News

The holiday season shines brightly in Alger County, thanks in part to Christmas for the Kiddos of Munising. Since its inception in November 2020, this grassroots initiative has become an important community effort, spreading holiday cheer to families facing financial hardship.

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.