This week on "Currently," special guest journalist Art Bukowski (Traverse City Business News) joins Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) to share an unfiltered look into the end-of-life industry 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.

From funeral trends to green burials to the emotional toll of the work, Art talks to us about his feature story, “The Business of Death.” Then, Beth brought us some headlines about:

• Safe Harbor’s plan to go year-round — what that means for homeless services in TC

• The road issues at 14th and Franke in TC — and what’s being done about it

• And a peek at a brand new summer food and wine festival coming to town.

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

On this delicious episode Currently, we dig into Northern Michigan’s vibrant food scene.

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.

Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker), along with special guest Jillian Manning (Northern Express), discuss celebrate the newest inductees into the Express’s Iconic Eats Hall of Fame and talk through Traverse City restaurant and retail roundup, with updates on big moves (literally, Taco Bell), new openings, and downtown development — including a unique multi-use project on Front Street that includes a pocket park.

It’s a fun, flavor-filled episode that will leave you hungry and inspired to support your local food spots.

🎧 Currently with Christal Frost is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions. Watch the full episode on YouTube + Facebook, or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

This week on Currently, Christal Frost and Traverse City Ticker head writer Beth Milligan are joined by returning guest Bill Froehlich from 9&10 News.

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.

In this episode:

🕊️ The Death of Pope Francis
Bill Froehlich shares how he and his newsroom navigated breaking global news during a live morning broadcast — and what the local response has been from the Diocese of Gaylord and beyond.

🏫 Big Decisions for TCAPS
Beth breaks down Traverse City Area Public Schools' plans to potentially rebuild Central Grade School, modernize Central High School, and upgrade district music facilities.

🛣️ $3.2 Billion for Roads?
A new road funding bill passed the Michigan House last week — but what’s in it, and what could change in the Senate? Bill offers insight on where the money might land.

🏛️ City Commission Updates
Beth gives a quick look at recent City Commission actions that could affect Traverse City neighborhoods.

Plus: food trucks return, Nashville trips, trivia nights, and Olympic-level gymnastics excitement.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the full show on YouTube or Facebook.

This week on Currently, Christal Frost and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) are joined by special guest Michelle Perez, News Director at WTCM Radio. From storm recovery to restaurant buzz, it’s a jam-packed show covering the stories shaping 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.

In this episode:

🌨️ Historic Ice Storm Recovery
Michelle shares on-the-ground updates from northern counties still reeling from one of the worst ice storms in Michigan history. They break down emergency declarations, community efforts, outage credits, and what’s next for long-term recovery.

🏗️ Cherryland Center’s Next Chapter
Beth unpacks the evolving plans for this once-forgotten mall, including the return of a nightclub proposal and a new redevelopment designation that could open doors for liquor licenses — and fresh business momentum.

🍽️ Detroit Chefs Head North
Top Chef alum Sarah Welch and her husband, chef Cameron Rolka, are bringing their next culinary adventure to Traverse City. How could their arrival impact the local food scene — and what does it mean for the region’s economic future?

Watch the full show on YouTube or Facebook.

This week on Currently, Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) are joined by special guest Nick Loud, co-founder and creative director of The Boardman Review.

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.

In this episode:

🚶 Safer Streets in TC
A new alliance is forming to make Traverse City’s streets safer for all — pedestrians, bikers, and drivers alike. Beth shares the mission and momentum behind it.

🚧 Road Construction Season is Here
From the M-72/M-22 corridor to multiple new projects kicking off, road construction is about to change your daily commute. Beth breaks it down.

📘 The Boardman Review at 30 Issues
Nick shares the origin story behind the beloved Northern Michigan lifestyle journal, how they source their stories, and why they’re staying committed to print in a digital world.

🐐 The Land of Milk and Honey
How a nurse and a firefighter ended up running a goat farm in Cedar — and why it might be the most heartwarming story of spring.

All this plus crafting, caramels and comedians!

Watch the full show on YouTube or Facebook.

This week on Currently, we welcome a new voice to the table — Ellie Katz, science, conservation, and environment reporter from Interlochen Public Radio — who joins Beth Milligan of the Traverse City Ticker and host Christal Frost for a jam-packed conversation!

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.

In this episode:

🏕️ East Bay Township Camping Debate
Can you camp in your own backyard? Should short-term private camping be regulated like Airbnbs? We dig into the township’s tricky new ordinance discussion.

🚣‍♀️ Fees for Business Use of Public Parkland
With summer events like Paddle for Pints on the horizon, the City of Traverse City considers how (and how much) private businesses should pay to use public spaces.

🌨️ The Ice Storm That Hit the North
Ellie Katz gives us insight into whether extreme weather — like last week’s ice storm in Gaylord, Charlevoix, and Petoskey — is connected to climate change.

🐍 The Return of Sea Lamprey Control Efforts
The invasive sea lamprey is back in focus as the Great Lakes Fishery Commission resumes critical control operations. What do these parasitic predators mean for the ecosystem?

All that, plus community vibes, laughs, and our #ExtraBall Challenge.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the full show on YouTube or Facebook.

It’s a Spring Break edition of Currently with just Beth Milligan and Christal Frost holding down the fort in Traverse City!

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.

This week, they kick things off with the unexpected arrival of... another Meijer? Beth shares details on the retailer’s expansion plans in Northern Michigan.

Then, we dive into a busy week for the Grand Traverse County Commission, covering updates on:

• Improvements to the VASA Trail,
• A green light for AcenTek’s broadband expansion,
• New Brownfield funding for Oak Shore Commons,
• And the county’s plan to house inmates in neighboring jails due to overcrowding.

Finally, in celebration of Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers, we shine a spotlight on a Traverse City-based tech company bringing cutting-edge fan experiences to Comerica Park this season.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full episode on YouTube and Facebook.

On this week’s Currently, Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) are joined by special guest Jacob Wheeler (Glen Arbor Sun) to break down the latest headlines affecting Northern Michigan.

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.

This Episode Covers:

• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Updates – How staffing and funding challenges may impact the upcoming season, protests at the park, and what this means for the endangered Piping Plover population.
• Library Funding Cuts & Book Bans – The Traverse Area District Library faces the loss of federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences. What does this mean for services, and why is a book ban request also making waves?
• Honoring a Grandson in Northport – A heartfelt story of a local couple's unique tribute to their late grandson.
• Retail & Restaurant Roundup – New businesses coming, closures, and expansions in Traverse City.

All that, plus our #ExtraBall Pinball Challenge and what we’re looking forward to in the coming week!