Up North Lowdown

Yeah, probably. Jonathan Baude is a local puzzle master whose crosswords have been published in The New York Times. Today he delivers a puzzle too tough for IPR's Ed Ronco.

We're talking tourism, tradition, farming and aerial stunts on this special edition of the Up North Lowdown. This episode was broadcast live from the Traverse City Visitor Center on the day before the festival opens.

License plate reading cameras are catching on in northern Michigan. Grand Traverse County has 28. Antrim County has eight, with the possibility of three more on the way. Also: Youth homelessness numbers are down in northwest lower Michigan, despite adult stats holding steady. We'll hear from a local group working to end the crisis. And how about those storms last night?

For decades, people in Frankfort and Elberta have spent the Fourth of July week looking for a little medal. We talk to an organizer of the annual tradition and an enthusiast. But that's not all in this episode! Hear about our biggest picture yet on how PFAS chemicals are impacting the Great Lakes. And listen to an excerpt of "Pink Pony Club" by the OUT Ensemble!

A new Michigan law requires some local elected officials to wait a certain amount of time before assuming office. And so far this session, it's the only election measure to receive bipartisan support in Lansing. We hear why the new law went into effect, and what it means for those chosen to lead their communities.

Ownership over a Grand Traverse County park has local residents worried about its future. Also, Ludacris cancels his performance at the Cherry Festival sighting “an unforeseen scheduling conflict.”

Traverse City this week hosted a statewide competition for recycling initiatives. Competitors were awarded cash prizes. IPR's Vivian La takes us to the NextCycle Showcase, and introduces us to some of the ideas on display. Plus, we hear from IPR's Red Pine Radio. Producer Helen Raica-Klotz talks with Holly Polich about a pancake that brings back some great memories.

Leelanau County hired Jim Dyer in late 2024 to be county administrator, hoping to bring stability to a dysfunctional workplace. A year and half later, Dyer is the subject of multiple complaints, has been cited by several former employees as a reason for resigning. Even before Dyer was hired, showed up in a 2024 study of the county offices.

It’s summer, folks. There are a lot of people going swimming. There are a lot of people going out on their boats. Then, of course, there’s a lot of people walking on the shoreline with their heads down. Did they lose their keys? Are they checking out their new toenail polish? No. We'll tell you what they're doing in this episode. Also, a local composting company is making their pitch at the NextCycle pitch competition.

Get the latest on Randy and Victoria Bishop's defamation lawsuit. Also, large scale solar array plans in Wexford County.

During a 2024 broadcast of "Our Defending Fathers," Randy Bishop's conservative talk radio program, he told his listeners an Onaway businessman, Tom Moran "shipped in illegal immigrants" to work at his metal fabrication business. Moran sued Bishop and the radio station for defamation. The radio station airing the comments was owned by Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop, who has recently come under scrutiny from the Michigan Bureau of Elections for making illegal changes to the state's Qualified Voter File (QVF). Her access to the QVF was recently revoked by the bureau. The Bishops are also under investigation from the Michigan State Police for a February incident where a member of the Antrim County custodial staff saw Trucker Randy at Victoria's computer unsupervised. The Bishops have refused to cooperate with the courts in their defamation lawsuit and have spoiled evidence pertaining to the case. This prompted Judge Aaron Gauthier [gaw-THeer] of Cheboygan’s 53rd circuit court to enter a default judgment, holding Trucker Randy and Victoria Bishop’s radio station liable for defamation. This week, jurors will decide how much in damages will be awarded to Tom Moran and his business. Also in this episode, Kate Grumke from Harvest Public Media tells us about the re-emersion of the serviceberry or Juneberry.

Data centers are popping up around the country, including in Michigan. So far, the projects have been downstate. What's the likelihood they'd come Up North?

Some immigrants detained inside Michigan detention centers have been held for over six months. For some, it’s been closer to a year. Mental health experts say that takes a toll. We hear the voices of some who have been held for what feels like an indefinite amount of time. Reporting by Claire Keenan-Kurgan and Michigan Public's Michelle Jokisch Polo and Adam Yahya Rayes.

IPR has obtained the 10-page complaint made against Leelanau County Administrator Jim Dyer, who was placed on paid leave earlier this month. In today's episode, IPR's Maxwell Howard walks us through some of the specifics, and we hear voices from Leelanau County commenting on the turbulence in their government. Plus, our occasional gardening segment, "Grow & Tell," explores rhubarb.

The state Bureau of Elections has suspended Victoria Bishop's ability to see or modify the qualified voter file, or QVF. State officials wrote that she was told not to alter the file, but did anyway. We hear from two voters who went down to their township clerk's office to make sure they were still registered. Also, could the waves of Lake Michigan provide reliable power to Beaver Island? A test this weekend could help find out.

The proposal to bury oil and natural gas liquid pipelines beneath the Straits of Mackinac has been a lightning rod for years. A virtual hearing on a state permit is set for Thursday. But there are lots of moving parts: state permits, federal permits, legal challenges and more. We thought it would be useful to walk through some of the details.

The potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare settings was a big subject at the bargaining table for union nurses at northern Michigan's largest hospital. Now that they have a deal, what does it say? We have some details. Also, we have a look at IPR's Sound Garden Project and its residency in Glen Arbor.

The Grand Rapids-based Native News Online is doing a variety of things this year to bring Native voices to the forefront as the United States marks 250 years as a nation. Native News Online Editor and Publisher Levi Rickert talked to IPR about how the project got started and the complicated mix of feelings he and many others feel around occasions like the semiquincentennial of the United States.

It's never too late to learn something new. That's the idea behind Act 2, a program of the Traverse City Philharmonic that lets adults who are new to music learn how to play an instrument. Some, like Jennifer Wesling, participated in music in their youth and are learning a new musical instrument. Classical IPR has been checking in with members of the Act 2 band. On this episode, we get an update and, we should let you know: They sound terrific!

On Monday, a Grand Traverse County jury convicted Steven Gary Koon, 64, of the killing of Linda Meteer in 1989. Key to securing the conviction, the prosecutor said, was mitochondrial DNA evidence demonstrating Meteer had been in Koon's vehicle. Journalist Mardi Link explains how recent science secured a conviction after 37 years.

For about 20 years, people in Antrim County have piled unwanted goods along the side of the road. People spend time picking it all over, taking what they like, and often find some real treasures: furniture, art, a hot tub. But MDOT says the trash needs to stay out of the right-of-way or the Spring Cleanup could end. And one township is hoping a small sign might save the tradition.

It's a regional roundup today on the Up North Lowdown. We'll hear about a crucial millage vote in Benzie County, solar array concerns in Wexford County and how rainfall doesn't necessarily tell you much about wildfire danger.

Union nurses and Munson Medical Center in Traverse City have reached a tentative agreement after months of negotiation. Artificial intelligence was among the issues on the table during those talks. We hear why. Plus, other stories from northern Michigan.

Last year, you might recall, northern Michigan experienced three tornadoes on the same day. In 2022, Gaylord was hit by a deadly twister. And southwest Michigan suffered deaths and injuries after tornadoes earlier this year. What do you do if you live in a home with little shelter, like no basement, or lots of windows? More and more, people are turning to tornado safe rooms. Bridge Michigan's Nate Miller wrote about the growing trend and talks with the Lowdown about why demand is growing for the shelters.

Prison workers in the Michigan Department of Corrections have been upset about working conditions — including thin staffing, safety concerns and mandatory overtime — for a while. IPR, WCMU and the Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative produced a series of reports about this back in April. Now, those workers are about to get a raise. Will it assuage any concern? Reporting for this episode came from Claire Keenan-Kurgan.

Some groups that do research and collect data on the Great Lakes face existential threats as the federal budgeting process gets underway. The president wants to cut their funding. That’s worrying scientists who say the work they do is the foundation of weather observations, water quality, maritime safety and recreation on the Great Lakes. IPR climate solutions reporter Vivian La tells us more. And, yes, it's been a buggy spring so far. We hear what might be happening, from IPR's Ellie Katz.

How do you tell the story of a complicated country, for people you'll never meet? Hear our conversation with Interlochen resident Tom Medema, project manager for America's Time Capsule, part of the official celebration of the nation's semiquincentennial. The capsule will be buried in Philadelphia until 2276.

Michigan needs new farmers. So does the nation. But it's a hard business. There are big challenges, including high costs and access to land. That's to say nothing of fickle weather and a changing climate. Just south of Traverse City, an incubator farm is working to solve some of these issues. IPR climate solutions reporter Vivian La takes us there. And Austin Rowlader has details on a new investigation into the Antrim County Clerk's office, this time from Michigan State Police.

Five children from Grand Traverse County were sent out of state for mental health treatment — to a Missouri facility with a history of allegations of sexual and physical abuse. Now, the mother of one of those children speaks out, telling IPR she warned the court about the facility's past, but her son was sent there anyway.

We first met Leslie Meyers, aka "the Dam Lady," back in October — long before rising waters this spring that flooded many households downstream of the dam in Bellaire. When that happened, in April, it was Meyers who was tasked with orchestrating the emergency response, issuing evacuation preparedness orders, handling media contacts, and overseeing repairs to the 100 year old earthen berm that holds back the Upper Chain of Lakes in Antrim County. And after all that, her moniker has taken on a new weight.

The Traverse City Pit Spitters begin their season today in Kalamazoo. After two games there, the team comes to Traverse City for a Wednesday home opener against the Rockford Rivets. Last year the team had the second most wins in franchise history. But it's hard to how what will happen this year. Pit Spitters Manager Todd Reed explains why and talks about the importance of building a team around more than wins and losses.

A 12-hour concert this weekend will celebrate the life of Holly T. Bird, a lawyer, activist, tribal judge and former TCAPS school board member. Also: Our gardening segment returns, and we hear about more data center angst.

The state accuses Antrim County's clerk of mishandling voter registration data. The clerk, Victoria Bishop, says she's doing what voters elected her to do. Township clerks seem largely frustrated by the changes. Voters seem confused. And the state Bureau of Elections has threatened legal consequences. Votebeat reporter Hayley Harding joins us to talk about the laws governing how voter registrations are handled.

Gas prices are up and plane tickets are more expensive. For many, a summer vacation — the sort of thing northern Michigan's economy counts on to get by — might be in question this year. But some say high overall travel costs might actually help local tourism. Plus, what happens if you want to stay here? We take a look at northern Michigan's housing market as we head into summer.

IPR has learned that Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop canceled voter registrations, despite denying it to the state. Also, we visit the set of northern Michigan filmmaker Rich Brauer's latest movie — set at a retirement home. Brauer has been making films for decades and says he's quite far from retirement, thank you very much.

It’s election season for races you’ve probably never heard about — but can impact your energy bill. Michigan’s rural energy cooperatives set rates, manage multi-million dollar budgets and decide reliability standards. They're board of directors are voted in by co-op members but annual elections for these positions have low voter turnouts — as low as 10% for some energy co-ops. This could be the year things start to change. IPR climate change reporter Vivian La takes us to the hidden world of energy co-op elections. Also, state legislatures forgive snow days and slash the essay portion of a state exam (11th graders across Michigan rejoice).

The Up North Lowdown is all about bringing you the news from your own back yard. But sometimes it's important to leave our back yards for a while and experience how the rest of the world operates. That's exactly what our host Ed Ronco did this week. He was at the BBC, learning how they put together the Newshour. While he was there, he ran into BBC World Service host James Coomarasamy on the streets of London. Also, news about a shifting trichloroethylene plume in Antrim County. And claims of inadequate healthcare being provided by ICE at its North Lake Processing Center.

Due to recent closures of mental health facilities across the state, children experiencing mental health issues are being sent out of state for care. In 2025, three children from Grand Traverse County were placed at the Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Missouri. Abuse allegations were made against the facility every year from 2011 until 2024. They now have multiple lawsuits filed against them for this pattern of abuse. IPR's Maxwell Howard sits down with Ellie Katz to discuss the details. Also, candidates for Michigan's U.S. Senate seat turn their campaigns to northern Michigan. IPR's Claire Keenan-Kurgan takes a look at how Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed hopes to woo voters in the region. And Michigan's Natural Resources Commission made a big change to the state's deer hunting policy after a 10-hour meeting in Gaylord: a limit to one buck per hunter.

The Antrim County Clerk, Victoria Bishop, owns a radio station where her husband airs a daily three-hour-long conservative talk radio show. Producer Austin Rowlader takes you inside one of his recent episodes where Trucker Randy raises money so the Antrim County Clerk's office can sue Michigan elections officials. For more information about the Antrim County Clerk and the recent allegations from the state Bureau of Elections, click here.

Grand Traverse County is moving ahead with new building projects, plus the state Natural Resources Commission could consider enacting a "one-buck" rule on deer hunters this week. We also talk with Matthew Burtner, a composer and sound artist who records soundscapes from different environments and makes them into music. Burtner is completing an artist residency sponsored by the Elberta Labor Heritage Center (WUWU Community Radio), Sawbill Surf Club, and Interlochen Public Radio. He collaborated with residents of Benzie County to record the sounds of the Betsie River Valley for a new composition called "Estuary and Crossing." Hear the composition in full and meet Burtner at a community potluck and listening session on Wednesday, May 13 at 6 p.m. at Elberta United Methodist Church.

The pink salmon first entered the Great Lakes when a small number were discarded into a sewer. They eventually made their way into Lake Superior. That was 70 years ago. The population has just experienced a sharp increase in numbers worldwide. Ellie Katz discusses possible Great Lakes implications. Also, a popular local restaurant is hoping to open a cafe and bakery in a vacant space in downtown Traverse City.

Isiah Smith was astonished when an author shared some of his research — a bill of sale that enslaved Smith's great grandfather, just a boy at the time. The retired attorney and northern Michigan author talks tonight with that author — Orice Jenkins — whose book, "The Early County Massacre: Goolsby vs. The State of Georgia" is set in the county where Smith was born. We hear from Smith in this episode. We also get the latest about ongoing tensions between the Antrim County clerk and the state Bureau of Elections.

The Father Fred Foundation food pantry in Grand Traverse County served 47,000 people last year. That's in a county of just over 90,000 people. We look at the demand on one resource in Grand Traverse County. Also, a newly restored barn just opened at Traverse City's Historic Barns Park and, when it did, the public got a look at a message left behind nearly 70 years ago by a grumpy worker who wrote his feelings on the wall.

Northern Michigan wineries are leaning on hybrid grape varieties to withstand less predictable winters and other obstacles brought on by climate change. Reporter Miles MacClure takes us to a winery in Charlevoix to learn more. Also, we hear about a conference planned for Traverse City that aims to prevent threats facing children — things like campus safety, internet predators, bullying and AI-driven deepfakes.

We're talking about representation today. In one sense, it's literal representation — who will fill the open state Senate seat in Michigan's 35th District? It's far away from Up North, but the ramifications of today's special election could be felt statewide. We also hear from Classical IPR's Isabel Li, whose new podcast — AAPI Classical Musicians of Interlochen — looks at the musical contributions made by Asian Americans, Pacific Islander Americans and Native Hawaiians. Plus, we hear Dan Wanschura lead a room full of people in an owl call at the end of the episode. (They do pretty well, actually.)

Bellaire, Michigan. People gather in a bar on a Saturday. Sports? No. Beverages? Maybe. Probably, really. But the main reason they're here is to copy the United States Constitution, every word of it, by hand. These events have been going on for a while now — and IPR's Austin Rowlader went to see what it's all about. He found some pondering over the document itself (why the weird capitalizations?) but also some deeper reflections on where we are as a country.

Taped LIVE from Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City, Ed kicks off the first full day of the Fresh Coast Film Festival. Traverse City Mayor Amy Shamroe joins us to talk about the film industry. Rachel Felder, producer of "Detroit to Gloryland," talks about the experience of taking a group of students to see the Yosemite National Park. Also a preview of "An Autumn Summer" — a coming of age romance making its up north debut this weekend. We'll talk to director Jared Isaac and producer JohnPaul Morris. Dan Wanschura does his best to call in an owl on the latest Points North episode. And then, if you've never heard the sun come up before...Austin Rowlader was in Clinch Park to see how it sounds.

Julie Cordier keeps a binder filled with notes on each person’s name, some details about them, and how often she’s seen them. She guesses she's visited between 15 and 20 detainees at the North Lake Processing Center. Today, we hear her story, plus we meet a composer who takes inspiration — and sound — from the natural world to make his music.

Michigan dams are not built for climate change. Many of the state's 2,500 dams were built more than a century ago and updates have not kept up with the warming world. So as waters continue to recede across northern Michigan from historic flooding, several close calls have renewed a push for dam upgrades, maintenance and even removal. In this episode, we also check in with Shannah Vergote of Northwestern Michigan College, about the upcoming Campus Day.

Christian clergy in northern Michigan and around the state are holding a 'solidarity fast' with a Traverse City man detained by ICE and on hunger strike at the North Lake Processing Center in Baldwin. They spoke to reporters and others in Suttons Bay. Also: Antrim Co. Clerk Victoria Bishop has responded to state demands for information, after the Bureau of Elections questioned her methods in handling the county's voter rolls. And state officials appear in Traverse City to talk about dam safety.