Area hotel owners and campground managers hope for the best, but are bracing for something less as this year's tourism season hits full stride. So far, area lodging officials report reservation numbers for the Fourth of July holiday and Cherry Festival week are up.

The skirmish between city and state officials over boat moorings in Grand Traverse Bay continues with a lawsuit.

The Pigeon River still doesn't run clear, nearly two weeks after a large sediment release from a private dam rushed downstream and decimated the blue-ribbon trout fishery.

The much-debated "Time Myth" sculpture could be headed to Interlochen Center for the Arts after public outcry thwarted plans to install it at the city's bayfront.

A $1,200 copper and stainless steel sculpture was reported missing from the Main Street Gallery in Leland.

Potential voters must register by Monday if they want to participate in the August primary election that will decide many local races throughout northern Michigan.

Two key architects of the Bush administration's interrogation policies had an opportunity last week to state publicly why they advocated harsh treatment of terrorism suspects. Unfortunately, their performance left the impression that they were following the advice of Henry Ford when he famously declared, "Never apologize, never explain."

Senators on Capitol Hill departed for July 4 picnics last Friday with an important unfinished piece of business hanging over the heads of doctors and the millions of seniors who depend on Medicare. The issue: a large and troubling cut in payments to doctors who see Medicare patients.

Free courts of politics; Checks and cash only

Detroit Red Wings right wing Dallas Drake will trade the ice for the sky on Independence Day, when he's scheduled to fly with the Blue Angels.

Wednesday night's Traverse City Beach Bums game against Kalamazoo was rained out. A thunderstorm in Kalamazoo left the field soaked and the dugouts flooded.

Marian Hossa chose to join the Detroit Red Wings at a discount. He hopes hoisting the Stanley Cup will make it worth the sacrifice. Hossa signed a one-year contract with Detroit on Wednesday, and a person in the NHL told The Associated Press the deal is worth $7.45 million.

The Traverse City St. Francis baseball team named its award winners at its banquet.

Little League fields to receive contest upgrades; Bellaire rider picks up multiple ribbons; Sutherlands take home tennis title

A group of 23 paddlers was organized by John Heiam and Lois Goldstein to perform a cleanup -- one of two they do annually -- on the Platte. It is one of several area rivers that they organize cleanups for during the summer and fall.

More severe weather accompanied by cold fronts slowed fishing, but an expected weekend warm up should again improve conditions, the Michigan Department of Resources said Wednesday in its weekly fishing report.

When consumers astonished the U.S. auto industry two months ago by quickly shunning trucks and going for gas mileage, the biggest beneficiary ended up being Honda Motor Co. The No. 2 Japanese automaker has the most fuel-efficient model lineup in the industry.

Shares of General Motors Corp. plunged Wednesday to close below $10 for the first time in more than half a century on worries about the company's cash needs and speculation about a possible bankruptcy protection filing down the road.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to purchase and sell $400 million worth of produce grown by local farmers within its state stores this year, an effort the company says will only grow.

Local business happenings, including Recognition, Training, New Business and Certification.

Teenagers cramming for tests and people worried about "senior moments" can now turn to an explosion of brain-assisting video games, such as Nintendo's Brain Age; puzzles that are said to ward off dementia, such as Sudoku and crosswords; and online tips that claim to train the brain.

The farm isn't the only place contamination can occur -- and checking things like water quality and temperature control in packing houses and other supply stops is one key to safety. Washing fresh produce under running water is a commonsense consumer defense.

Today's newsmakers: Jim Austin, Michelle Witkop, Jeanne Strathman, Pete Edwards, and Great Lakes Plastic Surgery Center.

The National Cherry Festival and the Traverse City Film Festival partnered to offer free movies every day during the Cherry Festival.