Are we tossing an episode of the Up North Lowdown at you on July 4th? Yes we are. Is it a fun one? Yes it is.

Twin Flames Universe — the subject of a 2023 Netflix series portraying it as a cult — is under investigation by Michigan's attorney general. Authorities carried out raids Tuesday in Leelanau County. We talked about it with journalist Jacob Wheeler, of the Glen Arbor Sun. Listen:

A new schedule comes to IPR News Radio on Monday. We're excited to add some new shows!

The opening of a privately run immigration detention center in Lake County has raised a lot of questions, including its impact on nearby Baldwin.

A few people in Benzie County were motivated by “a combination of traffic safety and turtle safety coming together, and also being concerned about the people like us who like to help turtles." Turtlefest is returning this weekend - as are the crossing signs. for @iprnews.bsky.social @grist.org

IPR is the winner of 3 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards! www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-05-21/c...

We hope you'll join us at this event on May 28! And even if you can't, maybe you can help us right now, by sending us your questions/thoughts: www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-05-15/a...

The sweep began on Tuesday and appeared to conclude today.

We're considering some programming changes on IPR News Radio. Learn more and take a survey here: www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-05-05/w...

President Donald Trump’s executive order declared a national energy emergency, which cleared the way for energy projects to receive emergency status. While the tunnel project’s emergency status will speed up the Army Corps’ review, it’s not clear exactly how much faster it will be.

Do you catch Cheryl Bartz's "What's Up Outside?" essays on Sundays? If not, here. If yes, listen again, because they're really fun. www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-04-07/t...

IPR News Radio is looking for its next "Morning Edition" host! Learn more here:

An update on the ice storm response, including U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman on his tour of the damage and the potential for federal assistance: www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-04-05/i...

BREAKING: Commissioner Rob Hentschel will not face criminal charges after a special prosecutor said Friday that there’s "insufficient evidence to prove a crime took place beyond a reasonable doubt."

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman wrote in a letter to President Trump: "... a visit from you would be a powerful reminder that we are not alone in this recovery." www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-04-03/b...

We are struggling with keeping some of our transmitters on the air in the aftermath of the big ice storm. IPR News in Harbor Springs and Classical IPR in Mackinaw City are both affected. Details: www.interlochenpublicradio.org/2025-03-29/i...

BREAKING: Lack of fuel has been among the main concerns in the region. Gov. Whitmer also said she would temporarily lift restrictions on weight and commercial driver hours to allow energy supplies to move quickly to northern Michigan.

Should you use a warming station, be prepared and bring toiletries, medication, clothes and nonperishable food items.

Great Lakes Energy said in a statement that it "advises members to prepare for a five-day to multi-week outage event." More winter weather is expected in northern Michigan on Wednesday morning.

A tree topples over in Hayes Township, near the Charlevoix/Emmet County line, on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Meteorologists expect the thaw to take a few days. Video courtesy of Jessica Schmidt of Charlevoix.

Crews are working to restore power to more than 100,000 customers who were left in the dark, after an ice storm brought down trees and power lines.

Officials from Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties say they're still in the "information gathering stages" as they form oversight committees and survey populations.

When his owner checked out of his motel room in Cheboygan, Wally the alligator stayed a little longer.

One measles case has been confirmed in Michigan already, but officials in northern Michigan say low vaccination rates in some counties are causing real concern for a potential outbreak.

The chances of being struck by lightning are higher than being attacked by a black bear. But one morning, about a week before Christmas it happened to Bill Vagts and his dog. So, what went wrong? Find out in the latest episode of Points North:

We're still looking to answer your questions about how new immigration policy will impact northern Michigan. Submit a question on our Speakpipe:

Last spring, a farmer in Leelanau County started applying a kind of fertilizer to his fields: Sewage pumped from septic tanks, often called septage. That kicked off a local fight about whether it’s legal to apply that waste in Centerville Township.

I took a drive to an inflatable planetarium at Sleeping Bear Dunes this weekend (also working on other stuff) - listen in: @iprnews.bsky.social

Love seeing Michael Livingston build off @kffhealthnews.org's reporting/resources to investigate how opioid settlement $$ is being spent in his own community for @iprnews.bsky.social! If you're in northern Michigan, follow his ongoing coverage. www.interlochenpublicradio.org/ipr-news/202...

Spring is a dangerous time for wildfires because everything’s so dry and can burn easily. Here’s how the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is preparing before the snow melts.

The latest @gristnews.bsky.social local reporter collab, including perspective from a tribal relations specialist who was laid off from her job at the Huron-Manistee National Forests — along with thousands of other forest service workers across the country @iprnews.bsky.social

Sea lamprey are not supposed to be in the Great Lakes, which is why the U.S. spends about $20 million each year to protect the multi-billion dollar fisheries that lamprey threaten. That budget has remained at around $20 million since 2010.

Last year, Vice President JD Vance, then an Ohio senator, was part of a bipartisan coalition calling to increase funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative — among the country’s largest investments aimed at restoring the Great Lakes. Advocates hope he hasn't changed his mind.

“It's really cathartic,” Sean Case told IPR, “because I have all these thoughts all day, all the time, in the back of my head.”

Matt Hamilton has taught social studies and video production at East Jordan Middle/High School for 23 years but he’s known more in the community for his effort outside the classroom.

POINTS NORTH: In May 2024, Erik Grams was leading a fishing trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, when there was a fatal canoeing accident. Since then, Erik’s had to wrestle with his feelings about this place he’s loved for decades.

Will affordable educator housing help northwest Michigan address its teacher shortage? While the project will be Michigan’s first, other states have already embraced affordable educator housing.

Capt. James Jackson helmed the steamer Yale, making its way to Sault Ste. Marie from Whitefish Point in October, 1903. He noticed another ship battling fierce gales and ice buildup nearby. That's when he sprang into action:

IPR seeks stories that will spotlight challenges faced by migrants and employers, the immigration system and how it could be improved, and how policy will affect our region. Do you have a firsthand experience you’re willing to share? Tell us here:

A new study found that fish-eating water birds in some contaminated areas of the Great Lakes region experience negative health impacts, particularly related to growth and development.

There’s a hole in what we know about ice on the Great Lakes. While satellites can see where the ice is, it can be difficult to measure its thickness. Now, a new effort to fill in that gap is underway.

Lake whitefish are on the brink of collapse in Lakes Michigan and Huron. Scientists are hoping they can get the fish to spawn in northern Michigan’s rivers, something they haven’t done in well over 100 years. Find out how:

Water quality, microplastics, PFAS and marine infrastructure are among the things people could grapple with in this year’s #GreatLakes Blue Tech Challenge. Story by @iprnews.bsky.social and @gristnews.bsky.social: www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/02/blue...

IPR’s Izzy Ross caught up with the former Democratic lawmaker at the Northern Michigan Policy Conference last week in Acme:

To get off fossil fuels, America is going to need a lot more electricians. A shortage of skilled labor could derail efforts to "electrify everything." grist.org/energy/elect... by @emilypont.bsky.social #Electricians #Electric #Electricity #Energy #Climate

Here's your weekly round up of interesting and fun things we're seeing out in the community:

Microplastics are everywhere. But after accidentally combining materials in a lab, scientists at the University of Michigan are on the cusp of discovering a new method to capture and remove microplastics from water. Hear what it took in the latest episode of Points North:

Come for the result. Stay for the ornithological trash talking. The results of our IPR State Bird CAWcus: