Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Northern Michigan

Wednesday, June 12, 2013  Using voice commands to send text messages and emails from behind the wheel, which is marketed as a safer alternative for drivers, actually is more distracting and dangerous than simply talking on a cellphone, a new AAA study found.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  Schuette says his office is monitoring the balance of wholesale and retail prices and profit margins statewide.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013  Update 7:15am: One lane of southbound 127 near Houghton Lake is open at this time.  Officials expect delays for at least three hours.

Monday, June 10, 2013  7&4 News is told that 80 percent of the county's roads are considered to be in "poor condition" and are unsafe to drive on.

Thursday, June 06, 2013  UPDATED WITH VIDEO: According to Gregg Laskoski with GasBuddy.com, Michigan is among the worst in the nation for gas prices.

Thursday, June 06, 2013  The Michigan State Police is investigating a three vehicle crash that shut down a busy stretch of  highway in Grand Traverse County for several hours.

Thursday, May 30, 2013  A new study shows the average cost of medical claims from motorcycle crashes is on the rise since Michigan stopped requiring all riders to wear helmets..

Friday, May 24, 2013  The measure was recently introduced by Representative Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, and would give the power to the local governments to decide whether or not they will install the cameras.

Thursday, May 23, 2013  AAA Michigan says about 1.1 million residents of the state will travel 50 miles or more on vacation during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013  UPDATE: Although there is currently no field test to show the limits, Grand Traverse County Undersheriff, Nathan Alger says that such a test would make their jobs much easier.

Monday, May 20, 2013  The federally funded mobilization is meant to reverse a decline in the state's seat belt use rate that began in 2010 and continued through last year when belt use hit 93.6 percent, down from the all-time high of 97.9 percent in 2009.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013  UPDATED WITH VIDEO: NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman called the drunk driving situation in America a "national epidemic" that kills about 10,000 people each year.

Saturday, May 11, 2013  A 65-year-old man is dead after losing control of his moped in Mason County Friday evening.

Friday, May 03, 2013  Friday afternoon Bill Marsh Automotive Group held a grill-out lunch to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters - as part of their competition with Fox Motors.

Friday, May 03, 2013  Automakers are seeing a strong increase in Michigan made vehicles, especially crossovers and pick up trucks, the company said.