Talk of the North with Nick Rhudy

Major road work begins in St Ignace next week. Do you live in Cheboygan and want to serve your community? There may be an opportunity for you. And we're joined by State Representative Dave Prestin to talk about his proposal for a wolf hunt.

We take a deep dive into an investigation into Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop and her husband, Trucker Randy. An inmate died in the Grand Traverse County Jail. And major road work is shifting in Grand Traverse County next week. Nick is also joined by Heather Nalbock, Business Development and Community Specialist at Independence Village, to talk about the third act of retirement and the upcoming Aging Gracefully Symposium.

Suspects have been identified in two criminal cases from the past few days. A local city is considering legal action for what they are calling cyberbullying of elected officials. And the Mackinac Policy Conference is in full swing; we have some audio, and I share my thoughts on what the conference means for northern Michigan.

A police chase that ended in Petoskey today! A massive drug bust in Charlevoix with links to Puerto Rico. And new data shows college enrollment is down in Michigan despite massive spending by the state to change that

The charges against Rebecca Park's sister have been dismissed! The Coast Guard out of Traverse City to the rescue following a plane crash in northern Michigan. Renovations at a local park are on hold due to a dispute between a school and township government.

An update on the Little Traverse Wheelway: how you'll be able to bypass the washed-out Miracle Mile. Michigan is one step closer to eliminating its property tax. And Mackinaw City is getting involved in the Mackinac Island and ferry service dispute.

A Secretary of State candidate may have found more noncitizens on the state's voter rolls. Petoskey is close to making it through the worst of downtown construction. And we're joined by Colleen Riggs, the incident commander for Team Rubicon, who is on the ground in Cadillac helping with flood recovery efforts.

Cadillac and Traverse City have passed the budgets for their upcoming fiscal year. A runaway horse injured four people on Mackinac Island. And we'll be joined by State Representative Ron Robinson to talk about the Selfridge Air National Guard Base

A kayak rescue in the Straits of Mackinac. A stabbing in Wexford County near a skate park involving a man trying to find his stepson. Boyne Valley Township is holding a very important meeting tonight about EMS coverage. And we preview the Traverse City Commission Meeting for tonight.

The legal battle between Leland Lighthouse and Leland Township continues with an interesting new twist. The park on the coast near the Mackinac Bridge is set to get major renovations. And Traverse City is increasing the cost for parking downtown.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved several rule changes at its meeting in Gaylord yesterday. Petoskey's Carnegie Building will be undergoing renovations soon. And a Cadillac man is dead after a multi-car pile-up in Grand Traverse County.

The Michigan House has voted to repeal the state's green energy mandates passed in 2023; it now faces an uphill battle in the Senate. Petoskey High School could have a new principal within a month. And we're talking the Petoskey housing market.

Forgiveness for snow day overages for local schools is no longer guaranteed by state lawmakers. Grand Traverse County broke ground today on one of its largest projects in years. And it will cost you more to snowmobile this season.

More road work is underway, heading into Wexford County. Several projects are on track according to Petoskey's City Manager, but not all of them. And we're joined by Speaker of the House Matt Hall.

Centralized government control was upheld yesterday in a Michigan Court, making renewable energy projects easier to site. And a local renewable energy project is getting pushback from local farmers, but that ruling may make their opposition moot.

The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments between the Michigan House and Senate regarding nine bills that were never sent to Governor Whitmer. You're invited to the public memorial of Rebecca Park and her unborn child. And we're joined by Republican candidate for University of Michigan regent Michael Schostak.

I have your local election results! I get you caught up on the State Senate Special election result and the fallout from it. And road work is coming up quickly in Otsego County.

A quick recap of last night's Traverse City City Commission Meeting. The Competency Evaluation for the Bartholomews in the Rebecca Park case has been sealed by the judge. And Nick is joined by State Representative Steve Frisbie to discuss two important topics. First, his bill that would eliminate the state property tax, and also discuss why Rep Frisbie thinks EMS providers and volunteer firefighters are having a hard time recruiting, and what possible solutions are.

A suspected double murder-suicide in Lake City. Mackinac Island is reconsidering its E-Bike policy for those with disabilities. And Nick is joined by Larry Behrens, spokesman for Power the Future, to discuss a shocking new development in the oil industry.

Several local farms have landed significant grants from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says the Secretary of State's Office is going to cancel hundreds of thousands of voter registrations, but not until after the election in which she is running. And the Kalkaska Library is recovering from flooding issues.

Another portion of the Little Traverse Wheelway is out of commission. Road work is underway between Boyne City and Boyne Falls. And Cheboygan High School has a new athletic director, a name already familiar to much of northern Michigan.

An update on the recall effort against Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moggenberg. Flooding in Traverse City could have been worse if a certain change hadn't been recently made. And we have this month's installment of Featuring A Farmer!

Nick is joined by Kendall Sumerix, the owner of Kendall Sumerix  Farms, to talk about his farm, what makes it unique, and how it impacts the community.  This conversation is brought to you by Ellsworth Farmers Exchange, a proud Legend Seeds Dealer in Atwood, Alanson, Mancelona, and Ellsworth.

Repairs to flood-impacted roads are gaining steam in Grand Traverse County. Find out how flooding could impact fishing here in northern Michigan. And we're joined by State Representative Matthew Bierlein to discuss his latest bills to better protect children from sex offenders.

Some updates on post-flood restoration across the region. A police chase in Otsego County. And Petoskey is making some decent progress on road work in the downtown area.

A local township supervisor is facing criminal charges. Cadillac is offering free sand and water tests for flood-impacted residents. And we're joined by State Representative Matt Maddock to talk about the House's proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

We have an update on the recall effort against Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Noelle Moggenberg. Traverse City is set to get another car wash. According to new data, Petoskey's housing market is among the most expensive in the country. Nick is joined by Phil Kerpen, President of American Commitment, to discuss how health insurance providers and Democrats in Washington have increased costs for everyday Americans. Phil also shares his solutions to lower costs.

An update on the Line 5 case. A pair of local elections in Leelanau County is setting up to be uncontested races. And we're joined by Keri Laporte-Montero, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bergmann Center, to discuss why they are going to be closing in less than a month.

An Antrim County clerk could be in hot water. Your electric bill is going up again. And a recall effort of the Grand Traverse County Prosecutor is gaining some traction.

Some flood-related updates. Lawmakers are calling for an investigation into ties between Jeffrey Epstein and the Interlochen Center for the Arts. And we'll be joined by Air Force Veteran and Executive Director of the Great Lakes Space Alliance to talk about a unique event happening in the UP the next few days.

Another flood-heavy news cycle! Tune in for the latest! No charges for the officers involved in the shooting death of Darnell Wilson last month. Another fire in Traverse City. And an update on the Rebecca Park case, the Bartholomews will face competency hearings next month. Nick is also joined by Republican Nominee for Secretary of State Anthony Forlini to discuss his nomination and plans for the state if elected.

Tune in for more flooding updates! Cheboygan Public Schools has broken ground on renovations to an elementary school. An overnight fire in Traverse City. And a local township clerk is facing possible criminal charges if she doesn't repay what township officials call an unapproved raise

We get you caught up on ALL of the flooding news. Property values continue to rise in Grand Traverse County, but at a slower pace. Grand Traverse County voters will be voting on a 911 surcharge. And a stabbing victim was located at a Traverse City Meijer last night.

We have all of the latest news and interviews you need to know and hear regarding flooding in northern Michigan.

The Petoskey City Council has tabled discussions regarding upgrades to the Winter Sports Park. Not everyone is on board with all of the proposed TIFs in Grand Traverse County. And gas prices remain high in Michigan.

Rain and snowmelt are causing serious concerns for several communities with rivers and dams across northern Michigan. Heads up: Road work is coming to Traverse City on Monday. And a Michigan AI startup wants to make running for local office easier for you.

Mackinac Island's loss could be St Ignace's economic gain! Major road work begins in East Bay Township on Monday. And Nick is joined by consultant and political commentator Dennis Lennox to discuss why he thinks Perry Johnson's ability to self-fund gives him the edge over all other GOP gubernatorial hopefuls.

Logan's Landing in Traverse City could be getting a second shot at life. A beloved dock in Suttons Bay may have been irreparably damaged. And we're joined by Ian Murphy, the owner of the Iron Pig Smokehouse in Gaylord, to discuss his new foundation's fight against data centers.

It has been a historic season for the Mackinac Bridge. If you're a Consumers Energy Customer, your bill could go up twice within the next 12 months. And we'll be joined by State Representative Mike Harris (R Waterford) to discuss the newly formed Law Enforcement Caucus in the Michigan House.

An update on two deaths in Antrim County from last week. Traverse City Commissioners have a busy meeting tonight; we review the agenda. The City of Cheboygan is getting ready to remove trees from public rights of way, which will impact traffic.

St Ignace authorities are asking for more information about a recent hit-and-run. A new sinkhole has formed in Cadillac. And the Opera House in Traverse City could be getting a new roof.

Road work is ramping up in northern Michigan. A proposed solar project in Cheboygan County has been paused following a recent court ruling. An investigation into a pair of deaths is underway in Antrim County.

Harbor Springs officially has their new City Manager. A local historic building's roof caved in. And we have our first Featuring a Farmer interview with Royal Farms, brought to you by Ellsworth Farmers Exchange.

Nick is joined by Pat McGuire, the owner of Royal Farms, to talk about his farm, what makes it unique, and how it impacts the community. Also a part of the conversation were Christian Tollini of Ellsworth Farmers Exchange and Charlie Gumm of Legend Seeds.  This conversation was brought to you by Ellsworth Farmers  Exchange, a proud Legend Seeds Dealer in Atwood, Alanson, Mancelona, and Ellsworth.

An update on the shooting that took place this weekend: a charge has been filed, and those involved have been identified. Another challenge to the state's increased marijuana tax. And the Bergmann Center is closing its retail store.

A Texas man was arrested for the most Texas-type of crime on the Mackinac Bridge. State Representative Parker Fairbairn issued us a statement regarding concerns about local utilities planning to continue to collect extra payments due to the ice storm, even as funds are pending from FEMA.

At least one local utility has said it will accept newly approved FEMA funding without lowering rates. Gaylord Council Member Robert Wilson HAS been charged with accosting a minor after a YouTube sting. And Munson nurses are planning to practice a strike.

The City of Cadillac is considering using new technology to tackle its PFAS problem. The major political parties are gearing up to nominate their secretary of state and attorney general candidates. And Benzie County is moving forward with a new road commission facility.

The City of Gaylord has launched a review of Commissioner Robert Wilson's alleged actions to determine if he should be removed from the council. And while Leelanau County has appointed a new Drain Commissioner, a former employee has accused the County Administrator of physical intimidation and negligence of administrative duties.

Ice breaking begins near the Straits of Mackinac. Munson nurses in Traverse City continue to work without a new contract. And what's that smell? Traverse City is set to conduct an odor test for its wastewater treatment plant. And Nick is joined by State Representative Cam Cavitt (R Cheboygan) to discuss his recent bill to regulate transportation to “troubled teen” residential treatment programs.