Daily
Traverse City
Friday, May 15th, 2026
Good morning, Traverse City. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 15th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Old Mission Women's Club Charity Barn Sale begins today at the Fowler Barn (located off Center Road on Old Mission Peninsula) offering baby clothes, glassware and games to raise funds for local grants; it runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. UpNorthLive
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Ludacris will close the final night of the National Cherry Festival — he will perform on Saturday, July 11 at the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage in Traverse City. Traverse City Record-Eagle
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Northern Michigan schools will extend classes into July if the state rejects a bill forgiving extra snow days. Kalkaska Public Schools exceeded the limit—while Traverse City Area Public Schools finish on time thanks to state aid, state legislators in the Senate weigh the measure. 9&10 News
- ➤ Kingsley High School will host Drive Your Tractor to School Day as students ride horses and drive tractors during hands-on farm activities. The event underscores local tradition and will be held at the school. UpNorthLive
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Registrations are open for Swim for Grand Traverse Bay, a 2-mile open water event from Greilickville Harbor Park to Volleyball Beach on Aug. 8 that will raise funds for watershed protection. Swimmers aged 18 and older can sign up for a $55 fee and join a post-swim pancake breakfast celebration. UpNorthLive
- ➤ The cold winter and chilly spring have taken a toll on newborn wildlife in northern Michigan, with animal rehabilitators noting fewer early births due to severe weather and flooding. Wildlife officials advise neighbors to call 911 for injured animals and to contact a wildlife control service for indoor intrusions. UpNorthLive
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Michigan’s agriculture director, Tim Boring, announced last Thursday at MI Farm Co-op that the Last Food Mile grant program is funding 21 statewide projects to help farmers cover refrigerated transport costs amid high diesel prices. Three operations in northern Michigan are among the grant recipients. 9&10 News
- ➤ Starting Monday, May 18, contractors will close the 100 block of Cass St between E. State and E. Front for a crosswalk replacement project that will run until June 26; alleys from S. Union to Park remain closed to through traffic and deliveries must use detour routes. 9&10 News
- ➤ State and federal crews begin damage assessments today in Grand Traverse County following last month’s flood, with preliminary evaluations exceeding $15.4 million on public sites and homes. Traverse City Record-Eagle
- ➤ The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning announced a Click It or Ticket seat belt campaign from May 18 to May 31 over Memorial Day weekend. State and local police will boost enforcement to reduce traffic fatalities as part of the SAFER by 2030 initiative — a statewide safety effort. 9&10 News
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ UpNorthLive viewers and staff donated 22 pints of blood at the studio on Thursday + the donation may save 66 lives. The next blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21 from 12-5:30 p.m. at the same location. UpNorthLive
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Woda Cooper opened Annika Place II on Thursday at 1020 Hastings St featuring 52 affordable apartments with rents locked for 45 years (including 19 units with supportive services) and LEED zero energy certification, with a waitlist already forming. 9&10 News
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Butterflies & Brews Fundraiser
3-7 p.m. — Right Brain Brewery — $40 ($20 for under 17) — Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon featuring a butterfly release, silent auction, and kids' crafts supporting butterfly conservation.
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Interlochen Summer Job Fair
1-5 p.m. — Traverse Area District Library — Free entry — Explore summer job opportunities in a variety of camp roles at this local job fair.
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Traverse City Spring Art & Craft Show
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Open Space Park — Free entry — Dive into the heart of summer with local and regional artists showcasing stunning works.
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Traverse City Spring Art & Craft Show
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Open Space Park, Traverse City, MI — Free entry — Celebrate summer creativity with stunning local art and live entertainment at this vibrant outdoor show.
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Grand Traverse AKC All-Breed Dog Show
June 12-14 — Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds — Entry fee varies — Experience a weekend of all-breed dog shows including Best Veteran and Best Puppy competitions.
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Howie Mandel Live Performance
Time TBD — Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge — Tickets required — Enjoy a night of laughter with the iconic comedian and television personality Howie Mandel.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Traverse City
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