The Top 24 of 2024: A Look Back at the Year's Biggest Stories
From features to food to film reviews...what were you reading?
By Jillian Manning | Dec. 28, 2024
In 2024, Northern Express writers brought you more than 700 stories, including restaurant profiles, Top 10 recommendations, opinion columns, investigative news, film reviews, and write-ups about arts, entertainment, and local businesses in northern Michigan. Of those 700+, which were the most popular on our website? We picked the top 24 below.
Features
Which big headlines caught readers’ eyes this year?
1. “Amazon Is Coming to Town: Inside the e-commerce giant’s arrival in Gaylord” by Craig Manning
One of the world’s biggest companies is setting up shop in northern Michigan. In January, details emerged about Amazon’s plans to build a new distribution center in Gaylord. Since then, the e-commerce giant and its contractors have been hard at work on the new 42,500-square-foot facility, which will occupy eight acres of land in the Gaylord Industrial Park and should be open for business by the end of summer. What will this arrival of a big household name business mean for Gaylord and northern Michigan as a whole? And could the region see other Amazon facilities—or court other similarly big companies—in the future? Northern Express takes a look.
2. “10 Beautiful Beaches in Northern Michigan: And how to keep them that way” by Drew VanDrie
Close the laptop, stuff the tote with towels and SPF, and pack a cooler with something cold to drink—it’s time for a beach day. From inland lake retreats to the coastal sands of the Great Lakes, Michigan has countless beaches worthy of exploration and even more deserving of conservation to keep them pristine for years to come. Local environmental nonprofits shared their top 10 beaches with us, including the aspects that make them idyllic, the issues they face, and tips for visitors to preserve these special places.
3. “Human Trafficking—Is It Happening Here?: Local coalition shares red flags and best practices to help combat the crime” by Art Bukowski
Whether it be for labor, sex, drugs or more, thousands of people of all ages are trafficked across the country each year. Experts define it as using force, fraud, or coercion to exploit and profit from the services of people against their will. The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported more than 16,000 victims of this crime in 2021 (the most recent year with available data), including 429 in Michigan. According to that same data set, Michigan ranked fifth in the nation for human trafficking cases, behind California, Texas, Florida, and New York. And while such nefarious acts might seem more fitting for distant, more populated locales, officials say human trafficking is becoming more common in smaller resort towns like those in our region.
4. “Interlochen’s Crown Jewel: How a northern Michigan arts school helped forge a pop star” by Craig Manning
In the spring of 1992, an Alaskan teenager named Juel Kilcher walked across the stage at Kresge Auditorium and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy. Four years later, she had a top-five album on the Billboard 200. On Monday, August 5, Kilcher—now known better by her mononymous stage name, Jewel—will take the stage at Kresge once more, this time for a sold-out, co-headlining show with Melissa Etheridge. When you put it that way, Jewel’s rise to fame and success seems like it must have been easy. In the time that many people take to get a college degree, she morphed from high-schooler to pop star, with a massive hit album, an opening slot on a Bob Dylan tour, and a few songs up her sleeve that you have almost certainly heard. In the telling of her own story, though, Kilcher is insistent that while some of it was luck, none of it was easy.
5. “Now Hiring: Spring & Summer 2024 Job Openings” by Northern Express Staff & Contributors
Welcome to our Spring 2024 “Now Hiring” section! Here you’ll find more than 70 jobs open across northern Michigan—some seasonal, some part-time, some full-time. Explore away!
6. “Eight New NoMi Trails to Explore This Spring” by Al Parker
With more than 4,020 miles of hiking trails and another 2,085 biking trails across the state—and many of those miles in northern Michigan—a great walk in the woods is never more than a stone’s throw away. And thanks to the work of our local land conservancies, the number of northern Michigan trails is growing annually across the region. Here are eight new outdoor opportunities that have opened in the last year or so.
7. “Meet Maud Miller Hoffmaster” by Ross Boissoneau
A celebrated painter. An illustrator. A teacher. A building designer. A nomenclator. Wait, what? Yes, Maud Miller Hoffmaster is credited with creating a well-known name, the term “litterbug.” And she was all those other things as well, yet the former Traverse City resident is less well-known than one might presume.
8. “Your Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes Camping: Seven Sites to Explore” by Drew VanDrie
Summer in the northern latitudes wouldn’t be complete without at least one camping trip. Indulging in some rustic relaxation and living an unhurried existence (for at least a few days), offers a restorative escape. It’s no surprise that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (SBDNL) is a popular destination for those with a knack to bivouac. Catering to all ranges of preference from the self-reliance of backpacking to the comfort of RVs, the park has something to suit everyone’s expectations. Aided by insights from Merrith Baughman, director of interpretation and visitor services at the Lakeshore, we’re here to help you set up camp!
9. “Cults, Survivors, and Red Flags: How northern Michigan has wound up at the center of two troubling documentaries” by Art Bukowski
America has long held a deep fascination with cults and out-there religious sects. We wonder how these groups manage to conjure up such power and influence. We watch as people (sometimes those we know and love) fall victim to a potent mix of control and their own deep desire to belong. We binge the TV series that probe into the inner workings of these groups. And while the majority of these groups seem far, far away for residents of northern Michigan, two local groups accused of having cult-like patterns have made national headlines in recent months, in part thanks to documentaries putting them in the spotlight.
10. “Northern Express Fascinating People of 2024” by Northern Express Staff & Contributors
Have you ever wanted to hike the Pacific Crest Trail? Open a bakery? Make a movie? Start a business? Stand up for a cause you believe in? This year’s crop of Fascinating People of northern Michigan has done all of the above…and more. Whether they’re chasing eclipses around the world or showing off their skills on stage, these 20 folks never fall short of fascinating.
11. “The Women Rangers of Isle Royale: An all-woman team forges a path at the remote National Park” by Ren Brabenec
John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt. Everett Townsend and Walter Fry. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Richard Proenneke, and Ansel Adams. Since the inception of the national parks in the late 1800s, the men who carried the banner of wilderness preservation also wrote the history of their movement, often missing the crucial role women played in protecting America’s wilderness from the Industrial Revolution and the raw material extraction that revolution demanded. At Isle Royale National Park, the lower 48’s least visited but most revisited national park, an all-women team of park rangers reminds us that all it takes to work in nature is a passion for conservation and a love for the outdoors.
12. “Tracking the U.P. Wolf: Love it or hate it, the Upper Peninsula’s gray wolf has become a Michigan celebrity” by Ren Brabenec
While gray wolves have long called Michigan home, eradication efforts in the 1800s and 1900s led to them being essentially wiped out in the state. (Wolves are currently protected under the federal Endangered Species Act.) It wasn’t until 1991 that a pack was confirmed to be reproducing in the Upper Peninsula once more. Since then, the wolf population has grown substantially. According to current data, the DNR estimates the U.P. is home to 631 wolves, give or take 49, divided among 136 packs. (Each pack has four to five wolves.) The population has been statistically stable for more than a decade, and the wolves live almost exclusively above the bridge.
13. “The Deer Report with the DNR: Top five things to know for November’s hunting season” by Victor Skinner
The lead up to the 2024 Michigan firearm deer season featured one of the biggest deer disease die-offs in recent years, regulation changes to address population imbalances in both peninsulas, and continued concerns about the future of wildlife funding amid declining hunter numbers. Those issues and others could factor into how many of Michigan’s roughly 600,000 hunters approach the 2024 season as they head into the woods for the firearm opener on Nov. 15. While a relatively mild 2023-24 winter is expected to translate into hunters generally seeing more deer this season, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials point to deer disease outbreaks, a focus on harvesting more does, and expanded harvest options as important considerations. Here are the top five things to know for 2024.
14. “Will a National Lawsuit Affect Northern Michigan Real Estate? Local realtors say transparency and good faith are critical moving forward” by Ren Brabenec
A recent $1.8 billion real estate lawsuit made national headlines, raising the question of whether the way real estate transactions are carried out may change. Though the suit is being appealed, the initial judgment in Sitzer v. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) ruled in favor of home sellers against NAR, the nation’s largest trade organization of 1.5 million members. The jury found that some members of NAR, Keller Williams Realty, Anywhere Real Estate, RE/MAX, and HomeServices of America conspired to artificially inflate agent commissions.
Dining
Which restaurants sounded especially tasty?
15. “The Same, But Different at Boyne River Inn: The latest incarnation of the 130-year-old local bar” by Geri Dietze
For several years, Boyne City residents and visitors were impatiently waiting for the reopening of the Boyne River Inn, a popular downtown landmark for a good drink, a great meal, and a river view. After a seemingly endless round of will it/won’t it, the iconic eatery finally reopened its doors in May 2023. Part of the excitement is the knowledge that popular local chef Russell Yardley has returned, and not only that—he is now a partner in the enterprise.
16. “Brandy’s Harbortown Sails into Bay Harbor” by Geri Dietze
The Morrisons—Bryant and Jamie, Philip and Laura—are the inventive restaurateurs behind Bay Harbor’s popular Maple + Batter, home to superior offerings for breakfast and brunch, and NOMAD., elevated, shareable plates inspired by world flavors. Now the Morrisons, along with new partner Rick Iceberg, build upon this success with their third venue, a spanking new cabana bar and restaurant occupying a prime site in Bay Harbor Village at the edge of Bay Harbor Lake Marina.
17. “Your Winter Restaurant Guide: Eight Eateries to Cozy Up in This February” by Northern Express Staff & Contributors
Mmm…comfort food. Whether your go-to is bubbling soup, buttery grilled cheese, hearty pasta, or something else entirely, you’re sure to find it in one of these NoMi restaurants. Below, we look back at eight establishments Northern Express writers have visited over the past few months to share the places where food, drinks, and ambiance combined for an especially memorable experience. The menus might have morphed since we were last there, but that’s all the more reason to head out and go find your new favorite dish.
18. “Your Spring 2024 Restaurant Guide to Northern Michigan: Flavor, Fusion, and Fresh Concepts” by Northern Express Staff & Contributors
Let’s talk about a perfect loaf of bread. Out-of-this-world paninis. Mexican-Anishinaabe fusion tacos. And the beers and other beverages that pair just right with our favorite meals. Welcome to your spring 2024 restaurant guide. Here, we’ve pulled together seven stand-out eateries we’ve visited in the last few months to help you make the call on your next night (or lunch) out on the town. All we ask in return…don’t leave a single bite behind.
19. “Where the Panini Reigns Supreme: Lunch at Traverse City’s Chubby Unicorn” by Karl Klockars
Even when he was running the kitchen at Bubba’s in Traverse City, Justin Chouinard had his eye on the little restaurant space across the street. For years, 439 East Front has housed restaurants like Patisserie Amie, Cook’s House, 9 Bean Rows, Sparks BBQ, and most recently, Zest Kitchen. Today, chef Chouinard holds the keys to that cozy little kitchen as the proprietor of Chubby Unicorn, the sandwich-focused lunch destination inspired by his former food truck of the same name.
20. “A Getaway for Your Tastebuds, by Way of Mexico:What a long, flavorful trip it’s been for Happy’s Taco Shop” by Geri Dietze
Traverse City foodies probably know that Happy’s Taco Shop recently vacated its long-term berth (since 2015) at The Little Fleet to concentrate on its Petoskey and Boyne City operations. Happy’s is a fixture at The Back Lot in Petoskey, Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, and Happy’s Headquarters, located just outside of Boyne City. Northern Express followed them north to get the story on their 10-year anniversary, their modus operandi in the world of tacos, plus a hint at their future plans.
Film
Last but not least, which four movies were you most curious about?
21. “Film Review: The Blue Angels - 3.5 Stars” by Joseph Beyer
As a hyper-local film critic, I was delighted to see the AMC Cherry Blossom 14 parking lot packed over Memorial Day Weekend. I sincerely wish I could say it was because the movie-going public was dying to see the latest releases, but alas: it had just rained cats and dogs all day. This wet reality created a small town phenomenon called “seeing everyone, all at once, at the movies.” I loved it. My personal excursion out to the theater was driven by a regional curiosity to a new documentary and the alluring promise of an accomplished editor-turned-director in Paul Crowder (Riding Giants, Dogtown, and Z-Boys). His latest project, The Blue Angels, was intriguing to me after experiencing the real roar of the famed Naval jet show here in Traverse City as part of the National Cherry Festival.
22. “Film Review: Anatomy of a Fall - 5 Stars” by Joseph Beyer
If I had tried to convince you last week that Anatomy of a Fall was worth 2 hours and 32 minutes of your time, you may have ignored the rec. That’s because we, the American movie culture, don’t often venture outside our comfort zone when it comes to European films with occasional subtitles. But maybe now, hot on the heels of five Oscar nominations including Best Picture and a win for Best Original Screenplay (more on that later), I can convince you not only to watch it, but to pay particular attention to how much it owes to our home state of Michigan.
23. “Film Review: Immaculate - 4 Stars” by Joseph Beyer
As someone whose life partner doesn’t watch horror movies, I don’t often get a chance to take in a big screen chiller. But I had plenty of motivation to head to Immaculate when it first opened. I have known director Michael Mohan from years of working together in Los Angeles. Mohan had already impressed with a series of sharp shorts, a terrific debut feature, and two Netflix series (Everything Sucks! and The Voyeurs). With a love of personal independent stories with a comedic edge, I was curious and excited to see how he would helm a $25 million dollar budget with a very large line item for fake blood.
24. “Film Review: Bob Marley: One Love - 3.5 Stars” by Joseph Beyer
Perhaps the first sign that Bob Marley: One Love might be a suspiciously polished and glowing take on the pop culture icon was the video from his son, Ziggy, that played before the film. In it, Ziggy pronounces that he and the Marley family “love how the film turned out.” And so they should. That’s because for the next 1 hour and 47 minutes after this introduction, you will experience Bob Marley framed as a heroic poet to be admired and respected (even as the narrative skips over any true negative shade from his absentee parenting, violence, infidelity in his marriage, or sometimes childlike-innocence about the consequences of his actions). What I believe you are meant to take from this shiny portrait is that Bob Marley, the man, was a vehicle for something larger and more important than his earthly shortcomings.
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