Up North Lowdown

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...