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The National Civics Bee will be back and expanding in the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan for 2025, the Michigan Chamber Foundation announced last week. The Bee is an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.

Tourism is an important component of the U.P.’s economy. Tourists help support businesses, which provide employment and a source of tax revenue. In 2022, over 25% of total employment in Alger, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac and Ontonagon counties was related to tourism. Total tourist spending in the U.P. amounted to $1.5 billion and contributed $155 million to state and local taxes, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

For individuals and organizations looking to make a difference in the lives of veterans this holiday season, consider Michigan Veteran Homes’ “Make a Veteran Smile Campaign.” The effort encourages Michiganders to support veteran members of MVH’s three nursing homes for veterans by recording a video message of gratitude for veteran members of the homes, writing a personalized letter to a veteran member or donating to the MVH Charitable Support Fund that assists quality of life programming and initiatives.

Inspired by his recent visit to Northern Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1975, Starbucks chairman emeritus and former CEO Howard Schultz and his wife, Sheri Kersch-Schultz, have announced a $1 million gift to NMU through their Schultz Family Foundation.

The Michigan State Police announced this week that it has ended the search for a previously reported missing man. On Sept.

The bipartisan Board of State Canvassers voted unanimously last Friday to certify Michigan’s 2024 General Election results. Prior to the state canvassers’ meeting, bipartisan canvassing boards in each of Michigan’s 83 counties certified the election results in their jurisdictions before the legal deadline.