Up North Lowdown

Interlochen Public Radio
  • 5.0 (27)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Nine minutes of northern Michigan, every weekday, featuring in-depth reporting from the Interlochen Public Radio newsroom, conversations with reporters and local newsmakers, and more.

  1. 1D AGO

    Charlevoix man's remains come home, a year after his death in Ukraine

    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.

    9 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Melting caves, icy cliffs and other Up North delights

    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 Roxanne Hoorn tells us about efforts to make ice on a sheer rock face, and how that might help ice climbers have a more dependable season to practice their sport.

    9 min

  3. 3D AGO

    Michigan could be replete with ‘geologic hydrogen,’ or not

    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.

    9 min

  4. 4D AGO

    A pause on data centers, before they even ask

    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 chat with Matt Schlomer, founder and artistic director of IPR's Sound Garden Project, about a new partnership that's bringing top musicians to northern Michigan.

    9 min

  5. 5D AGO

    ‘A dating profile’ to save Michigan farms

    Michigan is losing farms. Farmers are retiring and there are fewer people to take over their work. A new program wants to change that by acting as sort of a matchmaker. The idea is to pair retiring farmers with people looking to advance in farming. The farms create a sort of dating profile, and prospective farmers see if they're a good fit. Today, we talk with reporter Miles MacClure, who looked into it. He tells us there are 10 times as many people looking to farm as there are farms looking for successors. Despite that, it's not easy to find someone to take over. Read the full story, from the Northern Michigan Journalism Collaborative.

    9 min

  6. FEB 6

    Austin tries curling

    Every four years, everyone goes crazy over curling. It shows up in the Olympic Games, which seems to give it a boost in popularity (at least in the countries where it's not already popular). And, since the games get underway tonight, we sent Austin Rowlader out on the sheet at the Traverse City Curling Club, to see what all the hype is about.

    10 min

  7. FEB 5

    Data centers and deer baiting

    Data centers could be big business for communities in Michigan. They also raise serious concerns about their impact on energy grids and the environment. Today, we talk with the planning director in Garfield Township, just outside Traverse City, about the prospect of data centers there. Also: Deer baiting is a hot topic here in northern Michigan. That’s when you leave a big pile of, say, apples or carrots, to attract deer while hunting. The practice is forbidden right now in the Lower Peninsula, but that could soon change. Michigan’s House of Representatives advanced a bill that would lift the ban.

    9 min

  8. FEB 4

    The PIT Count

    Each year, volunteers fan out in northern Michigan — and around the country — to try and take a data snapshot: How many people are living without shelter? The point-in-time, or PIT, count provides data that informs federal funding. But where the government sends that money might soon change. Also: Grand Traverse Bay has frozen over for the first time since 2019. We hear how scientists are going back in time to figure out the history of ice cover on the Great Lakes. And we remember a former U.S. senior diplomat who, in his retirement, called Traverse City home.

    10 min
See All (158)

5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Nine minutes of northern Michigan, every weekday, featuring in-depth reporting from the Interlochen Public Radio newsroom, conversations with reporters and local newsmakers, and more.

Information

  • Creator
    Interlochen Public Radio
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    158
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Up North Lowdown

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