Up North Lowdown

A serious winter storm has dragged its way across northern Michigan, fouling up roads and taking out power to more than 100,000 utility customers. Even the IPR news team is stuck. Today, we hear from our reporters about how Monday began, and from the National Weather Service on how it might end. By the way, you can get the latest from the Weather Service here.

Right now, most glass that's put into recycling bins in our region gets used for building roads in landfills. But Emmet County has found a way to recycle the material. Could they lead the way for others? IPR's Ellie Katz has that story. We also talk with two high school seniors who are starring in the Traverse City West High School production of "Little Shop of Horrors," opening this weekend.

Most plastic you recycle ends up in the landfill. Some of it joins local and national supply chains to be made into new products. And some actually power a northern Michigan factory. Today and tomorrow, we take a look at recycling in northern Michigan, with this surprising story from IPR's Vivian La.

Six months ago, state lawmakers heard weeks of testimony about Michigan's struggling mental health system and a critical lack of providers. That lack is especially pronounced here in Michigan. Lawmakers and advocates want to see a report that was supposed to come out of those hearings months ago. IPR's Maxwell Howard explains why we haven't seen it yet. We also check in with IPR music director Ama...

"What's a Yooper Without Winter?" That's the title of a short story by Sault Ste. Marie author Sara Maurer. It's part of a new collection titled "On an Inland Sea: Writing the Great Lakes," exploring what it means to live in our part of the country. Maurer's story looks at what it means to live in the Upper Peninsula amid a changing climate. She shares an excerpt with us and talks about her Yooper...

A northern Michigan tribe has lost an appeal to keep federal conservation funding. But it’s not the end of the road for the restoration efforts. It’s the next chapter in a story we’ve been hearing about from IPR environment reporter Ellie Katz, who joins us this morning with the latest and what’s next.

The Rev. Julie Delezenne is senior of the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City. The Rev. Linda Stephan is lead pastor at Central United Methodist Church. And both traveled to Washington, D.C., to ask for changes in how the U.S. handles immigration. They tell us about the productive conversations they had on Capitol Hill and how those are a stark contrast from the way the debate plays out in other...

Federal judges tend to rule in favor of immigrants held at North Lake Detention Center, saying the government is illegally detaining them. An analysis by Michigan Public shows that hundreds of habeas corpus petitions have been received by detainees at the Baldwin facility. We talk with reporters Michelle Jokisch Polo and Adam Yahya Rayes. Also, a big zoning vote in Banks Township tonight could cle...

Last year, northern Michigan Congressman Jack Bergman received one of the largest individual donations given to a Michigan congressional candidate. The $289,100 donation from a California couple, including Elliott Broidy, highlights the growing influence of megadonors in Michigan politics. Reporter Maxwell Howard walks us through the details. We also round up some headlines from around the state a...

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a massive logging project in the Ottawa National Forest, which covers the furthest western corner of the Upper Peninsula, where it borders Wisconsin. The proposed project could log more than 80,000 acres of forest land. An environmental assessment by the federal government says the project would have, quote, “no significant impact.” But environmental groups say...

A taxpayer-funded report on Michigan’s tribal boarding schools was shelved by the state and never released to the public. Bridge Michigan's Ron French talks about what was in the report and why it was covered up. Read the full article on Bridge Michigan's website. Also in this episode, senator Gary Peters reacts to the Trump Administration's war in Iran.

About 11 months ago, a devastating ice storm hit northern Michigan. Trees snapped. Utility poles snapped. Roads were impassible. Hundreds of thousands of people were without power, and a lot of them took shelter at warming centers. Climate solutions reporter Vivian La tells us about a storytelling event this week where people shared their tales of the storm. And Ellie Katz brings us the story of a...

About a year ago, Grand Traverse County created a job in its jail — aimed keeping people who didn't need to go to jail from ending up there. A year later, the sheriff is calling the move a success, and hoping to expand it. IPR’s Maxwell Howard has that story. Plus, "Big Gretch, Out!" Those were the final words of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's final State of the State address. Our capital bureau chief wr...

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday about whether state or federal court will have the final say on the future of the controversial Line 5 pipeline. Though the question before the Supreme Court is a procedural one — whether courts can excuse Enbridge from missing the deadline to request moving the case to federal court — the justices recognized that the decision could have far-reachi...

James Beard nominations. Accolades from the press. Northern Michigan's food scene is booming, from counter-service diners to high-end restaurants. Today, we talk about why. Emily Stewart and Andy Elliott, the husband-and-wife chef team that co-owns Traverse City's "Modern Bird," says the region itself plays a big role. They tell us more over lunch at one of their favorite places in town to eat. An...

Skiier Kaila Kuhn, from Boyne City, and her teammates won gold in the mixed aerials at Milan on Saturday. She was, as you'd expect, ecstatic. Journalist Ed Klajman tells us all about it, and what Kuhn says she'll do when she returns to Boyne City. Also, two Michigan cases are in front of the U.S. Supreme Court this week. We'll hear the details of each and some other Up North headlines.

The controversial project planned for Gogebic County was considered for a huge state grant, but that never came through. Now it's starting to get nibbles from other funding sources. IPR's Ellie Katz gives an update. Plus, Interlochen hosts "Winterlochen" this weekend.

Winter Vinecki, from Gaylord, and Boyne City's Kaila Kuhn didn't medal in freestyle aerial skiing this week, but journalist Ed Klajman says they have a lot of reasons to be proud. Kuhn's hometown fans have been following Klajman's coverage in the Boyne Citizen. He talked with IPR about the athleticism and artistry needed to compete in aerials, and the backstories of the two northern Michigan athle...

Two members of Congress visited Michigan's largest immigrant detention center this week and they say they want more oversight of the Department of Homeland Security. Reps. Haley Stevens and Hillary Scholten, both Democrats, said they spoke with four of the 1,500 detainees inside North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin. We also speak with Joe Beyer, one of the organizers behind the Fresh Coast Film...

Politics, whether national or local, has become a game of camps. You’re either in the red camp or the blue camp. And most people stay pretty entrenched. Today on the Up North Lowdown, we introduce you to a third camp: Purple. Tina Allen is one of the founding members of the Purple Assembly, which has a kickoff event tonight at the Traverse Area District Library. She talks with the Up North Lowdown...

When someone buys an illegal drug, there can be a difference between what they’re told they’re buying and what the drugs actually contain. That's because drugs on the illegal market are often mixed with other substances that pose an even greater risk for users. A lab in Traverse City works to sort it all out. IPR's Maxwell Howard spoke with the people who run those labs and know exactly what’s in...

John James Witherspoon was 28 when he died while fighting Russian forces in January of 2025. His remains were recently released and returned to the United States. Witherspoon was a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. His mother is the band's chairwoman. She and Witherspoon's father reflect on their son's life. We hear from one of his friends, too.

Today, we have two stories about how we use ice — from temporary caves along Lake Michigan to 'cryofarming' in the Upper Peninsula. First, Brian Freiberger from the Leelanau Enterprise tells us about the beauty and danger of ice caves, which have formed in our robust winter. And while this winter has indeed been pretty potent, the season has become less predictable over the years. Journalist Roxan...

Last month, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced plans to make Michigan a hub for geologic hydrogen. So what is it? IPR climate solutions reporter Vivian La dug deep into what this potential clean fuel source is and why Michigan might be a pretty good place to look for it right under our feet.

As far as anyone knows, there's no data center eager to locate in Hayes Township, north of Charlevoix. Still, community officials have imposed a 180-day moratorium on such projects. Why? IPR's Claire Keenan-Kurgan listened in on a township meeting and heard what members of the public have to say. Some even worried that just talking about the topic might pique the interest of developers. We'll also...