Up North Lowdown

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!

Northern Michigan has some enormous state House districts. The 104th District, for example, is 1,700 square miles. We find out how candidates cover that ground — and talk to them about the pressing issues they see, as they run for a seat in the Michigan Legislature.

Grayling used to be all over Michigan's rivers and streams. The freshwater fish could make a return if efforts by northern Michigan tribes succeed. We go to the Boardman-Ottaway River for an update. Also, a look ahead at an Indigenous People's Day celebration planned in Leland. And we pull over for a minute to watch part of Traverse City's Central Grade School come down.

The 2026 Cherry Pie Debates brought four candidates for the Michigan Legislature together to discuss a wide range of issues. In some places, they even found agreement. Listen to our recap.

After devastating ice storms hit northern Michigan in 2025, the federal government promised money for reforestation efforts. That was a big deal for people who count on those trees to make their living. But now, that money doesn't look like it's coming. Also: You like pie. You like being an informed voter. We can help.

Audio from the Sept. 17 crash of an F-16 in Grawn reveals details about what may have brought down the plane and just how quickly the pilot was forced to eject. We hear from another fighter pilot who survived a crash by pulling the ejection handle.

Safety complaints in a Traverse City park are causing leaders to consider stiffer penalties for "prowling," which could bring 90 days of jail time. As police step up enforcement, we visit Hull Park to hear from people who are homeless and spend time there.

It took a few tries in front of the Board of State Canvassers, but Ashley Areeda has the green light to circulate a recall petition against Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop. She talks to IPR about what the effort will entail, and then we speak with Votebeat Michigan's Hayley Harding, about the bigger picture. IPR has made multiple requests to interview Bishop. The invitation remains open.

Today, we pick up the phone and call the latest winner of the Up North Lowdown Puzzle. Test your wordplay mettle with Heather Huffstutler of Petoskey. But we start by rounding up some northern Michigan headlines, including a delay of absentee ballots in Antrim County.

Margaret has dedicated her life to sewing. She even has tattoos on her hands to help her measure stitches. Today we take a trip to her small but mighty sewing studio in Traverse City. Rena Barch brings us this story as part of the Transom Story Workshop.

Hear our special episode, broadcast live from the Harbor Springs Festival of the Book on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026! Authors, booksellers, a white whale who just wants a friend! What more could you ask for?