Up North Lowdown

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.

There are nearly 200 aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes! We'll break down the top ten... plus one notable exception.

Students from Benzie County will continue paying an out-of-district-rate for tuition at Northwestern Michigan College. A proposal to change that was withdrawn this week.

From county roads, to footwear, to old steam engines, we'll get you where you need to go.

This week: All of our reporters pile into the studio to recap the August primary. Plus, Michigan seeks aid for struggling cherry growers, after a terrible harvest.

Lots of talk of millage spending ahead of the primary... it's fun I promise.

This week: A trip to the Ability Garden, in Traverse City, and a look at how it helps kids during the summer. Plus, new housing could be coming soon for school workers.

This week: Raising monarch butterflies in Interlochen, as climate change threatens the species. And a tribute in Northport to a band director with a powerful legacy.