Good morning, Traverse City.

State and local officials in East Bay Township are reviewing plans for US-31 that include new pedestrian crossings and a public pier at Four Mile Road & US-31 intersection for safer, future community developments.

Funding is in place and officials tapped public feedback and environmental guidelines to shape the proposals.

Traverse City community members can help shape the East Side Social District’s future in a workshop on May 6, 2026 at Common Good Bakery (1115 East Eighth Street).

The session is part of a placemaking project supported by a $100,000 grant from Project for Public Spaces and General Motors.

Janie McNabb explains how the child care business + local jobs and family support is as vital as repaving streets and expanding the airport.

Her feature details the challenges and benefits that keep our community strong.

The Builders Exchange of Northwest Michigan marks its 75th anniversary — founded in Traverse City in 1951 — as it honors a long history of supporting the local commercial construction industry.

North Central Michigan College received a $45,050 state grant to expand its Campus Cupboard—located in the Borra Learning Center—to double its capacity, add grab-and-go food bags and online ordering, and improve inventory tracking.

Renovations will occur over the summer and the updated facility will open in fall.

Traverse City-born chef Devon Quinn has been accepted into the James Beard Foundation’s 30th Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change, a program that will focus on policy improvements in the culinary field.

Traverse City honored parking services employee Larry Boyd IV with a permanent memorial plaque unveiled today on East State Street outside the Hardy Parking Deck on Workers’ Memorial Day during a brief ceremony led by City Manager Benjamin Marentette — a tribute to his legacy.

Michigan Department of Health + Human Services announced the launch of a new interactive statewide Gun Lock Distribution Map that helps residents find free firearm safety devices.

The map is available now and aims to promote safety measures in local communities.

Today, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department warned residents to use EPA-registered repellent, wear protective clothing, and check for ticks following last year's 76 Lyme and 30 anaplasmosis cases in local counties as tick activity is expected to rise with warm weather.

Home sales have been strong in Grand Traverse at the start of 2026, bucking national trends + spurring confidence among local buyers and sellers.

5th Annual Asian American Pacific Islander Celebration

5-8 p.m. — Dennos Museum Center — Free event — Celebrate culture and community with food, film, and poetry featuring local talents and diverse culinary offerings.

Great Lakes Child Safety Conference

The inaugural Great Lakes Child Safety Conference will take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Traverse City Central High School, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The free conference is presented in collaboration with Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), Northwest Education Services, Rotary, and Traverse City Area Public Schools.

Spring Art Market

10 AM – 4 PM — Dennos Museum Center — Free entry — Engage with over 25 artists showcasing diverse media from painting to ceramics.

Traverse City Repair Cafe

10 AM – 2 PM — Traverse Area District Library — Donation-based — Bring your household items to be repaired by skilled volunteers and help reduce waste.

Astrophysics with Radioactive Isotopes 2026

8 a.m. - 12 p.m. — Hagerty Center — Registration fees apply — Explore the role of radioactive nuclei in astrophysics at this comprehensive conference.

GTAGS Monthly Genealogy Program

1-3 p.m. — Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Room — Free entry — Explore your ancestry at this engaging genealogy program open to everyone.