Up North Lowdown

Conversations about weather these days usually veer toward El Niño — that natural climate cycle in the Pacific Ocean that can shape global weather patterns. Here in northern Michigan, it could translate into a milder winter. Our climate solutions reporter, Vivian La, explains how.

In the first production for Traverse City's new Solstice Theatre Company, four theater artists are trying to create a politically correct pageant for elementary school students to tell the story of the first Thanksgiving. Larissa FastHorse's "The Thanksgiving Play" runs Nov. 13-15 at The Match in Traverse City.

Northwest Michigan’s plan to consolidate two large homeless shelters into one, in Garfield Township, has brought pushback. Leaders there say they don’t want more services and that they can’t be forced to add them.

Rebecca Amidon will be the first woman to represent the 32nd District in the state Senate. She talked to a lot of voters — in part because opponents published her personal cell phone number.

Leelanau County chose a new drain commissioner, a job that comes with a surprising amount of power and responsibility. And what happens now that Benzie County has again rejected a millage? Also, Amanda Sewell introduces us to a collaborative pianist who is about to be the soloist with an orchestra in a piano concerto — a notable change, if you'll excuse the pun.

Two Lowdowns in one day! There must have been a big election. We hear about the vibe inside Callie Barr's election night party and about what brought northern Michigan voters to the polls. IPR reporters Astrid Code and Maxwell Howard weigh in on last night's midterms.

Our reporter roundtable walks through local election returns and reactions from last night's tabulations in northern Michigan, where incumbents largely had success.

Melissa McKenna, assistant director of outreach & adult services at the Traverse Area District Library, talks to IPR about the value of libraries, after winning a lifetime achievement award from the Michigan Library Association.

Heading into Election Day, we'll take a quick look at interesting ballot questions across the region. Plus, an exhibit hoping to change the story of how we're a divided nation.

Four more days until the 2026 campaign has run its course. What can we expect from local races? And in such a toxic political climate, we hear a political professor's take on American democracy.

The idea for an opera began with a text message. Two years later, these two high school seniors are leading a production of "Enea," a chamber opera in two scenes, which takes to the stage Friday.

When IPR's Austin Rowlader discovered a bat flapping around his house at 6 one morning, it began an odyssey of rabies shots and reporting, that led him to learn we've seen a record number of the flying mammals interacting with humans this year.

This November, Michiganders aren’t just voting for candidates to represent them in office. They also have some questions to answer. One of those questions asks whether voters want to limit corporate money in state politics, and it's put electric and gas utilities in the political crosshairs. Grist & IPR climate solutions reporter Vivian La helps break it down.

Could this year's turbulence around voting in Antrim County actually be a sign that the system of electoral safeguards is functioning properly? Votebeat Michigan's Hayley Harding explores that with us in today's episode.

Two fun things in this Friday episode: Astrid Code tells us about a new ensemble in Traverse City that plans to blend classical music and Motown in the same concert. And we head to Manistee and board a ghost ship manned by Gen Z-ers who want to scare you and raise money for a good cause.

Michael Delp led the writing program for years at Interlochen Arts Academy. His latest book, "Of Blood and Rivers," is a series of elegies about grief — following his own personal loss.

In this episode, we hear from Ian Greenlaw, one of the cast members of "Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors," at the Old Town Playhouse Oct. 23-31. And with two weeks remaining before Election Day, we'll also check in on some statewide races in Michigan.

Last night, Traverse City Commissioners approved a controversial prowling and park trespass ordinance on a 4 to 3 vote, after passionate public testimony on both sides of the debate. We unpack what happened, and what comes next.

For many people, the late artist Gwen Frostic is as synonymous with northern Michigan as trees and lakes and beaches and snow. Today, Natalie Reitz of the Transom Story Workshop takes us to Frostic's studio in Benzie County to hear about perseverance and the value of slowing down.

It's a fun Friday. We listen to wind chimes being installed at Interlochen Center for the Arts, talk to Dan Wanschura in Marquette for the Fresh Coast Film Festival and play the October puzzle with winner Nathan Hamme.

Democrat Rebecca Amidon and Republican Kim Cole want to represent the district, which runs up the Lake Michigan shoreline as far north as Benzie County.

Changes to federal law could threaten piping plover, Michigan's only venomous snake and other endangered species here. IPR's Vivian La walks us through it. We'll also visit a mobile health clinic aimed at expanding access to healthcare in rural northern Michigan.

Grand Traverse County Treasurer Jamie Callahan has faced intense scrutiny from county commissioners over unreconciled books, lost documents and late payments and penalties. We hear the details from Traverse City Record-Eagle reporter Aly Kleidon, who has been following the story.

Candidates in northern Michigan’s 103rd House District offer different approaches to housing costs, access to rural health care and the proposed Line 5 tunnel. We hear from state Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) and Republican challenger Edwin Dean (R-Northport) as part of our profiles of area legislative races.

IPR's newest reporter is focused on hearing your voices about the issues that matter to you and the things you think are undercovered. In today's episode, we talk with Astrid Code about a new approach to journalism at IPR. We'll also round up some northern Michigan headlines, from worries about Flock cameras to the reopening of Sugar Loaf!