1 percent and, according to the state of Michigan’s own data, our unemployment rate at the end of August was 5.0 percent. But there are jobs aplenty currently open. The National Federation of Independent Businesses says fully 35 percent … Read More >>
Finding Common Ground in an Unpredictable Year
Guest Opinion
By Kent Wood | Sept. 26, 2026
Predicting what the Michigan legislature will do next is rarely easy. In an election year, under divided government, it can be nearly impossible. That makes what happened on housing policy this summer worth examining. While Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree on plenty, lawmakers have found areas of agreement on housing—advancing changes to building regulations and creating a major new financing tool for affordable housing. The measures differ considerably in approach, but … Read More >>
Catching Up on TC News
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Sept. 26, 2026
It’s becoming more and more difficult to keep up with local goings on. Not everybody is thrilled with the directions being taken. Traverse City officials reacted with shock and surprise when the Grand Traverse County board voted 8-1 to oppose the extension of the city’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) TIF 97, or, as they initially called it, the Moving Downtown Forward TIF that has now been renamed to Infrastructure Only TIF. (One … Read More >>
An Imperfect Guide to Environmental Dilemmas at Home
Guest Opinion
By Lauren Teichner | Sept. 19, 2026
As a homeowner, parent of two small kids, and full time professional, I constantly grapple with how to lead an environmentally conscious life. There are many questions that do not seem to have easy answers: When it comes to our lawn, how can I steward our land while creating space for our kids to play? What controls should I use, if any, to tackle the swarms of mosquitos we get in the … Read More >>
Getting Worse
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Sept. 19, 2026
Why, my friend asked, do you keep writing about the environment? Because people should know things keep getting worse. Some scientists believe a tipping point has already been reached and our actions no longer have much mitigating consequence—we are heading for an environmental apocalypse no matter what. Others are more hopeful. The current administration in Washington does not believe there is a problem. What does the current data indicate? According to the … Read More >>
Building a Sustainable Model for Trails
Guest Opinion
By Brian Beauchamp | Sept. 12, 2026
The Grand Traverse region is a place most clearly defined by water and the natural features of our sugar sand beaches, cold water streams, inland lakes, and wooded hillsides. Another feature that has come to define our region is the access provided to these spaces through sustainable trails that immerse us in the landscape and bring our senses alive. A hiking trail through one of our area’s many nature preserves offers a … Read More >>
Buses and a Flood
Spectator
By Stephen Tuttle | Sept. 12, 2026
There were many things uniquely American our foreign guests noticed when they visited during the World Cup this summer. Free refills, food portion sizes, air conditioning everywhere, and the kindness and friendliness of Americans all impressed. But they were absolutely obsessed with yellow school buses. They thought they were just movie props. They should be here now. With schools back in session, visitors would discover those buses have gone from being an … Read More >>
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