This week on Currently, Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) joins Christal with updates on two big local stories: Cherry Capital Airport’s record-setting year and the traffic headaches at West Senior High.

Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, and from The Coin Slot Arcade Bar in Traverse City — a chill spot to unwind with pinball, drinks, and friends.

Later on, it’s time for another round of Food Fight! Gary Gatzke returns to the table as the crew samples pumpkin donuts from three Northern Michigan favorites—Gallagher’s, Peace, Love and Little Donuts, and Waters Edge Sweet Tooth—paired with cider from Buchan’s Old Mission. From donut puns to fall food rivalries, it’s a taste test you won’t want to miss.

Currently with Christal Frost is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

This week on Currently, we’re celebrating the start of fall with stories that take us outdoors and into the heart of Northern Michigan.

Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, and from The Coin Slot Arcade Bar in Traverse City — a chill spot to unwind with pinball, drinks, and friends.

Christal is joined by Traverse City Ticker’s Beth Milligan and independent journalist Chris Loud, co-founder of The Boardman Review. Chris shares highlights from their upcoming fall issue, .and Beth brings updates on Sugar Loaf’s fundraising efforts and new projects in downtown TC.

Currently is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

This week on Currently, Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) digging into three big stories shaping Traverse City’s future. Voters will soon decide on two key ballot proposals: one that would use the Brown Bridge Trust Fund to finance major city park improvements, and another that would lock a new ethics ordinance directly into the city charter. Then we’ll head downtown, where plans for Lot O at State and Cass are moving forward on a major redevelopment — one that pairs affordable housing with a year-round local food market.

Parks, ethics, housing, and food — it’s all on the table.

Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, and from The Coin Slot Arcade Bar in Traverse City — a chill spot to unwind with pinball, drinks, and friends.

Currently is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

This week on Currently, we’re diving into the world of justice and education in Traverse City. Art Bukowski from Traverse City Business News takes us inside the lives of local judges, while Beth Milligan from The Traverse City Ticker shares updates on plans for a brand-new justice center that could reshape our community.

​This episode is brought to you by lead underwriter Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings: Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City. Support also comes from West Shore Bank – committed to the well-being of our community, and The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – a chill hangout in Traverse City with a full bar and pinball machines.

Later on, we turn to the world of business and industry as Art highlights World Magnetics, a Northern Michigan manufacturer making a global impact. Finally, Beth rounds things out with a rapid-fire look at TCAPS — from the state budget and district offices to the strategic plan and what’s happening in school lunchrooms.

Plus, Christal, Beth, and Art share what they’re looking forward to in the week ahead!

Currently is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

This week on Currently, we’re mixing things up with a brand-new feature that will have your taste buds on edge: Food Fight. In our debut match-up, we pit Bay Bread’s MKP (a loving nod to Mary’s Kitchen Port’s beloved Gobbler) against The Kitchen’s classic Turkey Sandwich. Which one takes the crown?

This episode is brought to you by lead underwriter Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings: Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City. Support also comes from West Shore Bank – committed to the well-being of the community, and The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – a chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.

​Then, journalist Beth Milligan from the Traverse City Ticker joins us to break down the future of two iconic downtown buildings, the Bijou by the Bay and the Carnegie Building, and what changes could mean for our community. Beth also updates us on the latest in restaurant and retail news, keeping you in the know on what’s opening, closing, and changing around Traverse City.

Plus, special guest Gary Gatzke—double bassist, director, and sandwich connoisseur—joins the fun as we dive into food, local culture, and what we’re looking forward to this week.

Currently is a Compass Local podcast. Produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

This week on Currently with Christal Frost, we’re digging into a tough but important issue: the troubling rise of embezzlement cases across small Northern Michigan nonprofits.

This episode is brought to you by lead underwriter Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings: Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City. Support also comes from West Shore Bank – committed to the well-being of the community, and The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – a chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.

Guest journalist Mardi Link (Bridge Michigan) joins Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) to explain why these cases are so common, what it takes to investigate them, and why prevention is such a challenge for organizations running on tight budgets. From restitution questions to the hidden costs of audits and legal fees, it’s a conversation that goes beyond headlines to the real impact on communities.

Beth also brings her signature breakdowns of the latest road construction projects and another restaurant and retail roundup—from highway headaches to what’s new on the local dining and shopping scene.

It’s another episode that balances serious reporting with the news you need to know about living, working, and driving in Northern Michigan.

Currently with Christal Frost is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

Stories:

Hundreds of thousands of dollars embezzled from Michigan rural nonprofits

Road Work Coming: US-31 Detour, Fourteenth Street Repairs & More

Blue Tractor, Hexenbelle Closing; More Restaurant/Retail News

On this week’s episode of Currently, Christal Frost is joined by Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) and Jacob Wheeler (Glen Arbor Sun) to break down some of the biggest stories in Northern Michigan.

This episode is brought to you by lead underwriter Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings: Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City. Support also comes from West Shore Bank – committed to the well-being of the community, and The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – a chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.

We’re talking about the future of Manitou Island Transit, what’s ahead for 14th Street construction and the Traverse City Downtown Development Authority, and why the Cedar Polka Fest remains such a beloved local tradition. Plus, Beth shares the powerful story of a Northern Michigan woman whose personal survival of stalking and assault has now been turned into a three-part docuseries premiering on Hulu.

Currently with Christal Frost is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

In this week’s episode of Currently, Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) are joined by Ed Ronco from IPR News Radio to break down the stories shaping Northern Michigan right now.

This episode is brought to you by lead underwriter Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings: Home Fashion Elevated, located on S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City. Support also comes from West Shore Bank – committed to the well-being of the community, and The Coin Slot Arcade Bar – a chill hangout in Traverse City featuring a full bar, pinball machines, and a great selection of drinks.

We’re talking about what federal cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting could mean for local radio, how the Grand Traverse Band is turning fish waste into something useful, and the latest updates from East Bay Township. Plus, Beth shares how Grand Traverse County is putting marijuana tax dollars and opioid settlement funds to work.

It’s local news with insight and context you won’t find anywhere else!

Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.