Land of 9,000 Airbnbs | wsg Craig Manning | Week of Nov. 14, 2025
Release Date: 11/14/2025
Currently with Christal Frost
This week on Currently, Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) are joined by Art Bukowski (Traverse City Ticker) for a lively look at some of the stories making waves around Northern Michigan. Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along with Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City, and the National Writers Series, the premier home of passionate readers who love inspiring conversations with bestselling and award winning authors. The episode kicks off with a deep dive into locally...
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In this episode of Currently: The Conversation, Christal Frost sits down with Gary Gatzke — musician, educator, arts administrator, and one of the driving forces behind Northern Michigan’s vibrant classical music scene. This episode of The Conversation is presented by our lead supporter, TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection. From his roots in Traverse City’s public school music programs to Interlochen Arts Academy and Juilliard, Gary reflects on the teachers, mentors, and moments that shaped his lifelong relationship with music. This discussion explores...
info_outlineCurrently with Christal Frost
This week on Currently, Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) take a wide-ranging look at the stories shaping life in Northern Michigan. Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along with Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. The conversation begins with an update on the city’s evolving homelessness response and what the latest plans could mean in these colder months. From there, Beth breaks down the proposed riverfront design changes downtown and why the DDA’s vision is...
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In this episode of Currently: The Conversation, Christal Frost sits down with freelance writer and filmmaker Joseph Beyer to talk about storytelling, community, and the power of shared experiences. Joe reflects on his creative path—from theater and freelance work to documentary filmmaking—and how those experiences shaped his belief that gathering people together matters more than the format itself. This episode of The Conversation is presented by our lead supporter, TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection. The conversation explores the role of movie theaters, film...
info_outlineCurrently with Christal Frost
On this week’s episode of Currently, we take a deeper look at the local stories prompting some of the biggest conversations across Northern Michigan. Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along with Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. IPR News Director Ed Ronco joins Christal and Traverse City Ticker's Beth Milligan to talk about a homelessness story that’s resonated strongly with his listeners this week. After Traverse City cleared the Pines encampment, homelessness became less...
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On this episode of Currently: The Conversation, Christal Frost sits down with Chad Lindsey, Executive Director of the City Opera House, to talk about stewardship, relevance, and what it really means to run a historic cultural anchor in a modern community. Support for this episode comes from TVC Cherry Capital Airport—your Northern Michigan connection. Chad shares how his background as a performer and arts administrator shaped his approach to leadership—and why the Opera House was never meant to be an elite arts space, but a place where the community gathers first. From balancing fine arts...
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On this week’s episode of Currently, we’re covering the local stories everyone’s talking about across Northern Michigan. Support for "Currently" comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along with Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. Glen Arbor Sun editor Jacob Wheeler joins us to discuss a proposed youth ministry “clubhouse” in downtown Leland that has ignited debate over zoning, parental rights, and religious freedom. Traverse City Ticker head writer Beth Milligan shares updates on Blair Township...
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It’s a special year-end wrap-up on Currently. Host Christal Frost is joined by Beth Milligan and special guest Craig Manning to look back at some of the biggest local stories of 2025, from major headlines in Traverse City and Leelanau County to quick updates from the week’s news. The the group shares their favorite books, shows, podcasts, and other standout picks from the year, before reflecting on what’s ahead in 2026. Support for "Currently" comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along with Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in...
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Caring for aging loved ones can feel overwhelming…especially when you don’t know what help exists. On this episode of The Conversation, Christal Frost sits down with Nicole Farkas and Lori Wells from PACE North to break down what PACE is, how it works, and why so many families don’t learn about it until they’re already in crisis. The discussion explores how PACE’s wraparound model supports older adults in staying at home, the challenges families face navigating senior services, and the misconceptions that keep people from seeking help sooner. With real-world examples and...
info_outlineCurrently with Christal Frost
This week on Currently, Christal Frost and Beth Milligan return for an OG episode packed with local updates as Traverse City heads into the holidays. Support for "Currently" comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along with Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. We break down the proposed new downtown TC parking deck, share additional city news, and check in on county updates, including budget approvals, marijuana grants, and the future of NMC’s Boardman Lake campus. Plus, we wrap things up with restaurant and...
info_outlineIn this week’s episode of "Currently," Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) are joined by guest Craig Manning (Traverse City/Leelanau Ticker) to break down some of the biggest stories shaping northern Michigan right now.
Support for "Currently" comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community, along with Old Town Playhouse, where community comes together in downtown Traverse City. Support also comes from The Coin Slot Arcade Bar in Traverse City — a chill spot to unwind with pinball, drinks, and friends.
The show kicks off with a look inside Northern Michigan’s short-term rental market. With nearly 9,000 Airbnbs spread across the region, Craig walks us through the new data, how it impacts local housing, and what communities are doing to respond.
Next, they run through a high-energy roundup of local sports highlights— including district titles, standout coaching seasons and field goal controversies.
After the break, Beth dives into upcoming Traverse City Light & Power changes, explaining why funding shifts and rate adjustments are back on the table...and what they will mean for residents.
The team also covers the latest updates from Cherry Capital Airport, including terminal expansions, new gate configurations, and what airport leadership shared with county commissioners about preparing for continued passenger growth.
If you want a fast, clear, journalist-driven breakdown of what’s happening in northern Michigan—from housing pressures to infrastructure changes to hometown sports—this episode of "Currently" has you covered.
"Currently" is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.