Mia Kerner

My Recent Work

WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Merges and modulars: Northern Habitat for Humanity group builds more homes to meet demand

Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization and equal opportunity housing provider that also operates as a licensed builder, lender, and retailer.The organization, which recently merged with Cheboygan Habitat for Humanity, now covers a larger area of northern Michigan.Serving Emmet, Charlevoix, and Cheboygan counties, its mission is to help individuals and families overcome challenges like rising rent costs, overcrowded living conditions, and limited access to land and fi...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Special Kid's Day: Northwestern Michigan Fair welcomes all

The Northwestern Michigan Fair hosted its annual Kid’s and Special Kid’s Day Wednesday, offering free inclusive activities for children with special needs.Hosted Aug. 3 through Aug. 9, the fair includes 4-H events, carnival rides, animal shows, rodeos, demolition derbies and more.Jill Duell, who has been in charge of Kid’s and Special Kid’s Day for six years, said children with special needs hold a special place in her heart.“They’re more special than we are,” Duell said. “They deserve more. The...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

$87M middle-mile broadband infrastructure project underway

Peninsula Fiber Network and 123NET started construction on the $87 million middle-mile broadband infrastructure project to expand high-speed internet access across Michigan.It’s called the IMPACC Project — infrastructure for Michigan’s peninsulas and critical crossings.PFN provides telecommunications, transport and broadband services, while 123Net acts as a fiber internet service provider.In 2021, the companies applied for a Federal National Telecommunications and Information Administration Midd...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Ideas for U.S. 31 corridor improvements gain traction

East Bay Township in Grand Traverse County invited the public to two open house events last week to learn about a proposed Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA) for the U.S. 31 North corridor, known as the East Bay Beach District.The township secured federal grants from USDA Rural Development and Michigan’s Coastal Management program to support various changes to the corridor, such as safer pedestrian crossings, year-round sidewalks, a new pedestrian pier, and streetscape upgrades such as lightin...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Construction proceeds on Saab munitions plant

The next phase of construction is underway on the Saab munitions assembly plant in Grayling.The company broke ground on the project last April and will begin assembly next spring.Saab is a Swedish aerospace and defense company that provides products and services for both military defense and civil security to customers worldwide.David Howie, Saab’s lead project manager for the Grayling facility, said the company considered many states before picking Michigan in which to locate. Local and state g...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

‘We don’t want them:’ Northern Michigan communities prepare for renewable energy systems

Beaver Creek Township in Crawford County is proactively preparing for renewable energy systems to move into its county.The Beaver Creek Township Planning Commission will host a public hearing at 6 p.m. Aug. 6 at the township hall to discuss proposed zoning ordinance amendments related to renewable energy.The proposed zoning amendments define solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems and outline where each can be installed.The changes would permit accessory solar panels in several districts...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Traverse City offers free counseling for community following mass stabbing

Free counseling services will be offered to all community members impacted by the mass stabbing that took place at a Traverse City Walmart on Saturday.The counseling sessions will be held at Northwestern Michigan College’s Innovation Center.Grand Traverse County Prosecuting Attorney Noelle Moeggenberg told the Traverse City Record-Eagle that walk-in appointments with volunteer licensed therapists will be available Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Those hours may be extended dependi...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Brisk waters: 4th annual Mackinac Bridge Swim to kick off Saturday

Accompanied by clear water and sunny skies, 300 people will be swimming across the Straits of Mackinac this weekend.The fourth annual Mackinac Bridge Swim spans approximately 4.5 miles, starting in Mackinaw City and finishing at Bridgeview Park in St. Ignace.Each participant must provide proof of a 40-minute mile before registration and wetsuits and the use of swim buoys are required.The organizer of the event, Eric Hansen, said he founded the event after completing the swim himself years ago.“T...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Northern Michigan reacts: Trump approves $50M for ice storm recovery

Fifty-million dollars in federal aid is coming to Northern Michigan after months of local and state officials advocating for relief from a historic ice storm that swept through the region in March.The decision was announced on Tuesday by President Donald Trump in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.“I just spoke with Governor Gretchen Whitmer to let her know I am approving $50 million for the wonderful State of Michigan for public assistance to help them recover from the terrible wi...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Record Breaker: Munson seeing surge in patient intake

Munson Medical Center experienced a record-high intake of patients in recent weeks.The hospital is the largest employer in the region, offering 442 beds and acting as a referral center for the entirety of northern Michigan.The center is known for its neonatal intensive care unit and the Webber Heart Center, which houses a team of cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons.Joe Hurshe, president of Munson Medical Center, said the hospital has been operating at- or near-capacity most days in the pas...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Munson drones to begin new phase of testing

Munson Healthcare and Traverse Connect will soon begin testing phase two of a drone delivery program that could deliver medical supplies, samples and medications across northern Michigan.Funded by a $689,500 grant from the Advanced Aerial Mobility Activation Fund, the initial phase included drone flights between Munson Medical Center, Copper Ridge Surgery Center and the Munson Dialysis Center from May 5-22.The goal was to evaluate safe, line-of-sight flights before seeking Federal Aviation Admin...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Pedestrian bridge struck, damaged by dump truck

The controversial pedestrian bridge over U.S. 31 in East Bay Township was hit and damaged by a truck Thursday morning.The fencing lining the walkway of the bridge was damaged at 9:54 a.m. when a commercial dump truck pulling a trailer loaded with an excavator collided with it, Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Lt. Roy Raska said.The arm of the excavator had not been properly lowered or loaded into the trailer, Raska said, and that was what struck the side of the bridge.The impact of that collision...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

More than a century overdue: Civil War veteran's grave is dedicated in Traverse City

A crowd gathered in Traverse City’s Oakwood Cemetery Monday morning to pay respects to a veteran on the 112th anniversary of his death.Two women dressed in late 1800s-era black gowns and veils mourned solemnly at the perimeter of the grave site, while men clad in Civil War uniforms stood at attention nearby.Corporal Lyman B. Snow was born in 1825 in Vermont.Scott Schwander, a local volunteer gravestone restorer, provided this accounting of Snow’s life that he shared during Monday’s ceremony:Snow...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Tracking Tourism: How Traverse City stays informed on what draws visitors

In a city known for its tourism that welcomes millions of visitors every year, keeping track of those numbers is a challenge.Whitney Waara, chief operating officer of Traverse City Tourism, said Traverse City primarily uses retrospective tools to understand trends, economic impact, and consumer behavior in the Grand Traverse region.Services like the STAR Report and AirDNA provide reports on hotel and short-term rental activity for Traverse City properties that opt into their subscription service...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Barr seeks rematch for northern Michigan's US House seat

Callie Barr is launching a second attempt to represent Michigan’s First Congressional District in the House of Representatives.In the Democrat’s first race against incumbent Republican Congressman Jack Bergman, he won the 2024 general election by more than 100,000 votes.Republican Justin Michal and Democrat Wayne Stiles also have announced they will be running for that seat in Congress.In a Thursday press conference, Barr said she understands she will be “the clear underdog” candidate in a distr...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Booms and barks: Preparing for fireworks with furry friends

While Traverse City gears up for this weekend’s Fourth of July and Festival Finale firework shows, some are preparing to keep their pets safe from the celebrations.Trevor Tkach is President and CEO of Traverse City Tourism and the President of the Traverse City Boom Boom Club board.For 14 years, the Boom Boom Club has been responsible for raising the funds to put on the annual Independence Day fireworks show.Tkach said that the club works year-round on fundraising, always working on new strategi...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

'We're still here': Annual Pow Wow showcases native culture in Traverse City

The rhythmic pounding of the drum echoed through Open Space Park on Tuesday, voices ringing out from the large tent housing the Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabek Pow Wow.Hosted annually during the National Cherry Festival, the event featured hours of traditional singing and dancing from tribal members across Michigan.Some women danced in vibrant regalia and jingle dresses, the metal cones sewn into their fabric chiming with each step. Otter skin hair ties ran down their shoulders as they stepped with...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

'More than just cherries:' Why do tourists come to the National Cherry Festival?

The National Cherry Festival is expected to draw an estimated 500,000 visitors to Traverse City over its eight-day run.While the concerts and events are big draws for many visitors, what is it that really brings people to the Cherry Capital?First-time festival-goers from across the country shared what convinces them to make the trip to Traverse City.Cecilia Hong and Sean Lee are from Clawson in Oakland County near Detroit. The pair came up to Traverse City with a large group of friends and made...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

National Cherry Festival underway: Air shows kick off 99th annual celebration

Jets and planes of all sizes flipped, dove and soared above West Traverse Bay this past weekend, launching flares and sending waves of rumbling through the crowds below.The 2025 National Cherry Festival Air Shows wowed crowds with daring displays from both military and civilian aerobatic performers.The Coast Guard kicked off the show with a search and rescue demonstration, bringing a “swimmer” to safety in MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters.The military lineup displayed the evolution of U.S. engineering,...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Meet the team bringing F-22 Raptor to Traverse City

As thousands of spectators look to the skies for this weekend’s National Cherry Festival Air Show, a passionate team of U.S. Air Force personnel is working to bring the F-22 Raptor to the people.Behind every stunt maneuver is a demonstration team of 15 people that travel nearly 280 days out of the year to show communities across the country the power of the Raptor and the Air Force.The F-22 Raptor is a stealth fighter jet with unique capabilities: It analyzes the pilot’s movements, adjusting to...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Coast Guard prepares for Cherry Festival airshows

As thousands of visitors prepare to visit Traverse City for the National Cherry Festival and its annual airshows, the local U.S. Coast Guard Air Station is gearing up for any emergency that may come its way.Commander Ryan Hawn, a 20-year helicopter pilot and leader of the Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, says the station is a “jack-of-all-trades,” when it comes to responding to airplane and helicopter emergencies.“We always have a crew and a helicopter ready to launch within 30 minutes,” H...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City Record-Eagle •

Traverse City residents react to US airstrike in Iran

President Donald Trump’s decision to launch airstrikes against Iran last Sunday triggered a range of reactions from the American public.A CNN poll, conducted by SSRS from June 22-23 among a random national sample of 1,030 adults, indicated that 56% of those surveyed did not approve of the decision, while 44% approved. Fox News reported the results of a Quinnipiac University survey, conducted June 22-24, which showed 42% of voters polled supported the U.S. strikes against Iran while 51% opposed t...
WCMU Public Media/Traverse City record-Eagle •

Volunteers preserve, digitize Traverse City gravestones

Two Traverse City residents are dedicating their retirements to cemeteries.Scott Schwander and Jack Franke have spent years cleaning and digitizing the gravestones of Oakwood Cemetery, memorizing every plot and familiarizing themselves with the stories of the deceased.Schwander retired from the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department 10 years ago. Since then, he has been devoted to the preservation of historic gravestones in the Traverse City area.Schwander’s great-great-grandfather was a sha...
Load More