Up North Lowdown

Up North Lowdown

Interlochen Public Radio

Episodes 243
Avg. Duration 14m
Activity Highly Active
Since Apr 2023
Latest Episode Jun 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Every Few Days
Format
Episodic
Consistency
65%
Hosting
www.interlochenpublicradio.org

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

What a contract for nurses has to say about AI

Jun 12, 2026 9m

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,…

America 250: Whose stories?

Jun 11, 2026 9m

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…

When grown-ups become band kids

Jun 10, 2026 9m

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…

DNA and a cold-case conviction

Jun 09, 2026 8m

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…

Saving Antrim's Spring Cleanup

Jun 08, 2026 9m

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:…

Regional news roundup: Benzie's millage, Wexford's solar and Up North's wildfire danger

Jun 05, 2026 9m

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…

Why was A.I. part of contract talks for Munson nurses?

Jun 04, 2026 9m

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.…

As Michigan's weather shifts, demand is growing for tornado safe rooms

Jun 03, 2026 9m

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…

At Michigan's prisons, is a raise enough to keep workers?

Jun 02, 2026 9m

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…

Federal cuts could limit data on Great Lakes

Jun 01, 2026 8m

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…

Meet the Interlochen man organizing the nation's 250th birthday time capsule

May 29, 2026 8m

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…

The incubator farm

May 28, 2026 8m

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…

A mother speaks out about where a court sent her son

May 27, 2026 9m

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…

Checking in with the ‘dam lady’ of Bellaire, 1 month after the flooding

May 26, 2026 9m

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,…

The Pit Spitters are back at it

May 25, 2026 10m

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…

Extended episode: Data centers, butterflies and the life of Holly T. Bird

May 22, 2026 15m

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…

The rules of clerking, explained

May 21, 2026 9m

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…

Could higher travel costs actually help Up North tourism?

May 20, 2026 9m

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…

More stories to tell

May 19, 2026 8m

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…

The most important election you've never heard of

May 18, 2026 9m

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…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Up North Lowdown have?

Up North Lowdown has published 243 episodes since April 2023, covering topics in News.

Is Up North Lowdown still active?

Up North Lowdown is currently highly active with new episodes every few days. Average episode length is 14m.

How do I contact Up North Lowdown for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Up North Lowdown, including email and social media links.

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