Up North Lowdown

Why a Leelanau County township's cease-and-desist notice had little effect on the use of sewage as farm fertilizer. We'll also hear about the competitive race to get kids registered for a summer camp in Traverse City, and what it says about child care in northern Michigan. And we talk with author Howard Lovy about his debut novel — partly set at Interlochen in the mid-1980s.

As Traverse City's airport expands, officials see an opportunity to address climate change. Also, the difficulty of tracking how opioid settlement dollars are spent. We'll hear how an old asylum in Traverse City inspired a new novel. And we meet the journalist behind a newsletter that's by, for and about the Indigenous people of Michigamiing (Michigan).

This week we have three conversations we think you need to hear. A lawsuit against Benzie County in federal court alleges that sheriff’s deputies could have prevented a murder. We hear from the victim’s son, who is bringing the case. And, federal job cuts hit close to home. A conversation with a Cadillac woman who lost her job at the Forest Service. Also, in his career as a freelance trumpeter, In...

Our stories this week are about finding community. Come with us to Death Club, a gathering of people in Traverse City who meet to talk about loss — and to find human connections and maybe even joy along the way. We'll also preview Sauna Fest, which begins Feb. 28. The organizers say they're hoping to bring together an increasing number of sauna enthusiasts in our region and maybe even appeal to so...

Much of the money for wildlife management at Michigan's Department of Natural Resources comes from people paying for hunting and fishing licenses. But the system might not hold up much longer. We'll also try our hand at the card game "Spitzer," a northeast Michigan classic with a dedicated band of folks trying to keep it alive. We hear from Matthew Fletcher, whose new collection of short stories,...

As whitefish numbers decline in lakes Michigan and Huron, researchers are hoping to get them to spawn in rivers for the first time in about a century. They're using what is basically a waterslide to help. Also, we catch up with former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. The Michigan Democrat is a private citizen now, but not taking a backseat on matters of public policy. And the author Geraldine Brooks tal...

Northwestern Michigan College made a big plane purchase in hopes of chipping away at a waiting list for its popular aviation program. Also, a local film — "Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake)" — had its world premiere at Sundance this week. We take you out on frozen Black Lake for a state of northern Michigan culture. Oh, and the results of our State Bird CAWcus. Stories included in this episo...

As Michigan continues its push for clean energy, how does nuclear power factor into that? Northern Michigan could soon get some of its electricity from a restarted nuclear plant several hours south of here. We’ll explore the debate. Also, a journey to the bottom of the Great Lakes … by robot.

This week on the Up North Lowdown ... a walk through the garden. Yes, it is the dead of winter, but we are going to hear a little history of the Botanic Garden and a little more about its past and future at the Historic Barns Park. We will also dive into the question of Michigan’s state bird. Is the robin cutting it for us anymore? Your thoughts … in the latest episode of the Up North Lowdown, fro...

There have been calls to improve or replace the Grand Traverse County Jail for years. This week, we go inside, hear about some problems and learn why the conversation around the jail has been stuck for so long.

For northern Michigan businesses that count on snow, last year stunk. Federal disaster loans were a short-term help for many, but what about warmer winters ahead? That's this week on the Up North Lowdown. Plus, the Lions roar, area music festivals face an uncertain future and we remember the arrest that sparked a change in fishing rights.

This week: News that a film made in northern Michigan will head to the Sundance Film Festival next month. Plus, an update on housing efforts in and around Petoskey.

Michigan is the Great Lakes state as you know. So naturally we have a lot of wetlands as well. They filter water, and mitigate flooding. But human activity, including large-scale farming, has greatly reduced them over the years. What might Congress do about that? Also, efforts here in northern Michigan to support first responders dealing with their own mental health. And a trip to an artist reside...

This week, we're handing it over to our colleagues at "Points North," with this wonderful story about Kenny Pheasant, a teacher of Anishinaabemowin.

Three stories about finding space — to rehearse your show, to build a solar array, and to make military weapons. Also, our thanks to you. (We'll explain.)

A mallet. A pumpkin. A way to cut down on landfill waste? Also this week: Sleeping Bear Dunes calls a halt to a trail expansion and Benzie County builds a safety net.

This week: Figuring out the apples at Sleeping Bear Dunes, the power of sharing our stories with each other, and the more local part of the election.

This week: Michiganders head to the polls earlier than usual, the last throes of the campaign(s), Andrew Dost's new music project and the deeper meaning of Rocky Horror.

This week: Politics, from Harbor Springs zoning to a delayed former president. Plus, dealing with the stress of it all. Oh, and we learn more about a really big ski jump.

This week: A new radio station in Elberta aims to connect neighbors, an artist paints the changing cherry landscape, and the Antrim Co. clerk tries a write-in campaign.

This week: New ways to vote, a quick Senate debate recap, and then some time with "The Accidentals" and a stroll through a new 'underwater' mural.

Our stories this week are each about food in one way or another: a bumper crop of apples, how food connects us to culture, and the Cherry Pie Debate.

This week, new hope for sturgeon and a fond farewell to a popular music festival. Plus: Veep hopeful JD Vance comes to town. And the plan to make munitions in Grayling.

This week on the Up North Lowdown… Chris Bzdok is a local lawyer working to get the country off coal. Plus, Michigan’s hot dry summers are causing… better wine?

It’s Climate Solutions Week and boy do we have some problems. We’ll find out how to get a tax break on your used electric car. And we’ll check out a composting operation in Emmet County that some are calling a model for other local programs.