This week on Points North , we dive into how the state is trying to help underpaid and overworked court-appointed attorneys. Plus a former employee of the Traverse City State Hospital reflects on 30 years on the job.

This week on Points North, thousands of students are back in school. Hear how state efforts to improve reading and writing scores for third graders may be getting lost in translation.

This week on Points North , thousands of students are back in school. Hear how state efforts to improve reading and writing scores for third graders may be getting lost in translation. Plus an interview with the new Superintendent of Traverse City Area Public Schools.

This week on Points North, tribes try to bring sturgeon back to Michigan’s waters. Plus one man realizes his dream of running a curling league.

This week on Points North , tribes try to bring sturgeon back to Michigan’s waters. Plus one man realizes his dream of running a curling league. Sturgeon are a prehistoric fish that can live up to 100 years old, but overfishing and habitat destruction has decimated their population across the state. Baby sturgeon were released last weekend as part of a joint effort between the state, tribes and conservation groups to restore populations of this ancient fish. Hear the young sturgeon hit the water

This week on Points North, hear how Michigan hops farmers are struggling to keep up with the craft beer boom. Plus, a look ahead on the future of the Traverse City Pit Spitters baseball team.

This week on Points North , hear how Michigan hops farmers are struggling to keep up with the craft beer boom. Plus, a look ahead on the future of the Traverse City Pit Spitters baseball team. Five years ago hops were in high demand in Michigan, so farmers started experimenting with the crop. However, as beer tastes changed and breweries went looking for the next new thing, many northern Michigan hop farmers have been unable to make ends meet. This year, more than a dozen hop fields throughout

This week on Points North, hear how citizens are becoming scientists on the Great Lakes.

This week on Points North , hear how citizens are becoming scientists on the Great Lakes. Plus, a cheesy grits casserole recipe with a special ingredient: family history.

This week on Points North, the U.S. Forest Service tried to ban alcohol on three popular northern Michigan rivers, but they backed off after public outcry. Now they say they will ramp up enforcement and education to curb drunken behavior.