Mackinac Island is arguably Michigan’s most famous tourist destination, but how did it earn that title?

Horse-drawn carriages, fudge-scented streets, and ferry rides across the Straits are part of what make Mackinac Island feel timeless. But as historian Frank Boles explores in his new book, the island’s path to becoming a must-visit destination was anything but simple. Read on for the full story.

Plus: Details on tomorrow’s elections.

Tuesday is Election Day (USA Today Network): Michigan’s 2025 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 4, when Detroiters will pick a new mayor and fill key city council seats, along with local races across the state. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and same-day voter registration, absentee voting, and ballot drop boxes are available. For more details, head here.

Feds: Michigan terror suspects were plotting Ferndale attack (Freep): Two metro Detroit men have been charged in federal court with plotting a Halloween weekend terror attack in Ferndale after an FBI investigation uncovered weapons, ammo, and alleged plans targeting LGBTQ+ venues. One of the men’s attorneys said they are harmless gamers and gun enthusiasts, while the FBI and officials credit agents with preventing a potential tragedy.

Goff takes blame for Lions loss (AP News): Jared Goff took responsibility for the Lions’ 27–24 loss to the Vikings, admitting the team “just didn’t play well as players” despite decent stats on paper. Detroit struggled on third downs, in the run game, and across all three phases, while Minnesota’s defense sacked Goff five times and dominated the line of scrimmage.

Cover of “Visiting Mackinac: 150 Years of Tourism at Michigan’s Fabled Straits.” (Michigan State University Press)

By Capital News Service

Horse-drawn carriages clatter down car-free streets. The mouth-watering smell of fudge wafts from quaint storefronts. Ferries glide across the Straits of Mackinac, carrying visitors to Michigan’s famous – and most charming – tourist destination.

Located in the northwestern tip of Lake Huron between the Upper and Lower peninsulas, Mackinac Island hosts over one million visitors per year. Its beauty and stalwart community are the keys to its tourism success, according to a recent book.

Frank Boles, a retired Central Michigan University historian, has spent decades documenting Michigan’s past.

His latest book, “Visiting Mackinac: 150 Years of Tourism at Michigan’s Fabled Straits” (Michigan State University Press, $37.95), explores how Mackinac Island and the surrounding Straits region became a hub for travelers from across the country.

Boles’ fascination with Mackinac Island began in 1997 when his wife suggested they join the Mackinac Bridge Walk.

“I kind of grudgingly said, ‘Oh, what the heck? Five miles, but sure, we’ll do it.’ Well, we’ve done it every year since and fell in love with the Mackinac area, and that got me very interested in the history of tourism in that particular part of the state,” he said.

Members of Michigan’s marijuana industry have filed a lawsuit claiming a new 24% marijuana tax—which could make recreational cannabis in the state among the most expensive in the country—is unconstitutional.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect and Capital News Service. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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