Good morning, Traverse City.

Northern Latitudes Distillery opened its new location in Lake Leelanau and now has a bigger space for guests along with a tasting area to watch production—co-founder Mark Moseler said the move is meant to boost visitor numbers.

Local innovation hub 20 Fathoms and nonprofit Venture North gave out $72K in grants to 16 small businesses in Northern Michigan to help them buy equipment or software upgrades.

Each business received $4,500 based on financial need and community impact — with follow-up support planned to boost long-term growth.

Community leaders, developers and experts gathered in East Jordan on Friday for the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance’s Development Spotlight: East Jordan event to discuss local growth and redevelopment opportunities.

Attendees took a guided bus tour and a walking tour—showing plans for downtown, the East Jordan Air Industrial Park and new housing sites—and learned about funding options and local population trends.

Today at the Hagerty Center local activists discussed how proposed HUD budget cuts could force up to 70 people to lose their permanent housing in the Grand Traverse area.

Coalition director Ashley Halladay-Schmandt warned that rising housing costs and lower federal funding may roll back progress on comprehensive support services—local groups are now planning what to do next.

Rep. Hillary Scholten is urging USDA to use its contingency fund to keep SNAP benefits available after a government shutdown causes a pause in November, with local food bank leaders warning that many families, including those with children and older adults, will face hunger.

Scholten stressed that immediate action is needed to avoid widespread hardship—a risk that calls for urgent USDA intervention.

Team Elmer's finished upgrades on a section of M-72/M-22 that is 2.2 miles long between Division Street and Cherry Bend Road.

The work added better storm sewers, pedestrian and bicycle crossings, and transit access—making the road safer and smoother for drivers.

The ANNIKA Women's All-Pro Tour has partnered with Crystal Mountain and the Michigan PGA to make the Michigan Women's Open an official event on its schedule starting in 2026.

The tournament will offer higher prize money and a stronger field, with a pro-am on June 29 and play from June 30 to July 2 (held on Crystal Mountain's Mountain Ridge course).

In Mancelona on Saturday, the Charlevoix boys won first place in the Division 3 cross-country race while the Traverse City St. Francis girls also took first place in their race—Harbor Springs finished second in both events.

A TC Patriot game in Traverse City had malfunctioning play clocks and a broken west end zone scoreboard as TC Central will face TC West in the Division 2 playoff while teams in other divisions prepare to compete.

Additional matchups in Division 1, 3, 6, 7, Eight-Player, and Division 8 between Mancelona and Glen Lake are set for upcoming weeks.

Three North Central Michigan College cross country runners qualified for nationals after performing at regionals in Goodells — all the men’s team and most of the women’s runners set new personal records at St. Clair County Community College.

NMC's Chamber Singers & Grand Traverse Chorale Concert

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Milliken Auditorium — $15 Adults, $10 Seniors/Students — Experience a captivating night of choral music featuring Randall Thompson's 'Frostiana' and empowering compositions.

Young Chefs Dinner

8:00-10:30 p.m. — The Cooks’ House — Ticketed event — Celebrate the culinary talents of young chefs from Traverse City with an evening of fine dining.

Toast The Season - Weekend 1

11 AM – 5 PM — Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail — $75/person — Celebrate the holiday season with curated wine pairing and festive gifts at Northern Michigan's beloved event.

Bell's Iceman Cometh Challenge

8:45 a.m. — Kalkaska Airport to Timber Ridge — Registration required — Conquer the rugged 30-mile race through the scenic landscapes of Michigan.

Joe Hill: King Sorrow Book Talk

7-8:30 p.m. — City Opera House — Ticket with book purchase — Engage in a chilling conversation about Joe Hill's latest novel, King Sorrow, followed by a Q&A and signing.

Nathan Graham and Noah Guthrie Concert

7:00 – 8:30 p.m. — City Opera House — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of soulful Americana music with two rising stars in the genre.

Traverse City Light Parade

5:30-9 p.m. — Downtown Traverse City Association — Free entry — Celebrate the holiday season with Santa’s arrival, a tree lighting, and a vibrant light parade down Front Street.

Traverse City Turkey Trot

8:45 a.m. — St. Francis High School — Kids under 3 free — Celebrate Thanksgiving with the 18th Annual Turkey Trot featuring a fun 5K run/walk and 5-mile race.