Opinion

Tired of Breathing?

Spectator

By Stephen Tuttle | Aug. 1, 2026

Four local politicians, who shall remain nameless because they do not deserve the attention, recently sent a letter to Ontario’s leaders demanding something be done about their wildfire smoke. The letter even suggested if they don’t, the U.S. will do it ourselves. Sigh. During the worst of our smoky days, there were a stunning 800 plus wildfires burning in Canada, including many far away from any way to access them for mitigation … Read More >>

Musical Notes

Guest Opinion

By Karen Mulvahill | Aug. 1, 2026

The first musical instrument was the human voice, and prehistoric people imitated the sounds of nature. About 35,000 years ago, the Neanderthals created a flute out of bone. Confucius thought musical knowledge was critically important, saying, “only the superior man who can understand music is equipped to govern.” Britannica says the music is “art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression.” That’s the what. The … Read More >>

Support Our Region Broadly to Strengthen Our Communities

By Mercedes Bowyer | July 25, 2026

Northwest Michigan is known for its clear blue lakes, rolling dunes, thick forests, and miles of scenic shorelines. The area mixes small-town charm with ample outdoor recreation opportunities along with strong local agriculture and a robust seasonal tourism industry.  The region also celebrates civic pride and a strong sense of place and connection, which means that this place we love belongs to all of us and that we, in turn, are responsible … Read More >>

Not In Any Sense

By Stephen Tuttle | July 25, 2026

“This is a Christian nation. This is a Christian state.” That’s what Texas State Representative Brent Money posted on his social media platform back at the end of May. Rep. Money is a little weak on his history. This debate as to whether or not we are a Christian nation should have ended a very long time ago. The Treaty of Tripoli, the first ever agreed to by the new United States, … Read More >>

AI and Our Human Values

Guest Opinion

By Isiah Smith, Jr. | July 18, 2026

Whenever I sit down to write, whether it’s an essay or a text to one of my grandchildren, AI tries to intervene. Auto-correction and suggested rewrites pop up so often that I sometimes forget what I intended to say. I may not be James Baldwin or Proust, but I’ve grown accustomed to my pace, style, and intelligence (or lack thereof). The concept of intelligence is central to our idea of who we … Read More >>

Trying Something New

Spectator

By Stephen Tuttle | July 18, 2026

It has become clear at least part of the Republican mid-term election strategy is to refer to self-described progressive Democrats, or self-described democratic socialists, as communists. The alleged communists have recently unseated incumbent Democratic members of Congress in primary elections in New York, Washington, D.C., Seattle, and Denver. It’s not a huge gain by their movement but, buoyed by young, disaffected voters and angry traditional liberals, they are making progress. What do … Read More >>

Better Evaluations, Better Representatives

Guest Opinion

By Bill Steeves | July 18, 2026

If elected representatives provide entrusted leadership to our nation and constituents, maybe we should evaluate them as leaders, not politicians or legislators. Using selected leadership criteria to evaluate representatives, incumbent or fledging, could help determine their qualifications and worthiness for elected office. Fundamentally, leaders pursue missions, representatives follow their sworn oaths, no human grouping produces smarter or better leaders, and we voters can elect and reject those in or vying for office. … Read More >>

Ignoring History and Tradition

Spectator

By Stephen Tuttle | July 11, 2026

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) recently ruled on the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship clause. The surprise was not that it was upheld but that several justices thought otherwise. We’ll get to that later. At least four members of the current court describe themselves as literalists or originalists or constructionists—they can’t seem to decide on the right word. Basically, they believe the U.S. Constitution means exactly and literally what it … Read More >>

Forgive or Forget?

Guest Opinion

By Greg Holmes | July 11, 2026

Sadly, everyone has been hurt by the actions (or inaction) of others at some point in their lives. At times, this infliction of pain and trauma is intentional, but more often than not it is not meant to harm, yet the consequences are nonetheless hurtful. One complication that makes the hurtful actions of others very difficult is that the painful memories of a traumatic event are often long lasting. The primary reason … Read More >>

The Real Threat to Election Confidence? Ignoring the Process

Guest Opinion

By Justin Mendoza | July 4, 2026

Recently, Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop, a Republican, abused her power by improperly canceling voter registrations, including for voters who decided not to vote for a handful of years. This is a power that only municipal clerks have. She then failed to respond to the Michigan Bureau of Elections’s (BOE) requests for information, and the BOE responded by suspending her access to the voter file. Bishop’s access will remain suspended until she … Read More >>